Washtenaw's 2019 Reunion
Our 2019 reunion was held at the Red Lion Hotel in Seattle, Washington in September. Many thanks to this year's hosts Ron and Sharon Tucker, and Bravo Zulu once again to our board of directors!
Photos by association photographer Nick Motto
Minutes of 2019 Association Meeting
This year's reunion recap was written by our association's new secretary Nick Motto:
2019 USS Washtenaw County Veterans Association Reunion Seattle, WA
The 2019 reunion was held at the Red Lion Inn, SeaTac near Seattle from September 16 – 20, 2019. Twenty-three veterans and some of their family and friends attended. Thanks to Ron and Sharon Tucker for hosting and to the Board of Directors for arranging another memorable reunion.
Monday: Veterans and their families arrived from across the nation at the Red Lion Inn near SeaTac airport. Hosts Ron and Sharon Tucker greeted the guests with a welcome bag containing memorabilia and information on the many attractions offered in the Seattle area. The hospitality room was stocked with adult beverages and soft drinks and snacks for those socializing with old friends. Greg Pierceall provided Ship’s Logs for perusal covering the history of the USS Washtenaw County. Mike Shaw provided a slide show of pictures taken by various crew members. Several members and their wives took a seven day Alaska cruise the week prior to the reunion.
Tuesday: Veterans and their families began exploring the Seattle area in small groups, venturing to Bremerton, to the USS Turner Joy museum ship and into Seattle proper to sample the many attractions there such as the Space Needle and the Chihuly Glass Museum. At 6PM, all gathered in the hospitality room for a buffet catered Meet and Greet to get reacquainted with friends not seen since 2018 in Kissimmee, Florida.
Wednesday: Once again, small groups headed out to various Seattle attractions. Many attendees went to dinner together this evening to enjoy the company of old friends.
Thursday: Veterans and their families continued to gather in the hospitality room to trade sea stories and to catch up on the happenings of the last year. The annual business meeting took place at 3PM and the venue and hosts for next year’s reunion were formally announced. Bob Hatfield and Suzy Bauer will host 2020 in Rapid City, SD from August 31 to September 4, 2020.
The Reunion Banquet was held starting at 6PM with a no host bar and a silent auction for items brought by the members. Also held were raffles for a free stay and also a free night at the hotel and the money raised was put into the Association treasury to help fund future activities. After presentation of the Colors by a squad of active duty Navy personnel, attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner with salmon, beef and chicken offered along with an assortment of salads and sides.
Thursday: Departure day for most attendees with a few staying an extra day or two to continue enjoying the Seattle area. “THANK YOU,” to Ron and Sharon Tucker for planning and hosting this year's event. We also want to thank Mike Shaw for his slide show and video equipment, Nick Motto for his photos to be posted on our website and Greg Pierceall for sharing the ship logs with everyone.
This year’s attendees were Gus and Mary Alegado, Fel and Nattie Bayson, Carlos and Kim Campos, Len and Lois Carida, Bob Coombs, George and Brenda Freeman, Bob Haley, Bob Hatfield and Suzy Bauer, Arnie and Arlene Helfrich, Jim and Pam Hogan (LST 1169), Dick and Becky Hamill, Jim and Margie Hopkins, Richard Leonhardt, John and Annie MacKay (LSMR 409 Guests), Mel Metzinger, Nick Motto and Patti Siegfried, Greg and Judy Pierceall, Ken and Melva Rosenbalm, Joe and Carolyn Rosenberg, Mike Roy and Judy Jennings, Mike and Kathy Shaw, Ron and Cindy Stettler (LST1169), Ron and Sharon Tucker, David and Roz Vicknair, and John and Faith Williams.
Respectfully Submitted, Nick Motto, QM3 68-69
