USS MERRICK (AKA97/LKA97)
  • INTRODUCTION
  • HISTORY
  • MERRICK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
  • AGENT ORANGE
  • REUNIONS
    • 2001 - 2005 >
      • 2001 - NEW ORLEANS
      • 2002 - BRANSON
      • 2003 - BRANSON
      • 2004 - BRANSON
      • 2005 - HOUSTON
    • 2006 - 2010 >
      • 2006 - WASHINGTON, D.C.
      • 2007 - NASHVILLE
      • 2008 - PORTLAND
      • 2009 - SANTA MARIA, CA
      • 2010 - WASHINGTON, D.C.
    • 2011 - 2015 >
      • 2011 - BRANSON
      • 2012 - BRANSON (AGAIN)
      • 2013 - NASHVILLE
      • 2014 - MOBILE
      • 2015-BRANSON
    • 2016 - 2020 >
      • 2016 nashville
      • 2017 CHARLESTON S. C.
      • 2018 BRANSON
2010 - WASHINGTON, D.C.
9 - 13 SEPTEMBER 2010
HOSTED BY ROBERT DOLEHIDE

Headquarters for the reunion was the Holiday Inn Arlington.  17 shipmates, including one Plank Holder, (Russell Hunter) attended along with approximately 30 friends and family for a total of 47.  Thursday the 9th was spent visiting in the hospitality room or sightseeing in small groups (or just resting after traveling to the reunion).

Friday the 10th started with a bus trip to Mount Vernon

First the bus ride
Just the first view of the main house was worth the ride
The visitors center had a lot of information
WE NEED MORE PICTURES OF THE MOUNT VERNON TOUR - IF YOU HAVE ANY PLEASE CONTACT ME.
After Mount Vernon, we had a tour of Old Town Alexandria on way back to the hotel for lunch (on own).  Following lunch we were bused to the US Capitol building for a tour arranged by Robert Aderhold from Jim Beason's congressional district.
We were not alone in wanting to tour the capitol
There is always a line in Washington
On the return trip to the Hotel we stopped at the Iwo Jima Memorial
Saturday the 11th started with our bus ride to the Navy Memorial in downtown DC for the Plaque dedication.
The Merrick Plaque
Color Guard Post colors.
Present Arms
We placed a wreath in front of the Lone Sailor as part of the ceremony.
Rendering Honors
The colors are retired
Ladies of the Merrick with the Lone Sailor
The men of the Merrick with the color guard and the Lone Sailor
A salute to end the ceremony
Picture
Following the dedication we had lunch in the Navy Memorial conference room.

After lunch we traveled to the Washington Naval Yard for a tour of the USS Barry and the Navy Museum.
We then returned to the hotel for rest and to get ready for our banquet and auction.
Bob is ready to start the auction.
There is always a cake.
Russell Hunter (Plank Holder) was joined by his niece and her daughter at the banquet.
We presented Bob with a memento of the reunion to thank him for his hard work.
A miniature Lone Sailor.
Sunday the 12th was a special day - Arlington.  Robert (Bob) Dolehide had worked with Arlington National Cemetery to allow the Merrick to participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns.  At our meeting the evening of the 11th, Robert, along with Dick Bonn, Bob Renner and Steve Paul were given the honor of laying the wreath.
Before our ceremony, we witnessed a changing of the guard.
Rain or shine there is an inspection.
Then is was our turn
Final instructions.
We seem to be ready.
We start down the steps to begin the ceremony.
Robert and Steve place the wreath while Dick and Bob render honors.
We all salute while the bugler plays taps.
It was a very moving experience.
After lunch those that were interested took the bus the 9-11 memorial at the Pentagon and the Air Force Memorial.
Our bus drive got us a police escort to a parking area at the Pentagon.
Robert gives us a explanation of the memorial.
There are 184 symbols, one for each of the individual lost on 9-11.
Section in the middle is where the plane hit.
We finished the day at the Air Force Memorial.
Impressive
24 hour honor guard
Robert helps Corien up the hill.
The rest of the day was spent visiting and/or sight seeing around DC.  Monday the 13th was check out and farewells until BRANSON in 2011.