Who We Are
The USS Salisbury Sound Association was founded in 1983 in Atlanta, Georgia. The first reunion began as a simple get together of the 1951-52 Salisbury Sound baseball team, hosted by shipmate Don Wade. Eleven shipmates were in attendance, including John Edgin, Travis Honeycutt, George Heath, Tony Kauffman, Ken Saine, and CDR Tom Willi. With wives and friends included, the first reunion boasted a total of 32 people in attendance. John Edgin was elected the first President, and the USS Salisbury Sound Association was off and running. From those humble beginnings, our membership roster of located Sally sailors has grown to over 800 shipmates and counting.
What We're About
For most of us, the years spent aboard the USS Salisbury Sound were formative years that have shaped our lives. We believe the adventures we had and the friends we made are worth revisiting. So what we're about is very simple--we're about getting together with our shipmates and having a good time! We don't have a rigid organizational structure, nor do we want one. We are friends working together with just enough structure to achieve our goals of preserving the memory of that great ship, and hosting the best reunions we know how.
How We're Organized
The Association is run by volunteers who donate their time and talent to preserve the memory of the USS Salisbury Sound and to put on the most memorable reunions possible. These people work countless hours with no compensation other than the knowledge that they are contributing to an organization that is important to them and to their shipmates.
The Association is governed by a fifteen-man Executive Board consisting of six officers and nine directors. Elections are held every two years. Nominations for officers and directors are taken from the floor at the Business Meeting and a simple majority vote prevails. Officers include a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain, and Historian.
Past Presidents
Click here to read our Constitution and our Bylaws.
How Reunion Sites Are Selected
Each year, the Executive Board makes a recommendation for one or two reunion sites based on membership surveys and other criteria. These locations are then placed before the membership for a vote at the annual Business Meeting. Rather than have all our reunions located on one coast or the other, we try to be fair about locating our reunions around the country so that, over time, we all travel about the same distance.
Past Reunion Sites
What We Look For In Reunion Locations
As you can see from the list above, we have held reunions in a very diverse set of locations around the country. Because of the recession, however, we are currently looking for "high interest-low cost" reunion sites that will give our members the most "bang for the buck." If you have a suggestion for a reunion site that fits this category, please contact any member of the board using their contact information on the Contact Us page.
We Invite You to Join Us
As stated in the Bylaws of the USS Salisbury Sound Association, membership is available to all individuals who served aboard the United States Ship Salisbury Sound (AV-13) and individuals who were assigned to squadrons and staffs which were assigned to the ship.
Other individuals of good character who share the goals and ideals of the USS Salisbury Sound Association may become members upon recommendation of a member in good standing.
Association membership dues are:
1. The first 300 members to join shall be Charter Members with annual dues of $15.00.
2. All subsequent members joining the Association shall be Regular Members with annual dues of $20.00.
3. Widows of members are always welcome at our reunions and are not required to pay annual membership dues.
To join the USS Salisbury Sound Association, please contact Victor Fischer, Association Secretary.