USS Holder Association's 36th Annual Reunion

21 September 2014 through 25 September 2014

The shipmates of the ships named USS Holder DE401, DD819, and DDE819 held their 36th annual reunion in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

 

Shipmates attending 2014 Reunion

  Adams     Rob    MM3    60-62                      Kemp        Peter   LTJG   57-58 

  Bavender  John   STG3   65-67                    Kenton      Francis   FN2    51-52 

  Black     Fred   EN3    61-63                          Lower         Eugene  SEM3   57-59 

  Bortle    Jack      YN3  55-57                         McCoy    Dave     QM3    50-54 

  Buckley     Larry     LTJG 55-57                    McCrain Edward  SFP2  61-65 

  Byrd        Jim       GMG1 64-67                      Noland  Donald  MM2   62-66 

  Carmean   Charles BT3    60-63                   O'Donnell Edward   IC3  55-57 

  Cuff    Gene      FN2    45-47                        Oman    John    BT3   58-59 

  Davis     Richard HT1    59-61                       Peryea  Gary        DCFN  69-70 

  deBarrios Jim     MM2    59-61                      Pinkus   Joel     BT1  66-67 

  Delgado Joe       ETR3   59-61                       Powers  Theodore PC3   66-67 

  Dierbeck  Bob     MR3    61-62                       Quinn   Harvey      BTFN  59-60 

  Ellsworth   Robert  SK2  71-72                      Reed    Allen    BTC    48-55 

  Elston    Ray       TMC    62-65                        Savas    Charles  ET3  62-64 

  Grudowski Bill        BT2    62-67                     Seal     Leon     FN   53-54 

  Grundman Jack   TM2  52-55                        Sipple   Hank     ETN2   66-68 

  Harrison Fred     BTCM  64-67                       Sipple   Howard   CDR  60-62 

  Hennessey John      STG2   63-67                 Slodysko  Robert   DK1  72-74 

  Jenkins  Gary      BT2    66-67                         Smith     Loyd     RM3  63-65 

  Johnson   Tim     STG2   66-69                        Stigall  Ronald   BT3 57-61 

  Kaim    John        MR3    56-58                         Stoffa     George  SO2   54-57 

  Kea      J.C.       MMCM  60-62                          Tabing   Richard  MM1  54-57 

  Kearney  Ed         PC3    69-71                         Valois    Bob     IC2  57-59 

                                 Zimmerman  Anthony STG3  65-67 

   

 

 

Events of the 36th USS Holder Reunion

Sunday, 21 September 2014

Afternoon - Check-in.

Evening - Light meal.

Monday, 22 September 2014

We took the Incline Railway to the top of Lookout Mountain 2400 feet above sea level and nearby Rock City 1700 ft. We walked the skinny paths between rock crevasses and ledges and then beheld the beautiful waterfall.

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

We rode a catamaran on the Tennessee River sometimes hitting 35 MPH. Accompanying us was an informative historian, animal, plant life guide who also doubled as the boat’s Bowhook. He gave a very comprehensive explanation of terrain, zoology and history.

We rode an historic Tennessee Valley Railroad train which deadheaded into a train yard in the woods. There we watched our engine being reversed on the turntable. We then went into the barn where we observed rebuilding of steam engines. All this was narrated by the conductor of the train.

Our traditional memorial service was held at the beautiful Tennessee National Cemetery where we bade a Bon Voyage to recent shipmates’ Supreme Transfers.

We participated in a dinner mystery show which surprisingly revealed many hidden talents among our members that we had not a clue prior to that evening. (See photos) Oh, the dinner was good too!

Wednesday, 24 September 2014

Morning - Annual Business Meeting, Association business and selection of next reunion site.

Evening - Annual Banquet and our famous raffle.

Thursday, 25 September 2014

Departure and goodbyes.