2010 July Rolling Stone.pub

LSD
27
July 2010
52nd Edition
President
Bill Coakley
[email protected]
[email protected]
(781) 391-2598
1st Vice President
Gene Klebacher
[email protected]
[email protected]
(727) 518-8833
Time is near for the 2010 USS Whetstone reunion in
Astoria.
Remember all the great times we’ve had at the previous reunions?
You don’t remember? I’m glad I’m here to help!
2nd Vice President
Keith Weston
Our first reunion was in Las Vegas, Nevada
in 1996. Most of us hadn’t seen any of our
shipmates for many years.
[email protected]
[email protected]
(336) 996-3611
Secretary/Treasurer
Kay Goble
[email protected]
[email protected]
(239) 768-1449
Membership Chairman
Marion Goble
[email protected]
[email protected]
(239) 768-1449
Reunion Chairman
Larry Lonnon
[email protected]
(503) 325-1383
Chaplain
Marvin Watson
[email protected]
[email protected]
(402) 421-8957
Parliamentarian
Bill Martin
[email protected]
[email protected]
(281) 427-6828
Newsletter Editor
John Worman
[email protected]
[email protected]
(575) 437-9872
Webmaster
David Vydra
[email protected]
[email protected]
The Rolling Stone is a
Quarterly publication of
the USS Whetstone LSD27
Association, INC. The
Association is a non profit,
and educational
organization dedicated to
promoting fraternal, civic,
patriotic and historical
memories of those who
served aboard.
More reunions follow on Page 6
Page 1
Deceased Shipmates
TAPS
Gone the sun,
From the lakes,
From the hills
From the sky
All is well,
Safely rest,
God is nigh.
The shipmates listed
below are assumed to
be deceased.
Information comes
from shipmates, the
V.A. and relatives of
the shipmate.
This information is
not
Official
Please advise of any
errors or omissions
Due to the length of the list of deceased shipmates, we going to publish the complete list once a year
(January Edition of Newsletter). The
April, July and October Newsletters
will reflect the names of the shipmates that have passed since the previous newsletter. If we receive obituaries from the family of a deceased
shipmate, we will publish in the
newsletter. We have received notification of the passing of one shipmate
since our April 2010 newsletter.
MM 1964-67 Tom Kasmiskie
Newsletter Staff
NAVY TRIVIA
Status of the Navy a/o 06/30/10
Navy Personnel:
Officers:
Enlisted:
Midshipmen:
Ready Reserve:
Reserves Mobilized:
Personnel on Deployment
Civilian Employees:
53,235
273,964
3,401
102,788
6,363
45,810
198,811
Ships Underway
Carriers:
USS Nimitz (CVN 68)
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)
USS George Washington (CVN 73)
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)
Amphibious Warfare Ships:
USS Nassau (LHA 4)
USS Peleliu (LHA 5)
USS Wasp (LHD 1)
USS Essex (LHD 2)
USS Boxer (LHD 4)
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)
USS Makin Island (LHD 8)
Page 2
T he
C h ap l a i n’s
C o r n er
I attended the memorial day service paying tribute to our veterans that
paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
As the service proceeded I was so
thankful for the freedom we have and
for those of us having served in the
military.
I would like to pay tribute to Lt.
John William Finn. Most people do
not know who Lt. Finn is. He was born
in Los Angeles in 1909. He dropped
out of school after the 7th grade and
enlisted in the Navy in July, 1926,
shortly before his seventeenth birthday.
He received recruit training in San
Diego. By December 1941, Finn was
stationed at Naval Air Station Kaneohe
Bay on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, the morning of December 7, 1941,
Lt Finn found a movable platform used
for gunnery training. He attached
the .50 caliber machine gun, and
pushed the platform into an open area
from which he had a clear view of the
attacking aircraft. He fired on the Japanese planes for the next two hours,
even after being seriously wounded,
until the attack had ended. In total, he
received 21 distinct wounds.
After
medical treatment, he returned to duty
that afternoon and actively supervised
the rearming of returning planes.
For these actions, Finn was formally presented with the Medal of
Honor on September 14, 1942, by Admiral Nimitz on board the USS Enterprise (CV-6).
On May 27, 2010 at age 100, the
oldest Medal of Honor recipient from
WW II died. He was the oldest living
of 97 Medal of Honor recipients.
Are you ready to head to our reunion in Astoria in September? I hope to
see you. At our memorial service, I
will be reading the names of our fallen
shipmates who have passed away since
our last reunion. If you know of a shipmate that is not listed on our deceased
list please let Kay Goble know.
May God bless you and have a
great summer.
Chaplain Marv Watson (RM-3)
(60-63)
James C. “Pooch” Wilson
May 17, 2010
— LOCUST GROVE, Va. — James C.
“Pooch” Wilson of Locust Grove, passed
away Saturday, May 15, 2010 at age 71
after a long illness.
He was born in Cumberland, Md. He
was a member of the VFW in Culpeper,
Va., the Eagles in Cresaptown, Md., the
Ali Ghan Shrine in Cumberland, and Petworth Lodge No. 47 in Washington, D.C.
An avid hunter and fisherman, James also
belonged to a local hunt club. He retired
from the US Navy as Chief Petty Officer
after 20 years of service. After leaving the
Navy, he worked for 20 years as a stationery engineer with the Cafritz Company in
Northern Virginia.
James is survived by his wife of 44
years, Eileen Wilson; daughter, Beth
Truitt and husband Mike and their children Richard, Kyle and Katie of Locust
Grove; daughter, Debra Stine and husband Greg and their children Taryn, Jessica and Samantha of Nokesville, Va.; his
brothers, Oran (Chip) Wilson of Long
Gate, Calif. and Rex W. Wilson of San
Antonio, Texas; his sister, Judi Drews of
Fairless Hills, Pa.; his stepmother, Margot
Wilson of Kissimmee, Fla.; and many
beloved cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by grandparents, Bessie (Thompson) and Henry
Clay White, mother, Betty (White) Morrison and father, Rex V. Wilson.
Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Military honors will be accorded by
Post 13 Veterans Honor Guard.
Donald "Donnie" Cleo
Thompson
Just in case you do not know already,
I saw this in our local paper and thought I
would send you the Information.
Donald "Donnie" Cleo Thompson,
64, passed away Feb. 6, 2010 after a long
illness. He was aboard Your ship in 1961
I think.
Thought you would like to know...
Eric S. Andersen
Historian
U.S.S. Constellation CVA-64
Voluntary Dues
Again, thank you to all shipmates that
have sent dues and donations to the Association. Without your support, it would be
impossible to publish "The Rolling Stone",
maintain the Website and have reunions.
Dues are $25.00 a year, are tax deductible,
and are strictly voluntary. Dues are applied for one year (using date of check as
beginning point, i.e. 4/1/10 check applies
dues until 4/1/11). We recognize that not
all are able to support the Association, but
we welcome support from whomever is
able. Dues received to date for 2010 are
listed below. An asterisk designates dues
paid for additional year(s). If anyone has
paid and your name is not listed, please
accept our apology and contact Kay Goble
at 6200 Emerald Pines Cir, Ft. Myers, FL
33966, (239)768-1449, or e-mail: [email protected].
Please make
checks payable to:
USS Whetstone Association.
Please use this list as your receipt.
Alsleben, Keith
Anderson, Robert
Arata, Sil
Bell, Charles*
Bisping, Neil A.
Blenkhorn, Charles
Bogusch, W. C.*
Bommer, David
Boren, Ben
Boswell, Robert
Brillon, Paul*
Brown, Beryle
Brown, James E.*
Buchanan, Kenneth
Burik, Frank*
Burt, Neil
Bussey, Henry S.
Carrell, Zane
Carson, Capt. Grant
Chidester, David*
Cickavage, Joseph
Coakley, Bill
Coldren, Wayne*
Czarnecki, Vincent
David, Spurgat
DeWalt, Gary
Dinda, Gerald
Doerr, Gary T.
Dover, Fred
Dunn, Jim*
Durnil, Allen
Edwards, H. "Sonny"
Feathers, Paul
Flowerree, Robert
Fox, J. Lee
Fox, Sebastian*
Frans, Jack
Fraser, Douglas
Fulghem, Richard
Goble, Marion
Goodrich, Jesse
Gordon, Eddie*
Green, Larry D.
Gross, Richard*
Gross, Richard
Gross, Richard
Grubb, Jack
Harrison, Burlin
Hart, Walter
Haynes, Earl
Hitt, John W.
Hockema, Ben
Hoover, Frederick
Hyatt, Ray L.
Johnson, Merrill
Jones, Dale H.
Julian, Frank
Kiffmann, Helmet
Kirby, Joe
Kircher, Vincent
Lanphear, George
Leopold, Vincent
Mackall, Terry L.
Maness, Jack
McClellan, G. A..
McCray, David
McGrew, Joseph
McManus, Peter
McNitt, Russell
McQuillen, Tom
Millard A., Cox*
Milton, Douglas
Mitchell, Burley*
Mueller, James
Mulholland, Howard
Ogletree, Ronald
Oremus, Vern
Packer, Chuck
Pangrass,William
Parsons, Harry
Pearson, Ray
Pierce, Charles
Pilgreen, Vince*
Pineda, Jamie*
Poirier, Alan
Posey, Billy
Randolph, Stephen*
Reed, George
Reid, James
Remington, Richard
Richey, Albert D.
Richter, Herbert B.
Royseth, Raymond
Sandrock, Cpt. J. E.*
Sandwisch, Larry
Savoie, Donald
Seabaugh, Raymond
Sharkey, Robert
Larry D. Green
Shimmell, Thomas EM3 1967-69
Hilliard, FL
Shott, Ralph
Shrader, Daniel L.
ASTORIA, OREGON REUNION
Skelley, Jr., Daniel
September 12—16, 2010
Smith, Clinton
The reunion is fast approaching and Kay
Speziale, Vito
and I look forward to seeing you in AsSpurgat, David
toria. We are getting the memorabilia
Stanford, Roy
together and packing the ship store items
Stief, Bernard
to ship to Astoria. I look forward to the
Sylvester, Kim
hospitality room and getting to know the
Thomson, “Jack"
men who served aboard the Whetstone.
Throener, Larry
Please bring any memorabilia that you
Timmons, Garrett
would like to share with your shipmates.
Tolbert, Leon
We move the reunion across the country
Tucker, George
to give all an opportunity to attend a reunVan Guilder,
ion. I have shared the vision of Bill MarDavid
tin in 1996 when our Association began
Watson, Marvin*
and have done what I can do keep the
Weigt, Earl*
memory of the “Stone” alive. The reunWeston, Keith
ions are a special time. You will enjoy 4
White, David
days of fun and laughter and take home
Wiesemann,
some great memories. Please consider
Donald
attending!!!
Wright, Paul
Marion and Kay Goble
Recently Located
Shipmates
MY STATE ARIZONA
MR1
1960-64
MR2
1962
MM3 1953-54
EM3
1967-68
MEFN 1951
SKSN 1954-55
MMLFN 1952-53
RM2
1962-66
SM
1956-57
SN
1961-64
BT
1952-54
MM3 1956-60
SN
1952-54
ET1
1955-56
SN
1969-70
Breames, Gorman “Gene”
Caldwell, Harry
Claypatch, James
Croxton, Mike
Dell, Anthony T.
Erlenbach, William “Ernie”
Espointour, Maurice
Hall, Charles L.
Kallhoff, James H.
Livingston, Jr., G. Darrell
McCurley, Wilburn
Posey, Bill
Runge, Edward L.
Seaton, Walter
Strevell, George
Chino Valley
Tucson
Mesa
Mesa
Globe
Sun City West
Mesa
Chandler
Lake Havasu City
Tucson
Yuma
Lake Havasu City
Phoenix
Mesa
Phoenix
MY STATE NEW MEXICO
BTC
SN
PN3
SF3
XO
MM3
OP OF
MM3
BT2
1965-70
1956-60
1956-60
1966-68
1963-66
1966-68
1965-67
1965-68
1960-64
Ard, R. B.
Castillo, Richard “Dicky”
Esparza, Joseph G.
Manabe, Ralph
Mulholland, Howard E.
Proft, Edward C.
Richter, Herbert
Scrimshire, Gary
Worman, John
Albuquerque
Gallup
Gallup
Albuquerque
Albuquerque
Elephant Butte
Albuquerque
Artesia
La Luz
Page 3
Greetings from
Your President
With the reunion just around the corner, this will be my last
letter as the President of the Whetstone Association. Just a couple of lines to thank the members for bestowing the position upon
me and to let all of you know I am very proud to have served as
your President. Even though I was unable to put a "chicken in
every pot and an automobile in every garage," the association has
been in very good and capable hands with the members that I
have mentioned numerous times over the past two years.
Now for the reunion - at this time having punched up the list
of Whetstone members by state, there are approximately 168
members in Oregon, Washington and California who are in striking distance of Astoria, the location of this year's reunion. Many
have been to past reunions, but many have not. To those of you
that have been to a reunion in the past, here's hoping to see you
again. To those of you that have never attended, you really have
missed a memorable experience and we hope that you can attend.
It's not too late to make your reservations now to enjoy catching
up with old friends and making new ones. You're grandchildren
will love hearing the new sea stories you will be sure to come
back with.
Until we meet in September, be safe. God bless our troops.
Bill Coakley
USN 1958-1962
Dutch Woman Recognized
Touching loyalty of Dutch woman who has tended to grave
of British airman she never knew for 45 years
A Dutch woman who has tended to a British airman's grave
every week for 45 years has finally been thanked for her incredible devotion.
Tiny Claessen, 79, first noticed the neglected final resting
place of Flight Sergeant Henry Hiscox while visiting her own
father's grave nearby.
She began de-weeding it and cleaning the headstone out of
respect for the fallen war hero.
And she returned every weekend without fail to Mr Hiscox’s
grave to leave fresh flowers, plants and candles.
Ms Claessen felt it was her duty to remember Mr Hiscox for
the ‘price he paid for my freedom’ and said that as the years
passed he felt like a brother to her.
Her heart-warming story has now come to light after she
received a formal letter of thanks for her ‘years of devotion and
dedication’ from the Royal Air Force.
Air Chief Marshal Stephen Dalton wrote that he regretted her
work had not been brought to the RAF's attention until now.
And last week, on the 65th anniversary of the liberation of
Holland, Ms Claessen was visited by war veteran Air Commodore Charles Clarke OBE, who presented her with a photo of a
Lancaster bomber by way of thanks.
Page 4
Formal thanks: Ms Claessen was visited by Air Commodore Charles Clarke and RAF veterans last week in Holland
during the 65th anniversary of its liberation
Formal thanks: Ms Claessen was visited by Air Commodore Charles Clarke and RAF veterans last week in Holland
during the 65th anniversary of its liberation
She said: ‘When I was younger my mother told me to
carry on caring for my father's grave when she was gone and
then pointed at Henry's and said, “Do that one as well”.
‘He gave his life so people like me could live free and
happy all these years and it was the right thing that he should
be respected and remembered.
‘Doing what I did for him meant that it felt like he became a member of my family, he was like a brother to me,
and that has been my motivation over all these years.
‘I never expected anything at all from anyone. It was
very emotional but wonderful to meet some of the men who
did the same job that Henry did in the war.’
Mr Hiscox, from Newport, Gwent, was a rear gunner in a
RAF Lancaster of 75 Squadron that took part in a bombing
raid over the Rhur in Germany on July 21, 1944.
While flying over Holland the crew came under enemy
attack and the plane caught fire.
The tail section sheered off, with Mr Hiscox inside, and
landed in a corn field close to the village of Beesel in eastern
Holland.
The rest of the plane slammed into a bank, killing the
other five crew members.
Mr Hiscox survived the crash but suffered serious injuries.
Locals heard him desperately signaling for help by blowing his whistle but could not go to him for fear of being shot
by the Germans on the ground.
After three days the whistling stopped and the 35-yearold airman died.
Ten days after the crash four teenage boys found his
body while harvesting the corn field.
The Germans put him in a coffin and Mr Hiscox was
buried by villagers in the graveyard.
The site is recognized by the Commonwealth War
Graves Commission, even though there is only one such
grave there.
A simple cross was initially placed on the grave in 1944
along with a poem written by a Dutch resistance member
dedicated to the 'English airman’.
Mr Hiscox;s own parents visited their son's grave in
1949 and his late daughter Thelma went there only once.
The plot was later abandoned until Ms Claessen stepped
in 1965.
She has since kept the site in pristine condition, filling
pots on top of the graveled grave with primroses, geraniums,
carnations and daffodils.
Terry Charman, a senior historian at the Imperial War
Museum, London, said the Dutch people hold British war
veterans in the highest regard for liberating them from the
Nazis.
He said: ‘The Dutch are acutely aware
even today of the harshness of the German
occupation.
‘Dutch schoolchildren used to be allocated a war grave to look after. But it is
very rare for someone to continue to do so
for the rest of their life.
‘The fact that this is a solitary grave in
a small village cemetery could be a reason
for why Tiny has done it for so long because there has been nobody else.’
He added: ‘British servicemen are
looked upon with terrific favor for helping
to liberate them.
‘We perhaps don't appreciate in this
country that British soldiers are looked
upon with great fondness and admiration.
War veterans are treated with a God-like
status when they go there.’
There is an old Hotel/Pub in Marble Arch, with the gallows adjacent. Prisoners were taken to the
gallows (after a fair trial of
course) to be hung. The horse
drawn dray, carting the prisoner
was accompanied by an armed
guard, who would stop the dray
outside the pub and ask the prisoner if he would like ''ONE LAST
DRINK''.
If he said YES it was referred to as
“ONE FOR THE ROAD”
If he declined, that prisoner was
“ON THE WAGON”
So there you go. More bleeding
history..
Important Stock Information
Normally I avoid discussing any advice
regarding buying or selling of stocks, but
I felt this is important enough to share
and warn you since this explosive situation might prove to be yet another ENRON. Please review any holdings you
might have in the following stocks:
American Can, Interstate Water, National Gas Company, Northern Tissue
Company.
Due to uncertain market conditions, I
advise you to sit tight on your American
Can, hold your Water, and let go of your
Gas. You may be interested to know that
Northern Tissue touched a new bottom
today, and millions were wiped clean.
It's a tough market out there. Be careful!
A Poem Worth Reading
He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.
The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.
Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.
While the ordinary Soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.
And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.
It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.
But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Bob has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.
Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?
He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.
Or would you want a Soldier
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end.
He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Soldier died today.
He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.
When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.
For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.
Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young
But the passing of a Soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.
If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.
Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?
Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."
Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?
I can't see an end. I have no control
and I don't think there's any escape... I don't even have a home
anymore.
Definitely time for a new keyboard.
Page 5
There have been quite a few mini-reunions such as
the engineers reunion in New Orleans in 1997.
The crew members from Minnesota have a delightful habit of getting together occasionally. The next
official USS Whetstone Reunion was held in 1998
in Biloxi, Mississippi
Weeds
A weed is any plant growing where it should
not be or is not wanted.
Therefore, a rose growing in a wheat field is
a weed.
"The Five Most Dangerous Things in the US Navy"
A Seaman saying, "I learned this in Boot Camp..."
A Petty Officer saying, "Trust me, sir..."
A Lieutenant JG saying, "Based on my experience..."
A Lieutenant saying, "I was just thinking..."
A Chief chuckling, "Watch this sh**..."
Page 6
Asbestos Exposure
I'm Ed Thompson, was BT3 aboard the Whetstone from
1964 to late 1967.
Has any engineering group, from when the ship was in
dry dock in Washington state for overhaul, been diagnosed with asbestos exposure? Or with all the trips to
Vietnam, now being treated for prostate cancer?
The VA is now looking into agent orange exposure and
prostate cancer-
Old BT’s looking for a job?
Ship Made With WTC Steel Already Broken
Boiler Operator
About the Job
Anderson Hardwood Floors has immediate openings at its
Walterboro Veneer facility in Walterboro, SC.
Boiler Operator
The exact hours of operation have not been determined and
will be between 32 and 40 hours per week. Candidate must be
able to work any shift as the shift structure is established. This
position will start at $11 to $13 per hour based upon experience.
The Boiler Operator is responsible for the operation of the
automatically fired boilers to generate steam that supplies heat
or power for buildings or the industrial process.
Candidate must be able to accurately observe pressure,
temperature, and draft meters on the panel to verify specified
operations of the automatic combustion control systems, feed
water regulators, stoker, pulverize, and burners and be able to
determine the proper adjustment of valves and controls to set
specified fuel feed, draft openings, water levels, and the steam
pressure of the boiler.
This candidate must observe the boiler and auxiliary units
to detect malfunctions and make repairs which may include
changing burners and tightening pipes and fittings and be able
to identify and quickly react to emergency situations. Other
functions include testing and treating boiler feed water using
specified chemicals and maintaining a log of meter and gauge
readings and to record data such as water test results and the
quantity of fuel consumed.
Must be able to safely work around chains, fuel, rolls, augers, and springs. A high school diploma or GED equivalence
is required. Candidates must have at least three years related
experience.
Applicants will need to submit to and pass a drug screening & physical prior to employment.
——————————Note: I thought this was a bit funny. Right after my discharge in 1964, after working in the Port Fireroom for a little
over 3 years, I returned to Shiprock, NM. This was about the
time they opened the 4 corners power plant, a coal fired electric plant close by. I called to see it they had any Boiler Operator openings. The answer was “no”, so thus ended my boiler
career.
I will admit that I haven’t been looking, but this is the first
boiler operator job I’ve seen in 46 years. I don’t guess I’ll apply.
John
NORFOLK -- Less than three months into its operational life, the dock landing ship New York must undergo repairs to replace faulty engine parts, the Navy
said.
It's un known how long the Norfolk-based ship will
have to stay pierside, Lt. Cmdr. Herbert Josey, a spokesman for Naval Surface Force Atlantic, said Monday.
In a statement about the repairs, the Navy said inspectors discovered the "premature failure" of bearings
on the ship's main propulsion diesel engines during a
week long , at-sea examination that followed the New
York's November commissioning.
Josey said it's unclear how long the repairs will take
and how serious the failures are. The ship has four engines; Josey couldn't say how many are affected.
Officials said Naval Sea Systems Command is
working to determine whether the problems on the
Northrop Grumman-built New York could also affect
other ships in the San Antonio class. Five are operational
and four are under construction. The New York, built in
Louisiana, is the newest.
The Navy has discovered numerous problems and
has overseen millions of dollars of repairs on the first
ship in the class, the San Antonio, which took to the sea
three years ago.
The New York contains 7 1/2 tons of steel salvaged
from the World Trade Center after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Its bearings will be repaired by Northrop Grumman and
the engine manufacturer under the manufacturer's warranty, the Navy said.
Page 7
Our next meeting was in San Diego, California in
2000. As the Whetstone was home ported in San
Diego for most of our service, San Diego was not
unfamiliar. But oh how the city has changed. Some
of the change was for the better, but nostalgia set in
for some things missing.
Next, in 2002 we met in Hamton, Va.
Despite issues with the accommodations,
the crewmembers rallied and had a great
time.
Page 8
In 2004 we came together in Seattle, Washington. Again,
many of us weren’t strangers here. The Whetstone was a
guest of Todd shipyards many times over the years.
In 2006 our home for the week was Corpus Christi,
Texas. We had quite a few “first timers” attend our
reunion. One of the reasons for moving from coast
to coast is to make it easier for some shipmates to
attend.
Reunions continued on Page 12
Page 9
Holiday Inn Express Hotels
and Suites
204 West Marine Drive
Astoria, Oregon 97103
Reservations:
888-898-6222
www.astoriahie.com
Opened in May 2004, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel &
Suites is an attractive 78-room riverfront hotel. Spacious,
contemporary, elegantly decorated rooms and suites offer a
magnificent panoramic view of the mighty Columbia River
or hillside city views.
The hotel offers a unique breakfast experience at the Express
Start Breakfast Bar featuring fresh fruits, juices, cereals,
breads/pastries, yogurts, hardboiled eggs, freshly baked cinnamon rolls and hot foods. Take an invigorating swim in the
indoor heated pool, luxuriate in the whirlpool or recharge
your body in the well-equipped fitness room.
Enjoy pet designated guestrooms, ($15.00/per night), riverfront green space and lawns for walks and delicious dog
treats upon your arrival.
All guestrooms are fully equipped with an impressive array
of amenities: Air conditioning, Refrigerator, Microwave, 27
inch TV/DVD Player, Coffeemaker, Hair Dryer, Ironing
Board and Iron, High-Speed Internet Access, Direct-Dial
Phone with Dataport and Voice Mail, Free Local and 800
Number Access Calls.
There are 15 city-view rooms available which accommodate
1—2 people (2 queen sized beds or king bed) and are priced
at $119.00 per night. The remaining 63 rooms which are
river-view accommodate 1—4 people and are priced at
$139.00 per night. 2-Room Suites which accommodate up to
6 people are available at an additional cost.
When you make reservations, call 888-898-6222 and use the
name U.S.S. Whetstone Reunion so you receive the special rate. You may begin making reservations October 1,
2009. Remember there are only 15 rooms available at the
$119.00 rate. All individual guestroom reservations must be
guaranteed. For guarantee of an individual reservation, the
hotel will accept an advance deposit (by cash, certified
check, cashier’s check or money order) or acceptable credit
card number with valid expiration date at time of reservation.
RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY AUGUST 12,
2010. Otherwise, room rates will revert to normal rates.
MAKE PLANS NOW TO ATTEND THE
USS WHETSTONE REUNION IN
ASTORIA OREGON. YOU ARE GUARANTEED A
GREAT TIME!
Page 10
Larry Lonnon has been working on the reunion since we left
Charleston in 2008. He is looking forward to sharing Astoria
with his shipmates. Astoria is a lovely small city on the Columbia River which offers unique shops and restaurants, bicycle
paths, a 1913 refurbished trolley and will give you an opportunity
to sit back and relax. The best way to get to Astoria is to drive
from the Portland airport. Whether you choose the drive through
the forests or the drive along the Columbia River, you will enjoy
the landscape. We think the best route is along the Columbia
River. In the event you are unable to drive, there is a commuter airline (8 passenger plane) from Portland that can be
arranged. The airline is SeaPort Airlines and you can make
reservations by calling 888-573-2767)
We have chosen a few events for you as a group. However, there
are many other things available in the area. If you choose not to
take part in the trips planned, that is ok. The reunion offers an
opportunity to meet with shipmates you have not seen for possibly years or meet up again with those you have met at previous
reunions. Please consider the Astoria reunion in 2010!
The Historic Astoria and Lewis &
Clark Tour will give you a taste of the
history of the area. Tour Fort Clatsop,
view and climb the Astoria Column
with its breathtaking view over Astoria,
the Columbia River and the Megler
Bridge. Drive past Uniontown and the
beautiful Victorian homes. Visit the
Columbia River Maritime Museum, the
first nationally accredited maritime museum in the western United States. A
great city and surrounding area tour.
Astor Street Opry Playhouse
“Shanghaied in Astoria”
Enjoy dinner and a fun evening in a
cozy 100-seat cabaret theater fashioned after the style of old vaudeville
houses from the turn of the century.
Then take part in this “Vaudeville”
musical melodrama theatre presentation. You will find yourself throwing
popcorn and booing the actors, while
laughing at the lively, funny songs
and dances.
Tillamook Air Museum
See one of America's finest collection
of over 30 War Birds including the P38 Lightning, F4U-Corsair, P51Mustang, PBY Catalina, and SBD
Dauntless dive bomber. Climb into a
jet simulator! Have lunch at the
40/50's Cafe. Enjoy shopping in the
aviation gift shop. All housed in a rare
World War II Blimp Hangar...the
largest wooden structure in the world!
USS WHETSTONE LSD-27
2010 Reunion Reservation Form
Sunday, September 12 —Thursday, September 16, 2010
Holiday Inn Express & Hotel Suites, Astoria, Oregon
A few optional events have been selected for you to participate. If you aren’t interested in attending the optional events or only a
couple and would prefer to do things on your own, there are many sites and tours in the Astoria, Oregon area. A Hospitality Room
will be available from 12:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 12:00 p.m. for shipmates to gather and visit (refreshments provided).
Ship store items and ship memorabilia will be on display. Please bring any items you want to share.
NAME:______________________________________________
PHONE #:__________________________________
GUEST/GUESTS: ____________________________________
E-MAIL: ___________________________________
Complete Reservation Form and mail with money to: Kay Goble, 6200 Emerald Pines Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33966
Make checks payable to USS Whetstone Association
DEADLINE: Reservation forms and money must be received prior to August 10, 2010
Sunday—September 12, 2010
Hospitality Room: Opens at 12:00 noon
Check-in & Registration 3:00—5:00 pm
Welcome Reception:
6:00—10:00 pm
Cash Bar:
6:00—10:00 pm
Welcome (Bill Coakley) 6:00—6:30 pm
Light Meal
6:30—8:00 pm
Door Prizes, Etc.
8:00—10:00 pm.
Monday—September 13, 2010
Hospitality Room: 7:30 am—11:00 pm
Monday Day Tour: 9:00 am— 1:00 pm
Astoria City Tour, Lewis & Clark Museum,
Astoria Column and Maritime Museum. Lunch
at the Holiday Inn Express following the tour.
Monday Evening, September 13, 2010
Dinner Theatre: Dinner at 6:30 followed by
“Shanghaied in Astoria” melodrama.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Hospitality Room: Opens at 7:30 am
Tuesday Day Tour: 9:00 - 3:30 pm
Ultimate Oregon—Tillamook Cheese Factory, Air Museum and Nehalem Winery
Tuesday Night is a Free Night
Enjoy an evening in one of the unique restaurants within walking distance of the hotel or
take a trolley into Astoria. Pick up the trolley
behind the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and
Memorial Service: 2:00—3:00 pm
Service will be held at Holiday Inn Express Suites.
Hotel and Suites on patio
DATE
May be Paid First
Day of Reunion
Wednesday—September 15, 2010
Hospitality Room: Opens at 7:30 am
Wednesday Morning Tours:
Seaside Shopping Tour: 9:00 - 1:00
Charter Fishing Trip:
8:00—12:00
Men’s Business Meeting 2:30 – 3:30
Women’s Meeting
2:30 — 3:30
Banquet:
Photos by John:
5:30 pm
Cash Bar Available:
6:00—10:30 pm
Welcome (Bill Coakley) 6:00 pm
Dinner
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Entertainment
8:30 - 10:30
EVENT (Transportation & Gratuity Included)
Cost/PP
Attendees
Cost
Registration Fee Per Shipmate
(Covers expense of hospitality room and miscellaneous items)
$15.00 per
shipmate
1
$15.00
9/12/2010
Sunday Evening
Welcome Reception @ Hotel
(Light Meal w/hot and cold hors d’oeuvres & Cash Bar)
$20.00
9/13/2010
Monday Day
Astoria City Tour, Lewis & Clark Museum, Maritime Museum
Lunch included following tour at Holiday Inn Express
$50.00
9/13/2010
Monday Evening
Dinner Theatre
Melodrama Play “Shanghaied in Astoria” following Dinner
$45.00
9/14/2010
Tuesday Day
Tillamook Cheese Factory, Air Museum & Nehalem Winery
Lunch included
$102.00
9/15/2010
Wed Morning
Charter Fishing Trip (4 persons to boat)
$250.00
9/15/2010
Wed Morning
Seaside Shopping Tour (Lunch on your own at Seaside)
Quaint Shops, Quaint Restaurants and Art Galleries,
$42.00
9/15/2010
Wed Evening
Banquet and Cash Bar
Entertainment
$50.00
Page 11
NONPROFIT
US POSTAGE
PAID
FT. MYERS, FL.
PERMIT NO. 422
USS Whetstone Association
The Rolling Stone Newsletter
6200 Emerald Pines Circle
Fort Myers, Florida 33966
Return Service Requested
Time is Running
out to make
reunion plans!
SHIP’S STORE
To order any Ship’s Store item please contact
Marion Goble, 6200 Emerald Pines Circle, Ft.
Myers, FL 33966, (239)768-1449 or e-mail [email protected] When submitting an order,
please make checks payable to USS Whetstone
Association. All jackets and golf shirts are navy blue
with gold lettering. T-shirts are navy blue with gold
lettering or gray with navy lettering. Hats are navy
blue with gold silhouette of ship, white with navy
blue silhouette of ship or red with gold silhouette of
ship, or camouflage with gold silhouette of ship (red
and camouflage hats and DVD of Reunions are
new items).
Items for Sale:
Ball Caps (With Silhouette)
$20.00
Cruise Books (57, 61,66,67/68 & 69) $20.00
DVD of Reunions (1996-2006)
$10.00
DVD of 2008 Reunion
$10.00
Golf Shirts (S,M,L,XL)
$35.00
T-Shirts (S,M,L,XLG, XXL)
$20.00
Jackets (S,M,LG,XLG)
$50.00
Jackets (XXL & XXXL)
$52.00
Mouse pads w/Whetstone Picture
$10.00
Yosemite Sam Patches
$ 8.00
Zippo Knives w/Ship Silhouette
$20.00
Zippo Lighters w/Ship Silhouette
$13.00
Whetstone Pictures on Canvas
$25.00
Note: All Prices Include Shipping
Page 12
Our last reunion was a
great one in Charleston,
South Carolina in 2008