|
|
||||||||||||
|
Well, here it is spring! Although at the time of composing this newsletter it still feels like winter, at least in the northeast. We hope it warms up so can rid ourselves of this "cabin fever." Housekeeping item: All Association officers and governors should plan to arrive in Branson on Tuesday, September 15. The Governor's meeting will be on Wednesday, September 16, time and location to be advised. Update on the SIERRA memorial plaque: Bob Morales, 59-61, E Div, EM1, who spearheaded this project, advises that the plaque is completed and will be mounted in the "Hall of Fame" at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. (Webmaster's note: a picture of the SIERRA plaque has been placed on the Sierra Vet's home page.)
WELCOME ABOARD
J. T. Smith, Chairman of the USS DIXIE Reunion Association has contacted us wondering at some time in the future, we consider having a joint reunion with them. They have theirs every other year. This matter should be brought up for discussion at the Governor's meeting and General Meeting. Just a short note in that we hope to have a great turnout in Branson, MO since so many members wanted us to hold a reunion there. We anticipate a good representation from our shipmates living in the Midwest. Get your registration forms in early. Just a repeat from our last news letter, do not register with our Treasurer, Frank Savino, it has to go to Gatherings Plus. Reunion
Schedule
Registration / Airport Shuttle /
Refund Policy Gatherings Plus web site:
www.reunionproregistration.com/usssierra.htm
LIFE MEMBER'S CORNER Ray Bergthold, 48-52, 3rd Div, IC3, writes that he and his wife Lucille have attended several ship reunions. They had all four sons with them at the Decommissioning Ceremony in 1993. In 2007 Ray underwent chemotherapy infusions for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and is cancer free. He'll try to make Branson. (DPR: Ray submitted many photos that were included in the SIERRA Decommissioning Book. Stay well and hope to see you in Branson.) Roy Herndon, 43-44, CWT, sent us a long note about his Navy experiences. He's a Plank Owner being aboard when SIERRA was commissioned in Tampa, FL from January to October 1944. He still has the "Red Button" which was given him to enter the shipbuilding facilities. Roy has made a DVD to cover his experiences during the war, not only on the SIERRA but other vessels he served. Roy and Sylvia, his bride, celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary last month. (DPR: It was only coincidental that I put a Kansas state postage stamp on the newsletter sent to your home in Kansas.) Frank Teodori, 46-48, S Div, SK3, says he has many stories about the "Mighty S", as he calls it. He's to chronicle them soon. Frank is a two-time cancer survivor. His right lung was removed and also has Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He says he beat it because he was brought u in the streets of South Brooklyn, NY. (DPR: Way to go Frank!) Vernon James, 47-51, R-2 Div, MR2, wrote to Frank Savino, "Enclosed you will find a check for my 2009 dues. Hope all had a good time at the last reunion. I do not travel very far anymore. At a slow pace and 81 years, things do not work very well...." Gerald Pagett, 49-52, 3rd Div, EM3, writes to Frank, "Hope the weather warms soon as we are near zero. Here are dues for 2009 and April 10th I will hit the big 80. Enjoy the newsletter and will try to continue supporting the Association. (DPR: Happy Birthday, Gerald.) Edward Spille, Sr., 59-60, A & T Div, SCPO, writes, "It has been called to my attention that I should be considered for a Life Member Certificate for our Association. My birth date is 10 Sept 1926 (presently 82 years old). I served in SIERRA as 'A' Division Chief and also as 'T' Division Chief, living ashore with the division at different Med ports with fleet vehicles June 1959 to August 1960. I served under Captain Stan Barnes and Captain W. J. Stencil."
A LITTLE LIGHT HUMOR? A few of
Rodney Dangerfield's one-liners:
CREW'S NEWS Frank got this from Arnold Court, 56-59, 4th Div, MR2, "... Sorry that I could not make the 2008 reunion but will certainly try to make the Branson reunion in 09. I did manage to make contact with my old Navy buddy, Jim Hagan, though. We spent a few days in Alexandria Bay getting to know each other again and reminiscing about the old days 50 years ago..." Bob Vatore, 57-59, Deck, SN, writes, "... I served aboard the SIERRA for about 2 years. A good part of that time I was the orderly/driver for our captain at the time who was Capt. Nicholas P. Nicholas. Maybe some of my shipmates might remember me. I served aboard from July 1957 to June 1959." Jack Alvaro, 61-62, 2nd Div, SN, writes, "Enclosed is a check for my 2009 dues. The SIERRA web site is really great. I look forward to seeing more photos on it in the future." (DPR: The web site is www.uss-sierra-vets.org) Frank received this from Ron & Marianne Proctor, 51-54, O Div, RM3, "Enclosed is a check for 2009 dues. Ron is current. If not, let us know. Looking forward to this year's trip..." Leonard Deloplaine's, 44-46, 6th Div, ETM1, daughter Marilyn Manning sent the following, "I am not sure what dues are at this point but I know I wanted to 'pay up' for my dad, since his death 13 years ago. So I am adding a little extra again this year. This association was very important to him. I still own the condo in Ocean City, NJ that belonged to him and my mother. I see that your reunion is there in 2010. I hope to attend and meet many of you! Thanks for continuing to send the newsletters!" (DPR: Marilyn, we hope to meet you next year. Many of us knew your father well.) Roger L. Holmes, 65-67, Staff, AK3, wrote to Frank Savino, "I'm happy to hear that you are doing well after your close call. 'God Bless to you and yours.' Sorry I'm late! I enjoy your newsletter, keep up the good work." Richard Knapp, 57-60, 2nd Div, BM3, writes, "I was so glad to see that an old ship buddy of mine is now a subscriber. I was on the U.S.S. SIERRA with Robert Vatore and I have sent him an email..." Jack Reardon's, 43-46, 6th Div, ETM2, widow, Rose, writes, "Sorry I'm a little late with my dues. I guess the newsletter was a good reminder. The trip to Branson sounds great but my 89 years keep me pretty close to home these days. I'll be anxious to hears about it when you get back." Kenneth McDonald, 51-54, 1st & 4th Div, MR2, sent this in, "I believe I'm behind 2 years on my dues. So here is a check for $40.00. Sorry! I have a handicapped wife and we moved into a double wide on one floor to make her life easier, and mine! I see we have a new member, Phil Clemens, MR1, who was there when I was but can't recall him. Wish I could but memory isn't there, I guess. Hoping you are feeling better and keep up the good work. My health is great and enjoy the countryside here but it's been a long winter." Capt. Nick Stasko, 95-87, CO, Capt., "Enclosed are my dues for 2009 and 2010. Wish we could make it to this year's reunion at Branson, MO but doubt my back and legs will allow it." From Robert Simensen, 76-79, RO, MRC, "Shipmates: Way behind on all kinds of happenings. Would like to be able to attend this upcoming reunion in Branson this September. However, with a family reunion, another ship's reunion, plus travel in December, too busy. 2008 was busy as it was, two family reunions in Arkansas, a ship's reunion in Charleston, SC, family reunion in Norway, visiting family members in Georgia, Connecticut, Michigan, West Virginia, plus other stops along the way, was a busy four months of travel. Taking a little breather from travel this year. Hopefully we can attend the next reunion. Enclosed please find funds for the newsletter plus a couple years of dues to the association."
We received a call from Edward A. Menzel's,44-46, 9th Div, PM1, cousin, Carol Thurber, who advised us that Ed died March 15, 2009. Ed was 90 1/2 years old. Ed was from Riverside, RI. He was buried with full military honors.
Respectively Submitted By DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS
|
||||||||||||