Since November 2001, there have been major changes in the structure of the 325's Steering Committee.  Due to personal reasons several members of our committee have stepped down from their positions.  These include Linda Alvers, National Chairperson; Dave Bronson, Historian; Jennifer Gavin, Corporate Fundraiser; and Kathleen Kaan, Public Relations.  Although these department heads have relinquished their positions, they will still be volunteering as time and projects permit.  Ajay Castro has requested a change in position; she has moved from Fundraising Coordinator to Public Relations Coordinator.  As well Anna Koepp has moved from Grassroots Fundraising/Military Liaison to National Chairperson.

We are currently working with a scaled-back committee.  The following positions have been filled.  Membership Coordinator, Melissa Ann C. Wilkerson; Committee Accountant, Robin Lawrence; Grant Writing Coordinator, Mary Stiehl, PhD; and Grant Writer, Mary Smith.  We welcome them aboard. 

Your LST steering committee is involved with numerous projects to help the dream become a reality.  In this past quarter we have accomplished the following tasks and have several more new projects started.

• Developed the first LST pamphlet for the Mobile LST convention. 
• Brought about the business cruise aboard the John Brown Liberty Ship from which we are still reaping many benefits, e.g. Merchant Vessel Machinery Replacement Co.
• Opened negotiations with Outlaw Productions for movie rights on the LST 325 and her journey.
• Tickets sold for the Quilt and LST Model Drawing Project raised $16,500.  Thanks to Jim Anderson and Linda Alvers, project coordinators, as well as quilt maker Janet Rutherford and model maker Jerry Howe. 
• Exceptional job by Linda Alvers in producing the documentary "Return of the LST 325", shown on the History Channel on Veterans Day. 
• Negotiated with numerous artists and authors for special sales to benefit the memorial at the convention.
• Sent letters to various famous people asking them to join our advisory committee.  Recognition of their names helps in our fundraising efforts. 
• VFW: State of Illinois has written a resolution in support of the Memorial.  We are continuing in our efforts to get National VFW recognition.
• Membership: This is the heart and soul of our fundraising efforts.  We now have a complete membership package.  Our membership stands at 272 strong.  This program alone has generated $12,370.00!  Melissa Wilkerson is in charge of data basing both our membership and interested people lists. Interested people stands at upward of 6000.
• Certificates are being developed for higher levels of membership.
• Newsletter for members, the cooperative work of Anna and Melissa. 
• Anniversary press release completed by Ajay Castro and sent out to over approximately 3000 media sources.  Thank you to Ajay for funding the expense for these packages.
• Dave Bronson did a through job researching LST 325's history that has been used in informational packets, as well as in our gorgeous new pamphlet.

• Making contact with other military/veterans organizations.
• Researching corporations for donations.
• Developing a grant package to use for grants and corporate donation solicitation.
• Wine Tasting benefit.
• New Quilt Project.

We need you to take immediate action!  LST 325 is in need of nation-wide publicity.  A potentially easy way to accomplish this is to have her story aired on the Oprah Show.  To make this happen is simple, if we have enough people helping us.  Log onto www.oprah.com, scroll down about halfway on the right-hand side under "Your Story," click on "Be on the Oprah Winfrey Show."  On page two, scroll down the center to "Regular Features" and click on "We want your show ideas."  On page three, please fill out your information and why you feel the LST 325 and her crew would be a good show.  Be sure to include our POC information:  Anna Koepp, (618) 632-7420.  You may also write to Oprah at: 

    ~ Anna Koepp

National Chairperson,
LST 325 Steering Committee
lst325ak@aol.com

I showed up at the LST 325 Wednesday around 8:30, and as happens every time, the work was already under way.  The first thing I got to do was meet Captain Jornlin.  I followed the Captain, Mr. Chapman, and Mr. Lyon around the main deck for a few moments as they discussed some of the projects underway on the ship. 

After this I went below and took a quick walk through the ship to photograph some of the progress since my last trip.  In my pictures, one will see the new power panels that provide handy AC power to various parts of the ship.  From these new recepticles volunteers can plug in their tools without having to run extension cords back almost the entire length of the ship.  On board this DC-oriented ship, some more AC power to run power tools was a definite necessity.  The AC power to operate the new heat pumps also appeared to be in place. 

Charlie Marking is one of the volunteers who has been working on the A/C-heat pump project.  He made the connections that will provide cooling water from the ship's piping to the heat pumps.  Today he was wielding a torch and cutting lugs away from a bulkhead.  The area in which he is seen working formerly housed a large amount of Greek wiring and electrical equipment.  It has all been removed or relocated as necessary.  This project involved many people and man-hours but is an important step in improving the wiring aboard the ship.

Roe Karstetter was also working on the rewiring and rerouting of electrical cables from this area.  He and Gary Lyon can be seen
dismantling one of the Greek electrical installations in the pictures accompanying this report. 

One deck up, near the galley, I assisted Rocky Hill in remounting the door from the galley electrical panel.  Mr. Hill is a member of the Gold Crew.  I spent much of my day aboard the LST helping Rocky with this and other projects.  I also helped as he worked on the safety chain at the top of the main engine room trunk, and together we ran a water hose from the dock through an opening in the hull to the interior of the ship.

Vance Barnes was aboard doing what Vance does best.  Painting!  Mr. Barnes painted the base of the second boom that has been installed on the main deck. 

Calvin Ellison spent his day giving tours and organizing fire hose.  Several large groups came aboard to tour the ship and Mr. Ellison gave them all first-class tours.  In between the visitors he was busy neatly placing fire hose in various racks all over the ship.  Soon the the fire main will be operational again!

  ~ Michael Smith
 

I had served aboard LST-387 as an Electricians mate during WWII, and I consider that event (LST-387), at that particular time, as the launch point of my work life,  evolving into a very satisfying career in the field of high technology.  Now entering my twilight years and as I approach my 76th birthday (Feb 17th), it became important to me to revisit the past, to that point in time which was so very significant in my life .  I am sure many of you and especially the Gold Crew can relate to this.

Coming aboard an LST for the first time in 57 years was an experience difficult to describe.  To be able to walk the walk I had walked those many years before was indeed a deep-set emotional experience.  As I journeyed through the ship, exploring every nook and cranny, waves of old memories, which long ago had been dormant in the deepest recesses of my mind came surging to the forefront.  As my journey continued I found it interesting to note that over time the escape hatches to the main deck seemed to have shrunk, the ladders to the engine room seemed to have acquired more rungs and were more difficult to negotiate.   As I stood on the main deck looking up at the ship's mast I could no longer visualize myself shimming out to the end of the yardarm to replace running lights, while underway in heavy seas, as I once had done. I found many other things a little different from what I had been fantasizing  about.   But all in all, it was an experience I would not trade for anything and I look forward to an opportunity to continue this fascinating journey. 

With this said, I think one of my greatest experiences of this venture was the meeting, associating, and working with the outstanding volunteers who showed up during the week I was there.  All were of like purpose and like mind.  We had the Adams family from Ohio working like beavers for the entire week.  I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Pat Carroll (an Army veteran) from Beloit, Wisconsin.  I was very impressed with Terry Leahy from Wisconsin and Dan Coffey of Florida -- both of LST-1148, Larry Johnson and Mat Fredrickson and their work on the hatches, the Gold and Blue crew members and mates who showed up to help and the many others who were pitching in. 

Needless to say, The week went by as if the days were hours, and I believe everyone had misgivings about it ending so soon.  Personally, I came away wishing I would have had time to have tackled the ship's gyro, to have lent a hand in making  the ship's radio-communications system operational, to have scoped out, identified and labeled every electrical panel throughout the ship, and hopefully , at some future time, of once again having the pleasure of bringing the generators up and paralleling them on line.  I also came to fully appreciate the beauty of the ship's DC electrical power distribution system with its simplicity, versatility and suitability to the tasks an LST is required to perform. 

It quickly became obvious that the tasks I would like to participate in would need to wait, and that it would be impossible to cram any one of them into a one-week stay.  I am now hoping my health will remain good and if possible to arrange my affairs so I can return next winter to continue the odyssey.

I came away rejuvenated in both body and spirit, and to those who may be thinking about volunteering, I would strongly recommend you do so.  Life is short and to be able to come full circle is an experience which cannot be repeated.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the outstanding job Gary Lyon and his charming wife Gayle are doing.  To follow them in their job would take big shoes:  To coordinate the volunteer work activities, to acknowledge their numerous requests, to facilitate materials and supplies, to answer numerous queries from workers, to handle the large number of visitors coming aboard, etc., requires people with special talents.  They are well-suited for the task and it was a pleasure to meet and work with them. 

I do have some good news!  Last night I attended my VFW POST #4393 of Northfield, MN, and came away with a very generous donation and a commitment of continuing support.  All veterans need to encourage their VFW and American Legion to participate in this memorial venture. 

  ~ Arnold Ness
     WWII LST-387 Electricians Mate

 
[Ed. notes:  1) We wish Mr. Ness a very happy birthday, and we look forward to seeing him aboard again in the future; and 2) It should be made clear that -- for various reasons -- the engine rooms are off-limits to visitors.  Access to those rooms is permissible only for crewmembers working in those areas.]

We have been following the 325, and her ventures, and after spending a week on her with those wonderful veterans, namely the Gold Crew and the Blue Crew, as well as the visitors on the ship, I have never felt closer to, and felt more appreciative to those men that fought for us.  It adds a new meaning to Courage and Life for me. 

My main reason for writing, is to encourage more people who have family members that spent time aboard any vessel, to stop their everyday life, and make time to go visit the LST 325, and maybe volunteer a little of their time.  Trust me, you will find it very rewarding.  Gary and Gayle Lyon are doing a wonderful job with keeping things running smoothly.  They made our time very pleasant, as well as the others that were on board at that time. We hope to go back for some more fun. I hope next time, I can take Mom and Dad, all 5 of my Brothers, and more of my nephews, maybe even some nieces, uncles, sisters-in-law, aunts, cousins, etc.

Sincerely,

  ~ Ann M. Adams
 

WILL ADAMS ADDS:  Those in our group that were allowed to work on the ship Jan 21-Jan 25 felt honored to be allowed to help with some of the restoration.  What a great group to be involved with.  Gary and Gayle do a great job of making everyone feel so appreciated.
 

I am a former crew member of LST 898 during Korea.  I served 3 1/2 years aboard her.  I had the opportunity to visit Mobile this week and tour the 325 along with my wife, nephew and his wife.  I got to see first hand the job that has been done to restore this "OLD LADY OF THE SEA" and I must say they have done an excellent job.

I had the opportunity to chat with Harold Slemmons, one of the original crew members.  I also had some great feelings and old memories to come back to me also.

The LST 898 is going to hold its 15th reunion in Mobile on October 3-6, 2002 and I am coordinating this one.

Thank you all for a job well done and wish I could help, but unfortunately health problems will not let do much.

Frank Owsley
LST 898
Notasulga, Al
 

The USS LST Ship Memorial wishes to send its warmest thanks to Mr. Norb Dudek, retired CEO of Letterkraft Printers.  They have provided us with 3,000 copies of an absolutely terrific-looking brochure which will be very helpful to us in our fundraising efforts.  The image at right gives a hint of how nice they are, but most certainly doesn't do justice to the terrific layout and design.  They also provided us with an additional 3,000 brochures in September.

Please remember Mr. Dudek and these wonderful folks if you need help with your marketing, graphic design, printing or mailing needs:

Updates from Ron Maranto and Gary Lyon

The Marantos:  Barbara and I went to Mobile for a couple of days and stayed with Gary and Gayle Lyon and checked the progress of the 325.  I must say I was amazed at Gary's progress.  He asked me to send along a short report which follows.

We hope the volunteers will keep coming, as they are still needed, as well as donations.  Remember the videos are still available.  Thanks, Gary and Gayle, for doing such a great job.  Your accomplishments are outstanding.

  ~ Ron and Barbara Maranto
 

The Lyons:  Special thanks to the new Blue Crew as well as the present.  Without all of our volunteers, it would not have been possible to accomplish what we have.  Special thanks to Mr. Marion Adams of Covington, Ohio, for sending his 2 sons, daughter, 2 grandsons, and a friend down to work as diligently as they did.  Offering not only their labor but donations of money and supplies as well.  Mr. Adams was in Mobile to welcome the 325 in January of 2001.  He didn't make the trip back to the ship this time around, but he plans to come again sometime this winter.  [Ed. note:  The Adams family was featured in Michael Smith's report of 22 JAN 02, including several photographs.]

Also special thanks to Vincent Collier for his work in welding and donations of the welding equipment.

Mr. Dan Toole, we wish to thank you for the tools and also for the many weeks you contributed as Blue Crew member. 

Pat Carrol and Arnold Ness completed the hook-up of the heat pump in officer's country.  They did a great job. 

Robert Wilder has been notified that the radio equipment has arrived and is ready for installation. 

We have been having a great turnout from all parts of the USA.  Friday we had about 15 Blue Crew for work.  Friday afternoon we were invited to the Civic Center in Mobile where the crew of the 325 was presented with a certificate of resolution by Senators George Callahan and Hap Myers.  The resolution was passed unanimously by the legislature and senate to officially recognize and welcome the LST 325 and its Gold and Blue Crews.  Attending was Gary Lyon, Harold Slemmons and Ron Maranto of the Gold Crew, and Pearl and Calvin Ellison and W. C. Smith of the Blue Crew.  A special thanks and recognition went to Mr. Robert Johnson, BP regional representative, for donation of marine diesel fuel.

  ~ Gary and Gayle Lyon
 

A personal note from the WebSkipper:  I'd like to encourage absolutely anybody and everybody to provide material for this page.  By no means are submissions here restricted to just certain individuals.  The whole purpose of this website (and especially this particular page) is to share information about our LST Memorial with the entire community.  Sitting here 2,000 miles away, I personally don't have a clue what's happening aboard the ship unless somebody tells me.  To date, I've posted absolutely every single tidbit of information that's come my way.  If you have any news to share at all, please just send me an email:  WebSkipper@LSTMemorial.Org -- all of us would be very appreciative, and we all want to know what's going on! 

Legend: 

Archives (click here for complete index to archives) :

Archive for January 2002:

• 22 JAN 02 - Progress Report from Michael Smith
• 21 JAN 02 - Progress Report from Michael Smith & Naomi Friedman
• 18 JAN 02 - Progress Report from Capt. Jornlin

• 29 DEC 01 - Update from Pat Johnston
• 23 DEC 01 - Progress Report from Gary Lyon
• 23 DEC 01 - Update from Michael Smith
• 21 DEC 01 - Update on the Radio Room Project
• 15 DEC 01 - Recommissioning Covers and the Edwards Family
• 15 DEC 01 - "The Resurrected 325" by Leo E. Smith (LST 1046)
• 15 DEC 01 - Videos now available through the Ship's Store
• 01 DEC 01 - Progress Report from Michael Smith