LST INFORMATION

July 12,2010

The reunion is progressing quite well, but I need anyone that is coming to mail in your reservations NOW I am also getting tours together for you but I can't guarantee the tour company numbers if you don't send in your reservations.  I have just spoke to the tour company an we will be mailing out information about tours to you.  I was going to put in the next issue but that is to late.  She has told me that AUGUST 11, 2010 will be the cut off date to make your reservations.  Please be patient

If you have not made reservations for the Clipper Cruise on Sat. please do that also.  You should be getting confirmations from the hotel.  I will have shuttle buses to take you to the ship and back.  They will also take you around town.  I will have directions to Pittsburgh in the next paper.  Deadline for hotel reserivation is August 18, don't wait.  I will keep you informed if anything changes.     Have a good day.  Linda

 

 

March 28,2010

I want to update you on the reunion.  I have the tours that will be available to you when you come and I will post them in the next issue of the Scuttlebutt which is the Mar-Apr issue.  Everything is going smoothly and I have been told that the LST-325 will be in Pittsburgh for the reunion.  This will be enjoyed by everyone, this is our 25th Silver Anniversary.  Please send in your reservations as soon as possible so we can get a idea how many to plan for.  I will keep you informed.

I have sent out dues cards for the month of Jan.  If you have not received them please let me know.  Some of you will receive notices of late dues. If you have not sent in your dues for Dec. you will not receive Mar-April newsletter.  I am sending out the last notices on Monday.  Send your dues back ASAP and you will receive your paper.

If you have a story for the paper please send it to Bob.  We are still looking new members and stories to print.    Thanks Linda

February 23,2010

I have made the final arrangements for our Sliver Anniversary reunion which will be held in Pittsburgh,Pa. on September 1-6 2010.  The information will be on our web site in couple of days.   I did hold up the Scuttlebutt because of this.   It should be mailed by Thursday.  Sorry for the delay. 

I have been told that the LST-325 will be there the same time.  As of today it was not confirmed but I really think they will be there.   I will have more information about tours and etc in the next issue of the Scuttlebutt.   If you have any question please contact me.   Thanks for your patience.   Linda

 

eptember 9,2009

We have returned from the reunion and are trying to get into a flow again, but first I have been instructed to report to the membership that Mr. Robert Busch, has resigned as President and Mr. Walter Wittholtz has been appointed by Mr. Busch as the bylaw states.  Mr Robert Busch requested he continue as Vice President and it was voted by the board that he could do that with the permission of the President.  Mr Richard Renna was then elected Secy by the board. If anyone has a question please don't hesitate to ask. 

The reunion went well and I believe everyone had a good time.  We had 2 buses go to Evansville to view the LST-325 and everyone had a good time.  They enjoyed the bffet lunch at the Black Buggy so if anyone goes to the ship please stop by it's not far away from the ship.  The weather was nice for a change, not to hot. 

For those that were there, I did go to the hospital on Wed and have the operation to get my arm working agsin and it turned out fine I hope to have the other access removed on Saturday thank goodness. 

I want to thank my daughters Laura and Michelle for all the help they gave during the reunion.  Everyone especially me for all their help.  After all these years they learned all about the LST Association and how you people like to be treated. We are going to look for a place for the 25th reunion.  Please be patient.  More news will be in the next issue of the paper with pictures about this reunion. 

Remember to purchase your DVD that is advertised in the paper.  We have found out the current Mac computers will play the DVD.  Just remember it doesn't play on a regular TV DVD on on a computer with keyboard and mouse.        Thanks Linda


August 1, 2009

For those that are attending the reunion I have prepared a schedule that will appear in the paper.  We hope to have it to you before you attend.  That is the plan for now.  Tickets for the tours will be given out by Visitours.  They will not be in your registration packet.  The only tickets you will have are the bus trip,banquet and raffle if you paid for them.  We are very glad you are coming so please enjoy your stay in Louisville.  Thanks Linda


July 27,2009

The people that have sent reservations for the reunion should have received a confirmation and a letter from me concerning the trip and tours.  Please send in the tours as soon as possible and if you want to go on the bus trip do that also. 

I have had a couple of people return the DVD.  The reason is they don't have a computer or laptop to view the DVD.  Please remember that this is a complete history of the LST Association and the people that wrote all the stories. The reason this was done was to keep the LST alive.  The LST never gets the respect it deserves, they only hear about the other ships.  The DVD is to preserve its history for other generations to come.  We appreciate all of those that have already purchased the DVD.   If any of you have any questions please contact me.   Thanks Linda

JULY 9,2009

THE DVD DISC FOR THE HISTORIC TREASURE OF NAVY LST SHIP HAS INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDES WITH EACH DVD. 

REMEMBER THE DISC MUST BE USED ON A COMPUTER BUT CAN BE CONNECTED TO TV THROUGH A LAPTOP WITH A MOUSE.  SOME PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO USE THEM ON THEIR DVD PLAYER AND HAVE FOUND THEY WILL NOT WORK.  I HAVE TOLD PEOPLE THAT THIS DISC IS NOT THE SAME AS A DVD, LIKE A MOVIE.  I WOULD THINK YOU COULD GO TO THE LIBRARY AND READ THE DISC.   I HOPE YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE INSTRUCTIONS. THANKS LINDA

 

June 29, 2009

The phone number for the tour company is Visitours   502-456-2774.  The contact person is Diane Wall.  If you have any questions please contact them.  Please sign up for your tours ASAP .  Thanks Linda

 

June 26, 2009

The Scuttlebutt has been mailed and you should receive it shortly.  I want to make sure everyone understands that the DVD that is for sale is about all the stories that were in the Scuttlebutt's from 1987 through Mar-Apr of 2009.  I have used it to look up some of the information that is in this issue dated back to 1999 to try to clear up some information that was quoted by a person that didn't know what he was talking about.  If you have any questions please contact me at the 800 number or leave a message at 419-836-6080.    Please do not call Best Evidence unless it is for a problem with the disc for help to run it.  I will be sending a instruction page with the DVD.

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June 19, 2009

I have received the DVD's and are ready for anyone that wishes to purchase them.  You will need to have a DVD Drive to operate the program.  This is different from a CD.  We will have instructions included with your order.  I have looked up many things with the DVD that would have not been able without the program.  The paper will be mailed on Monday June 22, 2009.  Sorry it is late couldn't be helped.  The tours are there along with a order form for the DVD.   Thanks for your patience

May 29,2009

WE HAVE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FOR EVERYONE THAT IS A VETERAN.  THE UNITED STATES LST ASSOCIATION HAS MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE ALL FOUR" LARGE SLOW TARGETS" AND EVERY ISSUE OF THE SCUTTLEBUTT SINCE THE ASSOCIATION BEGAN  1986-2009 PLUS THE BOOK THAT SHOWED HOW THE LST 267 WAS BUILT.

IT IS ON A O.C.R. DVD, THIS STANDS FOR OPTICA,L CHARACTER, RECONGNITION, FOR A COMPUTER.  THIS MEANS THAT A NAME OR SUBJECT CAN BE ENTERED IN THE COMPUTER AND IT WILL DISPLAY EVERYTHING IN FORMAT ON THAT SUBJECT SUCH AS SHIP NUMBERS OR SHIPMATES ETC. IT WILL INCLUDE PICTURES.

IF ANYONE HAS MISPLACED ANY OF THE OLD ISSUES OF THE "LST SCUTTLEBUTT" OR DID NOT PURCHASE THE BEAUTIFUL HARDBOUNDS "LARGE SLOW TARGET" BOOKS,THIS SMALL DVD DISC WILL BECOME A GREAT REFERENCE VENUE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS IN YEARS TO COME.

THIS WILL BE A GREAT GIFT OR SOMETHING FOR THE " GREATEST GENERATION" AND ALL OTHER VETERANS THAT SERVED ON LST'S, FOR THEIR FAMILY FOR THEIR SCRAPBOOKS.  PLEASE BE PATIENT WE WILL HAVE A ORDER FORM IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE SCUTTLEBUTT FOR MAY JUNE.  THE COST WILL BE VERY AFFORDABLE.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON ATTENDING THE REUNION IN LOUISVVILLE PLEASE SEND IN YOUR RESERVATIONS AS SOON AS YOU CAN .   WE WILL HAVE COPIES OF THE DVD AVALIABLE AT THE REUNION.   

 

APRIL 10,2009

I have put the reservations forms on the web site for you to see and copy if you want.  Please send them in as soon as possible so I can make the reservations and get the bus for the trip to see the LST-325.  If you want to go it is your decision not ours. If you have any questions please either call or write.  I will be getting more information about the other tours that are available.  Thanks for your patience.   The paper should be going out Tuesday.   Thanks Linda

 

MARCH 25, 2009

I think we have decided where the next reunion will be held for the United States LST Association.   At this time I am in the contract stage with LOUISVILLE, KY. I am looking at September 3-7, 2009.  They are giving me a very good rate and I think every one will be pleased.  We will let you know what hotel in a week or so. Every thing will be in the next issue of the paper.   I am trying to get the best rate and be in a area you will be happy with.  I promise it will be close to transportation and restaurants.  I think I will try to get a tour to the LST-325 one of the days we are there.  It is not that far away.  I know it is late but you all know that it was alittle busy here at home.  Please be patient. 

WE ARE NOT GOING TO EVANSVILLE IN AUGUST, PLEASE DO NOT MIX THE TWO DATES UP.  WE NEED YOUR ATTENDANCE IN LOUISVILLE IN SEPTEMBER

I would like to thank everyone again that sent the beautiful things about Mike. I hope everyone continues staying with the Association it picked up a few new members in the couple of months.  That is the way we stay a float. 

Thanks Linda  

 

MARCH 4, 2009

I would like to thank everyone for the beautiful cards and donations for Mike.  I never thought so many people thought so much about him.  He might have been out spoken but he did speak the truth and told the members what he thought was best for the United States LST Association.  I will miss him very much, as most of your know he was a hard person you get to know but really he was a great husband and father to my kids and his own.  I will continue working for the association just as I have for the past 24 years.  We have had a few bumps in the road but for the most part it has always run smoothly. 

I thing I would like to tell you is that we are NOT GOING TO EVANSVILLE FOR OUR NATIONAL REUNION.  I am working on a city right now.  The advertisement in the last issue was in error because we only print the notices in the reunion column.  If you want to go there that will be your decision.  Please read the next issue of the paper for the time and dates.  I am sorry for the mixup.  Right now the LST-325 is having a small problem with the Tour people and the people of Evansville, we will not get involved with that problem.  If you want information please contact them not us.  

In the last issue of the paper we did discuss the AD HOC Committee.  We are still getting letters from them and passing them on to our attorney.  They still want to tell the board how to run the association.  Now I understand Mr. Mike Wicker former director of the LST-325 thinks they should form one to settle their differences.  Good Luck Mike.  To many cooks spoil the broth.   I still would like opinions from the members if they want any changes in the way the association is conducted please send them to the PO Box and they will be passed on to the board.  They have a meeting on May 1, 2009 at a place to be decided.

Again thanks for your good thoughts and condolences.    Linda

 

February 13, 2009

MILAN MICHAEL GUNJAK  1927-2009

Milan Michael Gunjak, age 81 of Curtice, Ohio, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Friday, February 13, 2009, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio.  He was born in Toledo, Ohio on August 11, 1927 to Michael and Anna (Stanich) Gunjak.  Mike was an active member of the United States National LST (Landing Ship Tank) Association.  In 1985, he cofounded the US LST Association with 4 other Toledo area ex LST WWII sailors.  He served as the secretary/treasurer from 1985 – 1989 and has been president of the US LST Association since 1989.  He was instrumental in bringing home the US LST 325 from Greece to Mobile, AL on January 10, 2000.  His signature and an act of congress,  ensured 28 WWII veterans were able to sail the US LST 325 back home to America.  He and his wife were behind the scenes making sure the way was clear for the ship to come home and helped in obtaining donations to bring her home.  Mike enlisted in the US Navy at 16 years of age to support WWII operations.   Mike also had the privilege of joining the crew of the USS LST 1184 on her cruise from Hawaii to San Diego before she was decommissioned.   He is a lifetime member of the VFW, member of the Zenobia Shriners, Masonic Phoenix Lodge 123, and a US Navy Memorial member.  In 1992 and 1998 he was invited to lay a wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Arlington, VA.  He was a guest speaker at the 1994 decommissioning of the USS LST 1197, Barnstable County at Little Creek Naval Base, VA and was also a guest speaker in 2000 at the decommissioning of the USS LST 1184, Frederick at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, HI.   He was an avid Oakland Raider fan.  Michael worked as a truck driver for over 35 years, including Refiners Transport for 20 years.  He was a member of the Teamsters Local 20.  He will be dearly missed by his friends and family.  He was a very devoted husband to his wife, Linda during their 30 years of marriage.   He served our country proudly as a Seaman First Class in the US Navy aboard US LST 1149, which became the ARL 38/USS Krishna.  He was preceded in death by his parents Mike and Anna Gunjak, and sister Jennie, Mike is survived by his sons, Michael Gunjak(Debbie) , Martin Gunjak (Polly), Mark Gunjak (Danielle), Joe Schmidt(Pam), daughters Karleen Hall (John), Laura Buehrer (Jeff), and Michelle VanderMeer.  16 grandchildren, 8  greatgrand children.  Visitation will be at Freck Funeral Chapel, 1155 S. Wynn Road, Oregon, OH 43616 on Monday February 16, 2009 from 2 to 8:30 pm.  Burial will be held at Toledo Memorial Park on Tuesday February 17, 2009 after  services at 10:00 am at Freck Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of North West Ohio, 30000 East River Rd. Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 or the United States Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW # 123, Washington D.C. 20004.

FEBRUARY 4, 2009

MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICERS AND BOARD OF THE LST ASSOCIATION                                  

 

 

THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT  HAS BEEN PASSED TO MR ROBERT BUSCH  

 WE WILL CONTINUE WITH ALL ASPECTS OF RUNNING THE ASSOCIATION SMOOTHLY AND HOPE TO GET EVERYTHING DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER.  NICK LEONOUDAKIS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD WILL ASSIST MR BUSCH AT THIS TIME.   LINDA WILL CONTINUE WITH HER DUTIES SO IF YOU NEED SOMETHING YOU CAN REACH HER AT THE 800 NUMBER IN THE EVENING.  IT IS A VERY BUSY TIME RIGHT NOW.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND A CARD PLEASE SEND IT TO   UNITED STATE LST ASSOCIATION PO BOX 167438 OREGON, OH 43616-7438. ANOTHER ITEM THAT IS OF IMPORTANCE IS THE AD HOC COMMITTEE; THEY HAVE SENT SOME OF YOU A PROPOSAL OF HOW WE SHOULD RUN OUR ASSOCIATION.  AT THIS TIME OUR LAWYER IS REVIEWING IT AND WILL LET US KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD DO.  THEY THINK WILL DO NOT RUN OUR ASSOCIATION IN A EFFICIENT MANNER AND WANT US TO TURN OUR GROUP OVER TO AN OUTSIDE FIRM AND BUY NEW SOFTWARE FOR OUR MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM, ACCOUNTING AND HAVE A TRAVEL AGENCY PLAN OUR REUNIONS.   ONE OTHER ITEM THAT THEY PROPOSE IS CUTTING BACK ON ISSUES OF THE PAPER.  WE ARE MAILING OUT 6 ISSUES A YEAR THEY WANT TO CUT IT BACK TO 4.  IN OUR BY-LAWS IT SAYS 6 AND AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED IT WILL STAY THAT WAY.   

THEY HAVE PROPOSED THAT THE JOBS THAT ARE PREFORMED BY JACKIE, LAURA AND LINDA CAN BE DONE IN 70 HOURS.  IF THAT IS SO THEY MUST BE SUPER-HUMAN.  THEY FAIL TO REMEMBER THAT WE DO THIS ON A MONTHLY TIME-TABLE, NOT A YEARLY THIS WAY THE DUES MONIES COME IN MONTHLY NOT YEARLY AND CASH FLOW IS COMING IN MONTHLY TO PAY THE BILLS.  THEY DON’T HAVE CLUE TO WHAT IS DONE EVERY MONTH.  JUST BECAUSE WE DON’T USE THE MOST UPDATED VERSION OF A PROGRAM DOESN’T MEAN IT DOESN’T DO THE JOB.  EVERYONE HAS BEEN HAPPY WITH THE WAY THE PAPER IS PUT OUT AND WHEN YOU NEED A LIST OF NAMES FROM YOUR SHIP YOU ALWAYS GET IT.  WE TRY TO DO WHAT YOU WANT. 

January 29, 2009 Message from the Officers and Board of the United States LST Association At this time Mike Gunjak is in the hospital and has had surgery for colon cancer, we do not know the out come of the tests.  He is in St Charles Hospital in Oregon, Oh.  At this time Mr. Robert Busch is acting President and all the other officers are helping him with any business that needs to be attended to.  If anyone has a question Linda is still taking calls at the main 800 number.  Cards would be appreciated,  The address is as follows. We decided to send them to the PO Box because we don't know how long he will be in the hospital.   Please send to United States LST Association  PO Box 167438  Oregon, Oh.  43516-7438 in care of Mike.   Thanks for your prayers in advance.The convention is currently on hold until Linda finds a suitable site.  With economy the way it is it is tough to find a reasonable place.  Please be patient and we will work on it.  It will still be in the fall.    Thanks again

Convention Information Update - November 23, 2008
We have not decided as of yet if we will have another reunion this year.  Since the economy is so bad I don't know if it would be a success.   Please let me know how you feel so I know what to do in the next couple of months.


Message from LINDA GUNJAK - November 23 , 2008

It has been a while since I have put anything on the web site, sorry for the delay.  We would like to welcome the new board members that were elected at the reunion. We hope they will enjoy their jobs.  It took 2 months to get all the bills and other problems straighten out at the Sheraton.  We were able to finally get the bills paid and refunds given to the people that had to cancel.  We are sorry that it took so long. We are sending out the Dec dues notices and last notices to people that have not paid last years dues.   If you wish to continue as a member please reply to my notice as soon as possible. 
.

Message from Linda Gunjak - June 6, 2008

We are starting to get the program together for the reunion in Washington DC. If you are planning on coming please get your reservations in ASAP. As most of you know we need to finalize the parties, banquet, and the tour tickets at least 30 days before the event. I know the price of fuel and other things are keeping some of you from coming but remember this may be the last time you will have the opportunity to see the things that you helped to build.

The plaque at the Navy Memorial, the tree and plaque in Arlington Cemetery, the World War II Memorial and all the other sites that you have been a part of. We have had the pleasure to lay a wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 2 times and that is quite an honor for a single group such as ours. We are very proud of that accomplishment.

If it were not for a couple of men that have since passed it would have never been done. Joseph Sardo and William Jenkins. They were the chairman for 1992 and 1998 when we were in Washington.

At this time we will have a smaller attendance but don’t let that stop you from coming. Some of you have purchased Tour Mobile tickets; they will be in your packet when you check in. To get to the Tour-Mobile you will need to take the Metro to the Arlington Cemetery stop. We will provide directions. The Metro is less than a block away from the hotel. The other tickets for the lunch cruise will be in your packets also. I will be getting an itinerary ready for those of you that are attending.

On thing we have finalized is the Memorial Service, it will be on Monday Sept 1.2008 at 10:00 am at the U.S Navy Memorial. If you want to attend you can take Metro right to the stop for the Memorial. The Bronze Plaque that you placed is right as you come out of the stairway. I will have more on this later on.

The parties in the evening will depend on how many of you attend. I will try to have entertainment for you if the money is available I will do it. Most of you are coming for 4 days so please enjoy yourselves. As most of you know the prices of things have gone up quite a bit, but I will try my best to get the most for your money.

We have a guest speaker for the banquet, his name is Captain Stanley De Geus, his bio is on the front page. We hope you will enjoy still speech, we promise not to make it to long.

We are still holding our own in the membership area. We are not having a lot of drop-outs, most is from death. I guess we don’t have anything to do with that. One thing I have noticed is some of the family members are having donations made to the Association when the member is gone. That is wonderful because that money is put in a special account and spent for things that normally would come from membership dues, so it helps out tremendously. When you receive your dues notice please try to send it in when you get it. I know money is tight so we do understand if it is a couple of weeks late.

If any of you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call. Please read the items on the front page I think it will tell you some of the things that we have been putting up with the last couple of years. Please leave an open mind and make your own decision. Thanks and see you in Washington. More information will follow for those of you attending.


Message from Linda Gunjak

This is regarding the reunion in Washington DC. On our last issue of the paper there was an error on the dates of the 2 day ticket for the Tourmobile. They should have been August 30-31. I have made arrangements for those people that wanted to go on the dates that were published which were Aug 29-30th. This is a Fri.and Sat.

Starting with this issue the dates will be Aug 30-31 for the two day tickets this is a Sat. and Sun. Any question please calls me.

Now for those that are not sure if you will be attending. I have to get you to make up your minds because the hotel has given me a deadline to decrease our room block without being charged a penalty which is June 1st. This is very important because it will be very costly if we don’t do this. PLEASE DO THIS FOR ME.

The hotel has given us a great rate for Washington DC so please take advantage of the reduced rate of $77.00 per night. I doubt if it will ever be seen again for a large chain.

We are trying to get another memorial service at the Navy Memorial; details will be in the next paper.

We have had a number of shipmates pass away. If you get a notice for a dues renewal please let me know if you want to keep getting the paper or you wish to cancel. The postage is going up again in May so more added expense for us in mailing. Any relative can stay on as a member if they choose to. Also if you do not go to a winter home anymore please let me know. I have the 2 addresses in the computer and automatically change them when the time comes around but if you don’t have a winter address any more the post office just tears up the paper and sends me a new address if it is still under their 1 yr. limit. So please let me know if you change your address, all it does is cost the association more postage.

View from the Bridge:

We had our attorney send a letter to the AD Hoc Committee in October 2007, but did not hear anything from them until March of this year, they have again requested things that we have already provided them but they insist it is not enough. This means we will have to have our attorney involved again and it will cost the association more money. It is very expensive but this is the way they want it. The board tried to accommodate them but it wasn’t what they wanted. Right now it has cost the association about $1200.00. Hopefully this will be put to rest soon.

We did hear from one State Chapter that was upset with the letter from the attorney, one of the former officers felt we needed to apologize to the chapter for them printing the AD Hoc letter. The gentleman cancelled his membership in the National. That is too bad, I hope he reconsiders his decision and comes back.

It was sent to all chapters because the letter that was printed had things that were untrue and the attorney stated if you don’t know for sure what you are printing and don’t have proof ,it would be best if you checked with the National before you printed it in your paper.

They did not do that. That was the only reason the attorney sent this letter not to threaten the chapters. If any of you have questions, ask before you put things in writing. We have never refused to answer your questions.

We will be having a Board Meeting in Toledo, Oh. May 2, 2008 to discuss this, and other matters.

This further update about the letter that we received from the Ad Hoc Committee.

We received a letter from Mr. Reeners on April 5, 2008 stating we have not given him the things he has requested, he has been given, the 990’s, and other records. He states that after many requests we finally provided them. We did as they requested but this isn’t good enough.

When I was in Nashville he was there in our business meeting, the men that were there voted him out of ordered when he brought up items he wanted voted on. They were about donations and by-laws. The minutes were printed in the Scuttlebutt if any one wants to see them please contact me. He has written to all the State Chapters and stated we will not cooperate that is not true. He has asked for any member of the State Chapter to donate money to help to pay for the attorney he has hired and send the money to him. He states that any unused money will be donated to the LST-325 Memorial Ship. Please remember we do not control State Chapters or tell them how to run their groups. It should apply to National also. Our membership has donated to the 325 before and if any one wants to do that now that is okay. We feel if anyone wants to donate to them they know how to contact them.

Thanks, hope to see you at the reunion in Arlington, Va., in August.