"We just received our notice from IRS about the refund, and my wife said, 'Why don't we pass this on to the LST Memorial Fund -- it's something we didn't expect, so we can do without it.'  I thought it was a great idea -- maybe others could do the same.  Do you think the LST people would respond?"

That sounds terrific!  Simply endorse the back of your check:  "Make payable to 'USS LST SHIP MEMORIAL FUND'" and send it to:  USS LST SHIP MEMORIAL FUND, c/o American Savings Bank, P.O. Box 627, Danville, IL 61834.  If only just a handful of people accepted this challenge, it would make a HUGE difference!

Thanks, 

     ~ Ron Maranto

[Ed. note:  Mr. Earl Stone reports that we are about $40,000 short for drydock expenses.  EVERY donation is important, and the small ones add up to sizable amounts, just as Mr. Maranto says.  However, we would also like to encourage you to explore any business contacts that might be willing to donate.  Many businesses NEED tax write-offs and would be glad to donate if only they knew about us.  (Please note that this is referring only to your local small businesses.  We have professional fundraisers whose responsibility is to deal with major national corporations.)  It's true that this ship will always need money, but at some point in the near future it will begin generating revenue on its own.  This is our last big hurdle before the September convention and we're drawing near the finish line.  NOW is the time to crank up the steam.  Let's show this country what we're made of.  And for my fellow Baby-Boomers out there:  let's show The Greatest Generation that the NEXT one ain't all that bad either!]

That chance came this July when I saw my way clear to volunteer for a couple of weeks, so I e-mailed Earl Stone who promptly replied, "Come on down!"  He also said to bring some old work clothes, as there was plenty of work to be done. 

I was born in Australia in 1942, the same year the 325 was built, and at the time the US Navy had a submarine base in the port of Fremantle, near where my home was.  With two older sisters in their late teens, our house was always full of young American sailors.  My earliest years were spent being bounced on the knees of boys from Oklahoma to New Orleans.  Since then I have always had an affinity for the US Navy, so the opportunity to help with the restoration of a gallant ship like the LST 325 was something I couldn't pass up. 

I arrived in Chickasaw, Alabama on July 9th, and at first had a little trouble locating the ship, but everyone in Chickasaw from gas station attendants to postmen know where she's tied up, and gave me easy-to-follow directions.  I reported on board that morning and immediately was given into the care of W.C. Smith, who promptly put me to work helping swing the four LCVPs onto shore.  It was hot and muggy, and everyone admits it was one of the hardest days they'd put in so far.  We were all pretty much spent by the end of that day, but the four LCVPs were ashore on chocks, ready to be cleaned and restored.

The ship had been moved into midstream to allow the boats to be hoisted out of the water, so now the big job was to move the ship back against the dock. Hauling her into mid-stream had been accomplished by pulling her out with the help of a front-end loader.  Meantime the Boatswain's Mate had yelled at me from the ship to untie the line from the bollard on shore, and drag it over to where the front-end loader could hitch up and haul the ship back in.  As I was pulling for all my worth to run the heavy, three-inch line out, the rascally sailors on deck made signals with their hands for me to haul away.  They were killing themselves laughing as the first-day-on-the-job greenhorn tried to move the heavy ship by hauling on the single line.  That was just an example of the fun and comradery that exists on board the 325, as the Blue Crew works to clean up and restore the ship.  I was proud and humbled by their acceptance of me as a member of that crew and to be able to work alongside them was an honor.   Other work that I took part in while I was there was the painting and clean up of the officers' head on the port side in Officers' Country.  I relied on the advice of Vance Barnes, who has been painting the staterooms for months, on the how-to of getting in all the tight spots with a paint brush.  I cleaned the area around the stern, between the boatswain's and small arms lockers; cleaned out topside lockers and restacked life jackets.  Helped other crewmembers roll line and haul junk from below decks.  Painted a dolly that W.C. Smith joked may have been a mistake, as no one would want to use it now that it looked so nice.   I left a lot of my sweat on the 325, but I came away with a lot of good memories.  The times we'd all sit on the fantail by the boatswain's locker and the vets would swap stories, some serious, but mostly yarns about the adventures of being on a ship in wartime.  I learned a lot just listening, impressed with the exploits of these men, especially when you realize that most were only seventeen or a little older when they sailed off to the Atlantic and the Pacific.   Everyday visitors would come aboard, most had pictures or diaries to share, and all had memories both good and bad about their time on the workhorses of the sea.  With over a thousand LSTs serving in WWII they seemed to be everywhere, every ocean, every theater, every operation, supply, rescue, transport, and support.  There was nothing they weren't asked to do, or nothing they couldn't do.   I used to like to go down to the tank deck and imagine that area filled with twenty odd tanks, all revved up and waiting for the bow ramp to be dropped so they could hit the beach.  The port side quarters with its rows of bunks, so easy to understand the cramped and noisy conditions that the Marines or other personnel filling these spaces experienced; they tell me the LST was a rough ride in even the best of weather conditions.  Down in the engine room where the black gang worked, and experiencing climbing the narrow ladder that was the only way out for them if the ship was hit.    For anyone visiting the ship on an irregular basis the changes must be very obvious.  But most of the Blue Crew work everyday, so they probably dont appreciate the tremendous changes that are taking place in the LSTs appearance.  Just the short time I was there, from July 9th until the 18th I saw cabins repainted, polishing and cleaning done, the carpenter shop on the starboard side looking brand new; after seeing the before and after photos Pearl showed me it was hard to believe it was the same space.  I would encourage everyone to visit the ship and if possible stand to and lend a hand, the experience is rewarding and the friendships made are cherished.   I will get back as soon as I can and help some more, I would love to be on board for the trip to dry-dock when that comes about.  Im proud to be a member of the Blue Crew and wish all my shipmates the very best until we meet again.

     ~ Pat Johnston

Many thanks to Ed Holowinko of Norwalk, CT, who heeded our call for donations of memorabilia.  He donated a hardbound 1943 USN Fire-Fighting Manual and a Pharmacist's Mate's tan canvas carrying pouch.  Neither of us knows for sure, but we speculate that such a pouch may have been used during General Quarters, or for roaming visits aboard ship.  If anyone knows, please tell us!

Our original intention was to auction off such items for fund-raising purposes.  Mr. Holowinko's donations have caused us to reconsider that approach.  We've now decided that -- on a case-to-case basis -- we'll consider keeping such items for display on the ship.  And these certainly fit into that category ... so count on seeing them on board in September!
 

Scanning this on a flatbed  didn't work out too well . . .

. . . and this one didn't either.

Randy Duncan of Oxnard, CA, made a donation under some very unusual circumstances.  It was brought to my attention that a WWII-era General Alarm Contact Switch was up for auction on eBay.  We are now in the process of procuring some vintage electronic equipment, including components of the original 1MC announcement system (more on this in an upcoming report), which requires several of these contact switches.

I emailed the seller to see if he'd be willing to donate it to us.  By the time he replied, however, it was too late -- a bid had been placed in the meanwhile, and he was obliged to honor it.

As time went on, two bidders were leap-frogging each other.  It appeared to me that Mr. Duncan (whose identity was unknown to me at the time) was intent upon winning this auction, so I then emailed HIM.  I hadn't heard back from him as the clock ticked away, so in the closing minutes I was poised to enter a bid myself.  I was torn.  I didn't know if the other bidder would beat him out; I didn't know if he'd be willing to donate it (and if so, I'd be bidding against him and raising the price!); and I really wasn't in a position to personally acquire the item anyway.  In the last few seconds, I decided to just let things run their own course.  Lo and behold, here's the email that I received from Mr. Duncan the next day:
 

"Jim, "I'm the winning bidder.  I was actually going to give up on this item until you contacted me. "My father served aboard LST 579 during the war.  I started researching and found it is still in service in the Singapore navy as a missile platform.  They call it L202 Intrepid. "Before the 579, my father was on USS Indianapolis (CA-35).  I don't need to mention what might have happened if he stayed on board. "Other than that, I'm a retired Senior Chief.  How could I not bid on this for the memorial! "Anyway, let me know the mailing address and I'll get this on the way to you as soon as I can. "Thanks for the opportunity to give! Randy Duncan Oxnard, CA"

General Alarm Contact Switch

On the contrary, Chief ... thank YOU for being so selfless and giving.  This item is now safely in Mr. Stone's custody.

We are scheduled to enter dry dock 20 August 2001 but that is not a done deal yet.  We are counting our pennies and hope we can come up with the necessary funds.  Donations have been very slow.  Some last minute donations are needed to make this necessary trip to dry dock possible.  Without sufficient funds dry docking will have to be postponed. 

I would be happy to talk to anybody about LST-325, especially people who would like to donate funds. 

Earl Stone 
(251) 604-5492 
Monday through Friday 
8am to 4pm 

Sometimes I am not available so please call back at another time. 

     ~ Earl

We experienced some server problems this past week, affecting the website and email communications.  We apologize for any inconvenience those problems caused.  It appears that everything is once again working well.

Those server problems caused a delay in posting two new reports from Michael Smith and Ron Maranto, which are being posted today [see below].  We hope you'll find them interesting, despite the delay in posting.  Both reports are accompanied by photos. 

I know Michael was at the ship Sat., July 7 and took some pictures but I am unaware as to whether or not he filed a report because I couldn't get into the website for whatever reason.

When I arrived at the ship I found all four LCVP's on the dock.  Don't know all of whom was involved, but I do know W.C. Smith, Pat Johnston, Hook, and the scrap yard owner came over with his crane. If you don't know already, Pat came over from Az. and I'm told he didn't stop working his whole stay.  Did whatever was asked of him, paint, general cleaning, etc ... His stay was from the 9th to the 18th.  By the way, that was his vacation time.  Thanks a lot, Pat. 

Brian Baldwin, who is a grandson of Leonard Musalabage, (hope I spelled it right), who served on the LST 703 in the Big War.  He came down from Pa.  He had his hands in painting and whatever else needed to be done ... Vince Barnes was at his old job painting the state rooms ... so far he has 5 looking like new and working on the sixth. 

I took some pictures.  Some of them didn't come out too good but I'll send what I have and you can use them as you see fit.   I was told about an LST at Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans so I took a ride over to see if there wasanything on it that we could use.  When I arrived I was disappointed.  There was nothing usable on the ship.  I will also enclose a picture of it if you care to use it or if you think the above is inappropiate for this report, just scrap it.

     ......ron.......
 

Don Chapman's Stateroom	Bruce Voges' Stateroom
LST 16 at Avondale	Starlin Temeto and Mim Burnet

Mr. Stone was nice enough to meet me at the ship Saturday morning and let me take some pics.  REMEMBER, the ship is CLOSED on Saturday and Sunday!!  I will try to make this "pic trip" once every three weeks or so. 

The four pics showing how the LCVP's were moved are courtesy of Slade Hooks; Mr. Stone let me take them home to scan them [shown at right].  Mr. Stone told me the project took three days.  On Thursday the port LCVP's were lowered and brought around to the shore and tied up.  On Friday the ship was moved away from the shore with line and bulldozers.  This provided enough room to lower the starboard LCVP's.  But due to mechical problems with the lifting equipment the boats could not be taken out of the water on Friday.  Finally, by 2:00 on Monday afternoon all boats were out of the water. 

Mr. Stone reports that on Wednesday the oil recovery service will come out and clean the insides of the LCVP's.  Then on Thursday the cleanup work may begin.  Special fabric must be placed under the boats while the Blue Crew cleans and paints.  This is to catch all the old paint chips that will come of the boats.  The fabric will allow the water from the pressure washers to pass through and keep the paint debris from running off.  This fabric then can be carefully rolled up and placed into plastic bags for safe disposal.

Although I am currently not able to volunteer during regular hours, I hope to continue to provide these "Special Reports" when exciting things happen on the 325. 

Please remember that the Ship is closed on Saturday and Sunday. 

     ~ Michael Smith

The same excitement that these planes generated in the air was repeated on the ground by the USS LST Ship Memorial Inc. booth.  Drawn in by the colorful poster boards and Linda Alvers' professionally-done video, the crowds were thrilled to meet LST 325 crew members. 

A long line formed to receive pictures of the crew signed by Capt. Robert Jornlin, Bruce Voges, and Don Lockas.  Emil Kolar, an original WWII crewmember of the 325, made an unexpected appearance on Saturday and graciously accepted the duty of adding his signature to the signing. 

Informational flyers were passed out and a drawing was held for an LST T-shirt, as well as a hat signed by the captain. 

Members of the crew were given VIP status at the show. They sat in reserved bleachers and enjoyed refreshments while watching the exhilarating Thunderbirds Millennial Review.  Some traded stories with Thunderbird and Tora,Tora,Tora pilots. 
 

Due to an unfortunate communication glitch, the LST 325 booth was unable to collect donations until the last few hours on Saturday, and on a much slower Sunday.  Results were still impressive for a booth that was not meant to generate funds.  Over $800 was raised, not to mention the valuable contacts that were made.  We will keep you updated on what those contacts generate for our cause. 

This event would not have been possible without the generous help of many.  Our grateful thanks go out to: 

Mary Recklein:  for our beautiful table display 

Jacob Koepp:  for the use of his truck 

LST crewmembers Robert Jornlin, Don Lockas, Bruce Voges and WWII LST 325 Original Crewmember Emil Kolar:
for taking time out in their lives to put in an appearance 

Volunteers from O'Fallon,IL VFW Post 805 including Pam Smith, Lonnie & Karen Murry, Mary Cornielson, Kim & Rick Bierbrauer, Art Villhard, Jack Roberson, David Butler, Tony Grantham and Earl Hamilton:
for manning the booth for two days 

Volunteers from Admiral Fahey's command, Lt. Commander Andrews, Master Chief Vermillian and Senior Chief Woodson: 
who, in spite of having their own booth to man, helped man our booth on Saturday. 

Lt. Hunn from Scotts Public Affairs Office:  For press release to local media 

Sr. Master Sergeant Mike Pleskovich:  For obtaining a booth space with an electrical outlet for us on short notice, as well as tolerating my numerous phone calls and questions; for his continuing support of our cause, without whom none of this could have happened. 

The USS LST Ship Memorial extends its thanks and a heartfelt "Bravo Zulu" to Anna Koepp, for a superb job of planning and execution of this event.  Well done, Anna!

 
UPDATE FROM EARL STONE

These names have been added to the Blue Crew roster:  Slade Hooks, David Hooks, O.K. Cummings, Grover Sheffield.

Yesterday we moved the ship clear of the dock and lowered the 4 small boats into the water. We then proceeded to lift the boats and place them in their cradles on the dock.

Our thanks to the following:

Hooks Terminal Staff:  Provided heavy equipment, labor and materials necessary to complete this project.

SCAT Recycling:  Furnished the heavy crane/operator to lift the boats from the water and place them in their cradles.

I want to give a special thanks to my Blue Crew for the three days of very hard work that was required to accomplish this project.

Thanks,

     ~ Earl Stone

Posters are now available to help you with your raffle ticket sales.  These can be printed on your computer at home and/or at a local printing shop.

Several different formats are available on the Raffle page (about 2/3 of the way down the page): click here.

Good Luck with your sales ... go, Go, GO!!!

UPDATE FROM LOUIS IACONA

Thanks to Ron Maranto with the surprise photo of me while in the galley doing some electrical repairs in his report to you.  I noticed that my name has been misspelled. It is Iacona, the t should be replaced with an i.  I stayed at the Howard Johnson Motel and met Merton W. Lake there.  He was a great help to me, showing me how to get to the ship.  He is one heck of a painter, never gave up when he ran out of paint while painting the replacement ships gangway ladder.  I enjoyed working with George Manley, a very good electrician.  We made certain all of the ship's receptacles were properly identified as to ac or dc.  The Greek Navy had installed some ac circuits in locations unlike it was on the original 325.  We looked all over the ship for lamp globe covers.  Finally found them in the gyro compass compartment and transferred them to the electric shop where they belong.  George brought along with him to also help us, his young neighbor.  Sorry his name escapes me but I think it is Peter.  The ships wiring in some of lighting boxes had to be reinsulated.  Many of the gaskets [we had to cut our own] had to be replaced as well.  One day Conrad was very unhappy when he did not have power at his coffee maker.  I made him very happy when I showed him where the switch is located.  HEY, we've got to have our coffee or we are not sailors.  I am sending two photos one is with me and George Manley [top] The other is with Earl Stone who was very helpful when I had questions.  I will be back 12 October for a week with some ex shipmates.  We will be having a reunion in Mobile.  We are all looking forward to it.

     ~ Louis Iacona
 

Louis Iacona (at right) with George Manley . . .

. . . and with Earl Stone (at left)

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!

Click here for directions to the ship.

Legend: 

Archives:

Archive for June 2001:

• 02 JUN 01 - Progress Report from Michael Smith
• 02 JUN 01 - Donation Information from Frank Earley
• 02 JUN 01 - Urgent Message from The WebSkipper
• 06 JUN 01 - Update from Capt. Bob Jornlin
• 07 JUN 01 - Brookley Center Pictures from Barbara Maranto
• 09 JUN 01 - Progress Report from Jim Bartlett
• 12 JUN 01 - Progress Report from Walt McBride and Jennings Hoke
• 16 JUN 01 - Progress Report from Ron Maranto
• 17 JUN 01 - Special Project: Radio Room from The WebSkipper
• 19 JUN 01 - Special Project: Radio Room Update from The WebSkipper
• 23 JUN 01 -Two Progress Reports from Michael Smith, 19 JUN and 22 JUN
• 24 JUN 01 - Update from Linda Gunjak
• 26 JUN 01 - Bulletin from The WebSkipper
• 29 JUN 01 - Progress Report from Ron Maranto
• 30 JUN 01 - Progress Report from Michael Smith

• 01 MAY 01 - Progress Report from Walt McBride and Jennings Hoke
• 05 MAY 01 - Crew Pictures from Ron Maranto
• 05 MAY 01 - Sponsor Contact Information from Walt McBride and Jennings Hoke
• 08 MAY 01 - Progress Report from Michael Smith 
• 14 MAY 01 - Editorial Correction re Discounted Lodging
• 14 MAY 01 - Progress Report from Michael Smith 
• 16 MAY 01 - Update from Capt. Jornlin
• 18 MAY 01 - Progress Report from Michael Smith 
• 21 MAY 01 - Update from Michael Smith 
• 21 MAY 01 - Progress Report from Walt McBride and Jennings Hoke
• 24 MAY 01 - Additional Information Concerning Reduced Rates
• 26 MAY 01 - Even More Information on Reduced Rates
• 27 MAY 01 - Two Progress Reports from Michael Smith, 22 MAY and 25 MAY 
• 31 MAY 01 - Update from Walt McBride and Jennings Hoke

• 02 APR 01 - Progress Report from the Blue Crew
• 07 APR 01 - Report from Capt. Jornlin on the Board of Directors Meeting Held 30 MAR 01
• 11 APR 01 - Progress Report from Michael Smith 
• 15 APR 01 - Progress Report from the Blue Crew
• 16 APR 01 - Update from Capt. Jornlin
• 21 APR 01 - Progress Report from Ron Maranto 
• 24 APR 01 - Progress Report from Michael Smith 
• 26 APR 01 - Progress Report from Ron Maranto 
• 26 APR 01 - Update from Linda Gunjak
• 27 APR 01 - Two Editorial Corrections
• 28 APR 01 - Progress Report from Michael Smith 

• 18 MAR 01 - Progress Report from the Blue Crew
• 25 MAR 01 - Progress Report from the Blue Crew
• 27 MAR 01 - Progress Report from Michael Smith 

• 23 FEB 01 - Message from Capt. Jornlin about the Voyage and the Wish List for the Ship
• 23 FEB 01 - LST-325 Ship Repair List by Priority, for Static Display by September
• 23 FEB 01 - Second phase: Get Ship Running