Palmer Station Reunion

July 2005

Epilogue

Three of the eight survivors from the winter over party of 1970 attended the first Palmer Station Reunion in Mystic and Stonington, Connecticut. Of the original 10 members of that group Harvey High and Michael Bergin have since passed on. They are both fondly remembered and missed.

The Operation Deep Freeze crew with a few of the Summer Support personnel gathers for quick picture. What a magnificent front yard we had! From left to right (back row) Don McLaughlin (OIC), Chief Parks [summer support], Jay Klinck, Terry Heim (summer support), John Stanciu, Bill Stout [summer support], Chief George Wade, (front row – left to right) Dave Steward, Michael Bergin, Harvey High (behind and right of Mike), Steve Shabica, Dr. Verne Smith (Station Doctor). Not shown Dennis Patton.
The Operation Deep Freeze crew with a few of the Summer Support personnel gathers for quick picture.  What a magnificent front yard we had!  From left to right (back row) Don McLaughlin (OIC), Chief Parks [summer support], Jay Klinck, Terry Heim (summer support), John Stanciu, Bill Stout [summer support], Chief George Wade, (front row – left to right) Dave Steward, Michael Bergin, Harvey High (behind and right of Mike), Steve Shabica, Dr. Verne Smith (Station Doctor).  Not shown Dennis Patton.
Doc Smith, Dave Steward & Don McLaughlin pose for a picture 35 years later at Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer’s house in Stonington, CT. Bringing to close a unique circumnavigation of sorts that began in Quonset Point, RI, December of ‘69 through Palmer Station February of ‘71, Antarctica and ending at Captain Nat’s house in Stonington, Ct. on July 22, 2005 – where it all began 185 years ago on November 17th.
Doc Smith, Dave Steward & Don McLaughlin pose for a picture 35 years later at Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer’s house in Stonington, CT.  Bringing to close a unique circumnavigation of sorts that began in Quonset Point, RI, December of ‘69 through Palmer Station February of ‘71, Antarctica and ending at Captain Nat’s house in Stonington, Ct. on July 22, 2005 – where it all began 185 years ago on November 17th.
Doc, Don and Stew pose with the Palmer House Docent Toddy Agranwitch.
Doc, Don and Stew pose with the Palmer House Docent Toddy Agranwitch.
Palmer crew with their wives at the Boom restaurant in Stonington, CT. Doc Smith (upper left), Diana Smith (Center red shirt), Don McLaughlin (upper right), Betsy McLaughlin (in front of Don), Anne Marie Steward (front and center), Dave Steward (with hat).
Palmer crew with their wives at the Boom restaurant in Stonington, CT.  Doc Smith (upper left), Diana Smith (Center red shirt), Don McLaughlin (upper right), Betsy McLaughlin (in front of Don), Anne Marie Steward (front and center), Dave Steward (with hat).


RV Hero in the shadow of a berg. Photos by Don McLaughlin.
Photos by Don McLaughlin.

Field of bergs. Photos by Don McLaughlin.
Photos by Don McLaughlin.

The peninsula. Photos by Don McLaughlin.
Photos by Don McLaughlin.

Capt. Palmer's gravesite. Mystic, CT.
Captain Palmer's grave, Mystic, CT.

It is hard for me to put any of the past few days into words.  We laughed and we sobbed – becoming very emotional at times on our year together.  The three of us had no idea how much impact that one year had upon our being.  We also didn’t know how much Palmer was central to our own themes in terms of our chosen professions and the way we deal and have dealt with others over all these years.  ...Suffice it to say, the reunion exceeded anything that I thought it would be.  -- Dave Steward


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