Ahoy shipmates and friends, the 2021 USS Goldsborough DDG 20 Reunion is over. The reunion
officially began on Sunday September 26 at the Millennium Hotel in Buffalo NY. 26 shipmates and 30 friends and relatives were in attendance. The Taylors were noticeably absent due to Pat falling and breaking his hip on Thursday. As friendships were renewed or begun, sea stories were told or retold, snacks and beverages including wings from The Anchor Bar, where wings originated, were enjoyed.
On Monday the group started out with a ride through the locks and lunch on the Erie Canal at
Lockport. From there we went sightseeing at Niagara Falls including a wet but fun ride on the Maid of the Mist.
Tuesday started with a Memorial Service on the USS The Sullivans and then had some time to
tour the ships and the Memorial Park at the Buffalo Naval Park. We would like to thank the folks at the Naval Park for opening on a Tuesday to let us fit them into our schedule. Many of us sailors enjoyed going through the USS Little Rock, the USS The Sullivans and the USS Croaker. Many of the ladies were disappointed we did not have more time to tour the ships. We then went to the Made in America Store in Elma NY for another great lunch and time to shop for items only made in America. We toured Buffalo on the way back to the Millennium.
Wednesday was a free day to enjoy many of the sights and tastes of the Buffalo area. Some of
us sailors did return to the Naval park to try to figure out how you could fit through the submarine.
Thursday morning we had our annual meeting. At the meeting it was voted to suspend the
collection of dues. We did not have a report from the Fry’s on the 2022 reunion in Tuscon since the Fry’s had to leave early due to an emergency at home. Jim Vallin was elected to President and Paul Scheppers was elected vice president. Big thank you to Gary Buxengard for his time as president. It was voted to have the 2023 reunion around Nashville with the Taylors hosting it. At the banquet on Thursday night Jan Lee Buxengard stepped up to official photographer to fill in for Pat Taylor. A delicious buffet of beef tips and Panko crusted chicken with all the fixings was presented by the Millenium hotel followed by New York style cheesecake. Since Pat wasn’t there to do the auction with all the extra comments and joke, Bill Biller and Gary Buxengard filled in as best they could. Goodbyes were said Thursday night and Friday morning as we all started back home.
I would personally like to thank the staff at the Millennium Hotel for doing everything possible
to make our reunion a success. We had a great room for our hospitality room and someone was always checking if we needed anything. The wait staff, at the restaurant for breakfast and the banquet, was always ready to help.
I would also like to thank Bill Kingsley our tour guide for his knowledge and help with logistic,
The folks at Lockport Locks for a great ride and meal, the staff at the Buffalo Naval Park for opening and setting up for us, the folks at the Made in America Store including the Caterer for making us a great meal and welcoming us to the store. Everyone we dealt with made sure we enjoyed our reunion in Buffalo.
It was great to see old friends and make some new ones. Many of the sea stories were retold
although with the new shipmates we learned some other sides of the stories. Everyone had a great time and we are looking forward to Tuscon. We will pass on that information as soon as possible.