in memoriam - Fleet Reserve Association

warm Pilipino welcome, complete with a “welcome aboard banner” on the street into the branch home and at the
branch home.
A combined meeting of Branch/Unit 247 and 154 was held at 1000 followed by a delicious lunch.
Unit 247 presented Sandy and I with a lei, Branch 247 presented me with a monkey pod desk plate and the
unit presented Sandy with a monkey pod desk plate and purse.
After the meeting, the Ladies of Unit 247 took Sandy shopping in Dagupan City and I returned back to the
Star Plaza Hotel to finalize the remaining schedule in the Philippine Islands by telephone with San Miguel Branch
367 Secretary Dan Steakley.
A dinner was held in our honor at 1900 at the hotel and was attended by approximately 30 shipmates and
ladies. I was then presented a beautiful FRA plaque and a US Navy plaque, both made from monkey pod.
We then returned to our room to get some much needed rest, knowing we were going to have “another full
day” tomorrow.
Wednesday, 14 February
At 0800 we were met in the hotel lobby by Shipmate Joe (Smoky) Freeland, San Miguel Branch 367 and
Lady Annie Phillips of Unit 367. We were both presented leis by Lady Annie. Shipmate ‘Smoky’ and Lady Annie
had left San Miguel at 0200 for a four hour – thirty five minutes trip by auto to Dagupan City to pick us up.
The four of us (and their driver) departed Dagupan City at 0830 for a four hour trip back to San Miguel
arriving at Branch 367’s Home at 1230. Again, a very warm welcome was received from members of Branch/Unit
367 and Olongapo City Branch 74 and San Narcisco Branch/Unit 83 who had driven to San Miguel for a combined
meeting. Again, another large “welcome aboard” banner was prominently displayed in the drive way to the branch
home.
Another delicious lunch was served and the combined branches/units general assembly meeting convened
at 1400. After the meeting Sandy and I were presented FRA caps and golf shirts depicting Branch 367.
At 1630 Lady Annie, Sandy and I (and the driver) departed on a 4 hour – 30 minute drive to Manila and
checked into the Heritage Hotel Manila at 2100. The hotel was about 10 minutes from the Manila Airport which was
convenient inasmuch as we would be going to and from the airport for the next three days.
Lady Annie and the driver then went back to San Miguel on another 4 hour – 30 minute drive – a very long
day indeed for the two of them!
Thursday, 15 February
After yet another early reveille, we departed the hotel by hotel taxi at 0645 and went to the airport – checking
in for our flight on Philippine Airlines to Iloilo to visit Miago Branch and Unit 64 (Iloilo City). Left Manila 0900
and arrived Iloilo City at 1010. It was noted the airport had only one taxiway/runway. The plane landed, went to the
end of the runway and then used the runway to taxi back to the terminal.
We were met at the airport by Shipmate Serafin N. and Lady Moreno, Shipmates Edmardo G. Monteclaro,
Willy Napatang, Mike Canones and Lady Elsie Flores. We then were driven a short distance to the Marina Resort
and Restaurant which was next to a small lake for the branch and unit meetings at 1100. Sandy was presented with a
beautiful table runner and place mats from the unit which were made in Iloilo and I received a desk certificate of
appreciation – also made locally.
NP-13