USS Plymouth Rock (LSD29) Newsletter September - December, 2004 |
Welcome to the USS Plymouth Rock Newsletter
This is our Eighth 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
Photo
contributed by Gerald Holden, YN2
Reunion Update
Well in less than one month we will all be getting reacquainted at the reunion. Rich Mathis has just let me know that the hotel has 37 rooms booked as of last Monday, (8/9/04), check in time is at 3:00 pm, the continental breakfast is from 6:30-9:30 am and our Hospitality Suites are rooms 255 and 355. Paul Mohawk informs me that he has received money from 46 persons who plan on attending the reunion. Paul would like to set a deadline of August 31st for those who wish to take in the shows and banquet to send him the Application and money. I have included the application once again at the end of the Newsletter. Information on the Reunion can be found on the ships website at www.ussplymouthrock.com The guest speaker at the reunion banquet will by DC1 Monsees of the Navy Recruiting Office in Springfield, MO, who will speak on the present and future navy.We have the oportunity to visit the Veterans Memorial Museum in Branson. Rich Mathis says we can get a group rate of $7.50 per, provided we have more than 15 to sign up. We would need to provide our own transportation. More on this at the reunion.
Rich says that dress for the banquet should be casual, no shorts or bluejeans.
USS Plymouth Rock (LSD29)
Association
Association Business
Meeting Agenda
September, 11, 2004
Old Business:
1. Minutes of Last Meeting
2.
Other Old Business
New Business:
1. Secretary’s Report
2. Treasurers Financial Report
a. Dues: To change the policy of dues for new
members joining the association. Payment of dues prior to last 6 months of
"fiscal year" be paid up for the next two years.
3. Webmasters Report
4. Storekeepers Report
5. Historian’s Report
6. Vice President’s Report
7. Presidents Report
8. Nomination and Election of Officers
for next two years:
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
9. Appointment of shipmates to the
following positions:
Ship Historian
Reunion Chairpersons
Webmaster
Storekeeper
10. Reunion 2006
Site for 2006 reunion, date, etc
11. Other new business
USS Neversail
Note and Photo's by Ron Swearingen, Alta Loma, CA
Recently my wife, Lydia, and I visited San Diego, California. We passed by what used to be the U.S. Naval Training Center. The USNTC ceased operations and was closed on April 30, 1997. The City of San Diego took control of the property and an urban village (whatever that is) is being built. It will be called Liberty Station. The photos are of the Uss Recruit Mockup, known to most of us as the Uss Neversail. Anyone who went through basic in San Diego spent training time aboard her. She was built in 1949 and plans are to keep her where she is. Just thought it might bring back memories to those who walked her decks
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| Battaz, Mike | Goffstown |
| Bergeron, Dick | Manchester |
| Botteron, Richard | Hudson |
| Doyle, Richard | Pittsfield |
| Elderidge, Marguerite | Somersworth |
| Joyce, Ed | Manchester |
| Lavalee, Leo | Greenville |
| Provencal, Bill | Pittsfield |
| Smith, Lawrence | Charlestown |
FACTS ABOUT THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWNS
This must take a special
kind of person.
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb
of the Unknowns and why? 21 steps. It alludes to thetwenty-one gun salute,
which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why? 21
seconds for the same reason as answer number 1.
3. Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his
losing his grip on the rifle.
4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time, and if not, why not? He
carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he
executes an about face, and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder
5. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed very thirty minutes, twenty-four
hours a day, 365 days a year.
6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? For a person to apply for guard
duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size
cannot exceed 30". Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2
years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any
alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for
the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.
After two years, the guards are given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapels signifying
they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guards must obey
these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
Their shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their
feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the
loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on their uniforms.
Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV.
All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington
National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among
the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie
Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five
hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
Submitted
by John Allardyce, DC2
Recently Located Shipmates
Clarence J. (Tiny) Campbell, SN, Peoria, IL
e-mail at: grampasoup@aol.com
Charles (Butch) Bruce, Tampa Bay Area, FL, e-mail at: j1829b@aol.com
Donald F. Parrish, Nashville, TN e-mail at: cparrish@alphillipsinsurance.com
Thomas (Killer) Kane, BT2, Truro, MA
Roger Pratt, PC3, Harrodsburg, KY, e-mail at: rpratt01@adelphia.net
Charlie Williams, IC2, Virginia Beach, VA, e-mail at: charlie1220@cox.net
John T. Wrvin, HM2, Quitman, GA, e-mail at spjccole@aol.com
Larry Roszkowiak, RM3, San Francisco, CA, e-mail at lroszkowiak@its.ucsf.edu
David Ingraham, E2, San Antonio, TX., e-mail at dingraham@satx.rr.com
Mike Sobchak, ET3, Walnutport, PA e-mail at bmsgta@aol.com
Dave Brusky, EM2, Beaver Dam, WI e-mail at dbrusky@charter.net
David Dortch, BT2, Paragould, AR e-mail at tazrhondave@yahoo.com
It all began in 1862 during the
Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near
During the night, Captain
Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay mortally wounded on the field. Not
knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and
bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through
the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his
encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was
actually a Confederate soldier but the soldier was dead.
The Captain lit a lantern and
suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the
face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in
the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, he enlisted in the
Confederate Army.
The following morning,
heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military
burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could
have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.
The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate; but, out of respect for
the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler.
He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in
the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted.....and the haunting
melody we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals was born.
| Allardyce, John | Andersen, Harry | Baldwin, Brad | Balf, Jim | Bell, Joe |
| Bello, Ralph | Berry, John | Bena, Joe | Bierce, George | Bild, Robert |
| Black, Robert | Bjorkman, Ray | Brit, Ben | Buchanan, Richard | Buiak, Peter |
| Bullington, Calvin | Caldwell, Timothy | Casilllas, Greg | Chappell, John | Clark, Robert |
| Conboy, William | Condinelli, Anthony | Conklin, Robert T. | Conroy, Mike | Cummings, Stephen |
| Crowl II, Martin | Cypher, Harold | Cyr, Dennis | Czarnetski, Bruce | Czarnetski, Jon |
| Dalfonzo, Sam | Decuir, Wilton J | Dusault, Andy | Edwards, Maurice | Edwards, R. A. |
| Eldridge, Margurite | Ervin, John | Fisher, Jack | Formaro, Frank | Forton, Andrew |
| Freeman, James | Gee, James | Gibson, David | Goodman, Bill | Greco, Salvador |
| Gregory, Peter | Grier, Frank D. | Guertin, Jerry | Haines, Ira | Hart, Ed |
| Hartson, George | Haws, Joe L. | Hill, Edward Jr. | Hofman, Timothy | Hopper, Richard |
| Howland, John R. | Ishmael, Harry | Janes, Lyle | Jennings, Seeley | Jepson, Norm |
| Johnson, John | Joyce, Edward | Kaderka, Leonard | Kane, Thomas | Kellar, Harry |
| King, Ronald | Krolak, Raymond | Kuhns, James | Lamay, Roger | Larson, Jerry J |
| Leazier, Larry A. | Lillig, Bernie E | Luttrell, James | Madill, Shorty | Mathis, Richard |
| McAvoy Sr., John | McCully Wade | Mohawk, Paul | Moyer, Larry | Murtha, Jerry |
| Musella, Rocco | Nichols, Bob | Noto, Ralph | O'Neil. Marty | O'Neil, Thomas |
| Pihl, Walter | Power, Rand | Pratt, Richard P | Pressler, William | Provencal, Bill |
| Purvis, Anthony | Pyle, Ted | Raniszewski, Louis | Rhine, Don | Ringer, Joseph |
| Robb, Barry J | Robertson, Allan | Robinson, Jim | Rose, Christopher | Sandlin, Richard |
| Scott, William | Sims, Bill | Shanahan, Robert | Shewchuk, Richard | Shober, Robert |
| Simons, Charles | Smith, James | Smith, Larry | Stackhouse, Norm | Stark, Peter Jr. |
| Stovall, Jack | Stull, John III | Swathwood, David | Swart, Mike | Swearingen, Ronald |
| Tacinelli, Jerry | Toungette (McLain), Mike | Tunstall, Van | Tustin, William | Tesh, Sam |
| Viaene, Robert | Vranesevic, Robert | Wagner, Paul | Wagner, Tom | Walling, Roger |
| Warwick, Robert | Ward, James | Watkins, Richard | Welsh, Mike | Ziemba, James |
| Dortch, David | ||||
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.
Photo Contributed by Harry T. Andersen, BTC
Experimental Sub Aluminaut inside the Welldeck
Photo by Ron Swearingen
Known Deceased Shipmates
For a complete listing visit our Memorial Page in the ships website
LCDR Lester Wicks, Nov. 9, 2003 |
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
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.
| John Allardyce | Harry Andersen | Ron Swearingen | Roger Lemay |
SHIPS STORE |
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Navy Recruiting Posters
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Navy Trivia
Close Quarters
Sometimes also referred to as 'closed
quarters' as well. The quarters aboard ship, especially those for officers and
passengers, had wooden partitions or bulkheads dividing them. Also, many ships had
pre-assembled partitions which could further sub-divide the interior, according to the
cargo or passenger requirements. In case of enemy action, these could be quickly
assembled, pierced by loopholes, and then be used by firearms, pikes and cutlasses to
fight through. The defenders would thus be well-protected and dangerous opponents to
anyone who went below decks. It was a very effective means of fighting off boarders
Down the hatch
Here's a drinking expression that seems to
have its origins in sea freight, where cargoes are lowered into the hatch. First used by
seamen, it has only been traced back to the turn of the century.
USS PLYMOUTH ROCK LSD29, 2004 REUNION
REGISTRATION FORM
All Show Prices are "Group Prices" (20 or more)
| Price | Number | Amount | ||
| Thursday, Sept. 9, 10:00 am | Mickey Gilley Show | $18.00 | ||
| Thursday, Sept. 9, 2:00 pm | 50's at the Hop Show | $18.50 | ||
| Friday, Sept. 10, 12:00 pm | Branson Show Boat | $39.00 | ||
| Transportation | $ 8.00 | |||
| Friday, Sept. 10, 8:00 pm | Moe Bandy Show | $15.00 | ||
| Transportation | $ 8.00 | |||
| Saturday, Sept. 11, 6:00 pm | Banquet | |||
| Prime Rib of Beef | $25.58 | |||
| Stuffed Breast of Chicken | $19.18 | |||
| Total Amount | Due |
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
