The Fighting Bob

Dear Friends,

Well here it is a mere four months after the reunion and I finally get a chance to reflect and report on it to everyone. There are several factors which slowed the progress of this report, none more than the sudden death of my wife’s mother. She had a slight stroke just before we left for Mobile and my wife stayed home to see to her health. By the time we returned to Ohio she had another, larger stroke and soon the discovery of advanced lung cancer. She was brought to the cancer hospital in Columbus but only had a short stay before they concluded there was nothing they could do. My wife, her two brothers and her father were at her mother’s side when she died in her home here in our hometown. She was only 63 and, as you could imagine, Jeanette took it very hard.

The house and the boy’s well-being has been my focus this summer and now that they are back in school, I can see to the work at hand. I hope you can accept my apologies for the tardiness of this letter.

Check-in at the Admiral Semmes Hotel brought much anticipation. I was excited to see everyone as they began to trickle in. The hotel did an excellent job in getting us situated in our rooms and setting up the hospitality room for us.

In attendance from the Evans crew were: Adrian Lorentson, Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Adair, Stan and Mary Stanhope, William Herron and Eleanor Arroyo, Ray Monpat, Jack Allderige, Mr. and Mrs. William Wilson, Jack Singer and Murray and Ina Faye Underwood. Our Marine fighter escort was also at hand as Wendell and Jackie Larson again joined our merry little crew.

Besides the 10 veterans in attendance, 47 friends and relations of the Evans were in attendance. Members of the Hepburn, Brainard, Staton, Casey, Leach, Watson and Blumthal families were all present. But the Wilson family was strongest in attendance with seven in attendance. There might have been more but they were hard to count as they mingled in the crowd!

Adequate dining opportunities were close at hand to the hotel as we all found our own dinner Thursday night. The hotel also supplied a taxi service to accommodate those not wishing to walk. The hospitality room was open until 11:00 but I don’t think it was used that late as most made an early evening of it.

Friday offered site seeing opportunities to all and there was much to see in Mobile. I took my two charges to the Mobile Museum and the Spanish Fort nearby. Some of the more adventurous drove an hour to Biloxi to try their luck at the casinos. After a year and a half of clean up, the area has made definite strides in improving after Katrina.

Friday morning afforded Bill Watson, Jack Allderige, Adrian Lorentson and myself an opportunity to sit in on a meeting of the Battleship Alabama Committee. It was interesting to learn of their development, successes and failures as they went through their monthly meeting in the interest of the battleship and park. As we have funds available in the Evans Room account, a donation of $1,000 was made on behalf of the crew of the Evans toward continued upkeep of the battleship and all artifacts within. As we have never paid for even a light bulb in the room, the Evans Room Committee thought it was time to step up and support our host ship.

Our banquet was held Friday evening, a change from previous reunions. The food was wonderful as the hotel again treated us very well in all regards. The auction brought many wonderful items up for bidding – I think everyone came away with something to remember the trip. It was an emotional evening for me as I explained why I had suited up in my fire department uniform. I wanted to remember two fallen members of my own department as we remembered those from the Evans as well.

Saturday morning we loaded onto the motor coach for the trip to the Battleship Alabama. The memorial service was blessed with plenty of sunshine although it was very hot. Every crewmember present was involved in the ceremony as the names of the deceased were read and wreaths were laid. A 21-gun salute provide by the American Legion Post 250 and taps played by Al Pawlowski were wonderful reminders of why we were there. The veterans were then presented with commemorative medals by family members. I was touched to see wives, sons and a great-grand son pin medals on their heroes.

Due to an illness, I lost the reverend I had lined up for the memorial service. Thanks to the Blumthal family for getting in touch with someone at such short notice.

Lunch was served in the wardroom and the ship was ours to tour. I over-estimated the amount of time needed to see the museum and we departed an hour before schedule to escape the heat. We returned to the Admiral Semmes before the thunderstorm erupted on Mobile.

Upon returning to my room, I was informed that Evans shipmate Morris Vincent had passed away on Friday. Morris was a regular at the reunions and his absence got me to wondering about his health. I have added his name to the reunion program, he will be missed.

The business meeting began with all the shipmates present. It was announced that the Evans Room Committee is now full with myself as president, Bill Watson as treasurer, Chuck Thompson, Dane Blumthal, and Paul Wesch. The daughters of Bill Wilson stepped forward and volunteered to host the 2009 Evans Reunion. It will be held in Maryland (Baltimore or Annapolis) details to be determined at a later date. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say, “Thank you!” to the Wilson Family for taking on the next reunion. Good Luck!

So, with the next reunion in its planning infancy, we bid farewell to Mobile. To be sure the Evans crew and extended family had an enjoyable stay. There were many tears at breakfast on Sunday, but they were tears of joy having spent a great weekend with friends and of hope to see everyone again in two years.

Thanks to all who attended, and I hope to see everyone again soon.

Mike