December 8, 2009

I have posted 142 photos to the website covering all events of the Reunion. Go to the Main Menu of the website and click on Reunion News & Photos, then click on 2009 Reunion photos, then click on the first photo shown under 2009 Photos. You will then see all of the thumbnail photos from the 2009 Reunion. To enlarge any one of these just click on the number above the photo. Once you do this the photo will enlarge. From here you can go to other photos using the Previous/Next buttons. If you want to download a photo just make sure you are on the large size image, put your cursor on top of the photo and right click with your mouse and select “Save Picture As”. Name the photo and this will download it to your computer.

If you have other photos of the Reunion that you would like see posted, just send them to me at my email address This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Reunion began October 8 with registration at the Hampton Inn.

The Hospitality Suite opened up at the Hampton Inn as well on Thursday.

Also, the Association BOD meetings were held aboard ship on Thursday.

Thursday evening a Big Band Memories party was held aboard ship, with the Mike Wolf Jazz group providing musical memories from the 30's -40's era.

Friday morning the general membership meeting was held aboard ship in the Smokey Stover Theater. Bob Dorsey, BOD Chairman, Ron Meachem, BOD Vice Chairman, and other directors made presentations to the membership.

Ringing of the bell, family/friends dropping wreathes and flowers overboard, plus spreading of deceased shipmate ashes next to the ship were all part of the Memorial Service to recognize departed loved ones. 

In the afternoon on Friday a tour to the Citadel was available. This included an outstanding guided tour of the campus given to us by Citadel cadets and then we were guests at the military Citadel parade which is traditionally held every Friday.

Saturday was the Meet and Greet, which everyone enjoyed. This event is a great opportunity for the crew to intermingle and share their Yorktown experiences with kids/parents and others who were visiting the ship on this particular Saturday.

Saturday evening was the Yorktown Night of Patriotism party held in Hanger Bay #3.

Music was provided by the Tommy Ford Band.

Our WWII veterans were asked to come up and be recognized.

(I have tried to identify all in the photo but am missing 4 names. To Be Identified (TBI) Someone please help me out with these names) Those I have identified (correctly or incorrectly) are: 

Back Row: Al Norris, Willie Lagarde, Ben Coulliard, Henry Brown, TBI, Buzz Purcell, TBI

Front row: Arthur Leach, TBI, TBI, Jesse Rodriguez, Harold Syfrett, Fred Springs, Johnie Clark, Carol Stuart

Also, the four Yorktown Plankowners attending the Reunion, Jesse Rodriguez, Fred Springs, Harold Syfrett, and Johnie Clark were asked to come forward and be recognized.

Ron Meachem was the Master of Ceremonies for the silent and live auctions that were held this evening.

During the evening Bob Dorsey and Jim Flatley, representing the Association, presented Dick Trammell of Patriots Point with a $25,000 check to further education efforts on board Yorktown.

Concluding the evening was a drawing for this years Vacation raffle. Jesse Rodriquez is shown here drawing the winning name from out of Ron Meachem's black security vault (actually a black plastic trash bag). Dean Peterson's name was selected as the winner.

Come join us for the 2010 Reunion. It is going to be very special.