USS BELL
ASSOCIATION (DD587)
MAY,
2003
IN THIS ISSUE:
LAS VEGAS REUNION NEWS – SEPTEMBER 28 THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2003
Twenty-seven hotels presented
bids for our reunion in
The Gold Coast Hotel and Casino has
been selected for our reunion. It is
located at
Room Single Rate Double Rate Triple Rate Quad Rate
Double Smoking $45.00 $45.00 $50.00 $55.00
Double Non Smoking $45.00 $45.00 $50.00 $55.00
King Smoking $45.00 $45.00 $50.00 $55.00
King Non Smoking $45.00 $45.00 $50.00 $55.00
As you can see from the above schedule, there is an additional
charge for triple and quad occupancies.
However, children under the age of 14 years may share a room with their
parents at no additional charge provided additional bedding is not required. Rollaway beds can be provided upon
request but, due to fire code, are ONLY available in king-bedded rooms. For a rollaway bed, add $5.00 plus tax,
per night. Handicap rooms are
available.
This group rate is ONLY available if you make your
reservations directly with the Gold Coast Central Room Reservations Department
following these outlined procedures.
All attending members and family members should call the Gold Coast Central Room
Reservations Office at their toll-free number (888/402-6278). The
reservation office is open Monday through Friday between the hours of
All reservations must be guaranteed
with a deposit covering room and room tax for the scheduled arrival date. The Gold Coast accepts American Express,
Carte Blanche, Diners, Discover, MasterCard or Visa. To insure availability and the best
possible room rate, each reservation request must be received no later than the
cut-off date of August 288, 2003. Any reservation requests received after the
The Gold Coast Hotel and Casino does not accept Saturday arrivals
or departures. All weekend stays are
a two-night minimum beginning Friday evening with departure no earlier than
Sunday. Reservation requests for
additional nights not included in the USS Bell room block will be accepted on a
“space available” basis at the higher prevailing guest room rate.
Check in time is
A reservation confirmation will be prepared and forwarded to you
after you have made your reservation.
Carefully review the information and if there is a discrepancy, you
should contact the Central Room Reservations Department immediately at their
toll-free number 888-402-6278.
Special activities, tours,
etc. are incomplete at this time but will be forth coming in the near future.
NOW,
SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE HOTEL
Welcome to the all-new Gold Coast, your
Checking in at the new marble, wood and
mirrored front desk is just the beginning of a memorable and pleasurable stay.
In a city of many mega resorts, the Gold Coast stands alone as a unique place to
stay and play in welcoming, hospitable surroundings.
Being greeted on a first-name basis is the standard here, not the exception.
Comfort and value are built into each
of the Gold Coast’s beautifully appointed rooms. Standard guestrooms feature a king-size
bed or two double beds; full-size bath with complimentary personal amenities,
hair dryers and its own window.
Enjoy all your favorite activities at
the Gold Coast. In addition to its
outstanding rooms, restaurants, entertainment and full service casino, the Gold
Coast boasts a new, state-of-the-art fitness center (I know everyone will be
using this) overlooking the landscaped swimming pool area and a new fully
stocked gift shop, a 70-land bowling center, travel agency and a professionally
staffed child care facility. There
are over 3,500 free parking spaces.
In the newly remodeled and expanded
casino with its lofty atrium ceiling and beautiful décor, the action never
stops. The Gold Coast is famous for
over 2,500 generous slots featuring the widest selection of games and
denominations. Gaming amenities also include 54 table
games, keno, a new 800-seat bingo room (my favorite) featuring the highest bingo
payouts in town.
Whatever your entertainment pleasure is
you can enjoy it all at the Gold Coast.
The long running “Honky Tonk Angels” is a must see hit in the Showroom.
Choose the show or the popular value-priced dinner/show combo.
The showroom is also the home of ballroom and salsa dancing, while many of
today's to’ groups entertain in the Gold Coast lounge.
In the afternoons, “Sorta Dixie Jazz Band” takes over with its
sensational swinging sounds.
Bring a hearty appetite when you plan
to dine at the Gold Coast. The
choices are endless and each item in every restaurant is specially prepared to
offer guests a premium dining experience.
For example, choose from the Cortez Room for generous, reasonably priced prime
rib, steak and seafood. The Arriva
for a large variety of outstanding Italian specialty dishes and fresh seafood. The Monterey Room for light snacks to a
complete meal and is open twenty-four hours with a complete authentic Chinese
menu. The Ports O’Call for a buffet
fit for royalty featuring seven live cooking stations: Seafood, Mongolian,
Chinese, American, Barbecue, Mexican and Italian plus complete salad and desert
bars. Terrible Mike’s for fast food favorites.
PingPangPong for specialty dishes from
The airport in
Well, as you can see, you don’t even
have to leave the hotel to have a good time.
But, you must. There are so
many beautiful hotels and properties to see. I will be sending out another
newsletter when final arrangements are made for activities and the banquet
arrangements are complete. At that
time, I will give you additional information on walking tours, other hotels and
lots of information of things to see and do while in
THE
Here is a bit of information about
Aladdin Resort & Casino – This hotel is just one of many that has to be seen to
be believed. The hotel itself is
beautiful and there is the Desert Passage, which offers the most shopping of any
of the resorts. It has 14
world-class restaurants among which is the great
Bellagio – This hotel
is a “must see”. This hotel was
inspired by the beautiful villages of
Circus Circus Hotel Casino & Theme Park – This is the fifth largest hotel in
the world with 3,773 guestrooms.
Features
Excalibur Hotel/Casino – This hotel is built like a castle as in the days of King
Arthur. Along the Fantasy Faire
midway, costumed strolling entertainers dressed in colorful attire meet and
greet you. There are dozens of shops here also.
Flamingo Las Vegas
MGM Grand Hotel/Casino – The MGM is a luxurious resort with a movie star
setting. Loaded with signature
restaurants and world-renowned chefs, includes exclusive retail shops, pools and
spas. Here you will find the MGM Grand Lion Habitat. Look at the giant cats and, if your
timing is lucky, you’ll see some feeding rituals.
Paris Las Vegas Casino Resort – Paris Las Vegas in designed to bring the spirit,
excitement and savoir faire of the city of
The Venetian Resort/Hotel/Casino – This hotel is also amazing. It is home to two world class museums. The 63,700 square foot Guggenheim Las
Vegas featuring “The Art of the Motorcycle” and the 7,760 square foot
This is just a taste of
MAILBAG
…..My grandfather, Paul Joseph Hankey
served on the USS Bell in WWII. I
was trying to find any information about him.
Can you suggest any resources that might help? He was severely wounded and shipmates
thought that he had died. Later when
putting together a reunion they found out he was alive.
My grandfather died before the reunion took place. If you could help me in any way that
would be great.
…..David Burks
If anyone remember Mr. Hankey,
please get in touch with David. His
address is 6028 CR 3400,
…..This is my first letter to
the USS Bell Association. I served
from early 1943 to late 1945. Was
storekeeper on the ship. Many years
ago I gave my brother William Walters of
....Patrick Walters
Just a note: I did not have a
Robert Mills on my list, but since your letter I have been trying to locate a
Robert Mills. If you know what state
he was from it might be a help as there are hundreds of Robert Mills in the
directories. I sent out about 25
letters to various Abe Cohens, but did not get a response. There is also hundreds of Abe Cohens. I had a
…..Thank
you so much for sending Moore Memories.
I have not been able to get to the reunions due to being in the wrong
place at the wrong time. You do
write a fantastic newsletter.
…..Vera Hengel
…..You
mentioned Lt. Commander O’Hara. I
had the pleasure of meeting him when I checked him and his squadron in the
B.O.Q. at Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station in
.… Donald Wall
…..I do
enjoy Moore Memories, although I don’t remember to many names. It has been a very, very long time ago
…..Mrs. Anthony
…..This is to let you know that my Dad,
Robert Thurman Baker, passed away on March 10th. After a six month
battle with a rare form of lung cancer in the lining of his lung. I wanted you to know how much he enjoyed
your newsletter. He spent much of
the last months of his life thinking about his years in the service of his
country. He ordered videotapes of the battles that he was in during his service
on the USS Bell and laughingly remarked, “I didn’t know how much danger I was
really in.” He was just doing his
job just like our boys are doing today.
We buried Dad with his Navy Cap beside his head, a pin on his label of the US
Flag and our Nation’s flag draped across his casket.
He was a proud American.
Thank you again for the joy corresponding with you and reading the newsletter
brought him.
…..Pat Southard, Daughter of Robert Thurman Baker
…..As you know by now, it was my
brother Patrick Walters who served on the USS Bell from 1942 to 1946. His wife, Ester passed away in April
2003. Hope to get Pat to one of your
reunions soon. Pat was Storekeeper 3rd
Class.
…..Bill Walters.
NICE PEOPLE
Here are some responses I have received
in my search for shipmates.
…..My Dad, Robert Eugene Webster, is
deceased. My Mom doesn’t remember
the name of the ship my Dad was assigned to sail on during WWII. Mom went to see him in
…..Beverly Webster
…..I found my Dad’s discharge. It says: Robert Eugene Webster, a Fireman
First Class USNR is honorably discharged from the US Naval Personnel Separation
Center,
…..Beverly Webster
…..You wrote me on 28 Nov. to inquire
if I am the Arthur Harris who served on the USS Bell in World War II. Illness has delayed my reply, and I
apologize for the time it has taken to respond to your inquiry. My name is a common one as your searching
has undoubtedly proved to you. For
decades I’ve been getting telephone calls for an Arthur Harris who is now a
scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Another Arthur Harris has caused me inconvenience by an attempt at
identity theft. And, as I am neither
of those two men, I’m also not the Arthur Harris who served in the Navy during
WWII. I was born in 1944 and my
Mother would never have allowed me out unsupervised until long after the war
ended. While I am not the man you
sought, I want to thank you for your effort.
It is a distinctive characteristic of our country that we engage in the
kind of volunteer activity that you’re doing and it binds people together in a
very healthy way. Please accept my
best wishes for your efforts along with my apology for taking so long to reply
to you.
…..Arthur Harris,
REMEMBER TO
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!
