Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the March 19, 1945 Bombing

The family of Robert Hamm, WT3/c, B-Div. is honored to host the 2025 USS Franklin reunion. This reunion will be held in Mount Pleasant, SC, aboard the historic USS Yorktown, from March 18-21, 2025. It will mark the 80th anniversary of the March 19, 1945, bombing of the USS Franklin. This event will bring together the Veterans and families of the veterans who served on the USS Franklin, offering a unique opportunity to connect, remember, and celebrate their legacy.

Event Highlights:

Tuesday, March 18, 2025: 

• Arrival and hotel check-in. Settle in and prepare for the upcoming commemorative events.

Wednesday, March 19, 2025:

•  9:00 AM: Meet in the hotel lobby for carpool organization. We will organize a carpool from the hotel to Patriots Point to facilitate transportation for all attendees.
•  10:00 AM: Memorial Ceremony at Patriots Point. Join us as we honor the heroes of the USS Franklin with a wreath laying ceremony. 
• Pending final attendance, lunch may be hosted at the USS Yorktown immediately following the memorial service
•  Rest of the Day: Explore the USS Yorktown and other fascinating exhibits at Patriots Point. Your ticket includes access to USS Yorktown, USS Laffey, The Vietnam Experience Exhibit, Medal of Honor Museum and Cold War Memorial.

Thursday, March 20, 2025:

•  7:45 AM: 8 o’clock report will begin promptly at 8 AM. Gather in the ballroom at the hotel to honor the crew members we’ve lost since our last gathering.
• Afternoon (TBD): Film Presentation by Andy Clark. He will present a rough cut of his film, offering a unique glimpse into the history of the USS Franklin.
• Evening: Dinner Dance. Enjoy an evening of dining and dancing, a perfect occasion to share stories and create new memories with fellow attendees.

Friday, March 21, 2025: Reunion Checkout

• Reunion goers are encouraged to stay and explore Charleston, SC and the surrounding areas.

Call to Action:

Make Your Hotel Reservation: Use the following link to book your room: https://group.doubletree.com/q48u2o to ensure you receive the group rate. Alternatively, you can call the hotel at 1-843-352-5100 and tell them you are with the USS Franklin Reunion group. The hotel address is:

  DoubleTree by Hilton Mt. Pleasant

  1330 Stuart Engals Blvd  

  Mount Pleasant, SC 29464  

  Phone: +1 843-352-5100  

Website:https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chsmndt-doubletree-charleston-mount-pleasant/hotel-info/

 The rate for the nights of March 18-21, 2025, is $149 per night prior to taxes and the destination fee. The total for one night, including tax and the destination fee, is $166.05.

**Register for the Event**

The PDF registration document can be downloaded by clicking this link here: https://ussfranklin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2025-uss-franklin-registration-info.pdf

Sign up to participate in this memorable reunion and be part of this significant commemoration. Please send your completed registration to:

  Darren Hamm

  USS Franklin Reunion  

  2330 Knollwood Dr.  

  Elgin, IL 60123  

  Cell: 262-305-6979  

  Email: hammd78@gmail.com

Please reserve rooms and send in registrations as early as possible so we can get a good handle on the size of the event. Final agenda and events are dependent on reunion attendance. Please return registrations by January 16, 2025, at the latest.

Updates and more details about the reunion will be posted on the Facebook page “Survivors, Family, and Friends of the USS Franklin CV-13” and on http://www.ussfranklin.org. We look forward to seeing you in Mount Pleasant for this unforgettable event to honor the legacy of the USS Franklin and its crew.

Sincerely,  

Darren and Susan Hamm