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50yr DEROS Anniversary 2021 Night Rustic Reunion Sirata Beach Resort St. Pete Beach, FL November
10th-14th 4
Nights, 5 Days A Reunion To Remember! See what all we did: THOSE WHO ATTENDED: Dave & Sue DeKoker Tom & Terri Canter Jim Hetherington Mike & Lynn
Davenport Frank Sovich Drake Greene* Jack & Judy
Strickland Steve & Karin
Hopkins* Don & Jan Dorr* Bill & Bonnie Lemke Ben & Cynthia
Perkins Don Mercer* * were only able to attend a
portion of the reunion. Zeke’s Reunion Viewpoint: From the
onset in 2004, the Night Rustics decided to hold a reunion every two years, but
as normally would have been scheduled, 2020 was not going to work out as it
should have for reasons nearly every person in the World knows. Even in 2021 there was a bit of doubt that
anyone would attend then either, but it was the 50yr anniversary from our
return from Nam, so I wanted desperately to be able to celebrate that huge
milestone. Doubts were quickly erased when our night fighters started
checking in to sign up. I decided to
have a different type of reunion structure than usual this time, due to all
the stress and fears generated worldwide by our associates of the CDC in
DC. This one was not going to be
packed full of attractions to attend as was usual, but to rather set it up as
a very relaxing lay-back vacation-like schedule with tons of free time to
just hang out at the beach and visit with great, long-time friends. Since most of us “seniors” don’t have 3
squares a day, the scheduled lunches were dropped and only breakfasts and
dinners were planned for the group.
Suggestions for things to do and see were given,
however, none of the events were ever required. Folks could pick and choose whatever they
felt like doing and it was a smashing success according to the numerous
comments I received from everyone who attended, be it for one day or all
four, one event or the whole shebang! I gave a
little briefing on our fantastic Resort at the arrival social hour Wednesday
at Harry’s Beach Bar and passed out the 2021 Reunion T-Shirts that had been
ordered. Some adult beverages and
dinner were had in the outdoor café.
Thursday brought a leisurely noon Buffet Luncheon Cruise along the
Inner-Costal waterway aboard the Calypso Breeze. That being Veteran’s Day, we all donned our
Reunion T’s and went to dinner at Crabby Bill’s that evening, we sat 8-9 to a
picnic table and had some good old tourist food and were given a generous
discount due to our vet status. A
comedy club was suggested for afterward, but no one choose to go. The next day was a great breakfast at the
Albert-Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg city. The Salvador Dali museum was next door, but
no one chose to tour that, some probably went shopping or touring around
downtown St. Pete, the new Pier, the Marina or the 96yr old Vinoy Renaissance Hotel.
Friday evening dinner was at a very small and elegant chef operated
restaurant, the Mad Fish with Chef Oliver.
The food was top-shelf delicious and beautifully presented. Saturday brought lots more lazy time until
late afternoon when we all met on the rooftop of the Hurricane Seafood Restaurant
for a cocktail, which is a great vantage point to view a Florida Sunset, but
the cloud bank nixed that for us. We
then moved down inside the restaurant where we had our own room, the Key
Club, for our Closing Banquet. Sue
DeKoker, Reunion Assistant, created all the table centerpieces using the
design of the brand new Night Rustic Challenge Coin and gold trimmings in
honor of our 50 year celebration!
Zeke’s USAF wall blanket was also hung for more atmosphere and
individual name cards were placed for each person dining. Our server was also a veteran and the meal
was excellent, again according to all the raves I received following the
dinner. While awaiting our meals, I
delivered some personal thoughts regarding all the previous reunions we have
held. I read the names of our 10
departed brothers at arms and a bell was rung once for each one who has
passed. At the end I announced my
resignation as Reunion Chairman after 17 years, so then Jack and Judy
Strickland immediately stepped up to take over the job from now on. Several said our final parting goodbyes as
some would be hitting the road very early Sunday on their journeys
homeward. Nine of us still managed to
meet early the next morning for breakfast at the hotel to eat and say so
long! What a great
time of just relaxing, sitting in the sun in the sand or at the pool,
imbibing for some, eating too much and visiting for all…. The Stricklands have vowed to “keep the Reunions coming”, so
expect to hear from them in the near future. |
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Sue and I wish to confer a “HUGE THANKS” TO ALL WHO HAVE ATTENDED ALL
THE REUNIONS OF THE PAST, AS WELL AS MAKING THIS 50yr REUNION SUCH A GREAT SUCCESS! |