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Text Box: Four shipmates of Lt. Norman G. Cormier and Wayne “Chief” Russell wanted to show their respect and appreciation for two men they served with on the Whetstone during 1950-1955.  Joe Kirby, Charles Pierce, Floyd Pennal and Jimmy Freeman have given monetary donations to the Association in memory of these two friends.  Their gifts were a special thank you to the USS Whetstone Association for bringing them all back together again.  By way of the Association, they were able to meet up once again, whether through the reunions or visits and phone calls, and were able to solidify their relationships that began many years before . Although Wayne Russell was never able to attend the reunions, as Lt. Cormier did, Joe, Floyd, Charles and Jimmy went to Oklahoma to visit him and share their times together.  At reunions, they shared their times with Wayne with Lt  Cormier and other men that served during the same time period.  This gesture is what the Association is all about.  It is meeting old friends, sharing good times and never forgetting the bond that binds us together.   

Text Box: Norman G. Cormier (LT. 1950-1954)   Lt. Cormier lived in Kernersville, North Carolina and passed this past April.  His wife, Amarant Cormier,  graciously sent us this picture of her husband when he was aboard the Whetstone, along with an obituary detailing his life and acknowledging his enjoyment singing with many choirs and groups in his beloved North Carolina.  We recently received a letter from Lt. Cormier, shortly before his passing, reminding us that shipmates that recommissioned the “Stone” in 1950 should be  given the honor of plank owners as are the crew from 1945.  We appreciate him bringing this to our attention.

Text Box: Wayne Russell QM 1951-1955   The “Chief” as he was called by his friends, lived in Rose, Oklahoma, with his wife, Bessie.  When Joe, Charles, Floyd and Jimmy visited Wayne, they took him a Whetstone hat and jacket.  Wayne was so proud of these items that  he asked to be interred in them in 2002 when he passed.  Bessie graciously sent us this picture of her husband when he served aboard and told us how much Wayne enjoyed the visits of his friends.     Not only did Wayne enjoy the visits, but so did Bessie, who is very grateful to these men that made her husband’s life complete in his final days.  

Text Box: IN REMEMBRANCE of LT Norman G. Cormier and QM Wayne “Chief” Russell Text Box: Shipmates!     You may recall earlier this year in my president’s column I talked about a college reunion that I was looking forward to.  In early June I spent three days at my alma mater in Pennsylvania and reconnected with about 25 fraternity brothers, most of whom I had not seen since I graduated in 1965.  It was a wonderful time.  My expectations were exceeded big time. So why am I mentioning this?  Because it’s the same feeling that we all get when we come to the Whetstone reunions.  Let’s face it, if it wasn’t for the reunions, there wouldn’t be much point in having a Whetstone Association.  It’s all about people, all about friendships, all about telling sea stories for the umpteenth time, and all about getting together for the reunions.  The next one is in Corpus Christi and the dates – mark them on your calendars today – are October 12-15, 2006.   The weather in Corpus should be excellent in October and the hurricane season is all but over.  Rusty Draper is checking out hotels and they appear to be excellently located right on the water, and the prices are very affordable (in the $70 per night range.)  There is also lots to do in the way of tours.  The USS Lexington, the last of the old straight deck carriers with a teak deck, is a floating museum nearby, that we’ll all want to see.  But more on the activities as we get closer to the reunion.  Do you remember the old Army recruiting poster with a picture of Uncle Sam pointing a finger and saying, ”I Want You”?  Well, I Want You to plan for the reunion now.  And if you’ve never come to one of your reunions, you don’t know what you’re missing.  So stop trying to find excuses not to come, and put it on your calendar today.  Have a great summer!                       Jim Dunn (LT 1967-70)    

Text Box: Greetings from Your President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 


 

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