USS Cony DD/DDE 508 21st Annual Reunion 2003
May 21 through May 25
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I can't begin to tell you how much that my wife Rita and I enjoyed this years Cony Reunion. We spent so little time in our room that I have no idea if the television that was there works or even if it was plugged in. Just a minimum of time to bathe and get a little sleep.

Ken and Marge Cox and Ken Jimison did a fantastic job of putting this one together and I am so glad that they have been voted in to put on the next one also. This year we had MANY new attendee's that had not been to a Cony reunion before, mostly because of Ken Cox's hard work in recruiting new members and many have told me that they were there because they had found the Cony web site.

The Clarion Hotel Staff was fantastic and tried to make our every wish come true. If we ever hold another reunion in Charleston, I hope that it is held in the same hotel.

This years reunion was also attended by 2 Navy Captain's, Karl Thiele Capt. (Ret.) who was in command of the Cony in 1965 through 1967. Also attending was Thomas A. Clark Capt. (Ret.) who served on board the Cony as enlisted.
Below is Ken Cox's statement about the reunion.....
The 21st Reunion was a resounding success. The largest Cony reunion ever, 67 Shipmates and 3 Cony Survivors were registered with their guests. 24 attendees were attending their very first reunion.

"Outstanding" does not come close to describing the way we were catered to by the Charleston Clarion Hotel. From Administration right down to the porters, Teamwork was their order of the day. The room rate included a delicious, full breakfast buffet and due to the size of our reunion group, and at no cost to the reunion, the hotel set our breakfasts up separately. The Hospitality Room was large and was kept open at all times except during tours.

Patriot's Point was the main tour with a touching Memorial Service that was slightly delayed, but otherwise went off without a hitch. Ken Cox started off having to use up an hours time while the Food was being prepared and the Color Guard to arrive. WW II shipmates were asked to stand and introduce themselves to the new Reunion Attendees, the new Reunion Attendees were asked to "stand and be counted". After Ken Cox played stand-up comic for a while....etc...., Chaplain Syfrett came to the rescue and talked about the USS Yorktown until the West Ashley Naval JROTC arrived to present the Colors. Chaplain Syfrett (a WW II Yorktown sailor) gave the message, Ken Jimison read the names of the departed shipmates, Ken Cox tolled the bell and Jim Worth cast a floral wreath into Charleston Harbor while Charlie Liken bugled Taps. The Harbor Tour was postponed from Friday to Saturday due to the only rainy day we experienced.

The meals at the Clarion were beautifully decorated and very delicious. Friday's "Pig Pickin' Luau" was an event to remember, with Roast Suckling Pig and after the meal we were entertained by the Catering Manager, Carmen (from Guam) and her two nieces (charming young beauties aged around 9 or 10). They performed well and really played to this crowd of Cony Mariners. Ken and Marge Cox were presented with hand made Leis by Carmen. Then the "Hawaiian beauties" called several from the audience in a vain, and humorous attempt to teach us how to Hula!

Saturday's Banquet was a splendid meal, Roast Beef, Chicken Marsala and Shrimp Creole. After which the door prizes (A flag throw for the Ladies door prize and a copy of October Fury and Fletcher DD's in Action was the Men's door prize. Ken Cox donated a gold Anchor/Eagle pendant for the main raffle prize, and other raffle prizes included a Fletcher Class destroyer model kit (with 508 decals), Lone Sailor pewter Key Chain, several nylon US Navy wallets, a Reprint of a Betty Grable WW II poster and some frame photos of the Cony. Big Band and Swing music was played during the meal and then music from the 50's and 60's was played during the Dance, which lasted until 11 pm.

The Cony sailors can't compliment the hotel enough. The hotel staff was impressed by the closeness of all the Cony sailors. They said that they were really impressed by the way our reunion group stuck so closely together when we were in the hotel, and how we treated the staff in return.

It was a pleasure for Ken Cox and Ken Jimison to host this reunion, and Ken Cox is looking forward to hosting the 2004 reunion in Baton Rouge. The "Bear-huggin', back-slappin' and misty eyes" are truly the greatest reward possible for this Reunion Host. /s/ Ken Cox