USS BELL
ASSOCIATION (DD587)
DECEMBER, 2009
IN THIS ISSUE:
Next years reunion will be
held in Savannah, Georgia. The dates selected were May 26 through May 29, 2010.
May is a great time for visiting Savannah. The temperature usually has not
reached the eighties and is a comfbrtable mid-seventy degrees. The city is in
full bloom and the parks are fantastic. September and October is also a good
time, but it is also close to the time the tropical winds start gathering and
with the city surrounded by the ocean and a large river the wind can become an
interruption. I do not have all the details as of yet, but the hotel is known as
The Inn at Ellis Square. This hotel is a Historic Preservation Award Winner.
When they named Savannah America's Favorite Walking City, they must have started
at the door of The Inn at Ellis Square. Everything wonderful about "Georgia's
First City" is just a walk-in-the-park. The Inn is located on Bay Street and has
gained the name of "The Grand Lady." There is not a full service restaurant in
the hotel, but from any door of the hotel you will find many restaurants located
just across the street. Included in the room price is a full complimentary
deluxe continental breakfast. The Historic District has numerous restaurants of
all types and some of the most unique shops you will find anywhere. I might add
that I have a lot of favorites in that area. The Savannah International Airport
serves six major airlines, including American, Continental, Delta, United and US
Air. I will have all the details soon after the Christmas Holidays and will be
sending out more information at that time. I hope you will mark your calendar
for the May dates and join us for another BELL reunion.
MAILBAG
..... Just read
the notice in August issue of American Legion magazine. I served on the BELL in
1945-1946, as radioman 3rd class, with lots of fond memories of many crew
members. When we sailed home the ship was dry docked at Mare Island, CA, for
paint, etc. From there we sailed to San Diego, CA, where she was put in
mothballs and later decommissioned. Please send any additional information you
have concerning hotel accommodations, costs, etc. Where will the reunion be held
and how many of the crew might be attending. I sure will make every effort to be
there. I have a lot of pictures of the guys to share and, of course, some old
sea stories. Since we live in California we would probably fly in to Chicago or
where do you advise? We sure do appreciate any information you have to send to
us and thank you in advance for your efforts. Looking forward to hearing from
you.
.....Kenneth C. Seckman, 3143 Lori Circle, Simi Valley, CA 93063
.....Read your
notice in the American Legion Magazine and was amazed to see the name of my old
ship!! Does this mean there will be a reunion on September 24 to 27 in
Naperville, IL? There are many of my old shipmates I would love to see, but I
doubt if there are very many left. I would love to come to the reunion, but
since my wife and I are signed up for (and have paid for) a two week trip in mid
September, I probably will not be able to attend. I certainly appreciate your
running the ad in the magazine and hope to hear how it turns out. My name is
Richard Law, SKD 3c, and I was on the BELL from April 1941 till its decommission
in San Diego Harbor in 1946. I live in Lewiston, Idaho, 83501 at 3758 Country
Club Drive. My email address is lgramibets@aol.com. I hope to hear from you.
.....Thank you so
much fpr your work on the U.S.S. BELL newsletter. Mother and Daddy always
enjoyed catching up on everything and I always enjoyed listening to Daddy tell
stories about his days in the Navy. Unfortunately, we have lost them. Mother
died November 25, 2007, and Daddy died February 23, 2008.
.....Thanks, Ronnie Gage, son of Joseph & Marjorie Gage
.....I've been
meaning to write you, but time just flies by. I've enclosed a check for the
dues. I enjoy receiving the BELL newsletter. I noticed that a lot of the
families are looking and may be planning to show the medals. I found a place
here in South Carolina that will mount the medals and will search to be sure all
the metals you're entitled to be there. The name is Medals of America, 114
Southchase Bldg, Fountain Inn, SC 29644 and the phone number is 800-308-0849.
The men who run this business are all veterans. You can have them mount the
medals or they will help with the material needed to do it yourself. I had
Johnny's medals mounted and they look great. I have included a picture of
Johnny's. My phone number is 843-553-3034. Thank you for keeping us informed
about folks in the newsletter.
.....Sincerely, Dottie (Dorothy) Pike, 6941 S. Kenwood Drive, Charleston,
SC 29406
.....I really
appreciate everything you have done for my Dad. I'm visiting him till the 18th
of July. My new address is 2705 Navajo Rd, Corinth, TX 76210 and phone number is
214-226-7177. Hope you and your family are well. My dad, Byron H. Atkinson, put
the ship in commission in Charleston, SC, as a plankman and was one of the first
crew to get on the U.S.S. BELL. There was also an A.H. and G.W. Atkinson on with
him.
.....Sincerely, Donna Feldman
.....Just to say
that I feel good and am still bowling. I cannot drive now as my memory is not
good.
.....Jack Forester
.....Thank you
for all your efforts to keep the BELL people informed on our behalf. In your
last letter, you asked for information on plank owners. I am a Plank Owner being
present at the commissioning of the BELL in Charleston. I was a Sonarman 2nd
Class. I remained on board about two years when I was selected to attend
Electronics Tech School. I was first in Hot Springs, AR, and later in Chicago.
Remained in Chicago as an instructor in the electronics school. Discharged in
1945. Attended the University of Wisconsin on the G.I. Bill and graduated with a
Mechanical Engineering degree. Was recalled in 1951 and received a commission in
the Civil Engineer Corps. Served another 22 years in various locations including
commanding a Seabee Battalion for two tours in Vietnam. I retired in September
1971 and have enjoyed 35 years of retirement! Again, Ann, thanks for all your
efforts.
.....Gordon W. Schley
.....Thank you so
much for your thoughtful, lovely card. I enclose a copy of the eulogy which I
think may interest you. It mentions his Navy service fiom 40 to 46. He was an
Electrician's Mate 2nd Class. Also enclosed are a list of all the ships he was
on and a list of his medals. Like so many of his generation he was a loyal,
honest family man who was always proud to be an American.
.....Sincerely, his wife & lover, Louisette Colligan
.....On June 7,
2009, George Colligan passed away with his loving wife of 54 years at his side.
He fought a courageous battle to recover from a stroke, but ultimately succumbed
to pneumonia. Born on January 16, 1921, in New York City to Margaret & James
Colligan, he was the youngest of 3 children. Even though his childhood spanned
the Great Depression, he recounted that he always felt fortunate because his
father had a steady job as a night watchman at the Elks in Manhattan and his
parents were always able to share with family. Growing up next door to his
father's sister and her family, his life would be filled with family. He happily
recollected that when his Aunt baked a pie there was always a piece saved for
Georgie. His love for and commitment to his family would continue through his
life. Holidays and special occasions would be shared with his sister Anne, his
brother Jim, and their families.
Upon graduating from high
school in 1940, he enlisted in the US Navy. Just miles outside of Pearl Harbor
when it was bombed, he witnessed first hand the extent of the destruction just
hours after the attack. As an electrician stationed on destroyers, he fought in
the battles of Midway and Guadalcanal. His parents had their 2 sons serving in
the war and at one point received telegrams that both sons were missing --
George's ship had sunk and his brother Jim's submarine was unaccounted for.
Fortunately both sons survived unhurt. George had fond memories of his wartime
experiences and valued his lifelong friendship with his navy buddy, Larry
Harlow.
After the war he did not
pursue his desire to re-enlist in the Navy and instead left the service to care
for his elderly parents. Using his wartime experience as an electrician, he took
a job purchasing electronics and during his career would advance from buyer to
purchasing manager at FEL, Singer and Fort Monmouth. He valued and kept his
friendships with numerous co-workers at Fort Monmouth.
In 1954 he married Louisette
Payssard. Together as a young couple they continued to care for his ailing
father. He welcomed into his family his wife's mother and her sister. They began
their own family with a son and a daughter. He was a devoted husband and father.
A man who's idea of the great outdoors did not go any further than a golf
course, he volunteered with his son's boy scout troop and braved winter camp
outs in the New Jersey snow. One time coming home from work he was greeted with
a story of how his daughter's goldfish was accidentally dropped in the sink;
immediately, still in his suit, he took apart the sink drain and rescued the
goldfish unhurt from the trap. He and his wife celebrated their 25th anniversary
in the French Riviera on their first European vacation. They would continue
their travels seeing both the United States and much of Europe and enjoyed their
retirement at Timber Oaks. Their final major trip was to Italy on their 50th
anniversary.
Mr. Colligan was laid to rest
with military honors on Friday, June 19, 2009, at 11:00 at Florida National
Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.
.....I have also
received information that Shipmate Edwin S. Harris of Elkins Lake, Texas, was
also a plank owner.
Merry Christmas to All!
