USS TRACER AGR-15 REUNION HISTORY
Ten years ago, Lee Doyel, USS Tracer AGR-15 Engineering Officer in 1961 attended his first YAGR convention.in Baltimore, Md.. He was the only one from the Tracer AGR-15. The next year he was joined by Al Nannini, Rodger Padgett and plank owner Leland Bacon. Plank owner Don Baxter joined them the following year. In 2000 the annual reunion went inland to Minneapolis Minnesota. Overall the attendance went down but the USS Tracer AGR-15 attendance doubled to ten attendees and their spouses. Eight new shipmates attended their first annual reunion with Lee Doyel and Rodger Padgett:
Capt Reid, plank owner Jack Sutton; Ken Smith, John King, Joe Mann, Bruce Bayer, Harry Henzen, Jim Coggins.The 2001 reunion in San Diego, CA included a record 16 Tracer shipmates including six first timers: Don Bennett, Verne Biggs, John Lite, Martin Mitchell, and Brad Parent The 2002 Reunion in Newport, R.I. included two newcomers (Bruce Dougan and Richard Nolon) joining the group of nine regular attendees: The 2003 reunion was held in Pensacola, Fl because this is the hometown of Lee Doyel, the reunions host. The Tracer tied for best attendance with 21. Eight new shipmates joined the growing group of regulars: Bill Bossert, plank owner Joe Gormley, Pete Hilstrom, Bruce Johnsen, Steve Phelps, Robin Rittenhouse and Fred Rush. The 2004 Reunion in Philadelphia included 12 repeaters and 3 new attendees: XO plank holder Ben Coski, XO and Rear Admiral Rod Flannery and Jerry Mickelson.
In 2005, we were once again the top represented ship with 21 shipmates. Herb Beck, Don Birr, Gene Jerzewski, Jim Kelly, Lee Macrcheschi, Don Martin, Russ McCoy, Richard Van Scotter and Alan Wood were first time attenders. 15 Attendees including Roy Neal met us in St Looie in 2006. Don Stoufer, Fred Panciera, George Harrington and Bill Reichling were new in 2007. The tradition rolls on.... |
