Third Quarter 2008 - USS Frank E. Evans DD 754

USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) Association, Inc.
Footlocker Talk
2008 GOLDEN ANCHOR RECIPIENTS
Footlocker Talk
Newsletter
Third Quarter
2008
The Golden Anchor Recipients for 2008 were Emmett & Muggs Tidd. Unfortunately, Emmett and Muggs were unable to
travel this year, so JC & Sylvia flew to Maryland the week prior to the reunion to present the 2008 Golden Anchor Award.
Words cannot express how much the Frank E. Evans (DD 754) Association thanks Emmett and Muggs for their dedication
and contributions to the success of the Association; we could not have done all we have accomplished without their love and
support. We missed their smiling faces, love taps and hugs at this year’s reunion.
Memorial Stone & Dedication, Bowman, SC 2008
On Sept 7, 2008, prior to the reunion, the memorial stone and tree were set at the Methodist Church in Bowman, SC to honor
our Shipmate, Seaman Apprentice Henry Dennis West. The dedication ceremony was held after church on Sunday, with a
large turn out by Henry Dennis West’s family, friends and church members. Sharon Shirack (Memorial Director), Doug
Shirack, Helen Shirack, Barbara Rankin, from Colorado and JC & Sylvia Campbell from Texas represented USS Frank E.
Evans (DD 754) Association.
Family of Henry Dennis West
Henry Dennis West Memorial Marker, Bowman, SC
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CHARLESTON REUNION 2008
Well, it was touch and go about whether the reunion was going to be interrupted due to the series of hurricanes. Just a week
prior to the reunion the US Weather Bureau was reporting that Hurricane Ike might come ashore at Charleston, South
Carolina. It was fortunate the hurricane was not as severe as forecasted and all the facilities in Mt. Pleasant were in good
shape for our reunion.
This year’s reunion agenda allowed more time to visit and gave members the opportunity to select the tourist attractions they
wanted to visit. During the day many people spent time visiting Patriots Point, Fort Sumner, Historic Downtown Charleston,
flee market shopping, plantations and even venturing off to far away places like Beaufort or Savannah.
The Holiday Inn could not have been more hospitable. As usual, members gathered prior to the reunion, taking time to visit
the sites and renew old acquaintances. One of the favorite places to visit was, of course, USS Laffey (DD 724) and USS
Yorktown (CVS 10). Laffey is a Sumner Class Destroyer very similar to Frank E. Evans. Through out the week, a Laffey
“Working Party” entertained Evans shipmates by providing tours to many places onboard that were not open to the public.
Our survivors gathered onboard Laffey to show guests where they were at the time of the collision. On board Yorktown,
members took the time to taste Navy chow, served on traditional Navy trays.
(Left) Joe Mulitsch (Survivor 1967-69) explains to Frank E. Evans
members where and what he was doing at the time of the collision.
(Right) Jablonski, Kraus & Moore families and friends
take time to enjoy a traditional Navy meal.
The Friday evening program was unique and different from previous years. The evening was dedicated to remembering all
our shipmates that have gone before us. The program recognized all shipmates that have died; those that have passed since
our last reunion and, of course, the 74. During this past year several members dedicated their time and efforts to research
background information on the 74. On display were 74 story boards providing personal information about each of the 74.
Joe Clark lite each candle as the name of the lost shipmate was
called.
The 74 story boards were displayed on Friday & Saturday evening
as a tribute to our shipmates that lost their lives on June 3, 1969.
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Relatives of the lost in attendance on Friday night’s dinner and memorial ceremony were: Henry Dennis West – brother Don
& Kathy West, sisters Becky Evans, Susan Lunsford, Beverly Harris, from South Carolina; Thurston Perry Smith --: sister
Betsy & Tommy McCorkle from North Carolina; and John Townsend Norton – brother, Ken Norton from New York.
(Left to right) Becky Evans, sister of Henry D. West; Don West,
brother of Henry D. West , Susan Lunsford, Henry D. West;
Betsy McCorkle, sister of Thurston P. Smith, Jr. stand in front of
the quilt made by the ICD Quilting Society of O’Fallon, Missouri.
Ken Norton, brother of John T. Norton
lost June 3, 1969.
Below, Betsy McCorkle stands beside the story board created for her brother, Seaman Thurston Perry Smith, Jr. Betsy gave
the highest praises and thanks for the hard work and dedication that had gone into the research, story boards and memorial
ceremony on Friday night.
Story Board for Thurston Perry Smith, Jr.
Betsy McCorkle points out the story board for her brother, Seaman,
Thurston Perry Smith, Jr.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN 2009?
THREE CHOICES TO GET TOGETHER
In 2009 the USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) Association will not be having an official reunion. However, three memorial events
on June 3 rd 2009 are in the planning stages. (1) Sharon Shirack is heading up the planning and arrangements for placement of a
memorial marker and a memorial dedication ceremony in Pennsylvania (exact location to be announced later). (2) Pete Peters
and Mary Manley are working on the plans for the Long Beach Memorial Ceremony. (3) Lastly, Ron Baker is heading up the
planning for Australia. With respect to the memorial ceremony in Australia; the Australians are having their reunion in
Ipswich, Queensland to commemorate the 40 th anniversary of the collision between USS Frank E. Evans and HMAS
Melbourne. The majority of the festivities for the Australian reunion will be on June 3, 4 and 5. Anyone that is planning on
attending should contact Ron Baker as soon as possible either by mail or e-mail.
Communication will be forth coming as plans are firmed up on all three 2009 memorial ceremonies.
e-mail bakschae@optusnet.com.au
Ron Bakers address is:
Ron Baker
9 Holmes St.
Raymond’s Hill
Queensland, AU 4305
Ipswitch, Queensland
Long
Beach
Navy
Memorial
Park
Pennsylvania
WANT TO MAKE A LASTING CONTRIBUTION TO
USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) ASSOCIATION
The following is provided for information purposes only:
In the past year the Board has been asked about what an individual would do if they wanted to make a donation to USS Frank
E. Evans (DD 754) Association upon their death. The Board requested that Gary Kraus (legal advisor) prepare some
information that would assist our members should they wish to leave something to the Association. Normally an individual
can bequeath a donation from their estate upon their death by either noting their request in their will or in their trust. The
process is rather simple:
1. In your will insert the words:
I bequeath to the USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) Association, Inc., a Texas non-profit corporation, the sum of
$$$ , (example $ 5, 000.00 or Five Thousand Dollars) to be used as the Board of Directors of the Association see fit.
2. In your trust you may use the same wording; however, it must be listed along with your other bequest of cash and/or gift
distributions. If you have any set conditions associated with your gift it must be stated so your intentions are clear, such as:
I bequeath to the USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) Association, Inc., a Texas non-profit corporation, the sum of
$$$, (example $ 5, 000.00 or Five Thousand Dollars) be used specifically for activities associated only with
memorials.
If you want to maintain confidentiality regarding your donation and to remain anonymous, you should inform your executor or
trustee that your donation must be kept confidential. Your executor or trustee should then inform the Board of Directors of
your intent that your donation be maintained in strict confidential.
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IN MEMORIAM
“Lest We Forget”
Gerry Hemphill Sister of SA James William Kerr, (69) Black Forrest, CO Oct. 2, 2008
As most of you know, Gerry battled ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) for the past year and a half.
Alan and Gerry last attended the 2007 reunion in Excelsior Springs. At that time she expressed
how deeply she was moved with the Association and the effort under way to get her brother’s
name, James Kerr, on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. In addition she supported the project to place
memorial markers in each state for the “Lost 74”. Gerry died on October 2 nd at her home in Black
Forrest, Colorado. The memorial ceremony was held on October 8, at the Forrest Gate
Presbyterian Church. Doug & Sharon Shirack and Barbara Rankin were in attendance
representing USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) Association. We will miss Gerry. How wonderful it
must have been for her to reunite with her beloved brother, James W. Kerr.
Calvin Martin Kunkel 1945-46, Fire Controlman 2 nd Class Amarillo, TX July 9, 2008
Calvin Martin Kunkel (45-46) from Amarillo, Texas passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2008. His services were held, on
Wednesday, July 16, by Schooler Funeral Home in Amarillo. Part of his obituary read: 'World War II came about the time of
graduation and he joined the U.S. Navy. His ship, USS Frank E. Evans, took part in the invasion of Okinawa. He and his wife,
Billie, attended several reunions when they were healthy enough to attend.
David Schreiber, DMD 1945-46, LTJG Essex, CT October 5, 2008
David Schreiber from Essex, Connecticut died on Oct 5, 2008 at the age of 84. David served onboard USS Frank E. Evans in
1945 & 46. After his Navy tour in WW II he attended dental school, graduated, then served three more years in the Navy as
a dentist during the Korean Conflict. He practiced dentistry in Essex and was still practicing dentistry until the day before he
died, an amazing 55 years. He was married to his wife Barbara for 58 year’s; he had three daughters and a son.
Janie (Box) Hamner Sister of RD3 Thomas Belue Box, (69) McCalla, AL May 25, 2008
Janie (Box) Hamner, sister of RD3 Third Class, lost 1969, and beloved daughter of Frances Box died on May 25, 2008 in
Athens, Georgia after a long illness with cancer. Janie is also survived by her husband Dana, sisters Sara Green and Julie Lea.
The Box family continues to be second watch members of USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) Association and continue to support
its goals and objectives to remember the 74.
Anyone wishing to make a donation in memory of any of our fallen shipmates, members or friends can do so by sending
their donation to USS Frank. E. Evans (DD 754) Association.
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
Since our last newsletter we welcome the following new members who have joined the Association:
Emillie Hansel Lisle, IL Friend of Steve Kraus
Fred Arrington Denton, TX 1965-69 Boiler Tender 3 rd Class
Kenneth Kroll Naperville, IL 1963-65 Yeoman 2 nd class
The following have rejoined the association, we welcome them back:
Roy Stephens Haw River, NC 1945-46 Store Keeper 3 rd Class
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1945, JUST LIKE YESTERDAY
We received this information from shipmate, Walter Zydel. Walt was a S1C Gunners Mate Striker Quad 40 MM O
Division in 1945. He sent us these photos from a Ship’s Dance held at the Mcalpin Hotel in New York City. Does any
one recognize any of our former shipmates?
You gotta love these pictures! We owe so much to our WW II shipmates
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