Captains Update Dec. 2006

Hello all you LST Fans!

We have had one great year -- that is LST 325 has had one great year in Evansville , IN. I doubt if I can capture all of the events, but here goes: 

• Our arrival two days late because of hurricanes, but what a reception! Remember that? Huge crowds came to see the ship, and they kept coming. Every state in the US , all 50 of them, have had at least one person come to see the LST 325. The last was North Dakota. We have had visitors from many other countries and they came to see an LST!
• We put in infrared heaters in the tank deck, fixed the gangway so it was higher to match the ship. A chain link fence was installed on the barge for safety.
• The office and souvenir shop was set up. We hooked up to take credit cards and set up a cash register to keep inventory, keep track of zip codes so we knew where visitors came from and how many. More kinds of souvenirs were added for sale.
• Tour guides volunteered and were trained and more volunteers started working on the maintenance of the ship.
• An Executive Director and Secretary were hired and what a great job they have done. People came all winter long in the cold and rain -- it doesn't snow in Evansville !
• We got our LCVPs back from "Flags of our Fathers" and Warner Brothers fixed them.
• The crew painted the Port side of the ship and Toyota maintenance painted the Stbd side. The city put a roof on the gangway and lights as well as lights on the barge and ship.
• We were asked to go to "Thunder over Louisville " and LST 325 was a big hit.
• Many reunions both military and others came to Evansville to see a Naval vessel; a working, historical Landing Ship Tank. Almost every week we have had two or three reunions. School kids came by the hundreds as well as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Sea Cadets, Jr. ROTC and many other clubs.
• We had so many visitors that it became a problem trying to needle gun the bulkheads and decks as the noise kept the tour guides from being heard. That still is a problem, but now we shut down the air compressor until the tour group goes through the tank deck, then the guide starts it up again.
• The main deck was painted, stern, 01 level and some of the 03 level.
• Work by Scouts was done in the port aft compartments on the 1st deck.
• The ship fitters shop was painted, electrical shop and engineering office.
• A WW II lath was installed, a lot of electrical work done, new switches and light fixtures, a whole new circuit breaker box in the aft crew's dept.
• The fuel oil transfer pump was reconditioned, the lube oil transfer pump motor fixed, and the spare reefer motor was fixed.
• Both raw water engine pumps were rebuilt, and number 11 cylinder overhauled. The Port main engine starter was fixed.
• A larger fresh water expansion tank and a second fresh water pump were installed in the port shaft alley.
• Two water tight doors installed from engine room to shaft alleys.
• The balance of the tank deck painted and work on the overhead has been started.
• The bow doors, ramp and the area around the ramp were sand blasted and painted, and the Greek name Syros was painted back on over the entrance to the tank deck.  
• Work is again being done on the Starboard Crew's head, with new decking and other improvements.

Cold weather has slowed the maintenance work, but we have heat and water to Officer's Country to keep that head open. A big breakfast was served on Veterans Day to some 400 veterans. New tarps to cover the LCVPs are coming as well as some new gun covers. A lot of discussion is being held on the Souvenir shop regarding the doors and possible heat for the gift area.

We had a military re-enactment in June and the Germans were once again defeated soundly. Many memorial services were held, many different city groups, service clubs, etc. held meetings and receptions on the LST. It has truly been embraced by the community. All summer long people and LST fans kept coming, day after day and work has also continued. Then came "LST WEEK" - what a week that was. Then just before we left for "Tall Stacks" three big reunion groups, but the crew got her ready and at 0745 as planned LST 325 left Evansville for a second time and she headed up river at an amazing 10 MPH arriving a whole 12 hours early! Five big days and over 9,000 people aboard, lines two city blocks long at times. Tears were shed and hearts beat fast as these LST veterans and/or their sons and daughters got to see the ship their fathers, uncles, or friends had served on. Some worked in the shipyards and some remember them coming down the Ohio River . If they didn't know of someone who served, they learned the important role that these ships played in WW II. They also learned LST's were in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. They all now know that this was the ship that won the war!

On heading back from "Tall Stacks" we made more speed. Downhill is faster. The 'Haze Grey and Underway Lady' did thirteen to fourteen MPH . She is made for the rivers; she is home here. No sea sickness, no rolls, no crazy vibrations from hitting a wave head on. She got to pay tribute to a 96 year old LST veteran in Madison , IN. His daughter called and told us he had not seen an LST since 1946 when he left one in the Pacific, and could we please blow the whistle as we pass by? LST 325 did more than that -- we blew the whistle about every 5 minutes from three miles away! We slowed to almost a stop in front of him. The crew manned the rail and gave him a hand salute and he saluted back. I once got up at 0300 to blow the whistle for a family whose father was an LST sailor and was buried in a cemetery on a hill along the river. They were thinking "Day Time!" This is what LST 325 is all about! She likes to make your day - or night!

We had an important meeting November 14, 2006 . Our annual membership meeting was held and election of three Directors. It was at the Executive Inn at 10:00 AM . I had a room with seating for 50, with coffee and rolls and it was almost full. We had five candidates running. All have been active with the ship and each one would have made a good board member. Re-elected was Mr. Jim Edwards, of Canton , TX ; Mr. Ron Bezouska, Lancaster , OH ; and a new member, Mr. Andrew Clark, Evansville , IN. Congratulations guys.

If you have not seen the Movie "Flags of Our Fathers" I recommend highly that you see it. Our three LCVPs are there. Look for the numbers 12 and 17. The third one has no number but it is in the last scene were the marines are swimming and as they pan away -- it is on your left side of the screen. It is full of water and half buried in the sand.  This is one LCVP we had used for parts and Warner Brothers bought it for the purpose of destroying it in the film.

The ship has a lot planned for 2007. It will thrill the kids, bring tears to Veterans, make everyone remember what these ships did, what it was like to be aboard, the living conditions, the battles they fought and what a debt we owe to those who served and built them. I thank each and every volunteer who shares the smiles and the thanks that we receive every day from those who come aboard. As great a ship as she is, she cannot tell her own story.

Bob Jornlin, Capt. LST 325

2006 USS LST Ship Memorial Christmas Dinner

Bernie and Helga LaFianza Visit LST 1165

We were in Lima, Peru for several days and then journeyed up to Cusco, a nice town at about 13,500 foot altitude. This is the jumping off point to reach Machu Picchu, the ancient Indian ruins. After 3 days of flying, riding trains and a few buses and taxis, we returned to Lima.As luck would have it, we engaged the services of a retired policeman who now has his own tour business. For ease of writing, I’ll refer to the driver as Moses, an English translation of his first name. I related to him my desire to visit the ship and explained my connection to her having been a member of her crew during 1964-1966. Moses had an idea of how to get on board the ship, if she was in port. We loaded into his car and drove to the Peruvian Naval Museum. At the entrance there was a young “WAVE” type sailor, Jelen, acting as a hostess. Moses explained to Jelen what we were seeking. She made several phone calls and told us that the person who needed to make the decision was in a meeting and would call back in 20 minutes. She also told us that she would show us around the museum in the meantime. Well, 20 minutes turned into 2+ hours! Still no call back.

Moses, at this point, had had it! He proceeded to chew out every uniformed person in sight! He forcefully projected that it was a gross insult to the honor of Peru to act in such a disrespectful manner, that it was a gross insult to Helga and I who had traveled thousands of miles, and a few other things thrown in for good measure. The staff started making phone calls again with increased urgency. After just a short while we were told that two of the three decision makers had approved a visit the following day. Jelen promised to call us the same evening at our hotel. Hallelujah!

That evening we awaited the call. Hours passed and no call.  Finally I told Helga that I had given up. It simply wasn’t going to happen. Just then the phone rang! It was Jelen calling to let us know where to go the next day and to tell us we had a 10 A.M. appointment. All the approvals were in place. After a 40-year absence, I was going to go on board the Washoe County.

The next morning Moses drove us to the museum where we picked up Jelen. Then it was off to the Naval headquarters base. Some things never change. The SP wouldn’t let us drive onto the base, as Moses had no Naval car pass. Moses argued awhile with the SP, finally produced his police I.D., and then, to my surprise informed the SP that the guy in the back seat was an Admiral in the United States Navy and that I was there to meet with the base commander. Gates were suddenly opened.

We the drove to the designated parking lot where a smiling Navy Captain came out to greet us and indeed gave us a very warm welcome. He did ask me if I was a retired Commander or Lieutenant Commander. Apparently my time as an Admiral had already ended. Captain Yabar Acuna had attend the U.S. Navy’s Fire Fighting school at Treasure Island, Ca. and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. His current billet would roughly translate as that of Public Affairs Officer.

We visited over fine Peruvian coffee and chatted about our individual experiences in Newport and Treasure Island, family, and I related some of the history of the then Washoe County. After a short visit, the PAO had a photographer in and gave Helga and I beautifully boxed pens, blue ball caps with the emblem of the Peruvian Navy and a decorated pin. I was floating on air already!

Then we were off to visit THE SHIP! I’ve capitalized that because one of our sons asked me why I was excited about visiting just another boat. Kids!

The Callao was tied up to a pier inboard of the ex-USS Waldo County, an LST of the same class. The Washoe County name was still clearly visible on each flank of the stern. The ship‘s Captain was absent this day and the visit was conducted by the Calloa’s Executive Officer. He and several other officers were awaiting us at the brow and we were piped aboard. Quite a thrill!

After a short wardroom visit we took a tour. I checked out my old bunk, still in place. The spaces like the galley, mess decks, offices, crew’s berthing etc. looked just as I remembered them. I tried to explain to the XO how the partition in the mess decks disappeared one night in Yokosuka, Japan given a bit of a hand from DC2 Frame and myself.

Exterior of the ship looks great. The boat complement has been reduced to two LCVP’s from the 4 we carried. The armament has all been changed with the 3-inch guns replaced by something that looks similar to 40 mm. The ship’s wheel had been replaced by a wooden one looking a lot like the old riverboats had. I asked the Chief Quartermaster why the wheel had been changed and apparently it is only due to preference. He was quick to assure me that he still had the solid brass wheel that the ship had during her U.S. Navy time. I joked that it was something like a spare tire on a car! That went over well.

We returned to the wardroom after the tour, had whiskey sours (a common drink in Peru), and some friendly conversation. As we were about to leave the XO surprised me by presenting me with a beautiful engraved ship’s plaque and a blue ball cap with “scrambled eggs” and the ship’s emblem.

Pictures were taken and we were piped over the side.