SSN 680 Plan of the Day
- Brad Williamson
Memorial Day, 2017.
It means a great deal to me, and many of my brothers in arms, that you recognize what we gave up for you and our country in the service of our armed forces. As much as we appreciate those who would say "Thanks for your service!” we are reminded that while every veteran served at great cost, the sacrifice of those of us that came back pales in contrast to those who gave their lives, their bodies, or their minds in the service of our country.
All gave some, some gave all, it is said of those of us who served, and it is a simple reminder that the highest honor be accorded to those that gave, as Abraham Lincoln so eloquently said at Gettysburg, “the last full measure of devotion”.
The veterans you see this Memorial Day, with ball caps and patches silently proclaiming their unit or service affiliation, standing straight with a hand salute, or kneeling in quiet tearful memory at a solemn grave marker, know this more painfully than you can imagine and we would not have you diminish the memory of those that ‘gave all’ by diverting your attention to those of us that ‘gave some’.
- Brad Williamson
Does this look familiar? It’s a Familygram, and the primary mechanism by which we communicate with all of our shipmates through the website. This year, Familygrams have been sent on 4 JAN, 16 MAR, and 7 APR.
If you are seeing these in your email, then all is good. If not, and our mailer suggests that as many as 2/3s of you are not, then there are a few things that you need to do.
First, keep your email address current by updating your profile on the website. If your address is not current, we can’t email you. Complicated, right?
Second, check your junk/spam folder. Your email program may be dumping these for one reason or another, but it’s the next thing to check.
Finally, add “*ssn-680.org” and “*ssn680.org” to your White List. Note the asterisks - this makes sure that any email from the site is automatically kept in your inbox regardless of other filters.
- Brad Williamson
April 7th, 4 months and 25 days, less than 5 months until REGROUPEX 17.
Work continues at a frantic pace. Here is what we know.
Steve Snyder is leading the charge in contacting active members on the dink list (there were almost 90 at last count) whose email addresses are no longer valid. We want them to know about the reunion too, so this a valuable and rewarding effort. Any assistance he could get would be appreciated.
Ron Squiers has been working the event schedule. He has determined, regrettably, that there are no boats scheduled for port calls nearby that we had hoped to be able to tour. That may change at the last minute, but in the meantime, he continues to identify group activities that might be of interest to all.
Julie and Jim Benjamin have assumed responsibility as Reception Coordinators. They will be preparing nametags/badges and arranging the welcoming protocol for all attendees.
- Brad Williamson
It's not Pattaya Beach, but the 2017 reunion is on!
WHEN; 1-4 SEPTEMBER 2017
WHERE: Orlando, FL.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
1. Click Here to Update Your Reunion Plans!
You will have to be logged in to the website.
2. Click Here to Reserve Your Hotel Room!
If you haven't reserved your room, now's the time! Rooms at the beautiful Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel & Resort are $105/night using the group code GRPUSSVI.
3. Click Here to Register for the USSVI Convention.
We are benefiting from their group room rate, so sign up and support the USSVI. Join the USSVI, if you aren't already a member, and register for the convention as well.
- Brad Williamson
As promised, here is a plea for help...er...I mean...uh...a list of responsibilities that we collectively need to address in order to successfully pull off REGROUPEX 17. Somebody, either me or you, has to execute these activities for others to enjoy the privilege of sitting around trading sea stories, memories, and bad jokes with shipmates from decades past, which, interestingly enough, turns out to be a lot of fun!
These positions/responsibilities form the core of the REGROUPEX 17 Planning Committee, for lack of a more glamorous name. If you want to have some input into REGROUPEX 17, taking on one or more of these responsibilities guarantees it! Stepping up here gives you a voice in most of the decisions made regarding REGROUPEX 17, so if you want in, just say so. An email to me (use the Contact Us link on any page of the website) or Private Message (through my User Profile) to me will add your name to the list.