Hello,

I have a restaurant at Utah Beach in Normandy, and I have create in my estalishement a small museum in honor of the 2nb naval beach battalion. This house is historic because it was a center communication since the 8th june 44 from november 44.  I am interesting by your history and i follow regularly the evolution of your website.  I have a website which present my establishment, and i would like ask you if you could create a link with my website (i have create a link with your website) : www.le-roosevelt.com

Best regards.

Franck Méthivier 
info@le-roosevelt.com
www.le-roosevelt.com
 

[Ed. note:  Thanks for your interest and for writing to us.  If all goes well, we'll be hoping to visit you in 2004!  Mssr. Méthivier's establishment is also to be seen on page 30 of National Geographic's D-Day issue (June 2002).]

Don't Stop Now!!

Treasurer Bruce Voges reports that donation levels have been slowly tapering off since last September.  Shipboard donations continue to be strong, but mail-in and online donations have dwindled considerably.  Operating and restoring this proud ship are expensive propositions, and we really need your ongoing support whenever you're in a position to offer it.

So won't you take a moment to send a donation?  Please visit our donation page now, while this plea is still fresh in your mind.  Remember that your contributions are tax-deductible. 

Our committee make up is constantly changing.  During our second quarter of 2002 we have seen a few changes.  Though sometimes this means saying "goodbye" to co-workers but not to our friends. We are happy to report that this quarter there were no "good-byes."

With great enthusiasm we welcome aboard these new committee members. 

Mike Whicker: Chairman of the Evansville, Indiana committee; English teacher at Reitz High School; author of Invitation to Valhalla  (a novel using the WW II Evansville Shipyard as a setting); USI speaker on WW II and the leaders of the Third Reich.

His committee has numerous talented and prestigious volunteers, whose diligence's have accomplished much in a short time.  It is their goal to help the LST 325 by raising necessary money and support to make her 2003 trip up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers a resounding success. 

Below is a listing of Mike's Evansville LST Committee:

• Jon Carl, social studies department head at Reitz High School. Illinois historian. 
• Andrew Clark, author A Cornfield Shipyard; nationally renowned LST and Evansville shipyard expert. 
• Jack Cunningham, regional vice president of the Propeller Club organization.  Propeller Club members include those who are very involved with river travel and commerce, such as commercial tow boat and barge companies. The local Propeller Club is very much interested in partnering in the LST 325 project. 
• Joan David, Chief of Staff to Evansville Mayor Russell G. Lloyd Jr.
• Marilee Fowler, heads up Evansville's Convention Bureau
• Harold Gourley, retired school principal and author of the book: Shipyard Workforce.  Harold worked at the Evansville Shipyard and built LSTs, and then in 1944 he enlisted in the Navy and served aboard LST 866 in the South Pacific.
• David James, news anchor at WFIE-TV Channel 14.  Areas top news anchor. 
• Thomas Lonnberg, curator of history/assistant curator of collections, Evansville Museum; one of the foremost experts on the Evansville LST shipyard. 
• George Rehnquist, attorney; military collector; designer, along with Tom Lonnberg, of the Aztar Military Exhibit.
• Ron Riecken, is the headman at Inland Marina and is a charter member of the local chapter of the Propeller Club. 
• Dr. Walter Rinderle, author The Nazis Impact on a German Village, and professor of history, Indiana State University, WW II and Third Reich expert. 
• Eric Von Fuhrmann, professor of English and humanities, University of Southern Indiana. 
• Duane Walter, strong force in the Spencer County Historical Society, actively involved in Tri-State history projects. 
• Patrick Wathen, Assistant Manager of Human Resources at Toyota Motor, Inc., Indiana. This former reporter and editor at The Evansville Courier is an expert on Evansville WWII history.

Arranged for towboat and tug help from the Propeller Club people up and down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. These people can help guide the 325 through narrow channels, supply river pilots which will be required by the Coast Guard on the 325, move barges for docking purposes, etc. etc. Once again we have arranged this help not just in the Evansville area but on the complete voyage from Mobile to St. Louis to Pittsburgh and back home to Mobile.

Supplied Capt. Jornlin with official river maps of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

Met with our congressman and secured his support and help with the bill to waive certain Coast Guard regulations.

Met with the mayor of Evansville and secured his help with security for the ship while it's docked in Evansville. Mayor Lloyd has also offered help and the help of his office in many other ways concerning this project.

Met with local hotel people and Convention Bureau people who are working with us in many ways.

Have gained much media coverage for this project, both newspaper, TV, and radio.  Captain Jornlin has been interviewed several times while in Evansville.  His picture has been in the newspapers and on TV.  I have been interviewed, as have several members of the community.

Mike has flown over potential docking sites and taken photographs for the Coast Guard.

We have secured the total cooperation of our local school district.  The 325 will be docked in Evansville while school is in session.  Plans are already underway for every school child in Evansville to visit the ship via fieldtrips.  Yellow school busses will be constantly pulling up to the 325 docking area while the ship is here.

As you can see Mike and his committee are a great asset to us.  Be sure to visit their website.

Our new historian is Father Brown.  He is serving as Rector at Calvary Episcopal Church in Wadesboro, NC.  He served for 21 years as a military historian with the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.  His current project is cataloging LST sailors who gave their lives while in service to their country.   This project will span three wars.  Each sailor's name will be listed under the war they served in, the date of their death, the LST they served on and any medals they were awarded during that action.  We hope to display this information on a gunwale plaque. 

Our new editor is Bob Ferhinger.  He is a freelance photojournalist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and photojournalist/ photo editor for the Scott AFB Command Post Newspaper.  Bob has agreed to be the editor for our LST newsletter. 

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.

Accomplishments:

• Linda Alvers documentary "Return of the LST 325", shown on the History Channel on Veterans Day, is currently being sold as a video.  They currently cost $19.95 plus S&H.  To purchase one contact Mr. Vogas at (217) 446-1327.
• Sending letters to various famous people asking them to join our advisory committee is a continual job.  Recognition of their names helps in our fund raising efforts. 
• VFW: Charlie Brimm, incoming VFW Commander for the state of Illinois has declared the USS LST Ship Memorial his commander's project for the year.  He has formed a committee of three gentlemen whose sole job is to raise funds in Illinois to benefit our memorial.  After Charlie takes command in June he has volunteered to send a letter to all VFW commanders asking for their support.  The goal of this support is to gain National VFW support and funding.
• Membership: This will always be the heart and soul of our fund raising efforts.  Our membership has increased to 389 strong.  This program alone has generated approximately $20,000 since September 2001! 
• One thousand newsletters have been mail to interested people to gain new memberships. 
• Grants Package: Mary Stiehl has developed a grant package to use for grants and corporate donation solicitations.  If you know of a company or foundation that you would like us to contact. Please call Anna Koepp at 618-632-7420. 

• Certificates are being developed for higher levels of membership.
• Negotiations with Outlaw Productions for movie rights on the LST 325 and her journey are still on going. 
• Newsletter for members is an ongoing time consuming cooperative work of Anna and Melissa.
• Making contact with other military/veterans organizations.
• Negotiations with McGraw-Hill Publications for a book about the LST and her voyage home are near completion. 
• Researching corporations for donations.
• Wine Tasting benefit.
• New Quilt Project.
• An additional one thousand newsletters will be mailed by the end of June to gain new memberships. 
• Currently working with St. Louis and Metro East Area to support the LST's coming to St. Louis for the 4th of July celebration in 2003. 
• Working with the LST Association on the Convention's Memorial Day Service. We will have at least two tables at the LST convention. 

     ~ Anna Koepp
 

Membership Meeting at LST Convention, August 2002

Come one, come all!

The LST Ship Memorial will have a presence at the LST Convention 2002 in St. Louis Missouri.  On Thursday at 10 am there will be a membership meeting to discuss important issues concerning the USS LST Ship Memorial Inc.  This meeting is open to non-members as well as members.  Anyone who is interested in the future of the LST 325 is welcome.  For details please visit our membership table. 

We will have at least two tables at the Convention.  We are in need of volunteers to staff these tables.  Memberships will be available as well as souvenirs.  Profits from memberships and all sales go to benefit the LST Ship Memorial Inc. 

     ~ Anna Koepp

Progress Report from Rocky Hill

Dated 24 JULY 2002

Dianne and Rocky Hill were honored over the 4th of July weekend to be able to conduct a tour of the LST 325 for one of their sons' family, consisting of Kevin and Barbara Hill and their children Evan and Heather.  It was an extra bonus for us to help Mobile celebrate its 300th Anniversary with the tall ships arriving on the 4th.  What a beautiful sight. 
 

Restoration Update July 5 through July 14

Jim Bartlett and Rocky Hill served as O. D. during this period of time.

What a sad time, W. C. Smith of the Blue Crew was a very good friend and a dedicated person to the cause right up to the end.  Our condolences to his family.  His last project which he did at home was the beautiful combination picnic table and benches which had been picked up by Bruce Voges and brought aboard a few days back.  The working crew installed a brass plate on this table honoring W. C.'s commitment to the restoration of this gallant old lady.

Many of the mornings were started by cleaning standing water from the night-before storms off of the decks, before we could continue our topside jobs.  The jobs worked on consisted of the following.  Cleaning the years' accumulations of rust, dirt, and paint from the main deck vehicle tie-down cloverleaves, and undercoating with rust preventive, then red lead.  Next will be the final coat of epoxy paint.  It will then match the rest of the beautiful main deck paint job done by Bruce Voges and his crew.  Finished painting the hand rails on the new ladders going down to the tank deck.  Chipped paint and rewelded grid rods, plus cut off all four stanchions on corners of helicopter pad that is located on the main deck, in preparation for welding a solid plate over this area. 

To get to some of the problem areas that needed needle-gunning on the first deck, we had to cut the lower 40-mm spare barrel storage box loose and move it back out of the way.  Needle-gunned many bad areas and temporarily epoxy-patched holes in preparation of installing steel plate patches over these areas.  Also removed the large galley blower from the first deck and sent it out for repairs.  Removed bad galley blower fan wiring from fan location to the control panel in the galley in preparation of installing new wiring.  Several stumbling places on deck in crews quarters were removed.

Continued cleaning and work in the evaporator room.  Inspection made of ballast, lubrication oil, fuel oil, and fresh water storage tanks by a marine surveyor and Jim Bartlett in accordance with current Coast Guard concerns. 

A bad storm was brewing out in the Gulf of Mexico while we were down in Mobile and it created some concern for us, so Jim Bartlett contacted Slade Hooks and he came aboard with his crew and helped us tighten up some lines and double up others so the ship would be more secure in the event the storm did come ashore in our location.  Thanks, Slade and your efficient crew, for your help.

We have been so fortunate to have the many people that have become involved with our project by donating parts, tools, and equipment.  Two of these while we were there were a Mr. Charles Kirksey, owner of Metro Fasteners, who filled an order placed by Larry Johnson for bronze bolts for the benches.  When Larry went to pick them up Mr. Kirksey said, "No charge."  We were also given two lengths of new air hose by Mr. Rene Barre of Shipyard Supply.  Many thanks to all of you that help us in so many ways.

John Kinney from the Naval Reserve came aboard to arrange for a group of reservists and another group of Sea Bees to come aboard with work parties. Plus the Chief came back aboard for two days and did some welding for us.

Dianne Hill was elated with the new computers.  She spent many hours using them to do correspondence for the U.S. Ship Memorial Inc. while we were there.

Dianne and I were overjoyed at seeing and working with many of our old Blue and Gold Crew members while in Mobile.  The aforementioned jobs plus tours were done by our many friends.  Skipper Bob Jornlin and his wife Lois, Harold Slemmons, Ed Strobel, Jim Bartlett, Chuck Frawley, Vance Barnes, Cal and Pearl Ellison, Bill Arras, Matt Matoon, Roe Karstetter, Larry Johnson, Martin Hanrath, Bob Ostrander, and of course we enjoyed very much our treasured visits with Paul Hannie.  We have two new Blue Crew members Dean Stewart from Champaign Illinois and Gil Largent from Decatur Illinois, who did a great job for us.  Lee Hunter is a new member working towards his Blue Crew classification.  Welcome aboard, gentlemen.

We are always glad to have any and all the help that we can get to refurbish this wonderful old girl.  You don't need to be a skilled craftsman or technician.  We brought this ship home for all to enjoy and you just can't believe what people that have worked on her have told me about the satisfaction they get from even chipping rust and paint.  Many of them want to come back when they can.  It gives me great satisfaction to work alongside these very dedicated people including family and friends of former LST crew members.  THINK about it, and better still, COME DOWN and HELP US!  Find out for yourself how it enhances your life to be a part of this historical ship's rebirth.

Dianne and I thank all of you once again, 

     ~ Rocky Hill

Dear LST Crew and friends,

About a month ago I came down from Illinois to work on the LST 325.  While I was there I worked with Bruce Voges, his wife and his crew.  I appreciate the hospitality shown to me by the whole crew and especially the Vogeses. 

I had a wonderful time working with everyone and I especially enjoyed hearing the stories of the heroes who brought the ship back from Greece and who served on ships like her during the war.  While I was there we were working hard on getting the deck painted and the aft boatswains closet on the starboard side cleaned and painted.

I can't begin to tell you what an honor it was for me to be able to help preserve our history and work with people whom I admire so much.  We all have a duty to preserve our history and I have found mine.  I am looking forward to a return visit!

I met W. C. Smith while I was down last month and I am sorry to hear of his passing.  I was struck by what a pleasant Southern Gentleman he was.  Please pass on my condolences to his family.

Sincerely,

  ~ Jeff Kurtz

The Loss of Our Shipmate, W. C. Smith
from Capt. Bob Jornlin

We are all very saddened by the loss of a good shipmate and friend, W. C. Smith.  He is one of the few who continued giving to the LST 325 from the very beginning right up to his passing.  He was on the ship giving tours every Thursday.  He kept the generator running at the LST Convention in Mobile last September by bringing the diesel fuel daily that it needed.  He did so many things, and he was always there to do more!  He told "Sea Stories" with the best of them and always had a great disposition with a smile and a hello.  It came as a great shock to me as I was unaware of his heart condition.  Lois and I went with W. C., his wife and other shipmates out to dinner one night in Mobile to his favorite place.  It is hard to find, detour and all, but it is a great place — just ask the Bos'n.  My sympathy and prayers go out to his family, and I want them to know that they will always have a place in our hearts and with the 325.  We will not forget Mr. W. C. Smith. 

  ~ Bob Jornlin, Captain LST 325 

As I Remember W. C. by Pat Johnston At right: "Just Do It!" describes the attitude of (l. to r.) Martin Hanrath, Pat Johnston,  Calvin Ellison and  W. C. Smith

Photo by Pearl Ellison

On my first working trip to the LST 325 in the summer of 2001, I met W. C. Smith.  He took me under his wing, and over the next two weeks he had me working at various jobs throughout the ship.  W. C.'s dry, Southern humor was always with him in everything he did.

I remember one job in particular I'd just finished, it was a hand-dolly I'd spent hours cleaning and painting.  When I showed the finished dolly to W. C., he looked ... frowned ... and said, "I don't think that was a good idea."  Surprised and disappointed, I said, "Why?"  Then W. C. grinned and replied, "You made it look too nice, now nobody'll want to use it and mess it up!"

Everyday during my days on the 325 that summer we would eat lunch or take a coffee break and sit on the fantail.  Of course the old sailors would get to swapping stories, each one trying to outdo the other.  I remember W. C. was originally from Selma, Alabama, and he had some tales from his boyhood days that will remain as part of my memory of him.  He told me about how he met his wife (she was a Yankee, from New York) and their early life together, trying to make a living and support their young family.

I will never be able to sit on the fantail again without seeing W. C. sitting there too.  And I look forward to getting back soon to enjoy that experience; for W. C. will always be part of my life on the LST 325, always be part of my love for the generous people of Alabama, always be part of my pride in working alongside veterans of the greatest Navy in the world, aboard one of the last of these gallant old vessels.

My sincere condolences to all W. C.'s family and many friends.

     ~ Pat Johnston
 

Jim Bartlett, Rocky Hill and I attended the Wake and Mass for W. C. Smith, and spoke to Mrs. Smith and her daughter.  We expressed our deepest sympathy and our feelings of loss for a good friend to the family on behalf of all the Gold Crew and the LST Ship Memorial.  She was very appreciative of our support.  W. C. had recently finished a picnic table that he made for the ship and it is on board the ship now. We had a brass plate made that will be mounted on the table, and is inscribed:
 
 

In Memory of  W. C. SMITH  5 JUNE 1926 - 6 JULY 2002 A DEDICATED MEMBER OF THE   LST SHIP MEMORIAL BLUE CREW

Photo by Michael Smith

     ~ Dianne Hill

Dear Captain Bob Jornlin,

It is with a sad heart and teary eyes that I write this letter to you. Tuesday I laid to rest the most precious Father any daughter could ever have.  I want you and the fellow members of the Gold and Blue Crews to know how deeply he cared for the LST 325 organization.  He truly enjoyed his work and the companionship of his friends, but I know the challenge of restoring the worn vessel was his true passion.  Know that my Father, W. C. Smith, was thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of the Blue Crew. 

May it be a comfort for you and others to know that he did not suffer. I sincerely appreciate the memorial published by Michael Smith.  I will write again as time permits.  God bless you and your organization.

Sincerely,

     ~ Mary Claire Majure

This was overlooked.

Paul Hannie was called by a private tour leader, to head up two bus loads of Tin Can Conventioneers to LST 325.  This consisted of 82 persons from the Adams Mark Hotel.  Hannie set up the times and contacted Frank Larson to take bus #2.  A welcome committee of guides were ready to receive the group.  They were piped aboard by Calvin Ellison, along with the Navy song Anchors Aweigh.  They were welcomed by Hannie and he elaborated on what great heros the Tin Can group were during the WW II, Korea, and Vietnam Eras.  Frank Larson and Hannie were to be commended for a great organizing well done.

Paul Hannie volunteered to paint the cargo hatch. He was welcomed by Chief Bruce Voges.  What was so unusual was that Paul had never had to scrape or paint during World War II.  The Gold Crew and Blue Crew really had a lot of laughs harassing Paul.  Chief Bruce said he did a good job for an amateur.  However Bruce pointed out a few spots that he had missed.

     ~ Paul Hannie

On Friday I was on board the 325.  My father and I are getting back onto the restoration of the light fixtures on the ship.  If you recall from my previous reports [see May 2001], the light fixtures in many compartments had been temporarily fixed.  Restoration of each requires a new socket, new glass, and checking and replacing wires as needed.  We made a list of parts required to restore the fixtures in the electrical shop, the machine shop and the tank deck control room. 

Dean Stewart was in from Champaign, Illinois.  He read an article about the ship that piqued his interest and decided to follow the article's advice and volunteer aboard the ship.  Today he was removing the buildup from the cloverleaves on the main deck.  Clean-up also continues below deck as Matt Mattoon and Adna Mumford continue to clean up heavy equipment, and are now keeping regular tabs on the condition of the ballast tanks.

Jim Bartlett and Rocky Hill were hard at work, while Captain Jornlin gave tours to visitors. 

I'm sorry for the short report, but most of my time was spent working on this trip.  Soon I’ll be sending in some pictures of the restored lighting in the compartments mentioned above!

     ~ Michael Smith
 

In Memory of a Good Friend, W. C. Smith

I have the sad duty to announce that Blue Crew member W. C. Smith passed away over the weekend.  I have known W. C. since May of 2001, when I met him down in the auxiliary engine room.  He was fixing a persistent diesel leak that had been driving Earl Stone crazy.  From that point on, whenever W. C. was aboard, I tried to spend time with him.  I found his warmth and engaging smile to be irresistible, and his knowledge and experiences to be rich and vast.  I was aboard some months after my graduation and W. C. stopped me in the passageway and asked how things were going.  I told him about my residency and my upcoming wedding, and W. C. did something that caught me completely off guard.  He put his arm around me and told me how proud he was of me.  Outside my family and my fiancée, I think no one else but W. C. truly made me feel so proud of my accomplishments.

I am much younger than many of my Blue and Gold crewmates, so for me this is a new experience.  I can truly say that W. C. is my first friend that I have ever lost.  I will miss him greatly.

Progress Report from Capt. Jornlin

Dated 03 JULY 2002

[The following has been transcribed from a telephone conversation with Capt. Jornlin.  The yeoman on the receiving end is hardly the world's greatest stenographer, and oftentimes cannot even read his own scribbles.  Any errors, omissions, etc. may be blamed upon him.]

On Friday, June 28, Lois and I headed toward Mobile along with Ed Strobel and Gil Largent, a friend and electrician from Decatur, IL.  We arrived at the ship on Saturday, where we attended a board meeting.  That meeting was held in Slade Hooks' office, so as to take advantage of his air conditioning and other office amenities.  The entire board was present, along with the new Coast Guard CO, Steven B. Hardy.  We discussed with him our plans for 2003, and he apprised us of current Coast Guard concerns, including having a marine surveyor inspect the tanks and a 3-foot-long crack in the hull.  Other items which will need to be addressed are the steering, engines, radar, etc.  Overall it was agreed that our intended trip is most feasible.  The board meeting lasted about five hours, with a break for lunch.  Many items were discussed, some requiring decisions and others merely discussion.

Also currently with us (besides the board and those mentioned earlier) are Harold Slemmons, Rocky Hill, Vance Barnes, Cal & Pearl Ellison, Dean Stewart, Bill Harris, Chuck Frawley and Larry Johnson.  We're currently working on some of the electrical systems and fixtures, cleaning out decades worth of build-up inside the cloverleaves and, as always, the never-ending job of chipping paint.  I was pleasantly surprised at the immense amount of work performed during Bruce Voges' watch (June), in particular the beautiful paint job on the main deck and the terrific new side rails.  I'd known of his projects, of course, but the results of this work are really something to see.  Many thanks to all who helped on these projects.  Work is always ongoing, and we're always glad to welcome volunteers.  Keep coming ... we need you!

The ship will be closed on July 4.  The City of Mobile is celebrating its 300th anniversary, and many tall ships will be here for the occasion.  It should be quite a sight.  One such ship brought our own voyage to mind.  It made a 57-day trip from Hawaii!  Lois and I, along with Jim Bartlett, have been invited to be present at the occasion's headquarters in the Convention Center, where we anticipate making some commentary from time to time.  Ever-generous Slade Hooks has invited the rest of our crew to ride on an awning-covered barge to get prime views of the tall ships and the festivities.

One question that has come up a few times concerns the Hellenic sun symbol toward the bow of the ship.  This is a symbol that has very deep and special meaning for the Greeks, and they requested several times that it not be removed.  They told us that it would keep us safe during our voyage, and I don't see how we can possibly argue with that!  And there's no question but that we owe the Greeks a huge debt of gratitude.  Some of us have made a little fun about how the Greeks did this, that or the other thing, but hopefully that's all just in fun while we recognize that not all people do things the exact same way.  And, just like us, I'm sure that they were often in the position of having to do the best job possible with the materials and resources at hand.  The bottom line is that they kept this ship alive, they facilitated transferring the ship to us, and they gave us an enormous amount of help in getting her ready to make the voyage.  That voyage would simply not have been possible without their enthusiastic support.  To our many wonderful Greek friends,  EUCARISTW POLU!

Best wishes to all as we celebrate our country's 226th birthday!

     ~ Bob Jornlin

Update from Michael Smith

Dated 01 JULY 2002

No matter how early I leave New Orleans, the volunteers are already hard at work when I reach Chickasaw.  Progress continues on the safety rail, which now runs up the starboard side all the way to the dog house.  Although Bruce Voges will be leaving in just a few days, he has not slowed his pace one bit.  Friday morning, Martin Hanrath and I helped him clear some line from the main deck.  Then, while I took pictures and Mr. Hanrath gave a tour, he commenced to securing the tarp over the cargo hatch (it had been removed for painting and clean-up) and then he moved on to pressure washing the aft end of the ship. 

Bill Kaupas also arrived aboard the ship Friday morning.  Mr. Kaupas, a member of the board of directors, delivered a new podium he made for the ship.  The beautiful podium will provide a spot from which volunteers can greet visitors as they come aboard the ship.  I neglected to get a picture, but I promise one in my next report.  Jim Bartlett and Don Chapman were also aboard tending to different projects.

In deeper parts of the ship, work continued in the ballast tank department.  Mr. Mattoon and Mr. Mumford have been working on this during my past few visits.  This is a dirty job, but very important for maintaining the ship. 

I may get the opportunity to return next week and continue my summer coverage.  Stay tuned ... !

     ~ Michael Smith

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 June 2002:

• 26 JUN 02 - Progress Report from Ron Maranto
• 25 JUN 02 - Progress Report from Michael Smith
• 22 JUN 02 - Update from Gina Carr
• 19 JUN 02 - Donation Request from Bob Wilder
• 19 JUN 02 - Progress Report from John Calvin
• 13 JUN 02 - Update from Bruce Voges
• 03 JUN 02 - Update from Michael Smith & Naomi Friedman
• 02 JUN 02 - "Another Hero Gone" from Vince Collier
• 01 JUN 02 - "Belated Thanks" from Capt. Bob Jornlin

• 28 MAY 02 - Update from Ron Maranto
• 22 MAY 02 - Update from James Edwards
• 22 MAY 02 - Open Letter from Steven V. Madona
• 20 MAY 02 - Call for Volunteers from Bob Jornlin and Bruce Voges
• 20 MAY 02 - Special Donation Thanks from Joe Milakovich
• 20 MAY 02 - Pictures from BU2 Fred Conklin
• 19 MAY 02 - Update from Michael Smith
• 14 MAY 02 - Update from Vince Collier
• 13 MAY 02 - Reunion Announcement from Jack Cohen
• 05 MAY 02 - A Note from Your WebSkipper
• 05 MAY 02 - Pictures from Michael Smith
• 04 MAY 02 - Progress Report from Joe Milakovich
• 03 MAY 02 - Update from Ron Maranto
• 02 MAY 02 - Progress Report from Capt. Jornlin
• 02 MAY 02 - Progress Report from Michael Smith & Naomi Friedman
• 01 MAY 02 - Update from Gayle Lyon

• 26 APR 02 - Progress Report from CTR1 (SW) Raymond J. Trendle, Jr.
• 26 APR 02 - Update from Walt McBride
• 17 APR 02 - Progress Report from Michael Smith
• 13 APR 02 - Update from Bob Wilder
• 12 APR 02 - Update from Jim Bartlett
• 12 APR 02 - Update from Earl Stone
• 12 APR 02 - Reunion Announcement from Frank Owsley
• 07 APR 02 - Progress Report from Michael Smith & Naomi Friedman
• 07 APR 02 - LST 1084 Reunion Annoucement from Bruce Newman
• 05 APR 02 - Progress Report from Gary Lyon

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