Yorktown plankowner Mike Hirsch and I were on the same train of though last weekend. Mike called me tonight and said why not have a reunion on July 4th, 2009? I told him Bill Kivlan and I were just talking about that very thing last weekend. So. . . what do you think? Ready for a reunion of all Yorktown sailors? Want to join a committee to put a reunion together?

I told Mike I would post this idea on the site, so, here 'tis. We are certainly open to any suggestion for the reunion next year. We want to see ALL YORKTOWN CG48 SAILORS!

Mike and I will interject some of our thoughts on the location and time and these are only suggestions, we will go along with the majority :

The 4th of July 2009 will be the 25th year of the commissioning. We thought a reunion in Tidewater might get a large attendance. Yorktown is just up the road and Mike thought we could collaborate with the citizens of Yorktown for some celebration and festivities.

Another thought: I have had some discussions with other Yorktown sailors and they thought a reunion with the USS Yorktown sailors from CV 10 might be feasible and worth looking into. In fact, the CV10 web site has a CG48 page on their site which can be seen at this link: http://www.ussyorktown.net/main/index.php I recall talking to some members of the CV10 association at the decommissioning ceremony in Pascagoula, MS they would be interested in CG48 sailors joining their association. That might be happening today. I'm not sure but it wouldn't surprise me.

So, I hope to see a reunion of the Yorktown on July 4, 2009. Until then, let's see what the sailors from Yorktown think about this future event. Contact me at maldenite@gmail.com

Mike said he would utilize his mailing list he saved from the decommissioning ceremony. Hope this reaches plenty of Yorktown sailors and I am looking forward to another great time with my shipmates.

After everyone arrived in Pascagoula in 2004, it seemed like yesterday since the last time we met. It was a great time!

Stay in touch and smooth sailing. OS1(SW) David Black-1983-1986