October 2015 Scuttlebutt - Fleet Reserve Association Branch #269

Branch 269
99 Wisteria Road
October 2015
Goose Creek
Scuttlebutt
South Carolina
Fleet Reserve Association, Low Country Branch 269
http://www.fra269.org
Branch President’s Corner
The leaves are falling like crazy at my house and the air is certainly
cooler so it must be fall! I love this time of year with having so much to
look forward to like Octoberfest. Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving and
Christmas. We have a lot of things to look forward to here at the Fleet
so keep checking our website. Facebook page and your e-mail for
advertisements announcing the events.
The south East Regional Convention held here in North Charleston
st
went well and Branch 269 received three 1 place ribbons in Public
Relations, Youth Activities, and Hospital Welfare and Rehabilitation.
Congratulations to these committees for a job well done! Also,
congratulations to the convention committee for putting on a great
convention! Everyone had a wonderful time and welcomed the
shipmates from across the region with open arms.
The Veteran’s Day parade has been announced and will be on
th
Saturday, November 7 at 1030. If you want to come and ride our float,
please get to the VA Medical Center by 0930 to get a van that will take
you to the float. Hope you can make it. It is quite a moving experience.
Last thing, please login the FRA National website at fra.org and check
your profile to make sure your information is correct. E-mails are the
biggest thing missing. We at the branch need your e-mail to send out all
hands information that is important to you.
Well, that’s all for now. Have a great month and keep safe on the
roads!
Yours in Loyalty, Protection and Service,
Laurie Bailey, Branch President
LAFRA UNIT 269
UNIT OFFICERS
President – Theresa Milligan
Vice President – Roz Mathis
Secretary – Marilyn Tharp
Treasurer – Mary Lopez
Jr. Past President – Gail Bolz
Linda Cox
RPSE Pat Suckow
Tyler Malmgren
UNIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kathy Sorenson
Maggie Morrin
Annie Bain
Trish Chilton
Gail Bolz
APPOINTEES & COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMEN
Chaplain – Kathy Sorenson
Amer/Pat – Linda Cox
Membership – Roz Mathis
VAVS – Gail Bolz
Sergeant-at-Arms–Tyler Malmgren Parliamentarian-Gail Bolz
Welfare – Tyler Malmgren
Merry Widows-Esther Ellisor
Youth Activities – Vacant
Unit Activities – Linda Cox and
Mary Lopez
Audit – RPSE Pat Suckow and
Hospital – Gail Bolz and
Gale Nathan
Kathy Sorenson
Publicity – Amanda Reid and
Jackie Verheyen
BRANCH OFFICERS
President – Laurie Bailey
Vice-President - Randy Riley
Treasurer - Gerald Korinek
Secretary - John Tharp
Jr. Past President – Fred Bolz
BRANCH BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PNP Don Mucheck
Tim Bailey
Bill Farmer
John Lookabill
Dave Rein
RPSE Larry Cox
Cindy Bryan
Elmer Feesler
Bob Lopez
Mike Sparks
Chaplain-Bobbi Sutton
Master-at-Arms-Bruce Seltzer
Amer/Pat-Randy Riley
Membership-Laurie Bailey
By-Laws-Chuck Hines
Public Relations-Bill Hunnell
VAVS-PRPSE Fred Bolz
PRPSE Fred Bolz
Patricia Gallagher
Chuck Hines
Melody Phillips
Bobbi Sutton
Ways & Means-Cindy Bryant
Historian-Mike Sparks
Youth Activities-Patricia Gallagher
Essay Contest-RPSE Larry Cox
Parliamentarian-Chuck Hines
Legislative Affairs-PRPSE Fred Bolz
WEB Master- Mike Sparks
LOW COUNTRY HOME, INC.
99 Wisteria Road, Goose Creek, SC
(843) 569-2692
Home Chairman – Nate Nathan
Bobbi Sutton - Admin Secretary
Gerald Korinek - Financial Secretary
RPSE Larry Cox – Vice Chairman
Linda Cox – Special Events
John Tharp – Membership/Sec
Jim Williams – Director
Dave Rein – Director
Rick Sparger – Director
Mary Lopez and Kathy Sorenson – Cash Audit
Trustees: Darlene Hines - 1st Year
nd
Chuck Hines - 2 Year
PNP Don Mucheck - 3rd Year
Home Manager – Crystal Boyd
Hours of Operation
Mon-Thur 1000-2200 *
Fri 1000-2400 *
Sat 1000- 2000*
Sun 1000 – 2000
Happy Hour – 1600 – 1900 Monday - Friday
Email Addresses
This newsletter will be sent by mail to all members. The next
newsletter will be sent by email to all members who have email
addresses on file with the FRA. Currently over 300 members do not
have emails on file. You must notify the Branch at the Home on a list if
you want Snail Mail copies each month. If you would like to get the
newsletter by email next month please contact the Secretary at
tharpj@sc.rr.com. You may also get the newsletter from the Branch
website at www.fra269.com
WELCOME ABOARD SHIPMATES
MADAM PREZ’S TIDBIT
New, Reinstated & Transferred Members
Hoke Booth
Thomas Brown
Mark Erwin
Jerry Lepley
Winfield E. Meadows, Jr. Ralph Rohrssen
BRANCH MEMBERSHIP REPORT
New or Reinstated Members
Transferred into Low County Branch 269
Transferred to the Staff of the Supreme Commander
Suspended members
Members past due
Transferred from Branch 269
TOTAL MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING AS OF 8 APR, 2015
3
0
1
6
14
1
927
BRANCH 269 MENTORING PROGRAM
The FRA Low Country Branch 269 Mentoring Program desperately needs
volunteers to be mentors for new shipmates and would need to be available for
the new member throughout the first year to provide answers to any questions
that they might have about the FRA and Branch 269. This program does not
take up a lot of time so if you want to find something to start with to get
involved with the Branch, this is it! To sign up for this program, please contact
Laurie Bailey at lbailey009@sc.rr.com or leave a message in the pass down log
with name, e-mail and phone number if you want to provide it.
BRANCH 269’s DINK LIST
Past due: Maurice Brodeur, Ray Brown, Michael Carter,
James Doman, Patrick Evans, Charles Gains, Robert
Grabowski, Joseph Hardin, Jr., Lynn Haynes, Prayuth
Komenkul, Roger Shepherd, Kamrin Singletary, Robert
Sowards, Craig Wold
Suspended: Caesar Acosta, Thomas Byers, Julian
Czeiszperger, Gregory W. Herrod, John Middlebrooks,
Mason Montgomery
BRANCH TREASURER’S REPORT
Operations
Savings
Certificate of Deposit
Total
Reserved for Honor Flight
$ 5,382.72
$ 4,575.77
$10,057.29
$20,018.59
$
60.00
FRA HOME TREASURER’S REPORT
Building Fund
$20,851.54
Savings
$
19.58
Checking
$ 747.46
Credit Card Receipts
$ 444.96
MERRY WIDOWS LUNCHEON
The Merry Widows will meet October 13, at 11:30 a.m.
at the FRA Home. Our guest speaker will be from H2U Travel
Agency about plans for 2016.
President Ester Ellisor
UNIT 269 LUNCHEON
Unit 269 will have their luncheon on October 20,
at 11:30 a.m. at Olive Garden 2156 Northwoods Boulevard,
North Charleston.
Hope everyone had a good Labor Day. The Southeast Regional
Convention went well. Received a lot of positive comments from the
other Branches and Units. Wish to thank all of the Auxiliary Members
who helped make it a success. Special thanks to those who did the
centerpieces for the Ladies Luncheon and to the members who made
and donated crafts for our craft table. RPSE Pat Suckow was reelected
as President, and Mary Lopez was elected Treasure. Kathy Sorenson
has been appointed as the Southeast Chaplain.
Happy birthday and congrats on anniversaries for all members
celebrating during October.
Next Merry Widow’s Luncheon is October 13 at 11:30, at the FRA
Low Country Home.
Next Unit Luncheon will be October 20 at 11:30 at Olive Garden,
2156 Northwoods Boulevard, North Charleston.
The Unit regularly scheduled General Assembly meeting will be
October 13, at 7:00 p.m.
In Loyalty, Protection and Service
Theresa Milligan – President – Unit 269
BRANCH & UNIT CHAPLAINS’ PEW
Deepest Sympathy is extended to the family of
TMCM(SS) Robert Deschaine
Who transferred to the Staff of the Supreme Commander.
PRP Don Mucheck – Recovering from leg surgery
Anyone knowing of any illness or death among our Shipmates or
Unit members please contact:
Branch Chaplain Bobbi Sutton @ 879-9473 or
Unit Chaplain Kathy Sorenson @ 568-7668.
UP COMING EVENTS
Mark your calendar, watch for details, watch for additions.
Friday nights – 1930 hrs – Scotch Doubles. Come on out and enjoy an
evening of pool with friends.
Wednesday nights – Trivia Plus & Karaoke with Becky (7 p.m. – 10 p.m.)
October 4 - Remember When Breakfast. Men do all the cooking so the
ladies can sit back and relax and enjoy a $5.00 breakfast.
October 10 - The King & Friends. A Tribute to Elvis, Garth Brooks, Kenny
Rogers, Willie Nelson & Dolly Parton. Tickets on sale for $20.00.
October 17 - Octoberfest beginning at 1900 with Cotton Blue Band.
Wienerschnitzel will be on the menu.
October 31 - Halloween party. Prizes for best costume. Cake Walk and
more Surprises.
November 7 - Veteran’s Day Parade (Charleston – 1030)
The Branch has a float for members to ride on. More information at the
next meeting on location and time to meet to carpool to the parade.
November 11 – Veteran’s Day Indoor Picnic. Bring your favorite dessert.
HOME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Hello Shipmates and Ladies,
Another month in the books and we’re getting into the
Holiday Season.
I would like to take this moment to talk about some important
things happening at the Home. First off, we have started the
Wednesday Night Trivia and Karaoke contest from 7:00 till 10:00
PM. Participation looks good, but we may need more members to
show up to unseat a certain player who seems determined to win
every sesssion and then sing silly karaoke songs. I won’t spill any
names, but you know who I’m talking about Pepper. We also have
some things lined up for the Ballroom on a couple of Saturdays,
including The Vegas Show on October 10th and we’ll be having
Wienersnitchel in October too. And please, don’t forget our anual
Halloween Party on Saturday the 31st.
Till next month Shipmates & Ladies, let’s get out there and have
fun.
In Loyalty, Protection and Service
Nat Nathan
FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK
tharpj@sc.rr.com
Motion: S/M Sutton, seconded by S/M T. Bailey to sponsor to
purchase a FRA flag and POW/MIA flag for the flag pole in front of
the FRA Home. Voice vote and carried.
Motion: S/M Lookabill, seconded by S/M Farmer, to donate $150
to the Wreaths Across America for wreaths on a Veteran’s
graves. Voice vote and carried.
Motion: S/M Gallagher, seconded by S/M Sutton, to donate $150
to the Goose Creek Recreation for the children’s Halloween
Carnival. Voice vote and carried.
WEEKLY DRAWING at THE HOME
Names drawn lately: 9/1 – William Farmer, signed and present;
9/8 – Robert Shober, not signed; 9/15 – Rober Shober, not
signed. You must be a member of the Branch or Unit in good
standing and you must be signed in the log. You can sign up
until 1800 hours, the day of the drawing. The drawing is held
every Tuesday night at 2030 hours.
In Loyalty, Protection and Service
Nat Nathan – Home Committee Chairman
Branch Continuous Memberships – October, 2015
John A. Lemieux
James F. McDonough
Norman D. Walker
Billy H. Buntin
Frederick R. Koenig
John M. Potter
Robert L. Edmonds
Rocco J. Losito
Kenneth A. Wallace
James M. Bolyn
Robert Beilstein
Gerald C. Fraser
Thomas M. Veneziano
Marvin A. Brigman
Alan W. Dempster
Wilmer C. Shirey
Samuel P. Wright
Robert D. Steele
Johnny W. Logan
David M. Morrin
John C. Paul
Don M. Pace
Daniel C. Poling
Francis S. Blaszak
Oscar J. Diano
48 yrs
48 yrs
47 yrs
46 yrs
45 yrs
45 yrs
41 yrs
41 yrs
41 yrs
38 yrs
35 yrs
35 yrs
34 yrs
30 yrs
29 yrs
27 yrs
26 yrs
25 yrs
22 yrs
22 yrs
22 yrs
20 yrs
20 yrs
17 yrs
16 yrs
Richard W. Malhie
Gary L. Samples
Betty Hilliard
William D. Jenkins
R. Wayne Ott
Charles Rein
Thomas E. Hall Sr.
Jeffrey Muniz
Kenneth A. Pilcher
Carey D. Baxley Jr
Verne Merrill
Mitchell W. McCain
William H. Patton
Timothy Bailey
Robert W. Call
William D. Campbell
Lawrence D. Coates
Teresa J. Gray
Terrell J. Heath
Stephen L. Jackson
Christian L. LaForce
Leonard W. Monnig
Glennan Reeves
Robert L. Shoecraft
Roberta M. Sutton
Gale Nathan
Elizabeth Worthy
Pearl Korbish
Edith Weaver
Rosalie Lawrence
35 yrs
28 yrs
19 yrs
16 yrs
15 yrs
Barbara Bohannan
Yvonne Wallace
Carolyn Rose
Cynthia Young
Doris Stuhr
16 yrs
16 yrs
15 yrs
15 yrs
15 yrs
15 yrs
14 yrs
14 yrs
13 yrs
12 yrs
12 yrs
11 yrs
11 yrs
10 yrs
10 yrs
10 yrs
10 yrs
10 yrs
10 yrs
10 yrs
10 yrs
10 yrs
10 yrs
10 yrs
10 yrs
James E. Finney
James H. Gregory
William M. Hunter
Donald E. Kalkreuth Jr.
Brian Masterson
Robert J. Mastion
Phillip Nunnally
William C. Reed
George A. Thiebaud
Leroy P. Werley
George E. Barton, Jr.
Melvin R. Harper
Donald Lozen
John E. Newby
Richard A. Nolan
D.J. (Jack) Nyhart
Brandon Pruett
Guy Travaglio
William Campbell
Samuel J. Cosimano, Sr.
David E. Suchand
Edward young
Roger I. Gibson
Kim Hamilton
Robert S. Jett
9 yrs
9 yrs
9 yrs
9 yrs
9 yrs
9 yrs
9 yrs
9 yrs
9 yrs
9 yrs
8 yrs
8 yrs
8 yrs
8 yrs
8 yrs
8 yrs
8 yrs
8 yrs
7 yrs
7 yrs
7 yrs
7 yrs
6 yrs
6 yrs
6 yrs
James E. Nelson
Gene Verch, Sr.
Daniel G. Wall
Darryl L. Watson
Kathryn L. Abelli
Wendy Holman
Ken Anderson
Bruce Bailey
Clifton G. Carr III
David C. Clemmons
Salvatore Beneventano
Ronnie Kerstetter
Jean-Claude Davidson
Jeff Elliot
George F. Fuchs
Robert W.J. Hoffman
Peter H. Joy
Frank Kappler
Mark R. Tomkins
Eugene N. Bovino Jr
Gilbert H. Downer
Susan K. Larson
Stephen P. Lloyd
Michael P. McGinn
Burton Williams
6 yrs
6 yrs
6 yrs
6 yrs
5 yrs
5 yrs
4 yrs
4 yrs
4 yrs
4 yrs
3 yrs
3 yrs
2 yrs
2 yrs
2 yrs
2 yrs
2 yrs
2 yrs
2 yrs
1 yr
1 yr
1 yr
1 yr
1 yr
1 yr
7 yrs
4 yrs
3 yrs
2 yrs
2 yrs
Chun Stanfield
Patricia Scoggins
Kimberly Bailey
Shirley Bostic
Allyson McDermott
2 yrs
2 yrs
1 yr
1 yr
1 yr
Unit Continuous Memberships – October, 2015
15 yrs
12 yrs
11 yrs
11 yrs
8 yrs
Elsie Sexton
Ann Sabo
Rhonda McNally
Mary Harrington
Jody Oliver
FRA BRANCH BY-LAWS REVIEW
ARTICLE X – AWARDS/MEDALLIONS
Section 1001 - Each of the elected outgoing Officers shall be presented with appropriate pins, in recognition for their services to the
Branch, provided they have properly fulfilled the duties of office to which elected. Cost of pins and necessary engraving to be defrayed by
the Branch.
Section 1002 - Any member of the Branch who successfully completes 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 continuous years in the FRA shall be
presented with the applicable pin at the Branch meeting in their anniversary month or mailed to them. Cost of the pin and mailing to be
defrayed by the Branch. Any member of the Branch who successfully completes 5, 10, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 continuous years in the
FRA shall be presented with the applicable pin at the Branch meeting in their anniversary month. Cost of the pin to be defrayed by the
Branch. Members not in atrtendance to receive 5, 10, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 year pin may obtain pin from the Branch at member’s
expense.
Section 1003 - Any new member joining and initiated by the Branch shall receive the FRA lapel pin. Cost of pin to be defrayed by the
Branch.
Section 1004 - Any member of the Branch will have one year of dues paid by the Branch for each group of ten paid new or reinstated
members recruited for the Branch. If new or reinstated member join under free or discount promotion, recruiters will be credited when
such new or reinstated member renews.
Section 1005 - Gold lapel button award, silver pendant award, and silver anchor squadron award will be awarded in accordance with
Section 312, C&BL of the FRA to any member of the Branch. Cost of pin/pendant to be defrayed by the Branch.
Section 1006 - The spouse of any deceased Branch member shall receive the FRA Widow’s/Widower’s Medallion. The cost of the
medallion and it’s engraving to be defrayed by the Branch.
Section 1007 - Americanism and Patriotism essay awards shall be in the form of “I Bonds”. There shall be up to six third place in the
amount of $75, six second place in the amount of $100, five first place in the amount of $200, and one overall winner in the amount of
$500.
NATIONAL MAILING LIST
Shipmates, if you do not want any mailings from our National Office either by regular mail or electronic mail, you can
call National Headquarters and they will check the block on your profile to stop these mailings.
YOU SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY IN SEPTEMBER!
If you are a Branch 269 or Unit 269 member, stop by the FRA, Low Country Home on your birthday for a FREE BIRTHDAY LUNCH. It’s
your choice from the lunch specials of the day. If your birthday falls on a weekend, stop by Friday or Monday.
Tim Esch
Brendan G. Goff
Mark A. Heck
Carl D. Moulden
Sandra Rader
William A. Roup
David Adams
Richard Alkire
Robert S. Jett
Robert Traynor
Verne L. Merrill
Eric P. Bourgeois
Margaret Campbell
Joseph B. Dick
Peggy Byrd
Sharon Cherry
David C. Markyvech
Brian J. Masterson
Carl A. Farley
William H. Farmer
Bill B. Gussler
10/01
10/01
10/01
10/01
10/01
10/01
10/02
10/02
10/02
10/02
10/03
10/04
10/04
10/04
10/04
10/05
10/05
10/06
10/06
10/06
10/06
Dennis Pierce
Amanda Reid
Todd R. Baker
Thomas Corbett
Jody Oliver
Ira Monnig
Arthur P. Pittman
Charles E. Walker
Joseph Von Brincken
Richard G. Dougherty
Stephen E. Schultz
Ken Anderson
Thomas J. Lindberg
Mark R. Chapman
Charles A. Hines
James Miller
Maria Luisa Gulick
Lonnie Kenney
Bryan Kopczynski
John Lookabill
Brian Marrale
10/06
10/06
10/07
10/07
10/07
10/08
10/08
10/08
10/09
10/09
10/09
10/10
10/10
10/11
10/11
10/11
10/12
10/12
10/12
10/12
10/13
Barbara Muth
Patrick B. Scott
Louise Wells
Robert A. Clements
Michael P. McGinn
Dwynne P. Ashline
Edmund B. Collins
Marvin F. Flanagan
Sydney A. Nunez
John J. Casner Jr.
Craig S. Wold
Thomas L. Skorepa
Richard M. Brownell
Michael D. Sutton
Gene Verch
J. Philip Balem
Leslie Hunnell
Gerald L. Korinek
Doris Rash
John Aguilera Jr.
Conrado G. Celestial
10/13
10/13
10/13
10/14
10/14
10/15
10/15
10/15
10/15
10/16
10/16
10/16
10/17
10/17
10/17
10/18
10/18
10/18
10/18
10/19
10/19
Norris L. Nathan
Maurice J. Brodeur
Leonard O. Chilton
Robin McKeown
Lee Barkley
Samuel E. Jenkins Jr.
Joseph P. Wiehl
Loretta Dailey
Michael L. Payne
Luther R. Ussery
Gary L. Gander
Ralph Rohrssen
William E. Hall
Robert E. Koscianski
Lawrence D. Kramer
Richard Bellemare
Dennis R. Hazel
PRPSE Susan Cattell
Winfield E. Meadows Jr.
Margaret Henshall
Herbert P. Harden
10/19
10/20
10/20
10/20
10/21
10/21
10/22
10/23
10/23
10/24
10/26
10/26
10/28
10/28
10/28
10/29
10/29
10/29
10/29
10/30
10/31
Submarine
Veterans
All Marines
FMF Corpsmen & Navy
Chaplains
To all Marines, FMF Corpsmen
or U. S. Navy Chaplains that
If you have been qualified with duty aboard Submarines and
would like to join the U. S. Submarine Veterans, Charleston Base
& National USSVI please contact Rick Sparger at 843-345-5595 or
email at vicecommandercb@ussvicb.org.
rd
Meetings are the 2 Thursday beginning at 1900 at the Fleet
Reserve Association, 99 Wisteria Road, Goose Creek, SC.
Chapter
780
Vietnam
Veterans
Chapter
780
Anyone who served on active duty (for other than training
purposes) in the U.S. Armed Forces between February 28,
1961 and May 7, 1975 in the Republic of Vietnam (“incountry”), or in any duty location between August 5, 1964
and May 7, 1975 are eligible to join the Vietnam Veteran’s of
America.
The local Chapter 780 holds meetings beginning at 1800 on
nd
the 2 Monday of each month at the Fleet Reserve
Association, 99 Wisteria Road, Goose Creek, SC.
For more information contact John Tharp at 843-709-8520 or
email at tharpj@sc.rr.com.
have earned the FMF Badge serving with Marines.
The Marine Corps League is an opportunity for you to meet up
with members that have been in the Marine Corps as
Veterans, Retired, Officer or Enlisted.
Meetings are the 4th Thursday, beginning at 1900 at the Fleet
Reserve Association, 99 Wisteria Road, Goose Creek.
Contact Gary Dobson at 843-884-5658 or email at
garydobson.mcl@gmail.com.
Ladies Auxiliary of
the FRA
If you are the family member of someone who belongs to the Fleet Reserve
Association you are eligible to join the Auxiliary of the FRA.
rd
Meetings begin at 1900 on the 3 Tuesday of each month at
the Fleet
Reserve Association, 99 Wisteria Road, Goose Creek, SC.
For more information contact Marilyn Tharp at 843-860-5980 or email at
mtharp@sc.rr.com.
WELCOME ABOARD AUXILIARY MEMBERS
Kelly Hines
New, Reinstated & Transferred Members
Leslie M. Hunnell
Janet M. Lepley
UNIT 269’s DINK LIST
Past due: Dean Johnson, Marlene Ray, Amanda Tulppo, Patricia Day, Richard Droze, John W. Johnson, Carol Moore,
Patricia Parks, Charette Gaynell, Julia Farmer, Naomi Fortner, John Giannetto, Diane Herron, Barbara Muth, Brandy
Rein
Suspended: Drew Johnson, Michael Reynolds, Cameron Webber
DO YOU HAVE A SEA STORY OR FIELD STORY TO TELL?
Every Sailor, Marine or Coastie has a memorable event or two that they love to tell to another shipmate at the bar or
dinner table and we would love to hear those stories if you wish to tell them. Please send us a story or two of your best
memories and we will print them in our newsletter and read one at a monthly meeting. Write a short paragraph or two
and e-mail them to lbailey009@sc.rr.com with the subject line SEA/FIELD STORY FROM (NAME). You can also mail the
stories to our home address (FRA Low Country Branch 269, Attn: Laurie Bailey, 99 Wisteria Road, Goose Creek, SC 29445)
or leave in the pass down log at the FRA Home in an envelope marked Attn: Laurie Bailey. These stories are history and
we want to honor your memories by preserving them.
SEA STORY BY SHIPMATE BILL FARMER
“LIBERTY NIGHTMARES”
In June 1959, my ship, USS Safeguard (ARS 25) pulled into Midway Island. About the only liberty on Midway
was the EM/Acey Ducey Club. A bunch of us on the ship went there. A medium size glass of Old Granddad and water
cost 15 cents. I got drunk for about 75 cents. The mode of transportation on Midway was an English bicycle. When we
left the club, there was about 25-30 of them at the club. Our plan was if we rode a bicycle to the ship and threw it off the
pier, no one would know we took them, so we all mounted up and rode off. I tried to “shift great” on mine and locked the
rear wheel up and I went over the handle bar. It was dark and took a few minutes for me to find my wallet and get my
bicycle unlocked.
When I got to the pier, there had been a fight with a group of CB’s but it was over. Couldn’t have been much of a
fight. They were all standing around talking when I got there. There were also two or three Seaman Guard there.
Midway didn’t have shore patrol but the Seaman Guard was all petty officer’s. Not wanting to be left out, I picked one CB
about 7 feet tall and 3 feet wide and tried to fight him. The Seaman Guard stopped me, thank the Lord! More Seaman
Guard showed up and took all of us to the brig. We were all in a room with us on one side and the CB’s across the room.
st
The 1 class petty officer behind the desk ask what ship we were on. Someone replied “USS Safeguard”. He then ask
st
what we had for a captain. Someone replied a Lt. Cmdr. The 1 class replied we have got them all over the place, must
be 2 dozen or more. I asked “Are any of them qualified to take command of a row boat?” Everybody laughed except the
st
1 class behind the desk. He let my shipmates and the CB’s go and I spent the night in the brig for fighting.
When I got to the ship the next morning, “my joke” was all over the ship. The captain also thought it was funny.
While at Midway Island all “heads” onboard ship are secured. There was one at the head of the pier we had to use,
which I did. When I came out to the “wash area” the CB I wanted to fight the night before has seen me go in and he was
waiting for me. He was smiling, thank goodness. He said the day before we pulled in, the CB’s had a fight with a group
of sailor’s on a destroyer. They ran them down to the ship and they all ran aboard. The CB’s were on the pier cussing
the sailors and the ship - - - “Here they come!” One of them must have been a gunner’s mate. They all had a rifle, a
carbine or something. They were trying to kill us, but were too drunk to shot straight. We were jumping into the water, a
dumpster, anywhere to get away. Bullets were flying everywhere for a minute before a few man on the ship stopped
them.
He said the destroyer got underway the morning we pulled in and when they saw us at the club they thought we
were the other sailors and were waiting for us.
I went to captain’s mast for this on the day before arriving at Pearl Harbor and got one day’s restriction. I had
duty the day we arrived, the captain probably knew it. Nothing was never said about stealing the bicycles.
TH
HAPPY 240 BIRTHDAY U.S. NAVY
October 2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
1
Friday
2
1900-Sub Vets
Board Mtg
Saturday
3
2000
Karaoke with
Red Farley
4
Remember
When
Breakfast
0900-1130
Free pool
1000 – 2000
5
11
12
1000 – 2000
Free pool
6
7
Wing Night
VVA
Meeting
1800
Home
Committee
1900
18
1000 – 2000
Free pool
19
25
1000 – 2000
free pool
26
13 Wing Night
Merry Widows
Luncheon 11:30
FRA Home
1830 UNIT BOD
1900 UNIT Gen.
Assembly Mtg.
20
Wing Night
Unit Lunch
(11:30)
Olive Garden,
North Charleston
27
Sojourners
1830
WING Night
RVPSE Chuck Hines being
sworn in by National Vice
President Virgil Courneya.
8
Trivia Plus
Karaoke
Night
w/Becky
1900 – 2200
Pizza Night
14
Trivia Plus
Karaoke
Night
w/Becky
1900 – 2200
Pizza Night
15
21
Trivia Plus
Karaoke
Night
w/Becky
1900 – 2200
Pizza Night
28
Trivia Plus
Karaoke
Night
w/Becky
1900 – 2200
Pizza Night
22
10
9
1900
Sub Vets
Meeting
BRANCH BOD
1800
BRANCH Gen.
Assembly Mtg.
1900
Marine Corps
League
Meeting
1900
29
Auxiliary RPSE Pat Suckow
(elected for another term)
and RPSE Dave Davis
2000
Karaoke with
Red Farley
16
2000
Karaoke with
Red Farley
The King
& Friends
Vegas Show
Band
Tickets $20.00
7:00 pm
17 7:00 p.m
Octoberfest
Weinerschnitzel
Night
with
Cotton Blue
Band
23
24
2000
Karaoke with
Red Farley
30
2000
Karaoke with
Red Farley
31 6:30 p.m.
Halloween
Party
Wear your
costume
Shipmate RPSE Larry Cox
presiding over his last
meeting as the SE President
at the Southeast Convention
Low Country Scuttlebutt
Vol. 18, No. 9, October, 2015
202 Towhee Drive
Summerville, SC 29485
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
WE’VE GONE GREEN!!!!
NEWSLETTERS ARE ONLY MAILED IN APRIL & OCTOBER UNLESS YOU REQUEST YEAR ROUND MAILING
Shipmates AND auxiliary members, If you WISH or MUST have the monthly newsletter by “snail mail” you MUST request it.
The Branch has voted to cut printing and mailing expenses. Our monthly newsletter is available online at www.fra269.org. If you don’t own a
computer, you obviously cannot see the newsletter online. To receive it via “snail mail”, you MUST submit IN WRITING your request to have it
mailed. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board at The Home or mail your request to the Branch Secretary