As your newly elected President of the USS Whetstone Association, I would like to thank all of you that took part in the year 2000 Reunion in San Diego. There were a lot of new faces as well as many from prior reunions and I believe all had fun and great time.  There always seemed to be someone in the hospitality room sharing stories, checking out the memorabilia or playing cards.  I believe reunion happenings were enjoyed by all and each one was able to take home fond memories of the reunion and the time together.   We give a special thanks to all who planned and worked to make it a memorable time.  As we were checking out, all of the hotel staff complimented you on your behavior and said that any time one of you walked in the door they knew that you were from the Whetstone group because your were always smiling and laughing.  They also said that they would stop to see what we were going to do next.  This is one of the greatest compliments that a group can receive.  All of the hotel staff said that we can come back any time as they had never had as an enjoyable group.  Thank you very much.  We are truly blessed to know you all and are proud of you.

In two short years we will meet again in Virginia Beach.  It will be here before you know it.  I hope that we can locate another 200 or 300 men by then.  That means a lot of work. 

In closing, let me wish you all Happy Holidays and a Healthy, Prosperous New Year.  We trust that however you celebrate the season, you will find this special time of year a blessing with family and friends.

Marion Goble
President       

Johnson, Dan
Johnson, Michael E.
Kadinger, Robert F.
Ketchers, Lloyd R
Klemm, Floyd P.
Kodesch, Charles
Ladner, Winston
Landon, Neal F. 
Lanpkin, Gerald T.
Lattiner, George
Ledbetter, Robert L.
Lewis, Ernest D.
Lohmann, Gayle A.
Lund, Larry Thomas
MacDonald, Paul J. 
Machen, Elton
McDouguald, Robert L.
McMahon, Walter S.
Milligan, Detester   
Morrison, Joe
Murphy, Calvan H.   
Murray ,James L. 
Nelson, Larry A.     
Newell, Darrel K   
Nolte, Lester           
Olaveson, James L.
Osotio, Ricardo T.
Otoole, Edward M. 
Pankonien, William
Peerson, Jack
Poisson, Conrad
Porteous , Joseph A 
Powers, Reginald
Proulx, Ronald 
Rein, Randall W.
Rigdon, Charles
Ryan, Randall M. 
Sanders, Morgan G.
Sandoval, Edward M.
Scholly, Victor
Sitton, David
Smith, Jay
Smith, Richard L.
Spruance, Edward
Starke, Martin
Staubs, Jr., William
Stewart, Jack
Tahamont, David
Taylor, John C. 
Terrell, Alex
Thomas, Albert E.
Thome, Christian R.
Tibbets, Joe
Trigg, George
Wallis, Larry
Waymack, James L .
Webb, William H       
White, Eddie
Wilson, Glen W.
Zinn, Franklyn K.
Zunick, Joseph L.

Alqueeza, Crisanto
Anderson,Foster
Bagley,  Donald V
Bailey, Finley A.        Barber, George      
Baxter, William
Becker Leon   
Brooks, Floyd I.
Bruce, Marvin D.
Bullock, Charles S.
Burgess, Thomas R 
Burris, Richard E.
Burney, John L.
Callahan, Alvin
Chidester Doug
Cooksey, Robert B
Cobb, John V.
Crenshaw, Edwin L.
Cruz, Antonio R. 
Davis, James
Dea , David M. 
Dilley, Richard J.
Dixon, Thomas L.
Doherty, Harold E.
Dudley, Walter
Duerr,  Joseph H.
Dyches, Archie
Dykas, Edward J. 
Edwards, Thomas
Elder, Charles
Eshom, James M.
Folks, Arlie Joe
Folks, Tracie F.
Fontenot, Royle
Foster, Anderson 
Foster, Freddie
Frank, Victor K.
Franzen, Leroy
French, Dean M.
Fritz, Michael
Gamble, William
Gafton, Frank C.
Gensler, Delbert
Gifford, Gilbert
Giovanetti, R. A.
Glover, Joseph R.
Gold, Boyd O.
Gough, Terry G.
Gray, Amos
Greenhill, Edward
Hardy, George D.
Harrelson, Henry
Harrington, Richard L.
Heitz, Richard
Henderson, Thomas Jr
Henry, Donald
Hicks, Vernon
Holt, Dennis A.
Houghton, Donald W.
Howell,  Larry T.
Huckaby, Fuller O.
Hulon, Jack
Irvin, Herbert E.
Isaac , Reuben E
Jansen, Howard
Jennings, Samuel S.
Johns, Elwood

It is a wonderful time of the year as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  God sent
his only begotten Son to pay the price for our sins on the cross. We have the free gift of salvation and promise of eternal life with him when we believe in Him in our heart.

This is: A time to gather with family and friends; A time with our memories of our childhood and the anticipation of receiving gifts that Christmas brought; and A time of excitement being with loved ones.

May your Christmas be celebrated first by examining your own walk with God.  Does He live in your heart? Do you know you have the promise of spending eternity
with Him?  If not, ask Jesus to come into your heart.  Let Christ be the focus of your Christmas.  Jesus is the reason for the season. 

Enjoy being with your family and friends and enjoy the memories of your departed
loved ones knowing that someday you will see them again.

Jane and I would like to wish our Whetstone family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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