ALL HANDS
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Anyone wanting to post anything here please email the info to 'Fast Eddie' Lynd and he'll make sure it gets put onto the "All Hands" Page ~ Thanks.
lyndkid@comcast.net
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Flash Traffic received from
‘Cmdr. Walker’ , 27 AUGUST 2023 at 1829:
ALL-HANDS:
Brothers, Shipmates, Fellow Steely-eyed Killers of the Deep:
Reunion Week (22-26 APR 24):
We're at the Hilton Mystic Inn (same place as the '11 Reunion)
Cost is $179/night
General Schedule: TBD Activities Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Business meeting Thursday morning. With final check out Friday.
To get your reservation set, you can call 800-HILTONS (445-8667) &
ask for the USS Sea Devil Room Block.
Online you can use the group code DEVILS, or for the most convenience,
use the weblink below.
Booking Link: https://group.hilton.com/qul0ls
As we figure out more stuff, you'll all get more info.
We look forward to seeing you!
Respectfully,
James E. Walker (79-85)
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Flash Traffic received from
‘Cmdr. Walker’ , 6 JULY 2023 at 2133:
All-Hands Announcement:
Brothers! Shipmates! Fellow Steely-eyed Killers of the Deep!
I know you want to know what's happening with the upcoming reunion in '24. Here's where we are so far:
The dates will be Monday thru Friday, April 22-26, 2024.
The banquet will be held on Wednesday Evening, and our business meeting will be Thursday morning with final check out being Friday.
We originally were considering mid-May, but concurrent events and venue costs made these dates a MUCH better option.
We're still negotiating the actual price for the rooms, but the Mystic Hilton (where we did the event in '11) offered the best amenities.
We are working on activities with those costs and will have that info for you as soon as we sort that out.
I look forward to seeing you next Spring!
~James !
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Flash Traffic received from
‘Cmdr. Walker’ today, 11 JAN 2023 at 1756:
James Walker here.
It's about time to start planning the next meeting of the Brothers of the Devil club.
Dates are 16-19 May 2024.
I'll put out info for zoom meetings, etc in the next week or so.
I figured this would be a good spot for a heads up.
Thanks!
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27 MAY 2022
From Skip Short:
>> To SD Crew <<
Contacting Captain Doug Blaha, CO of Sea Devil from 1977 to 1980
As you may know, Doug suffered a massive stroke 3 years ago, losing control of the entire left side of his body. He has been in critical care ever since, but remains active mentally and hopeful for his return to normalcy in his life. His spirit is an inspiration to us all.
Doug loves visitors, whether by phone, in person, or by letter. Contact with Doug over the phone was an inspiration to me that I will never forget.
If you’d like to contact Doug, here is some background information and instructions.
Doug and his wife Lila are residents of Patriots Colony in Williamsburg VA. Lila is in the assisted living section and Doug is in critical care.
Here are the addresses of both along Doug Blaha’s phone number:
Capt. Doug Blaha
Cell Phone: 804-815-0945
Address: 6500 Patriots Colony Drive, Suite 123
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Mrs. Lila Blaha Address:
6200 Patriots Colony Drive, Suite 111
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Please note that each section (assisted vs. critical) has different visitor rules that can change with the pandemic.
For Doug, the best plan is to give him a heads up via phone or text. If you haven’t contacted Doug before, start with text so he knows who you are. He may ignore an unknown phone call.
Also note that the staff is sparse so plan ahead by several days. If he knows someone is coming at 2 on a specific future date, for example, he’ll be ready.
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11 MAY 2021
Shipmate Roger Hawke is having a rough go of it right now, undergoing some cardiac related medical procedures. Please keep him (and Lynn) in your thoughts and prayers !
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18 DEC 2020 ~ from Lynn Hawke:
I received the following email from Roger’s wife this afternoon:
Re: Roger Hawke
“roger had heart cath yesterday and found he needs open heart surgery. he will be taken to Emory sometime today and he will have surgery next week. just let members know. he has facebook page they can chat with him. I cannot go to Emory even on surgery day. he will probably be up there 3 or more weeks. my facebook is Lynn s Hawke. 478-361-2803. we hope he will be able to visit Virginia . I will have to wait to see how he does before reserving room. Lynn hawke”
Let’s keep Roger & Lynn in our thoughts and prayers !
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16 OCT 2020 ~ from Jim Schenk:
"My pressure hull cube from PSNY has been located. I will bring it again to the next reunion in Williamsburg in April."
I have been trying to locate this 2-14" cube of SSN-664's HY-80 pressure hull. I believe that I was showing it at the 2019 Reunion banquet. I remember being deep into the banquet hall when I was unexpectedly called away after new Association Commander Skip Short was approaching the end of his remarks. I don't remember getting back to that table to recover my cube. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of said piece, please contact me ASAP.
Thank you, ... Jim Schenk.
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Sea Devil Reunion X
Date: 10/14/2020
Hotel Information for Sea Devil Reunion X
Hotel Name: FORT MAGRUDER HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER
Address: 6945 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Phone: (757) 220-2250
Cost: $101.68 per night (this includes all taxes)
- This is for either a King or 2 doubles
- The cost (including taxes) for the room with a breakfast buffet is: $124.08/ night
Hotel Link: http://www.fortmagruderhotel.com/default-en.html
Contact & Directions: http://www.fortmagruderhotel.com/contact-en.html
Reunion Dates: April 21 – 25th, 2021
Basic Itinerary (more details to follow):
Wednesday April 21st: Early Check-in. Hospitality Room opens around noon.
Thursday, April 22nd: Bus departure for Mariner’s Museum at 10:00AM
Friday, April 23rd: Bus departure for Williamsburg at 10:00 AM
Saturday, April 24th: Bus departure ~10:00 AM for Jamestown. Evening banquet.
Sunday, April 25th: Sea Devil Reunion Committee meeting @ 9:00 AM.
No other activities planned.
Important Notes (Please Read)
- The hotel is open now, so you can begin making reservations.
- When making the reservation, please mention that you are a member of the Sea Devil Reunion.
This will guarantee your lower rate and help ensure our discounts based on # of reservations. - If you have mobility issues, please note the following:
- They have 12 ADA rooms, so you might want to reserve early to guarantee one of these
- You can request a room near the Banquet Hall to minimize your walking.
- They only have 3 wheelchairs available for reservation at this time. Again, the early bird gets the wor
4. The Banquet will be held in the New Market Hall of the Williamsburg Wing of the
hotel. The hotel plans to assign all the Sea Devil rooms to this wing of the hotel.
5. Please see the attached floor plan for Ft. Magruder.
Capt. Doug Blaha
21 NOV 2019
November 17, 2019 from Denise Blaha on the Sea Devil Facebook Page:
My Dad, Doug Blaha, continues to make steady progress in his stroke recovery.
He's been focused on mastering the skill of transferring from a wheelchair to a car which will enable him to join us for Thanksgiving in Yorktown.
And his walking is getting better and better!
Cards are still very much appreciated and can be sent to Brent's home:
Doug Blaha
C/O Brent Blaha
103 Shorewood Trace
Yorktown, VA 23693
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6 OCT 2019
An update on my Dad’s stroke recovery. He continues to make steady progress, but Dad is frustrated by the slow pace.
His natural buoyant optimism of “Yes, I’ve had a stroke, but I’ll be fine in a few weeks” has had a head-on collision with the reality that stroke recovery is a LONG process.
Plus, he’s not a fan of the food at the rehab facility!
Dad was able to briefly attend the SMART RV muster in nearby Urbanna, VA in late September.
He thoroughly enjoyed seeing the many friends and travel companions he’s met over the years.
And he’s already making plans to attend next year’s muster in Oklahoma.
Unfortunately, Mom wasn’t able to join him. She tripped and fell on the morning of the event and fractured her upper arm.
She’s not in a cast or even a sling and is encouraged to move her arm as much as possible, but it is affecting her mobility and balance.
And for that reason, we’ve decided that it’s best if Mom goes to stay with Dean and Terry in Delaware and then her sister Kay in Florida as she recovers.
She will have people with her during the day and that eases our worries considerably.
Thank you for continuing to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. Cards and notes are very much appreciated as they really buoy Dad‘s spirits.
They can be sent to:
Doug Blaha
C/O Brent Blaha
103 Shorewood Trace
Yorktown, VA 23693
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18 SEPT 2019
To All USS Virginia Base Members & Ed Lynd
I received the following from member Richard Moore yesterday:
“Doug Blaha has moved to a new location.
Newport Convalescent & Rehabilitation Centre
11141 Warwick Boulevard
Newport News, Virginia 23601
He is in Room 26
This is his mailing address also.”
Keep those prayers, cards and letters flowing!
God bless, Greenboard/Straightboard and all the best!
Kenn
Kenneth R. "Kenn" McDermott, LT, USN (Ret)
Submarine Qualified, Holland Club member
Base Commander & Webmaster
www.ussvirginiabase.org
Kenn’s Navy Shadow Box
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