Packets of information are distributed during registration to each arriving guest, containing a name tag, a schedule of events, a list of expected attendee along with the folks that have signed up for tours and other outings, and other general information of interest. The schedule of events includes a welcoming breakfast and business meeting the first morning; optional tours that afternoon or the second day, or both, depending on things to do and see; possibly an evening show if one is planned, the silent auction on the third day (closing around 3 pm), and a banquet dinner and group photo session that evening to close out the reunion. It's very much a laid back affair. The key word with regard to events (tours, evening shows and etc.) is "optional." The goal is to achieve a balance between helping everyone enjoy the local community attractions and entertainment while at the same time giving them ample opportunity to catch up with old friends, make new ones, tour around town on their own, or take on a little shopping spree. The welcoming breakfast begins about 8:30 am on the first full day (usually a Monday). Besides a very good meal (and it consistently has been), it's a good way to start the day off, to provide everyone an early opportunity to see who's there (especially the late arrivals), to say "hi" to old friends and to go over the schedule and the location of upcoming events.
This is followed by a short business meeting to report on the success of the reunion the passed year. The silent auction is described and the rules for carrying it through are also done at this time as well as a request for suggestions on upcoming reunion sites. Everyone is then free the rest of the day to take in the local sites, head out on a tour if one is set up, or simply get together in the hospitality room and enjoy each other's company, swap sea stories, partake of goodies (cakes, cookies, candy, nuts, and snacks), enjoy a few drinks (beer, pop and mixed drinks) or browse through any photo albums that were been brought in.
Breakfast, lunch and evenings meals (other than the welcoming breakfast the first day and the evening banquet on the third day) are on your own. The hotel typically has a good restaurant or one can be found very nearby in walking distance. It isn't unusual, though, for folks to head out in pairs or groups on their own to try something a little different or to just get away for a while. The Silent Auction is brought to a close on the afternoon of the third day, typically around 3 pm. This fun-filled activity has proven to be an excellent fund raising success in helping offset reunion expenses (cost of reunion mailing announcements, registration packets, cost of the hospitality room, and other related reunion expenses), but mostly to cover the cost for the upcoming year. To read more on the auction, click on the pictures below.
The banquet dinner comes that evening, normally about 7 pm.. Dress ranges from casual to semi-formal, depending on individual choice. The ladies like to pretty up, but quite a few prefer to just come relaxed too. The guys will dress anywhere from a pullover shirt and slacks or dungarees, to a shirt without tie, to one with a tie, to one with tie and sports coat, or whatever suits their taste -- to a suitable point (and always with pants on, of course). Every banquet has at least one guest speaker: Bob Ellis, at the Baltimore/ Annapolis Reunion, gave an interesting, humorous historical overview of the ten Spangler reunions to date. And in Branson, it was Merlin Carr giving us a fascinating a presentation on "The Greatest Sea Battle - July 1944." And in San Diego, Richard Bale's gave a very insightful presentation and slide show on the history and construction of destroyer escorts. In Myrtle Beach it was Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tom Scudder from Camp Lejuene Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tom Scudder from Camp Lejuene who had recently returned from Iraq and the battle of Falusia, spoke of his pride in the Marine Corps, his sense of duty to the Nation and his love for his fellow marines and sense of responsibility for their welfare. Okay! That's enough on all that!
- Especially that first time? - Let's assume that you havent been to one of the reunions yet and you're thinking about attending ...but just not sure. You have some concerns: "I won't know anybody! It's been way too many years! I don't know if I want to be around a bunch of strangers! I'm just not sure......."
Okay, now flash forward: It's over...You're back home...You keep thinking about all those wonderful stories you enjoyed during the past few days. As do thoughts of the new friends you've made and the rekindling of friendships long forgotten!...The honest truth is, you hated to see it end.
Attending for first time wouldn't be much different for you than for a lot of folks: you step into the hospitality room, apprehensive about who's there and what to say to those that are. It's only natural! And, as is typically the case, for the first few moments you won't recognize anyone. Then some guy walks up, sees your name tag and says, "Hey! I remember you!" And continues on to say, "Do you remember ........?"
Over fifty years have passed so there's a good chance you'll shake your head "no!" smile and soon walk away a little embarrassed over your pathetic lack of memory.
You continue walking around, acknowledging a few other folks here and there, but all the while with that earlier conversation tugging at your mind. Then suddenly out of nowhere memories come flooding in as if you had just stepped back in time. You realize, "Yes! I do remember! Gosh, how could I have forgotten that!" So you go rushing back over to the guy you were visiting earlier and excitedly say, "Hey, I do remember....!" And so begins a whole new chain of conversations and memories that link together to bring back more memories. Your apprehension is now replaced with fun and laughter!
What's really unique as you listen to stories shared by other Spanglermates (regardless of when they served) is how much we all have in common. While faces and scenes have changed over the years, life aboard the Spangler was a continuum, remaining relatively unchanged over the ships fifteen years of service. Sailors aboard in 1943 walked through the same hatches, stepped on the same decks, saw the same bulkheads, and ate in the same galley as those that served aboard in 1958. So whether they served together, or served in different years, their service aboard the Spangler created a special kinship -- they're all "Spanglermates!" Each tour of duty, whether 43 to 45 or 56 to 58, or all the intervening years is accompanied with unique stories and experiences that rival those of any other tour of duty. This includes that of the Plank Owners aboard when the ship was commissioned in '43 and served through the remaining years of World War II; the guys aboard at Swatow, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tsingtao, China in '46; those aboard at Eniwetok during the atomic explosion test in '48; those that took part in ASW training exercises off San Diego and the Hawaiian Islands from '49 to '55; and those that sailed to WESPAC in '56 and '57, including all the guys that took part in the Spangler's decommissioning in '58. But don't for a minute think the reunion is all about a bunch of guys rehashing old seatales. Not by a long shot! The wives, family and friends have as much, if not more fun, in getting together as us guys and are absolutely integral in making every reunion a huge success. The bonding and lasting friendships that develop between the ladies is special! That about covers it.....
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