The first of many steps in planning the first all hands reunion for the USS Oriskany
CV/CVA-34 by Vernon and Pam Williams of Burtonsville MD, started with the 1989 ad in the American Legion magazine by Jean
Rainville. Jean (G-div) of Grand Rapids MI wanted to locate shipmates from his division. However at this time
he didn't want to start a ship's reunion. After a few phone calls I informed Jean that I would like to plan a reunion,
and asked him to send the names he had received from his ad.
We started with ads in newspapers, VFW and the American Legion magazines
for any shipmates that would be interested in having a ship's reunion. The letters and phone calls started coming in
from all over wanting to know where and when the reunion would take place. We were told about the village of Oriskany
in upstate NY. We felt that it was only fitting to hold the first reunion in the place which our ship was named after.
We contacted Mr. Robert Heeley and told him about our plans to hold a reunion in Oriskany NY.
Pam and I made a trip to Oriskany NY and met with Mayor Donald Rothdiener,
Museum Curator Robert Heeley and American Legion Parkhurst Post #1448 Commander Richard Montgomery, to discuss our plans
for the upcoming reunion.
We set the dates as September 28-30, 1990. Over the weekend a number
of shipmates came by from the local area and were unable to stay but wanted to hear more about our plans for the next reunion.
At this time we didn't know if there would be a next reunion! We had a total of 194 attending the dinner/dance who had
their pictures taken for our first reunion book, five of whom were Navy Captains.
We held our dinner/dance at the Parkhurst American Legion Post #1448.
We wanted to keep it as inexpensive as possible. Our cost was $12.50 per person. We heard from several shipmates
after the reunion that they thought we were going to serve hot dogs and french fries because of the low cost. It was
a pleasant surprise for them to find a band on both Friday and Saturday nights and a wonderful buffet put on by members of
Parkhurst American Legion Post #1448. Pam and I had no idea back in 1990 at our first reunion that we would be going
back to Oriskany to celebrate our tenth anniversary! This would not have been possible without our shipmates and friends
getting the word out about our association. Our thanks to all who have made this possible!
1990 Reunion Committee: Vernon and Pam Williams
Oriskany NY, September 28-30, 1990
1991: Daniel and Joanne Kearns
New York NY, August 23-25, 1991
1992: Anchor Memorial Dedication
Oriskany NY, May 29-31, 1992
1992: Leo and Margaret Connolly
Las Vegas NV
1993: A-4E Skyhawk Jet Fighter Dedication
Oriskany NY
1994: F. Schultz, R. Hawley, D. Schulenberg
San Diego CA
1995: Vernon and Pam Williams
Oriskany NY, October 12-15, 1995
1996: Leo and Margaret Connolly
Las Vegas NV, September 29-October 3, 1996
1997: Oriskany Village Museum Dedication
Oriskany NY, May 23 - 25, 1997
1997: Pete Catalano
Charleston SC, September 22-24, 1997
1998: Lee and Betty Puglia
Oriskany NY, Oct. 5-7, 1998
1999: Ray Dietrich, Ed Dolezal
San Antonio TX October 3-7, 1999
2000: Lee and Betty Puglia
50th anniversary of commissioning of ship
Oriskany NY
2001: Don and Joyce Gossard, EMO and Nancy Weishaar
Bremerton WA
2002: Phil and Libby Cartwright
Tunica MS
2003: Informal reunion
Oriskany NY
2004: Richard and Doris Fall, Art Giberson
Pensacola FL
