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By
United
States
LST Association |
December
6, 2000
Captain Jornlin
called and spoke
to Mike Gunjak this
morning with news
that if everything
is repaired they
will be departing
Gibraltar on Saturday
December 9, 2000.
The exhaust manifold
needed to be repaired.
They have been inspected
by the Coast Guard
in Gibraltar and
passed. Minor items
needed to be taken
care of and it has
been done. Looking
at safe passage for
the ship and crew,
they are trying to
set up a stop off
in the Canary Islands
before they head
for Mobile, Al. Little
R and R before the
long part of the
trip. Before they
leave they will call
we hope with the
estimated time of
arrival. More information
will be forth coming
when anyone calls
us with news. The
cost of phone calls
are very expensive.
They have installed
a radio-beacon on
board to keep track
of the ship. The
men have been resting
but still working
on the ship preparing
it for the return
trip. At this time
they are not expected
home for Christmas.
Maybe a couple weeks
later. That will
be updated as soon
as possible. Many
phone calls have
been made to the
ship from the wives
and friends. I now
this is just a short
update but we will
try to get more information
before they leave.
Thanks, Linda
December
4, 2000 News from
Stars and
Stripes
LST-325, crew
of veterans
arrive in Gibraltar
on way home
Story
and photos by Scott
Schonauer
Rota bureau
Lauren
Whiting, 77, checks
out
a broken
engine Thursday
aboard the LST-325
at Gibraltar.
GIBRALTAR — A
rusty World War II
ship with a maze
of greasy ladders
and slippery decks
is no place for senior
citizens with enlarged
prostates and bad
hearts.
But there
they are, men in
their 60s
and 70s, climbing
up and around this
amphibious ship getting
ready for the final
leg of their voyage.
Skeptics,
including the U.S.
government
and their own family
members, didn’t
think these grandfathers
would get this far.
Even some of the
hardened Navy veterans
driving the 57-year-old
ship from Crete to
the United States
admit the odyssey
is a little crazy,
perhaps dangerous,
for a crew with the
average age of 72.
But
almost halfway home,
all 32 of them
are working like
they did more than
55 years ago, and
with the same enthusiasm.
“Nobody
understands why we
are doing
this,” said
Joe Sadlier, 73,
the ship’s
chef. “But
we do, and we’re
having the time of
our lives.”
These
men say they have
rediscovered
their youth on the
remarkable and risky
trip at a time when
many World War II
vets are fading.
Most
of these sailors
have worked aboard
similar amphibious
ships like the LST-325,
the one they are
taking to Mobile,
Ala. The group wants
to make the warship
a floating museum.
Some
of the men, like
John Calvin,
75, who served during
World War II and
Korea before retiring
in 1968, have worked
non-stop for nearly
four months to get
the 325-foot ship
in shape. The 3,400-ton
vessel, which delivered
troops to Normandy
during the D-Day
invasion, needed
a lot of repairs,
more than initially
thought.
“We’re
proud we’ve
gotten this far,” Calvin
said.
But the journey
has not been easy.
One of the men flew
back to the United
States because of
heart problems. He
later died of a heart
attack at John F.
Kennedy Airport on
his way home.
And
bureaucratic red
tape nearly sunk
the group’s
hopes last month.
The
Navy decommissioned
the ship in 1946
and loaned it to
the Greek navy in
1964. Greek officials
agreed to hand over
the ship to the group
earlier this month,
but confusion over
the registration
of the vessel delayed
the project.
During
their cruise through
the Mediterranean,
they lost an engine
and later were forced
to manually steer
the ship. They also
ran into two severe
storms that caused
a couple of the crew
members to get seasick.
One man cut his head
and required stitches.
Another sliced open
his foot near the
gangway and needed
first aid.
A makeshift
sign proclaiming
the
ship's crew as "the
oldest sailors
in the world" greets
visitors to the
World War II amphibious
ship, LST-325.
The
crew, which includes
veterans
from World
War II, the Korean
War and Vietnam War,
arrived in the British
territory of Gibraltar
on Thursday, much
later than scheduled
because of several
equipment problems.
They could be there
a week fixing the
ship, shattering
hopes of getting
home in time for
Christmas.
World War
II vet Hike Nedeff,
75,
of Huber Heights,
Ohio, said many of
the men had no idea
the trip would turn
out the way it has.
“I think
a lot of the fellas
knew that it was
going to be hard
work, but some of
them didn’t
expect this much,” he
said.
That doesn’t
mean the crew is
giving up. They are
motivated, if not
stubborn. Once they
get their engine
fixed, they plan
to make it to the
U.S. in about 22
days.
The group has
received more than
$70,000
in private donations
to repair the ship
and convert it into
a museum. Each veteran
on board paid $2,100
to cover food, fuel
and other costs on
the trip. British
Petroleum Co. donated
50,000 gallons of
diesel fuel and Phillips
Oil Co. pledged between
$20,000 and $40,000
to cover additional
fuel costs if needed.
Those
on board said they
realize the
risk they are taking
by embarking on the
voyage. At least
four of the men have
had open-heart surgery.
They stocked up on
all the medications
they need and help
each other out whenever
possible. If someone
is in trouble, they
blow a whistle, signaling
everyone on board
that a man needs
aid.
With just a medic
on board, the men
realize they only
will receive basic
medical treatment.
“If something
happens, that’s
it,” said Albert
White, 73, of Roswell,
N.M. White, who has
only one lung and
works as the laundry
man on the ship. “We
understand the danger
in this.”
So
far, the crew has
reported no major
health problems.
In fact, many say
they feel better
than they have in
years.
Sadlier, a
retired bus driver
from Alaska,
said the reason the
guys are so healthy
is because they’re
getting plenty of
exercise and eating
a good diet. He said
one of the crewmembers
who is diabetic used
to need an insulin
shot twice a day.
Now, he needs only
one every nine days.
“Every
one of them is climbing
up and down ladders
going around the
ship,” he said. “It’s
incredible when you
stop to think about
it.”
Jack Carter,
foreground, stands
with the
crew aboard the
amphibious ship
LST-325 Thursday
at Gibraltar.
Jack Carter, 71,
of Los Angeles, said
he is feeling better
now than he has in
12 years. He said
these men can motivate
other senior citizens
to embark on their
own journeys.
“I think
there’s
a message for senior
citizens,” said
Carter, a retired
electrical engineer
who is the executive
officer of the ship. “These
guys are pursuing
a dream just like
a younger person.
They’re doing
it.”
Cmdr. Christopher
Melhuish, the U.S.
Navy liaison officer
in Gibraltar who
greeted the crew
when they arrived
in port, said the
men can be an inspiration
to everyone.
“One
of the things that
makes
Americans distinct
from other countries
is that we are able
to do difficult things,” he
said. “There
are plenty of examples
in our history. And
I think here’s
another example of
private American
citizens who have
a dream, are able
to articulate it
and they want to
see it fulfilled.”
When Donald Lockas,
73, told his family
he was going to go
on the trip, some
asked why. “Why
take the risk?” they
said.
But he wants
to show them what
he
did in the war and
preserve the amphibious
ship’s legacy
for generations.
“The
only way we can keep
that
alive for your generation
is for people to
actually see an LST,” said
Lockus, a retired
superintendent of
a glass company in
Ottawa, Ill. “They
need to see how it
works, how it goes.”
The
crew pulled into
Gibraltar and
met the governor
of “The Rock.” The
gray-haired veterans
stood on the deck
of the ship in rumpled
khaki uniforms with
bellies protruding
and shoulders sagging
just a little. They
would be a perfect
bunch of deck hands
for a “Geriatric
Navy,” if there
ever were one.
Many
said they were tired
and weary from
the trip. But mentally,
they felt like 18-
or 19-years-olds.
To some, the trip
has been like taking
a dip in the fountain
of youth.
Ronald Maranto
of New Orleans said
he will never forget
the voyage, but he
admits he doesn’t
think his 68-year-old
body could take another.
“It’s
been a nice experience,
but I wouldn’t
do it again,” he
said. “It’s
been pretty hard.
It’s been pretty
rough.”
But
he would never trade
the experience
for anything.
“Not
for a million dollars,” Maranto
said.
December 3,
2000
Message received
today from Captain
Jornlin that everything
is going much better.
The shipyard is repairing
the engine and making
sure everything else
is working properly.
He has said the Coast
Guard has been aboard
and have given them
the list that needs
to be fixed and it
is very minor things.
They have given them
the approval to sail
after they are brought
up to their rules,
which won't take
to much time. They
have been given top
shelf help and the
best welcome any
one could expect.
He has said the crew
is ready to bring
the LST-325 home
to the United States.
The Navy has placed
a beacon on board
to keep contact with
them at all times.
Any parts that they
have requested have
been found and are
being placed aboard.
It was a voyage that
should have lasted
only a week from
Athens that turned
into 11 days. This
was caused by head
winds,one engine
and bad weather.
That is behind them
now. They are looking
to the vessel's voyage
home.
The men on board
are in good condition
and a couple of them
had to return to
the States do to
personal things that
needed their attention
at home. It broke
their hearts to leave.
They had been on
board so long and
wanted to finish
what they started
but other responsibilities
made it impossible.
They did have 3 men
come on board in
Gibraltar to replace
them. The watches
are being done as
follows. Three section
watch. 4 hrs on watch--
8 hrs. off. This
is done every 24
hrs. The men are
getting enough rest.
They are eating good
and are anxious for
some of their wives
good home cooking.
As soon as the ship
leaves port I will
have Linda post the
names and ship number
of the men that are
board.
The men hope
that everyone is
behind
them. This is a request
from Captain Jornlin.
Please keep the faith
and pray for safe
passage. When they
arrive in Mobile,
Al. they would like
to have some volunteer
care takers to stand
the quarter-deck
watch and watch over
the ship. Please
think about this
and we will have
a e-mail address
to send your name
and address. This
will happen as soon
as they sail. It
looks as if they
will arrive in Mobile
the first or second
week of January.
Please be patient
with your responses.
He will give me the
e-mail address or
a mailing address.
This message was
from Captain Jornlin.
From
Linda: December 3,
2000
With
speaking to Capt.
Jornlin this
morning I could tell
he is a very dedicated
man and so is his
crew. They are working
as they always have
getting the vessel
ready for sea. I've
read some discussion
on another web site
and one man asked
why nothing had been
posted about the
ship? Nothing was
a secret. We had
not heard from the
ship only once since
they left Athens.
This is because a
ship to shore telephone
call cost $2.80 a
minute. Why waste
money if you don't
have anything to
report. I spoke to
him one morning and
it was short and
sweet. Nothing is
being suppressed
from the News or
anyone else. At this
time I understand
various newspapers
have picked up the
story and are writing
a story about the
MEN and the Ship.
It should be a story
to remember. Please
contact your local
papers, CNN or any
of the Networks.
This has never been
done before and probably
won't ever be done
again. The average
age of the men on
board is 72 1/2 years
young. Any information
that is written here
is for the benefit
of those that are
interested in the
ships progress. We
only post what we
are told and nothing
else when it comes
from the ship. They
are there and we
are not. Hope this
helps the wives that
have men on the vessel.
Linda Gunjak
November
30, 2000 Bob Jones
of Marseilles, IL.
sent this today
Navy Veterans
sail watime vessel
from
Greece Via Gibraltar
to the US. (Gibrltar
Today) GIB News
A
group of American
navy veterans are
sailing a World War
II amphibious ship
from Greece to the
United States, in
what is being hailed
as a historic voyage.
The US LST325 arrived
in Gibraltar today
down on an engine.
As the ship sailed
into Gibraltar harbour,
it was a bright,
sunny morning. She
berthed in a commercial
shiprepair yard,
once a British naval
dockyard, not far
from the allied headquarters,
deep inside the Rock,
from where General
Eisenhower commanded
the invasion of North
Africa, which turned
out to be a turning
point in the war.
The ship saw action
in Sicily, Italy
and the African campaign,
and carried troops
to the Normandy beaches
during the D-Day
invasion. All its
crew, with an average
age of over 70, are
war veterans and
all served on amphibious
ships of the same
class.
At one point,
the Americans sold
the
ship to Greece. The
veterans had been
living onboard since
late August getting
the 325-foot, 3,400-ton
vessel ready for
the trip back to
the States where
it is to become a
floating museum.
Captain
Bob Jornlin, 61,
got her on course
back to the USA on
November 17 in Athens,
Greece. On November
23, they reported
that they were running
on the port engine
and would have the
starboard one fixed
in Gibraltar. The
moral of the 30-odd
crew was "great".
Bob
Jones from Illinois
sent us an email:
I am following story
of the 1st 325 from
Athens, Greece, to
US...will be stopping
in Gibraltar for
repairs...will be
following news in
PANORAMA. (30.11.00)
November
28, 2000
28 November
2000 Report from
LST 325,
1200
1. Position N36
deg. 58 min., E002
deg. 12.3 min.
2. Ship has Starboard
engine inoperative.
Gyro (Sperry Mark
14, Mod 1)failed.
Need vacuum tube
C1A Thyratron.
3. 40,000 gal fuel.
4. Planned Track
261 deg from point
N37-09.5,E08-54,
Stearing 258 deg.Mag.
Sea state 2 to 4,
Wind force 3. Swell
direction 0 deg.on
bow.
5. Ship's Company,
31, all healthy.
6. ETA Gibraltar
30 Nov, assuming
385nm at 5kts
7. List of repairs
to be done in Gibraltar
being sent separately.
November
27, 2000 The following
information
was received at 12:00
hrs this date. The
ship is currentley
at N36 54 min- E
001 50min at 5.5
knots. They are currently
100 miles off the
coast of Morroco-
and 351 miles from
Gibraltar. Estimated
time of arrival is
3 days.
November 26,
2000
Heard from Mrs.
Jornlin this morning
and she told me that
everything is going
along slowly. With
the starboard engine
down they are not
sailing as fast as
they would like to.
They are expected
to arrive in Gibraltar
by Tuesday. Hope
to have more information
from the ship soon.
Hang in there they
will be home soon.
Thanks, Linda
23 November
2000
Report from LST
325, 0912 from Jackson
Carter
Well here we
are sailing due west
along the coast Tunisia
on a bright sunny
morning. The temperature
is 18 C, the wet
bulb temp is 15 C.
You can convert that
into humidity if
you wish. The sea
still has a few white
caps, but is much
moderated from yesterday.
The wind is on our
port beam today instead
of on the bow. We
are chugging along
at 5.5kts. At present
we are 20nm north
of Bizerte. At 1000,
we will line the
port rail and render
a traditional passing
salute to "Dirty
Gerty from Bizerte",
a nearly forgotten
WW2 creation. We
had very smooth seas
last night, with
little wind. The
sky was very clear
on the Mid watch,
an astronomer's dream
and nature lover's
delight. The Big
Dipper and Cassiopeia
were circling Polaris
on opposite sides
and Orion and his
dog walked across
the southern sky.
We are now more than
half way from Athens
to Gibraltar. Our
cook is down in the
tank deck chasing
the turkeys around.
If he can catch enough
of them, we'll all
have turkey dinner
today. The Chief
Bos'n is hoping the
cook will catch them
all, because those
birds sure mess up
the tank deck and
he is about out of
feed. And I am about
out of b.s., see
you tomorrow. I forgot
to tell you that
yesterday we were
honored by a 1315Z
flyover by a U S
Navy P3. I hope they
send us copies of
the photos. Our 0830
position was N37-34.6,
E010-13.4.
November
23, 2000
At 07:30
this morning Mr.
Jornlin called
and said all is going
better and they are
running on the port
engine and will have
the starboard one
fixed in Gibraltar.
He said the steering
problem has been
corrected. Planning
to be in Gibraltar
by Tuesday. Everybody
is fine and the moral
of the crew is great. "Cookie " (Joe
Sadlier is cooking
Thanksgiving Dinner
and will serve it
at 14:30 hrs. They
have been in contact
with the Navy and
as Carter has stated
below they are keeping
a watch on them.
It was great hearing
from them on Thanksgiving
please say an extra
prayer for the men
when you sit down
to your meal today.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Mike and Linda Gunjak
