Pearl Harbor Survivors to hold last potluck

The annual potluck picnic of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Inc. Silver State Chapter No. 1 is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Mills Park, in the east pavilion.

It is the last potluck the chapter will hold because during its June meeting the chapter voted unanimously to turn in its charter after its Dec. 7 meeting.

"We'll have a short business meeting at 10:30 a.m., then everybody will visit, reminisce and share stories about present-day and whatever," said Howard Spreeman, chapter president.

The vote to turn in its charter came because no one is volunteering to take over the officer positions for the chapter. With just 16 members on the roster, only five were able to attend the most recent meeting.

"Unless those who are interested want to get together for lunch, there will be no more reports, no chapter newsletter, no information on passing of members " we'll just eliminate off of that because there's not much to carry on with," Spreeman added.

"We'll still be (Pearl Harbor Survivors) members, just members at-large."

Spreeman said he doesn't expect the national chapter to be in existence much longer, either.

"We're hoping the sons and daughters will keep it going, but I doubt it," he said. "They don't have the same binding experiences (we do).

"Locally, we can't do it any longer with only four members at meetings. We've tried our best to keep it going and the one's who have kept it going are hurting."

Spreeman said with the dissolution of the Carson City chapter there will be no other chapters in Northern Nevada. The only way for members at-large to receive information is to join the national chapter of Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Inc., and for $6 a year receive its quarterly newsletter, "GRAM."

Those who plan on attending the potluck are asked to bring a dish of food to share and their own utensils. Paper plates, cups and plastic tableware will be supplied.

"Maybe we'll have eight or 10 people there, including sweethearts and all the rest," Spreeman said of the potluck.

The last meeting of the Silver State Chapter No. 1 is at 10 a.m. Dec. 7 at Grandma Hattie's Restaurant. Spreeman will file appropriate paperwork ending their charter after the Dec. 7 meeting.

For information, call Spreeman at 883-1842.

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.