''The Elsie item'' - USS Landing Craft Infantry National Association

Following the September 11 th attack on the World Trade Buildings,the Pentagon and the crash of the airliner in Pennsylvania,the West Midlands Regional Chapter of the British LST andLanding Craft Association decided that they needed to demonstratetheir support of the United States in a tangible fashion. Todo so they reached out to their amphibious shipmates in theUnited States.Our Treasurer, "Tiny" Clarkson tells the story that can't help butrenew and strengthen the bonds we have with our brothers inEngland."Tiny" tells the story:"Shortly after the 9-11 holocaust, I received an e-mail from "Reg"Dean of the WEST MIDLANDS CHAPTER of the British LST& Landing Craft Association expressing condolences for the tragedythat took down the two WTC towers. I wrote back to him toexpress our thanks and how appreciative we were that the Queenhad ordered the playing of the "Star Spangled Banner" at theChanging of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and for the verystrong supportive statement by PM Tony Blair before Parliament.These thoughtful gestures will serve to remind all our membershipthat once again our wartime allies and brotherveterans of the sea service are standing by our side.Writing to request membership in the USS LCI NationalAssociation, Mr. J. D. Williamson, of Cambridge,England, shared with us another amazingstory. His daughter was recently visiting the UnitedStates and on September 10th she went up to theobservation deck of the World Trade Center beforeflying home to England on the following day."I don't know hername," said "Tiny" Clarkson, "butGod bless her. She will have a memory of a viewof the United States that will forever be denied tothe rest of us.""A few days later, 'Reg' e-mailed me to say that at their lastmeeting they had observed two minutes of silence for the WTCvictims and had voted to send a contribution for the Firemen,Police and rescue workers who had died trying to save others. Afew days later a plain envelope arrived from England containinga very generous contribution in crisp, new U.S. currency. I convertedthe cash into a bank cashier's check and sent it to theNew York State World Trade Center Disaster Relief Fund.""Tiny" went on to say that he was extremely moved by this gestureof condolence and unanimity from our WWII allies and shipmateswho served with us in amphibious warfare.Later, "Tiny" received a letter expressing condolences from CDRRoy Ellis, Chairman ofthe British LST and LCA. Many of youwill remember Roy from our San Diego Reunion. Both RegDean and CDR Roy Ellis are members of the USS LCI NationalAssociation.Numerous other expressions of sympathy, echoing the "WeStand By You" theme have been received by President JimTalbert and other officers of the Association. All expresssympathy and the horror felt upon learning of the horrificterrorist acts against our country.9