UDT-SEAL Association Pacific NW Chapter
Annual Reunion (13-15 August 2010) - “News Letter”
Introduction: This year’s annual reunion was another great event! As always - a testimony to Teamwork and Friendship. Thanks again to Gordy and Carol Ablitt for hosting the Friday afternoon “Ice Breaker” at their wonderful home on Oakland Bay – Shelton WA. Thanks to Pete Slempa for running the auction and to Jerry Hammerle for lighting the skies with the fireworks! Good job to All Hands and feet that helped in every aspect of the reunion logistics and activities!
Honored Guests: This year there appeared to be more members present and we had several new members show for the first time – thanks teammates and welcome to all who attended for the first time! This year we were honored by the visit of the UDT-SEAL Association Boardmembers Rudy Boesch and Jim Tipton. Thanks for showing guys, being engaged in our reunion events, and for validating our Chapter. We were honored and Rudy contracted carpel tunnel from signing so many autograph photos. Thanks again guys!
Results of Activities: There is a trend here at our Chapter, that Jerry Hammerle seems to be the “Man in Charge” of the “Fun and Games Department” and he does a great job of it – thanks again Jerry! Members were able to participate in everything from air rifle shooting, boo chi ball, golf, horse shoes, beer drinking, socializing, and trap shooting (hopefully not all at the same time!) This year’s business meeting, golf tournament, and BBQ picnic were at the Alderbrook Golf course near Belfair WA and everything was just awesome! (We will be at this location again next year!)
Activity Results:
Long range “Sniper Shot” (air rifle) – Joe Hunt
Golf tournament -
1ST Tom Kleehammer and Jerry Hammerle (There’s a trend here also)
2nd (A) Thor Bussinger and Pete Slempa
2nd (B) Jack James and Nick Jeremiah
Boo Chi Ball – open challenge
1st Carol Ablitt and Jerry Hammerle
2nd (A) Debbie and John Westfall
2nd (B) Gordy Ablitt and Ted Kassa
Skeet Shooting –
Thor Bussinger and Ted Kannedy (Of course “the rest of the story” is that Thor said that he “kicked Ted’s butt”. However, just for the record – Ted was no joke – “shooting from the hip”, because of a recent shoulder injury. Sounds like a draw guys!) No doubt a lot of birds went home broke and a lot of fun was had by all!
Business Meeting and New Leadership: Pete Slempa kicked off the Saturday morning business meeting and returned his two-year acting Presidency back to John Westfall. John opted to cycle new Chapter leadership in accordance with his Tea Party roots and offered up the Presidency for vote. Jack James was overwhelmingly voted in as the new Chapter President. Yes, it happened that fast! (I feel like I was Shang-highed/volunteered by clubbing!) Thanks to Pete and his care of the Chapter while John was gone. Thanks to everyone attending and to all Chapter Presidents past and future! Without the great leadership of the past, we would not have a future.
Also, at the meeting Stan Lupkes presented some information about the UDT-SEAL Association’s new “Life Member Assistance Program” (LMAP), a new program to help members and spouses receive the maximum benefit from the VA. Timely advice, because we were able to get plugged into the LMAP after David Bodkin’s untimely death two days later (more information to follow on that). We also discussed that we are all “Legacy Recruiters” whether we served 4 or 40 years in the Navy. At the end of the meeting it was decided that next year’s reunion would be on the same weekend (12-14 August 2011) and have pretty much the same venue.
Photo credit: All of photo’s attached to this year’s News Letter were provided free of charge by Cliff Hollenbeck of Seattle. This Chapter is truly blessed to have a professional photographer as a member. Thanks again Cliff!
Plan on Next Year’s Reunion: Please come!!!
The dates will be 12-14 August 2011 and the schedule will be pretty much the same.
Day #1. Icebreaker, auction, air-rifle shoot, and fireworks at Gordy and Carol Ablitts. Another treat will be music by a five piece Country Band. (Wives – please bring a snack to share, husbands bring your beverage of choice, and everyone bring cash ($) for the auction!)
Day #2. Alderbrook Golf Course again. However, golf tournament at 0945 this time and business meeting at 1300! Horseshoes and Boo-Chi ball will be made available between 1000 and 1200. Followed by the BBQ. (John Westfall will coordinate the BBQ).
Day #3. Brunch at the Bremerton Airport Dinner and skeet/trap at the Bremerton Gun Club (right down the road). (Jack James will coordinate these events).
Untimely Passing of David Bodkin (CWO4, USN, Ret.) (BUD/S Class 28):
David Bodkin died Tuesday 17 August 2010, in a two car collision on Highway 101. David is survived by his wife Sharon and daughter-in-law Alene. David was both SEAL and EOD qualified and an avid sailor. David retired out of the EOD Detachment at Indian Island WA and subsequently kept up contact with his EOD buddies as well. On Tuesday 7 September 2010, the local retired EOD group got together at the Belmont Hotel in Port Townsend and had lunch and “raised a glass” – a toast to David. Sharon has decided to keep the spreading of David’s ashes in the Puget Sound a private ceremony. However, all Chapter members are invited to a “celebration of David’s life” on Saturday 20 November 2010, from 1400-1700. The location will be the Port Townsend Elks Club, at 555 Otto Street, Port Townsend WA.
We have coordinated a three-Sailor “Honors Rendered” ceremony through Commander Navy Region Northwest Funeral Honors branch, and that will occur at 1400. Please attend if possible.
One last thing: Mid-year meeting! If you can, please come to the first mid-year meeting on Saturday 19 February 2011. To be held at the Navy Undersea Museum, Keyport WA. It will be a one day event, with a meeting in the morning, lunch, tour of the museum, and a few other optional activities. More details to follow, but please feel invited to come and fellowship with old Teammates!
Cheers, Hoo-Yah, and remember – The only easy day was yesterday!
Jack (The Jackal) James
Chapter President
(360) 315-5991