2008 Reunion

Ask anyone who was there and you’re likely to get the same answer… “A good time was had by all.”

140 shipmates and guests gathered at the Holiday Inn Express in Vineland, New Jersey for the 15th Annual Ship’s Reunion. Hosting Shipmate Joseph Franchetta and his team had “made all preparations for getting [the reunion] underway.” The hotel is relatively new and we found the rooms and facilities impeccable. The staff of the hotel were very friendly and eager to fulfill our every need. It was a pleasure to see a property so well maintained. As it turns out, South Jersey is beautiful this time of year and it’s easy to understand why it’s called The Garden State. Everywhere you looked it was green and lush with many plants in bloom. Beautiful… simply beautiful.

The weather wasn’t bad-bad, but it could have been a bit more cooperative. On the day we went to the casino in Atlantic City it was a beautiful cloudless day. The following day we were in Camden at the Battleship New Jersey and were blessed with nearly continuous showers all day. It certainly could have been worse. (Ala Rehoboth Beach)

While it was good to see familiar faces again it was equally good to see new faces. More importantly the “first-timers” were made to feel welcome and became immediately involved in the association’s activities. No question about it… Bravo Zulu, Joe Franchetta. Well Done!