65th Anniversary Reunion of the USS Indianapolis Survivors Organization (2010)
Indyson18 said
Feb 12, 2010
The USS Indianapolis Survivors Organization will be meeting at the Hyatt Indianapolis downtown from July 28 through Aug 1, 2010. Chairman/Survivor Harold Bray is making arrangements now to send out registration packets and newsletters to all on the mailing list.
For those Survivors & their families, and Lost-At-Sea family members needing special assistance and having special needs, help will be provided by the USS Indianapolis Survivors Organization. Valet parking, wheelchairs, walkers and any other assistance can/will be happily arranged for you upon request to assist during your stay.
Almost all programs and events are open to the public, with the exception of the Survivors' Business Meeting and the Saturday Night Main Banquet (registration required). Feel free to bring your USS Indianapolis books or other items for signatures, and meet the Survivors!
We strongly encourage anyone who is in Indianapolis during this week to join us at the Hyatt in the various rooms set aside for public programs, Survivor presentations and talks, a wonderful audio/video program by Ms. Kim Nielsen and others telling the story of the USS Indianapolis, and visit our gift shop for merchandise and books. We especially wish to invite school-age students or student groups, and veterans' organization members to join us all day long in the lobby of the hotel and at various USS Indianapolis planned programs within the hotel. We also would like to invite any and all to joinn us Sunday morning, Aug 1, 2010 at the USS Indianapolis Memorial Monument site to pay respects and honors to the 880 men lost at sea when the ship sank on July 30, 1945 and during the ensuing 5 days, and to remember the approximately 250 Survivors who have perished since.
An agenda will be posted here ASAP, and also posted in the lobby at the Hyatt during the reunion.
For those who are not on our mailing list, but would be interested in attending the main banquet Saturday night July 31, or just have questions, please feel free to contact me (Jim Belcher) at jimbelcherpfi@verizon.net or Peggy McCall Campo at pcampo4@yahoo.com.
Please come & join us!
-- Edited by Indyson18 on Monday 15th of February 2010 09:41:58 PM
I have been at the reunion events for the past two days. It's been so nice. Last night there was a very moving multimedia event about the Indianapolis and thena Q&A with some of the survivors.
Today I was able to grab more signatures for my copy of ONLY 317 SURVIVED and attended a talk by the son of Earl O. Henry who was lost on the Indianapolis. Also informative but moving.
Will go back for more later today and then attend the memorial service tomorrow.
ww2kim said
Aug 2, 2010
Wow, Jim and Sandi! What an AWESOME job you did setting up this reunion!!! To everyone who attended, it was flawless and amazing!
Thanks for inviting me to speak. It was an honor. I love to see "our boys" and tell their story.
I can hardly wait for next year!!!
Indyson18 said
Aug 4, 2010
Kim, all the credit must go to our superb group of volunteers...Elko, my wife Sandi, you, Susie Ankrom, Andrew Fritzinger, Michael Hussey, Dianna & Bart Colvin, Steve Brewer, Mike Morrison, and especially to the little general who keep us all marching straight...Peggy Campo...without whom this never would have happened. Also credit goes to Harold Bray and Stephanie Bray who endorsed us, and gave us this opportunity to prove ourselves. Special thanks to John Gromosiak for setting up the meals, the Navy Band, our prime speaker VAdm Bucchi, and the memorial service among other things, and to Mary Lou Murphy for providing information and support. It was a great week. If I forgot anyone, I apologize. Just relaxing after the storm, basking in the aftermath. Great reunion. Your two programs were outstanding, as usual. Looking forward to your next two in Sept in Virginia...13th and 14th.
Dutch soldier said
Dec 21, 2010
Hey guys, here is the new president but mostly your friend Martijn I thought I'd join you.
It was a great honor attending the 65th reunion in Indianapolis. I had the time of my life and met so many people.
Because of all that I want to thank you guys. The trip changed my life in a good way.
-- Edited by Indyson18 on Monday 15th of February 2010 09:41:58 PM
Today I was able to grab more signatures for my copy of ONLY 317 SURVIVED and attended a talk by the son of Earl O. Henry who was lost on the Indianapolis. Also informative but moving.
Will go back for more later today and then attend the memorial service tomorrow.
Thanks for inviting me to speak. It was an honor. I love to see "our boys" and tell their story.
I can hardly wait for next year!!!
Kim, all the credit must go to our superb group of volunteers...Elko, my wife Sandi, you, Susie Ankrom, Andrew Fritzinger, Michael Hussey, Dianna & Bart Colvin, Steve Brewer, Mike Morrison, and especially to the little general who keep us all marching straight...Peggy Campo...without whom this never would have happened. Also credit goes to Harold Bray and Stephanie Bray who endorsed us, and gave us this opportunity to prove ourselves. Special thanks to John Gromosiak for setting up the meals, the Navy Band, our prime speaker VAdm Bucchi, and the memorial service among other things, and to Mary Lou Murphy for providing information and support. It was a great week. If I forgot anyone, I apologize. Just relaxing after the storm, basking in the aftermath. Great reunion. Your two programs were outstanding, as usual. Looking forward to your next two in Sept in Virginia...13th and 14th.
I thought I'd join you.
It was a great honor attending the 65th reunion in Indianapolis.
I had the time of my life and met so many people.
Because of all that I want to thank you guys.
The trip changed my life in a good way.
Take care, miss you all!!
Martijn