Nathanael Greene SSBN-636 HOME PAGE

NFOY

USS NATHANAEL GREENE

NEWSLETTER

We’re about 6 months to show time and I think I have the details worked out. As many of you know, the change of venue to Springfield Missouri was driven by the economy and the exorbitant fees/taxes we were facing at Charleston.

The gathering will have an optional dinner show at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede in Branson on Friday, April 23. I’ve asked that Dolly be there to personally greet the crew members and guests but, doubt she’ll find time in her busy schedule to accommodate us. Although the price is higher than I’d like, it is below individual pricing and does include dinner and entertainment. By my procuring the required number of tickets in mass, we manage a group rate which will get us preferred seating at 2009 regular seating prices. (Per person priced at $42).

Saturday activities will include a picnic in Nathanael Greene Park where this all began in April of 2004. The picnic will be catered by Buckingham’s BBQ, the same as 2004 and we aren’t planning any ceremony, just a place to take some photos at the 636 Memorial and swap sea-stories. (Priced at $12 per person)

Saturday evening will be the banquet we’ve grown accustomed too. As usual, we’ll honor one another and remember our missing. We’ve invited our adopted Russian shipmate (Veniamin Azaryev, Captain 1^st Rank, Soviet Submarine Service, retired) to return. For those that attended the 2008 Reunion in Groton, his presence and speech made for a memorable night. (Banquet [two entrée buffet] price is $22 per person).

Related to the reunion ceremony, I’ve located a bigger bell for the Bell Tolling Ceremony. There had been several comments that the 6” unit we had didn’t carry well in the larger rooms. The newly acquired 8” Italian Brass unit from Weems & Plath will correct that. For those of you that have been looking for the larger replacement, “secure the phone, secure the watch”.

The question of dress code has been asked several times and the answer remains the same as the first 3 reunions. Dress Code: = COMFORTABLE

We gather to meet our old shipmates, we don’t care about the cover of the book, just the contents. Myself, at the banquet I’ll be in sport coat and slacks, and I’ll be comfortable.

Click for Registration Form

See You In Springfield next Spring,

Tom Carr

1906 Norman Rd.

Marion, IL 63959

618-993-2329

tomcarr636@mchsi.com

MAGAZINES FOR THE TROOPS

CLICK FOR DETAILS

Chief Allen Can't Remember!

Never Thought I'd Ever Have to Say That. DS

Hi, All Just want to know if you know if this plate was on the Greene? A friend in New London sent it to me, He said it was in the EngRm MS Bypass valve Port side. He had it for years and wanted me to have it. He got it in Virginia Beach, Va. Hope you can help me out on this one. Just old Shipmate Al See you in April 2010 --- 5" by 5" plate

ANNOUNCEMENT

THE 2008 REUNION DVD IS READY

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Several slide and video tours have been added to the site for your viewing enjoyment. There are also a couple of historical videos you may find interesting. More will be added to the site as they are found.

TOURS and VIDEOS

2010 Reunion
Venue changed from Charleston to Springfield, MO

Here's why:

The time has come to update the crew of the 636 of what’s happening with the 2010 reunion planning. So much has happened to the world and many members of the crew since we gathered in Groton last June. Changes in the economy have impacted the decision process as my crystal ball related to what the world will look like in 2010 is a bit cloudy.

We researched Charleston in great detail; determining that there were only 3 venues that had banquet facilities that could seat this mob. Of those three, one (located downtown) was looking for room rates in excess of $200 per night, another was in the $145 per night range and the third, we were able to get to about $120 per night. All three submitted interesting contracts which are where the details can be found. I’m not sure if many of you know that, for each reunion, we’ve arm-wrestled the best possible rates for the crew and, it all comes down to my signature on the contract. The interesting details these Charleston contracts had in common related to Attrition clauses, Cancellation clauses, “Service Charge” and “Tax”. The Attrition clauses hold us to the number of rooms blocked. If we block low, we may not have rooms for the crew. If we block high, we have to purchase rooms not filled if attendance is poor. The Cancellation clauses hold us responsible for as much as 100% of “projected” revenue (that could be as much as $24,000 depending on your calculations) should things change (like the economy). The 20-21% “Service Charge” on everything, has us paying gratuity on the banquet, the banquet room rental etc. As if that penalty weren’t bad enough, the city of Charleston has a 9.5% tax on it all, including the “Service Charge”.

With all this pulling one way and the economy pulling the other, we decided to widen the hunt. Searching for other venues and recalling requests from the Left Coast took us back to where it all started, Springfield/Branson, Missouri where 70 shipmates and their families formed this association in 2004. Details for the alternate venue were researched and a re-survey of the active NGRA membership was polled. The results of that vote:

Charleston------28% Springfield/Branson------72%

With a solid 54% selecting Springfield, MO

Springfield has a lot to offer. It’s in Greene County (named for Nathanael), has Nathanael Greene Park (where the memorial that reconnected us is erected) and is an easy drive to Branson for some fine, family entertainment. In addition to all that, we have a venue which has no Attrition clauses, Cancellation clauses, has room rates under $70 per night, tax included and reasonable prices on a banquet. Additionally, we have no restrictions on “outside” beverage and dry snack in the hospitality room and a reasonable tax rate. The ball park estimate for the reunion, double occupancy for 3 nights and a banquet for 2 would come in around $250-$260, (that’s nearly half of what we were looking at in Charleston).

So, with the economy in the porcelain convenience and the real basis of the gathering is WHO we see, not where we meet, the reunion will be held at the Lamplighter Inn – North, Springfield Missouri.

At this time, the date of the event is scheduling a banquet on April 24, 2010.

I haven’t given up on Charleston as a venue, just not for 2010. Additionally, the 2012 gathering planned for PNSY stands at this time. Many of the Plankowners NEED to return to Portsmouth and that group isn’t getting any younger. For those that REALLY wanted to go to Charleston in 2010, my personal apologies and a hope you will understand once the big picture comes in focus. For those that can’t come to Springfield for whatever reason, you’ll be missed.

Tom Carr

If you did not receive this news letter, Tom may not have your latest E-Mail Address.

The Mystery Deepensns

Many might recall when Ren Willie located on E-Bay the plaque that had supposedly been placed in the missle compartment, and later removed by the last plankowner to leave the Missile Division. Many times truth is indeed stranger than fiction and this too has become another of those cases. I will let Ren and others tell the "Rest of the Story" in their own words. dds

Attention Shipmates: Tom Carr has been at it again and now you too can own and proudly display a replica of the official ships plaque for only $33.00 including shipping and handling. Click on the photo of this lovely addition to your collection of memories and memorabilia and go to the Ships Store for details.