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LETTERS AND EMAIL OF
INTEREST
NOVEMBER 5, 2008
Shipmate Al,
I received the below email from Dan (Pat) Carpenter and I
have his permission to forward this onto the Crew also.
Would you please add this one along with my news letter
Thanks again
Ed
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ED AND MARJORIE--
GREETINGS, YOU'ALL! 'HOPE ALL GOES WELL WITH THE TWO OF YOU, AND
ALL OF YOURS!!! WE'RE MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR THE CHRISTMAS
INVASION THIS YEAR, WITH OUT WHOLE TRIBE PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR.
WHEN WE'RE "ON" WE HAVE TEN HOUSE GUESTS, WHICH, NEEDLESS TO SAY,
STRESSES THE SEAMS AND CLUTTERS THE FLOORS. BUT, WHAT COULD
POSSIBLY BE A GREATER CHRISTMAS PRESENT?
AT THIS STAGE OF OUR LIVES, FAMILY IS "NUMERO UNO!!!!!!!"
OK, GET TO THE SUBJECT. I'M SORRY TO REPORT THAT WE ARE NOT GOING
TO BE ABLE TO MAKE REUNION NUMBER SEVEN. BY ALL ACCOUNTS, THIS ONE
SHOULD BE THE LUCKY ONE, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE IN THE PICTURE
FOR US. WE'RE NOT IN TROUBLE, FINANCIALLY OR PHYSICALLY--THANK THE
GOOD LORD--BUT THIS OLD MAN'S TRAVELING DAYS ARE BEHIND HIM, I'M
AFRAID. WE HAD OUR LAST HURRAH LAST SUMMER WITH A TRIP TO EUROPE
AND, AS I LIKE TO SAY, MUCH TO ANN'S DISGUST, MY "TRAVEL BUG" GOT
PRETTY WELL SQUASHED. IT WAS TERRIBLY HOT, TERRIBLY EXPENSIVE, AND
I WAS NOT WELL. THEN, WE HAD A CLASSIC CASE OF AIRLINE CALAMITY
WHERE WE MISSED OUR CONNECTIONS IN ATLANTA, THEY LOST (MISPLACED) MY
BAGGAGE, THE AIRPORT SHUTTLE WE HAD TO TAKE TO GET TRANSPORTATION TO
THE "OVERNIGHT ACCOMMO-DATIONS" (ABOUT "FOURTH-CLASS") WENT OUT OF
COMMISSION JUST AS WE WERE TRYING TO USE IT, AND, EVEN AFTER OVER 30
HOURS WITHOUT SLEEP, WE COULDN'T SLEEP IN THAT "FLEA BAG MOTEL."
OTHER THAN THAT, "MRS. LINCOLN," THE PLAY WAS JUST FINE. ANYWAY, I
REGRET THAT WE WON'T BE THERE AND TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK
YOU, AND ALL YOUR SHIPMATES, FOR HONORING ANN AND ME WITH YOUR
HOSPI-TALITY AND YOUR FRIENDSHIP FOR THE PAST SIX, WONDERFUL YEARS.
IT HAS BEEN A BLAST. I AM PROUD OF ALL OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU
REPRESENT AND THAT'S NOT ONLY THE GREAT SHIP NAMED FOR MY BELOVED
DAD BUT YOUR LOYALTY TO EACH OTHER AND THE NAVY, YOUR PATRIOTIC
SERVICE TO YOUR COUNTRY, AND YOUR REPRESENTATION OF ALL THAT HAS
MADE THIS NATION MAGNIFICENT. NO, THAT'S NOT "GILDING THE LILLY" OR
"BLOWING SMOKE," THAT'S JUST THE WAY I SEE IT!! SURE, YOU'VE GOT
CHARACTERS IN YOUR GROUP, IT WOULDN'T BE NORMAL IF YOU DIDN'T, BUT
YOUR GUYS--AND THEIR GALS--PERSONIFY THE SOLID CITIZENS OF AMERICA
THAT CARE PASSIONATELY ABOUT OUR HERITAGE, WERE WILLING TO
SACRIFICE--YES, FIGHT--FOR OUR UNITED STATES, AND NOW REPRESENT THE
HEART OF OUR BLESSED LAND. THANKS FOR ADOPTING US, WE ENJOYED BEING
WITH YOU AND WOULD LIKE TO STAY IN TOUCH.
I DO INTEND TO MAKE THE LOGISTICS OF YOUR OFFICE AS PRESIDENT EVEN
MORE DIFFICULT BY ADDING A MEMENTO OF MY FATHER TO YOUR INVENTORY.
I INTEND TO SEND IT BACK TO PAM BROWN TO BE HELD FOR THE ARRIVAL OF
YOUR GANG, AND TO ASK JIMMIE KENNEDY TO PRESENT IT ON MY BEHALF.
I THINK YOU WILL BE PLEASED TO RECEIVE IT.
IN ORDER TO KEEP THIS UNDER FIVE HUNDRED--OR A THOUSAND--WORDS I
GUESS I HAD BETTER CLOSE. ANN JOINS ME IN SENDING THESE WORDS OF
APPRECIATION AND IN WISHING YOU--AND YOUR ASSOCIATION--THE "FAIR
WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS" ALL SAILORS DREAM OF.
WITH SINCERE AND CORDIAL REGARDS,
PAT
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FROM ED VAN
WERT
The following
may be interesting to my fellow
shipmates in
the 1949 to1952 era.
Back in 2001,
my doctor noticed some spots in my lungs
after I had a
routine x-ray. I was referred to a lung specialist who
ran many
pulmonary tests. The spots were nodules. But I wasn't having any
problems, so
they decided to just watch them instead of taking a biopsy.
I saw an
Oncologist at a VA hospital. Both doctors asked if I was exposed to
asbestos. We
ALL should think about this! Of course I was, since my bunk
was 18 " below
several steam pipes that were covered with asbestos.
So the
VA ran tests on me for over 5 years. Certain symptoms such as shortness
of
breath, chest
pain, etc began to appear. Tests in March of
2007
showed symptoms worsened. I had never smoked and my heart and
arteries are
fine, but my lungs showed scaring with small nodules laying dormant.
In May of
2007, the VA put me on a sizable disability called Pulmonary
fibrosis with
nodules, secondly to asbestos exposure. So far, no cancer,
but the
condition is an indicator of later problems.
I am relaying
this to anyone who has served aboard a ship. There was (and
still is)
asbestos throughout every ship. One needs only to research the
internet to
find many asbestos related cases. If anyone has the slightest
indication of
symptoms, don't hesitate to be tested.
DECEMBER 7, 2002
EMAIL RECEIVED FROM MARTY WILSON
NOVEMBER 24, 2002
EMAIL RECEIVED FROM GRAHAM MILLS
In 1965 while the Carpenter was in dry dock going through Fram a portion of
the movie IN HARMS WAY was filmed aboard the Carpenter. John Wayne and Kirk
Douglas were aboard her acting in the movie.
MAY 29,2004
EMAIL RECEIVED FROM SHELDON ROY BROWN
This is to disagree with the letter from
Graham Mills of November 24, 2002, as to John Wayne and Kirk Douglas being
aboard our ship. As I remember they never came aboard the Carpenter, but
were shown leaving the Renshaw which was across the slip from us at the
time.
Sheldon Roy Brown SK3
1962-1966
NOVEMBER 19, 2002
EMAIL RECEIVED FROM FORREST ROSAIRE
For any
interested shipmates the Carpenter has had a few brushes with
Hollywood.
Item 1.
'Raise The Titanic'-1980 starring Jason Robards & Richard Jordan. As I
recall there's actually a reference made to the Carpenter by name.
Item 2.
'Escape Under Pressure'-2000 starring Rob Lowe. I was watching this movie
on HBO the other night and up pops the Carpenter (towards the end of the
movie) with the old 825 hull number. Of course we know this can't be as the
Turks own it now, and have for many years. The only thing I can figure is
they used an old exterior shot of the Carpenter and inserted it into this
newer movie, and called it the USS Charleston-dunno where that came from,
but that's Hollywood!
Smooth sailing!
Forrest Rosaire
Nighttrain
Entertainment
______________________________________________
http://forrestrosaire.com
NOVEMBER 9, 2002
EMAIL RECEIVED FROM BOB GIOMBETTI
THREE LITTLE WORDS..
I suppose some degree of commerce would grind to a
halt if telephone solicitors weren't able to call people at home
during dinner hour. But
that doesn't make it any more pleasant.
Now Steve Rubenstein, a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle,
has proposed "Three Little
Words" based on his brief experience in
a telemarketing operation
that would stop the nuisance for all time.
The three little words are
"Hold On, Please."
Saying this while putting down your phone and walking
off instead of hanging up immediately would make each telemarketing
call so time-consuming that boiler rooms would grind to a halt.
When you eventually hear
the phone company's beep-beep-beep tone,
you know it's time to go
back and hang up your handset, which has efficiently
completed its task. This
might be one of those articles you'll want to e-mail
to your friends. Three
little words that eliminate telephone soliciting.
OTHER GOOD IDEAS:
When you get ads in your phone or utility bill, include them with the
payment -- let the
companies throw them away.
When you get those pre approved letters in the mail for everything from
credit cards to 2nd mortgages and junk like that, most
of them come with postage paid return envelopes, right? Well, why not
get rid of some of your other junk mail and put it in these cool little
envelopes!
Send an ad for your local chimney cleaner to American Express. Send the
pizza coupon to Citibank. If you didn't get anything else that day, then
just
send them their own application back! If you want to remain anonymous,
make sure your name isn't on anything you send them. You can send the
postage paid envelope back
empty if you want to, just to keep them guessing!
Eventually, the banks and credit card companies will begin getting their
junk back in the mail. Let's let them know what it's like to get junk
mail,
and the best part of it is
that they're paying for it!, Twice! Let's help keep
our postal service busy
since they say e-mail is cutting into their business,
and that's why they need to
increase postage again
AUGUST 12, 2002
EMAIL RECEIVED FROM CAPT. KEN "KC" HOLM, XO. CARPENTER 1958-59.
I was on
DD825 as XO from 1/58 to 12/59. Homeport was Pearl Harbor and
we deployed to Sydney, Australia, and
visited Taiwan and Japan. I became
qualified to command DD's while serving
under our skipper CDR Laird and later
commanded Joyce DER 317 and J.C.
Owens DD 776. I am 82 now but hope
to attend reunion (God Willing) with my wife Zayna who is 77. We plan to
register as late as possible . We reside in Danville, CA. Sure like the
website and
congratulate you for doing such a good
job. "KC" Holm, Capt USN (ret)
JUNE 17, 2002
EMAIL RECEIVED FROM MARK HUGHES
Greetings Shipmate,
I have logged into the quarterdeck log and included what I remember of the
end of DD 825. When I reported aboard in November of 1977, The C.O. was CDR.
Robert Dennis. He was relieved by CDR. Frederick G. Kleyn III, although I
can't remember what year (I think it was mid '79). Capt. Kleyn was her last
American C.O.
When I came aboard, she was in her final configuration. Twin 5'' 38s fwd
(mount 51), torpedo tubes at the 01 level fwd of the bridge, ASROC amidships,
DASH deck 01 aft, After 5"38 mount (mount 52?) was missing, having been
removed for Gemini recovery in late 1960s. I recall seeing a picture of a
Gemini capsule on her fantail.
I just found my "Sailor of the Sargasso Sea" Decommissioning Certificate. It
is dated 20 February 1981. We did a "Hot Transfer" in two phases:
First we went down to a skeleton crew. All US enlisted men could fit in the
fwd berthing compartment, and the petty officers of the Turkish Navy moved
into the remaining berthing spaces. I think only four or five US Officers
remained. (At this time more than any other, any antipathy between officer
and enlisted disappeared).
During our final two weeks aboard the Carpenter, the rest of the Turkish crew
came aboard. I can't recall the exact numbers but there were about 80 to 120
officers and petty officers and easily double that number of "oscars," their
non-rated conscripts. Huge difference between the two groups. The Petty
officers dressed and acted like officers, the officers were often European
Turks, and the "oscars (osKARz)" cow-towed to them like they had the power of
life and death over them - which they may have. The "oscars" had lousy
uniforms, and had to hot-rack. Sometimes, you don't even have to go overseas
to be glad you're an American, if you have any trouble at all these days.
After I reached my new duty station in San Diego, USS Decatur (DDG-31), I
heard that sea trials were a terror. The first thing they did when they got
underway the first time was to wire the safeties on the boilers shut. The
liaison US Engineering Officer, a Mustang by the name of Lt. Frick (a super
squared away officer, BTW) is said to have left the engine rooms at that
point with no intention of returning. I figured the ship would be doomed
inside of five years, but have continued to look in on her in "Jane's
Fighting Ships" in our local library. Carpenter/Anitepe was not included in
the roles of the Turkish Navy in the 2000 edition, but I thought I saw her in
the 1998 edition.
Kind Regards,
Mark O. Hughes
STG2 USN 1976-1982
USS Carpenter 1977 -1981
MAY 27, 200
EMAIL RECEIVED FROM RICHARD HICKEY
THE UNITED
STATES
ONE DOLLAR BILL
Take out a one dollar bill, and look at it. The one dollar bill you're
looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design.
This so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with
red and blue minute silk fibers running through it. It is actually
material. We've all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend
of ink is used, the contents we will never know. It is overprinted with
symbols and then it is starched to make it water resistant and pressed
to give it that nice crisp look.
If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States
Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales for a balanced budget.
In the center you have a carpenter's square, a tool used for an even
cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury. That's all
pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill
is something we should all know.
If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles,
together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First
Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men
come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and
another two years to get it approved.
If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the
face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just
beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we
could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is un-capped, again
signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the
capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity.
It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group
of men, with the help of God, could do anything.
"IN GOD WE TRUST" is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid,
ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, "God has favored our undertaking." The Latin
below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, "a new order has begun."
At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776.
If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will
learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is
also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National
Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly
modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and it
is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the
symbols mean.
The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons:
First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough
to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just
broken from the King of England. Also, notice the shield is
unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that
shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We
were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read,
"E PLURIBUS UNUM", meaning, "one nation from many people".
Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen
original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away.
Again, we were coming together as one. Notice what the Eagle holds in
his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants
peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle
always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze
turns toward the arrows.
They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a
worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any
hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this: 13 original
colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on
our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13
letters in "E Pluribus Unum", 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on that
shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look
closely, 13 arrows. And, for minorities: the 13th Amendment.
I always ask people, "Why don't you know this?" Your children don't
know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many
veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many
veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many
veterans never came home at all.
Share this page with everyone
<http://www.flowgo.com/refer/referral.cfm?page_id=13118>
, so they can
learn what is on the back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL, and what
it stands for... Otherwise, they will probably never know...
APRIL 29,2002
EMAIL RECEIVED FROM BOB INGERSOLL
my friend roy ( whip ) wilson mailed me this ships letter a couple of
years ago before he passed away, he also was on the 825 with us....do
any of you remember it??? let me know........bob ingersoll
THE LETTER WAS PUBLISHED AT THE END OF 1954 OR THE BEGINNING OF 1955.
MARCH 23, 2002
EMAIL RECEIVED FROM JAMES GOODRICH
Dear Al,
I was very pleasantly surprised to get your
message via CLASSMATES. I just entered my name into to crewmembers
listing.
It was a long time ago and I haven't
thought about these things for a few years now. I am 72 years old at this
point. I was a ET2
assigned as an instructor to the radar
training school at TREASURE ISLAND, CA. I was assigned to the USS
CARPENTER DDK-825
sometime in the fall of 1949. The ship was
in dry dock at the NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING AND DRY DOCK, CO.
The crew was billeted in a barracks at
NORFOLK, VA. We traveled daily by bus to the ship for various duties on
board while the
ship construction was being completed. We
also went to various training schools at the Norfolk Naval Station. This
went on for several
weeks until the ship was launched. I am
fuzzy on the exact date, sometime in early 1950 I believe
The ship was being equipped with highly
classified Anti-Submarine-Warfare equipment including two
12.75 WEAPON ABLE ROCKET LAUNCHERS. This
was basically a very large HEDGEHOG DEPTH CHARGE LAUNCHER.
The latest analog ASW SONAR COMPUTER was
installed. Several hi-tech sonic torpedo launchers.
I am not real clear on the time frame. The
ship went up the POTOMAC RIVER to the NAVAL GUN FACTORY
at Washington, DC for the installation of
the new sonic torpedoes. I think that this was before the shakedown
cruise in the Caribbean.
I had applied for NROTC and was accepted in
the program while aboard the USS CARPENTER.
I was given a special order
discharge August 1950. All discharges had been frozen at the time because
of the Korean War.
There is one officer that stands out in my
mind. He was CDR LEON LEROY DIXON. He is memorable because he was such a
SOB. He was hated by everyone on board.
He had a serious scar across his face from
his ear to the corner of his mouth. I don't remember which side the
scar was on.
I don't recall the CO's name. Grady does
sound familiar.
I remember two shipmates, Willie Zimmerman
(skivy waver) and Paul Bizzaro (Brooklyn). Somewhere in my old junk
I should have a list of the plankowners on
the commissioning crew.
If I can find it, I will see that you get
the list. I was promoted to ET1 just before my discharge.
I went to college at Renesselaer
Polytechnic Institute in the fall of 1950 where I attended a course in
Electrical Engineering
for 1 1/2 years. I contracted infectious
Hepatitis and missed several weeks of school. I resigned from NROTC
because I felt
that my studies were hopelessly behind.
I have worked as a PHILCO TECH REP and
a BENDIX FIELD ENGINEER. I am presently working in my 33rd year as an
engineer at
Fox TV Chan 5 WTTG Washington, D.C.
This may be more than you want to know,
Just hit the delete key if you like.
Al, this is an excellent website you are to
be congratulated.
Thank you very much for this opportunity,
Jim Goodrich
APRIL 30, 2002
EMAIL RECEIVED FROM JIM BURTON
I would like to elaborate
a bit on James Goodrich's eMail regarding
the Sonar Equipment installed on Carpenter.
Our system was known as an "Integrated Sonar System" and consisted of
the following:
QHB - Scanning Sonar mfg by Sangamo Electric Co.
OKA-1 - Horizontal Range Recorder mfg by Sangamo Electric Co.
QDA - Depth Determining Sonar mfg by Western Electric
CAN-55134 Tactical Range Recorder
Underwater Weapons Fire Control System was the MK102 that directed
our MK108 mounts and the MK15 Hedgehog.
I have attached a picture of the MK108 Launcher and of one firing a
Weapon Able.
As I recall when the MK108 was used to its full capability you could
see three of the Weapons at one time - 1 leaving the mount as shown
in attached photo, 1 about midway in its trajectory, and 1 just
entering the water. The firing sequence was something to watch - The
MK108 would position to centerline, the barrel in a full upright
vertical position, the weapon would be loaded and then the mount would
slew to its designated azimuth and elevation and then fire and then
repeat this sequence until a complete pattern was laid down.
Jim Burton
WEAPON ABLE
MK-108
MARCH 23, 2002
RECEIVED FROM LEE BJERKE
Subject: Sunrise in New York
This picture was taken by a guy returning on a cruise this past
summer (July 28, 2001). It is a sunrise over lower Manhattan.
HE Writes:
As I watched the beautiful skyline of New York City float
past me I noticed the
sun was about to line up just behind the twin towers. I
was lucky enough to snap the
picture at exactly the right moment. If you look at the sun rays it is
almost
prophetic - a little spooky. When I show this picture to
anyone they
almost always asks for a copy. I just want to share it with all who want it.
"THE PIRATES"
________________
LOOK TO THE PAST ALL YOU PIRATES HERE PRESENT.
TO YOUR SERVICE ON BOARD AND ALL THAT IT MEANT.
"AHOY!" "NOW HEAR THIS!" IT'S "ALL HANDS ON DECK!"
YOU'RE BACK AT YOUR STATIONS…NOT REALLY, BUT HECK…
YOU REMEMBER THOSE WATCHES…THE CHIPPING OF PAINT…
THOSE NEANDERTHAL HEADS WERE NOT FOR THE FAINT.
THE CHOW, WHILE FILLING, WAS HARDLY GOURMET.
THE "RACKS" SO UNCOMFORTABLE…AS WAS THE PAY.
THE SHIP STEAMED RELENTLESSLY, WITH NO PLACE TO HIDE…
THEN…WHAT WAS IT THAT GAVE YOU SUCH LINGERING PRIDE?
IT WAS KNOWING THE CARPENTER DEPENDED ON YOU!
IT WAS WORKING TOGETHER AS AN ACCOUNTABLE CREW!
YOU WERE SERVING ON THE STAR OF THE "PINEAPPLE FLEET"
THAT WAS NEVER ISSUED A CHALLENGE THAT SHE DIDN'T MEET.
IN KOREA…VIET NAM…SPACE RECOVERY AT SEA
ASW PATROLS WITH SONOBUOYS DROPPED IN THE LEE.
MANY YEARS HAVE GONE BY, FOR SOME, FIFTY PLUS,
BUT THE FEELING REMAINS WITH THIS GANG ON THE BUS.
BLESS YOUR SHIPMATES --YOUR BROTHERS -- AT SEA OR IN PORT.
BLESS TOO, THEIR LADIES FOR THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT.
SO AS YOU JOIN HERE TOGETHER IN THIS GREAT CELEBRATION
KNOW YOUR SERVICE IS HONORED BY A PROUD, GRATEFUL NATION!
________________________________________________________________________
D.M.C 5/02/05
Presented by Captain Dan M. Carpenter (son of the namesake of the USS
CARPENTER DD825) at the Third Annual Reunion of the USS CARPENTER Shipmates'
Association at Branson, Missouri on 2 May, 2005.
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