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

Volume 10 August 2014 Last Call For USS SIERRA Reunion . . . 2014 Reunion Getting Underway!

President Joseph Strecker This is it folks . . . Last Call for this year’s reunion. Bill Skillin has put 1312 Country Club Road Concordia, KS 66901 together a terrific program for our 2014 reunion in Chicago, but if you plan on 785-243-3533 attending everything needs to be in by August 31, 2014 at the latest. Vice President As always, this is our once a year chance to get together with our shipmates Herb Price 31 Owego Street and re-live the days serving in the . It’s also an opportunity to Spencer, NY 14883 enjoy some great sights with our shipmates and return back to the hospitality suite for 607-589-6163 some more sea-stories. Of course there’s the banquet that guarantees good food and Treasurer William Skillin good conversation with good people. 5408 NW Crooked Road 2015 reunion is in Norfolk and enclosed in this Newsletter is initial Parkville, MO 64152 816-584-0055 information about 2016. In the meantime here’s some information about this year:

Secretary John Eberhardt TOUR 1A (Friday) 25 Maple Road Naval Station, Great Lakes news from the fleet Iselin, NJ 08830 732-548-9808 A windshield tour of the Naval Training Center where Governor US Navy Status - August 2014 Edgar Burris both Basic Training and many 3471 RT #337 Tidioute, PA 16351 ‘A’ Schools are located. Lunch Total Force = 323,112 814-484-0203 at the Port O Call restaurant. Officers = 54,505

Governor Photo ID required. Enlisted = 265,283 Dennis Cichowicz Total ships = 290 1027 E. Chippewa TOUR 1B (Friday) South Bend, IN 46614 Country Getaway - Cantigny Ships deployed = 99 574-291-0560 Aircraft = 3,700+ A visit to the estate of Governor Col. Robert McCormick and  Mechanical problems caused a US Navy drone Henry J. Harden to crash off the coast of Maryland. No one was 1048 N. 6th Street his mansion with lunch at the injured in the crash. New Hyde Park, NY 11040 famous Café at Cantigny. 516-775-6932  A Navy nurse refused to force-feed a prisoner in

TOUR 2 (Saturday) Governor Guantanamo Bay and was re-assigned to other James Kane Anchors Aweigh duties on the base. 15 Addison Avenue A tour of the captured  Workers are returning to the Washington Navy Lynn, MA 01902 751-599-0462 German submarine U-505. Yard building where 12 people were fatally shot Lunch is on your own. last year. Don’t forget the ice  The crew of the USS Frank E. Evans, a breaker and the fantastic that was cut in half by an Australian banquet are all part of the ship off Vietnam is trying to get the names of reunion. the 74 sailors lost on the Vietnam memorial. D U E S Welcome Aboard!

Welcome Aboard Besides getting the Newsletter to you, your Welcome to our newest shipmates of the USS Sierra (AD-18) Veterans Association. mailing label serves as a reminder of how current you are with your USS Sierra Helen Brooks (83-86) LCDR Veterans Association dues. The date to the Ken Fabian (67-69) ENFN right of your name is when your dues are paid Michael S Bath Sr (82-84) MM3 up to. Note: LIFE MEMBER If the date on the label is high-lighted, Allen G. Miller please contact Bill Skillin, the treasurer, at (816) 584-0055.

Dues paid to T a p s

John Doe 2016 It is with deep sadness that we wish safe 123 Main Street passage in heavenly waters to our departed shipmates:

Somewhere, USA 12345 Leland C. Spicer ...... March 28, 2014 John J. Popich ...... June 5, 2014 Albert Cassan ...... May 21, 2014 Chicago Travel Kenneth Hartman ...... April 28, 2014 Joseph A. Bateman ...... Aug 31, 2012 Information Vito Tomaselli ...... March 8, 2014 Charles “Bob” Todd ...... March 28, 2014 If you are arriving by air and don’t plan on renting a car, we suggest using one of the following taxi’s to get to the Marriot Suites in Deerfield: WANT AD AMERICAN TAXI (847) 673-1000 203 TAXI (847-303-0303 Anyone with a 1959 Med Cruise Book that Both offer a flat rate of $30.00 from they would be willing to part with please contact Bill O’Hare airport. You can make arrangements Skillin at (816) 584-0055 and he will put you in with these taxis in advance. DO NOT USE a touch with the party that is looking for one. Chicago taxi. They are extremely expensive

when traveling into the suburbs. If you are driving, please have change. 1959 Med Cruise Book There are tolls and some exchanges may not have attendants.

page 2 News From Our Sister Ships

USS Grand Canyon AD/AR-28 USS Shenandoah AD-26

Both the USS Grand Canyon (AD/AR-28) and the USS Shenandoah (AD-26) send us their Newsletters filled with information about their crew and some interesting stories of the adventures on board those ships. They also send information about their veteran association’s goings-on. Upon the completion of each issue of our Newsletter I proudly send it to our counterparts. Thank you Butch Topicz (USS Grand Canyon) and David Zapf (USS Shenandoah) for keeping us on your mailing list. Crews news

John Riggs (47-49) writes that during WWII he was a MM2 (Motor Machinist Mate) which was later changed to Engineman. He was attached to SLCU #44, a unit that landed Army and marines on the beaches. When the war was over he served in the occupation of and then transferred to the USS Tawasa (ATF-92) a Sea Going Tug on reconnaissance duty. He was discharged in 1947 and after staying out for a few months John reenlisted aboard the USS Sierra and promptly sailed to Tsing Tao . The Sierra was docked there and serviced and other vessels for almost a year. When Chung Kai Shek moved into the area the fleet set sail, and the Sierra returned to in 1949. The crew (most west coast sailors) were given the option of staying on board or being reassigned. John opted to stay in San Diego as he had a family there. John made 1st Class while on board the Sierra. He was at the Decommissioning Ceremony and enjoyed several reunions. Unfortunately John can not attend our reunions, but wishes all his shipmates calm seas and smooth sailing. He enjoys the Newsletter and looks forward to each issue. (JAE - John, thank you for your informative letter. Please note that you are one of the first to respond to my request for stories about our ship.)

The Era Of The US Coast Guard Frigates Is Over Museum

Originally scheduled to be The United States Coast Guard opened a deactivated from the fleet by 2020, the Navy new museum in New London, CT as a tribute to has stepped up the program and the last of the the service’s rich history. The 54,300 sq ft frigates will be gone by 2016. Twelve frigates building has interactive exhibits, lecture rooms, a are scheduled for decommissioning in 2015 gift shop and café. In addition, the Coast Guard’s and 2016. Part of the new 30-year tall ship, the cutter Braque Eagle, will be docked shipbuilding plan that is scheduled to be at a pier nearby. The Eagle is both a showcase for presented to Congress includes the elimination the Coast Guard and a training ship. of the frigates and several ship conversions.

page 3 page 4

plan of the day

uss sierra ad-18 27th reunion October 08, 09, 10, 11, & 12 2014 Marriott suites - deerfield 2 parkway north Deerfield, il 60015 (800) 228-9290 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * day/date time activity/location Wednesday/October 08 1600 hours Officers & Governors Arrive

Thursday/October 09 0700 - 0800 Governor’s Breakfast - Lobby Restaurant 0830 - 1200 Governor’s Meeting - Hosp Suite #739 1430 - 1700 Registration - Hosp Suite #739 1430 - 2330 Hospitality Room - Hosp Suite #739 1700 - 1800 President’s Welcome - Hosp Suite #739

Friday/October 10 0630 - 0900 Breakfast – Lobby Restaurant 0900 - 1500 Tour 1B (Country Getaway to Cantigny) 0930 - 1400 Tour 1A (Naval Station, Great Lakes) 1000 - 2330 Hospitality Room – Hosp Suite #739 1515 - ? ? ? Membership Meeting – TBA 1800 - 2000 Ice Breaker/BBQ - TBA

Saturday/October 11 0630 - 0900 Breakfast – Lobby Restaurant 0830 - 1530 Tour 2 (Anchors Aweigh) 1200 - 1330 Lunch On Your Own 1330 - 1530 Tour 2 resumes 1000 - 1700 Hospitality Room – Hosp Suite #739 1800 - 1900 Reception – TBA 1900 - 2100 Banquet Dinner - TBA

Sunday/October 12 Checkout Safe Travels - Until we meet again at our 2015 Norfolk Reunion ______

information

1) The deadline to register is August 31, 2014 for reunion and tour sign-ups. Marriot Suites Hotel reservation deadline is Sept 06, 2014. 2) Registration cost of $80.00 per person includes the hospitality room, BBQ, and banquet The banquet will feature Chicken Tarragon or New York Strip Steak.. 3) Please bring a gift for our gift drawing at the banquet. Something from your hometown or state. $10.00 to $15.00 is suggested.

* * * NOTE: All times are subject to change * * *

page 5

Wilmington Welcomes the USS Sierra AD-18 Reunion September 27 to 30, 2016

From its 31 miles of pristine shoreline to the golden waters of the Cape Fear River, Wilmington, N.C.’s historic river district and the Island beaches of Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville Beach encompass a world of history, recreation, and incredible natural beauty. Among our most notable attractions are the North Carolina, the most decorated battleship during World War II, and the Ft. Fisher State Historic Park, site of the largest land/sea battle of the Civil War, and our beautiful historic anti-bellum, colonial and Victorian homes. Come early or stay late and add a mini-vacation to your reunion! Access is easy. If you are flying into Wilmington, major carriers are US Airways, Delta and American. Planning on driving? We are easily accessible via U.S. 74, I-95 to I-40.

Meeting Site: Holiday Inn Market Street (503 Market St.) 910/392-1101 Room Rate: $124.30 (including tax). You may begin booking rooms on January 1, 2016. Cut off date is August 15, 2016. Contact hotel for rates before or after reunion dates..

For information contact Bill Skillin: (913)683-1423 cell or (816)584-0055; E-mail: [email protected] page 6 Pray! As the storm raged, the captain realized his ship was sinking. He gathered the crew and called out, “Anyone here know how to pray?” One man stepped forward. “Aye, Captain, I know how to pray.” “Good”, said the captain, “you pray while the rest of us put on our life jackets - we’re one short.”

Man Overboard! The crew of the Sierra was practicing the man overboard drill by rescuing the bright orange dummy named Mortimer. The captain watched as a young lieutenant nervously stopped all engines, slowly turned the ship, and maneuvered into place to retrieve Mortimer. Unfortunately the lieutenant ran right over Mortimer. Surveying the remains of Mortimer scattered around the weather deck, the captain called the lieutenant aside and quietly said, “Son, do me a favor. If I ever fall overboard, just drop the anchor and I’ll swim to you.”

Navy Marching Song The coffee in the Navy, They say is mighty fine, It’s good for cuts and bruises And tastes like Iodine

(Chorus) I don’t want no more of navy life, Gee, ma, I want to But they won’t let me Gee, ma, I want to go home

The biscuits in the Navy, They say are mighty fine, One fell off a table And killed a pal of mine

(Chorus)

The clothes they give us, They say are mighty fine, Me and my buddy, Can both fit into mine

(Chorus)

They treat us all like monkeys, And make us stand in line They cut off all our hair And say we look just fine

(Chorus)

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

To:

SIERRAN Your President’s Newsletter Message

If you’d like to let your shipmates Looking forward to seeing everyone know about your part of the history of the USS at this year’s reunion. Bill has put together a Sierra, please forward stories, pictures, wonderful reunion, and just getting together anecdotes, or reminiscences to: each year is worth the travels. This is where many of us were first Pictures to: introduced to the Navy and where some of us attended our ‘A’ schools. Rick Keough If you are new to the reunions, welcome [email protected] - you will not be a stranger, these are all your

shipmates. If you’ve been here before - good to Pictures & Stories to: see you again. Whichever category, this is a John Eberhardt once a year good time for all of us to get 25 Maple Road together. Iselin, NJ 08830 (732) 548-9808 Joseph Strecker [email protected] Joseph Strecker, President