We left
Hartnagels with George leading. He took the lead because he knows his way
around St. Louis and Smitty doesn't like to drive in the big city,
(specially one he doesn't know). George, ever the perfect one to lead and a
very conscientious one takes us right thru the middle of St. Louis. I'm
hoping Smitty was wearing a Depends because I know he was messing his pants.
And I almost could here George giggling clear back in our car.
Everything
was pretty uneventful from there on till just before Branson. And then it
started to rain. Not hard mind you, but hard enough for me. I don't see very
well at night if it is raining. Branson has some very small street signs and
they are hard to spot. Keeter street is not easy to find but we made it and
hit the old fart sack for the night. The next morning we make it down to the
meeting room to get some breakfast. Free continental breakfast, don't you
know. It wasn't the best we have ever had. In fact, I would say it's the
worst we have ever had. But due to the fiasco we had with the Cobblestone
Inn, we had to take a pig in a poke and that didn't turn out too well
either, but we made the best of it. The next boondoggle was mine. Tom Jarboe
made up some really nice name tags and I bought some holders for them. Guess
what? I left them at home. But Jean Biespel came to the rescue and went to
Staples and bought us some very nice ones. The kind that are on a lanyard.
Thank you Jean! Jean pulled my ass out of the fire a couple of times that
weekend.
And as the day wore on more people were arriving and we were making new
friendships and renewing old ones. Guys from my crew that I hadn't seen
since 1963. Jim Wilson, Bob Ruegge, and Jack Rider. Then in walked Lafe
Wilson. I swear he hasn't aged in 37 years. He looked just like he did when
we went on a tour to Nagasaki. My wife thought he was one of our crews sons.
Honestly, I think Ponce De Leon was looking in the wrong place for the
fountain of youth. It must be in Kansas. I think he even brought Dorothy and
the Tin Man. New crew members I met were Richard (Dieck) Dieckman after
talking to him for 3 years, he finally made it. And from the time Dieck was
on board Current there was Steve Biespel (Jean's husband) who never met a
stranger. And our oldest crew member was Tom Evans. He was 88. Also arriving
were Pete and Audrey Irvin from Kansas that had to drive in that horrible
rain. Audrey was exhausted. I'm going to stop trying to tell you when everyone
arrived because I'll surely miss someone. And from as far as I could tell
(correct me if I'm wrong) the crew member and his group that traveled the
furthest was Wayne Marine coming all the way from Oregon. Quite a haul,
wouldn't you say.
We were all enjoying each other's company, looking at films, pictures
and souvenirs, rehashing old times and all in all enjoying ourselves.
Friday night we went to the Starlite Theatre. We had good company, great
show and horrible food. We saw Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers. He put
on a great show. There was a slide presentation of our crew from now and
then pictures. Many pictures were sent in but they only showed 5 or 6. That too
was a disappointment. So far the 3 things that we were to get from the
Starlite, 2 of them were failures in my eyes. Sorry guys.
Saturday
morning broke with morning chow and the usual bull sessions. Crew pictures
were taken of crews serving during each decade and then the entire bunch
followed by the ever understanding and patient wives. What ever would we do
with out them.
After the pictures we broke for noon chow.
Our next
venture was to be the short arms inspection, however it was canceled due to
rusty and unused equipment and lack of ammo!
Guys
know what I'm talking about! Don't ya? That afternoon was the reading of
the names of the crew members that have gone on to be with Davey Jones,
Neptunus Rex, and the maker of all things possible, God. We had the
pleasure of having a color guard from the Branson veterans events and
reunions. they also provided the bugler to play taps for our ceremony. Our
contact there is a guy that was very instrumental in getting things in and
around Branson done for me. His name is Alan Lipper. He is a retired Army
master sergeant. This group is made up of veterans that do these things for
reunions and veterans events in Branson. And by the way, if you would like
to donate to them to defer some of their expenses, you made do so by sending
a donation to Branson Veterans Events and Reunions at 2206 W. Highway 76,
Branson, Missouri, 65685. They do this without charge, however you know they
have expenses, just as we all do.
That evening, in my opinion was the highlight of the reunion. Those that
had to leave early or missed the luau that started at 5:30 and lasted until
morning for a few hardy souls was truly an experience. Everyone was in
Hawaiian dress of one kind or another. Everyone got fed, happy, and leied,
that evening. The mood was very festive and eventful. Jack Rider's wife
Magdalene and daughter Vickie looked like island girls in their outfits. And
the surprise of the night was when John Bauer won the award for the wildest
aloha shirt. It was a joy just to see the shock on John's face when we gave
him that hat, and trophy for it. I know he must have been really surprised,
but his shirt was by far the wildest one there. So, congratulations John.
I'm sure he is not used to getting anything that is connected to the word
wild. Those of us that know John, understand where I'm coming from when I
say that. Right guys? So, Sunday morning as we all got ready to say aloha and
head for home, we completed another successful reunion. Those that don't
make these reunions don't know what they're missing. Our party of the Hartnagels, Smiths, Diers, Jarboes, Shugerts, and Spicklers had a farewell
breakfast before departing. And then it was off again until another year.
It's my observation that no matter the years apart, no matter the
distances apart, everyone you served with is forever in your heart. They are
a part of you. They all had a hand in you being what you are today. They say
out of sight out of mind. That may be true, but all of these guys are a part
of the blueprint of your life. So embrace it. These guys may only be a
memory next year. Life is not guaranteed. Life could end for anyone of us at
any time. I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to say goodbye just yet.
I want to see these guys again. I think most of us all feel that way. We are
not trying to bring back our youth. We are just trying to pay homage to the
people that helped us along the way and show our gratitude and love for what
they mean to us. I hope each and everyone of you feels the same way.
Jerry
From: Jean
Sumruld Biespiel sum.mom@reagan.com
To:
USS Current@juno.com
Date: November
15, 2010
Subject: Charlie Lay
We don’t know how to reach Charlie
directly, so whoever does, please tell him he is in our good thoughts and
prayers for a speedy recovery.
Steve & Jean Biespiel
Montgomery,
Texas
From:
madap12@aol.com
To:
usscurrent@juno.com
Subject: Charlie
Lay 1955-59
Date:
November 6, 2010
CHARLIE LAY HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY YESTERDAY NOVEMBER 5TH. DOING OK BUT
HEART VERY WEAK.
PLEASE LIFT HIM UP WHEN YOU GET THIS. CHARLIE'S E-MAIL
cjlay@att.net
THANKS
RON BROEDLING 1957-58
From:
Jerry Spickler
To:
USS Current USSCurrent@juno.com
Subject: Jerry Sheperd
Date: September
16, 2010
Got phone call from jerry sheperd
tonite. Says he has terminal lung cancer and a brain tumor. Also says he will
beat it!
Jerry
From :
liz vinion <lvinion@yahoo.com>
To :
usscurrent@juno.com
Subject :
USS Current Plaques
Date :
Sun, Aug 1, 2010
I'm not sure my first e-mail went through, so if you
get this twice that's why. I have two items that I think belong to the USS
Current. I have attached a picture. To make it short, my son found them in an
old suitcase about 5 years ago and they have just been sitting in my garage.
Is there a place for this stuff to go or is there someone who they would
mean something to instead of my garage? If they mean something to someone, I
just want that person to have them. Thanks for any help. I live in London,
Ohio. Is there anyone who lives close that would want them.
From: brickletter@aol.com
Sent: Tue, May 25, 2010 12:02 am
Subject: USS CURRENT REUNION 2010
As some of you made have heard by now, Tom Jarboe
and I canceled the contract we had with the
Cobblestone Inn. They were demanding to change the
contract we signed with them in October 2009 for the
reunion to be held in September 2010. Since we
signed the contract in good faith, we thought they
did too. Wrong we were! They arbitrarily wanted to
change the rates we were to pay and also increase
the rate for the use of the meeting room. This
probably wouldn't have been a problem if they did
not have us sign the contract as we did in October.
After hassling with them for the better part of a
week, with contract wording changes and rates
changing as we went along, we decided to cancel
the contract. We had no guarantee that they wouldn't
change again.
This will be good news for those that had
rooms in the 60 dollar range. Bad news for those
that were able to get the rooms in the 40 dollar
range. We now have a new contract with Days Inn . As
of today, I signed the new contract and only after
doing some research with some contacts that I had
made previously in Branson, Missouri.
I'm asking you to cancel your rooms at
the Cobblestone Inn, so they won't charge your card
for a day, if you don't show up and make your new
reservations at Days Inn. I know this is a pain in
the butt, however, if we had stayed at the
Cobblestone Inn, we may not have received the
service we would have expected.
Tom and I had put in a
lot of work into this reunion and now we have to
backtrack and rearrange everything. But never fear!
By the time the USS CURRENT REUNION 2010 time comes
around, everything will go as planned. Everything
will go just like it was to go at the Cobblestone
Inn. Our time is shorter but we will (get 'er done)
as Larry the Cable Guy says! That is a promise. If
we don't, you have my permission to kick our old
feeble butts. Just remember, we are from the
USS CURRENT and we have that 'CAN DO' attitude.
So, I'm asking you to change your reservations
if you will please.
The new reservations can be made starting
tomorrow morning Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 at DAYS INN
where you may view the rooms on their website. The
prices are $55.00 for a single or double, $61.00 for
a triple or $67.00 for a quad. Days Inn phone # is
888-334-7858.
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail
me or call me at 317-908-6886, my cell, or
317-996-2759, my home. I hope this doesn't shed a
bad light on the USS Current reunion. We will still
have a great one planned and we will do everything
we had planned to do on schedule.
Hoping to see you at the USS CURRENT REUNION
2010.
|
Sent: Mon, Apr
26, 2010 10:36 am
Subject: Re: USS CURRENT REUNION 2010
SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE OFF TO A GOOD START ON THE REUNION THIS YEAR. IT SEEMS
SOMETHING ALWAYS COMES UP TO STOP ME FROM BEING THERE WITH YOU MATES.
THIS YEAR IT IS A KIDNEY FAILURE AND TREATMENT 3 DAYS PER WEEK. I HAVE NO IDEA
OF HOW, WHERE OR WHEN THIS ALL HAPPENED BUT IT DID.
I'M SORRY, I WAS COUNTING ON THIS YEAR, I AM RUNNING OUT OF TIME AT 86 YEARS OF
AGE.
I WISH YOU ALL GREAT SUCCESS WITH YOUR PROGRAM THIS YEAR.
THE
BEST,
AL
CHAKMAK 1943-1946
achakmak@aol.com
April 25, 2010
These
are the people that have reservations for the USS Current reunion as of
April 25th. Are you one of them!
- LCDR Steve Biespel 53-54
- XO LCDR Richard Diekman 54-56
- BT3 Ron (Sam) Broedling 57-58
- EN3 Jim Wilson 59-63
- EN3 Jerry Spickler 60-63
- EN3 George Hartnagel 60-63
- SN Jack Rider 60-63
- EM3 Bob Dier 62-64
- EN2 Tom Jarboe 62-66
- EN2 Larry Baker 65-69
- BM3 Larry Marine 66-69
- CWO-3 Ken Seaman 69-71
Will you be #13 ?
Jerry Spickler
April 15, 2010
Re: Thomas May E-mail November 14, 2009
Thomas May, I worked in the ship’s office (PNSN)
during 1969 and went ashore in Vietnam. What was your rating and what did you do
when you went ashore?
Richard Lockwood
sirrichardlockwood@comcast.net
Leesburg, FL
352/255-8860
April 15, 2010
It has come to my attention that
there are some people that are coming to the USS CURRENT reunion that are not
staying at the COBBLESTONE INN. If this is what your intentions are please let
me know how many are in your party so I will know how many will be in
attendance, since I won't be able to get it from the COBBLESTONE INN's
reservation list. On Saturday evening we will have a luau in keeping with our
Pearl Harbor roots. (Not taro)! And what do you have at a luau? Chow! What else!
And since we are having chow, the cook would like to know how many people how many
people he
will be cooking for! So bring your aloha shirts and muumuus. Leis will be
furnished.
Please don't bring any Primo
Beer!
(ugh). Maybe some Lucky Lager (if you can find it), hee hee! I
will be sending a schedule of events in the coming days. So ALOHA for now,
smooth sailing, and we will see you at the COBBLESTONE INN in September! Don't
forget to bring your mementos. Also, Tom Jarboe will be contacting you soon
about reunion stuff, and remember to contact your old shipmates and invite them.
We are going to have a great time! You won't want to miss it!
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com
April 6, 2010
Talked to the COBBLESTONE INN yesterday. We have 8
reservations in so far. One problem! Make sure when you make your reservations
you tell them it's for the USS CURRENT REUNION! We have to do this in order for
us to all be as close as possible in a block! We are working on a dinner and
show or a luau for our Saturday evening meal together! If you have a preference,
please let us know so when we make a decision one way or the other, it's what
the majority wants.
Thanks again
Jerry
March 10, 2010
I
am writing this letter in memory of my Grandfather who passed away on Friday
March, 5 2010. He was 89 years old and was one of the Silver Star recipients
on the USS Current in April of 1945. His name is Charles Cockrell. He was in
the Navy and the last of his 3 ships was the USS Current. He was discharged
from the Navy about 8 months after being awarded the Silver Star. He was a
man who lived a great life and had extreme pride in his country and what he
did to serve it. As I was growing up he was not very open about his
experiences while abroad. Later in life during his final years he was able
to talk a little about it but never without a tear.
I began
to do some research and that is when I came across this site. I am pleased
to see that the information is kept up to date and only wish I was able to
share this before he left. He would have been amazed that his name was
mentioned. I commend you on your efforts to maintain this site. It has
allowed a younger generation to find out more about the most important man
in my life... Truly amazing!!
I would
like to provide you with any information you need to have him added to this
site and to its memorial. I feel that he would be honored, so I am making it
my mission. Please feel free to contact me with any questions and I will
provide what I can. Again I am honored to see this information, and thank
everyone involved in this site!!!!! I learned when I was a late teenager
that he was awarded the Silver Star but did not know when, where, or why. I
am now dedicated to finding out as much of my Grandfather's Naval history as
possible
Thank-You,
Chris
Hathaway
Burbank, CA
Personal e-mail
setelectrician@gmail.com
(818) 381-2714
Chris Hathaway
Warner Bros. Set Lighting
Dept.
(818) 954-2323
chris.hathaway@warnerbros.com
February, 28, 2010
I was so glad to get the email from Jim
Vasko yesterday about the web site. I have been wondering and looking for
something on the USS Current for a couple of years. I found where it had
been sold for scrap and that was about it.
I have often wondered what had or has
happened to everyone. With this web site it is like old times. I've already
talked to John Bauer and Jerry Spickler. My wife made reservations yesterday
for the Motel at the reunion in September. I am really looking forward to
that.
What a time in our lives and we didn't
realize it.
Jim Wilson
Ph. 660-876-5632
Cell. 816-260-0249
February 27, 2010
Hello,
Jim Vasko
just sent me a copy of the web
site for the USS Current. I had
been looking for something and
had posted a note on a Korea War
web site and he saw it and knew
of the web site.
I think the web site is
absolutely wonderful and would
like to have my name added as
being on the USS Current from
1959 until 1963. When I left the
ship for San Francisco to get
discharged, I had been on board
longer than anyone on the ship.
I see several names on the
crew list that I know and am
going to try to contact them.
Thanks a lot for doing this
Jim Wilson
Ph. 660-876-5632
Cell 816-260-0249
2010 USS Current Reunion
From:
Sharon Lang <lang.sharon@sbcglobal.net>
To:
Jim Vasko <jimvasko@juno.com>
Subject:
John "Jack" Steffens
Date:
Tue, Feb 02, 2010 03:46 PM
Jim,
|
I tried to contact the USS Current
site that you were maintaining only to find it was no longer
available.
I wanted you to let you know that
John's widow received a letter from Veteran's Affairs(?) and they
informed her they had made a grevious error when they sent a denial
re: benefits available from John's time in Viet Nam waters. They
alluded to his dying from cancer and she will receive a monthly
check plus back payment to her appeal time.
I hope this information might help
some other family trying for benefits.
Sharon (John's sister)
|
From: Thomas May <thomasmay2003@yahoo.com>
To: brickletter@aol.com; conesushi@gci.net
Cc: furney_locke@yahoo.com; pbanayad@wi.rr.com; Elmer Clark <elmerthecop62547@att.net>;
Steve Ganshert <sganshert@charter.net>
Sent: Fri, Jan 22, 2010 9:06 am
Subject: (no subject)
I would like to thank the crew members
that wrote letters of support
in my appeal to the Board of Veterans affairs. Commander George Giganti,
Elmer Clark and a special thanks to Furney Locke and Jerry Spickler whom
helped me get to all the information which helped with the process. I
have
received an approval for my diabetes of 20% and now must show proof my
related problems were directly relate to the Diabetes. This was a nine
year
process when tackling by myself but with all the help from the above
crew members and Friends it took less than a year
Thanks again, I appreciate it.
Respectfully,
Thomas L. May
-----Original Message-----
From: john <m1mansr@gmail.com>
To: Jerry Spickler <brickletter@aol.com>
Sent: Sat, Jan 9, 2010 8:41 pm
Subject: Fw: Pearl Harbor mini-submarine mystery solved? The 5th midget sub.
-------Original Message-------
From: john bauer
Date: 1/9/2010 7:37:38 PM
To: brickletter@aol.com
Subject: Pearl Harbor mini-submarine mystery solved? The 5th midget sub.
http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/naval-forces/53775-pearl-harbor-mini-submarine-mystery-solved-5th-midget-sub.html
Jerry, did you see the show about sub #5? Please read the above link.
John Bauer
January
2, 2010
Here is a new web site I found, and sounds on the up and up.
Maybe something
good for rest of our Viet Nam ship mates to know about.
http://www.bluewaternavy.org
Gary Goode Jenson
December 28, 2009
Hello Everyone:
I have changed my email address.
Thank you,
Captain Jerry Stangl
December
24, 2009
Merry Christmas to all USS
CURRENT crew members and their families!
Jerry Spickler and
Family!
December 22, 2009
ANYONE HAVING ANY
PHOTOS OF BOILER AREA 1950-1960 AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THEM PLEASE CONTACT
RON BROEDLING BT3
USS CURRENT ARS-22
1957-58.
December 8, 2009
Jerry,
I saw this in the HURL web site, our ship towed
it to Pearl Harbor after the war, I met this guy in Hawaii in 2004 after he
found the Japanese midget sub that was sunk by the destroyer on the morning of
December 7, 1941. I see the I-201 is in our history.
http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/HURL/midget.html
John
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 4:08 PM
Subject: Re: I-201 Japanese sub
Hello John
Good to hear from you. We have just returned from diving operations in the
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and I am catching up on about 200 e-mails.
The discovery of the I-201 was a complete
surprise. I was pretty confident of the position for the I-14 as I had some good
landmarks from the 16mm footage Charles Alger shot when she was sunk. We
actually found the bow and main hull of the I-14 on the first out of 4 dives.
The Pisces V was on her way to the surface for recovery and I was waiting on the
bottom with Pisces IV and had just moved off to the West to get away from the
wreck when another big target showed up on our sonar and we came onto another
big bow section. We found the main hull of the I-201 the next day. We still have
the I-400 and I-203 on our "to find" list and will have to wait for our 3
pre-dive season test dives in the fall of 2010.
Thank you for the information. We appreciate any images and information we can
get on these historic wrecks.
Regards
Terry K.
----- Original Message -----
From: John Bauer Sr
To: tkerby@hawaii.edu
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 10:47 AM
Subject: I-201 sub
Terry, you may want read the early history of the USS Current ARS-22, it towed
the I-201 to Pearl in 1946. I stopped in to see you
in March of 2004, I was on the Current in 1960, we recovered the Japanese midget
sub. You copied some photos I had. There is also some video
on You-Tube of this recovery.
Thanks,
John Bauer
From:
madap12@aol.com
To:
usscurrent@juno.com
Subject: HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Date: Thu, Nov 26,
2009 07:16 AM
I'M SURE I'M SPEAKING FOR THE
ENTIRE CREW THAT WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE WEBSITE. ALSO I'D LIKE TO SAY I'M
THANKFUL FOR ALL MY SHIPMATES WHILE I WAS ON THE THE SHIP AND THOSE BEFORE
AND AFTER.
RON BROEDLING BT3 AWOL 1957/58
November 16, 2009
Jim, Jerry,
I have been wondering if anyone is
keeping a list of the medical problems that the crew of the Current
has come down with. There has been a lot of
disease, illnesses, deaths, and maybe a list of some kind might
help others to be aware of future illness.
Do we have any medical people that could put a list together? I know
for myself, at the first reunion the guys
said that asbestos was in the ship, I had my lungs checked for it, none
found, but they found thyroid cancer, and it
has now all been killed off in my body as of September. Maybe an
awareness list will help someone else.
Thanks.
John Bauer
November 14, 2009
We got a
shipmate that needs some help guys! we've been able to come up with the answers
before. Let's see if we can't do it again!
Jerry
-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas May <thomasmay2003@yahoo.com>
To: brickletter@aol.com; furney_locke@yahoo.com
Sent: Sat, Nov 14, 2009 11:05 am
Subject: RE: help
Furney and Jerry
I'm in need of some help in my battle with the V.A. as I need to prove I
was on the ground in Viet Nam. My local Rep here in Orlando has called
the Pine Bay facility responsible for my request and found out that
without a deck log entry stating that I went ashore in Nam that I will
be turned down. Do either of you know how I can get a copy of this log
for Oct, Nov., and Dec. of 1968?
Any help will be greatly appreciated,
Tom
November 12, 2009
Hey Jerry,
Following is an e-mail from Carl Kerstetter. J thought you'd like some
good news for a change on crew members health issues.
Carl is doing okay.
J
From: Carl Kerstetter
To: Tom Jarbo
Subject: Still kicking
Hi, Thomas, back home from the hospital for the second time, had to go back in
the hospital after the incision became infected, they have me on a wound vac to
help close the incision. The good news is the doctor said we got all the colon
cancer and should be ok. But they want to keep a close which on my left lung it
has some spots. I think and the doctor thinks it's nothing. I missed the
reunion, but I'll be around for the next one, so count me in for the 2010
current reunion. Pass the word that I'm still kicking.
Carl Kerstetter
November 12, 2009
Another current sailor has passed! EM2 Walter
Beckman passed the last channel marker at 11:50 p.m. last night. Walter was on
the USS CURRENT from 1960-1962. May our prayers be with him. Walter was bedfast
with Lou Gherig's disease for a number of years. His daughter Chris said he went
peacefully into death.
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com
|
November 1, 2009
Ok guys here it is! USS CURRENT REUNION, September 9-12
2010!
Cobblestone Inn, Branson, Missouri. You can make your
reservations now. You can see the rooms and amenities at
cobblestoneinnbranson.com.
The standard room for us is the deluxe queen double beds for $60.25
per night. However, you can up or down grade if you wish. Also,
these rates are good for the week before and after the reunion in
case you might want to see more of Branson while you are there! We
will add more info as it becomes available! You have plenty time to
plan. I expect to see you there as we always have a great time, and
now you have plenty of time to plan around it! So get your ditty bag
amalgamated (how do you like that word), pack your sea bag and plan
on having a great time in Branson. They really think highly of
veterans there, as I'm sure you will find out during our stay there.
I'm hoping you plan on making Branson a port of call for your year
of 2010.
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com
P. S. Get in touch
with those shipmates you always wanted to see again and invite them
to come aboard!
|
October 5, 2009
|
Another successful USS CURRENT
REUNION was held this weekend! Hope you were
there. Pictures should be on the website soon!
Now for those that made it and those that did
not, I'm here to let you know that we are going
to Branson, Missouri next year. Dates are
not known yet but we will inform everyone as
soon as they are known. More to follow....
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com |
|
|
|
September 24, 2009
|
In an e-mail from
Jerry (Doc) Shepherd last night I learned of
another CURRENT sailor passing on to the big
ocean in the sky. Ron Bromley EN2, 1962-66 was
taken off his ventilator. This only underscores
what I have been saying about reconnecting with
old shipmates before it's to late. We only have
1 week left before the 3rd USS CURRENT reunion.
You still have time to get your reservations in.
THINK ABOUT IT!
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com |
|
|
|
September 24, 2009
|
Jerry,
It is with sad
feelings that as I type this e-mail they are removing
Ron Bromley from life support. We who knew
and loved him as a shipmate and brother shall forever
remember him for the man he was.
|
|
September 20, 2009
Please add my name to the current's crew list,
YN1 Lowell Rosen, OCT 1960 - OCT 1964. Won't be able to attend the reunion. I
have sent some pictures and info on a CURRENT deployment to Jerry Spickler.
Best regards,
YNC Lowell Rosen, USN (Ret)
From:
"Robert Clausen" <clausen6811@comcast.net>
To:
jimvasko@juno.com
Subject: USS Current
Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:11:10 -0700
Jim,
I was
onboard the USS Current ARS-22, from
Aug 66 to Aug 67, as a MRFN. Most of the
time we were in and around the Saigon
River, different Vietnam bays and ports,
with salvage work, or the South China
Sea. 47 days to pull a barge from
Bremerton, WA, to the mouth of the
Saigon River, only to hear, it was blown
up a few days later by the Viet Cong!
But, I think serving on the Current was
the best of my Naval service! By far,
the most interesting!
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September 15, 2009
I notice that there are very few names under
“Crew” on the web site for the time I was on the Current, 1953-54. Here are a
few I remember:
Capt. LT C.E. Tierman - Oct 10, 1951 to July 21, 1953
XO LT M. R. Hill – July 21, 1953 to Sept. 11, 1954 (deceased 1990)
XO LTJG F. J. Zwolinski
ENSIGN Duane K. Cote
CHBOSN R. E. Miller
CHBOSN B. H. Hendril
CHBOSN George Burnelle
OM2 W. Snow
I have no information as to how to reach these men.
LCDR. Steve Biespiel
sum.mom@suddenlink.net
From:
Jean Sumruld Biespiel" <sum.mom@suddenlink.net>
To:
jimvasko@juno.com>, <brickletter@aol.com>
Subject: USS Current photos &
info
Date:
Tue, Sep 15, 2009 09:23 AM
Jim and/or Jerry
Steve would like to send you a
couple of albums with photos and
information about his time on the
Current. One album is in Korea when
the ship was badly damaged and but
back together, so some good
pictures.
Would you like these? And to whom
should I send them? We will include
the funds to return the box to us
when you are finished.
Thanks,
Jean & Steve
sum.mom@suddenlink.net
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Sept 14, 2009
From: MikeR1615@aol.com
To: usscurrent@juno.com
Re: Ships Company
Thanks Jim.
In a message dated 9/14/2009 2:03:14 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
usscurrent@juno.com writes:
Mike,
I've searched for him, but couldn't find him. His hometown was
Brooklyn, N.Y, but he could have settled anywhere. I tried Zaba
Search with no luck.
Jim
September 14, 2009
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Does anyone know what became of
BMC Tom Dooley?
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September 3, 2009
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For those that
haven't been on the CURRENT website in a while,
there is some very useful information posted
there from Jim Vasko about serving in Vietnam.
This may be especially helpful if you are having
trouble proving that you served there. If you
are suffering from an illness that you think you
may have contracted there or may in the future,
be sure to check it out. A big salute to Jim
Vasko for taking the time to research and find
it for us. Just passing it on. I hope it is of
some use, especially to Carl Kerstetter and Vern
Sallie.
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com |
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September 2, 2008
I
am aware that at least a few of former Current sailors have been diagnosed with
prostate cancer, type 2 Diabetes, skin problems and lung problems and that some
crewmembers have pursued claims for disabilities caused by exposure to Agent
Orange while Current was in Vietnam waters. However, they are having difficulty
proving their presence in Vietnam.
While I am still in good health, I have been
encouraged and made an appointment with the VA environmental health,
Agent Orange registry, to get a baseline health evaluation.
There is legislation in Congress, H.R. 2254
Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009, to include off shore Naval units and others for
exposure to Agent Orange.
Here are two interesting websites that highlight
the potential Agent Orange threat that Current's crew faces.
http://lawyersforwarriors.blogspot.com/2009/05/agent-orange-equity-act-of-2009-hr-
2254.html
equity-act-of-2009-hr-2254.html
Here is an interesting page from the
publication "Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2008"
The entire publication can be read or
downloaded free of charge. The web address is
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12662.html
Best Regards,
Jim Vasko
jimvasko@juno.com
Exposure of Personnel Who Had Offshore Vietnam Service
US
Navy riverine units are known to have used herbicides while patrolling inland
waterways
(Zumwalt,
1993; IOM, 1994), and it is generally acknowledged that estuarine waters became
contaminated with herbicides and dioxin as a result of shoreline spraying and
runoff from
spraying on land. Thus, military personnel who did not serve on land were among
those exposed
to the
chemicals during the Vietnam conflict. A particular concern for the personnel
has been
possible contamination of drinking water. Most vessels serving offshore but
within the territorial
limits
of the Republic of Vietnam converted seawater to drinking water through
distillation.
Higher
than expected mortality among Royal Australian Navy Vietnam veterans prompted a
study
of potable-water contamination on ships offshore during the Vietnam conflict
(Mueller et
al.,
2001, 2002). Specifically, the study investigated the potential for naval
personnel to ingest
TCDD
and cacodylic acid in drinking water. The study focused on the evaporative
distillation
process that was used to produce potable water from surrounding estuarine
waters. The study
found
that co-distillation of dioxins was observable in all experiments conducted and
that
distillation increased the concentration of dioxins in the distillate compared
with the
concentration in the source water. The study also found that dimethylarsenic
acid did not
co-distill to a great extent during evaporation and concluded that drinking
water on ships was
unlikely to have been contaminated with this herbicide. In a follow-up
discussion of the study
with
its authors, it was noted that vessels would take up water for distillation as
close to shore as
possible to minimize salt content (Wells, 2006). On the basis of that study and
other evidence,
the
Australian Department of Veterans Affairs determined that Royal Australian Navy
personnel
who
served offshore were exposed to dioxins that resulted from herbicide spraying in
Vietnam
even
if they did not go ashore during their tour of duty (ADVA, 2005).
The current
committee engaged Steven Hawthorne as a consultant to review the Mueller et
al.
(2002) publication and to comment generally on the ability of organic compounds
to co-distill
during
the production of potable water. Hawthorne is an environmental chemist at the
University
of
North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center and has specific
expertise in the
study
of organic emissions from water (Hawthorne et al., 1985). He affirmed the
findings of the
Australian study, citing Henry’s law for an explanation of how contaminants with
low water
solubility would evaporate from water and noting that the distillation process
would enhance the
process by adding heat and reducing pressure (Hawthorne, 2008). No measurements
of dioxin
concentrations in seawater were collected during the Vietnam conflict, so it is
not possible to
ascertain the extent to which drinking water on US vessels may have been
contaminated through
distillation processes. However, it seems likely that vessels with such
distillation processes that
traveled near land or even at some distance from river deltas would periodically
collect water
that
contained dioxin. Thus, a presumption of exposure of military personnel serving
on those
vessels is not unreasonable.
In its
charge to the original
VAO
committee, the Department of Veterans Affairs asked the
committee to include
military personnel who served in inland waterways, offshore of the
Republic of Vietnam, and in the airspace above the Republic of Vietnam. A
presumption of
exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used as defoliants applied to each
of those
groups
as well as to those who served on land. In light of the findings of the
Australian study
regarding potential drinking-water contamination and those serving offshore, the
presumption
seems
well founded.
September 2, 2009
Just a month now! Please get
your reservations in!
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com
August 27, 2009
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Reunion time is
only about 5 weeks away and I need the people
that are coming to please get your reservations
in if you haven't already done so. We are
working to make this a very memorable reunion,
but it becomes difficult to plan when you don't
have a fair head count. So, if you don't have
your reservation in yet, please do so as soon as
possible.
Remember,
they won't bill your credit card until you check
in, so you don't have to worry about that until
you get there and you can cancel up until the
day you are to check in.
Thanks,
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com |
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August 24, 2009
Jim: A note to tell you how useful
your efforts concerning the ship's website have
been. The pictures and history were of a great deal of help to me
recently. I had a
bunch of 35 mm slides from over 40 yrs. ago, I had put on cd's, helped me date
when most
were taken.
I now have aggressive prostate cancer and am a
paraplegic. Some of
my slides will be used for agent orange claim. Again many thanks.
I'll let you know
how it turns out.
Vern Sallie
"65 thru 68" QM2c cswkw@juno.com
August 12, 2009
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Hey guys..........we have a
shipmate that needs some info that one of us
might have. Carl Kerstetter e-mailed me with the
following request! Is the someone out there with
this info to help our shipmate? If so get in
touch with him please.
Thank you
Jerry
-----Original Message-----
From: Carl Kerstetter <carlk48@hotmail.com>
To: brick <brickletter@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Aug 12, 2009 2:22 am
Subject: need some help
Dear Jerry,
I need help from you and all the crew of
the USS CURRENT, I have been trying to
apply for coverage under the Department
of Veterans Affairs and they are asking
for information that I don't have and
evidence showing dates and places we
were in Vietnam. I have diabetes type 2,
skin rashes and now cancer that is
linked the agent orange.
If
you or any of the ship's crew have any
information to dates and times, pictures
please let me know. The History of the
ship online does not have information as
to the ship docking in Saigon or dates
we were there.
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August 7, 2009
Hey guys,
I need a little help here. I have contacted all
the publications and websites I know of and even had some help publishing about
our reunion. If you know of some websites that I might contact, please inform me
of them and I will do my best to contact them and I promise to write them down
and keep a file on them. And in the words of Bartels & James, thanks for your
support.
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com
August 4, 2009
Jim,
First of all, the web site is
wonderful and you are to be thanked
by one and all. Second, my husband,
Steve Biespiel, was on the Current
in 1953-4 and we would like to have
his information added to the list.
Sadly, Steve had a head-injury
accident in 1976 that has made some
communication a little hard, so
things like email and telephones go
through me. When I asked him what
his actual title was on the ship, he
gave me a list and said that there
were few officers and many job
titles, so I’ve listed them below
and will leave it up to your Navy
savvy to know what to put on the
site.
Thanks you again for all your work
on behalf of these men.
Jean Biespiel
Lt. Cdr. Stephen E. Biespiel,
Retired
10 Brookhaven Point
Montgomery, TX 77356
936-582-2558
Email to:
sum.mom@suddenlink.net
USS Current 30 January 1953
Navigation Officer
CIC
Operations Officer
Information
& Education Officer
Electronics Repair Officer
Top Secret Control & Security
Classification Officer
15 August 1954 – left
the Current and returned to Tulsa,
OK. Navy Reserve Unit
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July 24, 2009
Dear Former Current Sailors,
Some of you have
been asking about hats, Coffee Cups, Tee Shirts etc. at the upcoming reunion
in October.
The following is
what we will offer on a pre-order basis to insure that each one gets the
amount & sizes desired.
Coffee Cups @ $8
each
Tee Shirts @ $15
each
Hats @ $15 each
Jackets @ $45
each
The tee shirts
may be a little cheaper depending on how many are ordered since they are sold by
the dozen and discounted with a purchase of 24 or more. They will be pocket tee shirts
with a USS Current logo on them.
Hats will be Blue with Gold lettering.
Jackets are a wind breaker, color is Blue
with Gold lettering.
Please send your order to:
Tom
Jarboe
6057
W 1075 S
Reelsville, Indiana 46171
I will need to have all orders in by
September 1st. Please list the quantity and size wanted when
ordering. If you will not be attending the reunion but would like to order
something. I can bill you for the shipping charges.
If you have any questions, you can e-mail,
call me at 765-672-4879 or write me at the above address.
Jerry wants us all to wear a red shirt on
Friday in support of our troops and ask me to include that info to you in
this e-mail.
If you do not want to receive e-mails from
the Current Reunion let me know and I’ll remove you from our e-mail list.
Tom Jarboe
god@ccrtc.com
July 20, 2009
Just a little friendly reminder!!!!!! Note the
change on the agenda for Friday October 2. The uniform of the day, red shirts to
honor our troops!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com
July 20, 2009
2009 USS Current Reunion Itinerary
October 1
Check in and mingle
October 2
0630 - 1000 Reveille & Chow
Uniform of the day - RED SHIRTS to honor our troops
1015
Prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
Display mementos & pictures
Renew old friendships and make new ones
October 3
0630 - 1000 Reveille & Chow
Pledge of Allegiance
Group Pictures
1100 40's Crew
1115 50's Crew
1130 60's Crew
1200 70's Crew
1215 All Crew
1230 Wives
Noon Chow
1430 A reading of deceased crew members followed by taps
1730 Evening Chow
October 4
0630 - 1000 Reveille & Chow
Check out and say goodbye's
July 15, 2009
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Here's one for you
Jim....Glen Robertson BM3,
1961-63
Phone# 931-858-4789.
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Jerry
brickletter@aol.com
From: Jim & Jonnie Vasko <jimvasko@juno.com>
To: brickletter@aol.com
Sent: Fri, Jul 3, 2009 4:15 pm
Subject: USS Current website
Jerry,
Yahoo Geocities free web hosting will be closing effective October 26, 2009.
I have moved The USS Current website to Microsoft Office Live free web hosting
service.
The new web address is
http://usscurrent.web.officelive.com/current/index.htm
I will link the existing website address to the new one. Please communicate this
info to the crew.
Jim
jimvasko@juno.com
From: Richard Diekman
radiekman@earthlink.net
To : brickletter@aol.com,
jimvasko@juno.com
Subject : RE: USS Current website
Date : Fri, Jul 03, 2009 04:37 PM
Jim - great job on the site. Jerry – I have located my old chancre mechanic, Tom
Evans HMC in Arkansas. I will try get him to the reunion – maybe will have to
tote him as he was a CPO in ‘54 so he has a few years on his hull.
Diek
radiekman@earthlink.net
July 3, 2009
Just a note to let you guys know that you can make
your reservations anytime! It's now 3 months away from the reunion. They won't
hit your credit card until you check in and you can cancel (heaven forbid) up
til 24 hours before reunion time. Remember to tell them its for the USS CURRENT
reunion, to insure the rate we have negotiated!
Thanks,
Jerry
P.S. Here's a thought from Jean Jarboe! How
about a picture of you then and now! A little something to get a laugh! Hope
some of us haven't gained too much weight (like me). LOL.
July 3, 2009
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Here's another
thought! Give some of your shipmates that you
haven't seen in a long time a call and invite
them to the the reunion. I know you won't regret
it! Also, if you have someone you would like to
contact and you have their name and where they
came from I'll try to contact them for
you!......................................Thanks,
Jerry Spickler |
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June 28, 2009
CHECK OUT BATTLE 360, THE USS ENTERPRISE SERIES, ON
THE HISTORY CHANNEL.
RON "SAM" BROEDLING
June 18, 2009
Thanks for the update Amanda! Please know that
we think about Ozzie and you guys all the time. You will be forever in our
hearts.
Jerry
Spickler
-----Original Message-----
From: Amanda Coon <mae0488@yahoo.com>
To: brickletter@aol.com
Sent: Thu, Jun 18, 2009 3:15 pm
Subject: Eldon Osmun family
Hello everyone,
This is Ozzie's daughter Amanda. I went to the website and noticed you tried to
contact mom. She was with my aunt taking a much needed break. I just want to let
y'all know that we are all fine. We are coping with it one day at a time and
still appreciate the support you have given us. I know daddy would be thankful.
Again, thank you all and god bless. Please tell
Mr Thomas that Ozzie's family will be praying for him.
Thanks again,
Amanda
From : Ray Haas
IHC_kountry@outdrs.net
To : Jim Vasko
jimvasko@juno.com
Subject : Current
Date : Wed, Jun 10, 2009 04:46 AM
Jim,
You have continued to do a great job on the site. I
tried to get hold of Mrs. Osmun yesterday but no answer. I wanted to inquire as
to how she and children were getting along. I will post you when I contact her.
Ray
June 7, 2009
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2 things I took
from an e-mail that I received from my friend
Rick Shugert.
2 things you can't recover after they're gone.
1. Time ..................after
its gone!
2. The occasion......after it
happens.
Hope to see all you guys that can possibly make
it at the reunion.
Jerry Spickler
brickletter@aol.com
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From :
madap12@aol.com
To : usscurrent@juno.com
Subject : THOMAS GROODY
Date : Sat, Jun 06, 2009 11:07 AM
HEY SHIPMATES,
WHAT BETTER DAY THAN D-DAY TO CHEER UP A SHIPMATE. I SENT THOMAS A SHORT LETTER
AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK EACH OF YOU TO DO THE SAME. IT IS NOT EVERY DAY YOU CAN
DO SOMETHING NICE FOR ONE OF THE GREATEST GENERATION.
THANKS A LOT.
RON "SAM" BROEDLING BT3 1957-58
May 31, 2009
-----Original Message-----
From: HorizonView182@aol.com
To: Brickletter@aol.com
Sent: Sun, 31 May 2009 2:38 pm
Subject: Reunion
Good luck on the Current reunion!
Does anyone remember the Navy
brothel on Amami Oshima?
I became ships company
when two typhoons destroyed Naha, Okinawa. We went to Sasebo to tow a small
Japanese sub I-201 to Hawaii
via Ulithi (beer and baseball) then on to Guam. The USS Current went home to
California from
Hawaii and I joined the USS John Blish AGS-10 and YMS 463. I was discharged as a QM3 in July
1946.
Carl Green
horizonview182@aol.com
May 30, 2009
Not the week for good news
guys...... I just got a call from Thomas Groody's wife. Tom was a plank
owner on the CURRENT. Tom is in a veterans facility. His legs aren't working too
good! If you would like to send him a get well or something, the address is 100
Patriots Road, Stoneybrook, N.Y. 11790,
Section C Room 208J
Jerry brickletter@aol.com
May 28, 2009
-----Original Message-----
From: Amanda Coon mae0488@yahoo.com
To: brickletter@aol.com
Sent: Thu, 28 May 2009 1:40 pm
Subject: Eldon Osmun
Hello to you. This is Eldon's daughter Amanda. I am just writing to let you all
know that daddy passed away on Sunday May 24, around one AM.
I am just writing to thank you for all your prayers and support and concern in
this time of hardship. Daddy thought a lot of all of you. He talked about that
reunion in October and was ready to see you all. He was still talking about
going right up until the very end. I just want to let you all know that he loved
you all and was looking forward to seeing you. Thank you again and we will keep
in touch and hope you all will too.
Please let everyone know. I couldn't figure out how to post this message on the
website.
Thank you all for what you have all done.
The Osmun family
May 28, 2009
It is with heavy heart that
I'm sending this e-mail. I called to see how my friend and shipmate Eldon
(Ozzie) Osmun was doing. Much to my dismay, I was informed that he passed on to
that hospital ship in the sky , the USS HEAVEN on Sunday morning. My friend
OZZIE will always have smooth seas from now on. I'm sure going to miss him! I
loved OZZIE! I want you to love him too!
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com
May 23. 2009
Good Morning Men,
I just got off the phone with one of Eldon's daughters and she told me he is
getting feeling back and his spine is just bruised. However, he has a bit of a
problem with chest musles and breathing is hampered. I gave her my ph. # and
that it is open 24 hrs a day. Men hold this daughter up as she is PG.
Later
Ray Haas
ihc_kountry@outdrs.net
May 22, 2009
I got a phone call this morning.......the kind you
don't want to receive. Eldon Osmun, one of my shipmates from my time on the
CURRENT, has fallen and is paralyzed from the neck down. His wife called to tell
me that he said to call and let me know that he wasn't going to make the reunion
this year. WHAT A SHIPMATE!!!!!!!!!!!!! His priorities were to let us know, not
that he was in bad health, but that he couldn't make the reunion! I would say he
must have some very good memories of his time on the CURRENT.
I would like for everyone that can to send a him a note telling him how much we
will miss him. I know I will! He doesn't have an e-mail address, but his address
is:
Eldon Osmun
632 Halbert Heights Rd.
Brookhaven, Mississippi 39601
Phone 601-990-2453
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com
May 19, 2009
I have been getting a lot of
requests in the last week for information on the reunion in October. This to me
is a good sign of good attendance. If for some reason you have not received the
info I sent out before or you have misplaced or deleted it, or if you would just
like to have it again, please let me know. If for some reason that you can't
open what I sent previously and you want the info, give me your home
address or where you want it sent and I will send it to you in the mail.
Thanks,
Jerry brickletter@aol.com
May 16, 2009
I just got off the phone from
talking to Captain Giganti. He is 86 years old, lives in Hawaii (Aiea) and is
considering coming to our next reunion in October.
It seems to me that if he can
come all that way to the reunion, some of us can surely make it from not so far
away,(and he is 86). Is anyone inspired? I hope so. This is going to be the best
reunion yet!
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com
May 15, 2009
Hi,
I am
Captain George Giganti's daughter and since he has no computer
or email access, he asked me to find out about the reunion this year.
Since my mother is in a nursing home, he is finally freer to travel and I know
he
would enjoy this!
Thanks,
Linda DeVore
conesushi@gci.net
May 2, 2009
2009 USS Current Reunion
Agenda
October 1st
Check- in and mingle
October 2nd
06:30-10:00 reveille and chow- 10:15 prayer followed by the pledge of allegiance
Display memories and pictures - renew friendships - make new ones
October 3rd
06:30 - 10:00 Reveille and chow--- prayer and pledge of allegiance
Group
Picture
11:00- 40's crew
11:15- 50's crew
11:30- 60's crew
12:00- 70's crew
12:15- all crews
12:30- wives
Noon chow
14:30- reading of deceased crew members names, followed by taps
17:30- Evening chow
October 4th
06:30- 10:00- reveille and chow
Check-out and goodbyes
April 22, 2009
Jim,
I would like to be included on the roll of crew members on the ARS-22.
My tour on the ship was from 1967 -1969 I was a SN (jack of the dust) I now
reside in Orlando, FL
And my e-mail is
thomasmay2003@yahoo.com. I had many photos from these years but I married a
Korean who destroyed them as many were from Japan.
Thomas May
April 21, 2009
Hi Jim,
Just an update for your
e-mail list. My father, Jim Golden (45-46) has changed e-mail from condojim@aol.com
to
jimg500@cableone.net
Thanks.
April 5, 2009
From:
Furney Locke
To:
usscurrent@juno.com
I would like to thank all the crew members that wrote letters of support
in my appeal to the Board of Veterans affairs. Commander George Giganti,
CWO4 Art Racette, ENC Ellis Ferguson and SKC Pete Banayad. I have received
an approval for my diabetes and related problems. Now all I have to do is
wait on the BVA to determine the amount of disability. Thanks again, I
appreciate it.
Furney E. Locke
furney_locke@yahoo.com
March 23, 2009
|
Just an observation
to pass along. With the recent passing of our
shipmate Kenneth Byng BT1, I got to thinking
about our age. That made me think of all the
friends we have had as shipmates. How many of us
have wanted to see or talk to some of the people
we were close to on our tour on thru the years
and have put it off and forgot later to do it?
Let's not do it anymore!!!!! If you have a
former shipmate that you were close to, please get in
contact with him. Better yet, invite them to
the reunion. Let's all give this some thought
before it is to late. Some of our shipmates have
already gone to the great beyond and we never
got to say hello again or goodbye. Those that
have made it to the last two reunions are
looking forward to the next one for the most
part. We really have a great time and we are
trying to make it better every year. This next
one in October I hope will be special as we are
trying to make it better by adding some things
that I hope everyone finds enjoyable and
memorable.
Please go to our USS CURRENT website and
look it over. Find someone you remember and send
them an e-mail or call them. If you know of
someone that is not on the crew list, encourage
them to add their names. Tomorrow may be to
late. If you can think of someone and you don't
have the time, let me know and I will call them.
Thanks
for your time,
Jerry Spickler
brickletter@aol.com
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March 17, 2009
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I'm sorry for your loss
Elaine........all of the crew from the USS
CURRENT ARS 22, that sailed the Pacific with Ken
will all be disappointed and sad to learn of the
passing of our dear shipmate.
We all were hoping
to see him again sometime. Time has a way of
catching us when we are not expecting it.
Deepest regrets from myself and my crew
members. I have sent notification of his passing
to our website, so his name will be dutifully added to the Memorial Page of our
USS Current website, http://www.geocities.com/jimvasko_94555, in
case you might want to view it. My condolences
once again.
Jerry Spickler EN3
USS CURRENT 1960-63
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March 17, 2009
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From: Elaine Byng ebyng@centurytel.net
To: Jerry Spickler
brickletter@aol.com
Sent: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 5:53 pm
Subject: Reunion in October
Elaine Byng, wife of Kenneth
Byng
Dear Friends & Family,
We are saddened to tell
you all that we lost Ken
yesterday, March 5,
2009.
His lungs just couldn't
take any more and
thankfully so, he went
to our Lord in a
peaceful and gentle way.
In honor of his life we
will have a celebration
luncheon
this
Sunday, March 8th,
2009.
Oakland Community Center
Highway 202 West
Oakland, AR 72661
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm
A light lunch will be
served.
We know this is short
notice for those of you
outside of the local
area; however we would
love to see you. Please
join us in collecting
your memories of Ken and
share them with us. If
you can please write
them down as we will be
putting together a
collage book.
Thank you for all of
your kind words, prayers
and support.
Love,
Elaine, Pamela & Ben
Byng
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Kenneth W Byng
1938 - 2009
Ken
was born Thursday, June 9, 1938 in Oconto, Wisconsin, the son of Jerry Byng, Sr.
and Ruth Fye. He married Elaine Johnson on November 3, 1968 at Reno, Nevada and
worked as a Mechanical Engineer for Military Sealift Command 28 Years. Ken Byng
lived in Oakland, Arkansas since 1988 moving from California. He was a proud
American citizen and a patriotic naval veteran who was passionate for fishing,
wildlife, the outdoors and gardening. He was a world traveler, experiencing many
beautiful places and was a dedicated family man. Kenneth Byng died Thursday,
March 5, 2009 in Mountain Home, Arkansas at the age of 70.
Survivors:
his
wife, Elaine Byng, of Oakland, AR, son, Bernard (Yvette) Byng, of Tracy, CA,
daughter, Pamela Byng of Charlotte, NC, brother, Jerry (Carol) Byng of Abrams,
WI, 2 sisters, Shirley Earley of Peshtigo, WI and Carol Owens of Milwaukee, WI,
numerous nieces and nephews, grandchildren, Andrea and Jessica Byng and special
friends, Corky, Jim and Chuck.
Funeral:
A Memorial
Celebration for Kenneth W. Byng of Oakland, AR, will be 12:00 - 2:00 P.M.
Sunday, March 8, 2009 at Oakland Community Center, with Tony DeWeese
officiating.
Memorials:
may be
made to Gail's Pets Second Chance, P.O. Box 83, Oakland, AR 72661. gailspets@yahoo.com
February 25, 2009
From : Herb Calhoun hcalhoun1@charter.net
To : usscurrent@juno.com
Subject : Shipmates
Date : Wed, Feb 25, 2009 07:08 AM
Visited with Keith Cathcart while on a trip down south. Its been 53 yrs since we
talked and we enjoyed our visit. Pic's then and now.
Keith was a EM3 and Diver.
Herb Calhoun EM3 56 to 58.
January 24, 2009
LT. Dennis Patrick (DV),
Current's Operations Officer 1967-69, recently retired as president of Lynden
International. He has contributed many of his photos to the Current website of
salvops during his time on Current. We wish him well and a happy retirement.
Click on the following link to read his story.
http://www.lynden.com/lynden_ink/2008/dec08.pdf
January 22, 2009
USS Current Patches and Hats
are now available for sale through BC Patch.
http://www.bcpatch.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?
December 4, 2008
-----Original Message-----
From: elmer schnittker <elmers@greenhills.net>
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Sent: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 2:29 pm
Subject: Elmer
To all family and friends,
It is with deep sorrow that we announce
the passing of our husband, father, and grandfather, Elmer Schnittker.
We appreciate all of the prayers and kind thoughts that were expressed
as he went through his treatment for cancer over the last several
months. Unfortunately, the final step of the process did not turn out
as any would have wanted. Complications during surgery to remove the
tumor resulted in Elmer's passing.
The funeral will be held at 10:00am on
Tuesday, December 9th, at St. Columban's Catholic Church in Chillicothe
under the direction of the Lindley Funeral Home. Visitation will be
held beginning at 6:00pm on Monday, December 8th at Lindley Funeral
Home.
If you have questions the phone #s are
home 660-646-4836 or Cell # 660-247-0592
Pat, Tom, MaryBeth, Andrew, Nicholas,
Andrea, and Justin
From: elmer schnittker <elmers@greenhills.net>
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Sent: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 9:03 pm
Subject: Elmer Up-Date
We have confirmation that Elmer will
have surgery on Dec. 3rd
They say he will be in the hospital
about 10 days, so if anyone close by wants to come for a visit, we are
sure that
a friendly face will be welcome. Our
cell # is 660-247-0592
so if you want to call that is where we
can be reached.
We are headed for Columbia Mon & Tues
this week for appointments and more tests. Was hoping to have this all
done before the weather got bad, but hopefully it wont.
Elmer is doing good, eating well looks
good and is in good spirits, just tires easily and anxious to get this
over with, and so will I.
Prayers and thoughts, Elmer and Pat
November 12, 2008
Tom Jarboe, Tom Brown, and I had our first
meeting to plan for the 2009 USS Current reunion. More details will be
forthcoming. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please send them to us so we
can to grow the reunions and make them very enjoyable for everyone as we
possible can.
Jerry Spickler
brickletter@ccrtc.com
October 15, 2008
Here is a list of the attendees at the 2008 USS
Current reunion
Bob Arnold
Toms River, New Jersey
Larry & Diane Baker
Burlington, Iowa
Pete & Zenaida Banayad Racine,
Wisconsin
John & Sue Bauer
Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin
Bill Beach
Bethpage, New York
Ed Bock
Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Tom Brown
Indianapolis, Indiana
Jack & Mathew Courtney Knoxville,
Tennesee
Bob & Carol Dier
Gouvernour, New York
Gary Goode (Jensen)
Algonquin, Illinois
George & Sharon Hartnagel Pocahontas, Illinois
Richard Hightower
Alto, Georgia
Pete & Audrey Irvin
Wichita, Kansas
Tom & Jean Jarboe
Reelsville, Indiana
Bob & Nancy Karl
St. Charles, Missouri
Larry & Mary Leighty
New Wilmington, Pennsylvania
John & Ethel Mugg
Lancaster, Ohio
Dave & Janet Nowak
Auburn, Michigan
Eldon (Ozzie) Osmun
Brookhaven, Mississippi
Jim & Christine Oberry
Pearl River, Louisiana
Dusty & Peggy Rhodes
Butler, Pennsylvania
Rick and Donna Shugert
Indianapolis, Indiana
Jerry Shepard
Sandwich, Illinois
Ted & Thelma Simonson
Rapid City, South Dakota
Francyllen (Smitty) & Brenda Smith Jr.
Jonesville, Michigan
Jerry & Lavone Spickler
Monrovia, Indiana
Bud Warbis & Lynda Kennally
Boise, Idaho
Richard Wray
Glenwood, Iowa
October 6, 2008
The following CURRENT crewmembers have their reservations in
for the October reunion. Are you one of them?
1. Bob Arnold
20. Jim Oberry
2. Larry Baker
21. Jerry Shepherd
3. Pete Banayad
22. Ed Bock
4. John Bauer
23. Eldon Osman
5. Ron Broedling 24. Bill Beach
6. Lee Davis 25. George Hartnagel
7. Richard Diekman 26. Jack Courtney
8. Robert Dier 27. John Mugg
9. Richard Hightower 28. Tom Jarboe
10. Pete Irvin 29. Ron
"Bud" Warbis
11. Gary Jensen
30. Al Chakmak
12. Robert Karl
31. Jerry Mundt
13. Larry Leighty
32. Rich Wray
14. David Nowak
33. Tom Brown
15. Dusty Rhodes
16. Elmer Schnittker
17. Rick Shugert
18. Francyllen (Smitty) Smith
19. Jerry Spickler
Jerry
brickletter@aol.com
October 3, 2008
Here is the Saturday evening dinner menu for 2008 USS Current Reunion.
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September 17, 2008
Jim...........enjoyed our conversation last
night. Met with Tom and Rick today at the restaurant where will have our
Saturday evening meal. Everything looks good. Thanks for moving the menu per our
conversation.
As per our conversation about crew members, I talked to the 3 guys I told you
about and they have given their permission to add their names to the crew list.
They are:
1. Jack Courtney BT3 1960-62 dirtdiger1@comcast.net
2. Eldon Osmun EN3 1961-64 601-823-6059
3. Robert (Frenchy) Guvremont EN3 1961-1963
772-589-5037.
Our reservations now stand at 28 and counting. Expect to top 30 soon. Looks like
this year will be bigger than last. Will send you an updated roster for the
reunion as soon as I get an updated copy.
Jerry
From:
Tammy@snohomish.org
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 4:37 PM
To: brickletter@ccrtc.com
Subject: USS Current ARS-22 Future Reunions
Dear Jerry Spickler,
My name is Tammy Dunn and I am the Group Sales Manager for the Snohomish County
Tourism Bureau in Washington State. I understand that you are involved in the
reunion planning for the USS Current ARS-22 Association reunion. I know that you
will be meeting in October in Brownsburg, Indiana, but I would be delighted if
your reunion group would consider coming to Washington State in 2009, 2010, or
2011.
Home to Naval Station Everett, Snohomish County is located between Puget Sound
and the Cascade Mountains and is only 12 miles north of downtown Seattle.
Snohomish County is home to the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour
and Paul Allen’s Flying Heritage Collection. Day tours to Seattle attractions,
as well as tours of Naval Station Everett, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, and
Bremerton are all options for your group tours.
I would be delighted to send you a group tour and meeting facility guide if you
are interested in holding your reunion in Washington State.
Please reply to my email at tammy@snohomish.org or
call me toll-free at (888) 338-0976, extension 12 to request your free group
tour and meeting guide.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Best regards,
Tammy Dunn
Group Sales Manager
Snohomish County Tourism Bureau
(888) 338-0976, extension 16
tammy@snohomish.org
www.snohomish.org
September 7, 2008
Jim,
Would you please add my e-mail and phone to the website.
Jerry Mundt,
mundtly@hotmail.com 319-509-1973. I was on
71-72 and the decommissioning. crew. I commend you and all that put this fabulous
site together, what a great deal. I am hoping to get to the reunion, but can't
say for sure yet. Talked to Jerry a few days ago and he gave me the web address,
but if it wasn't for Richard Wray calling me, I wouldn't have known at all.
Chiefs Johnson and Manini were both on board when I caught the Current and it
was sad to learn that they had passed away. Thanks again for all you have done,
and hope to see you guys in October.
Sincerely,
Jerry Mundt
mundtly@hotmail.com
September 6, 2008
I have been contacted by HT3 Richard Wray and SFFA Mundt from the
1972 USS Current decommissioning crew. I think they will be coming to the reunion. Looks
like now that they have seen the crew list we will be making contact with more
CURRENT sailors in the future. And the beat goes on, and the beat goes
on...............Jerry
brickletter@ccrtc.com
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From: brickletter@aol.com
To: amkenodude@yahoo.com
Sent: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 10:18 pm
Subject: Re: USS Current reunion
Rich,
Mundt finally called
me. Said he was going to get in touch with you
again. Glad you are finally getting in touch with
some of the decommissioning crew. I knew it could be
done if we were able to contact the right people.
You and Mundt were the missing link. By the way, is
Feyerabend coming? I called the motel yesterday and
there are 26 people registered and I talked to one
of my old crew in MS, he is coming too. That now
makes 27. I'm sure we will have over 30 this year.
If you need anymore information or Ican help in
anyway, don't hesitate to call me or e-mail me.
Jerry Spickler EN3 1960-1963
From: Richard Wray
amkenodude@yahoo.com
To:
brickletter@aol.com
Sent: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 9:49 pm
Subject: USS Current Reunion
Jerry,
Rich
Wray HT3 from the decommissioning
crew of '72. I have been in touch with
several of my former shipmates and there
may be some that will come.
Rich
From:
brickletter@aol.com
To:
amkenodude@yahoo.com
Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2008
9:07:29 PM
Subject: USS Current Reunion
Jerry Spickler
here.....EN3 USS CURRENT 1960-63.
Spoke to you earlier on the phone.
Sorry I don't remember what you said
your name was.
Hope you found the CURRENT website
ok. As I said on the phone, we have
about 25 people coming to the
reunion as of yesterday and I expect
to have at least 30 or more. They
come from all walks of life as they
did before the Navy. We will have
people there from as far back at
least from 1946.
You can make your reservations at
the Comfort Suites Hotel in
Brownsburg, Indiana (a suburb of
Indianapolis) at 317-852-2000. If
you call, make sure to tell them its
for the USS CURRENT REUNION to get
the negotiated rate.
Also, if you are able to come, bring
your pictures and memorabilia to
display. We will have a conference
room for us and to display our
stuff.
Hope you will be able to contact
more people from your time on board
and are able to interest them in
coming too. The more people we have
the more fun and good memories (and
bad) we will have.
Looking forward to talking to you in
the future and hoping to meet you at
the reunion.
Jerry Spickler EN3 USS CURRENT
1960-1963.
brickletter@aol.com
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August 21, 2008
Family and Friends:
Some of you may have heard and those of you that
haven't, we found out on Wednesday that Elmer has cancer.
They found a mass near the stomach opening. We are
going to the Cancer Center in Columbia, Missouri on Monday.
We would appreciate you holding the joke. You can
send a few, I am sure I will need a chuckle, but don't overload the
computer.
We would appreciate your support and many prayers.
August 16, 2008
Good morning to all,
Well, it is finally functional enough to
be up and running. As I promised many of
you at the Navy Divers Association Reunion
we held in Laughlin, NV, this past May 2008,
I took an intensive summer college class in
Web Site building at Mesa J.C. in San
Diego. Through the assistance of a great
professor, who spent many hours with me on
the phone, we got it built. At least it is
up and running and functional.
I also would like to
thank Ray Straining (MDV) Ret, for his
contribution of all he gathered and posted
over his many years of running the Master
Diver website. Many of you will recognize
much of what is on the website as that which
Ray put together and maintained for many
years. This website is just carrying on
Ray’s tradition and hopefully will be
maintained as well as the original MDV
website.
Here’s “your” website.
Now, mind you, much of this website is still
under construction and “CONSTRUCTIVE”
criticism is appreciated and welcome. I
will be working on this daily to bring it to
a informative and enjoyable website.
This website, as I
state on the Main Page, is for YOUR
enjoyment and for COMMUNICATION among our
community. I am still working on getting
the Bulletin Board up as well as gathering
additional websites I can add to the “Links”
page.
This is the reason I
have not yet put out the newsletter capping
off the May reunion. But, I will get
something up and to you all on the “Divers
Assoc” page. I also plan on adding a
“Salvage Divers Reunited” page. So, please
all bear with me and it will grow.
It is not pizzazz, but
I did not intend it to be. It is designed
to be easily navigable and easily read.
Incidentally, I am
enrolled in a multi-media class this fall
with the same professor to learn more about
maintaining this website.
Frankie “D” -- I hope
you like it.
www.navydivers.net
Enjoy……………….
David Ball
davidball@cox.net
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August 16, 2008
If you are
planning on coming to the USS CURRENT REUNION and are planning on seeing some of
Indianapolis while you are here, some things for you to consider are (all
are downtown Indianapolis) :
1. USS INDIANAPOLIS CA-35 MEMORIAL
2. CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF
HONOR MEMORIAL
3. WAR MEMORIAL PLAZA
4. SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT
5. AMERICAN LEGION PLAZA
6. AMERICAN LEGION NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
ALSO, DOWNTOWN
INDIANAPOLIS AND ACCESSIBLE FROM THE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN CANAL ARE THE INDIANAPOLIS ZOO, WHITE
RIVER PARK AND GARDENS, NCAA HALL OF CHAMPIONS, INDIANA STATE MUSEUM, AND THE
EITLJORG INDIAN AND WESTERN MUSEUM.
WHILE DOWNTOWN YOU MIGHT WANT TO SEE
THE NEW LUCAS OIL STADIUM (NEW HOME OF THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS). IN ADDITION, THE INDIANAPOLIS 500 TRACK AND MUSEUM IS ONLY A 10 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE COMFORT
SUITES HOTEL.
THERE IS MUCH MORE TO SEE IN INDIANAPOLIS IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, BUT I TRIED TO
KEEP THINGS COMPACTED TIME WISE FOR YOU.
IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION GIVE ME A
CALL AT 317-996-2759 OR BRICKLETTER@CCRTC.COM
OR
BRICKLETTER@AOL.COM
LOOKING
FORWARD TO THE REUNION AND SEEING ALL OF YOU.
THANKS,
JERRY
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August 13, 2008
Hi Jim,
My name is Briana
Huffer and I’m a representative for
The
Mesothelioma
Cancer Center. I came across your site
when searching for navy resources and think
it is a great site. As you may know,
countless navy veterans are currently
suffering from life-threatening illnesses
resulting from exposure to asbestos on
ships. This material was used because of its
fire resistant properties, but is now
recognized as a very dangerous substance. I
was hoping that because so many veterans
visit your site, you might be willing to
post a link to our website to help support
and promote our awareness program.
Our website is considered one of the Web’s
leading resources for veterans and families
affected by asbestos exposure. We are very
proud of our massive navy-specific section
which can be seen at Mesothelioma
and The Navy
as well as our information on
symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options
for those who have been affected. We also
know that asbestos related diseases are not
always recognized by the VA, and so we offer
assistance to veterans -free of cost- who
are applying for benefits. We have a
knowledgeable, 20 year veteran on staff who
will walk them through the claims process to
get them the benefits they deserve.
Because we provide our services at no cost
to veterans and families in need, the
support of websites like yours is what
really drives my organization. So far, the
feedback and participation that we have
received from Veterans’ websites has been
tremendous, so I wanted to contact you to
make sure you don’t miss this information.
Please let me know if you are able to help
by posting our link on your site and
hopefully we can save some lives!
Thanks again,
Briana Huffer
The Mesothelioma Cancer Center
20 N. Orange
Avenue
Orlando, FL
32801
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July 22, 2008
Thanks for the response, I do
remember you also. That was me on the fantail
welding. Also my rate was SFP3 got offered 2nd but
got out. Ha Ha. My phone number is 520-371-3889.
What is the best way to get
to the website? I'm in Iowa at this time for a RV
rally in Amana.
I do have some pictures from
our Vietnam tour. LCMR salvage, the C-141 plane
that went down, the MSTS ship that ran aground in
the sand, bar pictures from Subic Bay, and Pearl
Harbor. So I will look around when I get home. Is
there another reunion coming up?
Good to hear from you.
Glad you found the Current website.
I was on from December 65
to March 68. I think I remember you. I was going
through the 65-66 cruise book, found your name and
found a picture of a guy welding on the fantail. I
think that was you.
I added your name and
email address to the crew roster on the website.
I added your rate as SFP3. Is that correct? If
you would like, I can add your phone number as
well, only with your approval. A lot of guys
wanted that added as well.
I got a phone call from
Richard Hightower a couple of weeks ago. It was
good talking to him after all those years. He
went to the first Current reunion last year in
Indianapolis.
If you have any pictures
or other memorabilia from Current that you would
like to add to the website, let me know.
Thanks for the email.
Hope you enjoy the website.
Best regards,
Jim
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July 21, 2008
Hi Jim,
I was on the Current from 1965-1967. I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and was
lucky to get my assignment on the Current as my last ship. Prior I was first on
the USS Stark County, then the USS Salvage, and the USS Tbcglobalaylor. So I was
lucky to be stationed in Hawaii for my enlistment... Thank you for the web site.
Howard Caires
haoa55@sbcglobal.net
July 5, 2008
Hey Current
shipmates......................
It's now about 3 months
to reunion time. We have 16 rooms reserved. are
you one of them?
If not, please get you
reservations in so we can plan on a good
reunion. Remember, if for some reason you
have to back out, you have until the day of the
reunion to cancel if you must and it won't cost
you anything.
I've seen a sample of the
can coolers.
Excellent!!!!!!
You may
want to get your order in. Just send your money,
$3.00 ea. to Rick Shugert, 739 W. Banta Road,
Indianapolis, Indiana. 46217.
Hope
to see you there.
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Jerry
brickletter@aol.com
July 5, 2008
Current Crew,
My wife and I met Rick and Ladonna Shugert for dinner
last night. Very
enjoyable evening. It's nice to break bread with new friends and Current
crew members, even if you didn't serve together at the same time. There
is still a bond there.
Rick brought a sample of the can coolers with him. The pictures that I
had
seen of them sure didn't do them justice. They are really sharp, so if you
didn't
order one yet, you'll be missing out if you don't get one.
Again, to order them it's $3.00 each. Send your check to Rick Shugert, 739
West
Banta Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46217. You won't be sorry.
Checked last week and found the number of reservations for the USS Current October
reunion is now at 14 and counting. Still plenty of
time left to reserve your rooms.
It would help us out greatly if we knew as soon as possible how many are
coming to the reunion so we can plan accordingly.
The reunion information again if you haven't gotten it for some reason is
Comfort Suites Hotel, Brownsburg, Indiana (a suburb if Indianapolis)
October 10-12, 2008. Phone 317-852-2000. Make sure to tell them its for
the
USS Current Reunion.
By the way, we are still negotiating for a cheaper rate if we can get it.
Sure hope to see you there.
Jerry Spickler
brickletter@aol.com
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June 30, 2008
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Thanks so much for
the reply! Yes, my sister, Kathlene had
mentioned the site a while back. I have
already forwarded her and my other sisters
your sites. I had already located the
photos of dad. It was so nice to see his
face. I'm not even sure what his time on
there was. I appreciate the names. I will
look those up.
I saw that the
reunion was in Indiana in Oct. I now reside
in Illinois, but don't think I'd be able to
make it. I would LOVE a patch if you get
those made, and hope to learn more about
dad's time on there.
Thanks again,
--------------
Original message --------------
From: "usscurrent@juno.com" <usscurrent@juno.com>
Hello Renea,
I manage the USS
Current website. A few years ago I received
an email from one of your sisters. She found
the website and was looking for pictures of
your dad as well. There were no pictures of
him at the time, but after a time I
received four with him in the pics. I lost
her email and was unable to re-establish
contact to tell her about the pictures.
I added his name
to the crew list with your email as a
contact if anyone wanted to contact you. I
also added him to the memorial page.
I still have my
personal Current ship's patch and have other
requests for the patch. I'm trying to
contact the company that makes and sells
ship's patches. The 2nd USS Current Reunion
is scheduled for October. I am trying to
have the company info for the patches
available before the reunion.
I left the ship
shortly before your father came aboard so I
never knew him. I'm giving you names of guys
on the crew roster that I believe knew your
dad. You can look them up on the Current
website and get their email addresses there
if you want to contact them.
William Thomas,
Bob Arnold, Bob Foss, Ken Seaman, Robert
Keller, and Captain George Giganti.
Jim Vasko
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June 30, 2008
Aloha~
In Googling my
father's name, Larry Manini, I came
across your forum and found it to be of
great joy! Seeing photos of my dad that
I have never seen before was beyond
words. THANKS for posting those. I only
wish I had a way to get a hold of those
and any others of him floating about out
there. Any chance that you know how I
could be so blessed?
Sadly, My
father passed away Feb 2, 1994 in
Hawaii. I know how very proud he was of
his time on the USS Current, and I am
wondering if you know how I might also
get a patch of his ship? I would like to
add it in his honor, to the vest that I
am putting together for my husband
Randy, (a Navy veteran as well) and
rides with the Patriot Guard Riders.
If there are
any sites and links that you can share
with me, where I may discover more on my
father, I would appreciate them. I hope
that all who read this that knew my
father Larry Manini, as well of those of
you that never had the chance, well, I
hope that you are all happy and healthy.
Take Care,
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May 9, 2008
Original
Message -----
From: Soy Candles By Chris
To: Jerry Spickler
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 11:34 AM
Subject: Hi
Hi Jerry,
What was the nickname you had for my Dad? You sent in the letter with the
pictures. I have been carrying that letter for weeks waiting for Dad to be awake
so I could tell him and show him the pictures. Well, Dad has been doing a little
better the last couple days but now I can not find your note...I am so sorry. I
can not imagine where I put it.
Anyway...I thought it might get a smile out of him so if you could send it to me
again I would appreciate it.
Ron Broedling had sent a very nice note. Dad really enjoyed it when I read it to
him.
He loved looking through the pictures and having names helped jog a lot of good
memories....I could tell by the silly smile on his face!
I can not thank you guys enough for taking the time to make him smile.
Have a great
day---Chris
April 30, 2008
HI JIM,
I AM TRYING TO FIND SOME PHOTOS SHOWING THE CURRENT AT THE STICKLEBACK
COLLISION. IT WOULD BE KIND OF HARD FOR SOMEONE ON THE CURRENT TO DO THIS BUT
SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE PICKED ONE UP FROM SOMEONE ON ANOTHER SHIP.
PLEASE PUT THIS ON THE SITE.
THANKS,
RON "SAM"
BROEDLING BT3 AWOL
madap12@aol.com
April 28, 2008
Howdy . . .
I would like to discuss the SS Lindenwood Victory Rescue which USS Wainwright
participated in with the USS Current in early October 1968. I would like to swap
histories with someone who was aboard at that time.
JC Carlson
USS Wainwright Historian
tracker@macatawa.org
April 26, 2008
Jim,
I got a call today from a Ron Ryan. He is an ex-marine
and the son of Lt. Donald M. Ryan who served on CURRENT in 1944. He was the
firefighting officer. His bunk mate was Ensign Criblet, the diver who drowned in
1944 and the father of Elaine Brodzinski. You know who I mean. In any case, he
has handwritten logs that his father wrote at that time. He also has some other
stuff that you may be able to use for the web site, however he doesn't have a
computer therefore you can call him at 321-259-9903 or write him at Ron Ryan 652
Casa Grande Drive, Melbourne, Florida, 32940. I talked to him for quite a
while today. Very interesting conversation with a very interesting man. Thought
you would be interested in this info. If you get copies of anything worthy, I
would like to have copies for the reunion.
Take care,
Jerry
April 17, 2008
An e-mail from the daughter of EN2 Walter Beckman
----- Original Message -----
From: Soy Candles By Chris
To: Jerry Spickler
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 8:20 PM
Hi Jerry,
Thank you for returning the pictures with the new info on them.
Dad is in the hospital. Went in on Monday and is not doing very well. He has
numerous things wrong that they are trying, one at a time, to correct. He is
comfortable...that is all I care about.
I have had the pictures with me everyday but he has not been awake for me to
show them to him. I will keep them with me for when he wakes up.
I will keep you updated.
Thanks again---Chris
March 28, 2008
Hi Jim,
I stumbled across your website and I thought I would send you my info.
1966 to 1968, I was a deck ape and spent most of my time in the paint locker.
You have a
great website and thank you for all your work. Would you be kind enough to send
me info on the reunion?
Thanks,
Lee Davis
leedvs@verizon.net
March 28, 2008
It would be a great help to us if everyone who is
planning on attending the CURRENT reunion to go ahead and make your reservations
so we have some idea of what we need to do in order to make this a successful
reunion. If you put it on your credit card they won't charge it until after the
last day of the reunion and you have 24 hours prior to that time to cancel. Make
your reservations by calling Comfort Suites at 317-852-2000. Remember to tell
them it's for the USS CURRENT reunion so you can get our discounted price.
Thank you,
Jerry
brickletter@ccrtc.com
March 27, 2008
Clarification.......................
Seems as if my e-mail to all CURRENT crew members wasn't clear! MY BAD!!!!!!. I
need to clarify! Drink holders, ie. cuzzies, can coolers, etc. will be available
at the reunion on Oct.10-12, 2008. The drink holders will have both ship's
crests, one on each side. The price is $3.00 each. Please send your orders
to Rick Shugert prior to Aug 1st. Rick's address is Rick Shugert 739 W. Banta
Rd. Indianapolis, Indiana, 46217. Any questions should be sent to
shug46@comcast.net or to me
brickletter@ccrtc.com.
Thanks,
Jerry
March 25, 2008
I just got a call from John W. (Bill) Mugg
SN (DV), crew member from 1947. He saw our ad in this month's issue of the
American Legion Magazine. Another CURRENT member. Really nice surprise.
Jerry Spickler
brickletter@ccrtc.com
March 22, 2008
I need some
help. Hoping this might be the place to find it. I am looking for some of our
buddies but I am running out of options. Somebody help me find these guys. Frank
L. Lewis DC2, Stanley (Smokey) Weger EM3, Lee Wayne (Rocket) Hall FN,
James Dillard EN3, James Arthur Wilson EN3, Donald L. Muir EM3, Joe A. Brown
SF2/DV, William (DOC) Mclaughlin HM1,Glen Roy Robinson BM3, William Gray White
BMSN, Lafe Wilson ETR2, William Roy Reese SN, or anyone else that served on the
CURRENT.
Jerry
brickletter@ccrtc.com
March 21, 2008
Jerry,
Glad you
called. Can you post this on the forum? Thank you.
On March 14 &
15th, the wife and I just spent a great weekend with a great bunch of guys at
Turkey Run, Indiana (a fitting place for a flock of old Current sailors) along
with our wives (4 wonderful ladies). We had a good time as always. We told a few
sea stories and a few lies. There was Jerry Spickler, Tom Jarboe , George
Hartnagel and myself, Francyllen "Smitty" Smith.
Thank you men
and ladies for the good time and the good friendship.
Brenda &
Smitty leejrusn@yahoo.com
P.S.
Thank you Spick for helping a dumb ass out.
Smitty
March
18, 2008
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Hi Jim-
My name is
Jim Steffens, I am Jack's younger brother. I
had my sister send your message to me and
thought I would thank you for the site on
the Current. It was interesting to read
about the ship you two were on.
I am 8 years
younger than Jack so we really didn't know
each other well as kids. It wasn't until
after we both were out of the service that
we became close. I was in the Army during
Viet Nam although I never made it there,
thank God. I was stationed in Korea for 13th
months and then left in June of 1970.
Jack will be
missed by us that is for sure. It is good to
see he had close friends like you. It is
funny to me to call him Jack. We only knew
him as John. Don't really know the reason
you guys knew him as Jack. He never spoke of
the nickname either.
Take care
and my God bless you.
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March 11, 2008
Guys ......This is Walter Beckman EN2 who served on
the CURRENT with me during the early 60's. As you can see he has ALS. He has
seen our website and I occasionally correspond with his daughter Chris. Lets
see that can do CURRENT spirit and do what little we can to help the cause.
Jerry Spickler
brickletter@ccrtc.com
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 7:18 PM
Subject: Hi From Walter Beckman
I DO have something you might be able
to help us with....
Our family just signed up to join the
ALS Walk in Mankato, MN.
I have attached a link to our team
page. I just got done adding a picture of Dad and and his wife Marge. If you
click my name on the team roster there is a picture of Dad with his sisters.
If you click on my brother Steve's name there is a picture of all of us. I
am the one peeking around from behind, in the red sweater.
Tim's page has a picture of himself
and his girlfriend with Dad. We would love all the help we can get to raise
some money for ALS but PLEASE do not feel obligated to donate. We know very
well that times are tough. Maybe you can pass the info on. Every little bit
helps.
Thanks Jerry! ----Chris Hill
Thank you so much. That is wonderful.
The ALS association has just
fitted Dad with a communication machine that operates with his eyes. He will
receive it within the next 2 week. This machine will say words or phrases
for him when he looks at the words or phrases that he wants to say. He will
be able to play solitare and a couple other games. He will also be able to
run the TV remote through this communicator. It is amazing.
That is why the walk is so important
to us. The are a great association and they have provided Dad with a voice
again.
Thank you so much for your
help!---Chris
March 10, 2008
My Oh My.
This site is a God send. Thank you very much.
My name is Mike Rieker and I served as a deck ape on Current from April '66 to
November '67.
Looking over this site brings back so many memories at a time when memories are
constantly hard to come by without something to jog them.
While on the Current I spent most of my time at the helm during Special Sea
Detail. As helmsman I spent time on the bridge with Terry Gilmore, who tried in
vain to teach me semaphore, and Willy who I was sorry to see had passed. I also
spent time on deck and liberty with Jack Steffens. Everybody went over with Jack
at one time or another.
On deck during recovery operations, I operated the port capstan along with a tall
lanky Texan named Bentsen on the starboard capstan. I also worked in the diving
locker for a few months. I think I inlaid a hard hat in the tile floor.
Some memorable times were liberty in the Philippines, and the salvage ops. Hard
work but I remember it now like it was yesterday. Especially the time a wire
snapped and missed Dezutter by a few feet as it tore across the deck. I forget
what operation, perhaps the Minot Victory.
Looking over the roster I see names I had not thought of in many years.
Of course I remember Captains Giganti and Fuld as well as Bos'n Racette who
tried so hard to talk me out of requesting a transfer to Viet Nam, not to
mention Chiefs Dezutter and Dooley who were probably glad to see me go. LOL.
I'd love to hear from anyone who may remember me or anyone who doesn't. LOL
I have the phone numbers and I will definitely be making some calls and I'll
plan on the '08 Reunion.
I have lived in Florida for the last 11 years and I've had both knees replaced,
2 by-passes, 3 stints, a heart attack and recently a shoulder repaired after a
motorcycle accident but if my heart is still pumpin' and lungs are still
breathin', by God I'll be there.
Thanks again for the site and if anyone is in FL, let me know.
Mike Rieker miker1615@aol.com
Dunedin, FL
727-733-6559
My name is
Robert Dier EM3 (DV), I served on Current from 1962 to 1964.
Robert Dier
cadier1@verizon.net
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March 10, 2008
Mr. Spickler,
Your reunion information was forwarded to be and will be
published in our May issue. In the future you may send
the information by replying to this e-mail message if
that helps.
We now offer reunion publicity through our Web site as
well. Your listing will appear from now until the last
day of your reunion. Feel free to view your listing
immediately online and use the available form for your
next reunion announcement. See link below:
http://www.legion.org/veterans/reunions
Thank you
Brandy Ballenger |
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THE AMERICAN LEGION
MAGAZINE
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March 10, 2008
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WOW!!!
Great site. Please add me to the roster.
I was BMSN on board the Current from
April of 1966 to Nov. 1967.
Michael C Rieker Age 61
Currently living in Clearwater, FL
Transferred off in 1967 to go to Viet
Nam.
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This E-mail
was received from Jack Steffens' sister. Photos added to the
Memorial Page.
Orion Review Tribute
February 13, 2008
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First, thanks so
much for the interesting e-mail. We enjoyed
learning more about John and, after reading the
information on the USS Current's activities, it
gives us more insight into an earlier part of
"Jack's" life. I know he loved the life in the
service and really, really enjoyed partying. I was
the product of many a late night phone call, telling
me what a good time he was having.
John had Non-Hodgskin
Lymphoma. He was diagnosed at stage 3-4 and even
though he took aggressive chemo/radiation, there
really was not much hope. He also had become
diabetic in the last few years. Only time will tell
if the Navy feels any of this is connected to Agent
Orange and whether Carol (his wife) has any claims.
I have attached two
pictures and an article. One picture is from the 02
deck on the USS Pocono under Admiral McCain. The
second is John with his Ham radio, his latest
hobby. The article is from our local newspaper,
Lake Orion Review. John had been with the Lake
Orion police department for 35 years so the paper
did a tribute.
Shortly before John
died he had received a call from Richard Hightower.
I see that he only has listed a phone number. I
hope he regularly reads your updates so he will
learn of John's death and understands why he is not
receiving phone calls.
Again, thanks for
all the work you do on the USS Current site. It is
very informative and helps families stay connected.
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February 10,
2008
Ahoy Current
shipmates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tom, Rick and
I are working on some goodies for our upcoming reunion. However, we need some
input from those that plan to attend. We are working on ordering either caps,
t-shirts or mugs with the appropriate engravings on them, but we kinda need to
know what you want.
Since we are
not independently wealthy, we need you to know somewhere along the line we will
need a way to pay for said merchandise. Please contact us with any input you
have and let us have your opinion, one way or the other. We are at your
disposal.
Thanks,
Jerry
brickletter@ccrtc.com
January
28, 2008
Regarding the USS Current ship's bell, from
what I know and that is very little, the art
department at Highlands High School in San
Antonio purchased the USS Current bell from
a salvage yard and incorporated it into an
art project called "AMISH" sometime in the
1970's.
Jess
A. Martinez
jess.martinez@dshs.state.tx.us
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January 27, 2008
I just came across this website, today. I served
aboard the Current from about 6/57
to 6/58. I was an RD 3. I'd like be part of your activities and correspondence.
Hoping to hear from some of you.
Bob Schoenburg
bobtustin4569@yahoo.com
January 24, 2008
The USS CURRENT REUNION is set for 2008 at Brownsburg,
Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis. The date is October 10-12, 2008.
Reservations can be made at the Comfort Suites Hotel by calling 317-852-2000.
Make sure you tell them it is for the USS CURRENT reunion to get our discount.
Looking forward to seeing you there. Questions can be answered at
brickletter@ccrtc.com or 317-908-6886
Jerry
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January 24, 2008
Jim,
Really cool note!
Hope you can make the reunion too, Jim.
Jerry and I have everything pretty well in
place for October 10th.
These reunions and your web page really are
uplifting to us old sailors.
Take care,
Rick Shugert
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January 24, 2008
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Thanks to those who put together the
photo displays. It is so nice to see that
my Dad, Ens. Philip S. Criblet, was honored
along with several others. He died aboard
the Canberra in October, 1944. Hopefully
I'll be able to attend the 2008 Reunion.
What a great looking bunch of guys !!!
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January 23, 2008
Highlands High School
in San Antonio, Texas presently has
possession of the USS Current's ship's bell.
Jesse A. Martinez
jess.martinez@dshs.state.tx.us
January 23,
2008
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IF
ANYONE HAS PICS OF THE BOILER AREA, I WOULD
APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD MAIL OR EMAIL THEM
TO ME .
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January 9, 2008
I Just received an e-mail from Sharon Lang, sister of
BM2 ( DV ) Jack Steffens. Jack passed away December 24, 2007 from a year long
battle with cancer. Jack served on Current from 1964 - 1969.
Jim Vasko
jimvasko@juno.com
December 28, 2007
Happy New Year to all of the Current
family.
JERRY
brickletter@ccrtc.com
December 20, 2007
Reflecting back the last year and thinking of
all the USS CURRENT family that has reared its beautiful head from the
correspondence to the actual face to face meetings and the 1st CURRENT reunion,
gives me pause and a warm feeling inside. I know things will only grow for us.
Wishing a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to all from the SPICKLER family.
Jerry
brickletter@ccrtc.com
December 16, 2007
I would like to hear from you if you
were on USS Current when it was commissioned.
Ralph Greenough
gigigreenough@yahoo.com
DECEMBER 15, 2007
THIS WILL TOUCH YOUR HEART.
ESPECIALLY IF YOU LOVE OUR VETS.
MERRY CHRISTMAS,
RON BROEDLING
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A Different Christmas Poem
The
embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed
round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife
was asleep, her head on my chest,
My
daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside
the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The
sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My
eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure
and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In
perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I
slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The so
und wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,! < /B>
But I
opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps
just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure
sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul
gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I
crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing
out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone
figure stood, his face weary and tight. d
A
soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps
a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in
the dark, he looked up and smiled,< B R>Standing watch over me, and my
wife and my child.
"What
are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in
this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down
your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You
should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For
barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away
from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the
window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he
sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out
here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my
duty to stand at the front of the line,
That
separates you from the darkest of times.
No one
had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm
proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My
Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he
sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad
stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now
it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not
seen my own son in more than a while,
But my
wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he
bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red,
white, and blue... an American flag.
I can li
ve through the cold and the being alone,! < /B>
Away
from my family, my house and my home.
I can
stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can
sleep in a foxhole with little to e at.
I can
carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay
down my life with my sister and brother..
Who
stand at the front against any and all,
To
ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go
back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your
family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But
isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give
you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems
all too little for all that you've done,
For
being away from your wife and your son."
Then his
eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just
tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight
for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand
your own watch, no matter how long.
For when
we come home, either standing or dead,
To know
you remember we fought and we bled.
Is
payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we
mattered to you as you mattered to us."
PLEASE,
Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you
can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S.
service men and women for our being able to celebrate these
festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we
owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who
sacrificed themselves for us.
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction
Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum , Iraq. |
DECEMBER 7, 2007
HEY JIM,
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND AGAIN THANKS FOR THE JOY YOU BRING US WITH THE WEB SITE.
RON "SAM" BROEDLING BT3 USS CURRENT
ARS-22 1957-58
November 25, 2007
It was just learned that another Current sailor has passed away. LTJG Kenneth
Bryant, Current's Engineering Officer 1965 -1968 had passed away in 2004 from
complications of lung cancer. He retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander
after 22 years. He began his career as an enlisted man advancing in rate to BTC. He
received a commission and came
to Current as an LDO Ensign. His wife Joan sent the picture and the obituary.
Photo and obituary added
to the Memorial Page.
Jim Vasko
November 19, 2007
I have just been thumbing through your website and would like to say hello
to all you guys from me, David Johnson, USS Reclaimer ARS-42 1965-69. You
have really done a masterful job at preserving the life and times of your
ship. Well done! Sometimes I wish we (Reclaimer) had a reunion of sorts.
Be nice to put parts of Vietnam behind. Been trying to connect with guys on
my ship only one has written back and I don't remember him (ha-ha) but am
trying. Keep up the reunions and brotherhood, does a body good.
Best wishes!
David Johnson teekeetop@dishmail.net
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November 15, 2007
Hi Jim,
Thanks for your prompt reply. Wow, I don’t
remember my uncle talking about a crew
member who died during the salvage of the
USS Canberra. But honestly, we talked a lot
during our trips to the Fort
Lauderdale/Hollywood beach when I was a
18-22 year old college student. We spent
much time together (especially because I did
not have a car). Jack would drive me to the
beach, then go off to swim for a couple of
miles, back and forth. He never spoke too
much about the war but I did ask him many
questions because it fascinated me. He would
answer, but never elaborate much (except
about how he had it better than his brother
Henry who was with Patton’s army in N Africa
and then was wounded during the invasion of
Sicily although he made it home). From when
I was little, I knew Jack was a diver, and I
saw his medals at their family home. My Aunt
Eileen, Jack’s wife, died about ten years
ago. Their son Jackie served in the Navy in
the late 60s and subsequently passed away in
the 70s. My other cousin, his daughter
Barbara, has not been in contact in many
years. Sad because maybe she has some photos
and the medals…but she was estranged from
her mother so who knows?
I do have to hunt for some family photos
that my mom had of Jack in his navy uniform.
I will look here in Florida this weekend,
but I moved many family photos up north to a
home we have there. I wanted to make sure
that the hurricanes would not get them if
the roof blew off. It seems to me that there
are some of him in my mother’s old albums.
You can sure use anything I write to add to
the forum as a post. I am a government and
history teacher, and I truly enjoyed your
site and learning about my uncle’s ship. I
think my children will be interested as
well, in light of their current military
service. I am copying them on this email –
Tom is at West Point ready to graduate,
Kaitlin is at the Coast Guard Academy and is
in her junior year, and Lily is a plebe at
the Naval Academy. They all love history
too, and unfortunately never met Uncle Jack.
Thanks again!
Kim Duffey
kduffey@bellsouth.net
West Palm Beach,
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November 15, 2007
Hello Kim,
Thanks for the email. I'm glad it
made your day.
I have been contacted by
Elaine Brodzinski, the daughter of Philip Criblet, the
man who died during the salvage of the USS Canberra.
Your uncle dove with Philip Criblet. Elaine too was
looking for people who knew her father to learn more
about him and his time on Current.
Isn't it sad that we couldn't
have brought a lot of the older Current sailors together again
through the internet or to listen to their stories.
There are some of the original Current crew that have
made contact and are listed on the crew roster. You
might try to make contact with them.
I posted your email on Current's
forum page and I added your uncle's name to the crew
roster and added your email address if it's OK with you.
Do you have any pictures or
memorabilia of your uncle during his days on Current or
that can be added to the history or photo page?
Thanks again for the email.
Jim Vasko |
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November 14, 2007
Does anyone remember my Uncle Jack (John J.)
Wohlfit? He passed away in the early 70’s,
but he shared many stories with me before he
died. I googled his name and found your
website. My daughter is a midshipman at
Annapolis, my other daughter a Coastie, and
they would be pleased to know about their
great uncle.
Thank you for your site. I had forgotten my
Uncle’s silver star…and commendation. You
made my day.
Kim Duffey
kduffey@bellsouth.net
West Palm Beach
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November 9, 2007
Thought you might be interested in this
Congressional response
http://www.americanfleettugmuseum.org
Ron "Sam" Broedling
madap12@aol.com
November 8, 2007
Mr. Richard S. Greenwell
225 Montego Ky.
Novato, California 94949
Dear Mr. Greenwell:
Thank you for contacting me about preserving the USS BOLSTER
Auxiliary Rescue Salvage (ARS)-38, to act as the museum base
and flagship for the American Fleet Tug Museum. I appreciate
you taking the time to share your thoughts with me on this matter.
Our nation has an absolute responsibility to commemorate the
sacrifices made by the brave men and women who operated the
fleets of towing, rescue, and salvage vessels for the United States
military during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam
War. It's because of their vigilance and dedication that we can
enjoy the freedom that is cherished by every American. As you
may know, some ex-military vessels, including the USS
BOLSTER, are currently scheduled to be destroyed by 2008. Like
you, I believe it is vitally important that we preserve our nation's
history so that these irreplaceable treasures are intact for future
generations to enjoy. Ex-military vessels like the USS BOLSTER
have made immeasurable contributions of to the security of our
nation, and be assured that I will keep your concerns in mind as I
continue to work to reaffirm and strengthen our commitment to our
armed forces.
Again, it's good to hear from you. The people of Marin and
Sonoma counties are the most important voices I listen to as I serve
in Congress.
Sincerely,
Lynn Woolsey
Member of Congress
October 30, 2007
October 19, 2007
I'm the
daughter of EN3 Leslie D.
Smith writing to tell you that he
passed away on June 10, 2007 with COPD
illness. He served on the Current
from 1951 to 1955. I believe he was
in the boiler room. If anyone has
stories to tell about him, I'd like
someone to write me to tell the good
stories.
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October 18, 2007
Hey John,
Heard I missed a great
reunion! What an honor it must have been to meet the
crew. Hopefully I can make the next one.
Rick Shugert sent me the
group pic. I emailed Rick & Jerry Spickler
yesterday and asked if they can give me the names so
I can add them to the group photo. Rick is sending
me a CD with about 20 more pics.
If anyone has any pics from
the reunion, just send them to me and I'll be happy
to add them to the website.
If you have pics to attach to
my email only add a few pics at a time or the Juno
system will reject the email to me.
Best Regards,
Jim Vasko
jimvasko@juno.com
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October 18, 2007
I stand corrected, it was Tuesday morning.
Seems as if it was a fast weekend, but a good one. I should have known one
of you would have nailed me on that. Lost a day somewhere, but it was well
worth it.
Smitty, once again thanks so much for the hat, it
will be saved for next year.
Shep
dr.harley@comcast.net
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October 17, 2007
Jim,
I tried to send out about 20 pictures of
the reunion.
My computer froze up and couldn’t get
them through to you.
I am going to Sam’s Club today and get
some prints and some CD’s made.
I will send you a CD copy by mail once I
get them made.
Hope you can make our next reunion. I
think we will try to have it in
Indianapolis.
We have a ton of war memorials in the
city and plenty of possibilities to
stay.
I will be working with Jerry Spickler
and Tom Jarboe to get it set up.
Hope we can double or triple the
attendance.
Any way you can get the message out to
more crew would be appreciated.
Keep up the great work on the web page
everyone loves it.
God’s blessings,
Rick
shug46@comcast.net
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October 17, 2007
Having returned from the USS Current reunion
in one piece, I needed to first say a big thank you to Jim Vasko for putting
the Current web site on the net. I'm sure that without his efforts in doing
so as well as his efforts in keeping it up to date, that there would have
never been a reunion. Thanks Jim. Also a big thank you goes to Jerry
Spickler for all of the time and effort he put into the project (locating
people, securing a location, hours on the computer, etc).
Having said that, what makes a reunion a success or a failure? Sure it's the
above mentioned items, but what really makes a reunion is the people who
attend the event. And for those of you who for whatever reason could not
make the reunion I want to let you know you missed a wonderful thing. This
might sound a little sappy but as I walked around the hotel visiting with
old friends as well as new ones who served either before or after me on the
Current, I had the feeling of sharing a wonderful moment in time with
family. Smitty put it in this way, he stated "that serving duty on a larger
ship might have been considered in some ways "gravy duty" that there was not
a closeness of friends as you passed thru different departments". But as we
all know, when you walked thru the passageways of the Current you were
always around family and that was once again felt as I visited with those in
attendance at the reunion.
To my new friends who served on the Current in the forties as well as there
wives, it was an extreme pleasure as well as an honor to meet you. Speaking
of the wives, it was so great to see so many of you there to share the
experience, all of us enjoyed your company. And Billie, that includes you as
well.
To my friends Ron, Richard and Bob, sorry I returned to the steak house
later for more tea and didn't return until 6:15 a.m. Thought this might
explain my being rather tired Monday Morning. The devil made me do it. The
tea was great by the way. Going back for more in three weeks.
Well, I could go on forever because this reunion was just what the doctor
would have ordered for me, it was a great time in more ways than I could
ever explain. I wish to thank each and everyone one of you for being my
friend as well as my family.
Looking forward to seeing you (and others) next year.
Shep (Doc)
dr.harley@comcast.net
October 14, 2007
Just got home from the 1st USS CURRENT reunion.
What a weekend!!!!!!!! CURRENT sailors from 1946 to 1970, all with different
sea stories, from movies and stories from bikini atoll A-bomb tests all the
way thru. If you missed it, that's your bad luck. We had a blast (not
atomic). We renewed old acquaintances and made new friends and it was as if
we all served together at the same time. I'm tired, but elated. I'm sure you
will hear much more on this and I will send more details later. By the way,
we going to do it again next year, just bigger and better! Now I know why
GOD let man build the CURRENT. It was as if we were always a family,
destined to do and be where we were, where we did it and when we did
it. Do all ships have this camaraderie? I think not!!!!!!!!!!!
Jerry
brickletter@ccrtc.com
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October 6, 2007
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The Captain of the USS Current
From 2-16-46 to 2-9-48 was:
Lt. Howard F. (Foster)
Gindling ( not Gilding
)
Retired as Commander, now serving with God.
Also I find it interesting that no
mention of his
Command is sited in the history
during the times
of Operation Crossroads or the
complications of
putting in to port afterwards.
Respectively submitted by,
His adopted son at birth in 1949:
K. A. Gindling Former USMC.
PS, Thank you for this site.
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October 5, 2007
Only a week away till the
reunion!!!!!! See you next week!!!!!!!!!
Jerry
October 1, 2007
Hello John,
I also have been contacted by a lawyer asking about asbestos on Current in
the death of Chief Allen Hill who was on Current (64-66). He died of
Mesothelioma.
In researching Current's history, I began to question the long term effects
of residual atomic radiation contamination on Current from the involvement
in Operation Crossroads ( the Bikini Tests) , asbestos and Agent Orange in
Vietnam.
I know of four guys on Current ( 65-68 ) that have died. Three from cancer
and one from Type 2 Diabetes and one now that has Prostate cancer.
It is assumed by the government that all Navy personnel in Vietnam waters
were exposed to Agent Orange. Most of the time Current was in Vietnam the
ship was very close to land doing salvage jobs. Agent Orange was carried by
winds and washed into coastal waters. Current's evaporators ran 24 hours a
day sucking sea water. We drank a lot of coffee!
As for asbestos, anytime boiler / evaporator work was done to ships in the
shipyards, asbestos was moved or removed. Asbestos fibers had to be in the
air, whether from Current or any other ships nearby. We spent a LOT of time
in the shipyards!
After the Atomic tests, Current went back into Bikini Lagoon was
radioactively contaminated. Current sailors boarded the target ships after
the tests to inspect and "wash down". You know when they returned to Current
they had to walk into the mess deck and berthing spaces with their
contaminated shoes. I wonder if Current was REALLY decontaminated afterward.
I am in good health right now. I was encouraged to sign up with the VA
Health organization. Get a complete physical exam and be evaluated for Agent
Orange exposure by the Agent Orange Registry.
There is a lot of info on the internet about Agent Orange. I Just found info
on Operation Crossroads ships radioactive contamination. Here is that web
address.
http://www.dtra.mil/documents/rd/DNATR8205V1.pdf
I'm glad you addressed this topic. Good discussion at the reunion.
Regards,
Jim
jimvasko@juno.com
September 30, 2007
Does anyone know if we were around asbestos below
decks on the Current? Seems like a lot of cancer deaths
listed here. I was contacted once or twice by a lawyer of a sailor wondering
if I worked around asbestos while in
the Navy. Just thought I would raise the question before the reunion as a
subject to talk about. See you there,
John W. Bauer Sr. EN2, USS Current and USS
Ajax AR-6
m1man@charter.net
September 26, 2007
Have to inform you that another CURRENT sailor has
passed. Ronnie L. Wright, electrician in 61-62, passed away from
lung cancer in November 2006.
Jerry
September 22, 2007
Hi Jerry -
I've managed to juggle things so that I can make at least a cameo
appearance, arriving late Friday afternoon and leaving Sunday evening.
I'll bring some USS Current 'artifacts.' Looking forward to meeting you
and Jim Vasko and many other Current vets.
Cheers, Mark
USS Current 1960-63
LCDR-Ret
Supply, Operations, Communications officer
**********************************************************************
Mark L. Holmes
University of Washington
Research Professor
College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences
Rm 102E Ocean Teaching Bldg
School of Oceanography
(206) 543-7313 Fone
Box 357940
(206) 543-6073 Phax
Seattle, WA 98195-7940
"Time wounds all heels"
Hawkeye Pierce - 1952
**********************************************************************
September 13, 2007
I just
found out that former Current sailor, EM2 Walter Beckman has ALS ( Lou Gehrig's
Disease ) and is on a ventilator. He lives in Minnesota.
Jerry
September 13, 2007
FYI, it was
just learned that another CURRENT sailor passed away. Anthony J. Ostowski
passed away in 1985 from lung cancer.
Jerry
September 12, 2007
|
Menu for Current Reunion
Saturday October 13th, 2007
All
entrees include house salad or cup of soup de jour and choice of potato or
vegetable.
Prime Rib Grilled
Sea Scallops
A slow roasted house
favorite
Laid over fried spinach, topped with a
feta cheese
served au
jus
and basil cream sauce
8oz. $12.99 12oz. $15.99 $12.99
Sinful Pasta
Santa Fe
Chicken
Angel hair pasta smothered
with Grilled chipotle chicken served on a bed
of
Alfredo sauce, tossed with
sun-dried
warm spinach dip topped with Roma
tomatoes
tomatoes, portobella mushrooms,
fresh and cilantro-corn relish & smothered
with jack and
crab and
shrimp
cheddar cheeses
$12.99
$11.99
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Jerry
September 7, 2007
This
is a list of the Current crew that is coming to the reunion. Notice the
absence of deck apes.
Bob Arnold MR1/DV 68-71
Larry Baker EN2 65-66
John Bauer EN3 60-62
Bill Beach MOMM3 1946
Ed Bock LTJG 69-70
Ron (Sam) Broedling BT3 57-58
Herb Calhoun EM3 57-58
Jack Courtney BT3 60-62
Richard Diekman LCDR 54-56
Larry Goodman EN3 69-70
Bob Guevremont EN3 62-63
George Hartnagel EN3 60-63
Steve Hastings MR2 68-71
Pete Irwin ? 1946
Tom Jarboe EN3 62-66
Lawrence Leighty EN3 46-48
Vaughn (Ken) Mann RM3 57-58 Dave (Dummer)
Nowak MR3 62-64
Jim Oberry EN3 66-70
Armando Ramirez EN3 1969
Ray Rankin RM3 57-58
Elmer Schnitter IC2 54-57
Dick Sheehan LTJG 69-70
Rick Shugert EM3 66-70
Jerry Shepard EN3 62-64
Francyllen (Smitty) Smith Jr. EN3 62-64
Jerry Spickler EN3 60-63
Mark Holmes LCDR 60-63
Jerry
September 4, 2007
Tom Jarboe and I went to Fort Wayne yesterday to check out the Comfort
Suites Motel. Nothing fancy, but they do have free internet service so we
will be doing as much as possible for everyone. By the way, as of this date
no other people have reservations for that weekend. Hopefully it will stay
that way and we will have the whole motel to ourselves. Wouldn't that be
nice, just CURRENT sailors!
Jerry
brickletter@ccrtc.com
August 31, 2007
The count for the USS CURRENT REUNION is now 27.
Jerry
August 21,
2007
Hey Mates,
Check this Out
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla..)
today praised the
passage by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to
allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag. Current
law (US Code Title 4, Chapter 1) states that veterans and servicemen not
in uniform should place their hand over their heart without clarifying
whether they can or should salute the flag.
"The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one's
military service," Senator Inhofe said. "Veterans and service members
continue representing the military services even when not in uniform.
"Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans
and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My
legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and
servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not.
"I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at
baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an
appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the
United States who have served in the military and remain as role models
to others citizens. Those who are currently serving or have served in
the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an
inspiration to others."
This Bill was passed July 25, 2007. Let your veteran friends know
about the Passage of this Bill.
Ron 'Sam' Broedling BT3 AWOL
madap12@aol.com
|
August 18, 2007
The USS Current reunion
muster now stands at 23.
Jerry |
|
August 16, 2007
On
a sad note, it was recently learned that DC1 (DV) Jerome 'J J' Fox
passed away in 1992. He was a Current crewmember 1963 - 1968. His wife Judy
lives in Glendale, Arizona.
August 16, 2007
FYI, Just found. Robert Free YN2 1956 - 1958
bobbyfree@aol.com
August 16, 2007
Just to give you guys an update. It looks like at least 20 former CURRENT
sailors are planning to attend our 1st reunion as of now. If you're not one
of them you'll have to walk the plank. Or, if your a snipe, at least you'll
have to dive the bilges. Just think, we have less than 2 months to go.
So get on the stick!
Jerry Spickler
brickletter@ccrtc.com
August 9, 2007
Comfort Suites
Hotel Photos & Review - Fort Wayne, Indiana
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g37114-d91639-Reviews-Comfort_Suites-Fort_Wayne_In
diana.html
http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll?qscr=dspv&flag=l&itid=&itdx=&itty=&from=f&foop=0&hwrq=&htid=42472&spsh=&spsi=&crti=4&nfla=1&mdpcid=21187-1.ExpediaHotelImagesUS|+Hotel_Review|+freesearch|+US
August 9, 2007
Jerry,
I
don't know yet which Current folks may be going to the NAFTS reunion. The
reason I mentioned it is because some ships have their own mini reunion
during NAFTS, which helps logistics and travel costs. This year's is in
STL, which would make great sense with ours in FWA.
The USS HITCHITI (ATF) is having their own reception and dinner on the first
night of the NAFTS - maybe we should think of that for next year when
NAFTS in in Providence RI.
I see in the NAFTS obits a Current sailor - Robert Dodson BMC (DV). I
didn't know him - any recollection?
Rich Diekman
August 8, 2007
I
talked to Frenchy Guevremont tonite. I'm sending him info on the reunion. He
lives in Sebastian, Florida. Another lost soul found!
Jerry Spickler
brickletter@ccrtc.com
August 8,
2007
Thanks for
the note. Could you please let me know more about the reunion: Which date
and times are the main get-together, etc?
Dick Sheehan
richard.sheehan1@comcast.net
Stillwater MN
AUGUST 7, 2007
JUST A NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW
RON BROEDLING BT3 WILL BE ATTENDING THE REUNION IF THE LORD IS WILLING AND
THE CRICK DON'T RISE. 1957-58
RON "SAM" BROEDLING
madap12@aol.com
August 6,
2007
Hi Jim,
Yep, I am doing fine for a old man :-) I retired from Navistar International
(What's left of International Harvester Corp.)
3 years ago last February. Live out in the boonies 60 miles south west of
Indianapolis. Been on a few fishing trips with Jerry Spickler & George
Hartnagel, Jerry just lives about 25 miles from me. Saw Smitty twice in the
past year!
I talked to Pappe, Evans and Hightower this past week on the phone. They are
all having medical issues, but doing okay otherwise. Been in touch with Ray
Haas for quite some time and Jerry Shepherd too! It's been fun filling
in the past years with these guys. Looking forward to the re-union.
Thank You for the info on Fox. That is a fairly common name and he is gonna
be hard to locate. Funny how you could live with those guys and not know
their real names. I think Rhodes, Guvermont, Smokey and Lewis may have left
the ship in 1964?
Thanks for the Great Web Site!
Tom Jarboe
god@ccrtc.com
|
August 5,
2007
Do any of you know the full name of, or
where the following old crew members are
from? “Dusty” Rhodes, “Smokey” Weger, ?
Lewis, ? Gouvermont (Spelling?), Fox,
They all served on the Current sometime
between 1962 & 1966. We are trying to
get in touch with these guys to let them
know about the re-union in Ft. Wayne.
Thanks for any info you may have.
Tom Jarboe
god@ccrtc.com
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August 3, 2007
Does anyone have any information on Robert Free, Yeoman 2nd
Class...1956-1958. He is from Decatur, Alabama. His wife's name is Frances.
Ray Rankin
krnkn@sssnet.com
August 3, 2007
Just
wanted to let you know that ....Ray Rankin RM3.....1957-58
will be attending the USS Current reunion in October. I have made
reservations
for my wife and I at the motel.
Thanks for the information.
Ray
August 3, 2007
For those of you that are planning on attending the USS Current reunion,
please get your reservations in as early as possible so I have some idea how
many are coming.
I
need to know so I can plan on an evening meal and possibly a cash bar. I
also need to know how much meeting space we will require. I know you will
understand.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Jerry Spickler
brickletter@ccrtc.com
August 1, 2007
Jerry,
My wife and I plan to attend your reunion. My wife's dad was Philip Criblet
who served aboard the Current in 1944 and drowned while working on the
Canberra damage October 20, 1944.
Please send us all the info you have on what the agenda will be. We will
have to fly in a day earlier from Arizona then plan to leave that Sunday.
Frank & Elaine Brodzinski
brodzinski@aol.com
July
26, 2007
Just
got a phone call from Larry Leighty EN3 from Pennsylvania. He was on the
Current from 1946-48. Pretty sure he and two of his shipmates are coming,
Bill Beach MOMM 3 and Pete Irwin. Larry says he has movies of the atomic
tests from 1946. Should be very interesting! What do you think?
Jerry
July 19, 2007
Just had a call from Jerry
Spickler regarding a reunion for the USS Current ARS 22. Please send me
information.
Regards,
Kenneth Byng BT1
ebyng@centurytel.net
July 18, 2007
Thanks, Jerry - any of you folk going to the NAFTS convention the week
before in St Louis? There are usually a couple of Current sailors attending,
and I will be there.
Rich Diekman
July 16, 2007
|
I cannot make this one. My vacation time is
already committed and I cannot change it.
I served on the Current from '66 thru '68 and
left there and went to Viet Nam, and left the
Navy as a B M 3/c, in Feb. '70. Good luck and
good times at the reunion, and I do wish I could
make it.
I am a Police Officer and have only 6 more
years to work before my retirement.
Elmer Clark
July 15, 2007
|
Please send me
any additional
information you may
have. I am very
interested in
attending.
Regards,
Armando "Norman"
Ramirez
'69 Crew Member
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July 15, 2007
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I am getting e-mails
and phone calls from various people. At this time it
looks like at least 10 or more crew members or
family of crew members are going to try to be there.
Hope you got my e-mail about more information and my
other e-mail address at
brickletter@ccrtc.com
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July 15, 2007
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I
will post any new Current reunion information on the
"Forum" of the Current website or you can contact me
at
brickletter@ccrtc.com
Jerry Spickler
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July 14, 2007
Update..................to attend the
Current reunion in Fort Wayne, Indiana, reserve your room by calling
260-436-4300 before 9-21-07 and tell them it's for the USS Current
reunion for the discount rate of $89 per nite. Beats $109.
Thanks,
Jerry
brickletter@ccrtc.com
July 14, 2007
Jerry -I look forward to the reunion, although travel is very tight
for me as I will be at the NAFTS convention in St. Louis through the 7th
and then plan to visit my daughter in Nashville. I will try to work out
the logistics (I'll send a LOGREQ to SERVPAC). Please count me in.
Richard Diekman
214-789-4760 (cell0
July 13, 2007
A reunion of Current sailors will be held
on October 12-14, 2007 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana at the Comfort Suites Hotel at
5775 Coventry Lane. Come one come all. For more information contact Jerry
Spickler at brickletter@ccrtc.com or call at 317-996-2759. Hope to see many
old Current sailors there.
Jerry
brickletter@ccrtc.com
June 4, 2007
I don't have much information,
but my husband, Gary L. Kelley (deceased) was an enlisted crew member of the
USS Current sometime during 1958-1961. My son has his picture with the other
members of the crew. Does anyone remember him?
Linda Kelley
lck55@nacs.net
| April 24, 2007
I'm the son of
Robert Shaw GM1. He served on Current 1951-1953. What a great website! My dad
passed on in 1972 so I didn't know him well but this helps. If
anyone remembers him, please contact me. Thanks again.
(530) 246-3201 |
Neil Shaw
neilshawartist@aol.com
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APRIL 12, 2007
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I CONTINUE TO APPRECIATE THE WEB
SITE. I SURE WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME
PHOTOS OF THE BOILER AREA ON THE CURRENT. ANYTHING YOU COULD COME UP WITH
WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
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April 6, 2007
I regret to inform everyone that Davy Jones
gets another great Current sailor. Vernon ( Weazel ) Walters passed away in
1996. Weazel served with us on Current from 1960 -1963. He retired from the
Navy as an E-8 after serving 25 years.
Jerry Spickler
brickletter@ccrtc.com
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March 30, 2007
Hi Jim,
What a treat to see those old pics- I faithfully maintained
scrapbooks about your many salvage jobs and am glad to share the
wealth!! My dad was real glad to hear from you-he is much better now
after a really quick bout with the flu. He had not had the flu in eight
years and was not ready to do that number again (despite the flu shot).
Thanks for helping to renew his interest in the CURRENT (which was always
his favorite ship over the years).
Aloha from Alaska,
Linda (Giganti) DeVore conesushi@gci.net
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March 19, 2007
Hi Jim,
My son found this site and I
sure have enjoyed looking at it
for the last hour. I will spend
many more going through it all.
Remembering you and all the rest
is great. If you will, please
add me to the crew list
1966-1970, Sam Pitts IC3 (DV). Great site, thank you and
god bless you and yours.
Sam
samdv@yahoo.com
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March 14, 2007
I saw that
Robert Arnold was looking for the
Kjelsrud brothers on
Feb. 1, 2007. Mark is my dad. I am sorry to say he passed away May 6, 2004.
He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a couple years before his passing.
He told lots of great stories about being out there with the boys and I know
he would be proud of this site. I wish he could have seen it and maybe
caught up with his shipmates. I miss him incredibly. If anyone would like
to contact me regarding Mark
Kjelsrud feel free to email me.
Acenith Pacino
ckjelsrud@hotmail.com
March 10, 2007
Shipmates,
I regret to inform you that HTC George Johnson, USN (Ret.), passed away
on 25 February 2007. I received notification from his daughter, Linda, who
used to baby sit for us in Pearl Harbor. His funeral is scheduled for today,
Saturday, March 10th. He is being buried at Rosecrans National Cemetery.
FW&FS,
Ken Seaman
kjscwo3@cableone.net
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February 27, 2007
Warren Wilson
was a good and
fair man. I
remember working
for him as if it
were yesterday.
I was very sad
to hear of his
passing. I have
often thought of
Willy and all of
the crew many
times over the
years. I was
just looking at
the cruise book
and can't
believe how much
time has passed.
Sincerely,
Robert Keller
SN
rkellerb@aol.com
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February 27, 2007
It seems like yesterday that Warren (Willy)
and I worked and pulled liberty together.
His passing is sorrowful as is the passing
of Judy. They are in my memories forever.
Thank you for
the notification.
Terry
D. Gilmore
terry.gilmore@ngc.com |
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February 24, 2007
To all my Shipmates,
I am really saddened by the passing of Warren. He was
my diving partner on a lot of my dives. What is really
even more sad is that we lost touch with each other and
although we were always close, things happen and we
separate the ties that should never be broken. I just
talked with Ken Seaman and as always a LOT of memories
came back. I told my daughter that when I pass, as
Warren did, to call Ken and let him know so he can let
the rest of my shipmates know. I have also just
e-mailed JIM O'BERRY ( Thanks to Jim ) who was on
the Current with me during the year of Dumbroskie.
I will be calling Jim when I get off of vacation and I'm
sure some good stories will surface. Guys, PLEASE stay
in touch. A phone call is best but e-mail is also a
great way to stay connected. We had the best crew in
the world, so stay in touch any way possible.
Fair Weather & Following Seas,
Bob Arnold MRC (DV) (ret) bob6706@aol.com
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February 22, 2007
Hi Jim,
I am Captain George Giganti's
daughter, Linda and I reside in Anchorage Alaska. Since I have a
a computer,
my dad asked if I could pass this message on to all his old shipmates:
I'm sorry to hear about the passing of Warren Wilson. He was a good sailor,
shipmate, and salvage man.
Aloha,
Willie and smooth sailing..........................CDR G.M. Giganti, Retired
(Aiea, Hawaii)
On a personal note, I so enjoy your website as do my dad's two
granddaughters. I well remember
those
glory
years - she was a fine ship with an excellent crew - there is much to take
pride in. Thanks again for your wonderful website. Aloha from the frozen
North.
Linda DeVore
conesushi@gci.net
|
February 21, 2007
Shipmates,
I remember Warren. He was a very
fine person.
I am so saddened about his
passing.
Sounds like he made the Navy his
life.
Burial at sea is very
appropriate for this sailor.
God bless you all and stay
healthy.
We aren’t getting any younger.
God bless,
Rick Shugert, EM3
shug46@comcast.net
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February 20, 2007
Shipmates,
I regret to inform you of the passing of shipmate Warren Wilson, QMC
(DV), USN (Ret.),
on or about Saturday evening / Sunday morning, February 17th or
18th.
His daughter-in-law Karen (757-482-2102) can be contacted about
funeral arrangements.
Our shipmate will be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea.
Also, his former wife, Judy, passed away last year. She and Warren
have been
divorced for a number of years.
FW & FS,
Ken Seaman
kjscwo3@cableone.net
February 14, 2007
Jim,
In my old Navy files of 50 years ago, I found a copy of
ALL HANDS Magazine, Bupers, January 1954.
While looking thru I found a listing of Decorations &
Citations and happened to notice the following award
of the Bronze Star Medal awarded to a crewman of the Current.
"Donnigan, Joseph T., BM2, USN, attached to USS Current
(ARS 22) and serving as a member of a salvage party from
31 Aug. to 5 Sept. 1952 . Combat 'V' authorized."
I served aboard the Bolster during that time.
I am sending this to you in the event that it may be of some
interest .
I notice that you do have a picture of the Current off Korea
in 1952 that I took. ( I think it was 1952 not 1953 ( just can't
remember ). I think it interesting that the Combat 'V' was
authorized.
Best wishes,
Lynn R. Miller, USS Bolster, 1952-53
lrmbjb@wmconnect.com
February
6, 2007
Here are a couple of stories I remember from my days
aboard the Current:
Pago Pago
We were sent to Pago Pago, American Samoa, in
February 1959 to investigate
the USS Chehalis (AOG-48) which burned and sunk in
1949. We took quite a few
Samoan sailors who were in the US Navy with us so
they could visit home and
take leave. I sometimes think that this was the
whole reason for the trip.
I don't remember how it started, but some of the
enlisted crew (including me) would
go to the police station, store our whites, and
change to a lava-lava, a loin cloth
a couple of yards long, for a liberty uniform. This
lasted for a few days until one of
the crew, after a few Foster Lagers, told the
"Old-Man" to go fu.. himself.
This put an end to our wearing lava-lavas.
On the way to Pago Pago, we crossed the Equator and
had the customary initiation
ceremonies. A Pollywog bos'n mate ( BM1 White? )
disappeared and thwarted attempts
by the Shellbacks to find him. After several hours,
he was found walking on deck.
He hid from the Shellbacks by going over the side of
the ship and sitting on the
blister above the water line. As I remember, he
came back up because he had to
go to the head and get another cup of coffee.
M / V Beaverbank Salvage Operation
In July 1959 the Current pulled the M/V Beaverbank
off of a reef at Fanning Island.
Heavy swells were trying to push the ship further
aground while the Current's
beach gear was trying to prevent this. There was so
much strain on the beach
gear that several of the 1 5/8 inch cables parted.
The quick solution to the
problem was to take both ends of the parted cable
and tie them together with
a square knot. When these cables were tied, the
square knot was probably
20 to 25 feet long. After a strain was taken, and
the beach gear recovered,
the knots were compressed to about two feet long.
Cdr. Laessle, the Fleet
Salvage Officer, took one of the knots back to
ServPac for display.
The Current would send a working party over to the
Beaverbank everyday. It was
my job to make radio contact with the Current and
tell them how many people we
had over there so the Current's cooks could provide
a meal for the working party.
The first day the food came and there wasn't enough
for everybody to make even
one sandwich. The next day, being smarter, I padded
the count and we had enough
food. On the way back to Pearl Harbor, I mentioned
to Capt. Minard that I had been
padding the count. His response was: " You too! "
He had been padding the count also.
On another occasion, watermelons were being served
on the ship. Cdr. Laessle, who
was aboard the Beaverbank, requested a watermelon.
The watermelon was delivered
to the boat crew, who promptly ate it. Cdr. Laessle
wanted to know where his
watermelon was, and consequently, so did the
Captain. Unfortunately, there were
no more watermelons left so the Commander's request
wasn't filled.
Paul Bublitz, ET3
USS Current from 1958 - 1960
paul_bublitz@yahoo.com
|
|
| Date : 02-04-07
|
| Name : Jennifer Richards
|
| E-mail : socialbee2004-genealogy@yahoo.com
|
| Message : I just found my
grandfather's (Ralph M. Webber) military records. He served in the
Navy from 12/19/41 to 10/27/47. He was listed as a crewmember on the
USS Current. Does anyone remember him? I would like to hear from
you.
|
| Date : 2- 2-
2007
|
| Name : Francyllen
(Smitty ) Smith |
| E-mail Address :
leejrusn@yahoo.com
|
| I got a
letter and Christmas card from Bob Ruegge
and I talked to Dave Nowak before Christmas.
They both sound good. Bob has retired and
Dave is going to retire this summer.
Smitty
|
| Date : Feb. 1,
2007 |
| Name : Robert
Arnold |
| E-mail Address : bob6706@aol.com
|
| Jim - you
did a good job on the site. I talked to
Ferguson the last time I was in Washington
and hear from Seaman all the time. Looking
for the Kjelsrud brothers, Gary & Mark
(Anybody hears from them let me know). If
there is a reunion - please contact me.
Bob
January
26,
2007
My father, MM1/c George A. Skrivanek, passed
away 11/12/06.
I want you to know he took great delight in
the knowledge that the legacy of the USS Current
had not been forgotten and was very happy to be
listed on the ship's roster. He was proud of his
service in WWII and of his service on the
Current.
Thank you very much for creating this site.
If you are accepting donations to help maintain
the USS Current website, I would be honored to
make a donation in my father's name. Please
advise me as to how this can be done.
Thank you and may God bless you and yours and
all who served on the USS Current.
Jim
– I
think
this
is
the
shot
that
was
used
in
the
recent
Towline.
This
was
long
after
I
was
aboard
–
but
the
location
made
it
seem
like
yesterday,
including
dress
ship
(we
were
there
over
Thanksgiving
’54),
and
the
bum
boat
tied
up
aft.
The
boats
and
davits
were
new
– we
had
a
Work
Boat
and
a
Whale
Boat
which
doubled
as a
gig.
We
had
a
20mm
gun
in a
tub
over
the
anchor
windlass,
but
they
carried
away
in a
storm
in
the
South
China
Sea.
I
may
try
to
put
together
a
brief
article
using
our
cruise
report
for
’54-55
–
Japan,
Hong
Kong,
Manila,
Saigon,
etc.
What
fun
for
a
boot
ensign
Richard
Jim – great job on this. I’ll try to
think of something for the Stories. Did
you see that the third cover of
“Towline” (NAFTS) magazine had the old
barge, dressed ship, in Hong Kong?
Brought back many memories.
Richard Diekman
radiekman@earthlink.net
|
| Date : 01/09/07
|
| Name : Shep
|
| E-mail Address :
Dr.Harley@comcast.net
|
| Count me in for
the next get together. I have been in
touch with Ron Bromley's daughter and we are
working on getting him there also. I plan on
making a trip later in the year to see him.
Happy New Year to all !
Shep |
| Date : 12- 21-
2006
|
| Name : Francyllen
Smith Jr. (Smitty)
|
| E-mail Address : leejrusn@yahoo.com
|
| Hey
Spick, I talked to Dave Nowak and he wants to
come to our next get together. Did
George tell you we want to some thing in the
spring. Merry Christmas.
Smitty
|
|
Date : Dec. 4, 2006
|
| Name : Gary
Goode |
| E-mail Address : houses@mc.net
|
| I was
on 66 - 70. I was the tall cook. I was 1/4
or 1/5 of the group who had Apartment PH 14
or Pent House #14. Remember, I
do not remember a lot of names but I know we
had a good close crew. We stuck
together all of us.
Gary
|
|
Date : 10 26 06 |
|
Name : Francyllen (Smitty) Smith
|
|
E-mail Address : leejrusn@yahoo.com |
|
Jerry,
Maybe we can get some
others to come next year. I have been trying
to call Dave Nowak but haven't had any luck.
Had a good time last weekend.
Smitty
|
| Date : Oct. 25,
2006 |
| Name : Jerry
Spickler |
| E-mail Address : brickletter@aol.com |
| Hey Smitty, read your message and will be
looking forward to emailing you and talking
or seeing you again.
Jerry
|
| Date :
10 23 06 |
| Name : Francyllen
Smith Jr. (Smitty EN3 ) |
| E-mail Address :
leejrusn@yahoo.com |
| Just
spent the weekend with George Hartnagel ,
Jerry Spickler, and Tom Jarboe. Was the
first time I've seen Tom in 42 years! We
meet in Marion, Indiana. We plan to
make this a yearly get together. Any one
interested in coming next year please email
one of us !
Smitty
|
|
|
|
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHO THE PHANTOM POET
WAS 1957-58?
|
Ron "Sam" Broedling
madap12@aol.com |
|
|
| |
I BELIEVE IT WAS 1958, I WAS OIL AND WATER KING. WE HAD
RIPPED THE STARBOARD TANKS OPEN RUNNING OVER A SUNKEN SHIP
IN MANILA HARBOR. WE STEAMED AROUND TO OLONGOPO AND
WENT INTO DRY-DOCK FOR REPAIRS.
WE HAD A NEW ENGINEERING OFFICER WHO HAD BEEN IN
SUBMARINES FOR 20 YEARS AND THE CURRENT WAS HIS FIRST
SURFACE VESSEL.
THE CURRENT HAD SETTLED WITH A LITTLE LIST IN THE DRY-DOCKS
AND HE CAME LOOKING FOR ME TO
PUMP THE
LIST OFF THE SHIP !
|
|
| |
|
|
Any plans in the near
future for a reunion ?
|
|
|
|
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