Barry Hardman

I spent nearly 23 years in the Navy. The Lynde McCormick was my first ship and by far the best ship. I reported onboard on December 1st, 1983, by helo in the Indian Ocean. I had just finished the MK 152 Digital Fire Control Compute school in Mare Island CA and was Ready to Rock and roll. My tour was supposed to be for 5 years, but on December 1st, 1987, I was transferred to Balboa Hospital for A-Fib. I got out of the Navy July 5th, 1988, which was the end of my 6-year tour, but by April 4th, 1989, I was back in. I missed it very much. I went on to do 3 instructor tours: 1 at Mare Island CA and 2 at Dam Neck VA. In between shore duty I did 2 more sea duty tours; a 4+ year tour on the USS Kidd (DDG-993) and 3+ year tour onboard USS Gonzalez (DDG-66) My twilight tour was at Dam Neck and on June 30th, 2005, I retired and went back home to California and then moved to Texas. Currently I am a Texas Real Estate Broker.

2024 Reunion of the USS Lynde McCormick All Hands Association

The reunion was held at the Jacksonville Florida Riverfront Double Tree from September 19-24.

We had 64 shipmates attend with a total of 98 attendees.

September 19th was check-in day.

On September 20th, 84 of us boarded our chartered buses to the Jacksonville Naval Museum and took a tour of the USS Orleck DD 886 followed by lunch served on the pier. It was a great day, and everyone had a wonderful time. After the tour we went back to the hotel, relaxed for a couple hours and then enjoyed wonderful Taste of the South buffet dinner. After that the bar was open!

On September 21st 70 of us were bused to the Jacksonville Naval Station where we were divided into 2 groups with one group touring the USS The Sullivans DDG 68, and the other group touring the USS Donald Cook DDG 75. It was quite the contrast between an Adams Class destroyer, which was the first DDG built from the ground up, and a modern Arleigh Burke destroyer.

After the tour we went back to the hotel and held our All Hands Meeting to elect Association Officers. Later that evening we had our Banquet dinner where we dined on Herb Crusted Grouper and Filet Mingon with an open wine bar.
On September 22nd we rested and spent our last day together telling sea stories.

The Following Crewmembers and Guests Attended:

Doyle & Anita Aaron FC2 (FCC) 82-84
Kenneth Bilton LT 85-89
John (Johnny) Boles MM3 81-83
William (Tony) & Sabina Brown YN1 85-88
Elder Burrow BT2 (BT1) 88-90
Manuel & Lourdes Buttner ETR2 (EWCS) 69-74
Michael & Priscilla Byrd ET2(SW) 88-91 Decommissioning Crew
Brad, Brandi, & Linda Chalk CIV Family of Charles Chalk 67-68
Michael & Kimberly Connors STG3 81-83
Randall & Libby Conrad GMG1 85-88
William & Kimberly Cozad MM2 86-90
Anthony Cramer BT2 83-86
Charles & Kimberly Ecklond IC2 73-76
Leonard (Jack) & Janet Faubion ETCM 82-85
Edward & Shirley Froehlich XO (Capt) 74-75
Johnny Garrett ET2 88-91 Decommissioning Crew
Donald (Don) & Jean Gentilcore MT2 60-62 Plank Owner
Michael & Tywillia Grant BT3 74-78
William (Bill) & Debora Greene YN2 (YNC) 82-85
Christopher & Laura Mattheau Hall BM3 (BMC) 87-90
Stan & Judi Halter LCDR (CHENG) 81-82
Barry & Kathy Hardman FTM2 (FCC) 83-87
Gregory Hermanson LT 86-88
Kenneth Ivary LTJG (LCDR) 73-77
Patrick & Diana Kleeman IC3 81-84
Michael Kovack LT (CDR) 85-89
Tom & Jane Lewis FTM2 71-72
Sheldon & Elizabeth Margolis CO (Capt.) 83-86
Glenn & Amy Marshall YN3 61-62 Plank Owner
Michael & Sheryl Matulewicz STG2 84-89
Vince McCrosky OS2 82-86
Derek McDonald GMG2 85-89
John & Ellen Micallef BM3 83-86
Bert & Kathleen Moll OS2 74-77
Ronald & Willa Grant Moretti BT2 85-91 Decommissioning Crew
Rodney Mylcraine SM2 83-87
John & Caron O’Neil LT (Capt.) 73-75
Jorge Padilla SM1 (SW/MTS) 83-87
Allen & Carolyn Pennington MM2 66-69
Pete Ramirez SH3 88-91
Thomas & Cynthia Ratliff HT2 78-82
Brian & Robichaud FC2 85-87
Perry & Bonita Rutter ET2 89-91 Decommissioning Crew
Carlos& Margarita Sanchez BT2 70-70
Terry & Sandi Schmidt PNCS (DDG-7) Guest
Donald & Cynthia Sloan ET2 85-89
Rob & Shirley Spencer MMC 83-87
Richard & Lillie Stack OS2 73-75
Jay Stauffer OS2 83-87
Thomas Steinagle SN (MSGT AF) 67-68
George Steinhage LT 83-87
David & Michael Stoudt IC3 64-66
Robert Bardes Stoudt Guest CIV
Henry Tillman LT (Capt.) 85-89
Antonio (Tony) & Patti Valenti GMT1 82-86
Michael Walsh LT DCA 84-88
Robert & Susan Wefald LT (Capt.) 65-67
Alfred Wieting GM 61-63 Plank Owner
Michael Wieting CIV
Jim Wilson LT (CHENG) 64-67
Mitch Zylow RD2 67-68

2024 Ship’s Reunion Jacksonville Florida September 19-23

Hello Shipmate,

Our reunion in Jacksonville Florida from 19 to 23 September 2024 is quickly approaching. If you have not registered, please do so soon! You need to register for the hotel, if required, and for the specific events like the tour and lunch on the USS Orleck and the buffet dinner on Friday September 20, the tour and plated banquet dinner on Saturday the 21st. I am still working out the details of the Saturday tour. It might be to St. Augustine or a tour of the Mayport Naval Station hopefully a Burke Class Destroyer.

We need to make plans for the number of people, buses, meals, tables, chairs and many other things that need to be done in advance to make this reunion GREAT!! Because of this, we also need you to pay for it in advance so we can pay the vendors! The earlier you register the better it will be!

The reunion will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel In Jacksonville Florida. Don’t Forget to provide the code “90-T” to get our special rates

Room rates include:

Free self-serve parking

Breakfast for 2 each morning per room

Here is a link to make your Hotel reservations:

DoubleTree Jacksonville Riverfront Reservation Link

DoubleTrees Phone Number: (904) 398-8800

If you prefer to call the hotel instead of using the link set up specifically for our Reunion, make sure you tell the person on the phone you are with the USS Lynde McCormick All hands Association Reunion and mention Group Code 90-T.

(If you are a Hilton Honors member, do not forget to make sure to use it!)

You can also get this information on our Facebook Page – USS Lynde McCornmick DDG-8 Reunion Association.