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MOBOAT NEWS 05 Feb 09
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Bob Behm
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Feb 05, 2009 10:59 PST
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MOBOAT NEWS - VOL. 6 NO. 1
A newsletter for veterans of the “USS Monticello LSD 35"
Our website has had over 23,600 visitors since it was launched in
August 2004.
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Inside This Issue:
1. WHAT'S NEW?
2. 2009 REUNION
3. PHOTOS & MOVIES
4. TIMELINE
5. WEBSITE OF THE MONTH
6. BLUE RIDGE SAILORS VISIT NAGASAKI
7. I REMEMBER
8. MOBOAT HISTORY
9. VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS
10. HUMOR
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1: WHAT'S NEW?
At last count, 561 crewmembers have signed into the online Deck Log.
We have had almost 24,000 visitors to our homepage. That's a lot of
folks browsing your photos, videos and ship's history. The main reason
that the website was built was that the ship's history could be shared
with anyone that wanted to read about her and that she may never be
forgotten.
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2: 2009 REUNION!
The 2009 reunion is to be held in Branson and the Branson Grand Plaza
Hotel.
To have the banquet room and hospitality room given to us at no cost, we
need to book at least 30 rooms per night.
Many of you have told me that there are cheaper rooms in the Branson
area, but unfortunately that doesn't do the reunion group much good if
we aren't centrally located. We need to take advantage of the "group
rate" offered by the hotel.
The dates of the reunion are 16 - 19 September. Remember that the
banquet will be held on the evening of the 19th.
http://www.ussmonticello.com/reunion_update.htm
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3: Photos & Movies
We're still looking for photos & movies to place on the website.
Break out those old photos, 8mm movies send them in to be shared with
all of our members.
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4. Timeline
I've placed the Timeline on the webiste. As you will quickly see,
many of the years have no significant entries. Especially between
the years 1957 through 1961. If you were aboard the MoBoat during
any of those years and you remember a significant event or port
of call, please send the information to me and if possible the
month and year.
The timeline will be another one of those on-going projects.
I believe it will be well worth it once its completed.
http://www.ussmonticello.com/flashtime-obj/timeline.swf
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5. WEBSITE OF THE MONTH
Looking for a another ship's reunion?
This website has the most current list of U.S. Navy ships that I
have browsed.
http://www.military.com/Resources/ReunionList
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6. Blue Ridge Sailors Visit Nagasaki
Story Number: NNS090205-02
Release Date: 2/5/2009 5:31:00 AM
By USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs Office
NAGASAKI, Japan (NNS) -- While in Nagasaki, flagship Sailors will
connect the surrounding communities in a wide range of activities,
beginning with friendly soccer and basketball games with Japan
Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) sailors from Ohmura Base.
Additionally, Sailors plan to visit Myojoo-en Children's Home to
present a variety of sports equipment the children. A trip is
also scheduled to the Nozomi No Mori Senior Citizens Home in Nagayo.
The crew is also hosting local government, civic, and business
leaders for an onboard reception and ship tours.
Blue Ridge Commanding Officer Capt. Thom W. Burke said on behalf
of his crew, "We are excited to be here and we look forward to
enjoying the sites of Nagasaki, going to the Peace Park, and
seeing the Lantern Festival. There are so many things to see
in this city and we are very happy to be here."
Blue Ridge serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group
(ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed
amphibious force. Blue Ridge is the flagship for Commander,
U.S. 7th Fleet. Task Force 76 is headquartered at
White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an
operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.
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7. I REMEMBER
Dear Robert,
I am sending my $30.00 life member dues. I am incarcerated
and cannot access the website, but I have several friends who can.
Is it alright if one of them accesses the website to get information
for me?
If anyone wants to write me, they can write me at:
Don Colvin, 531628
Wynne, Huntsville, Texas 77349.
They have to use my TDC#, because they route mail by TDC numbers.
The following names I could not find on the list: Sammy Quinn, Tyler
Texas, Stewart Boatswain's mate who was the coxswain of the Captain's
gig, Issacs, Eric Stanley, Brian Sipes, Brian was the mailman, Lt. David
O'Connor, Lt.John R. Loner.
Captain James A. Homyack, Captain Homyack made admiral I believe in
early 1969.
I remeber Lt. Doc O'Connor went to Holy Cross College. John Jett and
Donnie Carson, Cook from Longview, Texas. Tom Farrow, Houston Texas. tom
has been writing me for several years.
I will send some of my personal histoy while I was onboard the USS
Monticello if you would like to put it on the website .
I don't know if you remember me or not, but I was a Boatswain's Mate
seaman on the starboard wingwall from September of 1968 to February of
1969, then I changed my rate to Yeoman seaman and i worked in the
Captain's office until my discharge on July 17, 1970.
I am looking forward from hearing from you and my other shipmates. I
have been in prison for 19 years and 2 months and I come up for parole
in September of 2009.
Sincerely yours,
Don Colvin
P.S. There was a BM3 I went on liberty with in Hong Kong, but I do not
remember his name. I remember I worked with him and what he looks like.
I remember we rode a train up the mountain and took lots of pictures. I
lost most of my pictures when Charlotte and I divorced in 1989.
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8. MOBOAT HISTORY
In May of 1958, The U.S. Navy’s Hydrographic Office of Coast and
Geodetic Survey sent down the U.S.S. Monticello, a dock landing ship,
LSD 35. Also sent was the U.S.S. Segundo, a submarine SS-398, with both
ships steaming to Clipperton in order to ”fix” the island position.
Ever since the discovery by the old ships of sail, Clipperton had a good
number of positions logged in each ship navigation book. Now, the
position would be official and accurate and show just where on the
world’s globe the island could be found. The precise geographical center
of the atoll is “10 degrees 18 minutes 41 seconds North, and 109 degrees
12 minutes 34 seconds West.”
The U.S.S. Monticello flew thirty-three helicopter flights with men and
equipment to and from the island in order to determine the position, in
addition to collecting other intelligence of the island. Meanwhile,
submarine, U.S.S. Segundo remained submerged collecting information, “in
connection with gravity studies.”
Whatever that means?
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9. VETERAN Organizations
Retired or veteran servicemember, our jobs are made easier by the
efforts of our national veterans organizations. When the story broke
about the horrible conditions at Walter Reed, the American Legion and
others went to work. These organizations campaign to see that the
Guard, used heavily abroad these days, have benefits appropriate to our
service overseas.
It’s these organizations that give us a voice in Washington, and since a
small percentage of the population serves in the military, it’s
important to maintain that voice.
I’d like to encourage all who read this to actively seek membership with
one or more of these organizations if you haven't done so already.
For a complete list of veteran organizations, click on the link below:
http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view
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10. HUMOR
A young ensign had nearly completed his first overseas tour of sea duty
when he was given an opportunity to display his ability at getting the
ship under way. With a stream of crisp commands, he had the decks
buzzing with men and soon, the ship had left port and was streaming out
of the channel.
The ensign's efficiency has been remarkable. In fact, the deck was abuzz
with talk that he had set a new record for getting a destroyer under
way. The ensign glowed at his accomplishment and was not all surprised
when another seaman approached him with a message from the captain.
He was, however, a bit surprised to find that it was a radio message,
and he was even more surprised when he read,
"My personal congratulations upon completing your underway preparation
exercise according to the book and with amazing speed. In your haste,
however, you have overlooked one of the unwritten rules -- make sure the
captain is aboard before getting under way."
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Well... that's all for this Issue of the MoBoat News.
I truly hope this newsletter found you well.
Please continue spreading the word about ussmonticello.com. Feel free
to forward this Newsletter to anybody you think might 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
ofthe MoBoat News are also available there as well.
So long for now,
Bob Behm (Beamer)
Webmaster: USSMonticello.com
Former BM3
USS Monticello LSD 35 '69-'71
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