USS BELKNAP Association Newsletter

Winter 2003

To honor and preserve the history and memory of the USS BELKNAP (DLG/CG-26), its naval crews, to foster and strengthen fraternal, civic, and patriotic ties among shipmates.

THE ASSOCIATION IS BORN

After several months of planning, telephone calls, emails and countless visits by Dick Lemon and Al Sniff, the first USS BELKNAP DLG/CG 26 Reunion became a reality.

On Thursday, October 24, 2003, the USS BELKNAP Reunion began with registration, looking at memorabilia and cruise books of BELKNAP and renewing old friendships. Nearly 200 former shipmates and friends joined together to form a recognized association, and remember those lost in the terrible November 22nd 1975 accident with the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) during night maneuvers in the Ionian Sea.

On Friday, October 25th, the USS BELKNAP Association was formed among the approximately 100 former shipmates present. Reunion organizer Dick Lemon painstakingly walked the shipmates through the draft charter, necessary to establish an official association. Following two hours of reviewing chapters, articles and words, the USS BELKNAP Association Charter was adopted.

After a much-needed break and quenching of terrible thirst the Association regrouped to nominate and elect officers. The officers of the USS BELKNAP Association Executive Committee are: Dick Shafer, Honorary Past President; Jim Farrow, President; John O’Connor, Vice President, Dick Tremain, Secretary; and Jeff Milnes, Treasurer. At 1530 the same day, a service was held to allow shipmates to remember those lost during the November 1975 incident with the KENNEDY and to mourn the loss of other shipmates.

The Association, working closely with the City of Norfolk and several fraternal and Navy organizations is trying to obtain donations for the erecting of a memorial to those lost during that terrible night in 1975. The Memorial will be located in Wisconsin Square. In May 2002, the City of Norfolk dedicates Wisconsin Square in honor of Norfolk-based ships that suffered an event, since World War II, which resulted in a significant loss of life. Watching over the square is the Lone Sailor statue and Commemorative Memorial Plaques that were sponsored by the US Navy Memorial Foundation and the City of Norfolk, with additional financial support from the USS COLE Association, USS IOWA Association, USS NIMITZ Association, USS SCORPION Association, USS FORRESTAL Association, USS LIBERTY Association, and USS NEWPORT NEWS. Members of the USS BELKNAP Association are seeking donations to fund the purchase of the memorial, obtain necessary engraving, and placement. A ceremony scheduled for Saturday, April 26th 2003 will be the official dedication and unveiling of the memorial.

On Saturday, October 26th, shipmates, friends and family were able to join a tour to the Norfolk Naval Base, visit the Battleship USS WISCONSIN, and the adjacent shopping mall. After the tours, reunion members once again were able to continue swapping sea stories while participating in a meeting to learn of the officer’s decisions on Association dues and finish up on Memorial activities. At this time there was a 50/50 raffle held as well as the purchasing of reunion patches, engraved cups and other trinkets. Also at this meeting, Pensacola, Florida was selected to be the site of the next reunion to be held in October 2003.

That evening we enjoyed a terrific banquet that was somewhat the final hurrah for the reunion. It was a continuing opportunity for shipmates to enjoy each other’s company, sway more sea stories and enjoy a magnificent meal. The Association President made opening remarks and once again he expressed thanks from everyone to Dick Lemon and Al Sniff, the two gents who worked so very hard to make the reunion happen. From an idea in the spring of 2002 rose a very terrific USS BELKNAP reunion and the establishment of the USS BELKNAP Association. Following the meal, Ted Stoma was announced the winner of the 50/50 raffle. A current Navy Seaman with two years of service and Al Sniff, retired after 44 years of active service, selected the winning ticket.

The final event of the reunion was breakfast in the hotel restaurant, where past shipmates and family members said good-byes and pledged to be at the next reunion.

Throughout the reunion there was a wonderful feeling of seeing past shipmates, swapping sea stories and remembering those shipmates we’ve lost. The Association vowed to sustain our momentum by committing to a second reunion. During the ensuing months, Association members will be seeking BELKNAP shipmates and striving to get the necessary donations to establish the BELKNAP Memorial. For more information on the BELKNAP, the Association, the next reunion, and the plans for the memorial, go to the BELKNAP Association website, www.USSBELKNAP.com.