U.S.S. Walton (DE-361)

Reminder: Reunion- Oct. 13-17, 2010

Hello Walton Shipmates:

If you havent’ signed up for our 2010 Reunion in San Diego, why not do so now.  Here is all the information you’ll need.

Who: All USS Walton shipmates, family, or friends.

What: A Reunion with tours, food, fun, and friends.

Where: Hampton Inn-Sea World/Airport,  3388 Greenwood St., San Diego, CA  92110  Room Rates: $89 per night for a 1 King or 2 Queens,  Complimentary Breakfast, Airport shuttle, Parking and Internet Access:   Ask for USS Walton National Reunion,  1-(619) 299-6633.  Or there website is: http://www.HamptonInnSanDiegoSeaWorld/Airportarea.com  then type in Group Name: USS Walton (DE 361) National Reunion  and Group Code: USS   Cut off date is September 13th, then rate is no longer guaranteed.

When: Oct. 13-17, 2010     Wed. Oct. 13,  2:30pm (Sign In at Hotel),   Thur. Oct. 14, Tour of USS Midway and narrated tour of the Harbor + Lunch (Board Bus at 9:30am), Arrive back at hotel approx. 2:45pm,   Thursday Night: Reception Dinner – 6:00pm,  Friday Oct 15 th,  City Tour, Harbor side lunch, Tour of the former Naval Training Center (Boot Camp),  Arrive Back at Hotel: 2:15pm,  Friday Night: On your own.  Saturday: Free Day to see San Diego Zoo, go to Mexico, Tour the Tall Ship “Star of India” or just relax by the pool.  Saturday Night:Walton Evening Banquet at 6:00pm (1800 hours) and farewell till next year.

Why: Because the Walton was were we served our country.  Because we made friendships that lasted a lifetime.  Because we all have this little DE in common.  Because it’s fun to talk about a time in our lives when we were young, full of piss and vinegar and want to share our stories with like minded shipmates.      

If you have any questions, please call Jerry or Mary Hudson at (573) 295-6334 (that’s in MO), or email Mary at marjer67@ktis.net

I’ve been to four of these things and have enjoyed everyone, made new friends, and even started this website.        – Ed

USS Edmonds will NOT be joining the Walton at the reunion.

Mary Hudson, our reunion “den mother,” has received information from the USS Edmonds reunion folks that they won’t be joining us this year in San Diego, because their reunion has already been set for Oct in Iowa and notices have already been sent.   They said that their numbers are dwindling and they would like to consider the possibility of joining us in the future. 

For those of you who have friends on the Edmonds, please let them know about this change.

Mary will be sending out email notices to all involved.    Thanks to Mary for all of her hard work. 

New 2010 Walton Reunion Info

USS WALTON DE 361 REUNION

Hampton Inn- Sea World/Airport 

3388 Greenwood St. San Diego,Ca. 92110

Oct.-13-17-2010

Rooms rates: $ 89.00 per night –1 King or two Queen per room.

Complimentary breakfast, Airport Shuttle & parking.

Phone#1-619-299-6633

Ask for USS WALTON rates. If you have special needs, notify them

when you make reservation. Cut off date is September 13-2010

Wed: Registration Oct 13——2:30 P.M.- till ?

Thurs A.M.: —-Tour USS Midway:  Two Hour Narrated

(Tour& Lunch –$ 54.00 per person)  

 Thurs P.M.: Recption at Hotel

Fri 15^th:  City tour, Seaport Village, {shopping},Former Naval Training Center.$47.00 per person

Sat evening Banquet –$34.00 per person -choice of Grilled Tilapia —Grilled Chicken

Or Grilled Steak & chicken . Dessert ,coffee& tea

For more Info please e-mail  Mary or Jerry Hudson:  marjer67@ktis.net

The U.S. Navy….Then and Now!

Then – If you smoked, you had an ashtray on your desk.
Now – If you smoke, you get sent outside and treated like a leper,
if you’re lucky.
       
Then – Mail took weeks to come to the ship.
Now – Every time you get near land, there’s a mob topside to see if
their cell phones work.
       
Then – If you left the ship it was in Blues or Whites, even in home
port.
Now – The only time you wear Blues or Whites is for ceremonies.
       
Then – You wore bellbottoms everywhere on the ship.
Now – Bellbottoms are gone and 14 year-old girls wear them
everywhere.
       
Then – You wore a Dixie cup all day, with every uniform.
Now – It’s not required and you have a choice of different hats..
       
Then – If you said “damn,” people knew you were annoyed and avoided
you.
Now – If you say “damn” you’d better be talking about a
hydroelectric plant.
       
Then -The Ships Office yeoman had a typewriter on his desk for doing
daily reports.
Now – Everyone has a computer with Internet access and they wonder
why no work is getting done.
       
Then – We painted pictures of pretty girls on airplanes to remind us
of home.
Now – We put the real thing in the cockpit.
       
Then – Your girlfriend was at home, praying you would return alive.
Now – She is on the same ship, praying your condom worked.
       
Then – If you got drunk off duty, your buddies would take you back
to the ship so you could sleep it off.
Now – If you get drunk off duty, they slap you in rehab and ruin
your career.
       
Then – Canteens were made out of steel and you could heat coffee or
hot chocolate in them.
Now – Canteens are made of plastic, you can’t heat them because
they’ll melt, and anything inside always tastes like plastic.
       
Then – Our top officers were professional sailors first.  They
commanded respect.
Now – Our top officers are politicians first.  They beg not to be
given a wedgie.
       
Then – They collected enemy intelligence and analyzed it.
Now – They collect our pee and analyze it.
       
Then – If you didn’t act right, they’d put you on extra duty until
you straightened up.
Now – If you don’t act right, they start a paper trail that follows
you forever.
       
Then – Medals were awarded to heroes who saved lives at the risk of
their own.
Now – Medals are awarded to people who show up for work most of the
time.
       
Then – You slept in a barracks, like a soldier.
Now – You sleep in a dormitory, like a college kid.
       
Then – You ate in a Mess Hall or Galley.  It was free and you could
have all the food you wanted.
Now – You eat in a Dining Facility.  Every slice of bread or pat of
butter costs, and you can only have one.
       
Then – If you wanted to relax, you went to the Rec Center, played
pool, smoked and drank beer.
Now -You go to the Community Center and can still play pool, maybe.
       
Then – If you wanted a quarter beer and conversation, you could go
to the Chief’s or Officers’ Club.
Now – The beer will cost you three dollars and someone is watching
to see how much you drink.
       
Then – The Exchange had bargains for sailors who didn’t make much
money.
Now – You can get better merchandise and cheaper at Wal-Mart.
       
Then – If an Admiral wanted to make a presentation, he scribbled
down some notes and a YN spent an hour preparing a bunch of charts.
Now – The Admiral has his entire staff spending days preparing a
Power Point presentation.
       
Then – We called the enemy things like “Commie Bastards” and “Reds”
because we didn’t like them.
Now – We call the enemy things like “Opposing Forces” and
“Aggressors or Insurgents” so we won’t offend them.
       
Then – We declared victory when the enemy was dead and all his
things were broken.
Now – We declare victory when the enemy says he is sorry and won’t
do it again..
       
Then – A commander would put his butt on the line to protect his
people.
Now – A commander will put his people on the line to protect his
butt.

The Night Before Xmas….Navy Style

What I saw out there looked like those Mardi Gras floats,
T’was a Captain’s gig drawn by four white Navy goats.
In the boat was a man who seemed quiet and moody,
I knew in an instant St.  Nick had the duty.

As quickly as Monday his billy goats came,
 He whistled and shouted and called them by name.
“Now Perry, now Farragut, Dewey and Jones, What’s the matter John Paul, got lead in your bones?
A little to Starb’rd, now hold it up short, No fluffing off now, or you’ll go on report!”
 
He was wearing dress “Reds” that fit like a charm,
His hash marks they covered the length of his arm.
The gifts to be issued were all in his pack,
The gedunk was ready to leave on each rack.

His eyes they were watering, his nose caked with ice,
He wiped it with canvass, then sneezed once or twice.
He opened his mouth and started to yawn,
It looked like the Sun coming up with the dawn.
 
The stump of a pipe, he held tight in his teeth,
And took a small nip from a bottle beneath.
He wasn’t so big, but he must have been strong,
I figured he’d been in SEALs early and long.

 
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old Tar,
Who said “Evenin’ Matey, here have a cigar.
“He filled every seabag with presents galore,
And left us all leave papers, right by the door.
 
With “Anchors Aweigh” he climbed back into place,
A broad smile was creeping all over his face.
One look at his watch and he started to frown,
“This mid watch is certainly getting me down.

“Then out to the breakwater and into the night,
 The gig started fading, the landscape was bright.
 ”Merry Christmas” he said, as he drove on his way,
Now I’ll finish my rounds and sack in for the day.”
 
Submitted by J.W. Smith (RD3)

USS Walton & USS Edmonds together in 2010!

At this years reunion we discussed a request by the USS Edmonds group to join the Walton reunion group in 2010.  We all agreed that would be a good idea since we often steamed together during the long life of the two ships and many of us have friends who were on the Edmonds.

So, if you have a friend who was on the Edmonds, let them know we will be together in San Diego for 2010 and encourage them to join us. 

San Diego should have lots to do and see.  Most went to “Boot Camp” there and there are historical ships, cruises of the harbor, nautical museums, excellent food, etc. in the area. 

Start setting aside the second week in October 2010 on your calenders for the reunion.  I look forward to seeing you there.