Nothing better than a bunch of old tin can sailors in the middle of the desert

Today was pretty much focused on getting ready for my USS Cogswell reunion. This is the second Cogswell reunion for Joan and me. The last one, in May 2010, was in Buffalo.

Obviously this was a little more complicated to get to, but we combined the reunion with some travel that we had wanted to do in the Southwest.

Most of the folks are staying at Hotel Arizona in downtown Tucson, but Joan and I are staying in our trailer just down the road.

A couple newlyweds and a shipmate from the 50s

Tomorrow is the first of two days of tours. The first day’s tour is to Tombstone (The Town Too Tough to Die) and Bisbee, Arizona. The tour includes a stop an old mine, which we are scheduled to go into.

Tonight’s business meeting was a chance to renew old acquaintances and start the usual round of sea stories.

I have volunteered to take on a project which will involve writing the biographies of our members. At least the ones who want to participate. Tonight I handed out sheets for the former sailors to fill out so I can cut through a lot of the routine stuff when I interview them for both their experiences on the Cogswell as well as the years following their service.

It is always sobering to see the list of former shipmates who have died since the previous reunion and a reminder that someday your name will be there also.

There will be a more formal recognition of their passing at Wednesday’s closing banquet.

Three original Cogswell crewman from 1943

When Joan and I arrived we ended up sitting at a table with three of the sailors who were members of the very first crew on the ship in 1943. The ship had a distinguished and active career during the Pacific in World War II, but was known as a “lucky” ship because it was never struck by an enemy shell or Kamikaze during its active service.

It was one of the ships who entered Tokyo Bay with the USS Missouri for the formal surrender ceremony that ended World War II.

 Ibought some new Cogswell merchandise as my previous t-shirts and sweatshirts are way too big now. It is time for bed as we have to get up early to get to the hotel for our first tour.