uss southerland dd/ddr 743

The Southerland Scuttlebutt

President: Gary Schweizer - Sweenie04 @ comcast.net
Vice President/Event Coordinator - Rick Anderson - andy743 @ bellsouth.net
Webmaster - Vicki Kosub - victoriakozub @ gmail.com


DECEMBER 2025


AHOY SHIPMATES!!

The 2025 USS Southerland Reunion in Corpus Christi, Texas, was a great Success!! We want to send a BIG Thank You to Craig and Diane for all they have done for the last 4 years. They planned and executed the last 2 reunions, which are always a challenge. Taking on this role requires a lot of dedication so a great big BRAVO ZULU goes out to them! The Marriot Hotel was a beautiful venue and the Hotel Staff was all very accommodating. The Welcome Pizza Party was a great way to start off the week; everyone reacquainted and brought in their pictures. The next day we had ceremony for our deceased shipmates. It was sad to say farewell and to read how many we have lost over the years. The Tour of the USS LEXINGTON was a fun day and the weather was wonderful. We all had a great time at the brewery for dinner and drinks one night, thanks Linda Schweizer for making the reservations. The evening Harbor Cruise was enjoyed by all. The banquet dinner was delicious and wanted to thank Ben Gurganus for the reading of the POW MIA ceremony. Flowers were presented to Vicki Kosub for her continued work on the web page. We would like to Thank Marlyn & Robert Scott for the table favors and James Desenberg for the donation on the drinks. Thank You again Craig on a job well done!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BUSINESS MEETING

Craig read an article that confirmed the Southerland was the first Man of War to enter Tokyo Bay. We sang Happy Birthday for the 250th Birthday of the US Navy and cake was provided. Craig discussed he would not accept a nomination to continue as President. Nominations for President were Charles Craven and Gary Schweizer. Chuck declined the nomination and Gary Schweizer agreed to take on the office again so the reunion would continue. Vicki agreed to continue on as Webmaster. We will bring up discussion next reunion if we want to keep paying for our website.
New officers for the 2027 Reunion: Gary Schweizer; President, Rick Anderson; Vice President/Event Coordinator; Vicki Kosub; Webmaster and Linda Schweizer; Secretary/Treasurer.
Note from new President Gary Schweizer: I am looking forward to serving as your new President again. The reunions are very important to me and I do not want to see the Ole’ tin can sailors go by the wayside. For those that do not know me, I served aboard 1971-1975, got out of Navy joined the reserves for several years and after 8 years decided it wasn’t that bad in the Navy and returned till I retired with 24 years total in 1999. I have been President for the Reunion 3 times in the past years. I served aboard many ships in that time but they never were as memorable as the USS Southerland.

VENUE FOR THE NEXT REUNION

The 2027 USS Southerland Reunion will take place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Plans are underway for a group tour to the Site of the Oklahoma Federal Building Bombing that took place in 1995. Other attractions include Cowboy Hall of fame and numerous Botanical Gardens. If you have any suggestions please email Gary so he can add to the planning.

WORD OF THE DAY

Oscar, Tango Mike is a military slang for “on the move”; a phrase from NATO PHONETIC ALPHABET used to quickly and clearly communicate movement over a radio. It is also used more broadly in a figurative sense to mean continuous progress and forward movement.

FALLEN SHIPMATES

Since our last reunion, one of our Southerland shipmates has deceased. We bemoan his loss and send our deepest condolence to his family and especially Pat Boeding, his faithful companion. We know that his voice and stories of the ole tin can and all the reunions he attended will be remembered.
May you rest in Peace… “Shipmate, you stand relieved, We have the watch”. Fair Winds and Following Seas.
Norman Parsons, Deceased – 11/17/2025
# If you know of other shipmates that have passed away, please let me know so the roster can be updated, Thank You.

Dues/Contact Information

In closing, I remind all that your dues are $20.00 a year, $150.00 for a lifetime. Due to banking requirements all checks must be made out to me so we do not incur any fees. Please make your 2025 dues checks payable to Gary Schweizer and mail to the address listed below. Maintaining this organization and moving it forward requires funding. This Newsletter will be mailed to all crew members; this will help to ensure that all addresses are correct. After this mailing, only the crew members that are current on their dues will continue receiving mailings. If you would prefer your newsletter sent via email please let me know, this this does not exclude you from paying dues. If you have a new email/address, please pass it on also, this will help keep the roster up to date. Comments/questions are always welcome, Send email to: Sweenie04@comcast.net. Feel free to call @ 574-276-9539, if I do not answer please make sure you leave a message.
Thank you for your continued support to this fine organization. If you know shipmates that our not on or roster or served on the ship or you are in contact with them please forward their name so we can continue to build on our roster and reunions.

Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Healthy New Year!!
Gary Schweizer, Reunion President
25201 Kathy Drive
South Bend, In 46619

USS SOUTHERLAND DD-DDR 743 REUNION COMMITTEE

US Navy