First Call  For First USS Hassayampa (AO-145) Reunion - 2002
(taken from web page originated by Vic Alasio, c. March 2002)

It's been almost 25 years since the Navy decommissioned the USS Hassayampa (AO-145). It looks like a reunion of all Hass Shipmates is in order! Thanks to Terry Kuehn and the Hassayampa Group on Yahoo, a lot of guys have shown interest in getting together and swapping sea stories.

As a result, we've started the wheels turning for the First Hassayampa Reunion which will be held in Wickenburg, Arizona on 15-17 November 2002!

Why Wickenburg?

Our ship has historical ties to that little landlocked desert town. The "Hass" took her name from the little river that sort of flows through the middle of town. I say sort of because the river hasn't figured out if it should run like a regular river or run underground. As the Hassayampa River passes through Wickenburg, it does it 20 feet underground! The word 'Hassayampa' is an Apache word that means (as we all know) "the river that flows upside down".

When our ship was commissioned on 19 April 1955, the good citizens presented the first Commanding Officer with a jug filled with "Pure Hassayampa Water", which was passed from Captain to Captain throughout the life of the old gal. I have spoken with the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce and they are very excited that we will be having our reunion in their town. Hell, we might even get our own jugs of Pure Hassayampa Water!

Why 15-17 November 2002?

Originally, thought was given to having our reunion on the anniversary of the commissioning of the USS Hassayampa. April 19th falls on Easter weekend next year so that kind of lets that date out. The only other date would be her decommissioning date which is 17 November, which happens to fall on a Sunday this year. Gives us plenty of time to make whatever arrangements we have to make, notify as many people as possible and give everyone a chance to make plans for a nice long weekend in November.

What about Wickenburg?

When America and the West were young, fierce Apaches traveled and hunted throughout the region long before the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors. The area was part of a stage on which was enacted the most vigorous Indian warfare on the American continent. Four centuries elapsed before the Apache was subdued, bowing only to the might of the U.S. Army of the West. With the Apache terror stilled forever, civilization began its westward march.

The first to come were hunters and trappers, brave and hardy souls who were followed by prospectors and miners seeking mineral riches in the new lands of American conquest. There followed then the ranchman, both Mexican and Anglo, and early settlers who sought not gold but the chance to build homes and communities in a territory that would become a great state. These were the pioneers who conquered the wilderness. From high desert land they created productive farms, started cattle ranches and built homes, towns and villages. Their lives were not easy. It took faith and the courage of the true pioneer to overcome the obstacles. The modern west of today is their children's heritage.

Throughout the foothills surrounding Wickenburg are relics of mines that stand as a tribute to the pioneer miner and prospector. The mining lore of the region, past and present, adds much to the charm of this area.

Among those who came this way was a gallant soldier of fortune, Henry Wickenburg.
He came from far-off lands to look for new places to explore, lured by the promise of abundant gold and riches. His quest was rewarded by the discovery of the Vulture Mine where over $30 million in gold has been dug from the ground.

Henry Wickenburg lived his chapter in history, leaving his name to mark this illustrious personage in fond remembrance. The Vulture Mine has also found its niche in history, and today visitors can tour the mine located 12 miles south of Wickenburg off Highway 60 and Vulture Mine Road.

With the years there have come to Wickenburg modern pioneers and home builders, developing from modest beginnings a splendid American town, replete with the essentials that create graceful, comfortable living, a community of which its citizens are proud.

Wickenburg of today is a modern western town, made colorful by a brilliant historic past, and made inviting by the promise of a future of achievement and constant advancement.

Nature touched Wickenburg with a gentle magic. Only 54 miles from Phoenix, which is surrounded by desert known as Lower Sonoran, Wickenburg is subtly different. Scientists call it semi-desert --Lower Sonoran. Vegetation ranges from palo verde, cacti, creosote bush and mesquite trees to chaparral, oak and pine where the terrain sloped upward north northeast into the Prescott National Forest and the mountains.

Old west ambience and easy accessibility to the modern services and culture of the big city have combined to make Wickenburg a progressive town that maintains its high quality of life.

The town has cherished the best traditions of its colorful early days, even to the architecture along Wickenburg Way, Tegner Street, Yavapai, Apache and Frontier streets/ There are over 400 businesses in town to provide a full-range of services, shopping convenience, and specialty shops for gifts of western distinction.

It's the town with an ancient wishing well, and a monument at the bridge bearing a translation of the old Apache Legend; "Who drinks of the waters of the Hassayampa will never tell the truth again." It's the town with a Jail Tree still standing - to which lawbreakers in the old days were chained in full view of the public. It's the town where Massacre Monument immortalizes one of the Apache's bloodiest raids. It's the town dividing desert from mountains - just below Yarnell Hill and Highway 89's spectacular 2500-foot rise within five miles. It's also the town near one of the world's largest forests of prehistoric Joshua trees.

Where will we be staying?

We will be staying at the Best Western Rancho Grande Hotel in downtown Wickenburg. I've spoken with the Manager and she seems just as enthusiastic about our reunion as we do, maybe even more!

The hotel is offering us discounted rates and ideally located in the heart of Wickenburg. The hotel is a family run business that has been in Wickenburg for 56 years. From the looks of things on their website, the Rancho Grande is perfectly suited for us.

How do we get there?

By air. The best way is to hop a flight to Phoenix. The hotel can arrange a shuttle bus from the airport, but the best way to get to Wickenburg would probably be to just rent a car at the airport and drive to town. I'm sure most of us will want a car while we're there to do a little sightseeing.

If you are close enough to drive, just make your way to Phoenix, look for the sign to Wickenburg and follow the road.  

How much will this cost?

The hotel rooms should be less than $100 per night. As soon as I get the rates I will post them and send an e-mail to everyone. The air depends on where you will be coming from. Costs for Gala Dinners or other stuff like that hasn't been figured out yet