May 2018

USS JOHN W WEEKS DD-701 ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTER
Dear Shipmates

I can’t believe that is almost time for

another Reunion! Your Board of
Directors always start work on the next
reunion the minute a reunion is over. I
have been blessed to have such a great Now Hear This!
group of sailors on our Board to manage
our affairs of the Association. A REMINDER TO ALL
We did lose one of our long-time
SHIPMATES RECEIVING THIS
members this last winter. Our long-time NEWSLETTER…THE
Secretary-Treasurer, Jerry Wester, EM3, 1963-1965, passed away DEADLINE FOR ANNUAL
suddenly at his home in Minnesota. Jerry and his wife Shirley were DUES FOR YEAR 2018 is
always there at every meeting and he did a great job on handling MARCH 31
our finances and records. He will be sorely missed by all of us.
Please pay to continue
Our next Reunion is scheduled for September12th to receiving your newsletter
September 16th in Gatlinburg, TN. At our last reunion we announced and support your
that we would be in Ashville, NC but as we tried to make
association.
arrangements there Phil, our reunion coordinator and board
member, found out that Ashville does not cater to Military Reunions. Thank you!
Our second choice was Gatlinburg and that is proving to be a
better choice based on the reception we have received there.

Your Board is still considering an eventual merger with The Tin Shipmates!
Can Sailors when our group is no longer big enough to hold a
reunion on our own. Please make sure that we
have both your correct
A couple of things that I want to mention. A plank owner Email and mailing address.
from the WEEKS wrote a letter to the Tin Can Sailors stating that in
his mind Bruce Biggar (the only crew member killed in action on the
Ship in WWII) was not a hero. As your President I responded in a
letter to the Tin Can Sailors which was published last month. A copy
of the letter is included in this newsletter.

Speaking of Bruce Biggar, I will be giving a speech on him to the Berwyn, IL Historical Society
on July 24th. Berwyn was Bruce’s childhood home. Details are still being finalized but if you are in

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that area and want to attend, contact me and I will send you the info. As your President, I love to
be able to spread the word on our Ship and those that served on her.

At the last reunion I heard the story of another sailor that was killed in an accident aboard
the WEEKS in 1968? If someone could send me the information and name of the sailor killed so I
can write a story about him I would appreciate it. I would like to have a plaque made up for him
and Bruce Biggar for our displays and for the Museum.

Our Business session at the Reunion will be a busy one this year. We have several vacancies
on the Board to fill. Our Vice President, Dave Kurtz, PN2, 1964-66, announced last year that he is
retiring from the Board effective the end of this year. Dave has been my right hand man these last
few years. He has never been afraid to take me on or call me out on things he disagreed with me
on. I will miss him. Dave will continue as co-editor of the newsletter for an undetermined length of
time.

Also, Ray Goodmuth will be assuming the position of Treasurer vacated by Jerry’s untimely
passing. Ray will continue as Newsletter Co-Editor. The end result of this is that openings also exist
for the positions of Secretary and Board Director.

Dave’s retirement is important since I announced last year that I planned on retiring as your
President at our 2019 Reunion so that we can elect a Viet-Nam member to take over. As much as
I love being your President I sincerely believe that it is time for the Viet-Nam members to start
taking charge. If you are interested in joining the Board please let one of the board members
know ...our e-mail addresses are included on the back of each newsletter.

Included in this newsletter is a picture of the items donated to the Museum at last year’s
reunion and the names of the donors. I will be visiting the Museum in July to deliver them.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at our reunion.

Alan Cutcher

ALOHA JERRY
Jerry Wester passed away suddenly but peacefully on March 21, 2018 surrounded by family. He is
survived by his wife Shirley, three children and five
grandchildren. Jerry served as an electrician aboard the
Weeks 1963-65. Jerry attended his first Weeks reunion in 2001
at Myrtle Beach and it is doubtful that he ever missed another
reunion. He signed on as Secretary in 2008 and assumed the
dual role of Secretary-Treasurer in 2014. As most of us know,
his record keeping was accurate. It always seemed that Jerry
knew more Weeks personnel than anyone in the association.
He will leave a big empty space. Jerry seemed to be ever-
present telling stories of his time aboard the Weeks, of his family, his community band and his

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church. All of those stories were laced with his dry wit. Oh, and the Green Bay Packer tie on
banquet night every year and his perennial quest for a new ice cream stand. We should all
consider ourselves lucky to have crossed paths with Jerry. Farewell dear friend and shipmate.

CAPTAIN FRANK LESLIE ETCHISON JR.

Frank Leslie Etchison, September 5, 1928-September 22, 2017, was born in Live
Oak, Florida to parents Frank Leslie and Kathryn Engle Etchison. When Les
was ten years old, he told his Mother that he wanted to go to the United
States Naval Academy and become an Officer. He continued to hold onto
that dream while attending grade school in Charleston, SC before moving to
Rocky Mount, NC to attend middle and high school, where he made lifelong
friends. While awaiting his appointment to the United States Naval Academy,
he spent a year at the University of North Carolina where he became a
lifelong Tarheel fan. From 1947-1951 he attended the United States Naval
Academy where he played football, defeating Army in 1950 in a game of historical proportions.
Upon graduation, Leslie was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. At the same time
he attended his roommate’s wedding where he met his future wife, Dorothy Sutherland of
Kingsport, Tennessee. They were married in 1954. Frank served aboard the USS Smalley, fighting in
the Korean War before sailing around the world. Later he served with the Staff of Commander
Amphibious Group Four in Norfolk, Virginia from 1954 to 1956. Frank attended the U.S. Naval
Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, receiving a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering.

From September 1956 until June, 1958 he was the Assistant Gunnery Officer on the Sixth Fleet
Flagships Salem CA-139 and Des Moines CA-134. From July 1958 until December 1959 Lieutenant
Commander Etchison was Executive Officer of the Newport based Radar Picket ship Rhodes DER-
384. He reported to the Special Projects Office, Bureau of Weapons, Washington, D.C. in January
1960 and served in that office until September 1963. In January 1964, Lieutenant Commander
Etchison reported to the Fleet Training Center, San Diego, California as Prospective Executive
Officer of the guided missile destroyer USS Richard E. Byrd DDG-23. He served onboard Byrd until
August 1965 and in September, 1965 returned to Washington, D.C. as a member of the Systems
Analysis Group, Anti-Submarine Warfare Project Office. In September 1967, ETCHISON reported to
the Naval Support Activity, Danang, Republic of Vietnam where he served as Assistant Chief of
Staff for Security/Intelligence and Officer in Charge, Naval Support Activity Detachment Tan
My/Hue.

As a Commander, ETCHISON assumed command of the USS John W Weeks DD-701 on 11

November 1968. He was Commanding Officer of the John W Weeks during its Westpac
deployment to Vietnam and as task force to North Korea in 1969. After leaving the John W Weeks,
Captain Etchison had multiple posts including work at the Pentagon and as Executive Officer at
the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Quite the world traveler while in the Navy, he spent many of his
retired years following the same passion. His list of favorite places included England, Jasper,
Alberta, and the highways and towns of the greater United States. Captain Etchison was an
athlete. In high school, he was a three season player and at the USNA he played football. He was

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an avid golfer, tennis/squash player, and coached both. He also played on recreational softball
teams in Virginia Beach. He loved his garden, his birds, and trapping rodents and other pests who
messed with his flowers or bird feeders. He shared an affinity for fireworks with his grandchildren,
traveling to South Carolina to purchase the good stuff and setting off huge displays that ended
with loud and explosive grand finales.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older brother Philip and his
younger sister Sally. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Dorothy, his three daughters,
Kathryn Etchison and husband T.V. Flynn, Ann Etchison and husband Mark Miller, and Elizabeth
Etchison; four adored grandchildren, Jamie Greer, and Elizabeth Etchison-Flynn and younger sister
Mary Nichols. He is also survived by numerous family members in South Carolina, Georgia,
California, and Northern Virginia.

I WAS A SAILOR ONCE Author Unknown

I LIKED STANDING ON THE BRIDGE AT SUNRISE WITH SALT SPRAY AND THE OCEAN WIND IN MY FACE,
THE SHIP BENEATH ME FEELING LIKE A LIVING THING AS SHE DROVE SWIFTLY THROUGH THE SEA.

I LIKED THE SOUNDS OF THE NAVY – THE SHRILL BOATSWAIN’S PIPE, THE SHIP’S BELL ON THE
QUARTERDECK, THE HARSH SQUAWK OF THE 1MC AND THE STRONG LANGUAGE AND LAUGHTER OF
SAILORS.

I LIKED NAVY VESSELS; FAST DESTROYERS, PLODDING FLEET AUXILIARIES AND AMPHIBS, SLEEK
SUBMARINES AND THE STEADY SOLID AIRCRAFT CARRIERS.

I LIKED THE PROUD NAMES OF NAVY SHIPS: MIDWAY, LEXINGTON, SARATOGA, CORAL SEA, IWO
JIMA, ANTIETAM, VALLEY FORGE . . . MEMORIALS OF GREAT BATTLES WON AND TRIBULATIONS
OVERCOME.

I LIKED THE LEAN ANGULAR NAMES OF NAVY “TIN-CANS” AND ESCORTS: THE SULLIVANS, JOHN W
WEEKS . . . MEMENTOS OF HEROES WHO WENT BEFORE US. AND THE OTHERS, SAN JOSE, SAN DIEGO,
LOS ANGELES, ST. PAUL, and CHICAGO . . . NAMED FOR OUR CITIES.

I LIKED LIBERTY CALL AND THE SPICY SCENT OF A FOREIGN PORT.

I EVEN LIKED THE ALL-HANDS WORKING PARTIES AS MY SHIP FILLED HERSELF WITH STORES AND FUEL
IN ORDER TO CUT TIES TO THE LAND AND CARRY OUT HER MISSION ANYWHERE ON THE GLOBE.

I LIKED SAILORS FROM ALL PARTS OF THE LAND. WE TRUSTED AND DEPENDED ON EACH OTHER FOR
COMPETENCE, COMRADESHIP, STRENGTH AND COURAGE. THEY WERE “SHIPMATES”; THEN AND
FOREVER.

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I LIKED THE SURGE OF ADVENTURE IN MY HEART WHEN THE WORD WAS PASSED “NOW SET THE
SPECIAL SEA AND ANCHOR DETAIL – ALL HANDS TO QUARTERS FOR LEAVING PORT” AND I LIKED THE
THRILL OF SIGHTING HOME AGAIN.

THE WORK WAS HARD AND DANGEROUS; THE GOING ROUGH AT TIMES; THE PARTING FROM LOVED
ONES PAINFUL BUT THE COMPANIONSHIP OF ROBUST NAVY LAUGHTER, THE “ALL FOR ONE AND ONE
FOR ALL” PHILOSOPHY OF THE SEA WAS EVER PRESENT.

I LIKED THE SERENITY OF THE SEA AFTER A DAY OF HARD SHIP’S WORK AS FLYING FISH FLITTED
ACROSS THE WAVE TOPS AND SUNSET GAVE WAY TO NIGHT.

I LIKED THE FEEL OF THE NAVY IN DARKNESS – THE MASTHEAD AND RANGE LIGHTS, THE RED AND
GREEN NAVIGATION LIGHTS AND THE STERN LIGHT, THE PULSATING PHOSPHORESCENCE OF RADAR
REPEATERS. THEY ALL CUT THROUGHT THE DUSK AND JOINED WITH THE MIRROR OF STARS
OVERHEAD. AND I LIKED DRIFTING OFF TO SLEEP LULLED BY THE MYRIAD OF NOISES THAT TOLD ME
THAT MY SHIP WAS WELL AND THAT MY SHIPMATES ON WATCH WOULD KEEP ME SAFE.

I LIKED QUIET MIDWATCHES WITH THE AROMA OF STRONG COFFEE – THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE NAVY
PERMEATING EVERYWHERE. AND I LIKED HECTIC WATCHES WHEN THE EXACTING MINUET OF HAZE
GRAY SHAPES RACING AT FLANK SPEED KEPT ALL HANDS ON A RAZOR’S EDGE OF ALERTNESS.

I LIKED THE SUDDEN CRY OF “GENERAL QUARTERS, GENERAL QUARTERS, ALL HANDS MAN YOUR
BATTLE STATIONS” FOLLOWED BY THE CLAMOR OF RUNNING FEET ON LADDERS AND THE
RESOUNDING THUMP OF WATERTIGHT DOORS AS THE SHIP TRANSFORMED HERSELF IN A FEW BRIEF
SECONDS FROM A PEACEFUL WORKPLACE TO A WEAPON OF WAR . . . READY FOR ANYTHING.

AND I LIKED THE SIGHT OF SPACE-AGE EQUIPMENT MANNED BY YOUNGSTERS CLAD IN DUNGAREES
AND SOUND-POWERED PHONES THAT THEIR GRANDFATHERS WOULD STILL RECOGNIZE.

I LIKED THE TRADITIONS OF THE NAVY AND THOSE WHO MADE THEM. I LIKED THE PROUD NAMES OF
NAVY HEROES: HALSEY, NIMITZ, PERRY, FARRAGUT, JOHN PAUL JONES AND BURKE. A SAILOR COULD
FIND MUCH IN THE NAVY: COMRADES-IN-ARMS, PRIDE IN SELF AND COUNTRY, MASTERY OF THE
SEAMAN’S TRADE.

IN YEARS TO COME, WHEN SAILORS ARE HOME FROM THE SEA, THEY WILL STILL REMEMBER WITH
FONDNESS AND RESPECT THE OCEAN IN ALL ITS MOODS – THE IMPOSSIBLE SHIMMERING MIRROR
CALM OR THE STORM-TOSSED GREEN WATER SURGING OVER THE BOW. AND THEN THERE WILL
COME AGAIN A FAINT WHIFF OF STACK GAS, A FAINT ECHO OF ENGINE AND RUDDER ODORS, A
VISION OF THE BRIGHT BUNTING OF SIGNAL FLAGS SNAPPING AT THE YARDARM, A REFRAIN OF
HEARTY LAUGHTER IN THE WARDROOM AND THE CHIEF’S QUARTERS AND THE MESS DECKS.

GONE ASHORE FOR GOOD, THEY WILL GROW WISTFUL ABOUT THEIR NAVY DAYS. THOSE DAYS WHEN
THE SEAS BELONGED TO THEM AND A NEW PORT OF CALL WAS EVER OVER THE HORIZON.

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 REMEMBERING THIS, THEY WILL STAND TALLER AND THEY WILL SAY TO THEMSELVES “I WAS A SAILOR
ONCE . . . AND I WOULD DO IT AGAIN.”

SNIPPETS by Dave
Back in the 1980’s, before I knew of Weeks reunions, I remember reading somewhere that
Evan Kurtz was a plank owner. The same last name caught my attention but the story didn’t end
there. I moved to the community of Enhaut (Steelton) in 1987. A year or so after I lived there Judy
and I were taking a walk and passed a mailbox with the name Kurtz on it. This resulted in a small bit
of research where I found out it was the house of the same Evan Kurtz just two blocks from my
house. Unfortunately, Evan was very sick when this discovery was made so I never made contact
with him but I never forgot this strange connection to a Weeks shipmate.

The Weeks first Commanding Officer, Robert Alfred Theobald Jr, graduate of the U.S. Naval
Academy, Class of ’31, was an Intercollegiate Wrestling Champion in the 115 pound weight class.

The John W Weeks could be found in various sections of the Tin Can Sailors magazine, winter
2018 issue. President Alan wrote a Letter to the Editor in response to a negative letter in the
previous issue relating to Bruce Biggar. Alan’s letter is included in its entirety in this newsletter
edition. Also, the TCS acknowledged the Association’s $200 donation to the Thomas J. Peltin
Destroyer Museum Grant Program along with eighteen others who donated since the last TCS
magazine. Also, our reunion in Gatlinburg is listed thanks to Phil.

A major factor in my deciding to step down as vice president of the Weeks Association was
advancing to Stage I of multiple myeloma and my subsequent stem cell transplant. This decision
was confirmed by unexpected health maladies in the first half of the 2018 year. I have undergone
three operations and six weeks in the hospital this year. I wish my body would stop aging but it
won’t listen to me. Be assured that I am doing well.

WEEKS STATE PARK by Rachel Bruce

This season, there is a lot happening on Mt. Prospect at Weeks State Park in Lancaster, New
Hampshire and the news to report is terrific!

First of all, if you have not visited the 446 acre park, you should know what the park offers our
patrons. So, what can you do at Weeks State Park? Plenty! In late spring, summer and fall you can
take a scenic drive up the 1.6 mile auto road. Once you are at the summit, you can enjoy the
breathtaking views of the northern part of New Hampshire, as well as Vermont. Visitors can tour the
John Wingate Weeks Museum and Historic Site and see the U.S.S. John W. Weeks DD-701 exhibit, as
well as the exhibits on the Weeks Law of 1911 and the Migratory Bird Act of 1913. Visitors can also
attend special educational programs and participate in wildflower and bird walks. If you visit the
park, then you don’t want to miss climbing up the 1912 stone tower, which was once a water tower

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and observatory. Still an observatory, the tower has been an active fire watch since 1941. Families
and patrons can try a letter box or geo-cache hunt in the park or they can hike, bike, or run the park
trails or auto road. The park also offers patrons scenic picnic areas. In the winter, visitors can x-country
or downhill ski (rope tow), snowmobile, hike, or snowshoe.
The Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED) was restructured, so the
department is now the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). Our mission has not
changed and Division of Parks and Recreation continues “to provide New Hampshire’s citizens and
guests with outstanding recreational, educational, and inspirational experiences through the
responsible management and cooperative stewardship of the state’s natural, recreational, and
cultural resources”.

With the help and support of our hardworking friend’s groups and volunteers, as well as the
many collaborative agencies that work together to oversee the park, we continue to meet the
division’s mission, while fulfilling our vision; “The Division of Parks and Recreation preserves, protects,
and stewards New Hampshire’s natural, recreational, and historic sites.”

On behalf of Weeks State Park, we continue to support the mission and vision of The Division of
Parks and Recreation and the Bureau of Historic Sites. Some of the changes, additions, and
improvements this year are:

● To improve safety and visitor services, a staffed information booth will be placed at the entrance
of the park.
● Park patrons can now utilize Aspira (Reserve America) online reservation system to schedule tours
of the JWW museum.
● Additional stucco work on the house museum will start this summer
● A big thank you to the U.S.S. John W. Weeks DD 701 Association for their continued support and
donation of fascinating artifacts to the museum.
● Working with WSPA, we gratefully received a $1500.00 grant from CEDS. Together, the Bureau of
Historic Sites will now have enough funds to replace the overlook guardrails at the West and East
Overlooks, as well as the summit parking lot area.
● We are improving the walking path to the tower.
● Thanks to the Weeks Family and the WSPA, we had several more historic photograph prints
reframed.
● Funded by the WSPA and the Division of Parks and Recreation, a geologic brochure of WSP will
be developed through the work of the NH Geological Survey, Rich Chormann, State Geologist
and Director. Field work also to be conducted by Dykstra Eusden from Bates College and
Woodrow Thompson of the Maine Geological Survey (retired).
● In June, we bid a sad farewell but best wishes to DNCR Commissioner Jeffrey Rose. We sincerely
thank Commissioner Rose for his outstanding work and leadership, and for his support of parks and
WSP. We also extend a warm and exciting welcome to the new Commissioner of DNCR, Sarah
Stewart.
● Glade ski trails are being developed and will be opened up at the summit of Mt. Prospect. This is
an ongoing project.

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● The Mountain Road Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan for the auto road was updated
last fall and approved and accepted by NH DOT.
● DOT will be making more maintenance improvements to the auto road in the summer of 2019
and 2020.
● The auto road will be open 7 days a week this season.
● Thank you Marcus Colby for plowing the park entrance again this past winter. Great work!
● Thank you to the Town of Lancaster for their continued support and collaborative work to help
WSP meet its operational goals
● Ben Wilson, Director of the Bureau of Historic Sites, “…has included in the next two biennium
Capital Budget Requests two major projects for Weeks State Park. First is a $200,000 request to
complete the North Terrace ADA project, which will allow anyone regardless of disability to
access the second floor great room and porch. In the Second of these two requests, I have
asked for a $250,000 appropriation to redevelop the Garage as a multi-use visitor center”.

For more information about the park and about the U.S.S. John W. Weeks DD-701
Exhibit please visit:
https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/weeks-state-park.aspx

DONATIONS TO SHIPS MUSEUM

The following is a list of the items donated at last year’s reunion in Pittsburgh.

These will all be delivered to the Museum in July.

Remember, if you have items directly relating to the Ship you can bring them to the reunion
or mail them directly to me. All items donated are identified by the name, rate and years of
service.

 A great picture of the reunion banquet at San Antonio, TX donated by Dave Kurtz, PN2,
1964-66.
 Brass ashtray made from a shell casing. Donated by Bob Michaels, LTJR, 1967-68.
 Ship’s plaque, reported to be the last item removed from the Ship before she was sunk in
target practice. Donated by Dan Harmon, QM3, 1968-70.Two signal flags donated by? If the
donor will contact me I will add the information.
 Shellback Certificate donated by Alan Cutcher, YN2, 1963-65.Print of USS John W. Weeks
(DD-701) donated by Alan Cutcher, YN2, 1963-65

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BRUCE BIGGAR
The following was presented to Tin Can Sailor’s winter 2018 publication by Alan Cutcher as
a rebuttal to Ray Hawbaker’s article on Bruce Biggar.

Dear editor:

I am writing is response to letter from Ray Hawbaker printed in your last edition
concerning the death of Bruce Bigger (Biggar) aboard the USS John W. Weeks (DD-701)
during the last days of WWII.

As president of the USS John W. Weeks Association I need to disagree with his
remarks. Our association has always celebrated Bruce at our Memorial Service however
much of the story has faded in the last 70 years. I spent much of last year researching the
records to find out more about him.

In the last year I have talked with plank owners who were there along with high
school records, newspaper articles and Navy Records. Thanks to Berwyn, Illinois I was able
to get copies of many items. A display board of Bruce has been produced to give the
complete history of his short life.

One of the first things I tracked down was a history of the Weeks that was produced
shortly after the end of the war and given to crew members. It was produced from the
ship’s log. Pages 17 and 18 of the history cover the attack in which Bruce we wounded
and died. I have a copy of this history for your records.

Also attached is a newspaper article on the posthumous presentation of the Purple

Heart and the Silver Star to his father by Order of the Secretary of the Navy, James
Forrestal. The citation reads in part “The young seaman earned his recent award citation,
which was presented to his father, while aboard the destroyer USS John W. Weeks. During
an enemy suicide attack, he was mortally wounded.” Despite his wound, the Citation
reads, “He stayed at his battle station to help extinguish fires in the ammunition room by
refusing medical attention and disregarding his own safety he protected his ship and
shipmates from disaster.”

“He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

Based on all I have learned, we will continue to honor him at our reunions. I also
plan on visiting his hometown of Berwyn. Illinois this summer to tell his story of being a hero
from their hometown.

Sincerely, Alan Cutcher

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GET READY FOR GATLINBURG TENNESSEE! SEPT. 12th to 16th by Phil Varner
This year’s reunion.sightseeing adventures are totally different in the Smoky
Mountains. The breathtaking views of the Smokies, will be from Aerial Tramways, Chairlifts
and a bus tour to the top of the mountain. There are 4 Chairlifts, 2 Tramways, 89
restaurants and who knows how many places to shop in the 2.5 sq. mile town of
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Gateway to Smoky Mountain National Park.

Almost everything is in walking distance from the Glenstone Lodge and the local trolley
has a stop beside our hotel if walking isn’t your thing.

As usual, Wednesday is for check-in and Saturday is our meeting, more details later.

We are planning for bus a tour on Thursday mid-day and the Smoky Mountain Opry for
Thursday night. Friday offers a couple of bus tours, one to The Biltmore Estate in Asheville,
NC. This trip requires a minimum of 25 people. Your other choice is a, 4 hour tour of
Smoky Mt. Nat. Park which goes all the way up to the top, with scenic stops along the
way. This tour requires 20 people.

All activities planned for Pigeon Forge area will be prior to Friday noon. A Yearly hot rod
event starts Friday in Pigeon Forge causing Very Heavy Traffic Problems there. (Friday
noon to Sunday night.)

Making hotel reservations at the Glenstone Lodge:

1. Online reservation at www.glenstonelodge.com , click on: Rate/reservations, enter

dates, click on “Do you have a group code” and enter group code: WEEKS18

2. Phone reservations Call ( 800 ) 362-9522 dial 1 for individual reservations, and identify
yourself with the USS John W. Weeks Assn. at the time of reservation. Individual
reservations require the first night’s room/tax at the time of reservation with remaining
balance due upon check-in. Cancellations may be made 72 hours prior to arrival date.
Cancellations made within 72 hours of arrival date forfeits the first night’s room/tax. Rates
are based upon four people per room. Rate and room block will be honored until cut-off
date of 08/12/2018. Our rates will be offered, based on availability 3 days before and 3
days after our reunion. Several people are arriving on Tuesday

Any interest here:

Hiking trip in Smoky Nat Park with Frank Scarlalta ETR3 (68 – 69). Trout fishing ½ day with
guide. 3 persons to a guide 6 guides available per trip.

Phil Varner Reunion coordinator Ph.: 856 464 1727 email: tobosopv@yahoo.com

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See you in Gatlinburg, TN
Gateway to the Smokies!

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USS John W Weeks Association
1118 Lincoln Ave.
Port Huron, MI 48060

We are on the WEB!

www.ussjwweeks701.org

President:
Alan Cutcher - (810) 984-4670 wc1996@aol.com
Vice President:
Dave Kurtz - (717) 366-4610 davejudy55@gmail.com
Treasurer:
Ray Goodmuth – (410) 758-6596 raygoo@live.com
150 Harmony Way Centreville, MD 21617
Chaplain:
Kathy Michaels - (757) 898-1650 kfmichaels@cox.net
Directors:
Bob Michaels - (757) 898-1650 remichaels@cox.net
Phil Varner - (856) 464-1727 tobosopv@yahoo.com
Directorship/vacant post
Director Emeritus - Earl Thomas (301) 987-6347 ewtpearl@aol.com
John W. Weeks Museum Contact:
Rachel Bruce - 1-603-788-4004 Rachel.bruce@dred.nh.gov
Newsletter Editors:
Dave Kurtz & Ray Goodmuth

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