SEA SERVICES SCUTTLEBUTT December 2018
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MILITARY SEA SERVICES MUSEUM, INC. SEA SERVICES SCUTTLEBUTT December 2018 A message from the President Greetings, The year 2018 is quickly coming to an end. Almost hate to see it go as it was a very good year for the Museum. Thanks to our Member's dues, some generous contributions from members, and donations from visitors, we were able to upgrade our internet service and computers, and make lighting and numerous other improvements to displays. We do have a costly project upcoming. As mentioned in the April 2018 Scuttlebutt, a severe wind and rain storm damaged the flat roof covering most of the Museum causing water damage to the library ceiling. The roof has been replaced. The damaged WW II era library ceiling will be removed and replaced with modern materials within the next John Cecil month or two. We will still end the year financially sound and confident that we will be able to make any emergency repairs, continue to make improvements to the Museum, and hopefully save some funds towards our goal of a much needed addition to the building. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a New Year that is happy, healthy and prosperous. On this Christmas day let's all say a prayer for our troops that can't be home with families and loved ones. They are doing a great job of preventing the spread of terrorism and protecting our freedoms. Please say a prayer for their safe return home. John The Museum Needs Volunteers The Museum lost two Board members in the past couple of months with the death of Bud Farmer and Millie Smith moving from the area. We need to replace those Board Members. Also, our Vice President and our Treasurer will be giving up those positions in the next month or two. We need volunteers for those positions. Additionally, we need volunteers to prepare our newsletter "Scuttlebutt," manage our web site "http://milseasvcmuseum.org/," and to keep track of our membership and their dues. To volunteer and/or to obtain information on these positions contact John Cecil, 863-385-2270, or Gene Kissner, 863-382-4047, or the Museum, 863-385-0992. Military Sea Services Museum Hours of Operation 1402 Roseland Avenue, Sebring, Open: Wednesday through Saturday Florida, 33870 Phone: (863) 385-0992 Noon to 4:00 p.m. E-Mail: [email protected] Web site: http://milseasvcmuseum.org/ 1 Welcome Aboard New Members On 8 Nov 2018, Keith Braden and partner Lyn Latham became annual members of the Museum. Keith is a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam Era Veteran and is experienced in the Culinary Arts, commercial construction and as a maintenance mechanic. Lyn was a Professor at South Florida Community College (now South Florida State College). Keith and Lyn are retired and live in Avon Park, FL. On 9 Nov 2018, Steven and Suzanne Safford became annual members of the Museum. Steven served as a U.S. Navy Seabee during the Vietnam War era. Steven worked as a maintenance mechanic with the U.S. Border Patrol. Suzanne worked as a teacher and store manage. Steven and Suzanne are retired and live in Avon Park. On 29 Nov 2018, William Porter became an annual member of the Museum. William is a 97 year young U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II (Pearl Harbor). William worked as a mechanic for General Motors. William lives with his son Mark in Avon Park, FL. On 8 December 2018, Terry and Margaret Eccleston signed up for two year membership in the Museum. Terry is a retired U.S. Navy Chief Gunner's Mate and is self employed as a Pool Service Contractor. Margaret is a World Wide Reservationist for Hilton Hotels. Terry and Margaret live in Palm Harbor, FL. ( (Note: Our Curator Fred Carino and Terry met back in the day when Fred was a newly minted Naval Officer and Terry was a young Gunner in the gunboat USS Tacoma (PGM-92)). A very hearty welcome aboard to our newest members! A sincere thank you to all our members for their continued support. Without member support, the Museum would not be able to pay its bills and would have to close the doors. Mark Your Calendars--Important Observance The Veterans Council of Highlands County will hold a ceremony to mark Memorial Day on May 27th at 2:00 PM at the Military Sea Services Museum, 1402 Roseland Avenue, one mile east of Sebring High School at the corner of Kenilworth Blvd and Roseland Ave. The ceremony will honor all who died while serving in the nation's armed forces. The guest speaker will be Medal of Honor recipient Major General James E. Livingston, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired. The Museum will offer guided tours immediately following the ceremony. The public is welcome. Call the Museum at 863-385-0992 for additional details. Stories Wanted We would like to publish in the Scuttlebutt short stories of Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard personal experiences, and/or short stories of sea services historical events. We are sure there are plenty of stories out there that would be of interest to Scuttlebutt readers. Please email your stories to [email protected] or mail to the Museum. 2 Veteran's Day at the Military Sea Services Museum The Highlands County Veterans Council, representing all Col Mark Colbert and Cadets military veteran groups in the county, produced a highly successful ceremony incorporating special recognition for Korea War veterans and the centennial of the Armistice which ended World War I. The 40-minute ceremony was Brigadier General Robert Lee conducted in warm but tolerable weather with sun shade provided by a tent from Taylor Rental of Sebring. More than 200 county residents attended the ceremony which featured remarks by council president Betsy Waddell, Chief Petty Officer, USN-Retired. Special recognition of the contributions of Korea War veterans was made by Sergeant First Class Denise Williams, US Army Reserve, Col Mike Borders MC also the local County Veterans Service Officer. She had to Fred Arbelo rush back from reserve training in Orlando in time for this event. Retired Brigadier General Robert A. Lee, U.S. Army and Sebring native, delivered the keynote address which focused on not only the military service of all veterans, but especially on the contributions of Korea War and World War II veterans who constructed the peace and security of every American home after their wars had ended. Mr. Charles Wiggins, a former Seaman aboard the battleship USS Wisconsin during World War II recited his stirring poem, "What Old Glory Means to Me." The Mr. Charles Wiggins Reverend Ron Degenaro, St. John's Methodist Church and Father Scott Walker, St. Agnes Episcopal Church provided the invocation and benediction prayers. Mrs. Becky CPO Betsy Waddell McIntyre sang truly professional versions of the Star Spangled Banner and the very popular Lee Greenwood song, "God Bless the USA." The Sebring High School AFJROTC Color Guard presented the flags of our nation while additional cadets escorted guests and provided programs. Colonel Mike Borders, US Army-retired was Master of Ceremonies. Military Sea Services Museum members performed parking and traffic control while Mrs. Becky McIntyre others conducted museum tours highlighting the World Sebring High School Air Force JROTC War I special exhibit. Color Guard Sebring Mayor Shoop, City Council Man Lenard Carlisle and Sebring City Manager Scott Noethlich attended as did Highlands County Property Appraiser Raymond McIntyre. Vietnam-era veteran Steven Safford, a Navy Seabee, expressed gratitude for the dignity and sincerity of the ceremony. The Military Sea Services Museum will be the focal point next Spring for Memorial Day services with Medal of Honor recipient Major General James Livingston, USMC, awarded for heroic actions in Vietnam, as keynote speaker. Thank You CDR Fred Carino, USN (Red), Curator, for this informative article and photos. 3 Part of the 200 plus attendees Sergeant First Class Denise Williams Korea War Veterans stand for recognition Steve Safford, Bob Posthumus and Tim Cannon Military Sea Services Museum WWI special exhibit 4 LITTLE KNOWN NAVY HISTORY by davisg022 REMEMBERING OUR HEROES! NAVY HERITAGE! Trivia: What ship during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 had the most "Medal of Honor" recipients?! ANSWER: USS California BB-44.....four! On 7 December 1941, anchored a short distance behind the other battleships was the USS California, a ship considered to be behind not only in positioning at anchor but in its readiness for war. Other Sailors joked that the USS California couldn't pass an admiral's inspection. On a day full of the unexpected, more men aboard the USS California would earn Medals of Honor than any other ship. The big guns of the USS California were firing back at the enemy planes targeted her and continued to strafe her decks with bullets MM1 ROBERT R. SCOTT: Machinist's Mate First Class Robert R. SCOTT was assigned to work in the compartment containing the air compressor. Suddenly he felt the USS California tremble as an enemy torpedo ripped through her side. Water rushed into the gaping wound in the USS California's side, making its way to the compartment where MM1 Scott worked. Above he could hear that, despite the severe damage to the USS California, the big anti- aircraft guns were still firing. The flooding in the compartment was swift and dangerous. The other crew members turned to flee to safety, urging MM1 Scott to follow them. He replied, "This is my station and I will stay and give them air (the men above) as long as the guns are going." The guns kept going, MM1 Scott kept supplying air, and the water continued to flood the ship.