JANUARY 6, 2001

I had a message this morning from the aid to Vice Adm. John Sklor, he told me that the Coast Guard has stated they will not do anything to the crew of the LST-325.  It was rumored that the  Captain would be arrested when they arrived in Mobile.  This is not true and never was.  Please do not call the Coast Guard with your fears, no one will do anything to him or the crew.  Thanks for your help.  They are being very helpful and doing their job.  Thanks again

The ship will be in Mobile on Jan 10, 2001 between  10:00 am and 11:00 see you there.  This is the last report until we return from Mobile.   Thanks Mike and Linda Gunjak

Comments  FROM BOB MADDEN   LST-708

My wife and I returned home a couple of hours ago from a visit to Nassau, Bahamas, where we had the honor to step aboard the 325 while it was in port to pick up lube oil and some other supplies. The ship looked great for its age and so did the crew members. They're all excited about being so close to home now. When I saw it coming close to the dock, my first comment was: "It's BEAUTIFUL," even if it was a bit rusty in spots. Quite a few people were at the dock in Nassau looking at the ship and it was great to explain to them the history of the ship and its incredible voyage from Greece. The U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas came to the pier and he, an assistant and several other embassy staff people climbed the Jacob's ladder to reach the main deck. The crew welcomed all visitors and at the same time were busy taking on the oil drums and foodstuffs which included fish, chicken, lettuce, a giant squash some other fresh vegetables and loaves of bread. Looks like they'll be eating well the next several days as they make their way to Mobile. The ship was in port only about four hours and was out of Nassau harbor at about 1730 hours. You cannot imagine the emotion I felt when I went on board and the memories it brought back to me. I remembered all the men on my ship, the LST 708, in the South Pacific. I knew many of the 325 crew members personally. I joined the group in 1995 but had to drop out last year because of vision problems. The camaraderie that was so evident today when I visited the 325 was such that I know I would be honored to serve with all of these men anytime.

Jan. 6, 2001  from the Captain's wife Lois

Hi to all!  Bob called this evening and informed me all going well.   Today
the seas were calmer.  They are headed to the Keys and should arrive there
early AM Saturday and perhaps past the Keys by evening Saturday.  Then its on
to the gulf and up to Mobile!!  He sounded good and upbeat.  Bob said some of the guys
want to wear their uniforms - I think they should wear whatever they want to
after what they've been through!!  The ship is expected to arrive about
10:00am on the 10th with a ceremony at 11:00am (approx. 30 min. long)
according to Ms. Thompson.  We will be provided with transportation to the
dock.  Bob noted that people will probably be able to board the ship that
afternoon or perhaps the next day.  All the news media will be there
according to all the phone calls I've gotten.  This is so exciting that we
can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!!
   
    I am leaving Sunday to drive to Mobile.  Will arrive Monday afternoon
hopefully if all goes well.  So looking forward to meeting all of you.  Feels
like you are family already.  Wishing you a safe trip to Mobile and the crew
God speed.   Lois

Jan 5, 2001

We want to let everyone know the souvenir HATS, LOGO PATCHES, SWEATSHIRTS AND T-SHIRTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO BUY IN MOBILE.  Prices will be reasonable.

ALSO A COMPANY MY DAUGHTER, LAURA WORKS FOR HAS DONATED 150 LCVP'S PLASTIC MODELS,.{ THEY NEED TO BE PUT TOGETHER.} THEY ARE TO BE SOLD AND PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE M/V LST MEMORIAL.  THEY WILL BE HANDLING LST'S SHIP MODELS IN A FEW WEEKS.   WE WILL HAVE CATALOGS AND ORDER FORMS IN MOBILE TO PURCHASE THEM, WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE ABOUT JAN. 15TH.  I WILL PLACE A ORDER FORM ON THE WEB SITE AND IN THE SCUTTLEBUTT FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT WANT TO PURCHASE ONE AND CAN'T BE IN MOBILE .  THIS WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE OTHER ITEMS ABOVE. 

We are ready for them to come home.  After I put the information on the web site for the day,  I got a call from Captain Jornlin.  He was very tired he had been up since 3:00am getting the ship ready along with the crew, to come into Nassau.   They had to have a pilot and tugs to bring the ship into the harbor.  They were taken to the Customs docks.  They arrived about 1:00 pm on Jan 4, 2001. Took on the filters for the engines, bread,pop, and the 10 drums of Lube oil.  The Ambassador to the Bahamas and the Governor with the news media came and welcomed them to the country.   Everyone is doing well and are anxious to return to the United States. They left about 7:00 pm for home.  He told me that during the evening they were having heavy head winds but progressing toward the Gulf Stream. They will be making the turn toward Miami and then to the Keys later in the week.  Looks as if they may be near the Keys late Saturday evening.  This is not for sure, but it looks like the plan of the day.   He told me he will call us again on Saturday.  We will be leaving for Mobile on Sunday so I won't be updating past there.  I believe the map will be updated.   Please check the Log of the LST-325 for further news.  Mike and Linda Gunjak.

Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 19:31:00 -0000 (GMT) Cc

1. Position N25-05, W077-20.5
2. Ships systems: No.2 Gen., gyro-compass
3. 24,500 gal fuel.
4. Moored starboard side to pier in Nassau
5. Ship's Company, 29, all healthy.
6. Departure ASAP. Attn: Mobile, We're Alabama Bound!!!

J.R. Carter, CDR, USNR (Ret.)
XO, M/V LST Memorial

Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 20:07:00 -0000 (GMT)

item 10

Hi- This is Dominick R Perruso from Palmer Township, PA. I have been aboard the LST 325 since July. I want to tell my wife Dottie that I love her and miss her, also Mingy, our little Jack Russell terrier also all my relatives. I want to say hello to all my friends in Palmer Township Wilson Boro West Easton and Easton, PA. I want to thank everyone that helped to make this voyage possible. I am proud and honored to be a member of this crew. (An extremely long and detailed list of ship's work done by Mr. Perruso was deleted to allow radio transmission of this message.) I am looking forward to arriving in Mobile, AL, that will be one great day for the whole crew. Happy New Year.

January 4, 2001

We have been hearing that someone has been saying the ship is going to Fort Lauderdale. Fl. That is not true!!!!!!!  The ship is going Mobile, Al.   It will be there on January 10, 2001.  About 10:00 am. Please listen to what we are saying.  When the group asked for a place to place the ship the only place that agree was  MOBILE, AL.

I hope this puts this subject to bed.  Thanks for your understanding sometimes rumors get started.  It might have been mentioned on the LST-325 log web site when they were looking for a spot.
The ship was to dock in Nassau at 1:00 pm this afternoon they will be leaving at 5:00 pm. I just spoke to the person that is helping them in Nassau, Tom Basden, he is a friend of Don Chapman's son Mike and he said the ship was ready to leave for Mobile.  More information as soon as I get it.  They will be in on TIME. See you soon.  Phone is working again. Linda
          

Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 18:02:00 -0000 (GMT)

1. Position N26-30, W073-16.
2. Ships systems: No.2 Gen., gyro-compass
3. 26,000 gal fuel.
4. Track 256, steering 280 mag., SOA 8.5 kt, Sea state 2 to 4, Wind force 3, Swell direction 330, wind dir. 330, cloud cover 40% scattered, vsby 20nm.
5. Ship's Company, 29, all healthy. 6. ETA Nassau, 1700Z, 4 Jan 2000, departure

ASAP. J.R. Carter, CDR, USNR (Ret.)
XO, M/V LST Memorial

Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2001 13:38:00 -0000 (GMT)

1. Position N27-16, W069-38.
2. Ships systems: No.2 Gen., gyro-compass
3. 27,500 gal fuel.
4. Track 258, steering 275 mag., SOA 8 kt, Sea state 2 to 4, Wind force 3, Swell direction 330, wind dir. 330, cloud cover 80% scattered, vsby 20nm.
5. Ship's Company, 29, all healthy. J.R. Carter, CDR, USNR(Ret.) XO, M/V LST Memorial

J.R. Carter, CDR, USNR (Ret.)
XO, M/V LST Memorial

Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 18:51:00 -0000 (GMT)

Item 8

I would like to express my feelings on being able to make this trip by saying it has been an emotional experience to relive old times, meet different people of the world. Being physically able at age 74,to accomplish this is something I am very proud of. My family's support in helping me do this is very important to me. To me it is a once in a lifetime event. Harold Slemmons, Mayor of Lone Oak, Texas

Item 9

Hello- I'm Bailey Wrinkle from Tennessee on board as an electrician, crewmember of the LST 325 from Crete-Greece to Mobile, Alabama. I am extremely proud to be a member of this crew and to represent the great state of Tennessee and the town of McKenzie. I have acquired a good bunch of new friends with the crew and am totally amazed at what they can repair and put together when the chips are down with so little to work with. This was supposed to be a trip of 50 days. As of this week I will have some 130 days and some even longer, but Mobile is getting closer. My best to Bobby, Paul, Joel and all my friends. Without their help this would never have happened. Christine with broken foot, tell all our friends, Thanks for their interest and support. To Mark and Amy and the grandchildren - Matthew, Kyle, Abby and Luke, that Pop-Pop has lots to tell you. They said it could not have been done. No Way - To bring a WWII 60 year old Naval Vessel, LST 325 out of the graveyard - Bring it back to the US from Crete, Greece - No Way, it could be done. (But we did it). Best Wishes, Bailey M.

Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2001 14:32:00 -0000 (GMT) Message

Item 6

Happy New Year from Joe Sadlier, to my loved ones and friends, from the LST325. We're still cooking and having a blast.

Item 7

Hello - Albert White here: We are cruising in the Atlantic on our WW2 LST, heading west about 3 or 4 days from Nassau. We sill stop briefly for some supplies, then sail for Mobile, Ala. We plan to arrive about the 12th of Jan. At this time I want to wish everyone back home a very very happy new year. this will include my very wonderful and understanding wife, Gloria; all the kids - Nancy, Bonnie, Albert, Edwin, John, Wendy, Mat, Mark, and Jan plus all the grandkids and great grandkids. Check the TV news for any news of our trip. You will be hearing from me again about the 10th of Jan. May God bless our ship and our crew and may He bless and keep all you healthy and safe in the New Year.

NEW INFORMATION AS OF 1:00 PM TODAY:

MESSAGE IS AS FOLLOWS.   THE SHIP WILL BE IN NASSAU AT 1:00 PM.   AND WILL BE LEAVING ABOUT 6:00 PM.  ON JAN. 4, 2000. 

THE SHIP IS SCHEDULED TO BE IN MOBILE, AL., ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 10, 2001.  ANY OF YOU THAT WHAT TO SEE THE SHIP IT WILL BE AT THE STATE DOCKS ABOUT 11:00 - NOON ON THE 10TH.  PLEASE TRY TO BE THERE AND GREET THE "CRAZY OLD MEN OF THE SEA"  AS THEY ARE CALLED.  THE CITY OF MOBILE HAVE A BIG PARTY PLANNED.  THANKS AND GOD SPEED.  LINDA

January 3, 2001

We have heard that the ship is getting to Nassau.  The head winds will not delay the return date to Mobile.  As soon as they get to Nassau we hope to have a final date of arrival in Mobile.  The men are doing fine and the spirits are getting ready for the big day.  We hope they arrive in Nassau today or tomorrow.  Hang in there they will be home soon.  It has been like a zoo around here in Toledo.   The phones start ringing at 9:00 and don't stop until 6:00.  You can't believe the interest in the return.  We are so proud of these men Mike and I can't express our thoughts to them.  It is like the celebration of a return of heroes.  In our book they are.

I have sent out a postcard to the families of the crew.  If any of you need to stay a couple days past the 14th. I have suggested a couple of hotels.  I hope everyone understands why the hotels are full.  The Senior Bowl game is held every year in Mobile and the Adams Mark Mobile is booked full after the 14th because it is the Headquarter Hotel.  Rooms are available at the hotels I have mentioned. So please take advantage of the information.  I hope all of the families have booked your rooms at the Adams Mark because it will be much easier to contact you with the important information about the progress of the ship.  Soon as I hear anything I will post it ASAP.  Thanks Linda

January 1, 2001

Heard from the Captain  I will be posting to this page for the next 10 days due to a problem on the LST-325 message board.  Please look for updates here.

Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 08:16:35 -0800

1. Position N28-12, W063-30.
2. Ships systems: No.2 Gen., gyro-compass, Inmarsat Mini-M inop
3. 30,500 gal fuel.
4. Track 262, steering 290 mag., SOA 6.2 kt, Sea state 6 to 8, Wind force 4, Swell direction 230, wind dir. 230, cloud cover 100% overcast,some herring bone pattern to south, vsby 15nm.
5. Ship's Company, 29, all healthy.

J.R. Carter, CDR, USNR(Ret.)
XO, M/V LST Memorial

"Ship's Company Speaks"

My name is Joe Milakovich; I reside with my wife Drucilla in Wauwatosa, WI. I am 74 years old. This once in a lifetime experience has been rewarding. The camaraderie amongst the crewmembers is outstanding. We enjoy some leisure hours sitting on the fantail; we call it the sundeck, and also enduring the rough seas during bad weather days. I'd like to thank my wife and family for the encouragement they gave me to participate in this voyage. I am looking forward to being reunited with them in Mobile.

John Calvin, Chief Motor Machinist, USN(RET.)
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who were involved in helping to get this project off the ground, the get this LST 325 back to the USA. I also have met the finest group of men who took time out from their lives to make this historical trip happen. Conditions were against from the start, as we began to prepare for this voyage. My wife, all my children and family have the backbone of the support for me to make this voyage. They supported me in every way and I love them from the bottom of my heart and they are proud to have been part of this historical operation.

From: Bill(Rocky)Hill somewhere in the Atlantic. I wish a Happy New Year to all my LST 465 Shipmates, Arizona LST Ass'n, Sunflower Resort Friends, My Family and my Kaiser Aluminum fellow employees in Spokane and especially my wonderful wife, Deanne. You too Mike and Linda Gunjak.

From Jim McCandrew To my wife and our families and all our friends in Titusville,PA and Sebastion, FL. Wishing all a Happy New Year, I am still at sea bringing the LST 325 back to the good old USA.

To: Roger and David Meyer 4200 Mohawk St, Lincoln, NE Sorry I couldn't reach you Roger yesterday (12/29). Had gale winds and waves. Now trying to make Mobile by Jan 12. Roger take my medication to Liz, I am getting low. Medication on shelf by kitchen sink. I am feeling fine, ship running OK. Will get to Nassau on about 1/5/011. See you soon.
Love,
Dad Richard Meyer

JANUARY 10TH IS THE DATE.   THANKS MIKE AND LINDA GUNJAK

If any one can get a Navy Times from Dec. 18th issue please see the story that Chris Munsey has written.  All people are welcome to come and see the M/V LST Memorial  (LST-325) return from its adventures across the seas.  They did something the world has never seen before.  They said they couldn't do it but they showed them when you put your mind to something you can accomplish any thing you want to.                          
                      

December 18, 2000

Information on the 325 message board.  The Scuttlebutt was mailed today.   We are hoping to hear a date of arrival very soon.  I'm sure some of you want to be there when they arrive.  I will post it as soon as it becomes available.   The city of Mobile is planning a big welcome.  I am going to guess it will be between Jan 5 and 8th.  That is not for sure. Only a guess.  Thanks Linda 

Nothing new today so far.  Will update as soon as we hear.  They are making about 200 miles a day.  Last report they were about 600 miles west of Gibraltar.  Thanks for your patience. 

Couple of new things check out the 325 page Thanks

The ship has sailed.  Look at the message board.  Sailed at 12:55 est time.  The Scuttlebutt will be mailed on Monday Dec 18, 2000 all information for the Convention is in this paper.  We have had many people pick up on the story of the LST-325.  Thanks for the support.  Linda

December 5, 2000

Please check a web page called  http://www.xmission.com/~jcander/lst325   it has some beautiful pictures of the LST-325.  He was aboard and has returned home.  They are very much appreciated.  The wives and families sure are interested in anything they can get.  Thanks Linda    Thanks goes to James Anderson for the website and photos.

Also a big thank you from our United States LST Association and the crew of the USS LST SHIP MEMORIAL -- LST-325   to    BP Oil Company    for their donation of fuel to return the LST-325 back home.   More information to follow.  Also to Phillips Petroleum for  their $20,000.00 dollar donation to help with other maintenance of the vessel.