Let’s do it again!
On November 11, 2025
See you aboard the USS ORLECK DD 886
at 11 AM, November 11, 2025!
A Tradition Every Veterans Day!
USS ORLECK Sailors, Family & Friends Pilgrimage
to Jacksonville, Florida to Gather 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.
For the third year since our final official reunion, we extend an invitation to all ORLECK sailors, family, and friends, to gather once again and commemorate Veterans Day aboard our beloved ship. Over fifty-three remarkable years, the USS ORLECK has stood as a testament to courage, resilience, and the extraordinary people who have shaped her story. Many have played pivotal roles not only during her active service, but also in her return to the United States following her final decommissioning in Turkey in 1998, and to her survival after her return.
How this 11-11-11 plan came about!
While ORLECK still sailed under the Turkish flag, our reunion group began meeting as early as 1993, with gatherings that continued all the way through 2022. None of us could have even dreamed that after the ship’s return to the United States and the uncertainties of those two troublesome decades, we would be blessed with the chance to hold our last official reunion in Jacksonville, right on her decks and looking good. The future now shines brighter for the USS ORLECK than we could ever have imagined, and this year’s Veterans Day gathering is a celebration that was destined to happen.
The “miracle of Jacksonville” occurred at just the right moment, saving the USS ORLECK from being lost forever. Fate intervened, and through a series of unexpected events, the JAX Naval Museum chose the USS ORLECK DD 886 as its centerpiece, honoring her history and promising her continued care. Because of this, we are able to uphold a cherished tradition: returning each Veterans Day at 11 AM to celebrate, remember, and honor our ship and the countless individuals connected to her legacy.
We urge every sailor, along with families and friends, to join us in paying tribute to our history and those who have given so much to ensure the ORLECK’s survival. Let us gather once more on her decks, in fellowship and gratitude to mark Veterans Day, honoring both our shared past and the bright future that awaits our ship. Your presence is a vital part of this ongoing miracle. We hope to see you there.
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.
Pier 1, the mooring for USS ORLECK is easy to get to and there is ample parking at the ship and the parking is free!
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 maybe 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, conduct a ceremony, have a luncheon and chaired area to watch the awesome Jacksonville Veterans Day parade and so much more.
If you are wondering what else 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!
How Can I Arrange to be Interviewed about my DD 886 Service?
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.” The Museum will schedule you for an interview when you come on Veterans Day. Jennifer Carter is the Administrative Lead for the Veterans Museum and handles the scheduling for Veteran interviews. Email jcarter@vetsmuseum.org Please copy Bob Orleck bob@reunion.com.
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 RSVP and let us know.
RSVP that you will be coming to the Veterans Day Event
Nadia is the contact email Events@jaxnavalmuseum.org Please copy Bob Orleck at reunion@ussorleck.com When you RSVP please submit the number of guests you will bring to attend the event. You can also let us know you are coming by text or call to Bob Orleck at 802-565-0340 or by posting that you will be coming by comment. Leave a comment.
Be 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 bob@reunion.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. This will happen each and every year as long 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
802-565-0340
Updates will be posted
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