The Big Nickel Forums

Come join us at the 2016 DDG-5 Reunion in Jacksonville, Florida

The DDG-5 Crew Members Association Executive Council has appointed a Reunion Committee consisting of LeRoy Kidd, Glenn Johnson, and Kirk Neuman.  We are working together to complete requirements for the 2016 Reunion in Jacksonville, Florida.  Glenn has confirmed the dates for the reunion, May 12 - May 15, with the hotel (currently the Crowne Plaza Riverside - Jacksonville, but will be re-branded DoubleTree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront on September 1, 2015 after a $5 million renovation).  He is currently solidifying our contract.

We are also looking at various tours that we can schedule.  Tours are really based on the probability that the Adams will be in Jacksonville by the time our reunion happens and that there will be "work party" time for those shipmates in attendance to help with the restoration of the Adams.  Tour information will be more solid later this year and information will be posted on the website in the 2016 Reunion page so check back regularly for updates and probably changes.

We are also looking for help from anyone who lives in or around the Jacksonville area who is willing to assist in various aspects of pulling the reunion together.  If you are interested in helping out, please contact the Reunion Committee here.

The Gallery has been updated to 7.0.1.

The Gallery has been updated to the latest version 7.0.  Let me know if you have any problems.

The DDG-5 Crew Members Association Executive Council is looking for someone who would like to volunteer to be the 2016 Reunion Coordinator.  Carl Slack, the DDG-5 CMA Executive Director and past Reunion Coordinator has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and won't be able to perform his duties as he has in the past.

You won't be totally responsible for pulling together the 2016 reunion.  Members of the Executive Council will be working with you in getting the reunion organized.

Efforts will include, but not be limited too:

• getting a contract with the Crowne Plaza Jacksonville with a DDG-5 Reunion room rate and any perks that they may provide,
• setting up for a reception Friday evening (May 13),
• finding and scheduling a tour on Friday (May 13),


• setting up for a catered dinner Saturday evening (May 14),


• working out a design and getting made 2016 reunion pins,


• other things that I can't think of right now

If you would like to volunteer as the Reunion Coordinator or just help out with a few things, please contact me (Captain.Kirk@TheBigNickel.Navy)

Thanks in advance,
  Kirk

Got the email about the phishing email today, thought I'd check in and see what was happening. Seems like a lot of dead space between entries here, but after a second or so of thought the reason becomes apparent: Like our old ship, we are all either getting close to gone or gone already. I'm pushing seventy, and reunions and that sort of thing simply ain't happening for me, unless we throw a big party somewhere in Charleston, SC.

I need to check my profile as I'm not sure if my real name and all ain't there, but anyways, while not a plank-owner I came aboard in '63, served through the Mixed-Manned thing and left the ship in '67.

A few years back I came across a picture of the old CVR in the latter stages of being scrapped and it tugged at the old heart. We steamed a lot of miles, stood a lot of watches, pulled a lot of liberties and drank just a few lethal concoctions in some of the more exotic dens of dissipation scattered across the planet.

Just the other day, at the VA, they had me on one of those tilting MRI contraptions, and the young lady asked if that was too much movement for me; I told her no, I'd rode destroyers in the North Atlantic, I'd be alright.

And I was. Y'all take care.

Shipmates,

You may have or may be receiving an email which is allegedly from me (Captain.Kirk@TheBigNickel.org).  It's subject line reads, "I am still alive are you?"  The body of the email might be requesting information, personal or otherwise.  If you have gotten or do get an email with subject, please DO NOT REPLY!  If you get or have gotten an email like that, please FORWARD (do not REPLY) it to me at Captain.Kirk@TheBigNickel.org.

I will never send an email asking you to send me personal information or site login information.  If you ever get an email like that, please FORWARD it to me.

Kirk "VJ" Neuman
Webmaster: TheBigNickel.org

I have added an email opt-in/out page to the site.  Here you can add your email to receive (rare) email updates related to things like reunion updates and site information updates.

The Forum Gallery has been updated to version 5.0.4.  Let me know if you have any problems or questions.

The DDG-5 Crew Members Association has authorized the commissioning of a DDG-5 Commemoration Plaque to be dedicated during the 2014 Reunion in Washington, D.C.  The dedication will take place at the United States Navy Memorial on Sunday, July 27, 2014.  You may have received email from our Executive Directory, Carl Slack, with a donation form attached.  Unfortunately, that form was an early version and, although it will work, there is an updated form located on the [url+http://thebignickel.org/plaque.html]DDG-5 Commemoration Plaque[/url] page.

United States shipmates are requested to fill out the form, print it, sign it and return it to the address on the form.  The PayPal submittal portion is intended primarily for our non-US Mixed Manning Shipmates who may not have access to the credit cards accepted by the US Navy Memorial.

If you can, please make a donation towards our commemorative plaque.

Thanks,
  Your DDG-5 Executive Council