Ahoy, Shipmates:
Save the Date! Check in: Sunday Sept. 29th; check out: Thursday Oct 3, 2024
This is a very special union as we are celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Commissioning of the USS Frank Knox.
We need your help. Are you planning to attend the 2024 Reunion in San Antonio, Texas? Please respond with a reply to this email. Many of our shipmates have already made hotel reservations.
Attached is the Reunion Registration Form with detailed registration information. For your convenience, hotel reservations can be made at this time and there is no fee to book early. You will need to secure your reservation with a credit or debit card. No charge for cancellations 48 hours prior to arrival. We encourage you to make your hotel reservations as early as possible as it helps us to plan the tour and activities, and to order supplies. In addition, if you are planning to extend your stay before or after our reunion dates, you should do so sooner than later. While the reunion room rate has been extended to 3 days before and 3 days after, it is subject to availability. Make your reservation directly with the hotel and mail your registration form to Margaret with your payment for the banquet and tour.
The reunion dates are Sept. 29th – Oct 3, 2024. Note: this is a change in our normal reunion days. Check in on Saturday, Sept 29th, check out on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024. We will only have one tour. We will be traveling by bus Monday morning, September 30th to Fredericksburg to visit the National Museum of the Pacific War. The USS Frank Knox is presenting a plaque to the museum. The plaque will be in place when we arrive and we have arranged a dedication ceremony.
There is no tour for Tuesday as it is set aside to spend time with shipmates in and around the hotel. Wednesday we will have our business meeting, white elephant sale, and banquet.
Don Landers, our Reunion Coordinator has been busy working out all the details. Let's support his effort to make this a very successful event.
You can reach Don at 817-723-7654 (or e-mail [email protected])
Best regards and I look forward to hearing from you.
Smooth Sailing⛵⛵-7654)
REUNION 2023 – Alaska Cruise
Holland America - SS Eurodam, sailing September 2nd from Seattle WA, returning September 9th, 2023.
Join shipmates and their guests for an unforgettable cruise of Alaskan waters including Stephen’s Passage, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria BC. Beautiful scenery, no port and starboard lines for meals, smooth ride with no 45-degree rolls!
Time is of the essence because we’re trying to arrange our cabins on the Fourth Deck so shipmates can all be on the same deck. For more information contact Dawn Latorre, Personal Cruise Consultant - 800-355-3017 ext. 28021 at Holland America. OR Don Landers FKRA– Reunion Coordinator 817-723-7654 or Harry Chandler, FKRA 928-925-9490 [email protected]
- Spend time with shipmates and see amazing Alaska surrounded in comfort.
Holland America - SS Eurodam, sailing September 2nd from Seattle WA, returning September 9th, 2023.
Join shipmates and their guests for an unforgettable cruise of Alaskan waters including Stephen’s Passage, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria BC. Beautiful scenery, no port and starboard lines for meals, smooth ride with no 45-degree rolls!
Time is of the essence because we’re trying to arrange our cabins on the Fourth Deck so shipmates can all be on the same deck. For more information contact Dawn Latorre, Personal Cruise Consultant - 800-355-3017 ext. 28021 at Holland America. OR Don Landers FKRA– Reunion Coordinator 817-723-7654 or Harry Chandler, FKRA 928-925-9490 [email protected]
- Spend time with shipmates and see amazing Alaska surrounded in comfort.
2022 Registration Form Wilmington NC
Wilmington is nestled along the Cape Fear River, not far from the famous Cape that share its name. Touring will include the battleship USS NORTH CAROLINA BB-55, the lead ship in its class. Built before WWII she is the most decorated battleship in the war. Following the tour we board the Henrietta, a schooner, for a Cape Fear River cruise. The next day our tour takes us to the Wilmington Railroad Museum followed by the Cape Fear Museum of Science. Lunch in the area of the Cotton Exchange allows us to see this unique commodity exchanges. Our memorabilia and hospitality will open as soon as we return from each day’s tours. The final banquet, business meeting and White Elephant Auction combine for a memorable gathering. Of special note: Kelly Goddard YN2 of the USS GRAPPLE plans to attend. Members of the On-Board Salvage crew will be especially interested in his recollections.
2021 ALBUQUERQUE – 31TH ANNUAL REUNION
I hope you made your reservations for Albuquerque NM. This reunion will take us to one of the most unique cities and states in the US. A mix of cultures gives the area a rich background to explore. It is also a very tech savvy city. The food, cultures, art and high desert climate are all special. I worked in Albuquerque before entering the Navy and I introduced my parents to the city and area. They lived in the city for 32 years. America’s 23rd largest city is about as tech savvy and unique as you can get in the US. It is the home of Kirkland AF base, Sandia National Labs (think atomic research) the New Mexico Tech Center founding center of MITS and Microsoft. Netflix has a major production hub here as well. Surrounding this tech stuff is a city that has roots in Spanish, Mexican and native American cultures. Albuquerque has a great group of museums, extensive natural wonders, the Rio Grande River, the Turquoise Trail and one of the world’s grandest annual balloon fiestas in September. The Anderson Abrusso Balloon Museum is the place to see the history of the balloon fiesta. The eastern side of the city ends at the Base of Sandia Peak and a spectacular tramway taking you the top, 10,300 feet up over the city. Below is the unique tech savvy downtown color lighted each evening. West of Sandia peak lies the city and businesses that make Albuquerque ask a center of major clean industry.The city’s Old Town and historic square are perfect for a morning or afternoon walk. For gear heads, Albuquerque is the home of the Unser family Racing enterprises and Unser Racing museum – a tradition carried on from father to sons, sons to grandsons and great grandsons. Think Indianapolis and Pikes Peak when you think of the Unser clan. Restaurants and food are special here in Albuquerque. There are at least 10 restaurants within a short distance of our hotel. Craft beer locations, whiskey distillery help wash down the great food served here.And then there is dessert – start with Banuelos (Mexican fritters with honey), churros, (sweet fried dough with sugar and cinnamon and maybe ice cream), sopapillas (hot puff pastry served with honey), tres leche cake (think tiramisu ) and finally you order just ice cream and it comes with chewy cookies called bizcochitos. Man! They are good. Coffee – all the usual plus New Mexico brand pinon coffee with cream. Then there are empanadas and apple pie with lite green chili flavor. Lots of restaurants serve pecans and locally made chocolate. Perfect for a Reunion! Make your hotel reservations by phoning 1‐505‐830‐5781 (Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown). 2020 Reunion
Greetings shipmates, families, and friends: I hope this email finds you well. My wife Joy and I are trying to adjust to our new way of life. With "social distancing", remembering to wash our hands 15 times a day and let's not forget our designer masks. We sometimes feel like we are living in a bad horror movie. However, I am confident we will survive. Just last week my daughter sent us a youtube video showing us how we can start "hugging" again. I wanted to give you an update on our 30th reunion which we had scheduled for this coming September in Albuquerque. While every member of the board wanted to stay on track with the "scheduled" reunion, it doesn't look like the reality of a "physical" reunion is going to take place this year. That is the bad news. The good news is we are going to put together a "Virtual Reunion" for your enjoyment. This should be fun. Our communication officer, Steve Cross, is working on the presentation as we speak and I am sure you will not only find it entertaining, but you will be able to enjoy it from the comfort of your living room and you don't even have to get on a plane. Pretty convenient and the price is right! This year is very special because we are celebrating our 30th annual reunion. We will have a celebratory coin and current roster for all paid members and life members. And more good news, we will reschedule the reunion for Albuquerque in September 2021. The hotel and tour companies have moved our deposits forward to September 22nd - 25th, 2021. If you have made your hotel reservation, don't worry, your reservation will remain intact for the 2021 reunion. If you have sent in your reunion registration along with payment to Margaret, you have the option of a refund now or holding your funds for ABQ, September 2021. Please let me know your preference. If you haven't already done so, the hotel is ready to take your reservations. Please see the instructions and the link below. Rates apply 3 days before and 3 days after the event. |
Questions? Need help?
Don Landers, VP Reunion Coord. Email: [email protected] 817-723-7654 Please make checks payable to: Margaret Watson, Treasurer Mailing Address: Margaret Watson USS Frank Knox Reunion Assoc. 3421 NW Coronado St, Corvallis, Or 97330 Email: [email protected] |