Will Adams sent along these pictures from their local Memorial Day parade.  Wow!  Do these folks do things in style .... or what???

They have displayed the Iwo Jima float in the top picture for several years now.  What a classic!  They also include their collection of vintage military vehicles in the parades as well.

This year, the lead truck in the parade (bottom picture) had attached a banner to make people aware of LST 325 and the upcoming River Trip.  Can you even ask for better publicity?  Many, many thanks to the Adams Family for all you've done for LST 325 during the past couple of years.  Where would we be without you?

The flag used on the Iwo Jima float belongs to Marion Adams, patriarch of the clan.  It flew on the mast of his ship, LST 491, during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day.  It is a prized family possession, and is only brought out for special occasions.

You may recall from previous Progress Reports that the Adams Family has several vintage vehicles aboard the ship for the River Trip.  See the report from 02 MAY 03 below.

Huge thanks to our wonderful Adams Family!

LST 325 owes thanks for its very existence to virtually thousands of individuals and companies.  The same holds true for the upcoming River Trip, about to commence in just a few days.  The continuing success of LST 325 belongs to none of us.  It belongs to all of us.  So many people coming together in a common cause not only to preserve history, but to take it directly to the American people.

Quite simply, the River Trip would not be possible without the generous donations of time and resources from the towing companies.  Despite the appearance of being so easy and simple, these are tremendously expensive operations, both in terms of manpower and resources.

That having been said, we would like to extend our special and heartfelt thanks to the following, who carry a big share of the load in making this trip possible:

•   Kirby Corporation, Houston, TX
•   Luhr Bros., Inc., Columbia, IL
•   Madison Coal & Supply Co., Charleston, WV
•   American Commercial Barge Line, LLC, Jeffersonville, IN

We also wish to extend our thanks to The American Waterways Operators for the instrumental help they have given to us in making this venture possible.

We are indebted to you all.  Thanks for helping to make this particular "American Dream" come true!

Three new sets of signal flags have arrived aboard the ship.  USS LST 325 will be dressed out in crisp new signal flags -- sending the message that the ship and her dedicated crew are transiting the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in our nation's heartland.

The purchase of these signal flags was made possible through generous earmarked donations by the "Gator Crew" Associations of the:

•    USS Westchester County, LST 1167
•    USS Terrebonne Parish, LST 1156, and
•    The Anderson/Koepp Family in the name of their father,  Harold Edward Anderson, MM1, LST 352, who manned a 20-mm. gun.

From Ron Maranto, Dated 15 May 2003

On Thursday, May 10, other than being hot, the day was just as it was hoped to be.  Barbara and I arrived at 2:30 and went aboard to find Captain Jornlin and his wife Lois, Joe Sadlier, and Jim Bartlett already on board.  Then Ernie and his bride-to-be Susan, along with her son and granddaughter, Harold and Maxine Slemmons were coming up the gangway.  Then Ed and Eilene Strobel, James and Doris Edwards and Dick Meyer came aboard.  "Hail, hail, the gang's all here!"

Ernie looked great and his bride-to-be looked lovely.  Channels 15 and 5 were there, as well as the Mobile Register.  There were about 40 attendants altogether, which included about 9 or 10 of Ernie's LST 124 shipmates, who were there also with their wives.  They had their reunion in Mobile so that they could attend the wedding and at the same time tour the ship.

The wedding ceremony started a little after 3:00 PM.  Captain Jornlin did the honors.  Joe Sadlier was the best man.  Susan's granddaughter was the bridesmaid and Susan's son gave her away.   Captain Jornlin did a good job, of course, and after the ceremony was over, guess who were the happiest two people there!

The LST 124 crew held their memorial service on board as Lonnie Funderburg honored their departed shipmates and ended with a prayer.  They didn't have a wreath so the bride gave up part of her bouquet to be tossed into the water in memory of the deceased shipmates. 

At 6:00 PM, we all met at the Ramada Inn for a lovely sit-down dinner, at which time Joe Sadlier gave a very moving and sincere toast.  When the dinner was over, Captain Jornlin was asked to give a talk on the voyage of the 325. It was excellent and entertaining, as always.  With that done, the LST 124 group had their meeting and a great day came to an end. 

Ernie and Susan, we wish you both "good health and happiness!"

     ~ Ron Maranto

[Ed. note:  Click here to view The Mobile Register article.]
 

I just couldn't stay away, so I went back a few days ago.  There was something I needed to do, so I went and did it.  I just couldn't stand to see that beautiful platform sitting alongside the ship being unused, so my friend, Ray Asprion (who is a fellow member of the Higgins boat building crew), and I did something about it, along with the help of Slade Hook, Bill Arras, and John Tomlison, a new Blue Crew striker.

So we now have two gangways.  The new addition will make it a lot easier for those who are handicapped to board the ship.  We no longer need to worry about one of them slipping and breaking a bone, amen ...

     ~ Ron Maranto

  - URGENT! COOK NEEDED FOR RIVER TRIP!
  - Raffle Winner Announcement
 

URGENT! COOK NEEDED FOR RIVER TRIP! 

Yes, this is very short notice.  We thought we had a cook lined up for the river trip, but it turns out that we don't.  For a qualified person, this could be a terrific opportunity to take part in this historical event.  We need a bonafide and qualified cook, able to prepare meals for a 40-member crew.  If you fit these needs and wish to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, please call the ship at 251-510-2410.
 

RAFFLE WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

The winner of our "Free Trip on LST 325 Raffle" is Mr. James F. Harbaugh of Tuscola, IL.  Congratulations, and enjoy the trip!!!
 

Update from  Ron Maranto Dated 02 May 2003         At right: Ron Maranto perched atop the halftrack

I arrived at the Brookley Center Sunday afternoon.  I was up at 6:00 AM and by 6:30 I was on my way to the ship.  When I arrived, Ken and Ann were unloading a half-track, a jeep, and an ambulance.  This equipment will be put aboard for the trip up the river.  These vehicles are on loan from Ken and friends from Ohio.  My reason for going to the ship was to get the LCVP painted.

With the help of Earl Oaks, Ann and Ken, the job was completed.  While I was there Tuesday, the crane arrived to remove the mast.  Mike Roberson did the cutting of the mast.  Calvin Vickson operated the crane.  And Charles McMahon did the rigging.  They worked that whole day, Tuesday, but were unable to complete the removal of the mast.

Wednesday brought Calvin and Sam Jones to complete the removal of the mast. That took up most of the morning.  When the mast was laid down on the dock, Bill Arras was so happy that the tripod was off the ship, he ran up to it and kissed it good-bye.  Our deepest thanks to "Equipment Rental" of Mobile, Alabama, for the use of their men and equipment. 

In the meantime, we went to work on the LCVP.  AMEN, we got the job completed.  We did the bottom Tuesday, and the sides on Wednesday.   While all this was going on, Stacy Jackson from San Antonio was doing some painting here and there.  Stacy left for Texas Thursday morning.

Bill and Raine Rutledge were there from California, I don't remember how long.  They left for San Diego Thursday morning.  Raine worked in the souvenir shop, while Bill helped tear out some old lockers and also gave many tours.  This Saturday, there's going to be a car show, I think, in either Saraland or Chickasaw, and all proceeds will go to the LST Memorial fund.  What a bunch of patriotic people. 

I sure miss Gary and Gayle not being there. 

     ~ Ron Maranto

We are looking for one or more licensed radio amateurs with General Class (or better) licenses to volunteer as crewmembers for the summer cruise.  We would like to have such a person on board to operate aboard the ship using the call sign WW2LST.  If you're in a position to help with this, please contact Bob Wilder at WW2LST@netscape.net.

     ~ Bob Wilder, AF2HD

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:

Archive for April 2003:

• 25 APR 03 - Update from Ron Maranto
• 24 APR 03 - Update from James Edwards
• 22 APR 03 - March and April Work Report from Gary Lyon
• 20 APR 03 - Progress Report from Michael Smith
• 14 APR 03 - Another Great Week Aboard the 325, by Terry Leahy
• 12 APR 03 - LST 325 Update from Capt. Bob Jornlin
• 03 APR 03 - To Walk These Decks Again ..., by Pat Johnston

• 23 MAR 03 - LST 325 Steering Committee Report from Anna Koepp
• 22 MAR 03 - Progress Report from Gary Lyon
• 22 MAR 03 - LST 325 Update from Capt. Bob Jornlin
• 21 MAR 03 - Urgent Message from the WebSkipper
• 09 MAR 03 - Progress Report from Michael Smith

CDR Jackson Carter was LST 325's Executive Officer before and during the voyage back from Greece.  In addition to his normal duties, he was an avid ham radio operator and enjoyed communicating during his down-time with other hams all over the world.  He also maintained a website for LST 325 which included all of his situation reports, as well as  many photographs showing the hard work done in Greece getting the ship seaworthy – that site is a must-see for anyone who hopes to understand what it took to bring this ship home.  Most importantly, Mr. Carter was one of the finest human beings one could ever hope to meet.  He passed away just five weeks after finally realizing his dream.  This website now carries on the work – and the dream – where he left off, and in his memory.  Thanks, Jack ... for being you.    Fair winds!

In Memoriam Jackson Carter