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This page was last updated: 26 JUN 02, 1900Z |
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This page was last updated: 26 JUN 02, 1900Z |
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I spent one week in Chickasaw aboard the 325, which put me in great spirits. It was great being with Bruce Voges and Dewey Taylor. By the time I arrived, Bruce and Dewey had the deck painted, forward and aft. There was also a delightful young lady named Gina Carr working non-stop. When I arrived, all three were painting. The next day Gina and I were chipping rust around the cargo hatch. Mike and Tim Voges arrived on the scene and, without wasting time, they started on the safety rail. We turned to at 07:00 and quit between 15:00 and 16:00. Vance Barnes was there with his paint brush, improving the officers' country bulkhead. Chuck Frawley also came and went to work doing his thing. And let's not forget Cal and Pearl Ellison. What a swell couple they are. I did some tours and a couple of Blue Crew members came and took over. Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Jacobsen came from Mandeville, LA, for a visit and left a real nice contribution. Raymond belongs to the Louisiana LST Association. Michael Smith came to collect information and pictures for his Progress Report. After Gina finished chipping, she helped Mike and Tim by cutting pipes for the safety railing. Dewey and Gina both left Thursday morning ... I was sure sorry to see them go. Saturday morning about 30 people came for a tour. They were participating in some kind of car show in Mobile. They were very generous as they left. Thanks to the Blue Crew; they came to do the tours. By the time Saturday's quitting time came, Mike and Tim had completed 2/3 of the safety rail on the starboard side. It's unreal, the feelings people get when they come aboard to work, they just don't want to stop. Our goal is to get her in good shape and we're going to do it. There are never too many volunteers ... We need you, so don't stop coming! I left Sunday morning, along with Mike and Tim. Boy, I sure hated to leave! ~ Ron Maranto |
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Dated 25 JUNE 2002 LST 325 is really lucky to have Bruce Voges aboard this month. During his tenure the main deck has been repainted and the project to replace the ship’s original wire life-lines is well underway. The main deck is now a very nice deck gray. What’s so important about this paint is that it is marine epoxy paint. This paint will be more resistant to the harsh elements and will help to preserve the main deck of the 325. The paint is challenging to use, as it must be mixed and used expeditiously or it will set up in the paint tray. Bruce and a number of volunteers tackled this job in just a few short weeks and we all owe them a big round of applause. The other surprise I had upon returning to the ship was the amazing progress being made on the new deck railing. Although practical for military use aboard the LST, the original wire life-line was showing its age. Furthermore, for the safety of the ship's visitors, some of whom may be not be Navy men, the Coast Guard requests a three rung safety rail around the entire main deck. Bruce’s sons Mike and Tim Voges, along with Ron Maranto, were making good progress on the new railing. They have completed the rail from the port side even with the forward bulkhead of the ward room, all the way aft around the fan tail, to the starboard side even with where the forward bulkhead of the Captain’s cabin is located. In other words they are about 1/3 of the way complete. In my opinion, the most difficult third, because it encompasses the most turns in the rail due to the ship narrowing to the fantail. Mr. Arras arrived back at the ship Thursday eager to start volunteering again after his month long vacation. Within a few days Mr. Arras will again be working on rebuilding another set of pumps or motors for the ship. We mustn’t forget he is also working on the ship’s steering system and reefers among other things. Mr. Matoon was also aboard. This time he was clearing out heavy trash from the boiler room. As you can see, work on the ship is progressing nicely. There is always something going on aboard the LST 325, so I hope to see you aboard this summer.
Photographs by Michael Smith Click on any of the images for enlargements |
Ron Maranto
Michael Voges
Ron Maranto |
Tim
Gina Carr |
Ron Maranto |
LST 325's main deck sports
a
A section of the new
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Dated 22 JUNE 2002 I have been working with Bruce Voges, Dewey Taylor and Ron Maranto. It is such an honor to be working on LST 325 with three of the guys who brought her back from Greece. They are all workhorses. I love it when people come aboard for a tour. Sometimes there are entire buses, and sometimes it is two or three people from several states away. I feel like crying about half the time when I see some of these old sailors inching their way up the brow with cane in hand. They pause at the top and reflect as they look from bow to stern. They are all so honored to be on this ship. As I was on my knees the other day scraping up paint ... with sweat dripping down my face and nose, and my hanky wrapped around the back of my head, and my hat over that (looking hideous), a woman approached me. She asked what I was doing and why I was there. I simply told her I was never able to serve my country so I thought this was the least I could do. She placed one hand on her chest, and with the other she shook my dirty, sweaty, gloved hand and her voice broke ... as she pushed out the words "I don't even know how to compliment you for that" in a beautiful Georgia accent. The men who brought this ship back have done such a wonderful thing. Every sailor who comes aboard for a tour has a story ... their sweet, gracious wives have heard them all 100 times and they still watch in admiration as their sailor husbands tell them once more. It gives them a chance to feel proud and heal and just plain feel good. I am truly honored to be on my knees around these guys. ~ Gina Carr |
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(LST 325 Radio Room Project) |
from John Calvin  |
| Donation Request from Bob Wilder
I am working on getting material together so that antennas can be installed aboard LST-325 for use when the ship finally goes to sea again. I have the word out that we need 3/8 to 5/8 inch wire rope for antennas. We want to get the radio room ready operate on all of the amateur bands as WW2LST. Our biggest problem is that we need donations of the wire for installation of antennas for the radio room. I have put out the word for donations of wire and hope we can get enough to get the antennas we need to put the ship on the air. All the best, ~ Bob Wilder
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| Progress Report from John Calvin
The following is a synopsis of the daily log kept by John Calvin during his month aboard the LST 325 (May 2002): 1 May - Arrived from Florida around 2 PM at Brookley, got settled and went on to the ship and started to understand the routine of keeping books and what work has to be done. 2 May - Made a couple of tours explaining what the LST 325 is all about. Then I brought a couple pieces of radio equipment up to the radio room. I also made some trips around town for parts. 6 May - Several different LST groups that are having their reunions in Mobile came aboard and toured the ship. We also had Navy Reserve men that have been called back to active duty come aboard and help out. They are helping with many odd jobs and will be with us for two weeks before they have to report to their units for active duty. 10 May - There were several jobs started today. We started conditioning the crane for painting. The wood that was on the bench in front of the tank deck blowers was dismantled to prepare for replacement. The Navy men were working on the tank deck securing excess equipment in the right compartments. There were also two large tours. 14 May - Three or four tour groups topside. Down in the shaft alley a couple of bearings were repacked and inspected. 17 May - A very large group of LST men from the 808 made an appearance today. We were short of tour guides so we broke them down into smaller groups and got the job done. We also did a lot of work cleaning the evaporator room. The Greeks put a lot of junk down there; we brought it up to the tank deck, then out to the dumpster. 18 & 19 May - The Navy Reserve group from Mobile came aboard this weekend to give us a hand. They were very helpful in many ways. This was their duty weekend so they sent about 12 men over to the ship to give us a hand. They helped us do what jobs had to be done. Some worked on the new ladders that we are installing to get to the upper decks. This required welding and cutting the old equipment away from the area. They also worked in the tank deck lifting and storing equipment in the proper lockers. The very heavy old shore power cable was removed from the tank deck and placed on the land next to the ship. 22 May - This is Bill Arras’ last day before he leaves for vacation. He finished all the pumps and motors for the engine room that he has been working on. Ad Mumford has been aboard all this week and has been working on different projects. Work continues on the new ladders to the upper decks. Ad has also been checking most of the ballast tanks to see if they are dry and working on the manhole covers that provide access to the tanks. 23 May - Carroll H. St. Aubin has been here this week and has been doing odd jobs in different areas. He is from California. Ad’s work on the tanks continues and some water was pumped off the ship. 30 May - Rained most of the day, one group came aboard for a tour of the ship. Members of the crew went down to the Memorial Day ceremonies at the Battleship Alabama to represent the 325. 31 May - Bruce Voges arrived today to relieve me of my duties. I briefed him on the jobs finished, in progress, and yet to be started. I would like to thank all of the Blue Crew for all their efforts that they put into the ship each day. Without them we would not be able to achieve so much. ~ John Calvin [Ed note: We're in need of volunteers on the ship. Now that school's out, how about packing up the kids and heading for the ship to help out? Give them a call on the ship to let them know you're coming ... 251-452-3255. It will be an experience the entire family will cherish!] |
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Dated 13 JUNE 2002 The first week of June one fellow from Bement, Illinois, one from Royal, Illinois, plus Dewey Taylor and Bruce Voges painted the main deck from bow to brow. This week a lady from Paxton, Illinois, is helping to paint the main deck, and two fellows from Florida are using needle guns to chip paint off the main deck vents. On Monday, June 10th, I gave a talk to 400 Tin Can sailors at a convention in Mobile, and was presented with a generous check for the ship. Tuesday and Wednesday, the sailors and their wives came to take tours of the ship. Plans are to begin building and refurbishing the lifelines next Monday, when two more fellows from Illinois come down. ~ Bruce Voges |
Bruce Voges |
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Michael Smith Dated 03 JUN 2002 Well, the rain followed us to Mobile on Thursday (5/30). Heavy
rain kept the ship cool all morning but also slowed work and the number
of visitors. Naomi and I completed a few odd clean-up jobs and polished
some brass aboard the ship. We did give one tour to a father and
his two young sons. Bob Ostrander was aboard and working on some
of doors in officers' country. With the computers and some other
valuable donations, getting locks back in the stateroom doors has been
a priority. The new computers are all set up and ready for use.
As we were preparing to leave, Mr. and Mrs. Voges were arriving in order
to take over for the month of June.
~ Michael Smith
Click on any of the images for enlargements |
Naomi Friedman
Jerry Betts of the Mobile
Chapter
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The bulkhead shown stripped
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Pearl |
I've had a number of pictures
of
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from Vince Collier Hello from Vince Collier. I hope this finds all you guys healthy and well, and to say that I think of you often. I have had a great time helping out on the ship, and seeing all you great people. I just thought I would tell you of the passing of my grandfather, Thomas Lee May, last Wednesday the 29th of May, due to complications from knee replacement surgery. He fought in the Pacific theater in the war against the Japanese, and served aboard the escort carrier USS Copahee (CVE 12). He was a lot of the reason I was helping with the 325; he was a lot of the reason I joined the Navy after high school in the first place. I did so want him to see the ship, and maybe even go to Normandy with her in '04. He was the person who called it to my attention in the first place, and was very excited about my helping, always wanting to know what we were doing next, and how things were going. To me, all the guys who fought for our way of life back then are heroes, and there are few words that do justice to their contribution to this world. Another American Hero has gone on to be with his buddies. He will be missed. God Bless them all. Respectfully, ~ Vincent W. Collier |
Thomas Lee May 
1927-2002 USN 1943-1945
USS Copahee (CVE12) |
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from Capt. Bob Jornlin Dated 01 JUN 2002 We have been remiss in not thanking all the individual members of the National LST Association who gave contributions before and during our trip from Greece to Mobile. When we were in Greece, we were so busy getting the ship repaired that there was no time for anything else. When we were making the trip home, we had all we could do just to keep things running on a daily basis. We did not have knowledge of individual names, only that so many people back home were supporting us both financially and with their prayers and best wishes. |
Lois & Bob Jornlin |
| Believe me, that meant so much to us and kept us going! We believed
acknowledgements were being written as contributions came in. When
we returned home, many of the crew were just plain exhausted and took a
well-deserved rest. I was not prepared for the deluge of newspeople,
questions, and demands on my time and daily life. I was not prepared
to have the responsibility of this ship. It took months to sort out
all that needed to be done and to get the Board working on making the necessary
decisions. Meanwhile, I was busy giving talks, getting donations
for the ship, and keeping interest alive as was most of the crew.
We have written hundreds of thank you notes, but just keeping up with the
current demand. Lois and I were only home in the spring and fall
so I could farm, and the rest of the time "on the road" for one reason
or another - most of them dealing with the ship. We are only now
beginning to find time to catch our breath.
I don't mean to make excuses, only to explain why I have not done some of the very necessary things that I should have seen to immediately. If it hadn't been for the National Association and its members and friends, Linda and Mike Gunjak, Congressman Hall and Priscilla Thompson, Dan Waterfield and Mike McAdams of BP Oil, Sean Connaughton (our marine attorney who offered his services free of charge) and Ambassador Nick Burns, we may never have left the pier in Crete. The many men who came to Crete to be a part of the crew, the Greek Navy, and the US Navy based in Crete provided the help we needed to get the ship ready for sail. These are only a few of the many people to whom we owe our heartfelt thanks. I do not have the list of those who gave before we went to Greece to get the ship, since I was not in charge at that time. I do not have the list of those donors who gave money while we were in Greece and on the voyage home. I never did have that list. If I did, I would be happy to write to each of you personally. Please accept my belated thanks on behalf of the entire crew and the Board of Directors of the USS LST Ship Memorial, Inc. We salute each and every one of you!!! This is YOUR ship and YOUR Memorial, meant to honor you and your service to our country.
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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! |
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for volunteers and visitors |
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Radio Room Project |
Committee |
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Legend: 
with pictures Gold
Crew
Blue Crew
Archives:
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All contents of this website are Copyright © 2001, 2002
by The USS LST Ship Memorial, Inc.
All Rights Reserved. Please email the WebSkipper
with comments, corrections or suggestions.
The
ship now has a new landline telephone: 251-452-3255.
Please make a note of this and discard the old cellphone number.
The cellphone will be retained for a short transition period and then terminated.
Please limit your calls to normal business hours, and please don't
call just to chew the rag or to ask how things are going. Our crew
are working very hard on board, and frivolous calls can only divert them
from that work. It's most certainly appropriate to call for visits
or to volunteer for work.
