The inaugural program “WE STICK TOGETHER”, the first in our Maritime Historical Preservation Series, was held on Wednesday, November 13, 2013. The program honored the five Sullivan brothers who lost their lives in the 1st Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942, and the historic Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation that launched the USS THE SULLIVANS (DD 537) in their honor on April 4, 1943.
Special Guest Gerard Roncolato, CAPT, USN (Ret.), Commissioning Commanding Officer of USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68) and Commanding Officer Destroyer Squadron 26, spoke of his involvement with the historic ships. You can read his remarks here.
Leading up to Captain Roncolato’s presentation was a memorable video tribute by Kelly Sullivan Loughren, granddaughter of Albert Sullivan.
SF Chronicle Features columnist Leah Garchik attended the presentation and gave the Museum event coverage in her article on November 19, 2013.
If you were in the audience you may have been chronicled by our roving photographer, Richard Hansen, of the Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco. Take a look at our gallery below. (click an image to increase its size)
Registration table
RADM Tom Brown with Roger Bazeley, Navy League Pacific Merchant Marine Council
Werner Hoyt of Mare Island Dry Dock with co-founder Gary Moss
CAPT Gerard Roncolato with Gladys Hansen of The Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco
Gladys Hansen, Curator of The Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco, with Everardo Mora of Orton Development, Inc.
Chairman Bill Perez with CAPT Gerard Roncolato
Tibby O’Leary with Mark and Dulce Shafer visit with Naval Sea Cadets of the Arkansas Division
Guests from the California Heritage Council
C.C. Salonga with CAPT Roncolato
Neil Malloch of the California Heritage Council
John Stokes, Naval Armed Guard, and volunteer on the Liberty Ship SS JEREMIAH O’BRIEN at Pier 45 in Fisherman’s Wharf
Cadets and Instructor Freitas from Arkansas Division
Chairman Bill Perez
Stan Ellexson and CAPT Gerard Roncolato answer audience questions
Cadets from California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, California
CAPT Gerard Roncolato
Dennis Koller, Executive Director
Chairman Bill Perez with Mike Villegiante of ILWU Local 10
Neil Malloch of California Heritage Council with Wayne Padgett of the USS BAUER, also launched at Bethlehem Shipyard