| The Doyel Reunion Report 2002, Newport, Rhode Island June 15, 2002 Dear Members, Again it was a great reunion. The best yet. The main focus of this reunion was the dedication of the space for the Radar Picket Ships of the Atlantic and Pacific Barrier Patrols as the seaward extension of the Distance Early Warning System (DEW). The dedication was held on the stern of the battleship museum, USS Massachusetts (BB-59). I do not know the exact number attending but it was several hundred. The reunion members filled 7 bus loads. The ceremonies included a color guard made up of Korean War veterans, Invocation, guest speaker, casting of a memorial wreath, twenty one gun salute, taps and benediction. The service was very moving and tears were observed in a lot of eyes, especially when the wreath was cast over the side. The wreath was cast over the side by four people representing officer, enlisted, wives and deceased. Tracer’s own Harry Henzen was one of the four. During this a bag piper played taps. After the ceremonies all proceeded in groups to see the space and then eat lunch onboard the ship. The reunion attendees then had the run of the ship looking at exhibits by other groups and organizations. While all the exhibits were well done and informative, few were of the quality of YAGRS. During the formal ceremonies, Harry Miller gave the museum a $1,000 donation from the association. All groups who donate $1,000 or more are listed on a plaque on the pier. The space is approximately 20’ by 50’ and at one end was a back lighted display explaining radar and its importance. Down the center were large plaques of each ship with ship’s logo and information. One side had the ships of Radar Squadron One (RADRON ONE) and on the other side was RADRON TWO. Also present were various shoulder patches and cigarette lighters with ship’s logos. Two ship models were also present, AGR-1 and AGR-14. Phase two hopes to have some actual radar equipment in the space. Eight or 9 plaques from various ships had been recovered and refurbished but were not installed due to time restraints. Along this line I had one made for the Tracer and gave it to Harry to be installed along with the others. The local press covered the dedication and put the report on the front page. I plan to send this out in a subsequent e-mail. The attendance at this reunion was the most ever. Harry will probably have the final figures in the next news letter. About 195 former crew members and 150 spouses/guests came making a total of 345. We had every room in the motel and had to use overflow accommodations. So get your reservations in early next year for Pensacola. There were 11 guys from the Tracer. All had attended a past reunion except Richard Nolon and his wife Mary. Glad they could make it. Hope we have a lot of first timers next year. There were 8 wives/guests present. Last year Harry Henzen made a table center piece for the Tracer. It was so well received, that a similar one was requested and made by him for a high attendance plaque. After records are checked and verified, brass plates will be made for the ship with the best attendance for each year. Last year it was Tracer and this year it was Searcher (AGR-4) . Due to the size of the group, we had to be bussed to an offsite for the Saturday night banquet. There was a disc jockey who played all the old (50s & 60s) songs, therefore a lot of dancing took place. A great time was had by all. At the general meeting of the men, Harry gave the financial report. We took in a little over $15,000 and spent almost that much. The news letter printing and postage are a major expense. The mailing hovers around 1,000 as all those located are not dues paying members. The association located another 190 persons this past year for a total of 1,694. (Tracer now has 115) We are still solvent with about $700+ left in the bank . The space renovation expenses and display items cost over $10,000. The space shows it too. Very good quality. The reunion did not make expenses and funds were needed from the general fund. Although it was decided last year to select the next meeting site two years in advance, Harry declined to do so this time sighting what he considered problems with that. Therefore the 2004 site will be decided next year in Pensacola. The ladies did their thing while the men met and reports are that it was great as usual. Lee Doyel Engineering Officer 1961-63 |
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