NEWSLETTER
February 9, 2010
Volunteers
The State of Tennessee was named the 'Volunteer State' following Davy Crockett's travels down into Texas to fight Santa Anna's forces at the Alamo. Davy seemed to be able to rally his followers with ease as they were told of the conflict building in South Texas. And that was in the days of Sam Houston, also a Tennessean, who had become governor of that territory. How they walked from East Tennessee crossing all the rivers, and particularly the Mississippi to get to the Alamo is beyond me. And I have been in both places.
I'm not Davy Crockett. I am one of your shipmates. I've chipped paint, thrown heaving lines, secured the ship pier side and along the oilers at sea same as you have, and carried stores. I've stood quarter deck watches, I've been at the helm when the Carpenter was at sea. Dave Harper and I, fellow FT's, were always volunteered to stack the 5" projectiles and powder cases in the forward magazine for Mount 51 every time we loaded ammo. It was my job to have that same gun on target in Vietnam when called upon by the US Army for shore bombardment. All of you did similar things to support the Carpenter throughout its evolutions.
We worked for the Navy then, but now as we mature we're in this together as an Association, a way to connect fond memories, a way to recall our service, a way to recall our vigor, and a way to see our shipmates. And we've learned to do things for ourselves and in our fashion.
You can call me Davy Crockett; just don't call me late for dinner. I need you to get your plans together for Norfolk. Maybe you don't see the power we have as the USS Carpenter Shipmates Association. The son of our namesake for the Carpenter, Captain Dan(Pat) Carpenter, USN - retired, is one of our fellow members. He and his beautiful wife Ann have attended numerous Reunions, more than I have and i am one of your officers. Captain Pat has been able to acquire a speaker for us. This speaker comes to us as a retired Four-Star Admiral, and he didn't go to Annapolis. He's on the Board of Directors of the container freight sea-land operations of Maersk, one of the largest shippers in the world. Before that he had major roles in NATO. He is a fellow destroyerman. Does his view of the world not interest most of you. I need some volunteers for Norfolk to make his time with us worthwhile.
Our reunions aren't a joke. The Reunion is always organized. We have Pam Brown doing just a great job for us finding a location, setting a sightseeing schedule, making sure we have what is needed in our hospitality room. We have a ship's store stocked with numerous souvenirs, we have a business meeting, a banquet with our two-bell ceremony for our newly deceased members. And we depart promising to see each other again the coming year.
We have 37 signed up so far. How-about another 63 and that'll get us to an even 100. Thats our goal. I just visited our president Ed Nolan this past Saturday for planning purposes. For an old guy he's doing pretty go, actually real good. He had both knees replaced at the same time, took a little rehab and is doing excellent. I was impressed. I can't get to everyones house but i could see you at the Reunion in Norfolk, April 22 - 26, 2010. Please sign up. We've just never had a speaker of this magnitude.
joel weinbaum, FTG3, '65-'66, vp
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DEAR JIMMIE,
SOMEHOW IT HAS GOTTEN TO BE 2010, AND
FEBRUARY, AND THE REUNION IN APRIL IS
VERY MUCH ON MY MIND. I CAN'T TELL YOU
HOW MUCH IT HAS MEANT TO ANN AND ME TO
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REPRESENT MY DAD, AS
THE USS CARPENTER'S NAMESAKE, AT ALL OF
YOUR REUNIONS! IT HAS NOT ONLY BEEN THE
HONOR TO THE CARPENTER NAME BUT THE
OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW AT LEAST SOME
OF THE STALWARTS THAT BROUGHT THE SHIP
TO LIFE AND GAVE IT SUCH A GREAT
REPUTATION. TO SAY THAT WE'VE BEEN
IMPRESSED WOULD BE VERY MUCH OF AN
UNDERSTATEMENT. THE SHIPMATES WE HAVE
MET AT YOUR GATHERINGS--THE "OLD SALTS"
AS WELL AS THEIR LADIES--HAVE PROVED TO
BE WHAT I CALL "REAL PEOPLE" THAT
REPRESENT THE CORE OF OUR COUNTRY AND
STAND FOR THE PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE MADE
IT SO SPECIAL. YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO
BE PROUD OF THE ORGANIZATION THAT YOU
AND BERT VAN HOUTEN STARTED!
HAVING SAID ALL THAT, AND MEANT IT MOST
SINCERELY, I AM A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT
THE TURNOUT FOR THE NEXT REUNION.
FIRST, LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT MY MAIN
CONCERN IS FOR THE MEMBERS OF YOUR
ASSOCIATION TO RECOGNIZE THE WORTH OF
THE REUNION OPPORTUNITY AND THE FACT
THAT THE OPPORTUNITY DIMINISHES AS EACH
YEAR GOES BY. FROM MY OBSERVATION, YOU
WOULD BE HARD PRESSED TO GET ANYONE WHO
HAS ATTENDED A REUNION TO EXPRESS
DISAPPOINTMENT. I DO HAVE A BIT OF A
STAKE IN THIS ONE, HOWEVER, SINCE I
ARRANGED FOR THE SPEAKER AND TOLD MY
FOUR-STAR ADMIRAL FRIEND WHO SET IT UP
FOR YOU THAT THERE WOULD BE 75 TO 100 IN
ATTENDANCE. HEAVENS KNOWS, THESE ARE
TOUGH TIMES AND IT'S HARD TO MAKE THAT
KIND OF COMMITMENT. I JUST HOPE ALL
THAT COULD BE THERE WILL CONSIDER IT
SERIOUSLY AND MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BE
PRESENT AND NOT JUST ACCOUNTED FOR. IF
THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF THAT
I COULD DO TO HELP, JUST ASK.
ANN JOINS IN SENDING OUR BEST REGARDS TO
YOU AND CHLORIS. WE KNOW YOU'RE GOING
THROUGH A BIG TRANSITION BUT I THINK
YOU'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING.
PAT
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FEBRUARY 1, 2110
JANUARY 12, 2010
Hi Mates,
T H E P I R A T E
Newsletter of the USS Carpenter Shipmates Association
December 2009
MERRY CHRISTMAS
From the President
Ahoy to the Crew of the Grand Ship Carpenter
Weather down here in Dixie is getting chilly, snow is in the mountains, and
it looks like we are getting ready for the Jolly Fat Man in the Red Suit once again.
December means not only Christmas is coming, but it also means that we are just four
months away from our Norfolk Reunion. Gatherings Plus has once again organized
great tours for us. We will also have a very Special Guest Speaker for our Sunday
evening banquet. We are honored to have Admiral Harold W. Gehman, Jr., who is a
Retired United States Navy Four Star Admiral, and a Surface Sailor. He served as
NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and these are
just two of the many positions that he has held. Much more information can be gained
by going to Google and typing in “Admiral Gehman”.
The USS Carpenter (DDK-825) was commissioned into service at the Norfolk
(Virginia) Naval Shipyard, on 15 December 1949. In actuality we will be celebrating
our Ship’s 60 year anniversary during our Norfolk Reunion. This would be a great time
to welcome as many of our Plank Owners onboard to help celebrate our ships Grand
entrance into the Fleet.
As I compose this message I find we have only 20 Shipmates and family members
registered for our Norfolk Reunion. We all know that our Country’s present economic
situation has become a little anemic, and some of us have had to cut back money wise.
Our reunion organizer “Gathering Plus”, is attempting to help us by using a payment
plan. This plan can be reviewed at the bottom of the registration form. To locate this
registration form, please go to the following web site:
www.reunionproregrestration.com/usscarpenter
, and select Registration. At the bottomof the registration form you will find that Pam Brown has attempted to make it easier,
payment wise, so that you do not have to make one total payment.
I also want to remind all of our shipmates that during the Norfolk reunion it is once
again time for the Election of Board Officers. As a reminder, you must be a dues
paying member to vote. For those who have not yet paid your dues, please send your
$20 dollar check, made payable to USS Carpenter (DD-825) Shipmates Assn. Mail
your check to our Treasure, Lowell A. Pogatchnick, 6495 Lake St. Finlayson, MN
55735.
All dues received help pay for various items within our association, such as the
Reunion, Ships Store, Mailing’s, and other such items that may be included in your
welcome aboard Ditty bags.
Christmas is just a few weeks away and a New Year will be upon us. I would like to
wish all of our Shipmates a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we look
forward to seeing you in Norfolk
Ed Nolan
VP's Message –
I was just looking at the Reunion website, "
reunionproregistration.com/usscarpenter.htm" forthose signed up for April 22. My name has been spelled Weisbaum. I thought that was
interesting, and also a little easier to say. It also brought back memories of all the nicknames I
had while aboard the Carpenter.
How many of you had nicknames back in those early days. I'd like to collect a list for
everyone of our crew members nicknames. Mine ranged from winniebaum, beerbaum,
baumweiner, weeniehead, baumer, weisbaum, and others. I was used to some of the
different 'callings' because of the older brothers I had growing up, and the chidding they got.
But the key to getting along was finding a way to give it back, and I did. If you dropped your
head, and acted offended it'd get worse, so you just had to learn to give it back, and
sometimes in spades, when you could sneak up on somebody just wanting to ride you. I
guess its called 'getting even' and keeping it that way, but in a good natured sort of way. I
think we all learned that growing up. When you stop to think about it, its our names that set us
apart as human beings. And nicknames kinda make the world a little more fun. Those names
tell us about the way our friends see us, and reveals a little something special about
ourselves
We have 18 plank owners in our Association, and what a terrific experience we would have
getting them to the Reunion in Norfolk. Norfolk was the beginning of the ship, Carpenter.
Do you wonder if we have connections in this world, notice the Admiral's name we have
scheduled for our speaker at the coming Reunion banquet... Admiral Gehman. Go to
Wikipedia and read about him. Jimmie Kennedy gave a brief insight into the Admiral's
background in the Past President's Message. We are very fortunate to have the Admiral as
our Guest Speaker at the banquet. So, start putting some coins together, get your wife a new
dress and make plans for Norfolk, April 22 -26, 2010, Carpenter Reunion. And put your name
on the reunion website shown above. Happy Chanukah to our few Jewish members and
Merry Christmas to all of you. I am sure all the Officers of the Association join in with me to
wish you the best for the coming year.
joel weinbaum, FTG-3, '65 - '66, vp
PAST PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
It seems like just last week that we celebrated Christmas, 2008. Where does the time
go? My Dad used to tell me that this would happen, but at 17, who listens?
Chloris and I are going to Indianapolis for Christmas and to visit our NEW
GRANDSON. We have been busy trying to get used to cold weather and buying winter
clothes. I used to live in the Midwest but I much prefer our California weather.
I hope all of you are planning to attend the 2010 reunion in Norfolk in April. Pat
Carpenter has found an excellent speaker for the banquet and you don’t want to miss it.
Retired Admiral Gehman who is now the CEO of Maersk Shipping, has agreed to speak
to us Pirates. Remember, the Maersk Alabama was the ship that the Somali pirates
captured and were later killed by the Navy Seals. He should be very interesting.
All of us are getting older and it is always fun to see old friends at the reunions. It kind
of makes us stand a little taller, experience fewer aches and pains and feel like we are 18
or 19 years old again. I know that times are tough and money is tight right now, but you
really need to come and visit your shipmates. Pam Brown from Gatherings Plus has put
together great tours and the hotel looks very nice. Also, remember, we will be electing
new officers at the reunion. If any of you have an interest in serving on the board, please
let Ed Nolan know as soon as possible.
You can go to <reunionproregistration.com/usscarpenter.htm> and see the reunion
itinerary, who has signed up to attend, and download registration forms. You can also
register NOW and pay LATER. Fifty percent of the package is due by February 22, and
the final payment by March 22. I encourage you to register now so that we can get an
idea of how many will be attending.
In the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
See you in Norfolk.
Jimmie Kennedy
SECRETARY’S MESSAGE
First of all I want to refer to the article that I included in the September
Newsletter from Shep about the consumption of “spirits” aboard the USS Constitution
during a cruise. I’m sure that every sailor past or present would have done anything to
have been able to partake in that tour of duty. Well that bit has been whizzing around
the internet for at least five years that I have known and of course is fictitious. This can
be confirmed by going to the USS Constitution web site or even snopes has a reference
to this story. Hate to burst your bubble, but I had to clear the air. I can only remember
one time while I was aboard the Carpenter that we got to “Splice the main brace”.
As VP Joel noted earlier we have 18 Plank Owners listed with the Association. If
there are others out there we sure would like to have them included in the group. Plank
Owners in the Association are:
RD1 Harvey Adams Olie Johnny Bryant ET1 James Burton
RM3 Ernest Evans ET1 James Goodrich SO1 Jim Limerick
YN3 Eugene “Mac” Magill CWT Ross Miller FN Russell Moore
MM3 Tony Ragucci YN1 John Rainbolt SN Steve Rudinsky
Ens. Gene Ryan YNC Raleigh Sahl BM3 Herbert Sanders
SO1 Ed Van Wert FN Stengle Watkins PNSN John Weston
Wouldn’t it be great to see them all together at a reunion; and what better that their 60
th.Hey!
Sign up early, maybe your name will trigger someone to attend.Marty Wilson, STG-2, ’67-70, secretary
RWilson106@aol.com
Greetings on Veterans Day,
THE
PIRATE
Newsletter of the USS Carpenter
Shipmates Association
September 2009
REUNION
- - APRIL 22-26 - -
REUNION - - APRIL 22-26 - -
REUNION PAST PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Ahoy Pirates! I hope this finds all of you in good health and enjoying life. We here in Southern California are having EXTREMELY HOT AND HUMID WEATHER and wild fires (over 150,000 acres). I understand that some of the smoke has reached Denver. Sorry about that Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Fortunately we haven’t had any winds to push the fires. Your Board of Directors has been busy putting together the plans for the 2010 reunion. The location will be Norfolk, VA, and the dates are April 22 to April 26 and we have a great itinerary planned. Soon, Gatherings Plus will have the itinerary and cost on their website. As soon as that happens, we will let you know so you can begin making your plans. It is always great to see old friends, make new ones, and share memories and sea stories. They seem to become better and more interesting as we “mature”. We hope to see you in Norfolk. According to our by-laws, elections must be held at the 2010 general membership meeting (reunion). If any of you have an interest in running for office, be sure and let President Ed Nolan know soon. Officers will be installed at the banquet. Most of you know that Ed had both knees replaced in August. (OUCH!) He is now home and recuperating. I am sure Marj is seeing that he does his rehab. Pat and Ann Carpenter will be spending a few days with us this month. We are anxious to see them again. They live on Coronado Island in the San Diego area where there are cool ocean breezes so I hope our heat wave is over by then. If any of you have contact with shipmates who don’t know about our association, please let them and us know so we can put them in the communications loop. Also, if you move or change your e-mail address, be sure and let us know. When the association was just a dream in 2000, Bert Van Houten and I had only eight names of fellow Pirates. We now have over 400 shipmates that we can contact by e-mail or snail mail. You are important to the association and we don’t want to lose track of you. A word about dues: yearly dues are only $20 dollars from January through December. Your dues help defray the cost of maintaining the association and holding our annual reunion. Please help us out by keeping your dues up to date. I am reading a book entitled Scorpion Down by Ed Offley. It is about the loss of the submarine Scorpion in 1968. The book reveals a lot of information on submarine operations from the Cold War to present. A lot of material is still secret but under the Freedom of Information Act, a lot of interesting and surprising information is now made public. Hope to see you in Norfolk in 2010. Until then, Smooth Sailing, Jimmie Kennedy
September 2009 VP Message
Looks like we are heading to Norfolk,
VA for our next Reunion. Been a while since I've been there.
Maybe some of you have spent a little time with the Navy there, as well.
My last orders sent me to the Portsmouth Naval
Base which contains the Norfolk Naval Shipyard,
first called Gosport Shipyard which had the first drydock on the Eastern
Seaboard. It’s also across the Elizabeth River opposite
the Norfolk Shipyard and Drydock Co. which is on the same side as the
Norfolk Naval Base, and does all the heavy duty work for the Navy in
these modern times. And there are touristy facilities called Waterside
and Portside. And there is a neat paddle wheel ferry that moves people
back and forth, not too expensive. Your bicycle costs extra.
About 1968, as the Viet Nam War was
escalating, I was directed to the USS Wright,
CC-2, a Command and Communication Ship, parked near the far end of the
pier there at Norfolk. The ship was a
leftover from WWII, a baby flat top, plane hauler, mounted on a cruiser
hull. No hurricane bow, no modern weaponry... just 40mm gun tubs mounted
on each side of the flight deck as main
battery. No longer used for its earlier purpose, the flight deck was
studded with a variety of antenna for military and presidential
communications. We did go to sea while I was on board. The schedule
included a gun shoot at an Arial towed sleeve. Interesting to watch
40mm's in action. The pilot finally dropped the sleeve, saying we were
tracking up the wire and getting a little too close with our lead angle.
But the most interesting part of that
assignment occurred while we were still dockside. Just north of the
Navy piers is the enormous Newport News Shipyard, where all modern
carriers have been built, including the USS Forrestal, CVA 59, and the
first of the new class of carriers designed with an angled flight deck.
Anyway, while I was topside working on the fire
control system in one of the gun tubs, what came out of Hampton
Roads in-tow, going to the Newport News Shipyard, was none other
than the Forrestal itself. As it emerged into view, you could see the
port list; the ship was stark empty, then a blackened, warped and rusted
back quarter. With its list to port the holes in the flight deck from
the exploding bombs were visible. Sailors (167of them) died from the
carnage while fighting the onboard fire. It was a stroke of timing to be
witness to the sight of that injured ship. But a national-to-be figure
emerged from that fire only to be shot down later and incarcerated in
the Hanoi Hilton... John McCain.
The training film for the Navy's upgraded
shipboard damage control processes was taken from the Forrestal's
cameras which captured the horrific event. Sometimes history comes very
close to us, you just never know. We salute those who have sacrificed,
and those who have served. The Carpenter had a good crew when I was
aboard; it’s always had a good crew! And that is us. Thanks for
rejoining the Carpenter with all its memories, and for being a good
shipmate. By the way, Wikipedia has a very interesting write up of the
Carpenter's log including the completion at Newport News and
commissioning at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard at Portsmouth. Interesting
location to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the USS Carpenter,
DD-825. Our Plank Owners were there before the rest of us. Maybe we can
get them all back.
There will be two more newsletters, December,
and March, '010, before the Reunion. So start making your plans now for
the 2010 Reunion in Norfolk, that’s April 22 to 26. Come see your
shipmates, and bring your family. We are going to have a good time!
joel weinbaum, FTG3, 65-66, vp
Secretary’s Minutes
Well by the time that this newsletter
reaches you all I will have joined the ranks of the retired.
It seems a little scary after working all
your life and now with no daily routine. I’m sure I’ll settle in before
too long; after all Liz has already started to develop a “Honey-do”
list.
I think is very appropriate that Norfolk
is the next reunion site. After all it was 60 years ago that the
Carpenter was commissioned in Norfolk, and since we are still in that 60th
year there is no reason that we cannot continue our 60th
Reunion of that event. So Ed, don’t throw away that banner yet. I received a thank you letter from Tin Can Sailors, Inc. for our $130 donation to the Destroyer Museum Grant Program in memory of the thirteen Carpenter crew who passed away during 2007-2008. This is the second year that we have donated to the Destroyer Museum Grant Program in tribute to our lost Carpenter crew. Your dues support this memoriam. It costs millions of dollars to keep the museum ships open and afloat and every donation helps, and we get a little publicity in the Tin Can Sailor Newspaper. A reminder…Please send me a sea story to share with the crew. Marty Wilson, secretary
REUNION
- - APRIL 22-26 - -
REUNION - - APRIL 22-26 - -
REUNION
FROM THE
HISTORIAN, PHIL (SHEP) SHEPARD
Thanks to
shipmate Roy Beebe for forwarding this TIDBIT to me!!
LITTLE KNOWN NAVAL HISTORY..........
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 (i.e. fresh water distillers!).
However, let it be
noted that according to her ship's 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 68,300 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 merchant ships, salvaging only the
rum aboard each.
By 26 January, her
powder and shot were exhausted. Nevertheless, although unarmed she made
a night raid up the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Her landing party
captured a whisky 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 whisky, and 38,600
gallons of water.
GO NAVY!!!
Still looking for
Cruise Books for 1973 and on, plus anything else
You can share that
might be of interest to fellow shipmates.
Please contact me
at
philmar29@hotmail.com
Hope to see y’all
in Norfolk………..Shep
Ahoy to the Crew
Of the Grand Ship
USS CARPENTER (DD-825)
September 2009
I am sure there
are a number of Shipmates who are wondering if the President had gone AWOL. I
am here to say that I have not gone over the Hill. About three or
four months back my old computer start to act up and would not allow me
to communicate out or even to receive any emails. Just about the
time I purchased a new computer and attempted to get back on line it became
most urgent to have knee replacement surgery. My surgery to have both of my
knees replaced began on August the 19th. From that date up until the past
week have been somewhat of a drug induced blur. The meds I was required
to take have finally started to clear from my system. Now feel a bit
normal, and I believe my thinking process has once again kicked in. Many thanks has to
be given to your Board members who backed me up and have kept the Crew
informed of what was happening within our Shipmates Association. My
personal thanks goes out to Joel Weinbaum our VP, Marty Wilson, Secretary,
Lowell (Pogo) Pogatchnik, Treasurer, and to our Past President, Jimmie
Kennedy, who has stepped in and continues to hold us all together once
again. During our past
reunion in Branson Missouri, it was decided that our next reunion would be
held in the South East. After due deliberation by the Carpenter
Shipmates Board Members a unanimous decision was made to Hold Reunion #8 in
Norfolk, Virginia, beginning April 22-26, 2010 . Gatherings Plus
website is up and running. You may go to the site below and bring up your
application to attend and also the Norfolk Itinerary: www.reunionproregistration.com/usscarpenter.htm In accordance with
the USS Carpenter By-Laws it is required that we must hold an election
for all Carpenter Board Officers. This will take place as required at our
Norfolk Reunion. I must remind all of our Crew members, you must be a dues
paying member in order to Run for a Board position, and/or to cast a
ballot for your candidate. All dues, $20.00 per associate can be sent
to: Lowell Pogatchnik,
6495 Lake St. Finlayson MN 55735. Please make your checks payable to USS
Carpenter Shipmates Association. A REMINDER:
Although the Keel was laid down for the Carpenter at Orange Texas in 1945, her
actual commissioning was held after her completion at The Newport News
Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, 15 December 1949. So in reality this
Norfolk Reunion will be a “Home Coming” to a large number of our Plank
Owners and the remainder of us Old Sea Dogs who served in her over these
past 60 years. I want to thank
all of you Old Sea Dogs for being a part of the USS Carpenter’s Crew, and of being
part of my life also. Fair winds and
Smooth seas See you in Norfolk Ed Nolan President |
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T H E P I R A T E Newsletter of the USS Carpenter Shipmates Association MARCH 2009 From the President Ahoy to the Crew of the Grand Ship Carpenter March showed up here in Georgia, with a big Chill rather than the Wind of the Lion that we generally see this time of the year. It seems from down here in Dixie, and all the way up the east coast, no one was spared what we pray was its last wintry blast. March is here for sure. This means that there are just two months remaining until we gather together once again as the Crew of the Carpenter, and to celebrate, not only our gathering but also to celebrate with our Plank owners and fellow Shipmates, the 60 th year of the Carpenters commissioning.Our ship has gone through three phases of its life during its 60 years. From a DDK, then as a DDE, and then her final phase as a DD. As we gather together each one of us has a memory of the time they sailed on her, and are willing to share these memories with any and all of her crew. We ask that if you have any pictures, cruise books, or other memorabilia from your time onboard, please bring it along to share with all of us. We also ask once again to please bring a gift with you for our ongoing raffle that is held while we are at Branson. Please make it small enough to fit in luggage so the lucky recipient can get it home. “ Shep” Shepard our Ship’s Historian, has compiled a vast amount of information of our ship. His energy and time has been put into all phases of her life. You can view all or any part of this information when you attend our Reunion. Shep will have our ships information displayed for you to either look at or read through, and I am sure in doing so, it will bring back memories of your shipmates and your duty aboard Carpenter that you may have forgotten over these many years. Branson Missouri is considered to be the Number One City in the USA for the best entertainment available. Having been there before, Marge and I intend on hanging around for at least one additional day to take in a few more of this towns greatest shows. So please if you have not registered yet go to the following address and do so: http://www.reunionproregistration.com/usscarpenter.htm I also encourage you to support our association by joining in, and sending your $20 annual dues to Lowell Pogatchnik, PO Box 257, Finlayson, MN, 55735 We look forward to seeing you all in Branson! Ed Nolan President
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USS CARPENTER DD 825
SHIPMATES ASSOCIATION
Notes from the Past President
January 2009
Greetings from Anaheim. I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season. Well, the 7th
annual USS Carpenter Shipmates reunion is just around the corner. If you haven’t already
done so, and you plan to attend, you need to go to <
www.reunionproregistration.com/usscarpenter.htm
>, download the registration form and snail mail it to Pam Brown atGatherings Plus. The address is on the form. She, and we, need to know how many to plan for
so arrangements can be made for room reservations and events. Oh, by the way, we will be in
Branson, MO this year. Sure hope you can join us.
Also, 2009 dues are due now. You can send $20 to our Treasurer, Lowell (Pogo) Pogatchnik at
PO Box 257, Finlayson, MN, 55735. Your support is needed to keep our association active.
Please be sure and join us again this year.
In November, Bert and Pat Van Houten flew to San Diego to take a cruise to the Hawaiian
Islands. Chloris and I met them in San Diego and we all spent the night with Pat and Ann
Carpenter. We had a wonderful time and Pat took us to Pt. Loma National Cemetery, where
his mother and father are buried. Of course, his father was Lt CMDR Donald Marshall
Carpenter, our ships namesake. Pt. Loma is a beautiful place overlooking the San Diego
Harbor and the Pacific Ocean.
The picture, from left to right is Pat Carpenter, Jimmie
Kennedy and Bert Van Houten.
See you in Branson!
Jimmie
DECEMBER 19, 20098
December 2008 USS Carpenter DD 825 Association
Newsletter
From the President
Ahoy to the Crew Of the Grand Ship Carpenter
The month of December is half way completed, and there
is only 132 days left until our Ships Reunion No. 7,
which is being held in Branson, Missouri, starting
April 30 through May 4, 2009.
Now is the time to make your reservations, and to help
all of our Shipmates in celebrating the 60th year
commissioning anniversary of the USS Carpenter (DDK,
DDE, DD-825).
As we all know, our current economic situation is
beginning to put pressure on our Country, and our
wallets. For those new Shipmates that have just signed
onboard, our reservations for this reunion are made
well in advance, and have a lock on our cost factor.
Of course outside of our reunion itinerary for Branson
there are many other activities and/or shows which you
might want to attend, these must be purchased out of
your own pocket. One thing we do know about Branson
is that the Military, Active Duty, Retired, or Veteran
are all honored, and more then welcomed in this town.
Now Shipmates its time to get your reservations in to:
Gatherings Plus
http://www.reunionproregistration.com/usscarpenter.htm
Along with your reservation you can also obtain a copy
of our reunion itinerary of events. If you plan on
attending, we ask that you please bring one or two
gifts with you to be donated for our ongoing raffle.
We also ask, but it is not mandatory, to remember to
bring along your Hawaiian shirts, and/or your Mu-Mu if
you have either or both for our Aloha Dinner. We do
this to remember we were once part of the Pineapple
Fleet, where Carpenter served for the majority of her
time while she was still in active service.
Now we ready ourselves for Christmas and a New Year.
Let us all thank our Commander in Chief, George Bush,
and our strong Military for keeping our country safe,
and with out any further acts of terrorism upon our
shores.
We need to also lift up our President Elect in our
prayers, for he sure will need all the help he can get
when he comes into office.
See you all in Branson
Merry Christmas & Happy New year
Ed Nolan
President
Message from your Vice President:
I apologize for being a little late with the
newsletter distribution. And being late with the news
is pretty bad when I tell you I use to deliver
newspapers as a kid, up to HS graduation and going off
to the Navy. But I hope everyone has had a good run of
the holidays, and the commotion begins at our house
with Thanksgiving. And we made it to January 1st. So
Happy New year, everyone in the Carpenter Association!
As a reminder, President Ed Nolan has listed the
Gatherings Plus website for those able to attend the
coming Reunion in Branson, beginning Thursday, April
30, and concluding Monday, May 4th with everyone's
departure home. We look forward to seeing all of you.
Also, 2009 membership dues are now due as of today,
January 1st. So please submit $20 to our illustrious
Treasurer, Pogo (Lowell) Pogatchnik, 2164 Finland Ave.,
Finlayson, MN 55735. Lowell is also listed along with
the other officers on the Carpenter website,
http://usscarpentercrew.bellbuoy.net/organization.htm
See you in Branson!
Hope you enjoy the following little tidbit.
joel weinbaum, VP
CANNON BALLS!!
It was necessary to keep a good supply of cannon balls
near the cannon on old war ships. But how to prevent
them from rolling about the deck was the problem. The
best storage method devised was to stack them as a
square based pyramid, with one ball on top, resting on
four, resting on nine, which rested on sixteen.
Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in
a small area right next to the cannon. There was only
one problem -- how to prevent the bottom layer from
sliding/rolling from under the others.
The solution was a metal plate with 16 round
indentations, called, for reasons unknown, a Monkey.
But if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls
would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting
problem was to make the monkeys of brass - hence,
Brass Monkeys.
Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts more
quickly than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the
temperature dropped below freezing, the brass
indentations would shrink enough to cause the iron
cannon balls to slip off the brass monkey.
Thus, it was quite literally, cold enough to freeze
the balls off a brass monkey. And all this time, you
thought that was just a vulgar expression, didn't you?
Yes, you are free to share this new knowledge.
jw, and get on the list for Branson.
DECEMBER 20, 2008
Ahoy to the Crew
Of the Grand Ship Carpenter
The month of December is half way completed, and there is only
131 days left until our Ships Reunion No. 7, which is being held in
Branson, Missouri, starting April 30 through May 4, 2009.
Now is the time to make your reservations, and to help all of
our Shipmates in celebrating the 60th year commissioning
anniversary of the USS Carpenter (DDK, DDE, DD-825).
As we all know, our current economic situation is beginning to
put pressure on our Country, and our wallets. For those
new Shipmates that have just signed onboard, our
reservations for this reunion are made well in advance, and
have a lock on our cost factor. Of course outside of our reunion
itinerary for Branson there are many other activities and/or
shows which you might want to attend, these must be purchased
out of your own pocket. One thing we do know about
Branson is that the Military, Active Duty, Retired, or Veteran
are all honored, and more then welcomed in this town.
Now Shipmates its time to get your reservations in to:
“Gatherings Plus”
Your may do this through their web site at:
http://www.reunionproregistration.com/usscarpenter.htm
Along with your reservation you can also obtain a copy of
our reunion itinerary of events. If you plan on attending,
we ask that you please bring one or two gifts with you to be
donated for our ongoing raffle’s.
We also ask, but it is not mandatory, to remember to bring
along your Hawaiian shirts, and/or your Mu-Mu’s if you
have either or both for our Aloha Dinner. We do this to
remember we were once part of the “Pineapple Fleet”,
where Carpenter served for the majority of her time
while she was still in active service.
Now we ready ourselves for Christmas and a New Year.
Let us all thank our Commander in Chief, George Bush,
and our strong Military for keeping our country safe, and with
out any further acts of terrorism upon our shores.
We need to also lift up our President Elect in our prayers,
for he sure will need all the help he can get when
he comes into office.
See you all in Branson
Merry Christmas & Happy New year
Ed Nolan
President
NOVEMBER 5, 2008
Ahoy to the Crew
Of the Grand Ship Carpenter
November 2008 is upon us. Our Country has elected a new President.
We ask the "May God bless him" with the leadership necessary to
assist him in the many decisions that he will have to make in keeping
this Great Country or ours strong and safe in his next four years.
Fall is upon us, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Very soon
Christmas, and a New Year will be here. Now we have to look forward
to Branson. There are only five more months remaining until we
gather again for Reunion No.7. Reunion No.7 will be the celebration
of the 60th year anniversary of th commissioning of the USS
Carpenter (DDK,DDE,DD-825) Since we had planned to have this
reunion in Hawaii, we still plan to celebrate it ALOHA STYLE,
so please bring your Hawaiian shirts and your MuMu's with you.
I would like to Welcome Aboard those who have not yet attended
any of our ships reunions. All information pertaining to our next
reunion can be found on the following web site:
www.reunionproregistration.com/usscarpenter.htm
Once again I would remind you all that it is time to renew our
membership dues. For those new members the $20 yearly fee
can be paid, by making a check payable to the Carpenter
Association. Send this to our treasurer at the following address:
Lowell A. Pogatchnik 6495 Lake St., Finlayson, MN 55735.
For those who are new to our association, you will have a full
voice as all members do in our activities and planning. How
ever in order to cast a vote on official business at our annual
business meetings, you must be a Dues Paid Member. This
requirement falls within the Carpenter Association Bylaws,
Article III, Section a, and b.
We ask all who would attend to please bring a gift or two to
be donated to our raffles. These raffles are held at various
times and activities, and at our banquet. We also ask that you
bring, if you have, a cruise book of the Carpenter, pictures, or
mementos that are relative to you serving onboard. These will
be returned to you prior to your departure from the reunion.
all
Our Ships Historian, Phil (Shep) Shepard, who continues to do
just a super job in gathering and collecting any and all
information pertaining to the Carpenter from its former Crew
members, from commissioning through its decommissioning,
its transfer to the Turkish Navy, and through its final
decommissioning from the Turk Navy.
Shep has put all this info into various books and folders for
viewing at our reunions. If any of you Old Sea Dogs has a
Sea Story he would like to share, or memorable experiences,
good, bad, or funny, bring them along with you. They don't
to need be very long, a paragraph or two, or nothing more than
500 words. This is all part of the Carpenter history, and we
would love to have you share them with us.
Thanksgiving is just a few days away, so at this time I would
wish you all nothing but calm waters, and following seas. My
best wishes to you. Now lets get busy and register for
Reunion No.7 See you at Branson.
Ed Nolan
President
NOVEMBER 5, 2008
|
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
|
Received from Jimmie Kennedy
September 1. 2008
USS CARPENTER REUNION
Branson, Missouri
April 30-May 4, 2009
NAME______________________GUEST/SPOUSE__________________
ADDRESS____________________________________________________
CITY___________________________STATE__________ZIP_________
TELEPHONE_________________EMAIL_________________________
RANK_____________________YEARS SERVED___________________
*************************************************************
PLEASE REGISTER ME FOR THE FOLLOWING:
Host Hotel: The Grand Plaza
Arrival Date_____________Departure Date_____________
Smoking _____Non Smoking
Special Requests and Additional Guests___________________________
Reunion Rate - $99.00 per room per night including tax and hospitality room
Lodging Total_______# of Nights x $99.00 .........$________________
Reunion Activity Package - $289.00 per person
Activity Package Total______# of Attendees x $289.00…..$___________
($10 per person goes back to the association)
TOTAL DUE…….$________
AIRPORT SHUTTLE INFO: 1-800-841-2313
A 50% deposit is required by February 28 with final payment due by March 30. We
offer a full refund less 10% cancellation fee for individuals who cancel at
least by April 15. No refunds can be given after April 15. Payment plans are
also available. Cancellations must be made by phone and authorized by a
representative of “Gatherings Plus.” All refunds will be processed within 30
days of cancellation. Questions?? Call us at 417-338-4048 and we’ll be happy to
assist you.
Register by mail or phone:
GATHERINGS PLUS
P. O. BOX 1023, BRANSON WEST, MO. 65737
417-338-4048
www.reunionproregistration.com/usscarpenter.htm
USS CARPENTER DD825
Branson, Missouri Reunion
April 30-May 4, 2009
Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday
Check in at
THE
GRAND PLAZA HOTEL
12:00 p.m.
Hospitality Room Open…Light Snacks Provided
6:00 p.m
WELCOME ABOARD RECEPTION
At Hotel
Evening Free Hot Buffet
Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
BUSINESS MEETING
Lunch on your own
1:30 p.m.
COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS TOUR
4:00 p.m.
THE
SHOWBOAT BRANSON BELLE
Dinner, Show and Cruise
On
Beautiful
Table Rock Lake
7:30 p.m.
Hot Buffet
Breakfast
10:00 a.m.
SIX
Real Brothers
Morning Show
And
LUNCH
At Plaza View
Hospitality Room Open
5:00 p.m.
Dinner at
CHARLIE’S
STEAK, RIBS AND ALE
7:30 p.m.
SIGHT AND SOUND THEATRE
Featuring
“Noah The Musical” Hot Buffet
Breakfast
9:30 a.m.
Shuttle Available to:
Branson Landing, The Titanic and Veterans Museum
Hospitality Room Open All Day
Afternoon Free
5:30 p.m.
PHOTO
(not part of package price)
6:00 p.m.
MEMORIAL SERVICE &
FINAL
EVENING BANQUET
At Hotel with Entertainment
Hot Buffet
Breakfast
Depart
____________
HOTEL
PRICING:
$99.00 per room per night including
tax, hot breakfast and
hospitality room
ACTIVITY PACKAGE:
$289.00 per
INCLUDES:
Welcome Packet
Welcome Reception
College of the Ozarks Tour
Showboat Branson Belle Dinner, Show and Cruise
Winery Stop
SIX Morning Show
Lunch at Plaza View
Charlie’s Dinner
Sight & Sound
Sunday Shuttle
Memorial Service
Final Dinner
All Taxes and Most Gratuities
Transportation to Group Activities
Reunion Website
$10 goes back to association
THE PIRATE
Newsletter of the USS Carpenter Shipmates Association
September 2008
Ahoy to the Crew
of the Grand Ship
USS CARPENTER (DD-825)
Looks like summer has given up, and fall is upon us. Time is flying by very
fast,
soon we will be into a New Year. It’s at a time like this that I would like to
thank all of our Shipmates for your continued support of this new president.
We all know that we have had some difficulty in choosing our next reunion
location, and because of our time element, and required planning, Branson, Mo.,
was chosen by the Board as the next reunion location.
For those of us who enjoyed Branson Reunion #3, and because of the time
that is required for planning, and also the great respect the Branson community
shows, and welcomes all branches of the military into their Town with open arms.
Due to the cancellation of our Hawaii trip, we have found that our By Laws
do not cover this problem. At our next reunion a correction to these By Laws
will be submitted, and voted upon by the Crew in order to correct any future
problem of this kind.
For those of our Shipmates who have not attended our reunions in the past,
a selection for the reunion to follow Branson will be recommended and voted
upon during the current reunion. In all future reunion selections, a minimum
of three sites will be selected for that next reunion. In doing this we will
have
two additional alternate sites.
The Carpenter Crew is large and spread out over this Great land of ours.
I know each of us would love to have the next reunion in or close to our home
town. Selection of a future site should include the following: Location of our
past reunions, in order to incorporate areas that we have not been to before,
Are there Navy facilities there? Historical sites? Entertainment? And of course
the ultimate cost factor, transportation, and what company will do our site
bidding for us.
Now Shipmates, its time to start planning for our Branson Reunion,
before we knowit, April will be here. You can start your planning now by
logging into the web address below. Registration, Itinerary, and Attendees
are all located at this site.
Remember we will be celebrating the 60th year of the USS Carpenters
Commissioning. Be sure to bring your Aloha Shirts, and your raffle gifts
with you. Come and meet your Shipmates, and enjoy the great hospitality
of Branson, its great entertainment, and its people.
www.reunionproregistration.com/usscarpenter.htm
Smooth Sailing to all
Ed Nolan
President
Another of our Shipmates has joined the staff of our Supreme Commander
The following message was received from John Burns Sept 16 2008
“I was trying to find a way to get this information on the website. My Fathers
name was Lester A. Burns (LA.) from Rincon, Ga. He served on board the
Carpenter from 1951 – 1953. I wanted to get it posted that my father passed
away on August 27 2008. He had been fighting various illnesses for the past
few years. He passed away just a few days shy of his 76th birthday on Sept. 1.
Thank you
John Burns
www.jebjab@planters.net
V –P’s Message
How quickly time is passing for all of us, as I often mention. We need to
remind ourselves, just as we recognize how quickly our grandchildren are
growing , that in or growing maturity we should keep our circle tight.
Any family experiencing a loss needs our support. Those shipmates
remembering Lester, or L.A., should be in touch with that family to share
anecdotes of L.A.’s youth and service aboard the Carpenter. I did not
look up L.A.’s rate but it will be on the website. May that family always
share with its generations the history of Lester’s service aboard the
Carpenter, remembering his time of youth, his fellow crewmembers,
and his service to our great nation. There is no substitute for love,
so please share your measure with the Lester A. Burns family in
Rincon, GA. He was a respected crewmember.
Now for the rest of us, be sure to register for the Reunion in Branson
We need our full crew with us during this coming celebration.
So prepare to cast off and get underway for Branson, Missouri
in April. This will be a new experience for me, so I’ll see you there.
Joel Weinbaum
Vice President
Scuttle Butt
Jerry Lawrence recently had a heart transplant and is doing fine. Jerry and
Maxine attended our Charleston reunion and hope to join us in Branson.
We recently lost two of our shipmates, Henry (Hank Ehleringer and J.D. (Denny)
Morrison. Our sympathy goes out to their families. Both of them and their wives
attended several of our reunions.
Jim Attleson’s wife Delores recently passed away very suddenly. Jim is legally
blind and he relied on Delores to be his eyes. I know he will greatly miss her.
They were with us at the San Diego reunion.
Phil (Shep) Shepard has really done a great job as Association Historian. Come
to Branson and see what Shep has compiled for the association.
It is almost time to send dues to Lowell Pogatchnik and to begin thinking about
raffle prizes for the Branson reunion.
If you change e-mail addresses, be sure and notify us.
Jimmie Kennedy
Past President
Received from Jimmie Kennedy
08/30/2008
Ahoy Pirates! For information regarding the 2009 Shipmates reunion please go to www.reunionproregistration.com/usscarpenter.htm. You will be able to see dates, itinerary, register
and see who has already registered. If you have any questions, you can call President Ed Nolan at 770-476-9698 or Pam Brown at 417-338-4048. Remember, this will be the 60th anniversary of the commissioning of Carpenter and will be a special event. Hope to see you in Branson.
THE PIRATE
Newsletter of the USS Carpenter Shipmates Association
July 2008
Ahoy to the Crew
of the Grand Ship
U.S.S. CARPENTER DD-825
I know that you have been waiting to hear the news of
our 2009 Reunion that was to be held in Honolulu
Hawaii, and I apologize for the delay in responding.
At our Reunion in Seattle, Washington, it was
recommended
by those present that Honolulu would be the next site
for our ships reunion. This recommendation was made
so that we might celebrate the 60th anniversary of the
commissioning of the USS Carpenter DDK 825. DDE 825,
and DD825.
At the San Diego Reunion it was voted upon by the
membership
by a show of hands, and was unanimously affirmed. I
have asked all of the Crew, through a previous e-mail
to please contact me of their intentions to attend the
Hawaii Reunion. I received email, and/or phone calls
from 24 members who said they wished to attend the
Hawaii Reunion. At this point I engaged Pam Brown of
Gatherings Plus to begin coordinating the Hawaii Trip.
Ms Brown checked the present, and foreseeable future
Airline fares (which continue to increase), hotel
accommodations, available tours, and bus scheduling,
as well as Hospitality and Banquet room rentals. Ms
Brown then presented me with a cost package starting
at about $4500 or greater, and is sure to become
higher in 2009.This information was passed on to the
Board and was approved to be above and beyond what I
would call a fair dollar amount. Having this
information, I then contacted the 24 members who had
agreed to attend the Hawaii Reunion, and presented
them with the approximate costs. The greater majority
of those contacted said they would not attend the
Hawaii Reunion because of the high cost.
Since then I have polled the Board as to our next
move. It has been
recommended that we once again visit Branson MO. Yes
I know that we have already had a reunion at Branson,
and it was a great one. However it can be another
great one because of new shows , and new things to
see,
as it is impossible to see all of it in four days.
The other factor involved in this is TIME, and we are
running short on time for scheduling. Pam Brown said
she would have all the facts and figures to me as soon
as possible, and at a lot less expense than Hawaii.
Another factor is that Branson is centrally located,
and I know we can expect a much larger turn out for
this Reunion due to the fact many of our members will
able to drive to Branson rather
than take that expensive airline flight. Branson
Reunion dates will be published as soon as we hear
from Gatherings Plus.
As to my next subject. I previously had emails from
shipmates who sounded dissatisfied with the decision
to have the 2009 Reunion in Hawaii. I can only refer
those shipmates to the USS Carpenter Association
By-Laws. All recommendations and/or changes to the
by-laws must be put to a vote by the Membership. In
order to cast your vote you must be a DUES PAYING
MEMBER, and be present at the meeting to submit your
vote. As to the constitutionality of moving our 2009
reunion to Branson MO, there is presently nothing in
our By-Laws to affect this change. We need to consider
changing our By-Laws to have the language inserted to
correct this issue. This will be recommended at the
Branson Reunion Business meeting. In addition for
those who may not be able to attend all of our
reunions, we also may be able to add an absentee
ballot initiative to the By-Laws.
If you are not presently a dues paying member, you can
become
one, by sending a $20 check or money order to Lowell
A. Pogatchnik P.O. Box 257 Finlayson, Mn. 55735.
Membership dues need to be renewed annually in January
Ed Nolan, President
Mared2@bellsouth.net
Carpenter Association! Attention on Deck! First, lets
give our new President, Ed Nolan, the congratulations
he deserves! Ed has taken on the responsibility of the
Association for the next two years, and has done a
great job straight out the gate in service to us all
in the Association. Ed and the Carpenter Board have
been working very diligently to formalize the
arrangements for next years Reunion, the 7th, in
Honolulu. We currently have 23 members saying they'll
be there, but we should have a lot more hands showing.
Some members may not realize the advanced planning
needed for each reunion, which has to start two to
three years in advance. This coming Reunion, the 7th,
has worked out to coincide with the 60th anniversary
of the Carpenter, which was voted this year in San
Diego to occur in Hono, but it has been on the table
for about three years for discussion and the vote. In
spite of the long range planning there has been a
recent stated reluctance by some of the crew to
participate because of a preconceived forethought that
the reunions should only occur in the continental US.
But we need to remind ourselves why and where the
Reunion was chosen to occur.
Time is moving for all of us at a very fast pace, at a
pace we all like to think doesn't apply to any of us.
But the Hono gathering will definitely be memorable.
Not only was the Carpenter at Pearl but we that served
there provided a measure of national security at an
outpost, not god-forsaken, but in the beauty of Hawaii
and its very pleasant culture, something we have to
remind ourselves was once shattered not so many years
ago. We are sailors, bound by service to our Nation
and to one another from service aboard the Carpenter,
and our travels across that briny deep to the reaches
of the Far Eastern Shores, and safe return; all a
direct result of our dedication to G-d, country, and
to each other serving as fellow sailors in the US
navy. Its important for all of you to share this 60th
anniversary of the commissioning of the Carpenter,
with each other, at this coming season, in Hono. Give
Ed your commitment for the April 23 -27, 2009,
Carpenter Reunion in Hono. And as many of you will
understand, a Carpenter (sailor) was there before you.
Come join our plank owners, and other crew members
along with our officers to relive the experience of
Aloha. We need your commitment, ASAP!
Aloha,
Joel Weinbaum, VP
smokeycolors@yahoo.com
MESSAGE FROM THE PAST PRESIDENT
Well, our 6th annual reunion is over and was a great
success. We met in Chula Vista, CA at the Comfort Inn
and Suites. Pat and Ann Carpenter graciously hosted a
reception at their home in Coronado, with a Mexican
Fiesta theme in their back yard and patio, with
wonderful food and beverages. We later adjourned
inside and enjoyed playing the player piano and
singing songs.
The next morning at our business meeting, elections
were held and the following officers were elected:
President-Ed Nolan, Vice President-Joel Weinbaum,
Secretary-Marty Wilson, Treasurer-Lowell Pogatchnik.
In accordance with the by-laws, I remain on the board
as Past President. I welcome Ed as President and Joel
as Vice President. I know, that with your support,
they will continue to serve the association well.
Joel brings a lot of fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the
board.
Other activities included a city tour with lunch at
the Bali Hai Restaurant in La Jolla, a tour of the USS
Midway, a stroll around Seaport Village, a sunset
dinner cruise and listening to many sea stories in the
reception room at the hotel. The reunion was
concluded with a banquet and Captain Michael Selby,
COMDESRON 1, spoke on the Strategy of the New Navy.
The only down side to the reunion was when Guy Dennis
discovered that his truck had been stolen.
Well Mates, it has been a great ride since Bert Van
Houten and I began planning for our first reunion in
Las Vegas. I have really enjoyed meeting and working
with so many of you. I am especially pleased that Pat
and Ann Carpenter have become such avid supporters of
the Association. Please continue through your
membership to give your support and assistance to the
new officers and the association.
Aloha,
Jimmie Kennedy, Past President
Kennjd3@sccglobal.net
TO: USS Carpenter Shipmates
FROM: Bert and Pat Van Houten
We want to thank all of you for your thoughts and
prayers during my recent illness. I am under careful
watch from my doctor..and Pat..and getting my strength
back more every day. We were sorry that we had to
miss the San Diego Reunion and understand that it was
a good one. We are looking forward to seeing you all
next year.
Bert and Pat
bnpvan@cox.net
MAY 26, 2008
Aloha & Ahoy
To the Crew
Of the Grand Ship Carpenter
The 2009 Hawaii reunion dates have been scheduled,
beginning with April 23rd to April 27th.
Presently the Hotel and/or the reunion site has not
been determined as of this date, but it will be in
Honolulu.
As I have stated in my previous message to the
Crew, a commitment will be required by those who
plan on attending. At this point we need to ask each
member who plans to attend and stay at the Hotel as
selected by our Tour company, please contact me
via E-mail or phone. For those who plan to attend
but will be making their own Hotel arrangements
please contact me also.
In order to make any or all arrangements an
approximation of numbers is required by the Board
to move forward with our reunion plans. Presently no
cost
figures are available until we can get an estimated
number of Shipmates and guests who plan to attend.
The Board has been in contact with “Gatherings Plus”
which has worked well with us in a number of our past
reunions, and we hope to hear good news
from them soon.
Please let me know if you have any comments that would
help make our 2009 reunion the greatest 60th year
celebration of the commissioning of the
USS Carpenter (DD-825).
Aloha and Smooth Sailing
Ed Nolan, President
770-476-9698