After Action Follow Up, NASHVILLE, September 2021
Shipmates,
It was my pleasure to host our recent reunion in our capital city, Nashville, Tennessee. I hope all enjoyed the reunion as much as myself. It would be less than truthful to say that the reunion presented many challenges due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The outcome was in doubt up to the final minutes.
We had two member families that have attended all the reunions, Mike and Joanie Creager and Carson and Chris Hunt. Thank you both for being so supportive of VP-1 Pops. It is a privilege to call both families close friends.
Many of you are unaware of the great lengths that our good shipmate, Ernie Chucci undertook to attend this reunion. After spending many hours on the runway at one of the New York City airports, the aircraft trying to take off, but being held up by storms, he then left the city by car and drove straight through (by
himself) to arrive just before our banquet began. He then spent all day Saturday at the park, doing his normal volunteering with assisting in the preparation of both Saturday meals. We missed his good lady at this reunion due to illness and look forward to seeing her again at our Ohio reunion. That attitude is the way I remember all my shipmates from VP-1, going the extra mile is just the norm!
We owe a big thanks to Charlie Budenz for his tour at the National Corvette Museum. With his ownership of two ultra-rare Corvettes and his involvement in the restorations of serial number one of the same series, he has a massive amount of goodwill within the museum leadership. The behind the public area tour was due to his influence.
I must thank my Chef, Michael Morris, and his lady for coming up from Memphis to prepare our meals in the park. Due to a little communication issue, we realized after the banquet, that the food trailer was still in Memphis. We made a quick trip there and arrived back around 0630, tired but ready for our day in the park. I must add that Michael is a winning sports car racer, skillful, and about as hard to pass as a hickory nut.
St Claire Foods of Memphis is owed a big thanks for providing the food for our BBQ meal. Their donation is much appreciated. The owners of that large company, Oscar and Brian Edmonds are also winning sports car racers.
Our shipmate, Lexie Cobb is also owed a big thanks, he provided and donated the Challenge Coins presented to all that attended Nashville.
Many shipmates had a difficult time departing Nashville on Sunday. The breakfast area was full of folks visiting until one by one the area cleared out and by late afternoon all had left.
There are not enough thanks for the help, aid, and assistance that our new Secretary and Webmaster, Mike and Denise Tuominen, did in support of Nashville. Anytime anything was requested of them they jumped in cheerful and without hesitation. You two are good people.
See you in Ohio in 2023.
Mike Taylor