One of my new friends in Charleston fired a note off to me the other night to remind me that I am not a native there. In a very kind way, he reminded me that there is no “P” in Fort Sumter. (To be fair, when I told Debbie, she was kind of surprised as well. And we have both been there…lol) I run everything through spell check and surprisingly, spell check did not save me this time. 

But my friend also sent me a great list from his last boat reunion that included links to other places in the area where people tend to visit when in the area. I am including that list as part of this post.

For those attending or thinking about attending, the list includes people from all generations that served on the 711. It’s a pretty good cross section of people who served that includes those who were career folks to those who only did one tour which happened to be on the USS San Francisco. I served on five boats and two support units. I can honestly say that the San Francisco stands out as my favorite. Debbie probably thinks that the 711 is my first love but I remind her that if it wasn’t for the boat, I would never have met her. Funny how life works sometimes.

Here is the list:

Gathering of the Saints Reunion Information

For those of you who have not been to Charleston, or it’s been a long time since you have visited, I was reminded by my local Sub Vets contact that the Charleston area in general has a plethora of things you can do. Here is a short list with links:

Plantations & Gardens:

• Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
• Boone Hall Plantation
• Middleton Place
• Drayton Hall
• Charleston Tea Plantation
• McLeod Plantation
• Hampton Plantation
• Charles Pinckney National Historic Site

North Charleston Fire Museum & Tangier Outlet:

Beidler Forest

Bee City

Old Navy Base Memorial & Old Navy Base Riverfront Park

Dedicated on November 5, 2007, the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial features many elements that represent the history of the Charleston Naval Base and Shipyard. Three sculpted bronze ships portray the main vessels that were built and serviced at the Naval Base. Engraved pavers bear the names of those who served and worked on the base. The history of the Charleston Naval Base is told on the story wall with photographs of each era etched in stainless steel. North Charleston is honored to feature Stanley Bleifeld’s sculptures of the Lone Sailor and Homecoming. In addition to D.C., the Memorial is the the only destination with these sculptures in the United States. The many facets allow all visitors a chance to step back in time and truly experience the Naval Base as it once was.

Cold War Memorial

Located on a 2.3 acre site adjacent to Charleston Harbor in Mount Pleasant, near the entrance to the Patriot’s point Naval and Maritime Museum, the Cold War Submarine Memorial today stands as an enduring tribute to the men who served in our submarines during this unique and dangerous period in our nation’s history; to their families who remained behind and managed alone during their long absences; and to the men and women, both civil and military, who provided the superb support that assured the remarkable success of their missions.

Patriot’s Point/Yorktown  

Patriots Point Development Authority was established in the 1970s to develop a naval & maritime museum on Charleston Harbor with the World War II aircraft carrier, USS YORKTOWN as its centerpiece. It’s also home to the Patriots Point Museum and a fleet of National Historic Landmark ships, the Cold War Memorial and the only Vietnam Experience Exhibit in the U.S., the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and the agency’s official Medal of Honor Museum.

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum serves as a national destination of excellence for the preservation and education of current and future generations about America’s history, traditions and values.

Since opening in 1976, Patriots Point has become one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions with more than 300,000 visitors each year. The YORKTOWN boasts one of the largest education and overnight camping programs in the nation, with more than 40,000 school age children attending these programs each year.

Fort Sumter & Fort Moultrie

The Battery & White Point Gardens

The Charleston Market

Welcome to the Charleston City Market, one of the nation’s oldest public markets and the cultural heart of Charleston. We are home to more than 300 vibrant entrepreneurs, and we are open every day of the year except December 25th. No matter what time of day or season you plan to visit, there is something to see, do, taste, and take home as a souvenir from the Charleston City Market!

Carriage Rides

• Old South
• Palmetto

 The After Battery (We have a scheduled event with them on Friday the 12^th)

We have been invited to participate in the Tolling of the Boats Event on Saturday April 13th in the morning.

The Sub Ball will be held Saturday evening. The location and details for the Sub Ball will be posted in the next few days. More to come.

NOTE:

This list is not all there is to do in Charleston. For example, I had a nice discussion with the Hunley Museum in North Charleston and that might be a possible visit on Sunday for those that are interested. If we have twenty people willing to commit, we will get a private tour. 

Mister Mac