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

He is survived by his wife Alice M. (Hauer) Fulcomer-Stutzman, children Karen Hobson, Robin Stapleton, Robert Stutzman III, Craig Stutzman, step children Bill Fulcomer, Barry Fulcomer, Roi Ann Davis, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Robert was a retired lieutenant in the United States Navy and served in the South Pacific aboard the U.S.s. Walton (DE 361) from 1944 to 1946 in WWII.  He served in the Phillippines, Okinawa, China, Korea, and Japan.  He attended “bootcamp” at the Navy’s Great Lakes Training Center in 1943

He was a memeber of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Military Officers Association of America, The Destroyer Escort Sailors Association,  U.S. Navy Memorial Association, and served as president of various other associations.

Robert served as Regional Superintendent and Vice President of two large international insurance companies, was a member of Masonic Franklin Lodge No 14 F.A. & M, 32 degree mason, graduate of the University of  Pennsylvania witha Bachelor of Science and a graduate of the University of Pittsburg with a Bachelor of Science.

Robert loved hunting and fishing and took many fly fishing trip to Canada .  He also lived in Inverness, FL for some years during the 90’s.

Online condolences may be left for the family at:  www.bakerhazelsnider.com

Our prayers go out to the family of our Walton shipmate.  Smooth sailing lieutenant.

For all of you who did your “Boot Camp” in San Diego, these should bring back memories.  By the way, if you attend this years Walton Reunion in San Diego, we’ll be doing a tour of this facility.  Talk about a “flash from the past!”  Another reason to sign up for the reunion.  

And, of course, it starts all over again!  Over here boot!

The USS Slater (DE 766) is the only remaining DE afloat.  Last Saturday was DE Day, to honor all those who served in DE’s.  This video tells the story of the USS Slater and of DE’s in general and the efforts to honor the contribution of DE’s by saving the Slater.  If you’re in New York, I’m sure you’ll want to visit.       ;-)

I think you’ll find it of interest. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hJEJzZaOPo&feature=related

This morning I was going through my photos in iPhoto weeding out some I no longer wanted in my iPod.

I came across these two photos of myself in WESTPAC on the Walton.

I am fairly sure the color one was taken shortly after we arrived in WESTPAC.  I am standing right outside of Radio. I think both photos were either taken by you Gene or you Fran.  Either of you guys remember taking these pictures???  (To you others Gene and Fran were Radiomen on the USS Walton with me)

The B&W photo was taken on the fantail no doubt after I had just stood another 4 on/4 off. Looks like we may have been in  Da Nang, Vietnam at the time it was taken.  I normally wore clothing that fit me reasonably well.  No idea where I got that shirt in the B&W photo although it looks like the 4 on/4 off had effected me as I really look tired and like I had lost weight. 

Nicole says that back in those days I was so skinny that I looked like a poster child for some third world country and she is not to far off on that!  So I sure did not need to lose more!     – Herb

 Later, Herb made chief and got to wear some nice clothes.    This picture makes him look skinnier than he was.  Click on picture to get a truer perspective.

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. 

I just found this photo of NAS Cubi Point, Subic Bay, Philippines where I was a Radioman in the U S Navy.  I arrived in March of 1958 and left two years later. 

As you can see Subic Bay was/is beautiful, and just about the perfect natural harbor from typhoons.  Perfect for  U S Naval Base, Naval Station Subic Bay.

I was a Radioman and worked in communications, in the OPS Building shown in the distance.

I loved my time while I was stationed there as it was a totally new experience and adventure for the young kid that had never been out of the USA. 

Although as those of you who were there with me know it was hot and humid I lucked out as I loved the weather.

Cheers!
Herb

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

First off Sir, Thank-you for Replying to my request.
Dad never really talked much about his time on the Boat. Maybe I never really asked that many questions.

The one story that I do really remember is that when he got his first cooking duty, it was making Corned Beef. He puts the Beef in the ovens and goes about other duties in the Kitchen. Well, it was quite a few hours later and the CO came in the kitchen and asked Dad what the hell was going on. Sailors were waiting to eat and there was no food. Dad told Him that the Meat was still pink inside and didn’t think it was done yet. The CO said that it was Corned Beef and that it is always pink when cooked. He preceded to tell Dad that it would be Tougher then shoe leather, but at the time there was nothing else they could do.

Guess the Mates ate it but probably were not to happy about it.

Bill