Kramer

(Continued from page 18)

ly in the Navy. What really
is a shipmate? It is a term
with inherent connotations of teamwork, camaraderie and belonging.
It embodies duty, honor,
courage and commitment
to excellence. This truly
describes each and every
one of my Radiomen
group and their spouses.
As our friendship flourished, we felt that seeing
each other once every
two years was just too
long to wait. We made
a command decision to
additionally meet during
the off years between
reunions. Our group
comes from California,
Arizona, Wisconsin,
Florida, Idaho, Iowa,
Arkansas, Kansas and
Minnesota. (Jim and
Sue Berry of Winfield
are part of this group as
Jim also was aboard the
USS Hector at the same
time as the author. They
did not, however, know
each other during this
time). We wanted to make
our reunion locations
interesting and a place
that mirrors the kind
of atmosphere that the
amazing and dedicated
hosts always set up during
Hector reunions.
Our first unofficial mini
Hector RM/MR reunion
was in Las Vegas at the
Flamingo Hotel. We had a
great time, donated some
money to the city of Vegas
and continued to tell

bigger and better sea stories! The next year we all

attended the Springfield
reunion and started to
plan where we might meet
in 2015. As it turned out,
one of our members, Jim
Berry, was set to celebrate
his 70th birthday in July
2015. We decided to kill
two birds with one stone
and visit Jim in his hometown of Winfield.
We wanted this event
to be a surprise party for
Jim, so his wife Sue and
all of us planned and
coordinated for over six
months on how we would
get to Winfield, make
local hotel arrangements
and party plan all done
in secret. This was very
difficult as we all talk
with Jim frequently and
did not want to drop any
hints we were coming
to Kansas. It all went off
without a hitch. Arriving
at various times throughout the day, we got settled
into our hotels and decided to surprise Jim the next
morning on his birthday.
We all drove to his house,
rang the doorbell and as
loudly as we could, started
singing "Happy Birthday!"
Jim opened the door and
was overcome with both
surprise and sincere emotion. We then continued
to renew our friendship
and embellish our sea
stories from so long ago.
That evening we gathered
at American Legion Post
(SEE: Kramer, page 24)

Winfield (Kan.) Daily Courier, Tues., Nov. 10, 2014

19-A

EDW. B. STEPHENSON & CO.

CPAs CHARTERED
1002 Main Box 743, Winfield 221-9320

Thank You for serving our country

and protecting our freedoms!
Cowley County Council on Aging
Outreach & Advocacy
General Public Transportation

700 Gary Winfield 620-221-7020 877-491-3984

Transportation funded by the KDOT Public Transit Program,

Cowley County Council on Aging, Cowley County
Mill Levy & Rider Fees.

CHEERS to our VETERANS!

1302 Main, Winfield
620-221-3826

Complete dental care thats something to smile about!

Honoring those who honorably served.

Jill M Hunter
526 North Summit St
Arkansas City, KS 67005
620-442-8255