U.S.S BROOKE DEG-1/FFG-1
ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Shipmates,
On September 1, 2007 I, along with the existing slate of Association Officers, had the distinct honor and privilege to be re-elected as President and Officers of the U.S.S. Brooke DEG-1/FFG-1 Association for another two years. I believe I can speak for the Officers of the Association when I say that we are honored by the trust and confidence that you, the membership, have accorded us in leading our fine organization. Your vote of confidence speaks to the satisfaction that you have with the direction we are taking our organization.
Speaking for myself, I accept this position of responsibility with a continued steadfast determination to guide our growth in the coming years. Our Association has been in existence for four short years and we have grown significantly from the original twenty four members. Today we can count over 100 active members and almost twice that many on our mailing list. Each year our reunions have be more and more successful in both attendance and locals. In 2008 we will inaugurate our first "cruise" reunion by holding the annual get together on a seven day cruise to the Caribbean. I still find it mildly amusing that those of us who spent more years at sea that we can remember would opt to "get underway" for a reunion. Then again, I don't remember anyone putting a chocolate on my pillow in the berthing compartment.
As we move into our fifth year of existence I can tell you that we are financially sound, stronger than ever as a group and if we have accomplished nothing more we certainly have brought friends and shipmates together after many years. Indeed, we have fostered new friendships and renewed old. One just needs to attend one reunion to know what I am talking about when I say "camaraderie abounds" and the years seem to melt away.
And as we move forward I am confident that through continued efforts to contact crewmembers, our membership will continue to grow. As your president I continue to fervently believe that by increasing our numbers we enhance one of the prime goals of our charter: " To preserve and carry on the memory of our beloved ship and those who served on her." It is always a sad note to realize that a shipmate has passed on and it the past couple of years too many names have been read at our annual memorial service. But as passing is an inevitable part of live I would like to think that there is some comfort for those left behind to realize that we, the crew of Brooke, have in some small way, remembered our shipmates through our Association.
I again look forward to serving as your President and representing the U.S.S. Brooke DEG-1/FFG-1 Association. Thank you.
Fair Winds and Following Seas,
Thomas K.Adametz, USN Ret.
President
U.S.S. Brooke DEG-1/FFG-1 Association