elsie item issue 66 - USS Landing Craft Infantry National Association

More documents

Recommendations

Info

AMPHIBIOUS FORCES MEMORIAL MUSEUM GETS GRANT FOR 713 RESTORATION Steel for Bottom Restoration to be Purchased; Major Expenses Still Ahead More good news about the 713! In the last issue we reported on the locating of engines for the LCI being restored by the Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum. Now, AFFM Board Chairman Gordon Smith is excited to announce that the State of Oregon has given a $20,000 grant toward the project. The further good news is that the grant required a matching contribution and that amount is already in the bank. The bulk of that was the profit from the sale of a shrimp trawler which had been donated to the museum. With these funds on hand, the Museum Board of Directors plans to proceed with the purchase of steel necessary for not only the new bottom, but also for the supporting structure. Encouraged by this provision, a major fund-raising campaign is underway to raise the estimated $250,000 needed for the shipyard work to be done. Gordon also reports that Thomas S. Wilson, a highly skilled and experienced Naval Architect, is doing the planning for the project. Wilson is a former Lieutenant in the Navy with service in Viet Nam. He was officer-in-charge of PCF [Patrol Craft, Fast] 94. Former Presidential Candidate John Kerry was the officer who relieved Thomas Wilson. And, in another touch with history, Gordon reports that Tom’s great grandfather was the architect for the famed Civil War ironclad, the Monitor! “I cannot say how thankful we are to have such a person take so much interest in our project and aid in it's accomplishment,” comments Gordon. Winslow’s calculations on the amount of steel needed were put out for bid and it appears that the delivered cost will be close to $44,000. The initial effort of the funding campaign will be to raise the $4,000 needed for the purchase of the steel. “This, we will somehow surmount!” says Gordon, “Our motto is ‘Full Speed Ahead!’" The Museum directors have applied for a $250,000 grant for the expensive part of the dry-docking and the application of the steel to the ship. This high price is due to the labor intensive nature of the job. “The grant will also require matching funds,” says Gordon, “but with the State of Oregon giving us recognition, we feel that will assist us in obtaining funding from other local foundations.” If this grant is not forthcoming, the museum will seek grants from foundations and reapply for the State of Oregon grant. 16
.Contributions from LCIers can play a significant role in raising these funds. “I am glad to report that in the mail yesterday, there was a check in the amount of $100.00 from Bill and Sura McVicker for the ‘Get The LCI #713 Underway Fund,’" says Gordon. Meanwhile, the dedicated volunteers continue the work of restoration. “I only wish you could have been aboard the 713 Saturday,” says Gordon. “We have been snowed in for a couple of weeks and after some of us had breakfast together, I went down to the ship where we had at least a dozen volunteers there ready to go to work! One man, Jerry Ubigau travels over 200 miles [one way] from Bothel, Washington. What a crew!” With the encouraging news of the engines located and the grant obtained, it’s time for LCIers to show their support for this hard-working crew of volunteers. We will all take great pride in the 713 when she is fully restored, especially if we come through with financial support now when the funds are needed. Let’s follow the example of Bill and Sara McVicker. Whatever you can send will be greatly appreciated. Send your contribution to: “Get the LCI 713 Underway Fund” P.O. Box 17220 Portland, OR 97217 FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND..!! Footsteps in the sand Left by men..who passed this way They stood…..for a fleeting moment And then….they sped away Footsteps in the sand Which will never..be erased Despite the pass…of time and tides They will never…fade away Footsteps in the sand Which will last..forever more Left by men…..who landed here On June 6th..of 44..!! —from “At Dawning” By Tony Chapman, Historian and Archivist Royal Navy LST and Landing Craft Association 17
Page 1 and 2: OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE USS LAND
Page 3 and 4: From the Editor/President I know yo
Page 5 and 6: Welcome Aboard! Once again we are v
Page 7 and 8: Can You Help Us Find Out What’s H
Page 9: USS LCI 502 AT D-DAY John P. Cummer
Page 12 and 13: One was “for times of peril or da
Page 14 and 15: Focs’l secured our gun and became
Page 18 and 19: Songs of the LCI’s At the San Die
Page 20 and 21: The 1091—Looking Better and Bette
Page 22 and 23: Tough Days for the 341 at New Guine
Page 24 and 25: night in the jungle. One of the off
Page 26 and 27: DON’T MISS THE REUNION! MAY 13—
Page 28: HOTEL REGISTRATION FOR THE 2009 REU
Page 31 and 32: USS LCI NATIONAL ASSOCIATION APPLIC

elsie item issue 66 - USS Landing Craft Infantry National Association

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?