USS BELL
ASSOCIATION (DD587)
APRIL, 2009
IN THIS ISSUE:
NAPERVILLE REUNION REGISTRATION FORM
NOTE – NAPERVILLE REUNION DATES ARE: ARRIVAL ON THURSDAY 9/24/09 – CHECKOUT ON MONDAY 9/28/09.
The reunion in
Naperville is fast approaching. The
weather should be great for our visit and I am looking forward to another
wonderful time. Some reminders are
hotel reservations must be made by August 25, 2009.
Check in available after 3:00pm and check out by 12:00pm. The Holiday Inn Select is a premier full
service hotel with 426 of the area’s largest and most comfortable guest rooms
and suites, with complimentary high-speed internet, in-room entertainment
including Sony PlayStation and movies on demand, fitness center and swimming
pool.
Airport transportation from the
following companies:
·
Chicagoland Transportation from O’Hare and Midway Airports
for $65.00 for up to 3 passengers.
A 24-hour advance reservation is requested for pickups by calling
630-505-9505. This rate is available
on transportation to or from Holiday Inn Select Naperville.
·
Airport Express – 1-888-2THEVAN – This service picks up
and makes multiple stops and drops off people along the route. Fees for this service are O’Hare to
Naperville - $47.00 per person and Midway to Naperville - $42.00 per person.
·
Another Sedan service is My Chauffeur – Call 800-244-6200
or online at www.mychauffeurchicago.com for rates.
Two tours have been selected by Tom and
Jim and they are a Chicago Lake Cruise and a Chicago Tour for Veterans.
On Friday we will do the Chicago Lake Cruise.
This tour will allow us to enjoy incredible skyline views from the large picture
windows of a ship as we enjoy a fabulous luncheon cruise on Lake Michigan. We will board the ship at the Navy Pier. As we cruise, we will see Chicago’s
magnificent skyline, one of the top ten most spectacular views in America as
voted by the Society of American Travel Writers. A delicious bountiful lunch of creative
salads, entrees and desserts, prepared fresh on board daily, and has enough
variety to please everyone. There
will be engaging entertainment and lively music.
The sleek passenger vessel, built specifically for cruising the Chicago
lakeshore, has three enclosed decks, plus an open air deck to explore.
The Chicago Tour for Veterans is a
fully narrated tour of the City of Big Shoulders. Our tour guide will point out the
historic and significant sights. You
will see the new Memorial Water Wall, a veteran’s memorial at Soldier Field and
see the statues of General Grant and President Lincoln set in the beautiful
parks along the magnificent lakefront.
We will travel to the top of the John Hancock building and be awed by the
stunning views. We will see Navy
Pier, a former Navy training center and now the top attraction in Chicago. We will learn why Chicago is called the
Windy City and why its river flows backwards.
We will also see its outdoor art, the Magnificent Mile, the stunning new
Millennium Park and the landmark Water Tower that survived the great fire. We will have lunch on our own at the Navy
Pier.
There is so much to see in the Chicago
area and Naperville is a beautiful area with things you can do on your own
during your free time. The
Naperville Riverwalk in downtown is miles of winding brick paths along the
DuPont River. It was built by the
residents of Naperville to commemorate the city’s 150th birthday in
1981 and features covered bridges, gazebos and playgrounds. Naper Settlement allows you to experience
history as never before. Costumed
villagers tell the story of how Midwestern towns changed from frontier outposts
to bustling turn-of-the-century communities.
The community covers 12-acres of grounds where you can visit the
blacksmith shop and visit the Martin Mitchell Mansion and many other
entertaining activities. You can
also take the Historic Trolley Tour where you can see Naperville’s Historic
District, North Central College, downtown businesses and shopping areas,
state-of-the-art police and fire stations, Riverwalk, the Naper Settlement and
more. There is so much to do in Naperville you
would almost have to live there to see it all.
MAILBAG
…..I’m looking
for crew pictures of the USS BELL.
My Grandfather served on her during WWII.
His name is Charles James Turner.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you. Anthony Turner.
(If anyone
remembers Shipmate Charles James Turner, please get in touch with Anthony at Aturner@wetandeep.com or at 559-827-7037
or you can contact me and I will pass along any information.)
....My mother
asked me to notify you of the death of my aunt, Virginia Whitlock. Aunt Virginia was the widow of Charley
Whitlock. She died peacefully at my
mother’s home on October 14, 2007.
She spoke fondly of the times she and Uncle Teter enjoyed with members of the
USS BELL Association.
…..Sincerely, Kathy N. Isom
…..My name is
Bette Whitrock and Alex Burchardt was my father. Dad was on the USS BELL (DD587). Dad passed away on 9-14-2001. He served in the Atlantic/Pacific Theatre
and was always talking about his duties on the ship. So many times we heard about what he and
his buddies did to pass the time.
Those stories will be with us forever.
After Dad’s passing Mom gave me the Boson’s whistle that Dad had received. It sits upon my desk in a place of honor
with a silver ball engraved with the USS BELL logo.
We also have hanging in our home a map of the world where Dad had drawn
each and every one of the trips of the USS BELL. I will always remember walking into Dad’s
room at the hospital where he was on the 12th of September, one day
after 9-11 and seeing the tears roll down his cheeks as he watched the flag of
the United States being burned by the country that was involved in the
destruction of the Towers. He was so
very proud of serving in the Navy and being a part of keeping our Great Country
free. To see what was happening
broke his heart, and mine. To see
one’s Father cry was devastating. My
Mom has been receiving your newsletter and now that she is living in the Eagles
Wings Nursing Home in Beaver Dam instead of her home, I have been going through
and sorting out her paperwork. I
have enjoyed reading your newsletters and would like to know if you could send
one to me. Thanking you in advance.
…..Sincerely, Bette Whitrock
…..I hope this
letter finds you well. Enclosed
please find a check in the amount of $20 for membership dues for Greg and myself
in the USS Bell Association. In
addition, I would like to order a cookbook and am including a check for that. Greg and I will definitely be attending
the 2009’s Bell Reunion in Naperville this year.
We are very excited about it and glad it is so close to Indianapolis this
year. We were very disappointed that
we weren’t able to make it last year to the reunion in San Francisco. We are hoping Greg’s mother and sister
will be able to come with us to the reunion this year but we won’t know until
this summer. We had such a wonderful
enriching experience at the 2006 reunion here in Indianapolis that we would love
Greg’s sister to be able to experience that as well. Looking forward to seeing you in
September.
…..Terri Grimes
…..So good to
hear from you. Thank you for all
that you do. I thought Lester was
going to retire last year (Aug.) and we could come to the reunions. I can’t come by myself, but he decided to
work about 2 more years and that is good with everything that is happening.
I want a cookbook and I’m paying our dues.
Thanks again and I hope to see you again someday.
…..Love, Neysa Blagg
…..Thanks for
sending the cookbook. I’m trying
some of the recipes and they are good.
…..Best Wishes, Neysa
…..Just a short
note to thank you for all your thoughtfulness and sending us all the goodies.
The cookbook arrived yesterday and we have thumbed thought it and I am planning
on one of the recipes for our church dinner next Sunday.
I know it will be good and will let you know.
Our weather here is beautiful. Ken
had his left hand operated on last Thursday and is doing fine. He heals so well. We go in Thursday the 12th to
have his stitches removed. Be sure
and call and let us know if you enjoyed the film.
Enclosed is the check for the goodies and cookbook.
…..Love you, Ken & Lucy Lamb
(I will bring the
DVD on Ken’s interview with the Veterans History Project for the Library of
Congress so everyone at the reunion will have a chance to see it. It should appear on the Veteran’s History
Project website at www.loc.gov/vets and those with computers can view it
there.
…..Thanks for all
you have done, are doing and prayerfully will continue to be able to do.
Especially now that you have attained the age and status of great grand
parenting.
…..Love you, Ed Flowers
(Yes, I am going
to be a great grand mother in October and I am so excited)
…..Bud received
your newsletter of the BELL trip to California and other news. He so looks forward for it. We would love to be there but like so
many, his health is bad, so there in memories and love. We see the cookbooks are for sale, so
have enclosed a check for one. Will
be happy to use it while sitting in the house with this terrible winter weather
we have had. Take care. You do such a great job on your letters.
…..Betty Haskin – the better half of Byron Haskin, Radioman on the USS BELL.
…..How nice of
you to share Happy New Year thoughts with me.
A lot of living since 12-07-41 when all our young lives changes so much.
Not many of us left. I’m 82 years and not U.S.O. dancing
anymore. George and I had 52 years
together, 2 great sons that are here with me.
Mom still cooked the dinner (they bought the groceries). Two special grandsons and one sweet
granddaughter-in-law. They all spent
time with us and dined with us, brought homemade lasagna Christmas Eve day for
us. The world has changed so much, but I
believe God’s infinite wisdom about families is good.
Peace to you. Bless you.
…..Penny Atkinson, George’s Mate, USS Bell
…..I was so happy
to get your greeting. It reminded me
that I may have forgotten to thank you for the USS BELL sun visors, etc.
My granddaughter who served in Desert Storm quickly laid claim to it.
She served in the Navy and loves her Grandpa’s memorabilia. I treasure your newsletters and look for
a familiar name, should anyone remember serving with my husband, Edward. I’d love to hear from them. He was know as “Ski” and served in the
engine room as “Water King”. I enjoy
keeping contact with the Wetherbys.
I won’t be traveling to any reunions.
I’ll be 90 in April. Best wishes for
a very special ’09!!
…..Fran Vershowski, N9169 Hickery St. East Troy, WI 53120
…..It was good to
hear from you. It’s been a while.
I hope you are staying well and active.
Yes, we had a wonderful holiday season this year; both of Elmer’s boys were here
for Thanksgiving and did the cooking.
Christmas was just as good. Elmer
can’t get around anymore. All
traveling is out and even going out to eat has had to stop.
He uses a Hoverround if he leaves the house.
I’m staying good and can take care of him alright so we are getting along
good. May God Bless & Keep You.
…..Wilma & Elmer Angus, Lot 650, 2100 Kings Hwy, Pt. Charlotte, FL 32980
…..It has been my
intention to e-mail you for some time now and I am finally getting around to it.
My name is E.A. Hughes and I am a US Navy retired Master Chief Fire Control
Technician with 24 years Navy service.
After my first hitch in the Navy, I attended the University of Denver and as an
assignment for English 102, I wrote a poem and titled it “Once I Was a Navyman”
to show how I felt about the Navy, the Navymen, the ships we sailed on and other
things I felt important about the Navy.
I went back into the Navy a few months later and stayed another 20 years. About the time I retired from the Navy I
revised my work to include more of the Navymen I had served with, places where
the Navymen came from, some of the ships that some of the Navymen and I served
on and other minor changes I felt I should make. I still continue making changes to my
work on occasion, like the Destroyer Cole where 17 of our Shipmates died and 39
were injured. She is sailing the
seas again and neither Her crew nor the United States will ever forget what the
Cole went through. I had served on
Destroyers USS Turner (DDR 834) and William R. Rush (DDR 714) back in the 1960’s
so I am very familiar with what Destroyers such as the USS BELL do to earn their
keep. Andy my Tin Can days will mostly be good
memories. I noticed that your Feb.
2008 Newsletter carries my work and I am attaching my latest version of “Once I
Was A Navyman” for your inclusion in your Bell Newsletter if that would meet
with your approval.
…..Very Respectfully, E.A. Hughes, FTCM (SS), US Navy, Retired.
(I will print the
updated version in the next newsletter)
…..One more of the Bell’s Vet pasted away
this morning. Maurice C. Hillman
passed away Friday, February 13, 2009 at the age of 84. Services at St. Mary of the Woods
Catholic Church on February 17, 2009.
Final resting place St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Cemetery in Kalkaska,
Michigan.
…..His Loving Son, Gregory Hillman
…..We are the wife and daughter of Clair
Dickman. He was aboard the USS BELL
as a Fire Controlman, 2nd Class. I
would like to inform you that he passed away January 20, 2008 at age 93. He was a good husband, Dad, and
Grandfather of 3. After his
honorable discharge from the Navy, he played semi-pro hockey with the Rochester
(MN) Mustangs. He loved hockey and watched it on TV
every time there was a pro game on.
He was also an avid hunter and fisherman.
Hunting rubbed off on my brother and his 2 sons. All are now avid hunters as well. The skating rubbed off on me and my
daughter. I loved skating when I was
younger as well as my daughter. My
Dad was the first one in the family to get her on skates at age 4. He was very proud of all his grandkids
and their accomplishments. He always
got out his wallet every time we all got together and each grandchild got a
dollar. He cared very much for his
family, always asking how things were going with each one’s particular
accomplishments and hobbies. We will
miss him very much and very proud of him as well. May I add that at his wake, we had a
table set up with articles from the USS BELL web page and photos of him aboard
ship. Ann, thank you for your
letters. You were very faithful. We all enjoyed them. Clare wore his “BELL hat” very proudly. He was very proud of his Navy service. We had very good years (60 years) in
2009.
…..Corrine Dickman & Lynda M. Lund (Daughter)
(I must apologize for not getting this
memo in the newsletter sooner. I did
add Mr. Dickman to the memorial list at the SF reunion and his name was read and
remembered at the memorial service.)
Last year’s
merchandise has been reduced in order to clear inventory to have new items for
this year’s reunion.
We have light
blue golf shirt with the Bell insignia – Men’s sizes -1 large, 2 medium and
women’s only 1 size large.
Navy golf shirts
with embroidered insignia we have four men’s left – 1 size XL and 3 sizes L.
Women sizes in Navy we have 11 size large.
All shirts have
been reduced to half price of $15.00 each, plus $2.00 postage.
Just a few caps –
screen printed ones $5.00 and embroidered caps $10.00, plus 1.50 postage -Sun
Visors – White with navy print $8.00 plus 1.50 postage.
REGISTRATION
FORM FOR NAPERVILLE REUNION
9/24/09 – 9/28/09
CHICAGO LAKE CRUISE - $75.00 EACH – INCLUDES TRANSPORTATION, CRUISE WITH LUNCH, & TOUR GUIDE
NAMES: ________________________________________________________________
CHICAGO TOUR FOR VETERANS - $49.00 EACH – INCLUDES TRANSPORTATION AND TOUR GUIDE. LUNCH ON YOUR OWN AT NAVY PIER.
NAMES: ________________________________________________________________
FAREWELL BANQUET – $35.00 EACH
NAMES: ________________________________________________________________
TOTAL: $__________________
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO USS BELL ASSOCIATION AND MAIL TO:
ANN POOLE, 3978 ASHLEYWOODS COURT, TUCKER, GEORGIA 30084
