The Second USS Chopper (SS 342)  Reunion

March 19 through March 22, 2003

Holiday Inn

Charleston, SC

Our second reunion was held and by all indications it was a success.  There were 155 in attendance which included wives and guests. The Deep Dive Shipmates met in a private room for discussions on Friday night. In attendance were the 1969 crew of the Chopper that could be located along with their Skipper, Commander Donald Forbes.

The reunion banquet was held on Saturday night and a nice buffet supper was served.  The Gathering was called to order by the sounding of the Chopper’s Diving Alarm by Jerry Goin.  Bill Monroe gave the invocation. The Tolling of the Lost Boats Ceremony was held and a reading of shipmates names that have gone on Silent Patrol since the last reunion. ‘JJ’ Lynch read the names of both the boats and names of the shipmates on Silent Patrol while Jack Merrill performed the bell sounding duties.

Our quest speaker was Capt. Verner Utke-Ramsing our skipper from 1951-1953.  Capt Ramsing told a moving story of entertaining poor orphan children on the Chopper during her first Mediterranean tour.

JJ Lynch came to the podium and spoke of the benefits of joining the United States Veterans Inc. and encouraged all shipmates to join.

A 50/50 drawing was held and John ‘Sweetpea’ Pearce was the winner but generously contributes his half of the winnings back to the Association.  Also, a beautifully detailed model of the Chopper was raffled and the winner was Gary Kellogg’s wife, Adrianne. An oil painting of the Chopper was raffled and Rosemary Bloyd was the winner.

During the Day

There were several tour offerings including the a visit to the site where the Hunley is being restored and investigated after resting on the bottom of Charleston Harbor for more than century after sinking a Union war ship.

Chopper Association Meeting

On Thursday March 20th a meeting was held to elect new officers for a one year term. conduct normal Association business. Our new president is John ‘sweetpea’ Pearce and the new Treasurer and Reunion Coordinator is Jim Murphree.  The following items were also discussed.

Joint reunion with United States Submarine Veterans Inc.    It was moved that the Chopper hold future reunions with the USSVI conventions.  After considerable discussion it was decided that we should continue holding our reunions independent of the national organization.

Location of next reunion in 2005. Suggestion were made for many locations including Branson, MO.  It was also suggested that a cruise be considered if arrangements and reasonable prices could be negotiated.  The final site was not chosen but it was decided that a small number of locations be suggested and that shipmates would vote on them sometime in the near future via e-mail.

Organization structure of the Chopper Association.  It was mentioned that the structure of such a small organization seemed ‘top heavy’ with so many officers.  It seems that the reunion coordinator and the treasurer were a natural marriage because the coordinator appears to handle most of the funds.  No decision was made to change the structure.

Chopper Association Officers.

2003-2005

President: John ‘Sweetpea’ Pearce.

Vice President (Acting): James Murphree

Secretary (Acting) John ‘Sweetpea’ Pearce

Treasurer: and Reunion Coordinator: James Murphree

Chopper Association Newsletter Editor: Pat Housholder

Chopper Web Page Manager:  Pat Householder