Return
of the LST-325
Articles
about
the ship
posted
before
Feb.
2001
- For
articles
after
this
date
visit
lstmemorial.org
By
United
States
LST Association |
December14,
2000
Hi! I just heard
from Bob on the ship.
They are 440 miles
away from
Gibraltar and all
is going well. Seas
are calm. All men
are
healthy
except for some ha
ve
colds.
Seem to be making
good time.
Lois Jornlin
Other
news is that seas
ahead of them look
great. Had a weather
report that a ship
about 500 miles ahead
of them reported
the seas are 3-5
and smooth as
silk. Lets keep them that way.
Thanks, Linda
December 13, 2000
PM
December 2000
Status Report LST
325, 1200Z
Sir,
1. Position N35
deg. 13 min., W008
deg. 00 min.
2. Ship; All systems
operational.
3. 55,000 gal fuel.
4. Planned Track
260 deg from point
N37-00,W008-30, Steering
260 deg, Sea state
4 to 6, Wind force
1, Swell direction
300, wave length
100m. mostly clear,
some high cirris,
blue sky, blue water,
smooth sailing. Voyage
track under re-evaluation.
5. Ship's Company,
29, all healthy.
6. Our most sincere
thanks to USNLOGIB,RN
Gibraltar, RFA Brambleaf,
RFA Fort Rosalie,
USS Arleigh Burke
and Cammel-Laird
Shipyard for their
assistance and kindness.
7. We also wish to
thank the Governor
and the citizens
of Gibraltar for
their hospitality
and friendship.
Please
check the Log of
the LST-325
at http://www.palosverdes.com/lst887/lst325.html
They have information
we will continue
to place information
on both web sites.
Thanks, Linda
Spoke
to the Captain this
afternoon and
he said the engines
were purring like
a cat. The seas are
smooth and weather
is balmly. They are
running about 8 knots.
No problems at this
time. They are proceeding
toward the United
States. We will update
as soon as we get
the information.
December
13, 2000 CURRENT
CREW LIST
OF THE LST-325 M/V
LST MEMORIAL
BARTLETT,
JAMES |
MARBLE
FALLS, TX
78654 |
69 |
|
|
|
CALVIN,
JOHN
|
DUNNELLON,
FL 34430
|
75 |
|
|
|
CARTER,
JACKSON R.
|
PALOS
VERDES, CA
90275
|
71 |
|
|
|
CHAPMAN,
DONALD
|
E.
MOLINE, IL
61244
|
73 |
|
|
|
EDWARDS, JAMES
|
CANTON,
TX 75103
|
74 |
|
|
|
FOWKES,
CORBIN
|
NEW
BETHLEM,
PA 16242
|
69 |
|
|
|
HILL,
WILLIAM
|
SURPRISE,
AZ 85374
|
75 |
|
|
|
JONES,
NORVAL
|
AUBURN
HILLS, MI
48326
|
74 |
|
|
|
JORNLIN,
ROBERT
|
EARLVILLE,
IL 60518
|
61 |
|
|
|
LOCKAS, DONALD K.
|
MARSEILLES,
IL 61341
|
73 |
|
|
|
LYON,
GARY
|
ROSEVILLE,
MN 55113
|
68 |
|
|
|
MILAKOVICH,
JOSEPH
|
WAUWATOSA
, WI 53226
|
74 |
|
|
|
MARANTO, RONALD
|
METAIRIE,
LA 70003
|
68 |
|
|
|
McCANDREW,
JAMES F.
|
SEBASTIAN,
FL 32958
|
69 |
|
|
|
McCANDREW,
JAMES F.
|
SEBASTIAN,
FL 32958
|
69 |
|
|
|
MEYER,
RICHARD
|
LINCOLN,
NE 68510
|
74 |
|
|
|
MOLZAHN,
DON SR.
|
LA
CROSSE, WI
54601
|
74 |
|
|
|
NEDEFF,
HICHAEL
|
HUBER
HEIGHTS,
OH 454
|
75 |
|
|
|
NICKERSON,
BILL
|
MARGATE,
FL 33068
|
73 |
|
|
|
PERRUSO,
DOMINICK
|
EASTON,
PA 18045
|
74 |
|
|
|
SADLIER,
JOE
|
KETCHIKAN,
AK 99901
|
73 |
|
|
|
SLEMMONS,
HAROLD
|
LONE
OAK, TX 75453
|
74 |
|
|
|
STIMPSON,
PAUL L.
|
LOCK
HAVEN, PA
17745
|
76 |
|
|
|
STROBEL,
EDWARD
|
DECATUR,
IL 62521
|
76 |
|
|
|
TAYLOR,
DEWEY L.
|
W.
PALM BEACH,
FL 3341
|
75 |
|
|
|
VOGES,
BRUCE
|
OAKWOOD,
IL 61858
|
74 |
|
|
|
WHITE,
ALBERT J.
|
ROSWELL,
NM 88201
|
73 |
|
|
|
WHITING,
LAUREN
|
BARKER,
NY 14012
|
76 |
|
|
|
WRINKLE,
BAILEY M.
|
McKENZIE,
TN 38201
|
71 |
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE
AGE: 72.5 |
|
December 12,
2000
Linda, just passing
on that the ship
got underway
from the pier at
1255 EST today
(12th). 30 folks
onboard. Everyone
in great spirits
and looking well.
The
Catholic Chaplain
to the Forces blessed
the ship just before
departing and
complimented Joe
on his killer apple
pie and ice cream.
Warm
regards from the
Rock,
Chris
December
11, 2000 UPDATE IN
PM.
The
program that was
to be on NBC
Nightly News at 6:30
pm has been changed
to Tuesday do to
the elections. Look
for it tomorrow but
check just in case
they changed their
minds. That is with
Tom Brokaw.
Talked
with the ship today
and they
are waiting for fuel
and the engine to
be put back together.
Some type of holiday
at the Rock today.
Update: Heard that
they will get fuel
and will sail for
Mobile tomorrow.
Great News. Let's
all give a big cheer
for the as they call
themselves " The
Crazy old Men." We
don't think so, just
a little nuts. Good
Luck fellows.
Linda
December 10,
2000
Spoke with the
Captain this morning.
As
of today, they will
not be leaving on
Monday. They have
found a piston that
needs to be replaced
and they need to
get some more fuel.
It is a disappointment
but better to find
the problem now than
later. Watch Tom
Brokaw tomorrow night
at 6:30 pm. A story
about the ship and
the ladies that are
waiting at home for
them to return. Should
be interesting.
If
any one can help
with donations to
bring the vessel
home they would be
appreciated. The
form is on the Web
site www.uslst.org
just above the dancing
325 drumsticks. Anything
is appreciated. Remember
the men that are
bringing the LST-325
are doing this without
Governmental Money.
They did not ask
for any money from
the United States
Government. They
have invested 2300.00
each for the voyage
home. Hours of their
time and numerous
other things. The
United States LST
Association members
have donated over
60,000.00 to help
return the ship we
are very proud of
that, and numerous
other non members
have also done the
same. They did this
because they were
proud to help the
men. BP Oil has donated
over 50,000 gals
of diesel fuel and
Phillips Petroleum
has given $20,000
to help with costs
after they arrive
in Mobile. We thank
all of these people
from the bottom of
our hearts. But the
costs of repairs
and other things
have taken a toll.
That may sound like
a lot of money but
everything has raised
in cost. Sure they
can bring the vessel
home but they need
a Corporate Sponsor.
We are in the process
of contacting some
of the people that
can help us. Please
don't hesitate to
help. You will soon
be able to actually
touch the ship you
either served on
or rode to a Invasion
on, maybe you only
served on one. Maybe
your Dad or your
Grandfather served
on an LST. Let's
all pitch in and
help to return the
LST-325 home. If
you don't want to
look for the form
just make out a check
and send to USS LST
Ship Memorial Inc.
64 Ponderosa Dr.
Oregon, Oh. 43616-2221
and we will send
you a receipt for
your donation. Thanks
for listening and
we hope to hear from
you.
Mike and Linda
Gunjak
Evening of
December 10th. Please
read
this note.
I received this
e-mail and I thought
it was something
that everyone should
read. This is what
is all about. I have
answered them and
will give the men
a copy of any letters
they write. I know
it brought tears
to my eyes.
Linda
Dear Men of
the LST-325,
We are
the students of Mr.
Hargett's
3rd/4th grade class
at State Street
School in Los Angeles.
We think you are
very brave men because
you want to
try something that
may be risky to preserve
part of our history,
and because
you were willing
to serve our country
in W.W.II to preserve
the freedom that
we
enjoy today. We wish
you good luck on
your journey and
we will be following
your story throughout
the voyage when you
leave for
the
U.S. May we write
you
during the trip?
Sincerely
yours,
Mr. Hargett's class,
Room 10
December
8, 2000
The comments
that was reported
on the
AP wire yesterday
from the Vice Admiral
J.E. Shkor was sent
to us on the 3rd
of December. Vice
Admiral Shkor was
not updated before
the press release
was put out. All
problems that he
had been advised
of from the people
in Rotterdam on December
1, 2000 had been
corrected or repaired
by December 7, 2000.
We are very sorry
that I have upset
the Coast Guard in
general. My comments
were misquoted and
I did not tell the
Coast Guard to go
he--. We know the
Coast Guard is a
very important part
of our lives, they
look out for all
of us. I'm sorry
if it upset anyone.
I think the information
should be updated
correctly. We are
very thankful for
the help that they
provide. Hopefully
this will clear the
matter up.
Thanks,
Mike Gunjak
We have
heard that the ship
will sail
from Gibraltar on
Monday, December
11, 2000. A report
was given to me from
Mrs. James Edwards
that she had spoke
to Mr. Edwards and
it was reported they
had CNN, ABC, NBC,
CBS were on board
the
vessel taking pictures
and interviews from
the crew.
Tom Brokaw,
should have a report
on
Monday Dec.11, 2000
at 6:30 Nightly News
eastern standard
time. They are finally
getting ready to
return to the states.
Everyone is ready
for the trip. The
report that was given
about the ship not
being sea-worthy
and not safe for
the return home is
not true as far as
the men are concerned.
If the men had any
question it was not
safe they would not
go. All repairs have
been done. Please
keep watching for
updates. Refueling
for the return voyage
should take place
this weekend or on
Monday. We have had
many e-mails from
people that are behind
the voyage 100%.
A few are concerned
for the safety of
the crew. A couple
think the crew are
crazy to try to come
home in the winter.
They will be coming
back the southern
route going down
the coast of Africa
and turning on the
25th parallel. Further
updates will be posted
as soon as possible.
Thanks, Linda
