7 August 2007

Tin Can Sailor Website

You can check out where ships are holding reunions and read reunion reviews posted on the Tin Can Sailors Web site, www.destroyers.org . You do not have to be a member of the Tin Can Sailors to visit the website.

23 August 2007

Jacksonville 2007 Reunion

This past April we held our annual reunion in Jacksonville, Florida.  We stayed at the Crown Plaza hotel right on the river. It was one of the nicest hotels we have ever held a reunion. The hotel facilities, staff and banquet were fantastic.

 On the second day of the reunion we went on a chartered bus tour of St. Augustine.  The weather was perfect and the sights were enjoyed by all.

 On the third day we had a special treat, we went aboard the USS Doyle (FFG-39) which is home ported in nearby Mayport.  We chartered three busses to transport all those in attendance to the Navy base.  We were invited aboard the USS Doyle because CDR. Michael Elliott, Commanding Officer of the Doyle, is the son of Shipmate RD3 Charles Elliott (1954-1955) and his wife Mary.  Needless to say, we received first class treatment while aboard the USS Doyle.  A Navy Chaplain conducted a Memorial Service for us on the flight deck of the ship, that was followed by refreshments and tours of the Frigate.  It was a day which will long be remembered by the Compton shipmates at the reunion.  CDR Elliott was the guest  speaker at our banquet later that evening.

 Pictures of the Jacksonville reunion can be found on this Web site in the "Reunion" section.

 Our next reunion is going to be held in Branson. MO.  Details can also be found in the "Reunion" section.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today praised the passage by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag. Current law (US Code Title 4, Chapter 1) states that veterans and servicemen not in uniform should place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether they can or should salute the flag.

"The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one's military service. Senator Inhofe said, "Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform. "Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not. "I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military and remain as role models to other citizens. Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others." This Bill was passed JUly 25, 2007. Let your veteran friends know about the Passage of this Bill.

Welcome Aboard!!

Welcome Aboard!!

Welcome Aboard!!

11 May 2008

Branson 2008 Reunion

Another great reunion!  In April of 2008 we went to Branson, MO., for our annual reunion.  We stayed at the Grand Plaza Hotel and everything went well.  This was the first time we had a reunion company, Gatherings Plus, run our event.  They handled everything and even provided a hostess for our hospitality room.

On the first day we had registrations and a welcome reception in the hospitality suite.  The second day we had a group trip for a wine tasting tour and a dinner and show aboard the Branson Belle Showboat.  On the third day we held our meetings and our banquet.  An optional fourth day was provided, with shows, for those wishing to extend the event.

Gatherings Plus provided a musical show at our banquet featuring local children.  It was a fantastic show and everyone enjoyed it, the kids were great.  The Showboat show included "talking dogs" and it was hysterical.  Many shipmates used free time to attend the various variety shows in Branson.

Check out the "Reunion" section of our website for Branson pictures.

Next year; Charleston, SC.

15 July 2008

Welcome Aboard!!

31 MARCH 2009

Welcome Aboard!!

17 APRIL 2009

Mail Call!! Mail Call!!

Dear Joeseph,

Just reading that there will be a reunion of the men in USS COMPTON in Charleston, SC at the end of April.

Long time ago I had served for a short period onboard of the fine ship as a young exchange officer. In summer 1962 I came onboard after finishing the German Naval Academy and took part at the Mediterranean cruise of USS COMPTON. As far as I have seen both we had been onboard at the same time!

This was my first duty as a young officer onboard a destroyer and still now-a-days this time was one of the most important impression during my whole time of nearly 35 years in the German Navy. With great pride I still wear my blue jacket with the USS COMPTON badge. Therefore I also feel as a COMPTON man though I had served only a short time onboard this ship. Years later I met the USS COMPTON in Halifax, Nova Scotia while being there with German destroyer escort KOELN F 220.

Sorry, but its too far away to join the reunion, but please be so kind to submit my warmest greetings to everyone of the fine USS COMPTON family.

Have a good time and share fine memories!

Fair Winds and a Following Sea!

Yours,
Sigward Pohl

13 MAY 2009

2009 CHARLESTON REUNION REVIEW

We just celebrated our 20th reunion in Charleston, SC. We had a large turnout, 124 people, and the largest reunion in years. In fact, so many people came a day early the hotel was nice enough to let us open the Hospitality Suite the night before the reunion started. (Due to contract limitations that is not always possible.)

We had a very large Hospitality Suite which our hospitality committee kept well stocked with snacks and refreshments. Our shipmates gathered in the Hospitality Suite to tell sea stories for the 20th year, I am sure they will be just as interesting in the years to come, every once in a while you hear a new story. I don't think any other branch of service has the bonding and closeness we old Navy men have.

This year we welcomed three shipmates that have never been to a reunion before, Martin DeGasperis, James Griffith and Andy Kelly.

A gift was given to each shipmate attending the reunion, a limited edition pewter model of the USS Compton. Shipmate Paul Woodbury had the models custom made for our special 20th reunion. Once again shipmates and guests were given souvenir "Button Type" nametags.

On the second day of the reunion shipmates and guests went on a motor coach tour of Historic Charleston, visited the museum Naval Ships at Patriots Point and even ate lunch off metal trays on the USS Yorktown. The weather for the tour, and our entire stay in Charleston, was fantastic.

On the last day of the reunion we held our General Meeting and Memorial service at the hotel, the Town & Country Inn, later that evening we had our farewell banquet. Shipmates enjoyed a nice meal, music, dancing and each other's company.

Check in the reunion section, for Charleston pictures, future newsletters will also contain reunion pictures.

Next year we head to Warwick (Providence area) Rhode Island. Details will be posted shortly but mark your calendar, Friday April 30, Saturday May 1 and Sunday May 2.

06 APRIL 2010

Welcome Aboard!!

Warwick Reunion Review

Wow!

What a reunion! A record breaking 127 people attended the event in Warwick, RI. We returned to our home port state in force. The hotel, the Crowne Plaza at the Crossings, was a beautiful facility located on a large rural campus. The guest rooms, banquet room and hospitality room were first class. The staff was professional and friendly and all our needs were met without delay.

On the Saturday of the reunion we went on our tour. Two large buses were needed to take us through Providence sightseeing and then to Fall River to see the Naval museum ships on display. Then, on the return trip to the hotel, we toured past the mansions and downtown Newport. While at Fall River we had the opportunity to visit the destroyer Joseph P. Kennedy and the other ships on display. We gathered for lunch in the officer's mess aboard the battle ship Massachusetts and enjoyed a buffet meal. After lunch we went to the bow and a professional photographer took a beautiful group picture of the crew. The 16-inch gun mount was the background. Even the weather was perfect.

Sunday morning we met for our memorial service conducted by Charlie Jakob and later our general meeting. Sigward Phol, who came from Germany with his wife Brigit, spoke to our members and presented us with photographs of the USS Compton which we have never seen before. Sigward served on the Compton in 1962 as a Midshipman from the German Navy.

Sunday evening we attended our banquet. Shipmates renewed friendships. We have not been up north for some time so we saw some new faces at the event. Everyone appeared to have a good time and the DJ did a fantastic job, he has us dancing right up to closing time. Shipmate Duane Linden made a video of the Compton and it was shown, on a large screen, at the banquet. Later each member was presented with a DVD of the video presentation along with a memento of the reunion.

An added treat this time was the group breakfast held in the hospitality room. it was great to start each day by sharing a meal with old friends.

Welcome Aboard!!

05 MAY 2011

Washington, DC Reunion Review

Another year has passed and Compton shipmates once again gathered for our annual reunion. This time it was held in McLean, VA, a suburb of washington, DC. The event was at the Crowne Plaza Tysons Corner hotel and it exceeded our expectations. Everything was first class and the hotel staff was always at our beck and call. Our hospitality room was open each day of our reunion and it was well used. Shipmates spent many hours remembering old Navy days. On Saturday night the hotel treated us by providing a spread of food in the hospitality room. it was enjoyed by shipmates and guests.

Our tour was held on the Saturday of our reunion. The weather was pleasant and sunny, perfect for the tour. As in the past, our group needed two large buses to see the sights of washington, DC. In the morning we we went to the World War II Memorial where we had the pleasure of seeing Senator Doyle as he greeted veterans. We also met a Tuskegee Airman who flew the P-51 Mustang during WW II. We drove by the Capital, the White House and monuments, stopping later at the Korean War Memorial which contained nineteen statues of troops. It was quite a sight. We had lunch at the Phillips Flagship Restaurant; everyone agreed that it was a fantastic buffet. After lunch we went to the Washington Navy Yard and had the opportunity to go aboard the destroyer USS Barry. We ended the tour by having our memorial service at the Navy Memorial and placed a wreath at the statue of the Lone sailor.

On Sunday morning we held our general meeting at the hotel and discussed Association business and future reunions. Special thanks go out to shipmate Jerry Sample who provided memento flashlights. That evening we held our banquet where we enjoyed gathering with old friends, fine food and music. While in the hospitality room, later in the evening, we heard that the terrorist, UBL, had been dealt with by the U.S. Navy SEALS, a great ending to our reunion.

09 JUNE 2011

Welcome Aboard!!

11 JANUARY 2012

Welcome Aboard!!

30 JANUARY 2012

Welcome Aboard!!

USS COMPTON ASSOC.

REUNION

SHIP'S HISTORY

SHIP'S PHOTO'S

SHIP'S POETRY

LINK'S

HOME

Membership

Past Reunion's

History

Ship's Photo's

"Forever Firefly"

DAV

Home

Assoc. Memoriam

Sumner-Class

DAV Chapter 21

Association News

U.S. Navy Ship's

Military Sites

Association Officer's

Non-Military

Association Roster

Navy Wife

Contact Us

Remember Me