I called Tin Can Sailor on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 and spoke to
Ann Marie Estrella. I asked her if we could join other ships for the Tin
Can Sailor annual reunion and she said yes. There is no cost. Next
year's reunion is in Jacksonville, Florida from Sunday September 22 to
Thursday September 26, 2018. She did not guarantee no hurricane. She
will be sending me a packet via the U.S. Postal Service which should
arrive shortly.
I told her our situation. She said if we want to send a check to
the Orleck, Tin Can Sailor would forward it . She said Tin Can Sailor
would gladly accept our money too.
If you have any questions, you can call Ann Marie at 800-223-5535.
She said a lady named Monica handles the reunion packets. I didn't get
her last name.
Jerry
Shipmates,
Our search for a home for the history collection of the USS John R.
Craig DD-885 has come to a conclusion. Though we had hoped we could
include it with our sister ship the USS Orleck DD-886 Museum, the Board
of Directors has determined that is not a good option. The Orleck has to
move from it’s present location and find a new home, it has not. The
rumor that the USS Alabama Museum in Mobile was interested in acquiring
her, was just that a rumor. She is also in dire need of some drydock
time, which is very expensive and for which she does not have the funds.
I have been
in contact with Rich Angelini who is on the Board of Directors of the
“USS Massachusetts Memorial Committee” which includes the USS Joseph P.
Kennedy Jr. DD-850. He also oversees all restoration and preservation
activities on the Kennedy. They are in the process of redoing the “Burk
National Destroyer Museum” which is housed in the after berthing space
of the Kennedy. He has indicated a desire to make a home for our
collection.
The Board of
Directors of the USS John R. Craig DD-885 Association has voted to
entrust our ships history collection to the complete custody of Rich
Angelini and the USS Kennedy. The artifacts of our collection will be
put on display in the Burk National Destroyer Museum to honor the USS
John R. Craig and her crew. The documents, books and the remainder of
the collection will be given on loan to the “Tin Can Sailors Library”
where it will be stored in a climate controlled area. The items will be
made available at the library for crew members, their families or others
to view for genealogical or historical research. The library is located
in close proximity to the Kennedy. Your board and I as your historian
believe this is our best option to preserve our history for the future.
I hope you
all will at some point get to walk the decks of the Kennedy. She too is
very much a sister ship and visiting her will bring memories flooding
back of your time on the best Tin Can to ever serve in the United States
Navy, the USS John R. Craig DD-885.
Hank
Since I issued the attachment I have received information that the Orleck may be going to Jacksonville, Florida and has been scheduled for dry dock time. This will all take time, time I didn’t have. The board still feels that the Kennedy is still our best option and the history has been shipped to Rich Angelini and the Kennedy.
Hank
Tin Can Sailor sent this Letter to me showing the John R. Craig Association's Donation.