sierran newsletter A newsletter for the Service to our country 1944 to 1993 U.S.S. Sierra Veterans AssociATION

Volume 03 March 2013 Crew Of The USS Sierra Next Port of Call - Charleston!

This year our reunion brings us to an old a not-so-friendly “Welcome to the US Navy” in Great Lakes Boot Camp in the Chicago area, homeport for many of the crew members of the and many of us boarded the USS Sierra in USS Sierra. Norfolk, Virginia. As always, we’ll have two fun-filled and Our next reunions will continue to be a interesting days of tours, enjoying breakfast on great time to get together, enjoy some good the mess decks, numerous hours in the hospitality food, some interesting and memorable sights, room recounting our years on board the USS and, most importantly, some great conversations Sierra and catching up on the goings-on of old with past shipmates, meeting new shipmates, and new shipmates, sharing ideas for our and renewing many of the those friendships. association at the membership meeting, enjoying a feast of food and friends at a great banquet dinner, and to start it off - new this year - a news from the fleet “Welcome B-B-Q”. Bill Skillin has worked hard on this reunion and listened to all the input from our last US Navy Status - February 2013 USS Sierra AD-18 Veterans Association reunion. At our last reunion in San Antonio Total Force = 317,054 (Editor’s Note: Another great time - Thank Officers = 52,724 you, Malcolm Jones), the association looked Enlisted = 259,876 into future reunions. At the membership meeting Total ships = 288 Ships deployed = 101 the new ports of call for the USS Sierra Veterans Aircraft = 3,700 Association were discussed and agreed upon. One of the important points brought out at  The US Senate has prioritized helping the meeting was the importance of planning our veterans find employment reunions well in advance. And plan we did.  New Navy grey ship paint likely to greatly Our new course for our reunions will take reduce maintenance the association to two more ports that were  The minesweeper USS Guardian, grounded important to the crew of the Sierra - Chicago and off the Philippines, will be dismantled by the Norfolk. US Navy Many of our US Navy careers started with page 1 Crews news

Tony Molinar (48-51) wrote to Harold and included photocopies of part of the process of the dismantling of the USS Sierra for the Newsletter. The initial images were taken of the scraping in 1996. Tony also told Harold that a shipmate of his, Jack Davis (49-53) was seriously ill. (JAE - Tony, thanks for the note and the photocopies. They certainly are a sad sight. I’m sure all our Sierra shipmates will keep Jack in our prayers.)

Barbara Hill’s wife of Chuck Hill (46-47) sent a packet of USS Sierra memorabilia including menus from the Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners in Tsingtao, in 1946, pictures of Chuck at work on the USS Sierra, and other fun stuff. (JAE - Thank you so much Barbara for the items. They will be at the Charleston reunion and look for them in future Sierran Newsletters.)

Jerry Ness (59-62) mailed a letter to ‘Crews News’ trying to contact James McCall and James Swanson. James McCall’s letter was in the past Newsletter and Bill Skillin was able to give Jerry some information about both shipmates. (JAE - Jerry, both Bill and I were glad to help you out. Although sometimes not thought about, that is some of the benefits of membership in the USS Sierra (AD-18) Veterans Association.)

Steve Grecco (59-63) mailed in his dues and mentioned to Bill that the reminder on his mailing label was a great friendly reminder. Steve is all paid up and plans on attending our next reunion. (JAE - Steve, looking forward to seeing you at the reunion and thanks for noticing the dates on the mailing label.)

Cally Christenson, daughter of Lyle M. “Chris” Christenson (44-46) mailed in that her Dad, Lyle M. Christenson FC1 had passed and just how much he loved the USS Sierra. Our shipmate was at our San Antonio reunion and we all had a chance to share sea stories with Chris. Cally enclosed the beautiful Memory Card with a picture of the USS Sierra in the background, and a picture of our shipmate in his dress blues on the front. (JAE - Cally, thank you so much for the letter and the card. Please be assured that the card and memories will be shared at our Charleston reunion.)

James Swanson (59-62) sent in some assorted photos of the USS Sierra including a picture of her docked in Gitmo. Great pics. (JAE - James, as mentioned, I’m working on getting photos in our Newsletter so that they can be shared with all our shipmates.)

Frank R Johnson Jr (60-63) included a short note of thanks to the officers of the association, with a “Bravo Zulu” and a “Well Done”. (JAE - Thanks from the executive board. As a “Snipe” it’s nice words to hear from a LCDR and especially a Chief Engineer.)

page 2 Welcome Aboard! Your Dues

Welcome Aboard our ship’s Make It Work veterans association:

James Swanson (59-62) E-4

Father David Holloway (74-76) IC2 s members of the USS Sierra A Gordon Evans (72-75) Veterans Association, your membership dues

George Unger (63-65) BT3 are what make it all work. From the newsletter,

Suzanne Whitaker (82-84) IC3 the website, the information file of shipmates,

Lesa McCormas (88-89) LCDR and, of course, the annual reunion, your membership keeps the USS Sierra Veterans Larry M Stevens (71-74) MR2 Association afloat. Thank you.

Just a friendly reminder about those dues. Please note the four digit number Lifetime behind your name - that is the year that your dues expire. Members If your dues expired in 2007, 2008, 2009, or 2010 please consider this as a final notice and please mail in your payment to continue to Congratulations to our Lifetime be a part of the association. Past due payments members of the USS Sierra AD-18 are due by March 31, 2013. Dues are a mere Veterans Association: $20.00 per year and help keep all the hands of

Leon Stewart the USS Sierra AD-18 in touch with each other.

Lewis A Miller Please contact Bill Skillin, Treasurer, with any questions you may have. Bill’s email Russell A Nelson address is [email protected]. His phone Tony Molinar is (816) 584-0055 Dale Weed Please make checks payable to the USS

Roland Proctor Sierra AD-18 Veterans Association and mail

Harold L Buehler to: USS Sierra AD-18 Veterans Association Joseph N Rich Bill Skillin Gaylord Sanders 5408 NW Crooked Road Kenneth Carver Parksville, MO 64152 Example

T a p s John Doe 2012 123 Main Street It is with deep sadness that we wish Hometown, USA safe passage in heavenly waters to our departed shipmates:

Frank Wilson

Larry Engel In advance - Thank you. Lyle “Chris” Christenson

Joseph K Schevitz

Johannes Rasmussen page 3 USS SIERRA AD-18 2013 Charleston Reunion Information Plans for our 2013 reunion in Charleston, South Carolina, are almost complete. We will be staying at the Sheraton Charleston Airport Hotel, located at 4770 Goer Drive, North Charleston, SC 29406. The reunion arrival date is October 9 2013, and departure on October 12, 2013. We have a block of rooms reserved and most of them are already gone. Once our reserved rooms are gone and the hotel becomes 80% booked our reunion rate will no longer be available. It is anticipated that could happen as early as July. Therefore, if you are planning on attending the reunion, we would encourage you to book your hotel room early to ensure getting the reunion rate (and now is not too soon). You may make your reservation by calling 1-888-747-1900 and ask for the USS Sierra Reunion rate per night of $112.37 tax included. If you are spending additional time in the Charleston area, the hotel offers the reunion rate three days prior and post of the actual reunion dates. The hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport, as well as to the Historic Downtown Charleston area. Your registration fee of $90.00 per person includes: refreshments and snacks in the USS Sierra AD-18 Veterans Association hospitality room the duration of the reunion, breakfast buffet on Thursday and Friday mornings, the Reunion Banquet on Friday night with your choice of entrée (Prime Rib or Tilapia) and something new this year, our icebreaker BBQ Thursday evening. We have the following tours planned and the pricing information for the reunion tours are as follows: DAY ONE - a bus trip to Patriots Point home of the USS Yorktown (CV-5), the USS Laffey (DD-724), the USCG Cutter Ingham (WHEC-35) and the submarine USS Clamagore (SS-343) with lunch provided and served in the CPO Mess Galley of the USS Yorktown and return. We will be touring the old Charleston Naval Base where the Sierra was berthed on our way to Patriots Point. $66.00 per person DAY TWO – a boat ride to historic Fort Sumter, with a tour of the Fort and then cruise the Charleston waterfront. The Fort Sumter tour will end in historic downtown Charleston where you will be able to have lunch on your own and browse the shops then we will board the bus for a tour of Historic downtown Charleston and the return to the hotel. $71.00 per person All registrations for the Charleston reunion must be mailed to the Treasurer prior to August 31, 2013. If you only plan to attend the Icebreaker or the Banquet, you must still register before the August 31, 2013 deadline. Per our contract with the hotel, advance notification of the number of participants attending each function and pre- payments are required. This allows the hotel to provide us the best service and pricing possible for our reunion activities. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. We are looking forward to a great reunion in Charleston in 2013. Registration form is enclosed and more information will be provided in the next newsletter. If you have any questions you may call Bill Skillin at 816-584-0055.

page 4

Plan of the day

Uss sierra—26th reunion

October 9, 10, 11 & 12, 2013 Sheraton- Charleston Airport Hotel 4770 Goer Drive, North Charleston, SC 29406 Reservations: (888) 747-1900 Front Desk: (843) 747-1900 ______

DAY AND DATE TIME ACTIVITY AND LOCATION Tuesday, October 8 4:00 p.m. Governors arrive

Wednesday, October 9 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Governors breakfast Hotel Restaurant 8:30 a.m. to Noon Governors meeting 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration – Hospitality Room 2:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Hospitality Room – tba

Thursday, October 10 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Breakfast – Hotel Restaurant 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Patriots Point Tour 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Hospitality Room – tba 4:00 p.m. to ? General Meeting – tba 6:00p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Icebreaker/ BBQ tba

Friday, October 11 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Breakfast – Hotel Retaurant 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Fort Sumter, Historic Charleston 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hospitality Room – tba 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Reception – Pre-function Area 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Banquet Dinner – tba

Saturday, October 12 Checkout Until we meet again at our 2014 Reunion.

NOTES 1. The deadline is August 31, 2013 for reunion registration and tour sign up. Sheraton Charleston Airport Hotel reservations deadline is September 6, 2013. 2. The charge for the reunion, including hospitality room, BBQ & banquet, is $90.00 per person. The banquet will feature Slow Roasted Prime Rib of Beef or Market Street Tilapia. 3) Also, please bring a gift for the gift drawing. Suggested spending is $10.00 to $15.00. Select something from your state or hometown. NOTE: All times are subject to change.

page 5 MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: USS SIERRA VETERANS ASSOCIATION MAIL TO:USS Sierra AD-18 Veterans Association 5408 NW Crooked RD Parkville MO 64152 TELEPHONE: 816-584-0055

Registration fee is $90.00 per person and must be received prior to Aug. 31, 2013. Please register the following for attendance at the 26th reunion on October 9, 10, 11 & 12, 2013 at the Sheraton Charleston Airport Hotel, 4770 Goer Drive, North Charleston, SC 29406. Thursday night Icebreaker/ BBQ only $25.00 Friday night Banquet only $40.00 Registrations for the Icebreaker only or Banquet only must be made with the Treasurer at the above telephone number prior to the Aug. 31, 2013 deadline.

Name of Shipmate ______Address ______City ______State ______Zip ______Phone______Price$______Name of Spouse, Relative, Guest______Price$______Tour#1: 10/10/13 (8:45am-1:30pm) A Day at Patriots Point $66.00 per person No ____X $66.00=Price$______

Tour#2: 10/11/13 (8:45am-3:00pm) Historic Downtown Charleston, Ft Sumter $71.00 per person No ___X $71.00=Price$______

Banquet: 10/11/13 (7:00pm-?) - Dinner Choice of Shipmate Prime Rib____ Tilapia____ Dinner Choice of Guest Prime Rib____ Tilapia____

Depart: 10/12/13 – Until we meet again in Chicago in 2014

*NOTE: Tour # 1 Lunch provided. Tour #2 includes time for shopping and lunch on your own.

My check is enclosed for this total amount (to include dues- add $20.00 per year) TOTAL $______

* * * Please make all checks payable to: USS SIERRA VETERANS ASSOCIATION * * *

***********************************DETACH HERE**************************** USS SIERRA (AD-18) Hotel Reservation Form Mail to: Sheraton Charleston Airport Hotel, 4770 Goer Drive, North Charleston, SC 29406 Attention: Reservation Manager Telephone: (888) 747-1900 Front desk (843) 747-1900

Dates: Oct 9, 10, 11& 12, 2013 Rate: $ 112.37 tax included. Room Type Request: King ______Double ______Handicap ______Special Needs _____ Non-smoking______Smoking______Please reserve_____room(s) for____person(s). Will Arrive______Depart______Name(s)______Address______City______State______Zip______Telephone Number______E-Mail Address______

Check-in time is 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 12.00 noon. Please make checks for cash payments payable to: Sheraton- Charleston Airport Hotel or use a credit card Note: If paying by check, at least one night’s room and tax is required. Reservations for hotel must be received no later than September 6, 2013 in order to get the reunion rate.

* Mention USS SIERRA (AD-18) REUNION TO GET REUNION RATES * page 6 NEW OFFICER: While a Tender pulls into Borneo for liberty it is cut down to a skeleton watch . With most of the crew ashore the ship was empty for the night. A local freighter was loading cargo and in one of the crates was an orangutan headed for a zoo. The orangutan broke out of his crate, walked the pier, and climbed up the mooring lines of the AD and climbed down to the engine room unnoticed. He came to the electrical panel that was opened for maintenance, ignoring the safety ropes, and managed to make contact with the 440 volt bus bar. Bright blue sparks flew and the entire ship suddenly went dark. A few minutes later, a seaman and a 3rd Class Petty Officer are searching with their flashlights for the problem. They come upon the burnt and hairy orangutan and look at each other. They stare for awhile. They look at his short stubby legs and his long, long arms. Finally the 3rd Class tells the Seaman: “Okay, his legs are too short for a machinist mate, his arms are too long for a boiler technician, and he’s too hairy for an electrician mate. Call the wardroom, see if any junior officer is missing.”

STAND IN LINE: “Well” the old Navy Chief said to the Seaman Apprentice. “I suppose after you get discharged from the Navy, you’ll just be waiting for me to die so that you can come and dance on my grave.” “Not me, Chief!” the Seaman replied. “Once I get out of the Navy, I’m never going to stand in line again!”

NEVER LEFT THE NAVY: On a family night out, it became obvious to us that Dad, an old sailor, had never really left the Navy. As my father pulled our family car in front the restaurant, my brother started to get out of the car. “Hang on!” Dad shouted. “Wait till we pull up to the pier”

NEW CREW: Jim was just out of Navy Boot Camp and was on his first ship. Shortly after getting underway on their first deployment he felt a bit ill. He approached an ensign, also just out of training and on his first cruise. He saluted and asked “Excuse me sir, I am feeling seasick, and I wondered if I might go downstairs to the dispensary.” The ensign returned the salute and quickly replied, “Sailor, you are in the Navy now. You don’t go downstairs, you go below. There is no dispensary on this ship, there is a sick bay. Not only that, that is not a ceiling, it is an overhead, that is not a pillar, that is a stanchion, that is not the floor, that is the deck. If I ever hear you using civilian words instead of Navy jargon, I will throw you out of that little round window over there.”

page 7 Uss sierra ad-18 veterans association 25 maple road Iselin, nj 08830

To:

President’s Shipmate Message News

This year’s reunion should prove to In past newsletters we’ve asked for be an excellent one. Great job by Bill Skillin news about you, the crew of the USS Sierra. to get this one going. With Charleston being Our next issue will have a great story one of the homeports for the USS Sierra, we about one of our crew members. expect a huge turn out. With that in mind, After the tragedy of the Sullivan please register early. brothers on the cruiser USS Juneau (CL-52), Please don’t forget your membership in 1942 the US Navy would not allow dues. Remember the Newsletter, the reunions, website, and camaraderie are all a siblings to serve on the same ship. part of your membership in the USS Sierra The Jones brothers changed that AD-18 Veterans Association. when they served together aboard another As always, let’s remember all our cruiser, the USS Boston (CA-69). servicemen and women who are serving our More to come in the next newsletter, country. We were there once. God speed to and the newspaper article will be at the each and everyone of them. Charleston reunion about our own Chief

Harold L. Buehler, President Petty Officer Malcolm Jones. Harold L Buehler Keep the news coming!