Association President's Messsage
Dear Shipmates and Members,
I would like to start off by saying I am looking forward to serving as your president for the next two years. I would like to thank all the people who have offered to assist us in planning for and execution of our next reunion.
I would like to thank Herb Wise and Ron Knight for their efforts in organizing the Branson reunion. To Tom Tinney and his Chief of Staff thank you for keeping the hospitality room so well stocked. It was really good to meet all of the attendees.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Bill Fraser and Herb Murphy for starting this wonderful organization, without their foresight we would be missing the boat. Not only the boat but we would be missing the chance to get together every two years. We’ve had some terrific reunions at places all over this great country of ours. They have been held in Tunica, Mississippi, Charleston, South Carolina, Seattle, Washington and Branson, Missouri. Each reunion has been in a different part of the country where we’ve enjoyed the local fare, attractions and entertainment. The only constant has been the fun and social activities of the hospitality rooms. That’s where old shipmates and friends reunite and new friendships begin. While I have enjoyed the shows, the people who sailed on Lafayette always impress me. Their accomplishments are phenomenal, the positive impact they’ve made on our world is astounding. Lafayette sailors are part of a unique fraternity, they are warriors who manned the front line during the Cold War, and they never fired a shot but due to their efforts and other sub sailors like them a war with nuclear weapons was avoided, and peace broke out.
Our next reunion will be in the New London, CT area in 2013. It promises to be our best ever, along with being the 50th Anniversary of Lafayette’s Commissioning.
We have a superb group of people running the organization, Ron Knight Board Chairman, Ton Tinney Vice President, Joe Geiger Treasurer, Bill Livingston Secretary, Bill Liles Board Member, Lynn Watson Board Member and Chaplain John Fornicola. Check out the rest of our webpages to see our committee members and the crew list to find your old shipmates.
I will need a lot of help putting this program together so don’t be surprised if you get a phone call or Email from me. Contrary to popular belief, it’s OK to volunteer. Our success will be measured by attendance and the amount of participation there is; like everything in life you get out of it what you put into it.
Some vacancies we would like to fill post haste are the Newsletter Editor and Storekeeper positions. We want to keep you informed and allow you to acquire some Lafayette Gear.
Keep on the lookout for the dates and location of our next reunion.
Your Shipmate,
Dennis E. LauzePresident USS Lafayette Association603-664-7687lauze140@metrocast.net
