A NEWSLETTER EXCLUSIVELY FOR FORMER USS YANCEY (AKA-93) SAILORS YANCEY MEMORIES

Volume 15, Issue 1 January 2011

Friendships on the yancey and are the only ones I and that is final.” I gave Inside this issue: Editor’s Note: For this keep in touch with now. Paul a landline and we issue we asked for sto- Stories about friendships 1 & 2 Too many good memo- talked for quite a while. ries of friendships on the ries to put down in a The good news is I got Coordinator’s Message 2 Yancey. Here are your short letter. I was a good the green light from the Yancey Stories 2 & 3 stories. four years. boss. I am going to at- Taps 3 ______tend the reunion. It was Welcome Mat 3 Harold Hegler, Store- then I started planning Mr. Roberts 4 keeper, 1951-54: John Karlis, EM3, 1966- the trip. Buffalo to Bos- Yancey History 5-6 The friends I remem- 68: ton is about an eight ber the most from 41 Years Later hour drive. I decided on Yancey days were Ralph Forty-one years or flying, which made the McCulley, Ralph Over- four decades is a long trip easier and less time field, Ed Stevens and time. That is the last consuming. Well, I can Grassy Greenwalt. Ed time I saw shipmate honestly say the reunion died in ‘03 and yes, I Paul Smith. Still, in turned out great. The have kept in touch over those 41 years, Paul weather could not have the years with them all. and I kept in touch via been better. In addition, We all worked in the Christmas cards every another E-Division ship- Supply Division and year. In 2009 Paul mate, Bill Welfare, was Special points of in- worked well together added a note to that in attendance. I had not terest: year’s card. At this time seen Bill in 41 years ei- and I have to say we did Read about the special he informed me of the ther. He brought a bun- a good job at what we bond of friendship upcoming 2010 Yancey dle of pictures from the were assigned to do. between shipmates in reunion in Boston. Paul Yancey Med Cruise in Rural Texas (me), Arkan- our cover stories. sas, New York and Colo- said it would be great if 66-67. This brought rado was an odd mixture we could get together. back fond memories. A continuing story of for friends to get along Then I began thinking of Some of our crew mem- the history of the well together, but we my hectic work sched- bers I met in Boston are Yancey begins in this did, and I still enjoy chat- ule, so I ran the reunion not in the best of health. issue, page five. ting with them fairly bit by my spouse Clau- I wish them all the best regularly now. There are dia. She gave me a di- and hope they’re all do- a lot more then these rect answer and a direct ing better. It was also four, but they stand out order. “You are going (Continued on page 2) V OLUME 15, ISSUE 1 YANCEY MEMORIES P AGE 2

(Continued from page 1) arranged an RV trip to Washington shortly after that. He spent a YANCEY STORIES the first time that I had seen sev- pleasant time visiting with us both eral shipmates that served while I before the wives passed away and By Paul H. Dunn, 1966-69: was onboard the Yancey. In clos- after. I still am in contact with him During our recent reunion in ing, I encourage everyone to at- by e-mail. Boston (Oct. 7-10, 2010) I was tend the 2011 reunion in New My other close friend is Jerry pleasantly surprised to find three Orleans. Happy New Year to all Goforth. He was a Yeoman also. shipmates that I had served with and hope to see everyone this He later transferred to another who were attending their first re- October in New Orleans. ship. After our discharges, I visited union. Not only are new attendees ______him and his wife Carol at their the lifeblood of our reunion, but to home in Oklahoma. Carol worked meet them for the first time since Ken Groom, aka KD, Yancey Histo- in the same bank with some other 1967/68 was a real pleasure. rian: ladies that she wanted me to (John Karlis, Paul Smith and Bill I first met Dave Chestnut when meet. That is where I met Virginia Welfare) I was assigned to the deck force and did some long distance dat- Each of us had different memo- right out of boot camp. Dave was ing. We did keep some contact ries of what we did and saw while a salt, in my eyes, at the time be- with the Goforths, but we both on deployments on board Yancey, cause he had already been on were going to school and working, but all within the same context of board two months before me. We so our contact was minimized. the ports and the ship. Looking at went on Liberty together and with They attended our wedding, we others many times. After about six moved after school and another old cruise books and personal months, I was asked to strike for move to Washington State after a photos brought back more Yeoman. I could barely type but couple of years. The next contact I thoughts of what our lives were didn’t have many other talents. had with them was at the 1997 like at that time. We continued our friendship until reunion in . It was a The other discussions were he transferred to his brother’s small reunion, but I knew most of about what each of us did after ship. I sort of lost contact with him the shipmates at the reunion. I leaving the ship. Some left the until the computer world arrived. I showed up with some photos and Navy while others spent time in was recently retired, so one of the information on the Yancey—I left the Reserves and actually retired first things I did was to use the being voted the Yancey Historian, from the Navy. We all had lived “White Pages” to locate old ship- a job I enjoy because I meet new full lives with our families, but also mates. The time was 1997. I shipmates from other generations look back upon our naval service found several Dave Chestnuts in as well as old shipmates of my as a formative part of our lives. the south, and finally I made that generation. In addition, I was able to recon- call and contacted him. We both I now have a large collection of nect with shipmates that regularly had become Engineers during our photos from those times and re- attend the reunions, both from period of lost contact. He put me cords of our reunions. What else the time I was onboard Yancey to in touch with others and we met could I ask for. often at reunions. Later, we both ______those who served at other times. I lost our wives. It was Dave that thank George Clifton, reunion co- ordinator, for his tireless efforts to recruit new shipmates and to or- COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE ganize our reunions. ______By George Clifton definitely include a day at the World I hope everyone survived the hec- War II Museum where there is plenty White Castle Hamburgers tic Holiday Season and are all look- to see. Hopefully we can have a By Ken Groom: ing forward to a great 2011. The good turnout and I know as always The first foreign port I visited dates for the reunion in New Or- we will have a great time. I hope while on the Yancey was in Sa- leans have been finalized, so put it everyone is well and I look forward sebo, . One of my first liber- on your calendar for October 6th to seeing you all in New Orleans. ties I went with several shipmates through the 9th. The itinerary will ______to downtown Sasebo. We were V OLUME 15, ISSUE 1 YANCEY MEMORIES P AGE 3 tied up in Item Basin. The route to downtown was about a mile down a curving road, across a river and to the right of the main shopping center. This teaming assembly of buildings consisted of bars, souve- TAPS WELCOME MAT nir stands and other attractions The Yancey Memories was no- The following shipmate has for sailors. After strolling down tified of the following shipmates’ been located since the last news- this dusty street and taking in all deaths. Our deepest sympathy is letter. Welcome Aboard! We hope of these foreign smells and attrac- extended to the families of the to see you at the next reunion. You tions, someone from the eastern deceased. Anyone who knows of are invited to become an active part of the USA spied a familiar a deceased shipmate, or learns member of the association. shop. He almost shouted, “They of one, please notify ML & RS, Inc have White Castle Burgers!” so their names can be included Francis Remon There, sandwiched between these in TAPS and be added to the SN 3rd Div other attractions was a white Honor Roll. 9705-86 Hickory Hollow Rd building that served hamburgers. Leesburg, FL 34788 At the time I don’t remember if I 352-315-9042 Ralph Boyd tried one—but I never forgot. (1951-54) PO2 Supply Two weeks ago I was in the Died November 19, 2010 local supermarket in the frozen PUBLISHED BY: Military Locator & Reunion Service, Inc food section and reviewed what Harold Rodabaugh PO Drawer 11399 was offered for sale. To my sur- Died July 30, 2008 Hickory, NC 28603 prise was packages with the 828-256-6008 (voice) ______words “White Castle.” I decided I 828-256-6559 (Fax) had to try some. What is so spe- [email protected] [email protected] cial, I find out is that the burgers Ralph W. Boyd www.mlrsinc.com/yancey are “steamed”. I had had steamed “Our Reunions Work So You don’t Have To” hamburgers before and knew the delights of that experience. So I Ralph W. Boyd passed away picked up a couple of boxes. I Nov. 19, 2010. He reported FINANCIAL STATEMENT tried some when I got home and aboard the Yancey on 18 April thought they tasted fairly good. 1951 along with many others in- They had already added onions cluding Ralph McCulley, Cliff etc. on them, so maybe the taste McCune, Dick McIntosh, Jim was masked a bit or maybe that Mosley, Max Murray, Lyle Nelson old name familiar with me is what and many others. There were also Balance after 10/10 $147.42 did it. large groups reporting aboard in Funds received since 10/10 $225.00 So, when one of my sons the days that followed. He was Funds available for 01/11 $372.42 talked to me on the phone, I part of the Ship’s Service group in Funds expended for 01/11 $180.98 brought up the White Castle bur- the Supply Div. and worked in the Incorrect entry from 10/10 -$50.00 Balance for 01/11 $191.44 gers. He said, “Oh, Dad, they are laundry. He was from California all over except in Washington and attended a reunion in San The newsletter is being mailed State.” All this time I had that old Diego in 2001. only to those who returned the cou- lingering thought running around pon for USPS service. All others can in my brain cells never coming to access the newsletter on line at the surface until now only to be Submitted by Ken Groom www.mlrsinc.com/yancey. told they are everywhere. Please send contributions for the My shipmates from other newsletter to ML&RS, Inc at our ad- states are probably saying, “Big dress above. Make checks to ML&RS, Inc. Deal.” V OLUME 15, ISSUE 1 YANCEY MEMORIES P AGE 4 THOUGHTS ON THE MOVIE “MR. ROBERTS” Submitted by Ken Groom, Yancey Histo- Class Byron Standal left the ship in There were some wild beer parties rian Leyte in the in April 1945. during the few and far-between shore I was cleaning my store room the The palms showed up in photo- leaves, Byron said, but he swears he other day and found a gem. The movie, graphs accompanying a naval magazine “never touched any of the beer” cargo. “Mr. Roberts,” used an AKL (actually an article about the Virgo. The late Thomas “Some guys tried to operate a still be- army transport) for filming. Actually, as Heggen, a communications officer low decks, but an officer smelled it you can see, it was based on the hap- played by Henry Fonda in the movie, cooking and that was the end of it!” he penings on board a sister ship of the really did throw the captain’s potted said. Yancey. It is not too hard to find some palms overboard…...twice. Heggen There were some duties not fondly similarities from my time on the Yancey wrote the original book and did the play remembered and not mentioned in the when we were a fleet issue ship, an- and screenplay with Josh Logan. movie, such as transporting dead and chored at buoy 22 in Sasebo, Japan for Long before Heggen and the palms wounded American troops and Japa- 9 months. We did leave buoy occasion- came aboard, Byron, a retired P-I nese prisoners. Off Tawara, Byron re- ally, to keep from stagnating in the cof- printer, was steaming back and forth calls, “the sea was just full of floating fee grounds thrown overboard. But across the Pacific in the 13,000-ton bodies.” He said they watched to make aside from the usual shore activities, attack transport. He was a “plank- certain that some of them weren’t live life got sort of boring. A monopoly game owner,” one of the original crew as- Japanese waiting to slip aboard the was passed around for all to try and signed when the ship was commis- ship. there was always someone trying some- sioned. “I earned $96 a month, which Many Americans who came back thing not tolerated—such as diving from boosted to about $115 with sea pay,” aboard were taken back to hospi- the flying bridge when the Officer of the he recalled. tals….some never made it that far. Deck was not in sight. It was a good In the movie, James Cagney plays a “Some of the wounded and dead were time for bonding, as they say. puffed-up former merchant marine offi- really mutilated,” Byron recalled. “The ______cer who makes life miserable for the dead were kept in our refrigerators for crew. Byron recalls that the ship’s first up to two weeks while they got them Monday, October 24, 1988 captain also was merchant marine, and ready for burial at sea. To make sure Seattle Post-Intelligencer given to sometimes harsh ways. “He they stayed down, they placed a five- once put me on report and I stood a inch (artillery) shell between their legs This Fellow Sailed the High Seas on Mr. Captain’s Mast (shipboard discipline before they sewed them up in bags.” Roberts’ Ship hearing) because he caught me on Byron got off the ship in Leyte and By Jon Hahn deck without a shirt,” Byron said. had returned stateside to await com- It just fig- Mostly, the ship ferried supplies and missioning of another ship when the ures that if invasion forces, put shore via smaller war ended. He was discharged in Byron had LCM’s and LCVP vessels, in places like Bremerton and returned to his home- served on a Kwajialen Atoll, , Eniwetok, Ta- town in Minnesota, where he applied ship during rawa, and Peleliu. In the book for a job as a brakeman on the Milwau- World War and movie, Heggen describes the ship’s kee Road. “They told me that my eyes Twice, it steaming “from Tedium to Apathy and weren’t good enough, so I set type as a wouldn’t back again—with an occasional side-trip printer for the next 40 years!” he have been an to Monotony.” quipped. ordinary ves- But some times were tense, espe- The real Virgo served in the Korean sel. cially in places like , when Japa- and Vietnam wars before it was sur- But he nese shore batteries opened up on the plused and cut into scrap steel in Tai- didn’t know invasion fleet. wan in 1973. Byron had his voice box until recently “I remember two incoming (shells),” scrapped in cancer surgery not long that his ship, Byron said. “One landed in the sea to before he retired from the P.I. the USS Virgo, was the same “USS Re- starboard and the other one went over He never had the inclination or op- luctant” in the highly popular “Mr. Rob- my head so close I could hear it.” Byron portunity to see the ship again. But he erts” book and play and movie. also served as a range-finder on the asked, “I wonder if any of the crew is Making the connection between the ship’s one five-inch gun during landing. living around here?” real vessel and the movie ship might “We only fired the gun twice while I was have been difficult because the potted aboard, and the targets were so far Jon Hamm is a staff columnist who palm trees weren’t installed on the away that I wasn’t even sure what we writes in the P.l. ship’s bridge until Storekeeper 2nd were shooting at,” he said. ______V OLUME 15, ISSUE 1 YANCEY MEMORIES P AGE 5 YANCEY HISTORY Submittted by Henry Diebel taken (TransDiv) 47, Transport Squadron transferred to nearby hospital ships. from Dictionary of American Naval (TransRon) 16. The attack cargo ship Yancey finally completed the unload- Fighting Ships, Vol. VIII –p 506 remained at Pearl Harbor through ing procedure on 2 March and, mid-January 1945, unloading cargo screened by a pair of destroyers, got and preparing for the impending inva- underway for Saipan in company with sion of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Is- three other transports. lands. Finally, on 27 January 1945, After discharging casualties and Yancey stood out of Hawaiian waters, fueling at Saipan, Yancey proceeded bound for the Marianas with elements via Tulagi to Espiritu Santo where she and cargo of the 5th Marine Division joined the rest of her squadron and as part of Task Group (TG) 51.12. embarked units of the Army’s 27th En route, Yancey stopped at Eniwe- Division. tok, in the Marshalls, for supplies and On 25 March, Yancey sortied for fuel. At Saipan, she later transferred the Ryukyus as part of TG 51.3, the her passengers to LSTs and at Tinian group embarked as the mobile re- rehearsed for the Iwo Jima operation. serve. En route, via a scheduled stop Yancey Finally, Yancey arrived off Iwo Jima at in the Carolines, Yancey towed a dis- A town in western North Carolina 0624 on 19 February, D day for the abled LSM to . established in 1833 and named for initial landing. During her time off the On Easter Sunday, 1 April 1945, Bartlett Yancey, born in Caswell invasion beaches, the ship lost two American forces started going ashore County, NC, on 19 February 1785, landing craft (LCVPs)—one to mortar at Okinawa, beginning the long and who represented that state in Con- fire and the other to broaching in the bloody battle for that island. Eight gress from 1813 to 1817. He died on heavy surf. For the first four days of days later, Yancey reached Kerama 30 August 1828. the operation, Yancey’s boats and Retto with the rest of TransDiv 47, landing craft were in almost constant which had been detached from TG (AKA-93 dp. 13,910; 1. 459’3”; b. use—carrying troops and cargo and 51.3. She soon received orders send- 63’ 0”; dr. 26’4” (lim); a. 16.5 k.; evacuating wounded. The ship also ing her to battle and got underway on cpl.368;a. 1 5”, 840 mm., 18 20 transferred 8-inch ammunition to the 11 April for the Hagushi beaches. mm.; cl. Andromeda; T. CS-S-FI) heavy cruiser Pensacola (CA-24), a Yancey anchored off the beach on process that had to be carried out by the 12th and commenced discharging Yancey (AKA-93) was laid down boat due to unfavorable weather and her cargo that night. There she under a Maritime Commission con- to damage which Yancey suffered started a routine of working hatches, tract (MC hull 1193) on 22 May 1944 when the two ships banged hard to- securing to man all antiaircraft batter- at Oakland, Calif., by the Moore Dry gether. ies, and at night making smoke. Dock Co.; launched on 8 July 1944; Due to the tactical situation “Smoke boats”—landing craft sponsored by Miss Beverly Bartlett; ashore, Yancey did not begin dis- equipped with smoke-laying equip- and commissioned on 11 October charging general cargo until the morn- ment—from the attack cargo ship and 1944, Comdr. Edward R. Rice, USNR, ing of the 27th, when she anchored picket boats—with armed sailors— in command. off “Red” beach. There, bad weather were furnished ships in the outer an- After fitting out at San Francisco, and unfavorable beach conditions chorage. This measure improved se- Calif., the attack cargo ship received made unloading slow, and nightly air curity, but it prevented the boats so her boat group of 26 landing craft raids interrupted the process several employed from unloading the ships. and conducted an intensive shake- times. Much of the time, landing craft Air raids caused further problems. down out of San Pedro, Calif. She could not be used due to the high Yancey’s commanding officer esti- underwent post-shakedown altera- surf, so cargo had to be carried mated that while Yancey was off Oki- tions and repairs at , Calif., ashore by LSTs, LSMs and LCTs. nawa, she lost 15 hours and 13 min- before she shifted back to San Fran- During that unloading period, utes due to the enemy airmen. Fortu- cisco. There, she loaded cargo from Yancey received her baptism of fire in nately, her gunners were good and 18 to 24 November and sailed the the form of a long-range mortar shell. her fire control discipline excellent. next day for the Hawaiian Islands. The ship, however, did not suffer any On the evening of the 15th, her num- Yancey reached Pearl Harbor on 2 casualties and continued her duties ber four 40-millimeter mount regis- December and, upon arrival, was as- offshore, embarking casualties. Thirty tered hits on a Nakajima Ki. 43 signed to Transport Division of the wounded were kept on board (Continued on page 6) for evacuation, while others were V OLUME 15, ISSUE 1 YANCEY MEMORIES P AGE 6

(Continued from page 5) Philippines, to join the rest of Trans- STATEMENT OF Ron 16. There, she commenced load- “Oscar” and claimed a “sure assist” ing elements of the 1st Cavalry Divi- PUBLICATION as the plane crashed some 3,000 sion for the . yards from the ship. Completing the loading process on The YANCEY MEMORIES is the offi- The ship, the first AKA of her group the 23rd, Yancey weighed anchor on cial publication of the USS YANCEY to complete the unloading, finally put the 25th as a member of Task Force AKA-93 Association. From now on it to sea on the 16th and headed inde- (TF) 33. However, the ships had to will be published quarterly in January, pendently for the Marianas. During turn back because of a tropical storm April, July, and October, subject to re- the Okinawa campaign, Yancey had in the vicinity. The typhoon delayed ceiving sufficient funding. The News- fortunately suffered only three casual- the task force for only a day, as the letter is funded by voluntary contribu- ties: two men were wounded by ships weathered the fringes of the tions from the membership. All mem- shrapnel and a third suffered a bro- storm at Subic Bay before again get- bers are encouraged to support the ken arm. No boats were lost, and ting underway soon thereafter. voice of the YANCEY. A financial state- there were no accidents on board Yancey entered Tokyo Bay on the ment appears in each issue of the ship. morning of 2 September, the day Ja- newsletter. After a brief stop at to draw pan signed the formal articles of sur- The newsletter is intended to be a replacement boats and to allow her render on the deck of the battleship vehicle for the members to express officers and men to get ashore for Missouri (RB-63), anchored there. opinions, make suggestions and espe- some rest and recreation, Yancey Shortly after the conclusion of those cially share experiences. rejoined her squadron at Ulithi on 27 ceremonies, the attack cargo ship April and underwent 14 days of up- headed into Yokohama harbor, the Unless otherwise stated, the views keep and logistics. In addition, she third ship in her squadron to enter the and opinions printed in the newsletter received much-needed boiler repairs port and the first to start unloading. are those of the article’s writer, and do and conducted intensive antiaircraft The ship completed her unloading in not necessarily represent the opinion training during which her crew won 19 hours and then proceeded to an of the Association leadership or the numerous five-case “beer prizes” for anchorage off Yokohama. Editor of the Newsletter. shooting down target sleeves. TransRon 16 proceeded to sea on All letters and stories submitted will On 8 May, Yancey received orders 4 September and steamed via Leyte be considered for publication, except for detached duty in connection with Gulf to Zamboanga. There, they com- unsigned letters will not be published. the movement of men and material menced loading elements of the Letters requesting the writer’s name from rear area bases. Over the next Army’s 41st Infantry Division on the be withheld will be honored, but pub- two months, while fighting continued 18th. Completing that process on the lished on a space available basis. on Okinawa and Allied forces moved 18th, Yancey and her sisters shifted Signed letters with no restrictions will inexorably closer to Japan, raiding her soon thereafter to Bugo, Mindanao, be given priority. shores with near impunity, Yancey where she picked up Army LCMs. Ulti- touched at Manus in the Admiralties; mately, TG 54.28, of which Yancey Letters demeaning to another ship- Finschhafen, ; Tulagi; was a part, assembled in Leyte Gulf mate will not be printed; letters es- Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea; and on the 21st. The following day, all pousing a political position will not be finally Guiuan, on the island of Samar, ships weighed anchor and headed for printed. in the Philippines. the Inland Sea of Japan. ML&RS, Inc. is not responsible for After reporting back to TransDiv the accuracy of article submitted for 47, TransRon 16, at San Pedro Bay, To be continued in the next issue publication. It would be a monumental Leyte Gulf, on 16 July, Yancey pro- ______task to check each story. Therefore, we ceeded with the rest of the division to rely on the submitter to research each Iloilo, on the island of Panay, to con- article. duct amphibious training exercises with the Army’s 43rd Division which The editor reserves the right to edit letters to conform to space and gram- included landing on Negros Island. USS YANCEY REUNION mar limitations. On 15 August 1945, the attack cargo ship was in the Philippines You are encouraged to actively par- loading equipment for slated exer- OCTOBER 6-9, 2011 ticipate in the newsletter family, by cises when Japan capitulated. The submitting your stories and sugges- next day, the training exercises were NEW ORLEANS, LA tions. canceled, and the troops disem- ______barked. TransDiv 47 provisioned at Iloilo and sailed for Batangas, Luzon, CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL V OLUME 15, ISSUE 1 YANCEY MEMORIES P AGE 7

V OLUME 15, ISSUE 1 YANCEY MEMORIES P AGE 8 V OLUME 15, ISSUE 1 YANCEY MEMORIES P AGE 9 VETERANS SEND SERVICE VETS OVER 60! I am over 60 and the Armed Boot camp would be easier for It is the VETERAN, Forces thinks I’m too old to track old guys. We’re used to getting not the preacher, down terrorists. You can’t be older screamed and yelled at and we’re who has given us freedom of than 42 to join the military. They’ve used to soft food. We’ve also devel- religion. got the whole thing ass-backwards. oped an appreciation for guns. Instead of sending 18 year-olds off We’ve been using them for years as It is the VETERAN, to fight, they ought to take us old an excuse to get out of the house, not the reporter, guys. You shouldn’t be able to join away from the screaming and yell- Who has given us freedom of a military unit until you’re at least ing. press. 35. They could lighten up the obsta- For starters: Researchers say cle course however. I’ve been in It is the VETERAN, 18-year olds think about sex every combat and didn’t see a single 20- Not the poet, 10 seconds. Old guys only think foot wall with rope hanging over the Who has given us freedom of about sex a couple of times a day, side, nor did I ever do any push-ups speech. leaving us more than 28,000 addi- after completing basic training. Actu- tional seconds per day to concen- ally the running part is kind of a It is the VETERAN, trate on the enemy. waste of energy, too. I’ve never seen Not the campus organizer, Young guys haven’t lived long anyone outrun a bullet. Who has given us freedom to enough to be cranky, and a cranky An 18-year old has the whole assemble. soldier is a dangerous soldier. “My world ahead of him. He’s still learn- back hurts! I can’t sleep, I’m tired ing to shave, to start up a conversa- It is the VETERAN, and hungry!” We are impatient and tion with a pretty girl. He still hasn’t Not the lawyer, maybe letting us kill some asshole figured out that a baseball cap has Who has given us the right to a fair that desperately deserves it will a brim to shade his eyes, not the trial. make us feel better and shuts us back of his head. up for awhile. These are all great reasons to It is the VETERAN, An 18-year old doesn’t even like keep our kids home to learn a little Not the politician, to get up before 10 a.m. Old guys more about life before sending them Who has given us the right to vote. always get up early to pee, so what off into harm’s way. the hell. Besides, like I said, “I’m Let us old guys track down those It is the VETERAN tired and can’t sleep and since I’m dirty rotten coward terrorists. The who salutes the Flag already up, I may as well be up kill- last thing an enemy would want to ing some fanatical SOB. see is a couple of million pissed off It is the VETERAN If captured, we couldn’t spill the old farts with attitudes and auto- Who serves under the Flag beans because we forget where we matic weapons. put them. In fact, name, rank and ______Thank you, VETERANS! serial number would be a real brainteaser. Submitted by Richey Brunskill

Charlie, a new retired greeter at Wal-Mart, just couldn’t seem get to work on time. Every day he was 5, 10 , 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, really tidy, clean-shaven, sharp minded and a real credit to the company and obviously demonstrating their “Older Person Friendly” policies. One day the boss called him into the office for a talk. “Charley, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bang up job, but your being so late so often is quite bothersome.” “Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it.” “Well, good. You are a team player. That’s what I like to hear. It’s odd, though, you’re coming in late. I know you’re retired from the Armed Forces. What did they Submitted by Richey Brunskill say if you came in late there?” “They said, ‘Good morning, Admiral. Can I get you coffee, Sir?’” V OLUME 15, ISSUE 1 YANCEY MEMORIES P AGE 10

MAIL CALL

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right Top Row - Navy Unit Commendation Second Row - Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2) Third Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - National Defense Service Medal Fourth Row - Service Medal (2) - Antarctic Service Medal - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Cuba 2-Dominican Republic) Fifth Row - Service Medal - Philippine Liberation Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)