USS Vreeland Log, February 2005
Name : Craig T. Stephend 3 Feb 2005
Rate/Rank : RM1(SW)-RMCS(SW)
Years Onboard : 87-91
e-mail : craig.stephens@aces.biz
Comments : Wow! Talk about a trip down memory lane. I checked onboard Vreeland in Jun 87, right before REFTRA in Gitmo in July 87. I have many fond memories of my time onboard, and now that I have two sons in the Navy, I realize that they are arresting sailors for what we used to do routinely? Is that progress? That's a question for better minds than mine.

Did a couple of REFTRA's, a couple MED Cruises, a couple million miles of LEO OPs, Operation Just Cause (Just cause), a piece of Desert Storm, many hours swearing during BECCE's while my comm gear was crashing, coming up, crashing, coming up......(two burning, one turning.....out go the lights!)

I left Vreeland, went to ComDesRon 15, USS Canopus, NCTS London, Made RMCM(SW), Screened for CMC, Became the CMC for NCTAMS London, couldn't get a ship (can you believe that?), Retired in 1998.

I had an absolute blast on Vreeland! Thanks, ETC(SW) Craig Johnson, BMC(SW)Charlie Florida, Red Dog, Lt Garcia, RM2 Hagen, RM2 Verdin (We almost forgot him in Ibiza! He used his Zippo to get a cab ride back!), the Sig Shack Gang, and everyone who took care of us.

Stay safe, and when you get a minute, drop me a note.

Craig
Name : Randy Hager 10 Feb 2005
Rate/Rank : YN2
Years Onboard : 72-74
e-mail : rjhager@sbcglobal.net
Comments : Crewmember during the "Greek" years. Had been in the Navy for 2 years and hadn't really seen or done much up that point to I volunteered for homeporting in Athens. Reported aboard in Charleston just a couple of days prior to departure. I remember that I hadn't been aboard more than 1/2 hour before YNC Taafe had me typing the POD -- guess they were a little shorthanded at the time with everyone transferring (both coming and going) in preparation for the homeport change! I have wonderful memories of that period of my life -- met my English wife there, married at the airbase chapel, first son was born there, etc. Tranferred ashore to FSO in mid-1974 and became the "Vreeland" contact in Athens.

I'm really pleased someone's finally put this reunion together. We intend to be there if at all possible and I'm busy trying to locate other shipmates and get the word out to them.

Should be a blast!
Name : Cliff Heard 20 Feb 2005
Rate/Rank : BT2
Years Onboard : 84-88
e-mail : cheard231@yahoo.com
Comments : I would like to get in touch with Pat Archer and Doug "Hillbilly"Wickham.
Notes of Interest : I am now working as a police officer in Gadsden Al. Being a BT is one of my greatest memories. I wouldn't want to do it again but I am glad that I had that experience. I am proud to say I was a sailor.
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