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With every Manley reunion, new faces join the crowd, and the Millennium Reunion in Baton Rouge attracted more people than any before it. A total of seventy-eight people attended, including forty-two shipmates. The Welcome Aboard Breakfast Monday morning set the tone for the next three days. The Istrouma High School Color Guard presented the colors prior to the Pledge of Allegiance. That afternoon brought a visit to the USS KIDD (DD-661) for a tour of the ship and the Louisiana Naval War Memorial. Manley conducted her memorial service on board the KIDD with bagpipes, taps, and a three gun salute. Mr. Maury Drummond, Museum Director, presented Joe Dennison and the Association with with a plaque suitably engraved with a historical synopsis of the Manley. Following the KIDD, the crew set off for the Bayview Tavern, a rustic watering hole situated on a Louisiana bayou. Small boats shuttled the group on scenic swamp tours and mostly gator hunts. A Cajun troupe of entertainers kept everyone on their toes for most of the evening, even playing a few games. Early Tuesday morning we set off for New Orleans and a tour of the city and a Mississippi River cruise on the Steamboat Natchez. It was a very enjoyable day with plenty of free time to visit the French Quarter. Many of the folks dined in one of the many Quarter's restaurants. Wednesday morning was spent touring the government buildings, including the Governor's Mansion, the old capitol building, and the present day capitol building. Was that Huey Long walking the corridors we heard? That evening the group assembled for the Reunion Banquet. The Radisson did not disappoint and presented a great meal. Music was provided by Sensational Sounds. The Farewell Breakfast was early on Thursday morning and the ladies and gentlemen of the Manley gave their goodbyes and scribbled down email addresses. Reunions seem to end much quicker than they begin. Planning consumes months and in a snap it's over. It was a wrap and the troops took off for all points. Successful reunions are put together by truly dedicated people and in Baton Rouge, we had the pleasure of meeting quite a few. The people at the KIDD, Gwen at the Bayview, Carolyn at the Radisson, the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and, of course, the sailors of the Manley contributed so very much to this sixth reunion of this great crew and this great Lady. The planning for the Baton Rouge reunion began in the Fall of 1999 but picked up much steam in January 2000. In advertising for the event, announcements appeared in not less than twenty-four military oriented publications, including those directed toward active, inactive, and retired Navy and Marine, enlisted and officer. Announcements also appeared on at least four web sites, including military.com, hullnumber.com, and destroyers.org. A summary of the reunion also appeared in Tin Can Sailors.
This page last updated 10 December 2007 |
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