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From the Chaplain’s Desk 4 August, 2012
The HOT summer is nearing its end, and the 13th bi-annual USS Hector reunion is fast approaching. The attendance is looking good so far for Wednesday, September5th, but we are still hoping many more will attend a sure-to-be memorable time in Portland, Oregon.
The reunion would not be complete without giving our respect to those who have departed from us since the reunion in Branson, MO in 2010. At each reunion, on Sunday morning, starting at 9:30AM, Padre’ Ford leads us with a service lasting one-half an hour. Before the close of this service, we honor the departed members of our crew by announcing each name, and a toll of the association’s bell as his or her name is read. These departed sailors were a part of ship’s company at one time, since it was launched into the water until when it was decommissioned in 1987. Who knows, you may have known one of these shipmates being honored, and I’m sure you would be thankful to be there to honor his or her service while on board the Hector as well as to their country now that they have departed from us. Even if you do not know any of them, since we all have a common bond as fellow shipmates, it is good to honor them at this time. As Padre’ Ford exclaims, “No Man is an Island unto Himself”.
The Memorial Plaques will also be present at this reunion. Padre’ Ford is presently updating the list of given names to it for this reunion. Each board contains all the names of those who we know of, that have passed since the second reunion. So far there are four boards, three completely filled with names on them, each containing over 100 names. The information includes their name, rate and rank, when they served on the Hector, last address, and when they departed from us. These memorial boards have been a focal point for almost all the attendees at each reunion. Attending members search for shipmates that they may have known and served with during their time on the Hector. (If you have a name and any information concerning someone who served on the Hector, and has passed on, please contact Norris Long with this information and for verification through the usshector.com website, that we may honor him or her at our next reunions memorial service).
We hope those of you who plan to attend the reunion have included in your schedule, time to attend the memorial service. If you have not made arrangements to come as of yet, please include the Memorial Service on Sunday morning before departing for home (flights have better fares on Mondays if you wanted to spend one more day together, even though the reunion has ended).
This is our invitation to remember our Lord on Sunday, and honor those we have been let known who sailed on into eternity since we last met.
May God bless you and have a safe voyage,
Roy Meissner (Assistant
Association Chaplain)
