Shipmates and Albany Association Members, Associate Members and Honorary Members,
How does one recognize and honor an extraordinary man who had a vision and dedicated thirty-six years of his life to realizing it, not for profit, not for self-aggrandizement, not to somehow pay homage to tons of grey or black steel; but instead, to provide a means for the sailors who spent years together within the confines of that steel to again come together to remember their shipmates, relive old sea stories and be with their seagoing “family” that was forged together under often difficult circumstances when they were young. He did this not only for existing shipmates, but for those not even born yet who would someday serve in a black monstrosity that was totally alien to anything he had experienced, but which bore the same name as its predecessor.
Wayne Van Amburgh was and remains such an extraordinary man and though his physical presence may no longer be with us, his heart and soul lives within the Albany Association and in each of us who were privileged to know, work and laugh with him. And just like a sailor spending much of his life at sea, it is the family back home who also bore the burden of such an undertaking. His wife, Judy, and his children, Megan and Ryan, were integral to the success of his life’s work and the success of this organization.
What I find truly amazing is that although none of this was necessary, none of this was asked for, and I’m sure for many, like me in the beginning, none of this was personally a priority in our busy lives, Wayne persevered, he faced doubters, he faced roadblocks, he faced a namesake city that showed no interest, and he sacrificed his own family time to do this for each of us. We are here today, getting together each year continuing to gather as the shipmates we once were and looking to the younger ones to come after us because of Wayne’s vision way back in 1990.
In 1982, Joseph Conrad wrote a piece about The Prestige, Privilege and the Burden of Command. This came to mind as I thought of Wayne’s efforts to establish, grow and maintain this Association. So, I took some literary license to recognize this great man.
Only an Association Member who has spent years on the Board of Directors realizes to what great extent an entire organization reflects the personality and ability of one individual, its founder, longest serving President and President Emeritus. To the general membership this may not be understandable and sometimes it is even difficult for us to comprehend; but it is so.
An Association of disparate members of all ages, from all walks of life, living across this amazing American continent but having one thing in common, serving on a ship named ALBANY is a distinct world in itself and, in consideration of the protracted and distant hometowns of its members, the Association must place great power, responsibility and trust in the hands of those members chosen for serving on the Board, but most especially in the hands of the one whose vision, perseverance, hard work and unwavering faith was chosen for President Emeritus.
In this Association, there is one man who, when the going got tough, when its continued viability was a concern, when balancing the need for change against the desire to maintain course could turn to no other man. The one who alone assumed responsibility for the sustainability and morale of the organization. He is our President Emeritus. He is the Association.
This has been the most difficult and demanding position in the Association. There has not been an instant during more than thirty-six years that he could escape the grasp of responsibility. His privileges, in view of his obligations, were almost ludicrously small; nevertheless, Wayne Van Amburgh has been the spur that has given the USS Albany Association its purpose, camaraderie, focus and direction for its Members and many Sailors yet to come.
With the utmost respect and admiration for a Job Well Done, thank you Wayne!
Darl Anderson, Captain, USN (Ret.)
President
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