Welcome to the USS Plymouth Rock Newsletter

This is our Seventh  Ships Newsletter to be created in this format.  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 website is found at www.ussplymouthrock.com

Remember mailing letters home to mom and your girlfriend.  The days before E-Mail

K


It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.



It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag,                  who serves under the Flag,
                   

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. 

 

Marines on Board, February 1969. Photo contributed by Harry Andersen

LSD Retires

Monday, August 25. 2003, marks the end of an era for one ship.  The Amphibious Dock Landing Ship USS Portland (LSD37) was decommissioned at Little Creek.  She was commissioned in 1970.  The 32 year old ship recently returned from missions in Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  The USS Portland was the second ship to carry that name.   The first USS Portland was a heavy cruiser.  That ship was commissioned in 1933.

A soldier, a marine, and an airman got into a fight about which service is best. The fight was so heated, that they killed each other. Soon, they found themselves in Heaven. They see St. Peter walk by and ask, "Which Branch of Service is the best?" St. Peter replied, "I can't answer that.  But, I will ask God what He thinks the next time I see Him." Some time later, the three see St. Peter again and ask him if he was able to find the answer. Suddenly, a dove landed on St. Peter's shoulder. The dove was carrying a note in its beak. St. Peter opened the note and read it out loud to the three fellows: "Gentlemen: All the Branches of the Service are 'Honorable and Noble'. Each one of you has served your country well. Be proud of that. (signed) GOD, USN (Ret.)"

Captains Gig Underway Picture Contributed by Ron Swearingen

USS Constitution (Old Ironsides)
 

The U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides) as a combat vessel carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men.  This was sufficient to last six months of sustained operations at sea.  She carried no evaporators (fresh water distillers).

However, let it be noted that according to her log, "On July 27,1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from Boston with a full complement of 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of fresh water, 7,400 cannon shot, 11,600 pounds of black powder and 79,400 gallons of rum."

    Her mission: "To destroy and harass English shipping."
 
Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on 826 pounds of flour and 8,300 gallons of rum.

Then she headed for the Azores, arriving there 12 November.  She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and 64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine.

On 18 November, she set sail for England.

In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war and captured and scuttled 12 English merchantmen, salvaging only the rum aboard each.
 
By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Nevertheless, and though unarmed, she made a night raid up the Firth of Clyde in Scotland.  Her landing party captured a whiskey distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons of single malt Scotch aboard by dawn.

Then she headed home.

The U.S.S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February 1799, with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, NO rum, NO wine, NO whiskey and 38,600 gallons of stagnant water.

                                                     GO NAVY!

P Rock tied up astern of a German Destroyer in the port of Wilhelmshaven, Germany, September, 1967 - Ron Swearingen

Recently Located Shipmates

Ira Gartrell, GMG3, Rochester, NY  e-mail at:  cgartrell@juno.com
Bill Goodman, Wartburg, TN
James Keefe, SA, Malden, MA  e-mail at:  jessejam@gis.net
Harry Ishmael, BT3, Chaffee, MO   e-mail at:  cphdh@aol.com
Raymond Harvey, EN3, Daisy, TN   e-mail at:  raymondharvey@neto.net
Ed Campbell, GMG, Middletown, NJ  e-mail at:  bigdog17@verizon.net
Franklin Wade, SN, , Lexington, VA   e-mail at:  pmnatbrg@hotmail.com
Barry Robb, Allentown, PA   e-mail at:  momrobb2@hotmail.com
Harry Kellar, Bridgeport, WV  e-mail at:  rosegooski2@aol.com
Mike McLain, FT3, Ashville, AL  e-mail at:  a071070@allstate.com
Bob Navigato, RM3, Chicago, IL  e-mail at:  twootta3@aol.com
Tony Troutman, GMG3, Gladstone, MI  e-mail at:  ttroutman@chartermi.net
Mike Welsh, BM2, San Diego, CA  e-mail at:  michael.k.welsh@navy.mil
T. C. Hofman, PN2, Penguin, Tasmania 7316, e-mail at:  tchofman@bigpond.com
Jim Hartzel, GMG3, Burke, VA  e-mail at:  jim.haratzell@verison.net
Robert Shober, BT3, Sinking Spring, PA
Frank D. Grire, BTC, Stafford, VA
Hollis (Snake) Stedman, OS2, Altamont, NY  e-mail at:  mingmag@peoplepc.com
Mike Wray, Lewiston, PA  e-mail at:  mandmwray@acsworld.com
Eugene C. Deshong, Chambersburg, PA  e-mail at:  glad3@blazenet.net

USS Plymouth Rock LSD29 2004 Reunion
Branson, MO   September 8-12, 2004

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
   Check in/ Registration/ Hospitality Room/ Show on Your Own

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
        10:00 am - Mickey Gilley Show
        2:00 pm - 50's at the Hop Show       

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
        11:00 am - Memorial Service for fallen shipmates-
        Laying of Memorial Wreath
        12:00 pm - Show Boat Branson Bell - 2 hours Luncheon Show
        8:00 pm - Moe Brandy Show

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
        2:00 PM  Ships Association Business Meeting
        6:00 pm  - Banquet  Choice of either Prime Rib of Beef or Stuffed Breast of Chicken
                       - Picture After Banquet (Digital Camera / will e-mail)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
        Good Byes

HOTEL INFORMATION

Lodge of the Ozarks
3431 W.Hwy. 76
Branson MO   65616
1-888-353-3501
www.lodgeoftheozarks.com

Room Rate:  $80.00 plus tax

City Map Branson, MO


To obtain driving directions, click Mapquest below
Mapquest

If you are flying, nearest Airport is Springfield/Branson Airport.  Directions are listed below:

Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
www.explorebranson.com

USS PLYMOUTH ROCK LSD29, 2004 REUNION
REGISTRATION FORM

All Show Prices are "Group Prices" (20 or more)

Make check or money order payable to USS Plymouth Rock Association and mail to:
                                                                        PAUL MOHAWK
                                                                        2505 CONIFER AVENUE
                                                                        ALEXANDRIA, MN   56308

Name                                                                         Years on Board                                 

Spouse/Guest                                                                                                                       

Address                                                                                                                                

City, State, ZIP                                                               Phone                                           

Emergency Contact                                                          Phone                                         

E-Mail Address                                                         

Disability / Dietary Restrictions:                                                                                        

Are You Staying at the Hotel?  (Please Circle)  YES         NO

Are you (Please Circle)     FLYING    RAIL    DRIVING     RV

Any paid Association member (2003-2004) who is not on this list and who have paid their dues, please contact Paul Mohawk at 2505 Conifer Ave., Alexandria, MN  56308, or e-mail:  hawk@rea-alp.com  For those wishing to join the Association and help us out financially you can obtain an application that can be printed on the ships website at www.ussplymouthrock.com   All paid dues members receive a hard copy of the newsletter.

Known Deceased Shipmates  
For a complete listing visit our Memorial Page in the ships website

This list represents departed Plymouth Rock Shipmates that we have received notification on  during the past four months.  If any of you know of other shipmates now deceased, who should be on the list, please contact either Bill Provencal, 37 So. Main Street, Pittsfield, NH    03263, or e-mail me at billinp@metrocast.net or Harry Andersen, 2544 Chestnut Street, Waukeegan, IL  60087 or e-mail Harry at andycporetsnipe@aol.com

How to get your Service Record

An individual's complete service record is available to the former service member or, if deceased, to his/her next of kin (parents, spouse, or children).   Limited information (such as dates of service, awards and training) is available to anyone.  Not available to the general public is information which would invade an individuals privacy:  for example, medical records, Social Security number, or present address

The St. Louis Center receives many requests for service records each week, so a request will be processed with greater speed and accuracy if the requester uses a Standard Form 180, "Request Pertaining to Military Records."  If requesting the records of a relative, a requester should mention the relationship to the former member (brother, uncle, etc.).  There is no charge for this service to former service members or their next of kin.  For others, a nominal fee is charged for research and reproduction costs.

You may submit more than one request per envelope or fax, but submit a separate request (either SF180 or letter) for each individual whose records are being requested.

Mail:           National Personnel Records Center
                    Military Personnel Records
                    9700 Page Avenue
                    St. Louis, MO   63132-5100

FAX:            314-801-9105

Order Response Time:  Routine requests currently require only 2-4 weeks.  Requests that involve reconstruction due to the 1973 fire may take longer.  Average turnaround time on all requests is currently running at about 12 weeks.

DD214 AVAILABLE ON LINE

    Veterans and family members of deceased veterans now can go online to request copies of the deceased's form DD-214, the official Defense Department document of separation from military service.   The DD-214 is required to receive a variety of veteran's benefits.
    To request the DD-214 to to the National Archives and Records Administration at www.archives.gov/research_room/vetrecs .  Users fill out request forms online, then submit a signature via fax/or regular mail.

Thank You's

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

Any individual desiring Plymouth Rock items such as Cups, Patches, etc. are urged to contact Brad Baldwin at 203-374-8213, e-mail jbpjs11@msn.com

Navy Recruiting Posters

Navy Trivia

Bell-Bottom Trousers
    1) The Sailor's bell-bottom trousers, which came to epitomize '60s and early '70s fashion, are actually a practical item for Sailors living aboard ship. The wide, flared, legs are easy to roll up when swabbing a deck or wading through slightly flooded spaces.

    2) Commonly believed that the trouser were introduced in 1817 to permit men to roll them above the knee when washing down the decks, and to make it easier to remove them in a hurry when forced to abandon ship or when washed overboard. The trousers may be used as a life preserver by knotting the legs.

Bluejacket
    The first uniform that was ever officially sanctioned for sailors in the Royal Navy was a short blue jacket open in the front.  A generic name for a Navy enlisted person.

Brightwork
    Brightwork originally referred to polished metal objects, and bright woodwork to wood which was kept scraped and scrubbed, especially topside. Bright it should be and work it is.