Welcome to the USS Plymouth Rock Newsletter

Thirteenth  Edition:  The USS Plymouth Rock Newsletter is a publication issued every four months by the USS Plymouth Rock Ships Association.  If you would like to contribute an article, a piece of Navy or Plymouth Rock history, photo, memory or anything that might be of interest to you or other shipmates, you can sent it as an e-mail to:

Bill Provencal, Association  Secretary at:
billinp@metrocast.net

or regular mail at:
Bill Provencal
37 South Main Street
Pittsfield, NH   03263

If you change address or e-mail address be sure to let me (Bill Provencal) know so we can update our Crews List.   My e-mail is billinp@metrocast.net  Our ships website is found at www.ussplymouthrock.com

Richard Bergeron, BMSN.  Change address to:  92 Gabrielle Street, Manchester, NH   03103-3902
Doug Jacques, YNSN.  Change e-mail addess to mdjacque@charter.net
Bob Bild, SN.  Change e-mail address to bild.bob@comcast.net
Mike Swart, FT3.  Change e-mail address to pmtraws@netzero.net
Andy Dussault, DC2.  Change e-mail address to boundary@kingcon.com
 

Harry Andersen, BTC, has prepared a questionnaire in reference to the 2008 Reunion.  I have enclosed a link to this form and we would appreciate it if you have any interest in future reunions that you could fill out the form and return it to Harry.  To view the form, just click here.  The form is in .PDF format (Adobe Reader) and is printable.  Harry's address is on the form.

Being a New Englander, I am really looking forward to the 2006 reunion to be held in Connecticut.  For those of you who have never spent time in this part of the country, I believe you will be very pleased.  With the reunion being held in late September-early October, the weather will be ideal, sunny and cool with the muggy weather a thing of the past and the leaves on the trees in northern New England just beginning to change. 

New England is noted for its small villages, country roads with stone walls, white clapboard houses, village greens, beautiful white churches, covered bridges.  Some of our cities such as Manchester, NH, Lowell, MA and Pawtucket, RI were the cradles of the American Industrial Revolution.  Many of our rivers and lakes are named for Indian Tribes, like the  Merrimack River, Soucook River, Lake Winnipesauke.  I do hope that many of you will opt to spend a few extra days with us visiting other areas. 

Having spent some time while in the Navy Reserves on the USS  Fulton a sub-tender in Groton, CT and having spent a few days a couple of years ago in Mystic, CT,  I can attest to the many sites that George and Shorty have set up for us to visit will be definitely worthwhile.   I was very impressed with the Naval Museum in New London and Mystic Seaport.  The casino at Foxwood's is so impressive and the location is simply beautiful. 

Do you remember the old Army recruiting poster with a picture of Uncle Sam pointing a finger and saying, ”I Want You”?  Well, I Want You to plan for the reunion now.  And if you’ve never come to one of your reunions, you don’t know what you’re missing.  So stop trying to find excuses not to come, and put it on your calendar today.  I have enclosed a registration form in the newsletter.  Have a great summer! 

Just a reminder in that the Registration Form and deposit are both due by May 25, 2006.  I am enclosing a registration form in the newsletter.  Also, the final balance is due on June 26, 2006.  This must be submitted to Paul Mohawk, 14845 W. Caribbean Ln., Surprise, AZ   85379-5415.                      

    Washington D.C. - Outfitting the Sailor of the future took another step forward last week when Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen approved plans for a single working uniform for all ranks and a year-round service uniform for E-6 and below Sailors.
    The BDU-style working uniform, designed to replace seven different styles of current working uniforms, is made of a near maintenance-free permanent press 50/50 nylon and cotton blend. Worn with a blue cotton t-shirt, it will include an eight-point cover, a black web belt with closed buckle, and black smooth leather boots, with black suede no-shine boots for optional wear while assigned to non-shipboard commands.
    “The intent of TFU always has been to give our Sailors a uniform in which they can work comfortably everyday and is more appropriate for the joint environment in which we operate,” Scott said. “Even better, we’ve created a uniform that’s also easier to maintain, is longer lasting, helps reduce the size of the sea bag, while at the same time recognizing the tradition and heritage of serving in the Navy.”
    Next on the agenda is to evaluate additional uniform options, such as reviving the traditional Service Dress Khaki uniform for chiefs and officers.

"Rock" at dockside in Callao, Peru.  Photo contributed by Ron Bonnacci, MM2	"Rock" with view of starboard crane in St. Croix.  Photo contributed by Scott Gallaway

US Fleet Practices Savings Americans in Middle East

    With the US 6th Fleet off Dikill, Turkey  (AP)  Major units of the mighty Mediterranean fleet assembled off the Turkish coast today to train in rescuing Americans from the turbulent countries of the Middle East.
    The heavily armed amphibious forces of Marines, backed up by sailors and naval airman, are practicing for duty they might face any moment.
    Most of of those who are taking part are aware that if the crisis deepened in Lebanon, only 12 hours steaming to the south, they could switch from training to the real thing.  For that reason the fleet is reinforced by 18 ships over the usual 50 and by double the usual complement of 1,800 marines.
    As the first streaks of dawn broke over the Turkish coast, transports, warships and landing ships maneuvered around the Greek island off Lesbos for a landing near Dikill.
    Minesweepers swept the waters just offshore.  Frogmen trashed about in mock search for mines and other obstacles in the shallow waters.
    A small Marine reconnaissance detachment of frogmen and signalmen hit the beach first in rubber boats.  Poised to follow them by helicopter and small landing craft were a battalion of 1,800 Marines of the 2nd Regiment
    The Marines came from the attack transport Monrovia, which was accompanied by attack cargo ships carrying artillery and tanks for speedy delivery ashore.
    The amphibious task force was backed up by the cruiser Des Moines, the 6th Fleet's flagship and its sister ship the Salem and a screen of destroyers to give gunfire support.
    Farther out to sea lay the carriers Saratoga and Essex to lend air cover with nearly 200 planes--including jets capable of carrying nuclear bombs.
Newspaper article written sometime between June-November 1958, contributed by Robert T. Conklin, Sr., SN

Photo contributed by Harry Andersen, BTC

Thank You's

We would like to thank the following shipmates/friends for providing pictures, information and articles to the website, the Ships Association and newsletter.

NEW YORK - With a year to go before it even touches the water, the Navy's amphibious assault ship USS New York has already made history - twice. It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center, and it survived Hurricane Katrina.

USS New York is about 45 percent complete and should be ready for launch in mid-2007. Katrina disrupted construction when it pounded the Gulf Coast last summer, but the 684-foot vessel escaped serious damage, and workers were back at the yard near New Orleans two weeks after the storm.

USS New York is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, La., to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept. 9, 2003, "those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence," recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. "It was a spiritual moment for everybody there."

Later ships in the class will include USS Arlington, the location of the Pentagon, also struck by a hijacked jetliner on Sept. 11, and USS Somerset, named for the Pennsylvania county where United Flight 93 crashed after its passengers fought off hijackers apparently planning to attack another Washington target.

The New York revives a name borne by at least seven previous ships - most recently the nuclear submarine SSN New York City, retired in 1997 after 18 years service.

Looking forward, view from the open bridge.  Photo contributed by Lt. Van Tunstall	Brave sailor in the bosun chair.  Photo contributed by James Ziemba, HM2

Paid Association Members for 2004-2006
As of April8, 2006 we now have 150 paid members