July 1, 2003 - Enclosure #1

Business Meeting Minutes:

7 June 2003 11:00 AM

The Reunion Chairman, Ed Black, called the meeting to order and gave the following reports:

Shipmates not Attending

Payton Mize is not well.
 
Benny Hicks is doing fine following his triple bypass last week.
 
Paul Frazier is not well enough to make reunion trip this year.
 
Bill Shure has a degenerative eye condition and a recent heart attack.
 
Lew Watts (age 81) is doing fair in health.
 
Paul Benjamin, brother of Raymond Benjamin (killed in sinking) has moved to New Jersey.
 
Carl Bodecker's church is having its Founding Anniversary on 8 June 2003, which Carl & Myrt hope to attend. Bodecker says, "We ache and wheeze, but only if we move".
 
Earl Hanson sends his regards, but cannot make the reunion.
 
Ralph Higgins is legally blind; also sends his regards.
 
Bob Darrah's health will not let him travel.
 
Roland Freeman & Berman Scott had planned to come, but had to cancel due to health.

General Situations

Sally Svoboda called to say... that "conflicts" will keep her from our reunion, but not her Champagne. "We love you, Sally"...and don't forget, your Champagne softens our "conflicts", Hope you can join us for our 60th Anniversary next year. Guy (Rich) and Frances (Livesay) were recognized for all the time and effort they put on typing & printing the Newsletter. Shipmate should keep phoning and sending information to Ed and Dot, who write the Newsletter.

Ed Black has been asked to speak at the reunion (16-19 Oct 'O3) of the USS Bayfield in Myrtle Beach SC. If you remember, the RICH was port side of the USS BAYFIELD (APA-33) at Normandy, and the Higgins Boats (efficiently manned by Coast Guard) were systematically ferrying troops to the beach. These fellows were doing a fantastic job, under hazardous conditions. Ed is honored to be asked to speak.

Our thanks to H. B. and Doris & Miss Hospitality (Cindy) Sims for doing a "great" job with the Hospitality Room. All the snacks, cookies, peach butter, pet rocks and soft drinks... were abundant and attractively displayed. Joe & Al Pordoski and Bob & Shirley Aluni are to be commended for their contributions to the Wine & Cheese Party. They pulled as a team to see that everyone enjoyed themselves. Well done.

The USS RICH Website and George Fryberger are one-and-the same. One could not exist without the other, George (& Website) have received several awards for excellence. Thanks George, for doing all this. In Ed's wildest dreams, he never imagined that the story... the story of the USS RICH (DE-695), could be... and would be... read in any country on planet Earth... any time... any day... anywhere. Thanks to George's effort, the shipmates' reputations are worldwide and international. George, has the undying gratitude and appreciation of all.

Roy & Jane Hudson have agreed to host our Reunion next year in Lynchburg VA. They plan a trip to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford (VA) for the 60th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion... plus a cruise on the lake. Roy & Jane toured Normandy earlier this year. Says that 14 of the USS RICH crew are buried on Normandy beach, and there is a plaque on Utah Beach depicting all ships sunk on that beach, including the RICH. Make your plans now.

A general "Thank You" to all who have donated to the USS RICH Fund. We must have your financial help do the Newsletter and help with the Reunions. All contributions needed and gladly accepted.

Officers for Coming Year

Ship Reunions
 
USS BATES, USS BULL, and USS AMES BURY (reunion chaired by Stan McMillan) will have their meeting 22-26 October 2003 in New Orleans LA. Stan & Judy McMillan (17 Highland Place, Canajoharie NY 13317-1303, ph 518-673-3589) attended the first two days of our reunion. Stan told about their reunion last year in Myrtle Beach, and invited everyone to join them this year in New Orleans. If you can go, please do. You could send a report for the Newsletter, and tell us about the New Orleans meeting next year at our Reunion in Lynchburg.

USS BUNCH will meet this year (8-12 Sept '03) in Virginia Beach VA. Dave Hibbs (1126 Roosevelt Court, Hanover PA 17336-5226, ph 706-673-2676) is the Chairman and welcomes anyone who would like to join them. Dave & Janice faithfully attend our Survivors Reunion. Dot & I hope to spend part of September with the USS BUNCH.

USS BLESSMAN will meet (8-12 Oct '03) at Daytona Beach FL. Charlie T. Thifault (36 Sandra Dr, Onnond Beach FL 32176 ph 904-441-7915) is the Chairman and hopes everyone will come down to enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Chief Holler adjourned the meeting with prayer.

Dot Cole,
Secretary/Treasurer

            
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