USS Princeton Plank Owner-Minestrike Crew Reunion

Hi, my name is Jerry Dickerson. I am raising money on behalf of my shipmates from the USS Princeton (CG-59) who served onboard between her commissioning in 1989 through her service in the Arabian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm.

The picture showed a portion of this crew when they gathered for the 25-year reunion of the day our ship was struck by two (2) manta bottom influence mines while operating off the coast of Kuwait in support of the nearby Amphibious Task Force (ATF). I am proud of this crew, who did all they did to save our ship while still performing our duties of protecting the ATF from the threat of a surface-based missile attack by the Iraqis. You can learn more about our story here: https://astoryworthtelling.blog/2013/11/12/princeton-mine-strike/

Now, we have the opportunity to gather once again for another reunion, this one we know will likely be the last chance to see USS Princeton before she is decommissioned. For many of the crew who were there from when she was first commissioned (aka "Plank Owners"), this is like losing a family member to see the ship you brought to life put into mothballs and/or eventually scuttled. Still, such things are inevitable as ships age beyond our ability to keep them around forever.

This fundraiser has one guiding purpose: To permit ALL of our Commissioning and Mine Strike crew to come to this next event. As great as our 25-year reunion was, many of our shipmates could not make it. The single most significant reason was the cost of travel and lodging was beyond affordable for these shipmates. So, we are asking that, if you have the heart and the resources to provide a donation to help these shipmates, you consider doing so.

I want to assure you, on behalf of the Reunion Coordination Committee, we see these funds to be focused on making this an affordable and worthy event to recognize the valiant crew we have the privilege to represent here. We appreciate you taking the time to consider and offer whatever you might be able to contribute to this purpose.

If you have any questions about our event, you can learn more about us at http://princetonminestrikecrew.com