MAJOR CHANGE 

PLANS FOR ACTIVITIES THIS November 11th, 2024

Thank you for what you did back then to keep our country safe and secure.

Lt. Joseph Orleck represents well, all of you who served.

Watch  and Watch as his sacrifice in WWII was commemorated at Arlington National Cemetery and at the Navy Memorial,

On November 11, 2023, at 1100 hrs., 35 sailors, family and friends reported aboard and had a fine time together.  A special service, prepared and delivered by Larry McConnell and a dinner at The Village Cafe celebrated the day.

Let’s do it again!  

See you aboard the USS ORLECK DD 886

at 11 AM, November 11, 2024!

(THIS IS NEW INFORMATION)

PLAN OF THE DAY

(check back regularly – subject to minor changes)

MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE LINK TO ANY SHIPMATES YOU HAVE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK

TO GUARANTEE WE DO NOT MISS ANYONE.

(November 11th, 2024)

• 9 AM-2 PM -The USS ORLECK DD 886 will open for tours. (There are some great new exhibits-9 Mt 52 short video, Pilot house short Video train buster, CIC short video ASW ops.)  At some point in the day, Captain Allen will share details with group on other ship updates.
• 10:00 AM -Ceremony (chairs, podium and tents will be placed on the beautifully renovated pier facing USS ORLECK).  There will be program that will include welcoming remarks from Captain Allen, speakers, a special remembrance of those shipmates no longer with us-carnations will be provided, a time for remembrance, Taps played and opportunity to cast your remembrance carnation into the water.  A bell will be rung at 11 AM in recognition of special nature of Veterans Day.  Upon ringing of the bell, the ceremony will be complete.
• 10:45 AM -Street to USS ORLECK will be closed for parade so, if driving, you will need to be in the ample parking area at the pier.  Since our ceremony is at 10:00 AM, most will already be at the ship.
• 11:00 AM-11:45 -At the end of the ceremony, please move to the roped area (chairs will be provided) to view the Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade as it passes on the street where USS ORLECK docked.
• 11:45 AM -Make your way back to the area next to USS ORLECK where we held the earlier ceremony for lunch.
• 12:00-1:00 PM -Catered lunch provided at no cost to you! Will include BBQ pork slider chicken sliders, seasonal fruit veg tray, pasta salad, dips and crackers, tea lemonade. Important Note: I will need to know who is attending so there will be sufficient food provided.*
• 1:00-2:00 PM -Tour USS ORLECK (docents will be present to answer questions)
• 3:30-4:30 PM River Taxi Tour (This is being provided at no cost to you).  Presently there is no docking area for the Taxi at the ship so boarding will be at the Hyatt Hotel boarding area. **
• Early evening-Dinner on your own.
• Evening Fireworks Event at the USS ORLECK is being presently considered and you will be updated on that as to time.

OTHER MATTERS:

• There will be a welcome banner for our group.
• During your time in Jacksonville, there is a desire to have USS ORLECK sailors video interviewed.  Accomplishing this will require planning in advance by contacting those responsible for the interviews.  Details will be sent by email so if you are coming to Jacksonville and did not get the email, contact Bob Orleck (see below for contact information) and ask him to send you the information. A number of the Orleck Veterans participated last year, and you will see their oral histories on the kiosk on the ship.
• Thanks to the JAX Naval Museum staff for proving a welcoming banner, for providing the area, chairs, podium, and tents as well as the roped off parade reviewing area with chairs for our staff and other thoughtful things I may have failed to acknowledge.
• * **Your Destroyer USS ORLECK DD 886 Association has some money in the treasury that will be used to provide the catered lunch and River Taxi Tour. That being the case, you will need to advise Bob Orleck either by phone (text or talk) at 802-565-0340 or by email to reunion@ussorleck.com of the number of people in your party who will be eating lunch and those enjoying the River Taxi Tour.  If you would like to leave a comment, click here.   Then go to the bottom of the page and submit your comment.
• When contacting Bob Orleck, please let him know your arrival and departure information, where you will be staying, your name as you would like to see it on your name badge.  For USS ORLECK sailors, include your last rate/rank and the years you served aboard USS ORLECK.
• Now don’t forget!  Share this link with shipmates you have in your address book.
• Also, click to comment at the bottom of the post that you open to and leave an encouraging message for others to come and make this 11/11/11 a big success.