Message received from DD407 Shipmate Cal Calhoun,  Capt. USN (Ret.) on the 2007 Sterett Reunion/ DDG-104 Christening Event:

This message is intended for all those Sterett Association officers and members who planned and executed the recent Reunion in Portland. I am sure that I can say with confidence that every DD407 sailor who was fortunate enough to attend, greatly appreciates the many special courtesies and generous gifts which were extended to us, from prior to arrival in Portland to arrival back home. We were honored to be included with shipmates from DDG31 and CG31 as full fledged members of the Association, and to be further honored as life members (without dues!). It was especially considerate to be treated to the banquet and lodging, and we are at a loss as to how we can ever fully express our gratitude. Let me mention just a few of the many highlights which stand our in my memory: the Christening, with a galaxy of top speakers, and especially the warm welcome and expressions of appreciation for our service by the Bath Iron Works President; the sight of that beautiful ship, majestic and emblematic of our country's sea power; the sight of the precommissioning crew, proud and capable, with special mention of the two DDG104 sailors named Zellars and Crowley (apologies if I've misspelled their names) who identified themselves to me and thanked me for authoring "Tin Can Sailor"; meeting for the first time since 1943, Fred Sherman  and his lovely wife Leonora, and recognizing him at first sight; meeting Captain George L. Sullivan, now Chairman of the Arizona Memorial Museum Association, only to discover that we served as shipmates aboard USS Vesole during the Cuban Missile Crisis, he as Chief Engineer and I as ComDesRon Six. (His cordiality was especially reassuring, since I had selected Vesole as my flag choice as my way of honoring them for their having won the Arleigh Burke Award for attaining the highest degree of combat readiness in the Atlantic Fleet. I suspect that being saddled with a squadron commander and staff didn't exactly seem much of a reward to many of the crew); sharing a table with LCDR Randy Blankenship, Exec of DDG104, and his lovely companion Cheryl; and of course, that wonderful banquet, followed on Sunday morning by the solemn and moving memorial ceremony on Sunday morning. I wish I could have gotten this out to you sooner, but I have been under the weather for the past few days (nothing serious). I'll close be saying that God willing, we will be there for the commissioning, and whether that happens or not, our profound thanks to all of you for a most memorable occasion. Damn the torpedoes! Cal Calhoun