USS Springfield Bluejackets, Inc
The is the ship's store for the USS Springfield Bluejackets items for sale.
USS SPRINGFIELD BLUEJACKETS, INC
The USS Springfield Bluejackets, Inc is a reunion organization formed in 1991 by John W. Adams, President, along with fellow officers, Charlie Cavell, John "Moose" Pope, and Mario Lombardi for the benefit of shipmates who served on USS Springfield CL66, CLG7 and SBN761 to foster communication, maintain friendships and increase camaraderie. John W. Adams was President of the Bluejackets for 17 years and the first reunion was held in 1991 in Nashua, NH at the Sheraton Tara Hotel with 244 shipmates attending. Subsequently, 16 - USS Springfield reunions were held in various cities across the U.S until John's retirement in 2007. John, his wife Ginny, daughter Wendy, fellow officers as noted previously and committee members, Vaughan Bogosian(deceased), William Wakeham(deceased), Jack Einhorn(Chaplain) and Bill Moore(deceased) are to be commended for their hard work and dedication in making our reunion organization successful. At the 2007 reunion in Newport News, VA, new officers were elected. Rich Wilson, President (CLG7 '70-'71); Vice President, Buddy Verdi (CL66 '44-'45); Secretary, Mario Lombardi '71-'73), Treasurer, Keith Rivard (CLG7 '66-'68). This slate of officers was re-elected in 2010 and again in 2012 to 3 year terms.At the 2015 business meeting. Donald Smith (CLG-7, 66-68) replaced Buddy Verdi (CL66 '44-'45) as Vice President and Webmaster, David Schantz (CLG-7, '60-'62) was added to the Board of Directors. During the business meeting held at the 2018 reunion held in Buffalo, NY, shipmates attending voted to hold the next reunion in September 2019 in Washington D.C. For more information contact us USS Springfield Bluejackets Inc email: info@ussspringfield.org
An election of officers was held at the 2022 business meeting during which David Schantz , was elected President, Bob Kosick was elected Vice President, Keith Rivard -Treasurer and Mario Lombardi -Secretary.USS Springfield Bluejackets Inc email: info@ussspringfield.org
President - David Schantz
Vice President - Robert Kosick
Treasurer - Keith Rivard
Secretary - Mario Lombardi
Web Master - David Schantz
OLD SAILORS
Old sailors sit And chew the fat About things that used to be Of the things they've seenThe places they've beenWhen they ventured out to sea
They remember friends from long agoThe times they had back thenThe money they spentThe beer they drankIn their days as sailing men
Their lives are lived in the days gone byWith the thoughts that forever lastOf the bell bottom bluesRound white hatsAnd the good times of their past
They recall long nights with the moon so brightFar out on the lonely seaThe thoughts they hadAs youthful ladsWhen their lives were wild and free
They know so wellHow their hearts would swellWhen their flag fluttered proud and freeAs the Stars and Stripes made such a beautiful sightAs they plowed through an angry sea
They talked of the bread Ol' cookie would bakeAnd the shrill of the bos'n pipeAnd how salt spray fellLike sparks from hellWhen a storm struck in the night
They remember mates already goneWho forever hold a spotIn the stories of oldWhen sailors were boldAnd lubbers were a pitiful lot
They speak of nights spent in a bawdy houseSomewhere on a foreign shore,And the beer they'd downAs they gathered roundCracking jokes with a busty whore.
Their sailing days now gone awayNever again will they cross the browBut they have no regretsFor they know they've been blessed'cause they honored their sacred vow
Their numbers grow less with each passing dayAs the chits in life are called inBut they've nothing to lose For they've paid their duesAnd they'll sail with shipmates again
And you'll hear them sayBefore getting awayThat there's still some sailing to doAnd they'll say with a grin That their ship has come inAnd the Good Lord is commanding the crew.
