Emmons Family Reunions
Siblings, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends of our beloved Emmons shipmates come together each year to celebrate the legacy established by the shipmates many years ago. Each year we're honored to have new 'Emmons Family' members join us. Whether you're a shipmate's immediate family, distant relative, friend or simply someone looking to learn more about the Emmons legacy and be a part of the Emmons Family, we hope you'll join us for this tradition started by the shipmates back in 1953. For a list of past reunions, click here.
2025 REUNION - LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA SEPTEMBER 25-28
Join us in September when the Emmons family will venture to the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains for our annual reunion. The base of operations will be the Hilton Garden Inn located in Lynchburg, Virginia, one mile from Lynchburg Regional Airport.
Click here for information on the hotel, driving directions and to book your room online at our $169/night group rate (available until 9/4/25 or when all the blocked rooms are gone, whichever comes first). To book your room over the phone, call the hotel directly at 434-239-3006 and state the code USS to ensure you receive the group rate.
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A highlight of our time together will be a visit to the National D-Day Memorial. There are plenty of options for your free time Saturday, including Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest retreat, the American Civil War Museum and the Appomattox Court House, site of General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant, ending the Civil War. Click here for more information on these and other attractions in the area.
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Information will be forthcoming in the spring so mark your calendar and check back here for updates.
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2024 REUNION
Despite nearly 80 years having passed since the loss of the USS Emmons, reunion attendance continued strong, surpassing the past two years with 49 attending some or all of the 2024 reunion weekend.
As always, the hospitality room was open throughout the weekend, allowing everyone the opportunity to catch up and to get to know some new family members.
As the Emmons group gathered Friday morning at Battleship Cove, members were greeted by the Cove’s VP on the Board of Directors, Rich Angelini. Rich, a long-time friend of the shipmates and the Emmons family, enthusiastically welcomed everyone and started the group on their tour with some background on the museum ships.
Following our visit to the WWII destroyer, Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr DD850, our traditional memorial service for the lost shipmates was held on the fantail of the battleship USS Massachusetts. The service was followed by lunch together and more time to explore the museum.
Back at the hotel, the afternoon program included a showing of Kurt Reese’s video of our Okinawa diver friends’ April memorial dive at the Emmons site honoring the lost shipmates. Also, Rich ANGELINI followed us from Battleship Cove and addressed the group, staying through the evening sharing his vast knowledge of naval history.
The “Wall of Honor” was once again featured during the program with family members sharing memories and photos of their loved ones who served on the Emmons.
After Saturday morning’s business meeting, free time was used by some to visit one of Rhode Islands’ many historic lighthouses, do some shopping and enjoy lunch.
Saturday evening’s banquet program included an introduction of our Griffin/Emmons Memorial Scholarship recipients and readings of their essays (visit our Scholarship page to read the essays and learn all about the 2024 recipients).
Sunday’s breakfast buffet allowed everyone the opportunity to say their goodbyes.
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2023 REUNION
This year took us to Baltimore, Maryland, home of our National Anthem and the sloop-of-war USS Constellation. The weekend's activities included a Friday outing to tour the USS Constellation where we also honored the lost shipmates with our annual Memorial Service. We sampled some local fare for lunch there at Baltimore's Inner Harbor and returned to the hotel for an afternoon program featuring a showing of a video the April Memorial Dive at the Emmons site led by Kurt Reese and Chuck DeCesari.
Following Saturday's free time, our evening banquet and program included our 2023 scholarship recipients sharing a reading of their essays with everyone and a special appearance by Darlene Fong, who shared a few words regarding her time in Okinawa participating in the Memorial dives.
Visit our photo archive for some photos of the festivities.
​​2022 REUNION
After retreating to Zoom the past two years, 47 members of the Emmons Family came together at the Crowne Plaza Annapolis to celebrate the Emmons legacy.
The weekend was truly a Family Event, with our second, third and fourth generation in attendance with two first generation members, Fern Sparks and Dennis Yecke. And an early highlight of the weekend was a Zoom get together with shipmate Grover McMichael, who, at 99 years young, charmed the group with his wit , wisdom and Emmons stories.
Thursday was given over to registration and renewing of acquaintances in the hospitality room as attendees arrived throughout the day and evening. The newest addition to our reunion, and one which will clearly become an annual tradition, was introduced….the USS Emmons Wall of Honor, which allowed attendees the opportunity to display photos of their loved ones and share interesting tidbits about their time of service and family life.
Scheduled activities began Friday morning with a guided tour of the U.S. Naval Academy, including our annual Memorial Service, a viewing of the impressive noon meal formation and lunch together.
Back at the hotel, Friday afternoon's program found time for presentation of Kurt Reese’s much anticipated video of the April Memorial Dive at Okinawa, which as always, did not disappoint. Also, members were allowed time to share thoughts and memories of the shipmates. Friday evening the group gathered for a time of socializing at a buffet dinner hosted by the Association.
The weekend’s climax came at Saturday evening’s banquet, with 2022 scholarship recipients Layne Fry and Isaac Bird sharing their essays and this year’s keynote speaker, Lt. Michael Ross, USN, who spoke of the call to selfless service, exhibited by the crew of the USS Emmons, as a common thread throughout Navy’s history.
The weekend came to an end with a farewell breakfast Sunday morning.
Click here for photos from the 2022 reunion.
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2021 REUNION
With the uncertainty of Covid’s Delta variant causing concern, Zoom and its comfort of home became the venue as four generations of Emmons family came together virtually September 24th to celebrate the legacy of our USS Emmons shipmates. The 2021 Emmons Association reunion was attended by 106 family members and friends, including 3 shipmates and 18 attending their first reunion.
Those in attendance had the opportunity to hear from shipmates George Flory, Grover McMichael and Tony Esposito. Although Zoom technical difficulties prevented a live visit with Tony, participants were treated to a viewing of his interviews included in a documentary shared with the group.
Following Acting President Dennis Yecke’s welcome and some brief Association business, the agenda proceeded with the Griffin/Emmons scholarship awards, correspondence and Emmons happenings the past year. Included was Cheri Yecke sharing her experience transcribing all the hand-written survivor accounts for the new edition of the survivor reports book, as well as a viewing of a documentary highlighting the kamikaze attack on the Emmons.
The evening then moved into high gear with a report from our Okinawa diver friends, Kurt Reese, on the deteriorating condition of the ship, and Mike Boring, who made the presentation of a ship’s artifact to the Association honoring the Emmons shipmates.
The evening concluded with a memorial service honoring the lost shipmates and Kurt’s moving video of the April memorial dive at the Emmons site.
A recording of the 2021 reunion and two videos presented are available here: