Hello Shipmates!
I’ve been thinking a lot about how I got here. As a younger man with a big family, working days and going to college nights, there is no spare time to go to a reunion.
Many years later, I met Bob Ciosek in Naples, Florida. I told him I never attended a reunion or seen a shipmate since the day I stepped off the USS MASSEY. But here I am today because of a shipmate that reached out and invited Diane and I to a reunion many years ago. Thank you Bob Ciosek because of you I am here enjoying my shipmates and Diane and I look forward to our Annual Reunions every year.
If Bob had never continued to reach out and invite Diane and I to that first reunion, there would NEVER have been a second or third one for us.
So now if you have never been to a REUNION BEFORE or MISSED a few reunions I personally invite you to come and enjoy the camaraderie and see what you have been missing all these years.
Save the Dates: Check In – Sunday 10/05/2025; Check Out – Thursday 10/09/2925. I believe that a personal invite is the best way to encourage our members, past members and future members to sign up and register for our next reunion. REUNIONS are “the thread that keeps/holds us all together”.
So shipmates I’m counting on you to invite someone who you have not seen at our reunions and let’s welcome them all back.
In closing, I want to honor and give thanks to Jack Zagaros who in 1988 started the USS MASSEY ASSOCIATION. Jack also served on USS MASSEY during WWII. Because of Jack we have enjoyed 36 years of friendships and traveling to many states with our family and friends. Jack Zagaros passed away November 18, 2024. He was 98 years old. May God continue to watch over all your shipmates until we meet again.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays and a Happy Healthy New Year.
Hank Brueggeman
President, USS MASSEY Association
