2019 USS KIRK Reunion
2019 Kirk Reunion Registration Form
USS KIRK REUNION Save the dates September 18-21, 2019 for Colonial Williamsburg!!! We’ll be staying at Hilton Garden Inn https://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/virginia/hilton-garden-inn-williamsburg-PHFWHGI/index.html.
We have 35 rooms reserved. The Tuesday (Sept 17) night before and Sunday (Sept 22) night after will be available at $91 double queen, and $101 king. Note there are currently only a few rooms available for those two nights, so reserve early as you can.
Please note that Friday & Saturday night rates are $119 for double queen and $129 for king. Tuesday-Thursday, and Sunday nights are $91 D.Q./$101K
How do I book under the group block?
Call the hotel at 1-757-253-9400 and tell them you’d like to book the $91.00USD rate with the USS Kirk Association group block.
Must book by 08/19/2019
Below you will also find additional discounted rates that may sell out or change at any time (no rooms are being held), so we would advise booking as soon as possible.
Any local shipmates interested in helping finalize activities and meeting agenda please contact Mike North at mike@norths.net or 816-797-5038.
This reunion is for ALL YEARS Kirk crew, and any of our Vietnamese and Taiwanese family and friends! It would be awesome to even see a Fen Yang shipmate or two if they are in the US!
I encourage shipmates from all years to join us. We really need to see some Yokosuka and Long Beach crew get involved. You won’t regret it! I look forward to seeing you all in Virginia in September!
AGENDA:
USS KIRK (FF/DE-1087)
2019 Reunion Agenda
Weds. Sept. 18: 1800 – 2200 Reception (in assigned meeting room)
Thurs. Sept. 19: 0800 – 1700 Self-guided tour Colonial Williamsburg (meet in
Lobby 0730) $41per person – purchase tickets online at www.colonialwilliamsburg.com
1800 – 2200 Social Networking (in assigned meeting room)
Fri. Sept. 20: 0800 – 1700 Self-guided tour Jamestown and Yorktown (meet in lobby 0730) $26 combo per person – purchase tickets online at www.historyisfun.org
1800 – 2200 Reunion Dinner (in assigned meeting room) $65 per person. By August 19th send check payable to “USS Kirk FF 1087 Association” to:
David Hyson
11402 Old Frederick Road
Marriottsville, MD 21104 (formal attire optional)
2019 Kirk Reunion Registration Form
Sat. Sept 21: 1000 – 1200 Self-guided tour General MacArthur’s Memorial (meet in lobby 0830) Free (donations accepted)
1300-1700 Self-guided tour USS Nauticus/USS Wisconsin-Norfolk $16 Basic Ticket / $35 Gold Ticket per person
18:00 – 22:00 Social Networking (in assigned meeting room)
Sun. Sept 22: No formal gatherings. Impromptu breakfast. Depart reunion.
If you have any suggestions, please drop me a note.
I’d like to see some uniforms! If you can still fit in yours, please wear it to the reunion dinner.
We will also vote in new officers. No association can survive without participation. We have thousands of Kirk crewmembers and so there should be no shortage of volunteers to lead our organization. Please let me know if you would be interested in one of the officer positions. They are two year assignments and all the heavy duty and legal work is done, so now we just need to build on it. Our positions are: President, Vice-President (2 positions if possible), Treasurer, and Secretary.
Special thanks to the following for posting our reunion info:
https://eugeneleeslover.com/Reunions.html
Please visit and support them!
As a Brit watching a tv prog on the fall of Saigon here in south London, UK, late the other night whilst enduring a dose of sciatica !!!!!
So, so impressed by the role of Capt Jacobs and all the crew of USS Kirk in taking on so many south Vietnamese refugees fleeing from the brutal N Vietnamese regime.
Capt Jacobs everyone’s idea of a commanding officer. Notwithstanding the rights or wrongs of the US involvement in Vietnam you should all be incredibly proud of a) your beautiful ship and b) your inspiring role in the great rescue operation.
Best wishes for your reunion and good luck in repatriating the Kirk from Taiwan.I hope the Taiwanese looked after her.
David,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I had no idea that our story had gone over the pond. As founder of the Kirk Association I had no clue that we would come so far. As youngsters at the time, the humanitarian spirit overtook us, we rose to the occasion.
Those events shaped all of our lives from then on. We, as crewmembers, were “The Lucky Few” that came away from Vietnam with a proud spirit. But, it was the training, guidance and can do attitude of Captain “Jake” Jacobs that gave us the strength to stand tall and bring as much joy to the refugees as possible during their turmoil.
Thanks again for you’re words and taking the time to express them to us.
Jim “Bon” Bongaard
OS2 USS Kirk 1972-1975
Plankowner
Planning on being there. I am a Yokosuka crew member 1981 – 1983
MM2 Laurence Toews. A gang and M division. I will see if I can bring a few others
I look forward to seeing you there!
Mike, I am planning on attending the reunion and look forward to seeing you and other Kirk Members
That’s great Mark! Look forward to seeing you again!
My note, long overdue, is an expression of pride and appreciation for the efforts of ship and men addressed to all crew of the USS Kirk. As a former FSO who years later lobbied for the admission of our former allies and Amerasians, my efforts were the progeny of your incredible and life-saving response. You have provided a life to the many who would not have had one w/o your compassion and humanity.Warm wishes for a successful reunion. With all of my respect,
Very kind words! Thank you!
Could you please print a list of attendees, dates 0n board and divisions as we get closer. I am looking forward to attending not just for myself but also for BTCM Armstrong who just past away.
LCDR Tom Pollard MPA 1977-79
I look forward to meeting you. To respect the privacy of the attendees, I will not post a list on the internet. I will however be putting an agenda together, and will certainly consider adding an attendee list to that.
V/R
OS1
Hey Tom! Mike Varley, Denise Meyer and I will be there, and I’ve sent an e-mail to Mark Metcalf as well. Hopefully he and his wife Terry will join us.
Ken, Makiko and I are hoping to attend I would be great seeing all of you. Do you know to contact JR have not seen him since I was on New Jersey.
Tom Pollard
Looking forward to seeing you Mark had my e-mail address
Tom
Ken do have reservations and if so at what hotel and what dates do you plan on attending
Tom
Greetings! I’m a KIRK sailor from W-A-Y back. Participated in Operations Eagle Pull, Frequent Wind, and New Life in 1975 while we rescued folks from Vietnam and Cambodia. I still recall some events vividly, as if they happened yesterday. What a time that was!
I live close to Williamsburg, so thanks for having this year’s reunion there. For those who have never visited Colonial Williamsburg, you’re in for a treat. The old town is quite interesting with plenty of information for the history buffs and opportunities to take great pictures..
I plan on attending. This will be my 1st KIRK reunion.
Emery Kirk
I look forward to meeting you Emery. What’s your rating?
I was an STG3 aboard KIRK.
I retired as an STGCS (SW).
By the way, Mike, I’m an author. I have published 3 books so far. The 4th should be published before the reunion. May I bring a copy of my books? I won’t be selling anything, simply getting exposure. It’s your call.
The association doesn’t endorse products, so we’d prefer stay out of the supply chain. You might just bring some business cards and pass them out as you meet folks.
I noticed a typo on your website https://author-ewkirk.com/. The ship’s hull number needs to be corrected to 1087.
BTW did you happen to know STGCS Donald Ray Sides?
Ok, thanks.
Sides doesn’t ring a bell.
Kirk.
Hello from Las Vegas. Look forward to seeing u. I went to the last reunion. Rock, Derby, Walton were there. I plan to attend.
Daniel Lucero STG-1
gri@zianet.com 704 287-9865
Kirk,
I just realized, Rock, Derby, and Walton were on my 1st ship Knox FF 1052. Sorry.
Dan Lucero
Looking forward to attending. Where can I go to find agenda?
I only have a draft right now. I’ll post on this site when available.
I have made my reservation but have another question. Usually there is an itinerary for those attending. A tour of this and a trip to that, a memento here and a memory there. Also there is an associated fee. there are dinners and lunches, hospitality room and a farewell dinner at the end. We have any clues on what to expect, both sightseeing wise and money wise? I have gotten some response to at least 4 ex-Kirk sailors. Yokuska Kirk will be represented!
Draft Agenda:
USS KIRK (FF/DE-1087)
2019 Reunion Agenda
Sept 18 – 22, 2019
Weds. Sept. 18: 18:00 – 22:00 Reception (in assigned meeting room)
Thurs. Sept. 19: 08:00 – 17:00 Tour Colonial Williamsburg (meet in lobby)
18:00 – 22:00 Social Networking (in assigned meeting room)
Fri. Sept. 20: 08:00 – 17:00 Tour Jamestown (meet in lobby)
18:00 – 22:00 Social Networking (in assigned meeting room)
Sat. Sept 21: 08:00 – 15:00 Tour Yorktown (meet in lobby)
18:00 – 22:00 Reunion Dinner (in assigned meeting room)
(formal attire optional)
Sun. Sept 22: No formal gatherings. Impromptu breakfast. Depart reunion.
Got suggestions? Let me know!
I might add, I wanted to schedule a trip down to Norfolk for a Wisconson and Nauticus tour. General MacArthur’s museum is just a few blocks from there as well. I loved it. Purhaps we can double up on Jamestown and Yourktown on Friday and go to Norfolk on Saturday.
Hello Shipmates,
It’s been a while (2007) since I’ve made a reunion. I miss you all.
I’m working my schedule to allow for this years reunion but not yet finalized. Fingers crossed 🤞
The chart for the entrance to Chesapeake Bay is what I used to get my captains license. I’d love to charter a boat one of the days, it’s a great place to sail if anyone is interested in doing that. Can be sail or power boat. I’d have to see how many are interested to get an idea of what size and kind of boat and how much it would cost.
Greg Geracioti
FC3
Yokosuka years 84-87
Made our reservations and looking forward to seeing everyone.
Looking forward to seeing you and Lori!
Hello and thanks for the info. Do we register for tours and banquet?
I still need to call and get some info for the tours. Plan to get rolling on that in the next couple weeks. I’ve been there on vacation and just did self guided stuff. We can go that route if they don’t have any deals for group tours. I’ll get back to you on that.
I also need to negotiate the banquet set up and costs. HGI doesn’t allow outside caterers, so I have to deal with them. Stay tuned. Once I get some numbers, I’ll send out registration and cost info.
Sorry for the delay in responding. I haven’t been checking this site lately. Shoot me an e-mail kenm AT flash.net (writing that out to avoid bots) and I”ll tell you what I know about JR. Denise and I are staying at the Wyndham Governors Green in Williamsburg. We’ll be driving in from Texas, and we’ll check in Tuesday afternoon and check out Sunday morning. We’re really excited about the reunion and can’t wait to see y’all again.
This reply was for Tom Pollard. Dang internet
Do we make the check out to USS KIRK Association, or David Hyson?
Please make checks out to the USS Kirk FF 1087 Association. Thanks.
Thank you.
Good to see so many comments. I am Yokosuka crew as well. I want to check in with my wife about attending.
Sent a check but not cashed. Did you not get it?
Hello, I was wondering if anyone from the original crew would be attending. I have made reservations but am very curious as to any of my shipmates attending. would like to hear from Daryl Risenger or any other shipmates from the same period. my cell number is (210) 825-4264, call anytime if I miss your call please leave a message and I will call back.
Bill Cutler is going to try to make it, but he is an OTR truck driver so it depends on his schedule.
Shipmates, I need to clarify the room rates are $91 for a double queen and $101 for a king for Sept. 17-19 Tuesday – Thursday, and Sunday Sept 22. Friday and Saturday nights Sept. 21 & 22 are $119 for the double queen and $129 for the king. My apology for the miscommunication.
Mike,
I served on KIRK in Yokosuka during the period Oct 84-Jun 86 as the ship’s Master-at-Arms. I’ll be sending you a check to attend the dinner on Friday, 20 September. Apologize for the late payment.
Vr, John
No problem! Look forward to seeing you there!
Mike,
I wanted so much to attend but it looks like other issue with my world are going to keep me from the reunion this year. I was aboard the Kirk from 72 – 75 . RM 2 I later went on to the reserves and didn’t go the way it should but it helped me transitionto civilian life. I went back to school at the University of Arizona and joined the Army National Guard SMP ROTC Program, became a Army Officer and have now retired both from the Guard and Civilian jobs as well. retired Capt. Signal Corp, Retired Procurement Manager . Greg Harkins Hope to be able to come to the next reunion.
I understand. Hope you can make the make the next one.
Greg email me at:: tectecman2@yahoo.com from Curtis Hackney, SMSN.
Hi Gregg. How are you? From SMS Curtis Hackney email: tectecman2@yahoo.com
See you all in Williamsburg two weeks from TONIGHT!!!!
Hey;
Was just checking in and found the reunion news. Plan on attending. Room Booked So will be there with the Missis. would like to be at the dinner. Can I overnight the Check. Looking forward to seeing some old friends
Seaman First Class
73 – 76
First reunion I have been able to attend.
No problem, you can just pay us at the reunion. We’ll see you there!
Attended the recent reunion. What an absolute magnificent time. I have attended my first ships reunion, fun yes but not like Kirk. Will I attend any other of my six ships reunions? No, not really. I am in on the next Kirk reunion, wherever it is. My best ship out of six. Mike North, Dave Hyson, Hugh Doyle, you guys are wonderful. I flew from San Diego or Orlando. Larry Toews and I drove up to Virginia and back. Shipmates it was worth it. Recharged my batteries. I needed it. Sent pics to former shipmates so they could take a look see. I had to take my shoes and socks off to count how many pics I sent. Again, I am in on the next reunion. Phillip Abbey/MMCM retired and loving it. Peace out.
I was on the USS Kirk from 1980 to 1984. Severed my 4 years there. I was the BM3 that helped save the sinking ship’s crew that was sinking in the south china sea. What an eventful day! One of the longest day”s that I can remember. From lowering the rescue life boat, picking up crew from the water, trying to hook the boat and being hoisted up and secured, then going to the bow to rescue
the mariners that were in the water. That was just part of the day. We also had to rig for towing forward and aft. secure the helo, then stand our regular watches. That’s putting it very short. I think I could make a book about life onboard the Kirk. going through dry dock. Searching night and day for 2 crew members that had fallen overboard from the USS Midway, etc. etc. I just found out about the reunion and sad to say it was way too late. maybe I’II get to the next one!
Hi Raul! I remember you! Good to see you connect. We’ll start planning the next reunion soon. Stay tuned! Where you residing now-a-days?
I am SMSN Curtis Hackney. Would like to hear shipmates. My email is: tecteman2@yahoo.com
Correction: I , SMSN Curtis Hackney, I attended the 2019 reunion. My years on the Kirk were Sept. 1972 until Dec. 1975. My email is: tectecman2@yahoo.com I would like to hear from any shipmates that would like to communicate.
Hi Curtis. Hope you doing well. Heads up, I’s trying to arrange another reunion in San Diego in September. May change locations if I can’t get any decent bids.
Sorry I missed another reunion. I just don’t have a large online presence, i.e. no Facebook or twitter account. I do want to keep up with the crew. You can reach me at my email address swim_nkd@comcast.net (note that I only check it once a week. so, my replies may be slow) Respectfully: RM2 Chuck Fowler – Plank Owner – USS Kirk. Home address 7943 Cooks Ct., Warrenton, VA 20186.