The 2012 Reunion of the USS West Virginia Association will be held in Charleston, on September 28, 29 and 30, 2012.
Comprised of sailors who served on the warship USS West Virginia, their families, and naval history enthusiasts, the group has gathered annually since 1955 to commemorate their losses and celebrate their victories. Because most of the members are now in their late 80’s, it is anticipated by organizers that this will be their last reunion.
Highlights of the reunion include a trip to Beckley, where a detailed model of the USS West Virginia is on display at the Raleigh County Veterans Museum. Created over a period of twenty years by museum director Jim Toler, the replica is 20 feet long and weighs one-half ton. Members will also tour the West Virginia Culture Center at 1 p.m. on Friday, September 28.
The early reunions were held annually in southern California and usually coincided with the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. Over the years, reunions have been held across the country, including Hawaii.
The Wee Vee’s, as the ship was nicknamed by its crew, was built at an approximate cost of $25 million and was christened on November 19, 1921. The ship was heavily damaged by Japanese torpedoes during the Pearl Harbor attack. Despite missing much of the war, she earned five battle stars and was later rebuilt. The ship’s motto was the same as her home state: “Montari Semper Liberi-Mountaineers always free.”
For additional history on the USS West Virginia, see usswestvirginia.org. – – – Hip, Historic, Almost Heaven Charleston, WV.
