November 11, 2025-Let’s do it again!
See you aboard the USS ORLECK DD 886
at 11 AM, November 11, 2025!
A PLAN FOR FUTURE GATHERINGS ABOARD THE USS ORLECK DD 886
The years are passing quickly!
The years do go by quickly, don’t they? Hard to believe it has been three years since the Destroyer USS ORLECK DD 886 Association held its last and final official reunion. It was 2022 and how blessed we were that such a notable time in our history would happen aboard the USS ORLECK. At the final business meeting of the Association, we clearly expressed what a wonderful great run of reunions it was from 1993 to 2022, but that we were not through yet.
How this plan came about!
There have been a number of incredible people and amazing circumstances that as of the date of our final gathering of shipmates in official reunions, that the miracle I call “Jacksonville” happened. Our beloved ship was about to be lost forever when another set of circumstances led the JAX Naval Museum to want USS ORLECK DD 886 to be the centerpiece of their museum. That miracle enabled us to hold that last reunion there and was the key to carrying on even after the official reunions ended.
At the business meeting we adopted a plan that we called the 11/11/11 project that envisioned meeting at 11 AM on the 11th day of the 11th month. The date happens to be Veterans Day and 11 AM was the time when in WWI the guns ceased firing. Easy to remember and very meaningful, we adopted that to send the message that would be hard to forget and would carry on for as long as our ship serves as a member of the Historic Naval Museum Fleet.
How has it worked out so far?
2025 will mark our third such meeting. The first was in 2023 when 35 sailors, family and friends met and had a wonderful time. The second was in 2024 and the JAX Naval Museum joined hands with our group of 50 sailors, family and friends and had a delightful event. Now in 2025 we are going to do it again and I would like to hope that this will now be considered a tradition with ever increasing numbers in attendance..
While it is sad that we no longer will be doing those magnificent three and four day reunions, it is a wonderful thing that “We still have our ship and she is the pride of the JAX Naval Museum in Jacksonville, FL and they are doing wonderful things with her, and she is looking good. “
What’s going on!
So, we have two such meetings under our belt. The third time is coming quickly upon us. Let’s make this third one a charm. Let’s make it obvious to all that this is something that is going to happen year after year after year. We need to keep it up and keep it growing with our sailors’ bringing family and friends each year from now on. Extended family groups will converge on Jacksonville, Florida, meet on the USS ORLECK at 11 AM, and have dinner that evening and do the many other things available together. It is up to you what you make of it. The plan gives flexibility to meet everyone’s needs and desires even if you just plan to come for the day. It can be a great late in the year vacation getaway and it will be rewarding to you!
The JAX Naval Museum has calendared this as an event, one they will perpetuate as long as there is interest and attendance, so it’s up to y’all now. There will be a special place designated for you to meet, greet and discuss your plans for the day and weekend.
If you are wondering what you can do, read on. You might want to arrange for a mini reunion with shipmates or treat it as an extended vacation and build the other events of the city around it. Veterans Day in Jacksonville will be chockfull of many local activities from a massive parade, many events in and around USS ORLECK, now in her special and permanent mooring at Pier 1, as well as many other exciting things to do throughout this welcoming US Navy town. The possibilities are endless! I received the following message from Captain Greg Allen, manager of the USS ORLECK NAVAL MUSEUM: “We are looking forward to seeing our crewmembers back on Veteran’s Day. We will have the same program available as last year, which included an opportunity for the crew to speak during a small ceremony, flowers to honor those who passed, ringing of the bell, a catered lunch on the pier, and any recordings as requested. The city will, as usual, host the Veteran’s Day parade that runs past the ship. An opportunity to tour the ship is also available.” The only thing that would be missing from a wonderful day and event like this would be you if you fail to heed the call.
You made history and that can be recorded for posterity!
There is a special emphasis that has been ongoing at the JAX Naval Museum and the Veterans Museum to preserve your stories on video recordings. Those of you reading this are a special group of people and this event is for you. Thank you for what you did back then to keep our country safe and secure. I also received a message from Scott Mythen, the CEO of the Veterans Museum; “We would be happy to schedule interviews with any Orleck Sailors that plan on coming in November.” Let Bob Orleck know if you want to do this or if you have any questions and he will give you the contact number of the person who handles the scheduling for the Museum.
What do I need to do to make it happen?
Time is growing short, so start making your travel plans to be there. You can decide to come at any time, even up to the moment at 11 AM on Veterans Day when you just show up. But keep in mind, there will be a luncheon being served, so if you want to guarantee you will have food, you do need to let us know how many will be in your party. Also, it would be nice to know what you are thinking about coming so please let us know. You can do that several ways. Write to reunion@ussorleck.com, text 802-565-0340 to Bob Orleck, or give him a call. Or post your thoughts below this article by leaving a comment.
Make sure to spread the word. We haven’t quite reached the point where this event is a guaranteed continuing tradition, but as long as there are USS ORLECK sailors, and others including sailors for other ships, families of USS ORLECK sailors (children and grandchildren) and friends, who come, it will go on and on and on. So let others know and encourage your family and friends to come as well. The more the better and it sends the message that this is something that will grow even through the years and it will honor this great ship that sailed the waters of the world and the men who made it possible so to preserve freedom and liberty.
Have any questions?
If you have any questions about this plan, you can contact Bob Orleck at 802-565-0340 (talk or text) or email him at reunion@ussorleck.com. You can also leave comments at the bottom of this article.
So many have experienced immense joy at our reunions and getting together with their shipmates, some who they had not seen for 40 or 50 years. Let’s keep things going in this way! The plan is there and now it’s up to you. Don’t mess it up! (just kidding).
I hope to hear from many of you that you will be planning to come this upcoming Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, at 11 AM aboard USS ORLECK DD 886. Easy to remember 11AM on the 11th day of the 11th month each year from now on.
Some final thoughts!
Lt. Joseph Orleck stands as a sterling symbol of every sailor who called this destroyer home, embodying the very spirit and dedication of all who served. Watch and Watch as his sacrifice in WWII was commemorated at Arlington National Cemetery and at the Navy Memorial,
This is your invitation to meet again on the upcoming November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM (Veterans Day) aboard the USS ORLECK DD 886, in Jacksonville, FL to continue the “11/11/11 Tradition” of gathering at that date and time each and every year as the ship remains as an historic Naval ship open to the public and there are former sailors, family and friends who wish to gather to celebrate, remember, learn and reconnect.
There has never been a better time to gather and celebrate the legendary USS ORLECK DD 886 and the courageous individuals who served aboard her. Together, we honor the ship’s remarkable story and pay tribute to those who kept our nation safe and free for fifty-three years of continuous service. Thank you for all you have done! Your commitment and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Hope to see you there.
Bob Orleck