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USS Neches AO-47 Association 2009 Niagara Falls/Canadian Reunion
After a most difficult preparation for a reunion yet, Mary and Roger Gross put on one of the best reunions we have ever had. From the comfortable accommodations at the Comfort Inn The Pointe, nestled close to the Falls, to the hilarious dinner theater in Canada on Saturday night, it was one interesting and beautiful activity after another. There were many who came on Wednesday, the day before the reunion and with the falls within easy walking distance through the park, got a preview of what was to come. By Thursday afternoon the hospitality room was a buzz with conversation and laughter, everyone getting reacquainted after a year since the last reunion. There were 65 members and guests from seventeen different states. From Massachusetts to California and Arizona to Florida and Washington state and everything in between. Living scattered around the country but now with a single interest of four days of fun and companionship. The activities started at 9 AM on Friday September 18. We boarded our tour bus for a go around Goat Island, which separates the Niagara River into two channels before it cascades over the falls. The tour guide/bus driver explained how the island got its name because of a very difficult winter years ago, where the only survivor was a lone goat. He explained that the river travels at a speed of 38 miles per hour and should anyone fall in, their chances of escape are nil. It’s shallow in depth with a rocky bottom which causes rapids like I had never seen before. We then traveled over the bridge and into Canada’s Provence of Ontario. There were no problems at the crossing with the Border Patrol searching in and under the bus for anyone trying to cross illegally. From there we visited the Floral Clock and the White Water Walk, where the rapids there are the most turbulent in the world. Then it was on to the Maid of the Mist where we boarded a boat for a trip right up to the falls. We were issued plastic full length parkas, which we found very necessary. The spray from the falls was at times so intense that you could not see anything but the mist. Filming up close was impossible. It was an experience of a lifetime. Many kept their parkas for a souvenir of the experience. There were several soup and sandwich restaurants in the area called Queen Victoria Place and we all stopped and had lunch, with some doing gift shopping in one of the many little gift shops. We then boarded the bus to Table Rock which overlooks the many falls. It was the perfect place to use your camera. It is impossible to accurately describe the beauty of the many falls that make up the Niagara Falls. With a bright sun shining above the scene, it caused rainbows above the mist from the cascading water. We watched from high above the river below as those Maid of the Mist boats ventured up close to the falls. Obviously a sight like no other. We all then met in the Table Rock building where some ventured down to and behind the falls. There is a walkway that actually allows one to walk behind all this water rushing over the falls. Then it was on to the 4-D presentation of “The Fury”, an interesting display with a moving floor. Not recommended for those with a tendency for vertigo. We then boarded the bus and returned to the American side. After a stop at the hotel to refresh ourselves, we were taken to the famous restaurant, The Como, where history reports many of the more unsavory characters of the past may have dined. The dinner was served ‘course style’ and started with an assortment of hors doeuvres. Then it was on to a delicious salad and rolls. The main entre of several meats and side dishes was followed with an excellent dessert. Fireworks were on display at the falls upon returning to the hotel. A truly beautiful way to end a most delightful day. On Saturday morning at the business meeting, Johnny Hanlon began with a prayer for those ill members and for the one member we lost the past year. We discussed the possibility of changing the bylaws to allow those future coordinators to work through travel agents in arranging the reunions. It was voted on and passed. The new bylaws will be included in the winter newsletter. Next year’s reunion will be held in the Seattle/Everett area and will include a tour of the Boeing plant, the Everett Naval Station and possibly a tour of Paul Allen’s air museum of military aircraft. There will also be a dinner cruise on Elliot Bay and part of Puget Sound. The dates are September 9 to 12 so I wish everyone will set those dates aside and plan on being here for the fifteenth USS Neches reunion. I promise elegant accommodations, interesting activities and gourmet food for all. Getting back to the reunion activities in Niagara Falls, Saturday noon found us on the USS Littlerock, a navy cruiser for lunch and then an optional tour of the Littlerock and The Sullivans destroyer. The lunch was a buffet and I must say it was a delicious meal. It was back to the hotel where we took the group picture just outside the hotel. At 5 PM we were on our way back to Canada and to the dinner theater “Oh, Canada. Eh?” This dinner theater featured actors who were also our waiters and waitresses. It was a comedy musical and the staff would serve the various courses during breaks in the performance. To say it was a fun experience and a delicious meal is an understatement. Sunday morning was for saying our good-byes once again to end what was a wonderful time for everyone. We all owe Mary Gross a standing ovation for an outstandingly fun and error free four days of nonstop enjoyment. Roger claims it was all Mary’s doing but I am sure it could not have been done as well without his support. I would like everyone with an email address to send me an email (trains8133@msn.com) so I can compile all of the email addresses in the association and then make a list of all of them and include that in the winter newsletter. Put “USS Neches emails” in the subject line. Ed Anderson “Editor”
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