Comments on Muliphen future Reunions IP: 173.65.204.149 Posted on February 12, 2010 at 18:44:26 by Carl Huth
CARL:
Jerry, As you are finding out as the former crew members age, experience health challenges and eventually pass on it becomes more difficult to hold an organization together
JERRY:
Carl, I agree with you. That means our organization has a finite ending and that is one of the reasons that I've tried to involve our association with something "historical", I found that the Saint Lucie County Historical Center in Fort Pierce, FL seems to fit that bill. The Center, although small, recognizes the Amphibious Base that use to be there and since the Muliphen has been sunk off the coast, so near the Center, they've decided the Muliphen is sort of their Mascot. That's why I'm looking for mementos for the museum collection. We'll all be gone, but the museum lives on.
CARL:
Some time back I ran across an APA/AKA or LPA/LKA organization that was made up of a number of those ship classes where the membership of the individual ship's organizations fell below a breakeven to even hold a
reunion. While single ship pride may prevail the economics may drive the decision to move to something of this nature. I don't know if they are still in business though.
JERRY:
Ron and I have both reviewed that organization, I don't have it's name on the tip of my tongue, but it's an Amphibious Navy Association and worth considering for future reunions.
At our last Board Meeting in Virginia Beach, it was agreed on by vote, that we join our reunions with the USS Rankin AKA-103 (also sunk as a reef, just down the coast from the Muliphen). This years USS Muliphen commitment to Baltimore superseded the decision to join the Rankin. However, next year (2011), we'll join the Rankin.
I've attended "joint" reunions and they were very successful. (In Nashville, TN with USS Fremont and USS Indianapolis) Save money all around on rooms and tours. All events like board meetings and hospitality rooms and diner banquets are separate while breakfast and use of hotel facilities are all common areas. I truly enjoyed meeting the men and families from the USS Indianapolis and it rescue ships. The USS Fremont APA-44, of which I'm a member, was there only by chance, but we took advantage of all the "joint" reunion events.
CARL:
From what I understand there is an organization in Branson, Missouri that puts together reunions for various ships that you might contact for help.
JERRY:
In September of this year the Rankin will be hosting their reunion in Branson, MO using the same reunion organization we use. (Military Locators and Reunions Inc.) The Rankin has used the Military Locators for several years now with much success, but I will remain open to suggestions. I want to point out that I've organized large events in the past and I know how much work is involved for the organizer, (Request for proposals, sight inspection, tour preparations, security deposits, insurance, mail-outs, etc.) I would rather have a professional organization do it because they negotiate better (and remember all the little nuances of the events) they often have good working relationships with very nice facilities and they take the "hit" if something goes wrong. Plus, no money comes out the the Associations coffers. Everything is paid for by the attending member.
CARL:
These are just two things I thought of when I read over your e-mail for volunteers to hold the Muliphen organization together.
Thank you for your input, I hope I addressed your issues.