Sounds like a hoot George. We'd have to be sure to bring the pinochle cards. Will get up with you off-line to refine plans.

I appreciate the thought and consideration that many have put into this idea. It appears that we may have a few old friends coming along to share the cruise, and that will be great.

Peggy and I will be celebrating our 50th a few weeks after returning, which is the primary reason we booked this particular cruise.

Thanks again,
George

George,

I'd love to join you but our Octobers are reserved for Oktoberfest in Helen, GA and deer hunting in North Carolina. I wish you and Peggy a wonderful and most enjoyable time on your cruise. Also calm seas and favorable winds.

During the last two weeks of STG Class "A" school at FSS Key West in 1967 we went out to sea aboard USN destroyers to practice our skills in "sea-phase". The first week was on USS BEALE (DD-471) and USS STRONG (DD-758). The second week was on USS VOGELGESANG (DD-862) and USS HAROLD J. ELLISON (DD-864).

After tours at four NAVFACs and qualifying as an OWO Earl Butts sent me orders to TASS. Spent two years (73/74) and one WESTPAC on USS ALBERT DAVID (DE-1050) with Jerry Satterfield. During that tour I also spent one month on USNS S. P. Lee (AG-192) equipped with TASS during RIMPAC 1973. After an instructor tour I spent 1979-1982 aboard USS MCCLOY (FF-1038). Enjoyed ROH, REFTRA in GTMO, one MED cruise, one COMPTUEX, one Solid Shield and numerous sorties to the Bermuda ASW Sector aka YEMPA during that tour.

In 1976 we took a seven-day cruise on Norwegian Caribbean Lines' "SOUTHWARD" out of Fort Lauderdale to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. In 1982 we took a seven-day cruise out of Fort Lauderdale on Royal Caribbean's "VOLENDAM" to St. John's, St. Marten, Martinique, and Barbados. In 1993, 2004, and 2010 we took seven-day cruises on Celebrity's "MERIDIAN", "HORIZON" and "SUMMIT" out of Norfolk and Bayonne to Bermuda.

During my days as a defense contractor supporting surface ship ASW systems and SURTASS I rode various ships for lengths from one week to one month at a time. These ships were USS MILLER(FF-1091), USS ESTOCIN (FFG-15), USS SAN JACINTO (CG-56), USS NORMANDY(CG-60), USS COMPTE DE GRASSE (DD-964), USS PETERSON (DD-969), USS AMERICA (CVA-60), USNS VINDICATOR(T-AGOS-3), USNS PREVAIL(T-AGOS-8), USNS BOLD (T-AGOS-12), USNS VICTORIOUS (T-AGOS-19), USNS ABLE (T-AGOS-20),and USNS LOYAL (T-AGOS-22).

Needless to say, Nick, I sported the Navy Sea Duty Service ribbon with stars on my ribbon bar.

Best wishes to all,

Denny

Very impressive resume, Denny. Apparently there was scant little time left for you to hone your pinochle skills. Maybe you just weren't very good at picking partners.

Nick

Good one Nick !!

What's a sea service ribbon? I remember when the Navy had to reissue the National Defense Medal due the fact that there were too many Navy personnel with under 4 years that had no awards to wear.
Personally I did two years aboard the USS Norris DDE-859,1960-62,two years aboard the USS Biddle DDG-5,1962-64,prior to COSL, Barbados,Midway,and then finished up my career aboard USS Hammerberg DE-1015,(ITASS) 1970-71.

George, if you set up another Florida based cruise,
let me know in advance.