LST-393 NEWS

To View Pictures of the   LST 393

September 15, 2002

The web site of the USS Silversides has been added to our link page. www.silversides.org  They have another one which is www.glnmm.org  This stands for Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum.  If you wish to contact them please call 1-231-755-1230  They have a great brochure I'm sure they will mail  it to you.  Thanks Linda
More updates will be in the Scuttlebutt and on this web site.  

August 7, 2002

REPORT FROM LST 393

     After a rather slow June and July, August is showing a steady increase in activity about the LST 393. We have dozens of ship reunions scheduled for the rest of this month and September. Daily touring has also started to increase.

     Restoration of the exterior is now about 90% complete , with the starboard and port sides done. There is still some work to do on the fantail. We have reduced our work crew and had to lay off two supervisors as a result of revenues below expectations. We are continuing but at a much slower pace. Emergency generator, fire alarms, smoke detectors, and emergency lighting are all complete. We have two direct lines to the Muskegon Fire Department hooked into our alarm system. This involved an investment of approximately $20,000, but meets the city’s fire codes. We are now classified as a permanently moored vessel, which brings us into a whole raft of fire and building inspection rules. We are working hard to change some of these, and we will keep you up to date as progress continues. We always need volunteers to help with the work on the ship.  Please contact us a 231-755-1230.  Robert Morin will be in St. Louis, Mo. for the 17th annual reunion of the United States LST Association.  He will be there to explain what is happening with the ship.  If you are interested please talk to him.  Thanks for all of your support.  We will work on the ship until its completed.  We know everyone will like it when it is done.   Thanks again we need your help. Short story about a former LST Sailor.

Bio of Sidney Muskin

Sidney Muskin is a 94-year-old former lieutenant commander of LST 596 in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Prior to the war, Muskin was a graduate of the mining engineering school at the Michigan School of Mines (now Michigan Technological University) in Houghton, MI.  Following his discharge from the Navy at the end of the war, Muskin went into the mattress business and ran the Grand Rapids Mattress Company before retiring from the business as a 77-year-old “youngster” to work part time in furniture sales. He called on customers across Michigan before fully retiring at the age of 85. At that time he was renowned as the oldest salesman in the furniture industry. Today he resides in Grand Rapids, MI with his wife of over 40 years, Malca.

A recent highlight of his life was an outing to Muskegon, MI, to visit the LST 393, docked in that city and undergoing restoration. It brought back wonderful memories of a most meaningful time of Muskin’s life.

May 2, 2002

This is current information about the activities during the Memorial Day weekend in Muskegon, Michigan.  This will take place at the USS Silversides Museum and aboard the LST 393 that is moored in the downtown docking area.  We will try to get more information for those of you that would like to attend. 

Memorial Day week end activities" May 24-May 27th. 2002

Fri, 24th 7 - 11 pm, Beverage tent & live music aboard the "393"

Sat, 25th 10 - 11 am Blessing of the Boats at Great Lakes Marina

1 - 3 pm, Kids activities aboard the "393" and the Silversides

7 - 11pm, Beverage tent & live music aboard the "393"

Sun.  May 26th 11am, Lost Boat Ceremony aboard the USS Silversides

Mon.  May 27th  2pm Memorial Day Ceremony aboard the USS LST 393

Hope this will assist those planning to visit over this week end.

This information came from Jim Wilkins of the LST-278.  Thanks Jim

Jim, LST 278