SPECIAL EVENTS
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USS BENNINGTON P.A.C.T.
USS BENNINGTON P.A.C.T.
(Remembering Those Who Have Gone Before Us)
“Fulfilling Our Promise & Making A Difference”
Name Of Group: USS BENNINGTON P.A.C.T.
| The members of the USS BENNINGTON P.A.C.T. will once again meet in Bennington, VT, for the Bennington Battle Days Festivities in August of 2016. |
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If you should happen to be in the area, why not stop by for an hour, a day or the entire weekend and join us for some fun at the Knotty Pine Motel at 130 Northside Drive, Bennington, VT. For the members of the P.A.C.T. its a busy four days but yet we still find the time to sit by the pool area and swap sea-stories, visit local restaurants together as a group, all while enjoying each others company. On that Friday of Bennington Battle Day Week, we hold a BBQ (of sorts) for all the veterans and their staff within the Vermont Veterans Home (its our way of giving back). We also spend time chatting with them about their military service to our country. On Saturday we hold our Annual Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony, (“Remembering Those Who Have Gone Before Us”) at our Ships Bell Monument (actual Ship’s Bell from the USS Bennington CV-20). Each year since 2004 we have remembered the shipmates that passed away since our last ceremony. Their names are read from a listing which I personally create and the Ship's Bell toll's in their memory. On Sunday, we participate in Bennington's Annual Battle Day Parade, which honors veterans. (Most of those attending wear their Navy white dress uniforms but its not necessary). After the parade, we gather at the VFW in Bennington to hoist one in the memory of our recently departed shipmates. It’s a wonderful time of the year in Bennington, VT. and there are many things to do and see in the local area and Bennington, itself. Our group has been traveling to Bennington, VT. each year since the Ship’s Bell was brought to town in year 1993. Some of us have continued to return to what we consider our “homeport” each year in August for these festivities. The residents of Bennington know us quite well these days, especially over the past five years. Our group presently consists of nine former BENNINGTON shipmates that are dedicated to giving back and asking nothing in return. We formed a P.A.C.T. (Personal Actions Creating Trust) group, that has been recognized in the Town of Bennington and the State of Vermont, for our efforts in supporting the veterans and their staff at the Vermont Veterans Home. If you think you might be interested in having a little fun with your fellow shipmates, bringing back a few memories of our time aboard the old girl, participating in the Bennington Battle Day Weekend Festivities or would like more information, please feel free to contact me personally. Respectfully submitted, Joseph L. Pires “Former USS BENNINGTON Historian (1995 - 2010) “Former” 3rd Class Navy Storekeeper, Supply Department Office, S-1 Division (1965-1969) Joseph L. Pires 694 Iredel Court Calabash, NC 28467 Telephone #: 1-(910) 579-0923 Email address: jkpires@atmc.net |
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