|
MoBoat News 06 Nov 06
|
Bob Behm
|
Nov 06, 2006 20:31 PST
|
MOBOAT NEWS - VOL. 3 NO. 4
A newsletter for veterans of the “USS Monticello LSD 35"
Our website has had over 11,000 visitors since it was launched.
=====================================
Inside This Issue:
05 NOV 06
1: WHAT'S NEW?
2: REUNION
3: SHIP'S PLANS
4: EMAIL
5: PAST ISSUES
6: THANKSGIVING MESSAGE
7: SILENT AUCTION
8. POEM
9. VA LAUNCHES SURVIVING SPOUSES WEBSITE
10. REUNION REGISTRATIONS
11. SHIP'S STORE
12. NEW NAVY WORK UNIFORM
=====================================
1: WHAT'S NEW?
At last count, 390 crew members signed into the online Deck Log.
30 Officers
4 Skippers
33 Plank owners
343 Enlisted
86 Life Members
5 Annual Members
25 Chiefs
9 Marines
1 Attached (Australian)
1 Midshipman
Keep spreading the word. If you know someone who served on the
MoBoat, and they're not listed on the Deck Log, please forward this
newsletter to them.
ERRORS... If you have logged-in and can't find your entry in the deck
Log or the "Member's List" please let me know and I will correct the
deficiency ASAP.
The monthly drawing for a MoBoat item will begin again in November.
To be eligible for the drawing, you must have your member's dues
current and your reunion registration sent in by the date of the
drawing.
Monthly Winners will be drawn from a list of those that have submitted
their completed Branson reunion registration forms.
Our last drawing will take place July 1st, 2007.
Our first item to be given away will be a MoBoat windbreaker (LRG and XL
only) just in time for the cooler weather. First drawing will be
November 1st.
So, get those reunion registration forms in right away and be eligible
for all the monthly drawings.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No matter if we like it or not, we are all now a part of history and our
website bears witness to the ship, Monticello, the men that sailed her
and the families that supported those sailors.
The information is there for the enitire world to witness.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
My wife, Maria, and my son, Chris, and his wife, Margaux, have recently
returned from Hawaii.
We were there on vacation and to visit my other son Nicholas and his
family.
They are stationed at Fort Shafter near Honolulu. We had a glorious time
enjoying the warm weather and the cool tradewinds.
My third son, Brian, has returned to Colorado Springs, Colorado this
past weekend, from duty in Iraq. He is in the Infantry stationed at Fort
Carson.
We are very happy he returned safe and sound.
=====================================
2: REUNION
The preparations for the 2007 reunion is in process. We've contacted
19 Veteran's magazine's and numerous reunion related websites about
our proposed reunion.
The dates of the reunion are 1 - 5 August 2007 at the Grand Plaza Hotel
in Branson, MO.
The reunion registration forms are available online in PDF format at:
http://www.ussmonticello.com/reunion_update.htm
Or by clicking on this link:
http://www.ussmonticello.com/2007_registration_form.pdf
=====================================
3: SHIP'S PLANS
I would like to thank those of you who have worked on the ship's plans.
I will post the documents soon. Stand-by.
=====================================
4. THIS MONTH'S DRAWING
Each month until the reuinon will be having a drawing from those that
have sent in their reunion registration.
This month's winner will receive a "MoBoat" windbreaker.
And the lucky winner pulled from the official "MoBoat" ballcap by my
lovely wife, Maria, is:
SN Michael Battisti, 1965-1969 from Haskell, New Jersey
Congratulations Michael! We'll get that jacket off to you ASAP.
If you are planning to attend the reunion in Branson in August '07,
be sure to get those reunion registrations in early to be eligible for
all the monthly drawings preceding the reunion.
=====================================
5. PAST ISSUES
Past issues of the MoBoat News can be found here:
http://lists.topica.com/lists/ussmonticello/read?sort=d&start=0
To sign-up for future issues of the MoBoat News, please log-in here:
http://www.ussmonticello.com/newsletter.htm
=====================================
6. THANKSGIVING MESSAGE
I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you just how much your
friendship means to me.
Many of us have lost dear friends and loved ones this past year
and our country as a whole has suffered great losses also.
In times like this, it gives us a chance to stop and reflect and
think about what is really important to us in this life;
Just how precious and fragile it is, and to not waste what time we are
given with the special people in our lives.
For myself, it is the gift of family and friends that are the riches
in my life. Those precious times that we hold dear to our heart
and memories and special moments that can never be replaced,
neither by time nor all the wealth in the world.
Whether you have planned a grand feast surrounded by friends
and family, an intimate candlelight dinner for two, or a simple
frozen dinner or takeout, it is not really the edible food, but rather
who we share them with that counts most of all, and to me,
this is the true value and meaning of Thanksgiving.
I will be thinking of each and every one of you during this season
of Thanksgiving, and even though we may be separated by miles,
you will be close to me in my heart.
I give thanks for you all, friends, and family.
You have touched my life in many ways and I am a very wealthy
individual for this.
For those that have passed on to be with the Lord, I know there
will be a special place for them in the hearts and minds of many
of us as we observe Thanksgiving this year.
Please remember our men and women who are serving our country
and can't be with their loved ones this year, as well as those who
were lost in the tragedy of September 11, 2001. A Thanksgiving
prayer remembering them all will be said at our dinner table.
Maria
=====================================
7. SILENT AUCTION
http://www.ussmonticello.com/silent_auction.htm
Although the auction is long over, if any of you would like one of the
items that was left on the above link, just send me an email and let me
know.
If you don't see a name of a winner, then that item is still available.
Just make a donation to our Reunion effort.
There is no link to this page on our website.
=====================================
8. POEM
MoBoat's engines are silent now,
Her steel is rusted and cold.
The passageways are dark and damp,
Her living spaces are vacant and void.
She served her nation well,
This we know is true.
Because we are the ones who lived and worked there,
The ones that were proud to be her crew.
She sailed over the oceans deep,
Tossing and rolling by the power of the waves.
She carried sailors and marines safely above,
But below the tempest shall be her grave.
Beamer
=====================================
9. VA Announces Veterans Pride Initiative
Leaders of major veterans organizations have joined Veterans Affairs
Secretary R. James Nicholson to ask men and women who have served in the
military to wear their medals on Veterans Day.
The Veterans Pride Initiative is modeled after a tradition in Australia
and New Zealand.
Mr. Nicholson said he hopes a U.S. Tradition will ensue to emulate this
pride in being a veteran and in honoring the nation's veterans. For more
information, visit the VA's Veterans Pride Initiative
webpage where veterans can also obtain information about how to replace
mislaid medals and learn how to confirm the decorations to which they
are entitled.
=====================================
10. REUNION REGISTRATIONS
Here is the list of those that are now registered for the upcoming
reunion in Branson, MO. Thanks for registering so promptly!
Cathy and Michael Battisti
Betty and David Clifford
Kathy and Sonny Gaines
I will post this list monthly until the reunion.
=====================================
11. SHIP'S STORE
We have MoBoat items available for purchase on our website. and by
clicking the CafePress link to even more items. Be sure to check them
out at:
http://www.ussmonticello.com/shipsstore.htm
Proceeds from the sale of these items go to the USS MONTICELLO REUNION
FUND to purchase printer ink, paper, stamps, envelopes, website hosting,
and software.
Please stop by the ship's store today. If you would like to see a
particular item for sale let me know and I'll check the availability of
the product.
=====================================
12. NEW NAVY WORK UNIFORM
I had the opportunity to see the Navy's new work uniform while in
Hawaii.
I don't know about you, but I'll take the old dungarees anyday over this
spin-off of the Marine Corps fatigues. Sailors aboard ship in camoflage
and combat boots?
You can view a 360 degree photo of it here:
http://www.navytimes.com/static.php?f=workinguniform.php
====================================
Well... that's all for this Issue of the MoBoat News.
Continue spreading the word about ussmonticello.com. Feel free to
forward this Newsletter to anybody you think will find it interesting.
If this Newsletter was forwarded to you and you'd like to subscribe,
just visit http://ussmonticello.com/newsletter.htm. All back issues of
the MoBoat News are also available there as well.
So long for now, Happy Thanksgiving!
Bob Behm (Beamer)
USSMonticello.com Webmaster
Former BM3
USS Monticello LSD 35 '69-'71
|
|
 |
|
