Hope your Holidays were sparkling and merry.  Now it’s time to look ahead to being together this July for our 21st Annual USS Little Rock Association Reunion. Your Reunion Committee has been at work, with the help of AFR Inc., for months making sure all the details come together to produce a really GREAT Reunion for you all.

We are really excited about our first-time venue, Wilmington, North Carolina.  This is definitely a historic area with a long maritime history.  Known as the “Port City”, Wilmington lies on the east bank of the Cape Fear River, about twenty miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and was incorporated in 1740.

Just this November, Business Week Magazine reported that Wilmington came up as #7 on the list of the most fun and affordable cities in the Country!


Wilmington's success says a lot about the tenacity of settlers who managed to tame what was a wild place. They understood, as do their descendants, that the river presented more opportunities than obstacles. Positioning the city on a bluff created a port relatively safe from storms. Later, it provided a protective barrier against invaders from England during the Revolutionary War and Union troops during the Civil War.

The Cape Fear River was a profitable area for trading goods such as tar, turpentine, and pitch, but sailors disliked coming here. The waters were dangerous to navigate and the residents viewed sailors as unsavory. By statute of the time, tavern keepers, retailers of liquor, and keepers of public houses were not permitted to give credit to seamen, and seamen were not permitted to be kept, entertained, or harbored by any resident longer than six hours. In addition, Wilmington did not and would not have sewerage or drainage systems for years to come. As a result, diseases prevailed.  It was with trepidation and dread that seamen sailed into the river's waters, and that is how it came to be known as the "Cape of Fear."

Fortunately for us, times have indeed changed, and you can be sure that we “sailors” and our spouses will be warmly welcomed.  Have no fear.


Perhaps the best thing about downtown Wilmington - and something that separates it from the rest of the city and nearby communities - is its pleasant walkability.  Experience Wilmington's charm and historical continuity by strolling The Riverwalk.  Dining, shopping and lodging establishments, including our Hotel, line the walk, and live entertainment takes place at the small Riverfront Stage in summer. The Visitor Information Booth at the intersection of Market and Water streets has schedules, maps and more. Summery Friday nights bring Downtown Sundown, live music shows backed by spectacular Cape Fear River sunsets.


The Hilton Wilmington Riverside, on the Riverwalk overlooking the Cape Fear River, offers as much to love as exploring Wilmington's charming downtown.  There are about 50 unique restaurants and over 100 specialty shops within walking distance from the Hotel.  Each of the hotel's 272 rooms maximize guest comfort and complement Wilmington's tranquil milieu.  Rooms feature complimentary high-speed Internet access, plush bed amenities and beautiful river or downtown views.  Work out at the fitness center or soak in the sun by the outdoor pool.  The hotel offers us meeting rooms, plus a fine banquet and dance ballroom space. The Hilton is only 3 miles from Wilmington International Airport and for added convenience, an airport shuttle is complimentary, as is overnight parking for those who drive and stay at the Hotel.


We realize that for some of our members, or at certain times in the evening, that the phrase “walkable distance” may not be applicable.  Well, we have the Wilmington CARTMEN to the rescue.  Equipped with street-legal golf carts and possessing delivery experience as well as a phenomenal reputation in customer service, they drive for free and depend on tips alone.


The pride of Wilmington, and indeed of the entire State of North Carolina is the Battleship North Carolina.  Commissioned on 9 April 1941 and known as the “Showboat,” she earned 15 battle stars in the Pacific Theater of World War II.  She recently passed the fiftieth anniversary of her arrival at a specially prepared berth across the Cape Fear River from the downtown riverfront, where she remains as the biggest attraction of the City.

Maintained in excellent shape, the Battleship looks like she could sail tomorrow and perform in action.  The teak decks are beautifully kept up, as are the 16” gun turrets, the superstructure including the bridge, most operational spaces, the living quarters, the mess decks, and some of the engineering spaces.  Visitors doing a self-guided tour through these areas also note the memorial items in and around the wardroom area.

The ship was dedicated as the official State’s Memorial to its World War II veterans and the 10,000 North Carolinians who died during the war on 29 April 1962.  Fiftieth Anniversary observances will be held just a couple of months before our Reunion.  She’s very visible across the River from our Riverside Hotel, easily reached via water taxi, or by auto in a few miles to a large parking area and riverside picnic area.  Adjacent to the entrance gangway is a completely stocked ship’s store and small eating area.


Located directly across the street from our Hotel is the Cotton Exchange, the site of the largest cotton-exporting company in the world in the nineteenth century, this collection of eight buildings overlooking the Cape Fear River was converted into a shopping and dining center in the early 1970s.  Here you may discover 25 unique specialty shops and four distinct restaurants, all with character, warmth and friendliness.


The Old Wilmington City Market is a riverfront gem. This historic brick and stucco building, built in 1879, stretches a city block in width between Front and Water streets. From its humble origins as a vegetable market, this old world–style arcade with glass skylights throughout is now a shopping haven.


Historic Downtown Wilmington offers several sightseeing opportunities.  You may choose to travel on a horse-drawn carriage or trolley with a narrated tour.  Or, there is a narrated tour on board a motorized trolley just around the corner.  Specialized walking tours are available.


Just a few blocks up from the riverfront, three historic homes offer tours for you to enjoy their unique stories and places in history.  These are the Bellamy Mansion (1859-1861), the Burgwin-Wright House (1770), and the Latimer House (1852).  Also, you may wish to visit beautiful Airlie Gardens with its 67 acres of trails and lakes, showing off gorgeous gardens amidst its ancient oak trees.  This is a destination spot for garden lovers throughout the world.


This elegant riverboat is a large, three-level, propeller-driven vessel with capacity for 600 guests. The Henrietta III can accommodate three separate events, including a dinner and dancing cruise all at the same time.   The boat's elevator makes all decks handicapped accessible.  The Henrietta III is U.S. Coast Guard approved, and is moored just downriver from our Hotel at a walkable distance.


Named for Capt. John Newland Maffitt, one of the Confederacy's most successful blockade runners, the Capt. Maffitt is a converted World War II Navy launch which serves as the Battleship River Taxi during the summer.  No reservations are necessary, and a nominal River Taxi fee is charged.  Her city landing is just downriver from our Hotel, also at a walkable distance.


Movie fans can take a one-hour walking tour of EUE/Screen Gems Studios, the largest full-service production facility east of California.  Regular highlights of the tour include visits to sets in production, old movie sets and props, video presentation of the studio's history in the screening room, and a question-and-answer session.  Private group tours for 20 or more people are available by reservation anytime year round with a minimum of 30 days notice.


Fort Fisher was the last major Confederate stronghold to fall to Union forces during the Civil War.   The Union bombardment of Fort Fisher was the heaviest land and sea battle in history up to that time.  A half-mile tour trail surrounds the archaeological remains of the fort.  The tour trail encircles the Western Bastion, including the partially restored Shepherd's Battery, which boasts a fully functional reproduction of a rifled and banded 32-pounder cannon.  On the north side of the fort, re-created palisades will be of interest to Civil War buffs. The tour trail is handicapped accessible.

Inside, the Fort Fisher Historic Site's Visitors Center includes an theater, a gift shop, disabled-accessible rest rooms, a free 15-minute audiovisual program chronicling the fort's history, a museum, and a state-of-the-art, 16-foot fiber optic map with narrative.


Visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher encounter an astounding variety of aquatic life. From inland habitats through coastal waters to aquatic environments beyond the coast, the stunning exhibits showcase a variety of aquatic settings, including a large saltwater tank.  Exhibits allow visitors to experience close encounters with assorted North Carolina wildlife, including sharks, alligators, stingrays, sea turtles, venomous reptiles and the aquarium's newest resident, a rare albino alligator.


This 86-acre National Park Service site commemorates and preserves the land where the Revolutionary War Battle of Moore's Creek was fought in February 1776 between Loyalists and Patriots of North Carolina. A one-mile walking history trail enables you to see much of the battlefield, and there are also exhibits and an audio-visual program in the visitors center.


This 1850 Greek Revival house and plantation is one of the oldest existing peanut plantations in North Carolina. Costumed guides lead visitors through a lovingly restored mansion and recount the plantation's history. Skills important to daily 19th-century life are frequently demonstrated, and visitors are invited to walk the estate's grounds and view the plantation's outbuildings.

There are several excellent courses close to the City. Within Wilmington, you'll find the Wilmington Golf Course, a 1926 Donald Ross classic. Measuring 6,564 yards, the course, known as the Muni, is challenging yet enjoyable regardless of one's ability. The Wilmington Golf Course features the area's most affordable rates and allows golfers the option of walking at any time.


Drive North on US 17 for about an hour, and you will arrive at Jacksonville and Camp Lejeune.  Many or our Marine Shipmates carry special memories of this Base.  Camp Lejeune takes advantage of 156,000 acres to help prepare warfighters for combat and humanitarian missions abroad.  Only the Beirut Memorial is open to the public.  The Base and surrounding greater Jacksonville community is home to an active duty, dependent, retiree and civilian employee population of approximately 180,000 people.


This Museum is less than an hour away and a “must see” for to anyone who has had anything to do with TALOS missiles.  Here history in rocket science development was made.  “Operation Bumblebee” was conducted in the late 1940s, and lead directly to the development of our TALOS Missile.  Located at the south end of Topsail Island are the artifacts of the test firings, plus the “Missiles and More” Museum.  Would you believe -- an Official U.S. Navy training film on the TALOS missile, produced before the CLG-4 Commissioning?  How about test vehicles on display that bear a resemblance to the TALOS?  There’s even a TALOS missile by the front door of the Museum.


Looking for something else?  If you would like to go for a throw of the dice, or a twirl of the slot machines, then head for the casino boats located down Mineola Ave. in Little River, SC.  Or, for live musical and comedy entertainment you may choose the Alabama Theater in North Myrtle Beach, or the Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach; both have great shows.


We are an Association; we enjoy seeing the sights, doing things, enjoying meals, and sharing memories TOGETHER.  So resolve now to set aside the 11th to 15th of July, and be in Wilmington, NC.  Contact those shipmates you haven’t seen for a while.  Let’s get together and have a good time!  Reunion 2012!




This year you can register online with ARMED FORCES REUNIONS, INC for all of the 2012 Reunion activities, and also with the HILTON HOTEL - WILMINGTON, NC for your room reservations.

Please note that these must be done separately. If you prefer, you may also mail in the Reunion Registration form and Hotel Reservation form that you received with the Spring LitComs.