A newsletter for the sailors of the USS GURKE (DD-783) GURKE NEWSLETTER

Volume 4 Issue 1 February 2010 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE USS GURKE (DD-783)

Special Points of Interest MY FIRST EXPERIENCE AT SEA  Everyone had a “first experience” Editor’s Note: This story idea family, going back to WWI is nothing a 19 year old at sea. See if presented to all e-mail sub- (German and US Navy). I was sailor can’t screw up! Ad yours was any- scribers was to tell about your delighted to learn how to tie Mare Paratus. thing like those first time at sea. The following swabs to a line and toss them ______in our cover sto- stories were submitted: over the fantail to be cleaned ries. by the wake of the ship. After Larry Fancher, YN2: Ken Masters, 1951-54: cleaning the swabs I needed After about 10 years in  Four new mem- My first trip to sea was to get a bucket of salt water to the Navy, I experienced my bers are wel- aboard the USS Columbus rinse the deck outside of CIC first sea duty on the Gurke in comed on page three. out of Norfolk, Virginia. It was of some kind of gunk. Being a 1961 as we departed for a beautiful day, albeit a little natural sailor genius, I figured WestPac via Australia. On  On page four you windy, thus rough. I was to tie a line on the bucket and my first trip to the mess will find Lt Phil- thrilled to look back and see dip it in the water over the decks, I thought I would ac- lip Sweet’s ac- the shoreline. We passed into starboard side, piece of cake. quaint myself with one of the count of the the open sea and many of I forgot one thing...at 25 knots members of the engineering change of com- those around me began to get speed, that bucket of water department. I sat down and mand in 1969. sick. The rail became thick became a 300 pound anchor tried to introduce myself and with seasick sailors. This was from the force of the water. It received the following re-  Carroll Briggs my first midshipman cruise almost yanked my arms out of sponse: “Yeoman, I come shares a different and thus many were going to my sockets and being the down here for two reasons- kind of sailing sea for the first time. I sur- genius, I started running (1) to eat, and (2) to watch a story beginning vived watching others lose down the side of the ship as movie—and I don’t see them on page four. their breakfasts and never got fast as I could in order to beat rigging no movie screen.” I  Ralph Humbert- sick, even in typhoons. out some of the force from the learned that not everyone son tells about a ______water. I only had about 40 was interested in my friend- special visitor to feet until I would hit a stan- ship. the Gurke during Randy Voepel, 1970-71: chion. After a Herculean effort ______the 1969 WestPac The first time I was under- and an Olympic sprint, I was Cruise. way on the Gurke, I was an just able to clear the bucket Dave Crowell SOG3 1958- eager 19 year old RDSN. I out of the water with 5 feet to 61):  See pictures from loved being at sea and was a spare before the stanchion My first time at sea was the 1969 Gurke natural sailor coming from a would decapitate, line, on the Samuel Cruise Book on LONG line of sailors in the bucket, arms or head. There (Continued on page 2) pages 7 & 8. Volume 4 Issue 1 USS GURKE NEWSLETTER Page 2

(Continued from page 1) but water in the shot. After giving him E.R. “Eray” Honeycutt, SN USS Morse, while going to Fleet Sonar the slide, he was ecstatic and you’ll Gurke MSO 447-1960: School. I think the most eye-opening probably never convince him that I was the ripe ol’ age of 20 experience was not the rough seas, there’s not a line across the ocean out when we got underway for the sea-sickness or everyone on the ship there east of ! My only regret WestPac Cruise. I had never been smoking cigars, trying to get all of us about my two WestPac cruises on a boat larger than 20 feet and Sonar school kids sick, but it was the aboard the Gurke is that we never got had never lost sight of land, that’s salt-water trough head. That was to cross the equator, so I never got to for sure. In boot camp I was given truly a thing to behold. Luckily, when become a Shell-Back, but I spent 2½ the possibility of being an office I went on board the Gurke, the salt years aboard the USS Gurke and person, because (I guess) I had water trough was replaced while we wouldn’t trade them for anything! A taken typing in high school. Aboard were in drydock in San Francisco. great fighting ship with a consistently the Gurke I was assigned to Char- ______great crew! lie King, YN2, in the ship’s office. I ______was in for a lot of learning and ad- Ray Johnson, DK2: justing. Now at my tender age of My first ride on the Gurke was Bill Perry: 69, I remember events as if they from Mare Island Naval Shipyard to I had finished boot camp and happened yesterday, and the faces San Diego. I had reported aboard school about Christmas time 1949. I of all still remain in that picture while the ship was undergoing re- boarded the Gurke early Feb 1950 on frame. pairs for shell damage in . The the way to . I still remember the We were scheduled to head out thing I remember most is going past greasy port, Brussel sprouts, and in two weeks; our destinations: Alcatraz Prison and beneath the pineapple upside down cake. I was Guam, Midway Island, Hawaii, the Golden Gate Bridge. Seeing two fa- sick all of the way to Japan. I was , Japan, Korea and mous landmarks close up and for the over that soon after!! back home. Most of us newbies first time was awesome. When we Now the strange things do happen. were still wet behind the ears and got to San Diego, my first glimpse of About a month ago my wife Ann and I had no idea what was going to be sunny southern California was a were having breakfast at a local res- in store for us—not a clue. rather heavy rain. taurant and as I went to pay our bill, During those two weeks, I had ______Ann came out and said a man in there to adjust to my new job and under- has on a Gurke hat! We went back stand what it was all about. The #1 and found Bill Strong and his wife. He priority was to type, print and dis- Mike Elliott, WestPac 1969&70: was on the Gurke almost the same tribute the daily POD (Plan of the My story is a bit different because time as I was. He was a storekeeper, Day). Oh, yes, that’s also when I I came to the Gurke after spending a out in July 1952. We are meeting next found out that Charlie (my new year on Midway Island fueling and Tuesday to get acquainted and have boss) had never liked filing loading/unloading planes, so seeing lunch at the local VFW. “things.” It seemed like there were nothing but ocean as far as I could ______years of files to be categorized and see in any direction was not a new filed before we left Long Beach thing, but moving through it was! I port. So in two weeks I did get into reported aboard the same day a Chuck Newman OS3 1975-76: a successful routine and learned young seaman deuce right out of My first time at sea was when we my way around the boat, where I boot camp did in mid-1968, and were pulling out of port in Japan and it worked, slept and ate. while I ended up in the ET gang, he was something that I never will forget. Being homesick was never on was a cook striker. My favorite mem- Looking out at the seemingly endless my mind; I knew and accepted my ory is of this cook staying up all night ocean just mesmerized me and I fell new home. Everyone that cared a to see the International Date Line in love with it. Any chance I got, there little about me knew where I was: when we crossed it. When I asked I was again looking out at the ocean. The US NAVY. I knew I was in him the next morning if he’d seen it, No matter how hectic my day had good hands and felt comfortable. It he said he hadn’t. I accused him of been, just standing on the rail for actually was the first time I felt like falling asleep and missing it, al- awhile thinking about home, girl- someone really cared if I lived or though he swore he hadn’t. I told him friends or our next port just seemed to died; it’s a terrible thing to say, but I’d gotten a picture of it and when I make it all better. I especially enjoyed that’s how I felt. got my slides developed, I’d give him it at night looking out at the water with “All lines in” was an awesome one. So that night I went up on deck the moonlight jumping off the waves. thing to hear, well, except for “All with my camera and a piece of It seemed like we were the only peo- hands prepare the ship for foul string, draped the string across my ple in the world. weather!” I can remember the lens and carefully snapped a photo ______first and last time I got sick, I mean of the ocean with a wavy line across (Continued on page 3) it, being careful not to get anything Volume 4 Issue 1 USS GURKE NEWSLETTER Page 3

(Continued from page 2) really seasick. I was up chucking every minute, until a bosun’s mate came up behind me, shoved a bucket at me and said, “This is where you go, not on my f—- deck! WELCOME MAT TAPS You got it, Kid?” He not only looked The USS GURKE takes great The Gurke Newsletter was informed mean, I think he meant every word. pleasure in announcing that the fol- of the deaths of the following former One look at what I put into that lowing shipmates have been located crewmembers since the last newslet- bucket and that did it for me. I since the last newsletter. Welcome ter. The entire crew extends our deep- est sympathy to the families and cleaned myself up, took the bucket Aboard! We hope to see you at the and shoved it in front of another sick friends of the deceased. next reunion and that you will be- sailor and said (well, you know what come active in the association. I might have said). I went back to George Fernandez, BM my office, the ship rolling back and Died 2009 Andrew Douglass (1967-69) LT forth, opened my office door, and 250 Summer St there sat Charlie King, my boss. He Anthony Straquadine Boston, MA 02210 had strapped himself to the bolted (1945-46) SSML 3/c SS Div 617-737-8804 down metal desk and was typing Died January 11, 2010 [email protected] away on the POD while eating a

Dagwood sandwich. He looked at Norman Gassett John Zerr (1966-67) Ops/OE/OC me and said, “Good, you didn’t get (1946)FIC ENG 6 Edgemont Circle sick. That’s my boy.” He unstrapped Died July 23, 2009 St. Charles, MO 63301 himself and said, “OK, you finish 314-249-1189 this. I’m going out and get some Calvin Swart [email protected] fresh air.” I thought to myself, (1953-56) LT Gunnery

“You’ve got to be kidding me. Died September 22, 2009 Phillip Sweet (1968-71) Ltjg Nav Waves are going over the boat 127 Via Alameda every 30 seconds.” Carl Wilson (1947) WT1 Redondo Beach, CA 90277 Date of death not reported 310-378-6567 The venture continues. In the next [email protected] newsletter, you’re in for a real treat! Robert Grimm (1962-66) BTC B Div Edward Honeycutt (1961-62) YN2 Died July 27, 2009 160 Gravatt Dr 2010 USS GURKE Berkley, CA 94705 Anyone learning of the death of a 510-919-0066 former crewmember please notify the REUNION [email protected] newsletter so their passing can be ______acknowledged in TAPS and on the Honor Roll at the reunion memorial APRIL 8—11 service.

WASHINGTON, DC USS Gurke as it appeared during the Vietnam era is now our cover photo

HAMPTON INN DULLES AIRPORT HOTEL

Published by: MILITARY LOCATOR & REUNION SERVICE, INC. P.O. Drawer 11399 Hickory, NC 28603

Phone: 828-256-6008 Fax: 828-256-6559 [email protected] [email protected] www.mlrsinc.com/gurke

Our reunions work so you don’t have to. Volume 4 Issue 1 USS GURKE NEWSLETTER Page 4 MORE SAILOR done. The temperature will be 90 to 100. We finally got into port at 1530 due STORIES Jul 11 – This had been a great day waiting for traffic coming and going. for me and I had expected it to be a Things are getting crazy. I have to Lt Phillip Sweet, USNR Ret: bad one. Last night the new CO get a sword belt for Red and myself My memory after these forty wasn’t able to come aboard be- and also two swords and sword belts years are a little hazy. I have gone cause both helicopters on the Bon- for both CO’s. through every letter that I wrote to nie Dick were down for repairs so my wife while on the 1969 cruise. I th we spent the night as a screening Jul 13 – My 24 birthday. The wrote every day. Thanks to her for ship. I was put into a new watch Change of Command is over and keeping them, I can come up with section with LT Frick because he was it hot! The sun was blazing and some funny, some sad, and some requested that his JOOD be the it was in the 90’s and with everyone that shows the growth of a green most experienced and the best the in their ice cream dress it was that Ensign to a qualified OOD. Attached ship could offer. It got a little hectic much hotter. Capt Ackerman is on you will find the story, day to day of on our watch and I helped LT Frick his way home and will be in San the Change of Command in Kaohsi- th to get through it. He had spent 2 Diego around the 15 . Last night we ung, between CDR Acker- years on a destroyer about 4 years had a party and gave the departing man and CDR Berger. ago and is just a little rusty. We CO a plaque and the clock. The in-

made it through last night’s watch scription read “With Appreciation Jul 8 – Well they did it again. Last and then this morning the Bonnie from the Gurke wardroom”. He ap- night at 1800 we received orders to Dick proposed a high line transfer of proached Gary and I and said good- get underway this morning for the the new CO and Andy so we had bye very personally. Red made LT East Sea and the Bonnie Dick early reveille and I had to take the CMR as of June 1 today and is he all again. One of her had a watch at 0615. For some reason smiles. Tonight Red is having a wet- steering casualty and had to go into unknown I had the Conn when the ting down party. port for repairs. We will pull out of Bonnie Dick told us to take station ______the harbor at 1100. This is just a astern of her (This was the same little problem because we had par- maneuver the Evans had made.) Carroll Briggs LCDR USNE Ret ties scheduled to say our good byes Well old experienced Phil (Age 23) USS Gurke March’ 52-Dec ‘53: for the departing officers. The new gave the commands and while we CO will be in Taiwan and will not were going to station the XO came August 2001 - updated February take command for a while. Andy on the bridge and watched the big 2010 Douglass has no idea how or when spectacular. With some advice from he will leave. the XO I got on station in 5 minutes It must have been in about '42 or

after we were told to do so. The XO so. In those days, I was in the ninth Jul 9 – We got underway and will and all of the CIC watch compli- grade at Carmel High School and I join the Bonnie Dick sometime to- mented me and said it was the fast- spent most of my free time some- night. We will be her picket ship 50 est and most professional way the where along the beach. This particu- miles to her north. Capt Ackerman Gurke had taken station of that type lar fall day, I seemed to wind up out doesn’t know when he will be able to in a long time. Thanks to the guys at Stillwater Cove in Pebble Beach. get off the ship because his relief is who trained me Red, Andy, Ed, and You have seen the cove if you in Taiwan. The date for the change Ralph, I finally got a chance to show watched the US Open at all. It's of command is unknown for now. that all those hours of training were where they park the yachts. Martin Andy is in the same boat as the CO. paying off. Well we got the new CO Irwin lived out on the drive and I was

on board and Andy departed at walking along the beach with him Jul 10 – We met up with the Bonnie 0715. We are on our way back to and a couple other friends from Dick last night and we proceeded Kaohsiung and the change of com- school as he headed home. out to our picket station. At 2000 we mand will most likely happen on We were in and out of the water received word that the Radford, the Sunday. along the way. Even with tempera- ship with the steerage problem, was tures in the mid-fifties it didn't seem on its way to relieve us. We also Jul 12 – We got back into port particularly cold on a foggy Carmel received word that the new CO around 1400. This transit is a boring afternoon. Somewhere along the would be boarding today and Andy one and we have made it so many way we found the remains of an old would be leaving. So sometime to- times that I think the ship could do it skiff. It looked reasonably good so day we will be relieved and meet up without anyone driving it. Tonight we scrounged around and found with the Bonnie Dick to refuel and we say hello to the new CO and say some driftwood boards big enough transfer all people. This should be our good byes to the old CO. To- for paddles and took the thing to quite a day. We have no idea where morrow we have a full dress white sea. It didn't take long for us to dis- we are going after all is said and Change of Command ceremony. (Continued on page 5) Volume 4 Issue 1 USS GURKE NEWSLETTER Page 5

(Continued from page 4) had a problem with the starter. You to see how they worked. So on the cover why the skiff was left unat- know I was NOT much of a mechanic very last day before school, I took tended on the beach. There was a (I wonder what would have happened the boat out of Monterey into the fair sized hole in the bottom. We did- if I had actually completed ET School bay and set my troll. It was NOT a n't let that deter us though. With bits and been so assigned?) I would put very good day to be messing of driftwood and seaweed, we out three sets in a sort of big triangle. around with this. First problem was slowed the leak to the point where Two of these were out in an area that when I got to the boat, the bat- we could paddle around for about where you could always bring up a full tery was gone. Someone had twenty minutes or so before it got too set of SandDabs (3 cents/lb. whole- helped themselves. Well, I didn't full to float. sale). The other was on a rock reef have time to fool around with that We had great sport sculling the where you might find a Ling Cod if so I rowed back to the wharf, took thing around but in order to move it you were lucky ( 7 cents/lb.!). Of the battery out of my old Hudson at all we had to go through a large course, in the rocks three out of four and hooked it up. Problem: The patch of kelp growing just off-shore. times, you would also lose much if not battery was too big to go into the It was probably thirty to forty feet all of your gear. Between sets, I would box. OK, so I shoved it against the across. I don't suppose it sounds like shut down the engine (It was a little side of the boat and nailed a board much of a story but we were having four cylinder Star inboard) and drift to keep it from sliding around. so much fun that after three or four troll for salmon. It was over by the "A" When I got out in the bay, I dis- trips back through the kelp bed to Buoy reef that I went to start up again covered the second problem. dump the skiff out on the beach, we and the Bendix spring came off the There was a little wind, 30 to 40 kts got careless. The boat filled up and starter. The "A" buoy was relatively or so. There was a very heavy not exactly sank but it was too heavy close in to the beach off the firing swell running so you didn't notice to row with the make shift oars we range at Fort Ord. The drift was taking the wind too much 20 feet or so had. Rather than abandon our treas- me in that direction. down in the valleys but it was ure out there and swim for the I will never really know how I man- fierce up on top. There were plenty beach, we decided we should swim aged to put the thing back together. of whitecaps. the boat back. It wasn't far, probably Fortunately, I had taken a course in Third problem? Well, not really only a hundred yards or so. But, Farm Power at UCDavis, and had a problem. I knew the lines would have you ever tried to push/pull... some idea what it looked like and how need a little adjusting and so I set drag a waterlogged sunken boat it worked. I had to do it all by feel, about it, lengthening here; shorten- through a kelp bed? I can still feel while standing on my head and fishing ing there. It was so rough that I things slithering as I write. These the parts out of the greasy water in had only put the outriggers down kelp beds are alive with every sort of the bilge. I suspect I would have been just a little bit. I knew this and it sea life, much of it indescribable. rescued as I was aware the Coast suddenly came to my attention that By 1949, I had a boat of my own. Guard (or perhaps the Army) was I was not really paying attention to Well, it wasn't exactly my own headed in my direction by the time I the sea. That can be a really bad boat. My dad loved to go fishing out got the engine running. I never did mistake. The boat rolled very on the bay and at some point he ac- look to see if it was right or not but it steeply down the side of an enor- quired a boat for his pleasure. It was worked and never came off again. mous swell and didn't roll back. I a 26' Welin metal whaleboat. I was I had always wanted to rig the boat looked up from my lines to see why nominally in charge of upkeep and I for Albacore. We had outriggers (for and found one of the outriggers had this aspiration to fish the boat salmon) so the basics were there. I was in the next swell. That's very commercially to pay some of the knew the boat wasn't fast enough to bad news. It seemed as though bills. I got a commercial license and go for Albacore but it was the chal- everything just STOPPED for an rigged some Portuguese Lines to lenge of rigging it that called me. un-ordinary long time then, very bottom fish out in the bay. Since I Somehow, I managed to get enough slowly the boat began to roll up- had no mechanical gear to handle cash to buy the lines and the expen- right and the pole lifted clear of the these, they were relatively short sive nylon leader (400lb test!) and I water. That was the end of that (about 30 to 50 hooks to a set). I built a "suit of lines". I had managed experiment. I changed course to would take the boat out very early in to get a ride on a couple of boats and make sure it wouldn't happen the morning, set my lines and troll for listened to various theories on how to again; secured the outriggers up- Salmon between the sets. I never set it up right and I wanted to try my right and headed for home. caught a Salmon, mostly because it own ideas. On the way in, it occurred to me took so much time and energy to put By the time I got everything put that I should check the battery. out my sets. But I would manage to together and rigged, it was well into Sure enough, it had worked clear bring in enough fish to pay for gas September. The Albacore season was of the board tacked to the hatch and bait. pretty much over and I was headed coaming and was hanging there by It was on one of those days that I back to Davis. Before I went, I wanted (Continued on page 6) Volume 4 Issue 1 USS GURKE NEWSLETTER Page 6

(Continued from page 5) seems like he is now in charge of a stand. We can’t take it back. SO we the cables. Oh Well! group of PBRs (mini swift boats), fill every reefer to the top with ice As it worked out, That was the only somewhere up the river. When the cream and had loads left, slowly time I ever had those lines in the wa- ARVN troops serving as Jay’s base melting. THEN the school kids ter. My Dad died and my mom sold heard his old destroyer was down showed up for a tour. Wonderful! the boat in January, just before I went river, they said “Let’s go and visit.” Quick stroll around and then to the in the Navy. They had heard the Navy had good mess decks. “Would you like some food and gave away supplies to ice cream?” “Oh, yes, thank you.” More stories from LCDR Briggs in visiting troops. After introducing “Well, here’s a gallon and more future issues. LTjg Roahen to the Captain, the when you’re done.” Kids happy; ______visiting officers went off with the problem solved. Just need 450 lbs Captain and Jay and I had a chance more charcoal. Oh, well, another Ralph Humbertson: to catch up. He had at least one typical day on our favorite ship. During the 1968-69 WestPac purple heart at this point and sev- ______Cruise, the Gurke DD-783 was as- eral personal citations. His in- signed to NGFS (Naval Gun Fire Sup- country tour was only part way over port) at the mouth of a river to Saigon, and he had lost some good sailors near the Rung Sat Special Zone and and had at least one boat shot out across from Vung Tao. I was the GLO from under him. When it was time (gunfire liaison office) standing port for them to leave, they all had lots and starboard watches in CIC. We of “goodies” to take back to their were awaiting a call for fire support base. As they took off, the over from Marines operating in the zone. loaded helo almost hit its main rotor MAIL CALL Although the ship was anchored in the in the river. river, we had an officer off the deck My friend Jay Roahen survived Hi Karen, standing watch on the bridge. I was his in-country tour and the Navy I am a great niece of Henry called to the bridge by the OOD thought so much of his capabilities Gurke and I thought it might be where he pointed out an ARVN that they sent him to dental school. newsworthy for people to know that (South Vietnamese) helo circling our He’s a retired Navy Captain and Henry’s brother Arthur Julius Gurke ship. I asked if the OOD had called was the Chief of Endontics at Be- passed away on January 1, 2010 in the Captain and he did so at that time. thesda Navy Hospital. Hopefully he Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 81 For some reason the OOD gave me and his lovely wife will join us in the years (young). There is one surviv- the phone with the C.O. and he asked 2010 reunion in Washington, DC ing sibling and she is Elsie Geiger me the helo’s intentions. “At this time, April 8, 9, 10. who resides in Washington. Thank Sir, they are landing on our DASH Navy friends make life long you. platform. (Drone Anti-Sub Helo, kind friendships. of a mini pilotless helo, radio con- Sincerely, trolled)” The Captain said, “We’re not (See photos of Ltjg Jay Roahen and Diane Giesen able to have a full sized helo on that the helo on page 7.) ______little dash deck,” and I suggested he ______tell that to the pilot who just landed on the O-2 deck aft. Suddenly we have a Jon Fox (1959-62): NAUTICAL TRIVIA bunch of ARVN heavily armed troops When Gurke went to Australia in deplaning. There was at least one 1961 before entering Sydney, we Hammocks Colonel, maybe a Lt. Col., a Major, at sent out a log req that was logistical Swinging beds for sailors were least two army Captains and one bad requisition listing stuff we needed— first used by Columbus, who discov- looking LTjg dressed in camo gear fuel, water, food, etc.—listed A.B.C. ered their practical use from natives and wearing a black beret, side arm and so on. Well, we wanted 500 lbs in the West Indies. and sun glasses. The jg lead the of charcoal for Sunday bbqs and 50 group toward the bridge as if he knew gallons of ice cream. Well, I’m sit- Head his way around the ship. He ap- ting in the wardroom, nursing my The “head” aboard a Navy ship proached the ladder to the bridge, coffee, when quarter deck messen- is the bathroom. The term comes looked at me and saluted, “Request ger comes in and says, “We have a from the days of sailing ships when permission to come aboard, ‘Rotten problem. Come help.” So I stroll the place for the crew to relieve Ralph.’” (That was the handle an ear- back to be advised by the truck themselves was all the way forward lier engineering officer gave me when driver that we have 50 lbs of char- on either side of the bowsprit, the I first reported aboard.) He took off his coal and 500 lbs of ice cream. No integral part of the hull to which the sun glasses and there stood former problem; a simple mistake. Take it figurehead was fastened. Gurke shipmate Ltjg Jay Roahen. It back. NO, NO, you don’t under- Volume 4 Issue 1 USS GURKE NEWSLETTER Page 7

Page 47 from the 1969 Gurke Cruise Book Sent in by Ralph Humbertson

Helo on deck Volume 4 Issue 1 USS GURKE NEWSLETTER Page 8 Page 48 of the 1969 Gurke Cruise Book COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE By Bill Phipps

I’m looking forward to our reun- ion this April in Washington, DC. One of our scheduled tours includes a stop at the Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue. We plan a commemorative, outdoor wreath laying during our visit to honor shipmates no longer with us. While we are there, be sure to sign up for your personal Navy Log entry at the Memorial, or you can enroll on their website at www.navymemorial.org. You can include photographs, a first hand account of your biography, sea sto- ries, or a history of your exploits while aboard the Gurke. This is a good way to tell your story the way you remember it. Everyone should always go to Arlington National Cemetery when visiting Washington, DC. The tram tour through the cemetery and view- ing the “Changing of the Guard” at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will be a special treat. Also, plan on Rescue of Air Force 1st LT visiting the Vietnam and Korean Dennis Sanford. War Veteran’s Memorial, along with the World War II Memorial on Satur- day. Since there is so much to see and do in the Washington, DC area, this is a good time to stay a day or Financial Report: two extra at a reasonable rate. The cost of this issue is $190.47, We are planning to host a mailed to 48 dues paying members speaker from the Fleet Reserve without e-mail addresses. Association during our business meeting to provide current informa- tion and literature on benefits for NOTE EXPIRATION DATE ON retirees and veterans. This is a good opportunity for our reunion ADDRESS LABEL group to learn about benefits they have earned for themselves, their Please check the address label families, and survivors. We will also on your envelope or the top of your e be voting on next year’s reunion site -mail for your dues expiration date. at this meeting, so bring any ideas Send dues to Frank Hickam, 25 about locations that may interest Harlech Dr, Wilmington, DE 19807. you. Make checks to USS Gurke DD- ______783 Reunion Assoc., Inc. Dues are $10 for 1 yr or $50 lifetime. Jay Roahen (left) ______Ralph Humbertson (right)