USS Spangler DE-696
2011 San Diego, CA

The welcoming breakfast on Monday morning began with C. J. Goers giving the opening prayer, followed by Pledge Alegence, introductions and concluded with an excellent breakfast.

The banquet Tuesday evening went well, as is always the case, with fine eating. Merlin Carr gave a presentations on "How The Spangler Got Her Name." He taled about the circumstances surrounding leaving the Naval Academy to serve has country prior to graduation, his service as the Radion Traffic Officer aboard the USS Atlanta, and his loss when the Atlanta was severly damaged and subsequently sunk in the infamous "Iron Bottom Sound" off Guadacanal in the Eastern Solomon Islands. As was the practice following construction of new destroyer escorts the Spangler was named in honor of LTJG Donald Spangler killed in action. Merlin's excellent presentation is available for reading on the Spangler website in the History Section.

Other doings at the banquet included everyone enjoying a piece of birthday cake in celebration of Millie Ellis's birthday. Also, Jeannie Spangler Kessler, the grand niece of LTJG Donald Spangler, presented the book "EveryTown USA"to Merlin Carr, Bob Ellis, Dave Norris & and later by mail to Wayne Dorough. Authoblue by Michael McCoy of the Camp Camamajo Press who resides in Albon, Indiana, the book was written as a tribute to men and women from Albon that serve our nation in the military service. It is a story of "one communities fight, from main street (Albion, Inndiana) to the front lines, from the American Revolution to the war in Iraq" -- as Michael describes it. The emphasis in the book, for those at the reunion, is the fact that the first chapter is all about "Donald Spangler (World War II) --Empty Trunk Of Memories." It's facinating reading! More information on the book can be found at the author's website: "http://www.everytownusa.com/everytown-usa/about-the-book/"

As a side note, Jeannie wrote a note to Michael McCoy following the reunion giving him an update on the reunion. In it she wrote, "We enjoyed wonderful weather and great company while in San Diego. The stories were as educational and enteraining as ever. Many bring their scrapbooks filled with pictures. These men and their wives never cease to amaze me. There were about 50 in attendance including two of the plank owners. "Cooper", one of the oldest Spanglermates at 88 loves telling the story of my grandmother trying to break the bottle at the christianing of the ship."

The reunion concluded with another successful Silent Auction, paving the financial way for the 2012 Reunion in Grand Junctin, Colorado, this coming October 2nd,3rd,& 4th.

Take a few moments and visit the photo collections from the reunion Millie Ellis and Phyllis & Tom Clugston have made available for us.  Millie's can be viewed on the internet at Shutterfly . Just click here.   Phyllis & Tom's are available here on the website.  Enjoy!