MOORE MEMORIES

USS BELL ASSOCIATION (DD587)

JANUARY, 2003

IN THIS ISSUE:

HAPPY NEW YEAR

IN SYMPATHY

RECIPES

MAILBAG

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CORRECTED INFORMATION

REMEMBERING WORLD WAR II

SHIP’S STORE

ANNUAL DUES

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year. I’m sorry I didn’t get the newsletter out before the Christmas holidays, but seems Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years came so close together I hardly had time to recover from the reunion. We had another wonderful reunion. We had a great group of people attending and as usual we really had a lot of fun. Shipmates, relatives & friends attending the Baton Rouge reunion included the following: Jack & Roseann Ogden, Thomas & Lupe Gutierrez, William (Bill) & Peggy Cavanaugh, Maurice Moe, Mike & Teresa DiVeronica with 14 family members, Ed Klenka and friend Rita Stasitis, Mario & Marion Capitanio with Jon & Susan Diulus, Robert (Bob) & Lucia DeWolf, Richard (Dick) Daniels, Charlie Calkins, James (Jim) & Louise Faith with daughters Nancy Luckett, Sherry Chapman, Kathy Nielsen, and Gina Daniel, Al & Pauline Lewis, Jack Forester and sons Ken and Brian, and Arthur Arbogast and son Jim, Mrs. Martin (Denise) Corbell with Denny and Sue Corbell, and Mrs. Lester (Neysa) Blagg with Lester and Donna Blagg. My friends Barbara Shurling and Jean Berry attended with me.

On Thursday we went over to New Orleans and visited the World War II D-day Museum. It was a really interesting place. There is so much to see and read that it probably would take much more than a day to really enjoy all the artifacts. To see the movies really gives you a feeling of how horrible things really were during this time. It was so interesting to read the actual letters written during the various battles and view the personal objects with their memories. It leaves a great impression with you when you leave. After visiting the Museum we ventured into the French Quarter for lunch. Some of us walked up to the Mighty Mississippi and checked out the Paddle Wheelers and watched the crowds meander around Jackson Square where we were entertained with the Mimes and street musicians. After arriving back at the hotel, we met in the hospitality room for our annual Pizza Party.

On Friday, we visited the USS KIDD and held our memorial service there. The weather didn’t cooperate very well with us, as we had to hold our memorial service in the theater instead of on the ship. It was a very nice service. Mr. Maury Drummond, the Director of the USS KIDD Louisiana Naval War Memorial welcomed everyone and explained how the service would be conducted since the rain had caused a few changes in our plans. Afterward, James Faith opened the service with prayer. Gina Faith Daniel, daughter of James and Louise Faith, sang a beautiful version of God Bless America. Maurice Moe read the list of deceased shipmates after which there was a three-gun salute fired from the USS KIDD. A bagpiper played Amazing Grace after which a bugler played TAPS. It was a beautiful and emotional service.

After the memorial service, we boarded the bus and traveled about fifteen miles out to Rosedale for lunch. As we left the expressway, a Rosedale policeman escorted us to the home of Randall (Panco) and Vicki Badeaux. A big tent had been erected in their backyard and was decorated in red, white and blue. Our hosts greeted us as we left the bus and walked to the tent. The Mayor of Rosedale, who is Randall’s father, was also in attendance. We were seated and the family members proceeded to serve each of us a wonderful meal. We had Shrimp Gumbo with Rice, Jambalaya, Potato Salad, Crawfish Cornbread, Tea, Lemonade, Coffee, Beer and Wine. For dessert, we were served Louisiana Bread Pudding with Praline Sauce. It was a real family affair. In addition to Panco and Vicki, Panco’s brother and parents, Vicki’s parents, their two daughters and one of their friends, Vicki’s sister Sara and husband Troy, and Vicki’s brother Randy, all took part in the preparation, cooking and serving of the food. Also in attendance was one of Rosedale’s councilmen. He was so gracious and a lot of fun. A reporter from the local parish paper was also in attendance and spoke with several of the shipmates and made pictures for the paper. He prepared a full-page spread of the day’s activities. Needless to say, we did enjoy our day.

Saturday was a free day with the exception of a brief business meeting in the morning. Mike DiVeronica thought it would be quite appropriate to have an Honorary Captain for the USS Bell Association. He nominated Richard Daniels. It was a unanimous vote and Richard graciously accepted. I will again be your Secretary/Treasurer for another term. A list of the sick members was read and cards signed for them. It was also agreed that we would make a donation to the Tin Can Sailors Association. The site for the 2003 reunion was opened for bids. Jack and Roseann Ogden bid to host the 2003 reunion in Las Vegas and received an overwhelming approval. So, 2003 will see us in Las Vegas. Plans are already underway. The meeting was then adjourned after which we held our annual raffle. We also had an auction, which proved to be a hit and generated a lot of fun and laughs. It not only gives a little action for the group it helps out the treasury. Saturday night we had our banquet and dance. James Faith gave the blessing of the food. Our new Captain delivered the toast. Several prizes were awarded along with the 50-50 drawing. After the banquet, the disc jockey played the Navy Anthem, which got everyone to their feet for a little march around the dance floor. The music seemed to set some feet to tapping and I can truly say, I saw a lot of action on that floor.

Sunday morning was filled with departures and so-longs. It’s always sad to leave after such a good time, but everyone looks forward to the next reunion so much and seemed happy to say “We’ll see you in Las Vegas”!

Top of page

IN SYMPATHY

…..It is with great regret that I write to inform you of the death of my mother, Mrs. Charles (Jane) Flowerree on August 5, 2002. Sincerely, Elisabeth I. Flowerree

…..For your records, my wife of 61 years (Patty), passed away July 27, 2002, after 14 years of suffering with Lupus, Arteriosclerosis, Osteoporosis and Pulmonary Fibrosis. I am very sure she is in the Lord’s hands now. My son and I hope to see you in Baton Rouge. Yours Sincerely, Arthur Arbogast (Arbo).

…..Another U.S.S. Bell shipmate has fallen. Russell E. Halberg, Sr. passed away recently after a 1 year battle with cancer. He had so wanted to attend the reunion in Baton Rouge. Enclosed is the memorial card from his funeral service. I am his friend that was at the reunion in Newport with him. Keep the gang going.

…..Meryl A. Russell

Russell E. Halberg, born September 25, 1924, passed away December 9, 2002. Services held at Bartholomew Funeral Home on December 13, 2002. Burial in Memorial Park Cemetery, Valparaiso, IN.

…..E. A. “Bud” Geneste passed away September 9, 2002. Bud was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in July 2002. He passed away peacefully with no pain medication. He had looked forward to the Baton Rouge reunion and he and Helen always enjoyed their time with his shipmates and families. Received by E-mail from Bud’s daughter-in-law.

Top of page

RECIPES

…..Several people asked for recipes for some of the dishes we had at the luncheon at the home of the Badeaux’s. Here’s a couple.

SEAFOOD GUMBO

½ cup flour 1 lb. Crabmeat

½ cup oil 1 qt. Oysters (optional)

1 large onion, chopped 2 bayleaves

1 clove garlic, chopped 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce

¼ cup parsley, chopped 2 Quarts Water

2 lbs. Shrimp or Crawfish Salt, Pepper, Tobasco & File’ to taste

Make a roux by browning flour in hot oil until brown. Add water slowly and smooth to a paste. Add vegetables and cook for 30 minutes. Add Crabmeat and all seasoning except parsley and file’. Cook for 15 minutes. Add shrimp and oysters and cook till oysters curl (about 5 minutes). Cut head, add file’ and serve over rice. Sprinkle with parsley.

CAJUN CRAWFISH CORNBREAD

2 cups Cornmeal ½ cup chopped jalapeno peppers

1 Tbsp. Salt 16 oz. Cheddar Cheese

1 Tsp. Soda 2/3 cup Oil

6 eggs 2 (16 oz) cream style corn

2 medium Onions 2 lb. Crawfish tails

Combine cornmeal, salt and soda. In a medium bowl beat eggs. Chop onions and peppers. Grate cheese. Add to beaten eggs the onions, peppers, cheese, oil, corn and crawfish tails. Combine this with the cornmeal mixture and mix well. Pour into greased 12x14 baking dish. Bake at 375 degrees for 55 minutes or until golden brown.

Top of page

MAILBAG

…..I have received your update on the USS Bell. Thanks. Please keep it up. I won’t be able to come to the reunion because of health problems. I had two close friends I haven’t seen on your list dead or alive. I met Ernest C. Alexander from Greenwood, Arkansas in Corpus. We spent the war together. The last I heard of him he was in Detroit, Michigan. Richard L. Baker, no kin, Dayton, Ohio. He moved to Texas for a while. I would like to know if they are alive or not. If you happen to see a big Frenchman at the reunion by the name of Mouton ask him if he remembers a wrestling match we had in Corpus Christie? Sorry to put you through this mess trying to read. You are the only person I have tried to write to in years. Thanks again for the update.

…..R. T. Baker, Corsicana, Texas

Note: I am still looking for your friends Richard Baker and Ernest Alexander.

…..We wish to inform you that we will not be attending activities as planned. I was looking forward to going but Steve’s health is failing drastically. Darlene and I will stay here to look after him. Keep in touch. We look forward to your newsletters of what’s going on the with the group. Take care. We also cancelled the hotel rooms. Enclosed is a picture of us taken in March 2002. Send us a photo is you have one available. Thanks again for all of your letters and information regarding the USS Bell. I wish we were as healthy as we look.

…..Steve & Dorothy Stack, St. Petersburg, FL

….. Just a note. I am enclosing dues for my wife and I. Thank you for all the effort you use keeping everyone informed about the U.S.S. Bell. We are retired but haven’t been able to make any of the reunions. We enjoy the newsletters.

…..Bob & Elinor Ludwig, LaJose, PA

…..Although Loren doesn’t recognize any names, he really enjoys having the newsletter read to him. It’s wonderful of you to continue this project.

…..Norma Jean Brock, Overland Park, KS

…..I did not think I would be able to make the reunion. I had open-heart surgery in May but I am doing fine now. See you in Baton Rouge.

…..Mario Capitanio, Brookpark, OH

…..Enclosed find check for 2 years dues. I don’t know if I have sent anything this far. I am sorry I could not go to Newport, RI last year. I am not going to be able to go to Baton Rouge either. Reason being I have arthritis in lower back. I had to cancel my vacation this year for the same reason. The previous four years I have gone sailing on a 47-foot sailboat up to Maine or Nantucket as 1st Mate. That’s not bad since the owner and Captain is a lady friend of mine. I enjoy Moore Memories and loved that story about “Old Geezers”. My wife passed away in 1996, but we had 55 happy years together. I have 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. With that support and the fact that I’ll be 86 in January, can I be an “old Geezer” too? I was in the Commissioning Crew at Charleston, SSC in the spring of 1943, then Atlantic Merchant Ship Convoys, and then to the Pacific. I was transferred from the Bell about January or February 1945 to go to Radio Material School in Washington so that I could proceed from First Class Radioman (& Technician) and upon graduation, to go Chief Radio/Radar Technician. After the 2 bombs in Japan, I was able to be discharged on points and went home to my wife and first son who was one year old. From one of your “old Geezers”,

…..Alfred L. Henchcliffe, Southbury, CT

…..Sorry Nita & I will not be able to get to any more reunions. Her memory has gone bad and my water works isn’t the best. Thanks for the Memories. Enclosed check for dues. …..Bob Turner, Cocoa, FL

…..Happy Thanksgiving to you and all the wonderful USS Bell People. Thanks very much for the card from the USS Bell. That was very nice. You can put my thanks in the newsletter. …..Jim Humbert, Aurora, IL

…..Please extend my thanks to association members and friends for the “Get Well Wishes”! It was nice of them to think of us and to send us that nice card. Teri & I are disappointed that we were not able to come to Baton Rouge. We had also planned to go to Columbus, Ohio to see my sister but had to cancel those plans also. All in all, 2002 has been a bad year for us almost from the start of the year. Looking forward to much better year in 2003! Thanks again and best wishes to all.

…..Doug & Teri Wetherby

You meet the nicest people …

In my search for shipmates, I have met some really nice people. Here are a few.

…..Received your letter of December 4, 2002 and I have checked with the US Post Office here in Jackson, Ohio and I am sorry no one seems to know this person. I am sorry I cannot be any more help to you. With kindest regards, John E. Morgan, Jackson, Ohio.

…..This Richard P. Williams moved to Wooster, Ohio. I am not a shipmate of that Unit. My middle name is Paul. I am a Navy Veteran, having served in the Pacific during World War II. Standard Landing Craft Unit No. 36 at Okinawa and later aboard LST 599. Good Luck. Richard Paul Williams, Wooster, OH

…..I am in receipt of your letter of October 10, and must advise that I am not the William F. Harris about whom you are inquiring. I do hope your search is successful and with you all the best in your worthwhile endeavors. Most Sincerely, Bill Harris

…..Sorry but I am the wrong Joseph B. Stokes. I was in the Navy but attached to Marine Corp and I am from Florida. Good Luck. JBS

…..In reply to your letter of October 6^th I am sorry I can’t help you. Although I spent the war years in the Charlestown, Mass. Naval Shipyard as a civilian employee, I never served in the Navy. I wish you good luck in your continuing search. Sincerely, John Francis Leonard, Lynnfield, MA

…..Unfortunately, I am not the James Albert McRae you are trying to contact. My name is James Alexander McRae and I did serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. I lived in Massachusetts and enlisted at Boston. While in the Navy, I was a crewmember on three ships; The USS Nitro, USS Euryale and USS Clytie. The first was an ammunition ship and the latter two were submarine tenders. Hopefully you will be successful locating the correct person.

…I hope you have found Mr. Wells III. My husband is John Crawford Wells and he was on the USS Lauderdale. He thinks he remembers seeing the USS Bell when he was in the Pacific but never knew anyone from the ship. Good luck on your search. Margaret Wells.

****************************************

I received a Christmas Card that had the most beautiful poem in it that I wanted to pass it along to each of you.

THE WAY TO A HAPPY NEW YEAR

To leave the old with a burst of song;

To recall the right and forgive the wrong;

To forget the things that bind you fast;

To the vain regrets of the year that’s past;

To have the strength to let go your hold;

Of the not worthwhile of the days grown old;

To dare go forth with a purpose true;

To the unknown task of the year that’s new;

To help your brother along the road;

To do his work and lift his load;

To add your gift to the world’s good cheer;

Is to have and to give a Happy New Year.

Author Unknown

Top of page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

…..The Board of Directors of the Medical Guild of Friday Harbor, WA gratefully acknowledges and thanks you for your contribution in memory of Bud Geneste.

…..Thank you for remembering our mother and dear friend with a donation in her memory to the Winchendon EMT Ambulance Fund. Our mother only attended two Bell reunions. The first with our father in Warren, OH before he died in 1982. She also attended the 2001 Newport, RI reunion with our brother Marc. We were able to join them at the banquet. Sons Marc & Paul Brouillette, daughter Lisa M. Holland and friend Charles (Pete) Chapman.

Top of page

CORRECTED INFORMATION

…..In the August newsletter, I printed some information on Remembering World War II. My calendar could have had a misprint on 1/2/42. I received from Edgar Glenn an article that differs to the information in the calendar. Here is the statement.

CORREGIDOR, rocky island, N Philippines, in Cavite Province, at the entrance to Manila Bay. It divides the bay into two channels, the Boca Chica, 5 km (3 mi) wide, and the Boca Grande, 10.5 km (6.5 mi) wide. Corregidor has a maximum length from E to W of 6 km (4 mi), and average width of 1.6 km (1 mi), and a total area of 5 sq. km (2 sq. mi). A Spanish stronghold, Corregidor was acquired by the U.S. after the Spanish-American War in 1898 and was further fortified. During World War II the island was the scene of the last organized resistance by American and Philippine troops against the Japanese invaders in the Philippines. After the surrender at Bataan, more than 10,000 Americans and Filipinos under the American General Jonathan Wainwright withdrew to Corregidor and defended it for nearly a month before surrendering to the Japanese in May 1942. U.S. forces recaptured in March 1945, and in 1947 the island became a part of the republic of the Philippines. It is now a national shrine.

Top of page

REMEMBERING WORLD WAR II (Continued from August 2002 Newsletter)

2/1/41 – Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, warns Congress that the U.S. fleet will require six years of preparation and buildup before it will be ready to fight in a war.

2/2-3/43 – A German sub sinks the U.S. troop carrier Dorchester. A rabbi, a priest, and two ministers give up their life jackets to four soldiers and go down with the ship.

2/4/38 – Joachim von Ribbentrop, whom his fellow Nazi Joseph Goebbels once said “bought his name, married his money, and swindled his way into office,” is rewarded for faithful service to the party by being named German minister of foreign affairs.

2/5/44 – The U.S. Twenty-seventh Army opens up a route to the Mariana Islands by mopping up the last of the Japanese resistance on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands.

2/6/43 – General Dwight D. Eisenhower is put in command of the allied expeditionary force in North Africa. The experience would later prove invaluable to Eisenhower when it came time to command the allied invasion of France the following year.

2/7/43 – Rationing hits the soles of all Americans as they are now restricted to buying only three pairs of shoes per year under the administration’s new shoe rationing policy.

2/8/41 – Hitler gives the newly acquired country of Luxembourg the catchy new name of Mosselland.

2/9-10/42 – The United States goes on wartime, as clocks are moved ahead one hour to conserve electricity.

2/11/43 – Former Bulgarian minister of war, General Christo Loukov is assassinated while attending a movie in Sofia, Bulgaria. German agents are suspected as Loukov was known to oppose the Nazi regime.

2/12/38 – Germany presents Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg with a list of demands, which he refuses, fearing that Austria would be reduced to a vassal state. Von Schuschnigg eventually bows to the pressure he is under from both Germany and Austria’s own Nazi Party and resigns, only to be proven correct about Austria’s vassal condition.

2/13/45 – German forces surrender the city of Budapest, Hungary, after losing over 50,000 men in defense of the city.

2/14/43 – German panzers commanded by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel break through the U.S. First Armored Division at the Kasserine Pass in Tunisia. The breakthrough temporarily halts plans for an allied offensive.

2/15/41 – President Roosevelt warns the Japanese foreign minister that any attack on British forces in Singapore would result in the United States declaring war on Japan.

2/16-17/40 – HMS Cossack sails into the neutral Norwegian port of Jossing Fiord and sends a boarding party onto the German ship Altmark. The raid frees nearly 300 imprisoned British sailors, but causes tension with Norway.

2/18/43 – The U.S. Congress votes against a proposal by President Roosevelt that would have limited American workers’ wages to $25,000 per year per person or $50,000 per year per household. Instead, Congress voted to freeze wages at prewar levels.

2/19/42 – Japanese forces attack Australia for the first time, bombing the city of Darwin. The bombs inflict heavy damage on the city’s port facilities and put them out of action for much of the war.

2/20/42 – The carrier Lexington comes under attack from nine Japanese planes, with only one fighter plane available for defense. Pilot Edward O’Hare downs five Japanese planes in as many minutes to save the ship. O’Hare would later be killed in action and honored by having Chicago’s O’Hare Airport named for him.

2/21/44 – Lieutenant General James Doolittle orders airstrikes on aircraft factories throughout Germany and the occupied territories in an attempt to cut off the Luftwaffe supply of new planes and parts.

2/22/44 – U.S. Marines capture Parry Island, the last Japanese-held island in the Marshall Islands.

2/23-24/45 – Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal takes one of the most famous pictures of the war when he records the raising of the U.S. flagon Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima.

2/25/45 – Hitler grants Hanna Reitsch, the only woman to ever have won the Nazi Iron Cross, permission to fly the new V-1 rocket. Reitsch becomes the first person to fly and safely land the V-1, which had previously only flown unmanned missions.

2/26/41 – British general Alan Cunningham captures the Italian’s fuel station at Mogadishu and forces the duke of Aosta, an Italian general and nobleman, along with his troops to retreat from Somaliland.

2/27/33 – The Reichstag building in Germany burns to the ground. Hitler blames communists for the fire and uses the resulting public outrage to win the upcoming election. It is believed the fire was actually set by members of the Nazi Party.

2/28/42 – Japanese planes locate the eight fleeing allied ships that survived their attack in the Java Sea. Five of the eight are sunk immediately, and the other three are sunk the following day, leaving no survivors. This would be the Allies’ worst naval defeat of the war in the Pacific.

Top of page

SHIP’S STORE

USS Bell caps - screen printed caps are $5.00 and the embroidered caps are $10.00. Postage - $2.00 each.

We still have a few golf shirts for men. We have 2 size XL and 3 size L. In women’s we have 2 L and 5 XL. Postage $2.00 each.

We now have T-shirts with the Moore Memories logo on the front. These shirts are $10.00 each and we have them in sizes L and XL. Postage $2.00 each.

We have decals for windows. They are $5.00 each and look really nice.

Top of page

ANNUAL DUES ARE STILL $10.00 PER YEAR AND DUES ARE DUE.

Just a note to all of you who have made such generous donations to the treasury. It is gratefully appreciated.

Top of page

Especially for Grandmothers –

“Grandmothers are older than they look. I heard many of them go back to World War II”

– Susan, age 9 when asked about her grandmother.