USS Henry B. WILSON DDG-7 Bulletin Board

10/23/2015 13:24 Last Up Date

Reunion #10 in San Diego Sept 30-Oct 4, 2015

 Another great reunion with friends and 8 new shipmates ! 

 There was a change in our tour format because of the Department of the Navy refusing civilians/veterans to tour ships as of August 1, 2015

 Our hotel was the Marriott Courtyard Liberty Station site of the former Naval Training Center in San Diego.   The hotel is adjacent to a beautiful 46-acre park with shops and restaurants; the airport was just 2.5 miles away.

 Thursday started off with blue skies and a SEAL tour of San Diego Harbor.  On this 90 minute tour we learned about the military history of the area past and present.  From our amphibian vehicle we boarded a trolley for a short ride to Old Town San Diego considered the birthplace of California. 

Friday was a free day for attendees to explore the area at will.  Friday evening was a dinner at the Marriott Liberty Station.  We gathered on the Fireside Patio for a cocktail reception before sitting down to a wonderful buffet dinner of Grilled Salmon or London Broil.

On Saturday the ship’s tour previously scheduled in February had been officially cancelled to civilian tours by the Department of the Navy due to heightened security………..very disappointing.  We contacted Senator John McCain (AZ) and Rep. Duncan Hunter (CA) for help to no avail.

 So we decided to visit the Veteran’s Museum in Balboa Park.  This was the former chapel of the Naval Hospital built during World War II.  The museum houses a unique collection of artifacts and dedicated to Veterans of all conflicts. 

Also on Saturday morning we received an email from RADM J.Clarke Orzalli USN (ret) informing us that his father, Captain Jack Orzalli USN (ret) had just passed away.  Jack was a plank owner and active member of the USS Henry B.Wilson (DDG-7) Assn.   See the obituary on the home page.

Dinner Saturday night was at The Harbor House in Seaport Village with views of the San Diego Harbor.  They had a plated dinner of fresh Mahi Mahi, Chicken Béarnaise, or Flat Iron Steak and a special menu printed with a picture of the USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7) on the cover as a keepsake……….very nice touch.

 Please visit the Reunion Page to see all the photographs taken during this reunion.

Hope to see you all at our next reunion!