Bob Orleck

Northern Kentucky Reunion Photos June 24, 2012, day 4.

The following post was put on the forum 5 days after the reunion event in N. KY. I thought I would share it out here since many do not visit the forum. By the way, the forum is full of great information and pictures and may be the best secret place on the website for some great material.

The June 24, 2012 optional event was a Major League Baseball Game featuring the Cincinnati Reds and the Minnisota Twins. We had 52 people registered to come to the game and our men were asked to be the Color Guard in the pre-game ceremonies and our entertainer Marie Mazziotti auditioned for and was the singer of the National Anthem. The men of the Color Guard were all from the 1940 decade and included Norman Terrell, Chas Staples, Louis Jagucki (a plank owner) and Chet Chernac. click to view honor guard and singing by our Marie Maziotti. (video done by Ben Loder)

They all did great! I was so proud!

Chet was so happy to do this and he was overwhelmed at the event at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and told me there that he never realized that he could enjoy himself so much. As he described his feelings tears came down his cheek. What a wonderful man! Chet went to be with the Lord not long after our reunion there. I am so thankful that I got to know him so well. This is the great value of reunions to me. The people I have gotten to know and love are the best and have enriched my life.

Bob Orleck

(photo by Bill Blush)

(photo by Bill Blush)

: Left to Right: Dennis Cantwell (Instructor), Louis Jagucki, Chas Staples, Norman Terrell and Chet Chernec.

(photo by Bill Blush)

: Marie Mazziotti, our entertainer from New York City, performing the National Anthem.

(photo by Bill Blush)

: Lydia enjoying Major League Baseball!

(photo by Bill Blush)

: Marie & Bob on the field in Cincinnati!

(photo by Ben Loder)

: The Great American Ball Park!

(photo by Ben Loder)

: The Great American Ball Park!

(photo by Ben Loder)

: Orleck people at Reds Game!

(photo by Ben Loder)

: John & Molly Fruin (From Holiday Inn)

(photo by Ben Loder)

: I don’t think their mind is on the game!

(photo by Ben Loder)

: I’ll drink to that one!

(photo by Ben Loder)

: “I sure do love a good football game, don’t you Richard? Richard!

(photo by Ben Loder)

: Looks like at least a couple of them are enjoying the game!

(photo by Ben Loder)

: Have you heard that old saying, “Up to their knees!”?

(photo by Ben Loder)

Now if you don’t get that last one, go back to the picture and look above our folks heads! Get it? Its pretty bad when you have to explain the humor!

: Definitely into the game, wouldn’t you say!

(photo by Ben Loder)

: More of the folks!

(photo by Ben Loder)

: Nice picture of plank owner, Lou Jagucki and family! As your eyes can tell you, they are real Reds fans!

(photo by Ben Loder)

: Rhonda and Ron, our friends from Lake Charles!

(photo by Ben Loder)

: They can smile even though the Reds lost!

September 10-11, 2004. Memorial Service to dedicate a Remembrance Stone for Lt. Joseph Orleck, real World War II hero and namesake of the USS ORLECK DD886. Under beautiful skys the Memorial Service was flawlessly executed at Ft. Myer Chapel with authentic World War II hero, Senator Bob Dole, as the guest speaker and Joseph Correia, the Chaplain of USS ORLECK. A one mile procession behind the 6 white horse drawn caisson, marching troops and Navy Band to the site of Lt. Orleck’s stone was followed by a 21 gun salute, taps, honor guard and presentation of the flag and messages from dignitaries to the next of kin, Donald Orleck, nephew of Lt. Orleck. This event fills a long overdue event to establish and dedicate a place of resting honor for this true American Hero.

June 25-June 29, 2003 the DESTROYER USS ORLECK ASSOCIATION met in reunion in festive Waikiki, Hawaii. The opening night at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel brought a reception with leis, Hawaiian singers, great food and of course the perfect weather you would expect in paradise. Rear Admiral Barry McCullough brought a very meaningful message about our ship and the modern Navy. The reunion was organized to provide a lot of free time to enjoy all that Hawaii has to offer. Each day a special event was offered. On day two the group enjoyed the ﾓRoyal Luauﾔ with gorgeous Hawaiian entertainers right on Waikiki Beach. The most meaningful time occurred on day three of the reunion. First a visit to the USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL, and a prime rib luncheon aboard the USS MISSOURI preceded a Memorial Service led by Chaplain Joseph Correia. The UNITED STATES NAVY provided an Honor Guard, Taps and Rifle Team giving a 21-gun salute as Orchids were thrown into Pearl Harbor by our attendees in memory of those shipmates who have died. The following evening the 190 member group went aboard the NAVATEK, a state of the art dinner cruise boat and were treated to a great sunset cruise viewing Diamondhead and Cocohead while eating a fine dinner and being entertained by Hawaiian dancers and singers. Finally, day five brought a fine breakfast and church service and our goodbyes until the next reunion. The group in a business meeting decided to hold its 2005 reunion in Orange, Texas aboard the USS ORLECK.

October 3, 2002-October 6, 2002 USS ORLECK ASSOCIATION holds its 6th and largest reunion in Orange, Texas with approximately 350 in attendance. It is sad that over 60 were forced to cancel due to the threat of hurricane Lili. The men of the USS ORLECK would not be denied. The next reunion is in Honolulu from June 25, 2003 to June 29, 2003. Contact Bob Orleck at P.O. Box 213, Randolph, VT 05060 or call 802-728-9806. E-mail at orleckb@innevi.com

USS ORLECK DD 886 in Orange, Texas is site of the first USS ORLECK ASSOCIATION reunion since her return to the United States. The first time a reunion has ever been held aboard a ship that has served the United States of America, been sold to another country (Turkey) and then returned to the place where she was built (Orange, Texas) to be a museum ship. Theme of the reunion is from Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To every thing there is a season…”

At the 2002 Reunion of the Destroyer USS ORLECK Association, Greg Zonner, Curator of the Arkansas Inland Marine Museum (AIMM) attended and presented Bob Orleck with a beautiful large pen and ink drawing of the USS RAZORBACK and a plaque making him an honorary member of their sub base. This was in recognition of the help Bob provided at the beginning of the process to return the submarine to the United States to be a museum ship. Though contacts that Bob had made during the service of ex-USS ORLECK (TCG YUCTEPE D 345) in Turkey, the N. Little Rock group was able to make the necessary contacts that resulted in them obtaining the USS RAZORBACK and bringing her to Arkansas to be the centerpiece of AIMM. The plaque proudly is displayed in Bob’s office.

office Razorback display

Razorback plaque

June 24-27, 1993 was “USS ORLECK, first reunion in San Antonio, Texas.”

“Remember the PRAIRIE, A 52 year old destroyer tender and oldest active Navy ship that served in every conflict from WWII? This mother to “”tin cans”” did innumerable repairs as well as providing medical and dental services. She is to be scrapped and cut up in Singapore. We honor her service to our country.”

N. Kentucky Reunion Optional Reds Baseball Game Event

Northern Kentucky Reunion Photos June 24, 2012, day 4.

Arlington Memorial Service for Lt. Orleck

Waikiki Reunion 2003

Orange reunion largest in history

Razorback Plaque given to Bob Orleck

First Reunion for USS ORLECK

USS PRAIRIE remembered