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MOBOAT NEWS 17 May 09
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Bob Behm
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May 17, 2009 19:59 PDT
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MOBOAT NEWS - VOL. 6 NO. 4
A newsletter for veterans of the “USS Monticello LSD 35"
Our website has had over 25,000 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. HAVE YOU CALLED?
5. WEBSITE OF THE MONTH
6. SPECIAL GUEST
7. NEW ORLEANS
8. BRANSON
9. RELIEVED
10. HUMOR
11. WHO'S REGISTERED
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1: WHAT'S NEW?
At last count, 600 crewmembers have signed into the online Deck Log.
We have had almost 25,000 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 our ship 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 at the guest hotel. We need to take
advantage of the "group rate" and free breakfasts and 10% lunch discount
offered by the Branson Grand Plaza.
Be sure to send in your reunion registration forms as soon as you
can.There is no other way to determine how many shipmates will be in
attendance.
I am sending out an updated crew's list. Call your friends on the list
to see if they are planning to attend this year's get-together in
Branson.
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 & News aticles
We're still looking for more photos & movies to place on the website.
Break out those old photos, 8mm movies, vhs and DVDs send them in to be
shared with all of our members.
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4. HAVE YOU CALLED YOUR NAVY BUDDY?
A lot of time and effort has gone into producing the crew's members list
you have been sent. Now it's time to use it and call someone you knew
"back then" and ask them if they are planning on attending this year's
reunion.
There is no time like the present. Don't put it off any longer.
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5. WEBSITE OF THE MONTH
www.Navy.com
The Navy Official website gets 251,178 visits every month. This
information, when compared to other sites on the web, makes this website
be ranked 8,111 out of the top 1,000,000 websites.
navy.com is popular in several countries, especially in USA,
Philippines, United Kingdom, Canada, Other, where it´s most often
visited.
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6. SPECIAL GUEST AT THIS YEAR"S REUNION
There will be a special guest address our group at this year's
reunion during the banquet.
I know you will want to hear what this person has to say.
Please plan to attend!
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7. NEW ORLEANS
By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer
Posted : Friday May 15, 2009 13:51:36 EDT
Fifty-three days after a collision knocked it out of service, the
amphibious transport dock New Orleans returned to sea.
The ship, on its maiden voyage, was crippled by the attack submarine
Hartford in a March 20 nighttime collision upon entering the Persian
Gulf.
The commanding officer and the chief of the boat of Hartford were both
sacked in the aftermath of the incident.
New Orleans left the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard in Bahrain on
Tuesday, according to a release from 5th Fleet. The collision with
Hartford tore a 16- by-18-foot gash in the hull, and it punctured a
fuel tank and two ballast tanks. The ship went into dry dock for repairs
April 25.
Hartford, which suffered damage to its sail, is expected to arrive at
its homeport of Groton, Conn., later this month. The sub, which was
forced to make a surface transit, has reached the Atlantic Ocean,
according to Cmdr. Pat McNally, a spokesman for Submarine Force in
Norfolk, Va.
New Orleans deployed Jan. 9 from San Diego as part of the Boxer
Amphibious Ready Group, formerly known as an “expeditionary strike
group.”
It is expected to return to normal operational duty. Cmdr. Jane
Campbell, spokeswoman at 5th Fleet in Bahrain, said the ship will return
to the U.S. on schedule with the rest of the group at the conclusion of
the deployment. Most deployments last six months.
She said leathernecks from the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit
are back aboard, after using some of the downtime to train in Kuwait.
Pat Dolan, a spokeswoman at Naval Sea Systems Command, said the initial
dry dock contract was $817,404, but the total repair cost was $2.3
million.
Mishap and safety investigations have been completed but are in
endorsement reviews expected to take months, according to 5th Fleet.
Article sent in by BM3 John Huard
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8. BRANSON
In 2009, Branson's state-of-the-art stages will offer more than 100
shows.
Much to the approval of the estimated seven million visitors who
converge each year on the Ozark Mountain town of little more than 6,000
residents, Branson's stars can be spotted each morning, afternoon and
well into the evening in almost every type of theatrical performance
imaginable. Pop, gospel, blues, rock 'n' roll, western, Cajun, swing,
classical, big band, Motown and Broadway have become as important to
Branson visitors as its country and comedy roots. Day or night, our
little town of Branson, Missouri, just may hold more stars than anywhere
else in the universe, says Dennis Mabe, singer, guitarist and member of
the founding family of Branson's first music show, the Baldknobbers
Jamboree.
"At the moment, we can name 110 shows at 46 venues," said Ross Summers,
Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce executive vice president. "That's
about a dozen more shows than last year. Almost every week we hear of a
new show or an announcement in the works."
It's an eclectic town that shows many faces; most all are
family-oriented and approachable. It's not unusual to see Andy Williams
on the golf course, or to encounter comedic performer Jim Stafford in a
restaurant (he knows he's been spotted when he hears someone in a nearby
booth singing, I don't like spiders and snakes!).
Branson's 45-year-old live entertainment scene had been enjoyed by many
thousands of visitors before it was "discovered" by the CBS television
program 60 Minutes in 1991. Since that time, family entertainment has
continued to explode here with a huge influx of performers, exciting
additions to the area's famed amusement parks and increased focus on the
Ozarks' limitless outdoor activities.
Each spring, Branson kicks into high gear in April when Branson Fest
packs a sampling of the town's shows into a five-day festival. We go
every year, says Bob Langbein of Mountain Home, Arkansas. I can't wait
to see what's new for this year, and I love getting to meet the stars.
Bob says he has made plans to attend this year's event, April 10-14 at
the Welk Resort in Branson.
April is also when the internationally-awarded Silver Dollar City theme
park opens for the season with the first of its four seasonal festivals,
World-Fest, bringing in hundreds of performers from around the world.
Groups include a steel drum performance band from Trinidad, precision
flag-throwers from Italy, musicians from Australia and acrobats from
Africa.
Throughout the year the park offers visitors a chance to spend a day in
the 1880s Ozarks with traditional food, festivals, music, costumes and
atmosphere, as well as themed rides.
Other popular Branson attractions include Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede
Dinner and Show, complete with six tons of real live buffalo leading the
stampede nightly; the $40 million Celebration City theme park offering a
massive wooden roller coaster, a variety of rides and games, and a
spectacular laser and light show; the vintage 1940s Branson Scenic
Railway featuring fully-restored passenger cars that recreate the
classic travel experience of another time; the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans
Museum, displaying personal and professional memorabilia from the Roy
Rogers family; and turn-of-the-century paddlewheeler Showboat Branson
Belle, providing a two hour lake excursion with a sit-down meal and the
Steppin' Out Show starring ventriloquist Todd Oliver and his talking
dog, Irving.
The surrounding Ozark Mountains provide the gorgeous backdrop for all
this spectacular entertainment and are an ideal playground for outdoor
enthusiasts, as well. Visitors can hike, bike or ride horseback through
the wooded hills; three pristine lakes offer water activities galore
with easy access to world-class fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking,
cruises, houseboats, jet-skiing and even duck rides.
Integrating inspired course design by such luminaries as Tom Fazio and
Jack Nicklaus with rugged Ozarks topography, Branson's golf courses
provide a challenging golf experience set amidst sweeping mountain
vistas and scenic hillside terrain. The area boasts eight 18-hole
courses and two 9-hole executive courses. Branson Creek Golf Club has
been named #1 course in Missouri and in the Top 100 nationwide by Golf
Digest.
With three outlet malls featuring over 200 outlet stores, Branson offers
name-brand merchandise as well as a remarkable assortment of heirloom
crafts, designer clothing and handmade items. Branson's historic
downtown shopping district is a step into the past with flower-lined
streets, quaint shops, flea markets and old-fashioned hospitality.
People of all ages come to Branson because there is truly something fun
for everyone, says Steve Presley of Presley's Country Jubilee, first
show on the famous Branson Strip (Highway 76). The theme parks, the lake
activities, the wooded hills, the shopping, the golf, the endless
variety of first-rate entertainment. Branson's fun! And folks really
appreciate the old-fashioned Ozarks hospitality.
Many visitors come several times a year, as each season brings something
new to enjoy, says one of the most popular of Branson stars, famed
Russian comedian Yakov Smirnoff. Besides, if you see five shows every
time you come, you'll have to visit more than 20 times just to see them
all once!
Join us for the 2009 USS Monticello Reuinon
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9. RELIEVED
Chief of Hartford sacked after collision
By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Apr 30, 2009 12:02:13 EDT
The top enlisted sailor aboard the attack submarine Hartford was fired
last week, the latest fallout from the boat’s collision with an
amphibious ship near the Strait of Hormuz.
Master Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Stefan Prevot, the sub’s chief
of the boat, was relieved last week in the Persian Gulf before the
crippled sub began its surface transit back to Connecticut for repairs.
He was replaced by Master Chief Machinist’s Mate (SS) Jon Wells,
according to an announcement from 5th Fleet in Bahrain.
The sub’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Ryan Brookhart, was relieved April
14 due to “loss of confidence in Brookhart’s ability to command.”
Hartford was submerged but near the surface when it collided with the
amphibious transport dock New Orleans while entering the Persian Gulf on
March 20. Both ships were seriously damaged but injuries aboard Hartford
were reported to be minor.
“[Prevot] was relieved in conjunction with the incident that occurred
aboard Hartford,” said Lt. Nate Christensen, 5th Fleet spokesman. He
said no other changes in personnel have taken place since then.
Wells, the new COB, was master chief of the sub’s engineering
department.
According to a 5th Fleet release, Wells’ position is temporary and a new
COB will be named “by the time Hartford arrives in Groton.”
The collision bent Hartford’s sail, which according to recent
photographs has been reinforced for the transit to Groton. By last
Friday, Hartford had passed the Strait of Hormuz on its long surface
voyage home.
Article sent in by BM3 John Huard
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10. HUMOR
An explosion last week killed a wild-living navy boilerman and
he found himself in hell. Being used to stoking fires and extremely
hot temperatures, he found hell actually quite comfortable.
When Satan went to check out the new arrival, he found him sitting in
his room smiling.
"You like this?", Satan asked.
"Yes, sir", said the sailor, "this feels like a spring day to me."
Not wanting the new guy to be too comfortable, Satan turned up
the heat a bit. When he went back the next day to see how his new
arrival was doing, the sailor was still happy; he hadn`t even broken a
sweat.
"I like this kind of weather", he told Satan.
For the next few days in a row, Satan again turned up the heat, but
each day the Sailor looked as comfortable as ever. By last Sunday,
Satan decided to try something different. Rather than turn up the heat
even more, he turned it off. Icicles formed in the sailor`s room!
When he checked on the guy, the room was icy and he was shivering,
but he had a grin from ear to ear, bigger than ever. Satan was
exasperated!
"Why are YOU so happy?" he demanded from the sailor. "It`s FREEZING in
here!"
"Well, I`m from Denver," said the sailor. "and evidently the Broncos
just won the Super Bowl!"
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11. WHO'S REGISTERED FOR THIS YEAR"S REUNION?
Michael & Kathy Battisti SN 1965-1969
John & Lori Barry MM2 1962-1964
David & Betty Clifford BT2 1957
Emmett & Faye Dunn MM2 1962-1965
Gerald & Carrie Helgeson ME3 1957-1958
John & Anna Huebner EN3 1962-1963
Christopher Keegan MMFN 1983-1985
Harwood Lockhart SH1 1957-1961
Paul & Bonnie Lindauer ME3 1957-1959
Ron & Beverly Milks MM2 1958-1962
George & Bonnie Mitchell EN2 1963-1967
Larry & Helen Osborne SN 1960-1963
Steven & Glenda Sakry BT2 1973-1976
Robert & Maria Behm BM3 1969-1971
Rodney C. Foskett MM3 1962-1966
Bob & Dick Dean RD3 1957-1959
Samuel & Nilda Kinne IC2 1974-1978
Forrest & Katherine Albin BM3 1968-1970
Thomas J. Jr. & Claire Moran MR2 1957-1958
James Robert & Frances Campbell MM3 1961-1964
Larry D. Lynch & Trud Beal EM3 1958-1960
Jack E. & Lydia Dover SN 1957
Gilbert R. & Virginia Gould EM3 1957-1960
You and Yours?
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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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