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Tin Can Sailors Visit During Annual Reunion
Molly Hamilton Aug 19, 2014The Tin Can Sailors, a national organization for destroyer veterans, visited Patriots Point today as part of their annual reunion. While onboard the USS YORKTOWN, the group held their annual memorial service. “It is a memorial for destroyer members who have gone on before us,” said Tin Can Sailors Executive Director Terry Miller. Members tossed a wreath of flowers off the USS YORKTOWN into the Charleston harbor to remember these departed veterans.
After the service, the sailors spent some time touring the aircraft carrier, but many were eager to see the ship that was far more familiar to them The USS LAFFEY. The USS Laffey is a destroyer similar to the ones on which many of the Tin Can Sailors served. The sailors reminisced about their own destroyer experiences as they wandered throughout the warship.
Veterans came to this reunion from across the country, from California to New York and even as far north as British Columbia, Canada. They will spend couple more days touring military and other sites in the Charleston area.
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I am WW2 Veteran and sailed in 1944-46 aboard the USS Beatty DD756. She was an exact replica of the Laffey! I was Fire Controlman in the main battery director. We were half way to Okanawa when the war ended. My dad is on the Congregational wall plaque.I retired as CPO AT. I have to see the Laffey and walk aboard her and see the director and also where I bunked! I will try and get there this summer. I am 88 yrs young and still agile.
We would love to have you visit. Thank you for your service and we look forward to seeing you walking aboard the USS Laffey.