USS Benjamin Stoddert Association DDG-22
 
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Mt. Rushmore, you're are being invaded by the sailors of DDG22!
Rapid City, South Dakota
October 14-18, 2009
Rapid City Quality Inn
1902 LaCrosse St.
Rapid City, SD  55701
605 342-3322
Make your reservations NOW!

click here to download Stoddert News Winter Spring 09 edition

click here to download 09 Reunion Registration & Itinerary Packet

2009 Preliminary Reunion Survey
Rapid City, South Dakota
Important Information Requested

This survey form provides information for the 2009 USS Benjamin Stoddert Association Reunion to be held in Rapid City, South Dakota,  October 14-18, 2009.  Even if you do not plan to attend this reunion, your reply is very important.  Please take a minute to complete this survey.

My present plans for attending the 2009 reunion in Rapid City, SD are:  (Please use drop down arrow to make your choices.)
Number of people in my party:
Number of rooms needed:
I plan to stay for:
Travel plans:
I plan on participating in arranged tours:
I will attend the Friday evening Buffet
I would like to attend the business meeting:
I will attend the Saturday Evening Banquet Dinner:
Comments & Suggestions:
Full Name:
 * required
Email Address:
 * required
Years aboard Ship:
 * required
As a reminder, the reservation cut off date is September 14, 2009 to get the $65.99 room rate.  Make your room reservations NOW if there is any chance that you will be coming as the hotel has a very liberal cancellation policy.  Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey.  It will make it easier to plan an enjoyable reunion for you.  Remember, this is only a survey and not a commitment.  If you have any problems with this survey, email carolebryan.ddg22@msn.com.

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Welcome New Association Members
George Maxwell 72-74
Loren Morse 69-73
Larry Icenogle 71-73
Michael Hutton 83-87
David Nicholson 63-65



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Herm Chambers beloved Carmen passed from this earthly life this morning (5-15-09) at 0430.  We know that she is already planning the greatest "reunion".  Condolences may be sent to:
220 Meister Way  Sacremento, CA  96819 
Notes from Herm on Carmen's services
I am attempting to reach as many people as I can, as rapidly as I can, to provide you with information concerning Carmen's last rites.  It is addressed to many whom I know cannot attend any of the services simply for information; to the leaders and members of the many groups and organizations to which we belonged or participated with in their activities; and,  lastly--probably should be firstly, to attempt to get a head count of those who will be able to attend the reception after the church services.
For those who are unaware, C. passed away at home on May 15, after battling ovarian cancer for 8 years.  She had run through the repertoire of chemo agents available for treatment of her disease.  There was nothing left. 
Carmen Apodaca-Chambers was truly a "people person" and made many friends over the years.  Popularly known as Appy during her 36 years at Sutter Community Hospitals of Sacramento (the last 25 as the Unit Secretary of the first Renal Dialysis Unit established in central California in 1970). After our coming together, we became involved in many Scottish organizations through my lineage and actively participated in their associated activities, Scottish Highland games (Clan Cameron Association), St. Andrew's Society of Sacramento,  Loyal Scots of Sacramento, guests of the Caledonian Club of Sacramento annual Tartan Ball).  Also, a much looked forward to event, the the annual reunion of crew members and their families of the guided missile destroyer, USS BENJAMIN STODDERT (DDG-22),  my last duty station prior to my retirement from the U. S. Navy,  (C. was not my wife during my Navy days; that came much later but she enjoyed the reunion events and meeting the people, many of whom I had served with.).  Until her illness prevented it, we also belonged to and regularly attended the monthly dinner meetings as members of Placer County Council, Navy League of the United States (NLUS), in Auburn, CA.  That we traveled a lot would be an understatement. 
At her request, her remains were cremated and will be interred at a private service in the new Veteran's Aministration Sacramento Valley
National Cemetery where we shall be together again at some future date.
Arrangements for local rembrances have been made  by her daughters, Flo and Liz Apodaca and their respective families. (Carmen and her daughters retained the surname  Apodaca, though after our marriage, C. was known as Carmen Chambers to our mutual friends and acquaintences and as Carmen Apodaca-Chambers  to the U. S. and California State governments). 
 Saturday, June 6:
9 AM - 10 AM (approximately) - Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church -  1116 26th St., Easy to find.  Faces the western side of Sutter's Fort--two blocks from the Business 80 Freeway. 
11 AM  - 2 PM -   Celebration of C's life. with catered refreshments at Nepenthe Clubhouse, 1131 Commons Drive - In the Campus Commons  condo complex where Flo and her husband live.
IMPORTANT -  C.'s daughters have planned this to  be a catered affair. You are invited to attend and I sincerely hope you will in Carmen's remembrance. My daughters from Oregon and Utah plan to be there, together with many of their family members  PLEASE RSVP to me as soon as possible IF YOU WILL ATTEND THE RECEPTION, either by phone, 916-736-3140, or email ddg22etcm@hotmail.com, and give me the number of attendees who will be in  your party so we may plan sufficient refreshments AND I can get maps and directions to you in a timely manner. No response required if you will not attend reception.
One last pitch.  Breast cancer, through the Susan Komen Foundation, gets a terrific play for research funds.  Not so the more insidious ovarian cancer.  Oft-times the symptoms are mis-diagnosed, especially in older women, which it attacks more frequently.  Vague symptoms, such as persistent indigestion, bloating, etc., occur, years in advance of detection, as in Carmen's case.  By the time it is diagnosed, it's usually too late to effect a cure, again, with Carmen, this was true.  So, in lieu of flowers, if you see fit to do so, the family would appreciate a donation in memory of Carmen Apodaca-Chambers, indicated in the memo section of your check; and made payable to and mailed to  NOCC - RESEARCH,  P. O. BOX 2125, Fair Oaks, CA 95628-2125.  NOCC is the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
If any questions, plese call or email.
Aye
Herm   



 The Benjamin Stoddert was a great ship from the beginning to the day that she sank in the Pacific and to this day (unlike so many other old ships) remains "underway with no way on". B.C.

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