Shipmates and friends,
Another great reunion of the USS Goldsborough DDG20 Association has passed. The 2022 reunion in Tucson had one of the largest turnouts. We had a number of new shipmates join us, as well as new friends and families. Always great to get some new sea stories as well as the rehash ones we have heard before. Of course, there is some truth in all of them. The host hotel, The Ramada by Wyndham Tucson, went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed to have a good time. The front desk staff, breakfast staff, the bartenders, and the folks that made sure we had ice and our hospitality room was always ready. All deserve a round of applause for their working hard to take care of us. Having the hotel on the trolley line made it easy to get around to go get a meal or just enjoy the downtown area.
Many of us arrived early and were able to start exploring the area on Saturday and Sunday before the reunion officially started. The hotel made the hospitality room available on Saturday, so we had a place to meet. Sunday afternoon was the registration time to meet and pick up your shirts, hats, or bags and of course name tags for the new folks and for us with memory issues.
Monday, we boarded the busses for Tombstone, where we enjoyed the Historama and of course a gunfight at the OK Corral. There was also time to explore the numerous shops and bars of Tombstone. It was great to see everyone enjoying the area. We returned to the hotel for a Border reception put on by the hotel of chips and salsa, and of course Margaritas. Tuesday, we headed out to the PIMA Air and Space Museum where we had our Memorial service for departed shipmates and then toured the museum and its collection of more than 400 planes and numerous hangars, covering all different areas of aircraft and different areas of aviation memorabilia. Lunch was included and the staff at the Flight grill went out of their way to make sure we were fed. Also, on the grounds was a separate museum, The 390th Memorial Museum, that was staffed by docents that were more than glad to talk to you and explain about the B17 and the 390th Air Group. Of course, it didn’t hurt that some of them were Navy Vets.
Wednesday was a free day to set around the pool or enjoy the numerous sights and sounds of the Tucson area. Some went for drives of the area outside of the city and some found the casino to make their donations. Others stayed at the hospitality room to renew friendships or make new ones.
Thursday morning was the annual business meeting where Pat and Connie Taylor reported on plans for the 2023 reunion they are coordinating in Nashville on September 24-28, 2023. Also, the 2024 reunion was discussed and voted on. It will be held in Wilmington, North Carolina with Linda and Mike Nowak as coordinators.
The meal for Thursday nights banquet was provided by Little Mexico, with a taste of the local dishes. Pat Taylor was back as auctioneer for the annual auction. All sorts of items from home states or local vendors were auctioned off to support the Association.
Goodbyes were said on Thursday night or Friday morning, as we all look forward to meeting again in Nashville next year.
I have said it before and I will say it again: the reunions are a great way to remember the good times we had when we served on the Goldsborough and also remember some of the times that weren’t so good. Getting together with shipmates we served with, whether at the same time on the ship or not, it is still great to talk about places we all visited or things we seen while serving. It is also great to talk to family and friends of shipmates who attend the reunions. We also love getting around to see all the different areas of this great country. We have seen the mountains, the cities, the plains, the oceans, the deserts, and the forests travelling to these reunions and we never get tired of seeing more. If you have a chance try to join us for one of the reunions, I am sure you will enjoy it. The Goldsborough reunion rotate across the country to make it easier for everyone to make it to one soon or later. Hope to see you at one sooner.
Bill Biller , HT2 77-81
USS Goldsborough Association Treasurer
pibiller@gmail.com
419-680-0025