In May 2003, Capt. Jornlin presided over a wedding ceremony for Ernest and Susan Andrus (see the 15 May 2003 article in the Progress Report archives).  Now, love once again finds its way to the 325.  The following was received from Patrick Johnston and Mary Lou Hatin, both devoted Blue Crew members:

"Pat Johnston and Mary Lou Hatin, both LST 325 Blue Crew members, are pleased to announce their engagement.  If you look close, you may see the ring (that's what we were TRYING to show off).  The wedding date is set for April of next year.  Additional details will be forthcoming.

Best,

     ~ Pat and Mary Lou

Sorry this must be short.  I have been recovering from 'encephalitis.'  I was in the University of Iowa Hospital eleven days in October.

Progress has been going on with the ship nevertheless.  We have some good men taking care of it.  Jim Bartlett has been there with MARINE SYSTEMS, the engine repair division of KIRBY INLAND MARINE, the tug people that pushed us from Mobile to New Orleans and back.  They have worked on the port starter and port main engine and are looking at putting the throttle controls up to the wheelhouse.

Bill Kaupas has been doing a lot of the paper work, and working with the US COAST GUARD on the necessary repairs and safety items we need to make our trip to BOSTON next summer.  Everything is still GO for that trip to include four other cities in the Boston area and Philadelphia, Pa, and the LST NATIONAL CONVENTION.

We have the USS LST SHIP MEMORIAL BOARD meeting Dec 7th and 8th in Arkansas. We have a lot to work on and get ironed out. We have two new board members -- Mr. Terry Leahy and Mr. Ron Maranto.

VOLUNTEERS are needed to get the ship cleaned, repairs made, and also give tours.  This is your ship.  You can be unhappy with the Board members and myself, but the 325 never did anything wrong!  We had a very successful trip this summer.  Made people happy and raised needed money to make repairs.  Maybe some things could have been done better or different as some suggest, but perfect was never a consideration.  Getting to Evansville and Jeffersonville was the only goal and we did it!

     ~ Bob Jornlin, Capt. LST 325

Posted 01 December 2003

I pulled duty on LST 325 for the month of November.  During that time, we had eight CPO's on active duty come to help out.  In the picture, they are the ones wearing the red shirts.  Also in the picture are two retired CPO's, Wayne Pollock and me, for a total of ten of us!  Wayne Pollock was in charge of the ship for one month.  I gave the Chiefs a tour of the ship and then turned them loose to work on the ship.  I would say that the wheelhouse brass was never as polished as it was that day!  Best ever!  [Comment from Ron Maranto: "It took eight CPO's a full day to polish the wheelhouse brass???  Just kidding, as I don't know what else they did."]

Several of the Chiefs want to come back and give us another day of work.  You sure can't beat that.  That's all for now.

     ~ Cal Ellison

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 November 2003:

• 25 NOV 03 - Greetings from an Overseas Mate!
• 24 NOV 03 - Holiday Ship Closure
• 24 NOV 03 - Commemorative LST 325 Tapes
• 11 NOV 03 - Progress Report from Bill Kaupas
• 02 NOV 03 - Progress Report from Bill Kaupas

• 30 OCT 03 - Update from Michael Smith
• 11 OCT 03 - Blue Crew List Updated
• 08 OCT 03 - Update from Ralph Bryant
• 05 OCT 03 - Update from Bill Kaupas

• 07 SEP 03 - In Memoriam, Lloyd Mosby
• 03 SEP 03 - Board of Directors Election Results, from Bill Kaupas

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