2017 Reunion Chicago, ILL
Chicago Reunion Review – The reunion date was moved up a week to take advantage of better weather. The weather was FANTASTIC as enclosed pictures will show. The flowers outside our hotel were spectacular; the service inside was the best we’ve encountered. Chicago natives and Life Members Jim and Sue Healy did a fantastic job of checking out the smallest details to make this reunion so memorable. VP/Reunions Vaughan Kruger deserves a lot of credit, too.
Day 1 - featured the 5-star rated Chicago Architectural tour and afternoon tour from Navy Pier down the lake shore of Lake Michigan. This tour justified every positive rating we saw. The weather made it better. That evening, we witnessed a reunion, 53 years in the making, as Don Greer and Gary Platou reminisced about mess cooking and work in the boiler spaces. Gary displayed a picture scrapbook containing a priceless collection of personal pictures (now available on the ussfrankknox.com website.
Day 2 - featured a tour of the Chicago History Museum. From early explorers to rebuilding after the Chicago Fire and the Spies, Traitors and Saboteurs exhibit. After dinner, your Board of Directors met to review details of Saturday’s Business Meeting.
Day 3 - Each day we began with a complimentary breakfast as part of our hotel package. Day 3, following breakfast, our annual
business meeting and selection of officers was the first order of the day. VP/Finance Margaret Watson reviewed our cash on hand and stated that our current revenues, not including reserves, is sufficient to meet our obligations in 2018 and beyond. Selection of officers followed: Harry Chandler, VP/Membership was approved as President 2017-18; Steve Cross, Past President, remains as VP/Communications. Margaret Watson is VP/Finance; Vaughan Kruger VP/Reunions. Bob Woodard Ship’s Store Manager; Orv Krieg Chairman Emeritus; Tom Soltis Communications. All were approved. Freshening the leadership was one of the suggestions Steve Cross, President 2016-17 made when he took over after the death of Bob Summers, President 2015-16. Last, BUFFALO NY was selected as the reunion site for 2018; more than 50% voted for Buffalo over 3 other sites.
Day 3 - The afternoon’s White Elephant Sale featured an amazing collection of memorabilia. Everyone was a winner – FKRA raised $1,800 for our reserve fund. The banquet that followed included a happy hour and an appearance by the Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society, Chicago Police. (A video clip is on the Frank Knox website). The 20-minute presentation was greeted
by standing ovation. The POW/MIA ceremony included the piping of Amazing Grace by the Pipes and Drums. The buffet dinner and dessert were especially good thanks to the diligence of Jim and Sue Healy. Following dinner, Life Member certificates, numbered pins and rare photos of Frank Knox were presented to existing and new Life Members present. Steve Cross handed over the Presidency to Harry Chandler. The Board presented a mahogany keepsake box with inscription to Steve for his leadership. Guest speaker Fred McLaren’s video is on the website. The video contained declassified pictures and interviews
from one of the cold-war’s top nuclear submarine skippers and scientists. Members and guests were reluctant to leave, lingering over an hour, chatting and exchanging information. Children and grandchildren individually affirmed they will return next year to
enjoy an even bigger event in Buffalo NY.
Day 1 - featured the 5-star rated Chicago Architectural tour and afternoon tour from Navy Pier down the lake shore of Lake Michigan. This tour justified every positive rating we saw. The weather made it better. That evening, we witnessed a reunion, 53 years in the making, as Don Greer and Gary Platou reminisced about mess cooking and work in the boiler spaces. Gary displayed a picture scrapbook containing a priceless collection of personal pictures (now available on the ussfrankknox.com website.
Day 2 - featured a tour of the Chicago History Museum. From early explorers to rebuilding after the Chicago Fire and the Spies, Traitors and Saboteurs exhibit. After dinner, your Board of Directors met to review details of Saturday’s Business Meeting.
Day 3 - Each day we began with a complimentary breakfast as part of our hotel package. Day 3, following breakfast, our annual
business meeting and selection of officers was the first order of the day. VP/Finance Margaret Watson reviewed our cash on hand and stated that our current revenues, not including reserves, is sufficient to meet our obligations in 2018 and beyond. Selection of officers followed: Harry Chandler, VP/Membership was approved as President 2017-18; Steve Cross, Past President, remains as VP/Communications. Margaret Watson is VP/Finance; Vaughan Kruger VP/Reunions. Bob Woodard Ship’s Store Manager; Orv Krieg Chairman Emeritus; Tom Soltis Communications. All were approved. Freshening the leadership was one of the suggestions Steve Cross, President 2016-17 made when he took over after the death of Bob Summers, President 2015-16. Last, BUFFALO NY was selected as the reunion site for 2018; more than 50% voted for Buffalo over 3 other sites.
Day 3 - The afternoon’s White Elephant Sale featured an amazing collection of memorabilia. Everyone was a winner – FKRA raised $1,800 for our reserve fund. The banquet that followed included a happy hour and an appearance by the Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society, Chicago Police. (A video clip is on the Frank Knox website). The 20-minute presentation was greeted
by standing ovation. The POW/MIA ceremony included the piping of Amazing Grace by the Pipes and Drums. The buffet dinner and dessert were especially good thanks to the diligence of Jim and Sue Healy. Following dinner, Life Member certificates, numbered pins and rare photos of Frank Knox were presented to existing and new Life Members present. Steve Cross handed over the Presidency to Harry Chandler. The Board presented a mahogany keepsake box with inscription to Steve for his leadership. Guest speaker Fred McLaren’s video is on the website. The video contained declassified pictures and interviews
from one of the cold-war’s top nuclear submarine skippers and scientists. Members and guests were reluctant to leave, lingering over an hour, chatting and exchanging information. Children and grandchildren individually affirmed they will return next year to
enjoy an even bigger event in Buffalo NY.
Holiday Inn Elkgrove Ill Auction & Dinner
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