APRIL 2009-1

U.S.S. LOWNDES - APA 154

April 2009 Newsletter

Wm. “Bud” Kautz - CCBW, 34782 Hiawatha Trail, McHenry, IL 60051 ((815)344-6326

redlabelbuddha@comcast.net

Reunion dates are September 24^th - 27^th, 2009

Home Base for our 21^st reunion will be the Marriott Milwaukee West hotel in

Waukesha, Wisconsin, W231 N1600 Corporate Court.

(262)574-0888 for reservations.

When making reservation be sure to mention - U.S.S. Lowndes reunion.

Hotel Web Page: Marriott.com/mkemw

For anyone with a computer this site will give information

regarding the Amenities provided. By the hotel.

Room rate $90.00 per night, rate in effect 3 days post and prior to reunion dates.

Please fill out enclosed stamped and addressed post card as promptly as possible.

There are still many postcards to be returned expressing the intentions of the

Reunion Group members attending the reunion.

Complimentary Hospitality Room will be at our disposal.

20% discount on full breakfast buffet at hotel restaurant.

The General Mitchell International Airport is located in Milwaukee, Wl. (414)747-5300

Hotel does not have shuttle service, but use the following for reasonable rates:

Airport Connections : 1-800-236-5450

Airport Beyond: 1-262-613-3670

Driving directions to hotel 27 miles W.

I-94 West (toward Madison). Follow I-94 West to

Pewaukee Exit 295 at Highway F. Exit on Highway North. Hotel will be on the left.

Rental cars are available online.

Airport shuttles ($16-$25) to this hotel are also available.

This newsletter is late for two reasons, first, items of interest are not reaching your editor

for insertion into the newsletter and

secondly, your editor has developed a severe case of laziness.

Mail to the following has been returned:

New address for Warren & Albena Proctor:

Mrs. James Bussard

Sharon Dickson on

Mrs. Joseph Erlandson

Edward Finch

Mrs. John Jurica

Patrick McGinley

Gwen Quimby

4201 Walnut Rd.

Temple, TX 76502

The state of Wisconsin

produces over 2 billion

pounds of cheese a year.

Territory of Wisconsin was

established by Congress

In 1836.

April 2009-2

Don Lorenzi

To all my Northern friends: The

weather up north is Frightful—here in Phoenix

it’s delightful—let it snow, let it snow, let it

snow. The seniors up north are freezing while

the seniors here in Phoenix are bikini-ing—way

to go, way to go, way to go north when it

snows (up north). Just turned on the 3 o’clock

weather news and my poetic juices kicked in—

I’m sure I will hate myself in the morning. Enjoy

global warming while it lasts.

7 see you’re a poet,don’t know it but

your feet show it, they’re Long Fellows.”

Lavada Boyer

I haven’t sent out any Christmas cards

this past year as I lost my daughter to cancer

and strokes last October 15^th. I am really sorry

to inform you that I won’t be able to attend any

more of the gatherings. We had planned to be

there this past year but illness kept us from

going anywhere. I’m fine and still doing well but

of course age seems to be getting us all. I am

doing OK and been keeping busy. Still golfing

a lot and playing my game of bridge.

"Sorry to hear of your loss but your

golf game, I’m sure is much better than

mine these days. Haven’t played in about 10

years due to back surgery. Just hang in there,

we missed your smiling face. ”

Walt Umbarger

“ Recollections from the past.”

Grass was mowed,

Coke was a cold drink

Pot was something your mother cooked in,

Rock music was your grandmother’s lullaby,

Aids were helpers in the Principal’s office.

There were no credit cards or ball-point pens

or pantyhose or televisions or dishwashers or

the pill or air conditioners or frozen foods.

"Thanks Walt for bringing us up to ‘date’.”

Bill Taylor

I prepared the post card for mailing but also

want to let you know why Amelia and I will not be

able to attend the reunion. We will be attending a

wedding in Richmond, Virginia that weekend. My

social calendar has very few weekends checked

off but that one was one of them. I was happy to

receive the newsletter which I was looking

forward to mostly because of concerns about

you and Jean because you were not able to be

at the San Francisco reunion.

STRESS

The confusion created when one’s mind

overrides the body’s basic desire to choke the

living s— out of someone who desperately

needs it!!!

Stuart Hyde

I need some time to assess my ability to

make the trip to Milwaukee. Allie and I have

pretty much given up on vacation trips. I have

to be at the annual convention of the Broadcast

Education Association in Las Vegas in April,

and that will give me a pretty good assessment

of my travelability.

BACON and TOMATO.........................................................

Tocifed Th/rc Decir* Sandwkh

BAKED HAM and CHEESE..............................................

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CHICKEN SALAD .................................................................

Tooled Tbrcc Dccic* Sardw'kh

HAM SALAD c^d EGG SALAD

Tooi/cd Tbw It&dwch

PLAIN or TOASTED SANDWICHES

60c

HAM SALAD Sandwich 30c

^65< EGG SALAD Sandwich....................................................................... 30c

50c AMERICAN CHEESE Sandwich. . .3Oc

__________ PRESSED HAM Sandwich........................................ ........... . 30c

K>? A S(a; THAT!

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______________________ ACH YOU WILL LIKE IT! 4Qf__________________________

'Zawttaac 'ZeaTecieti

WOOLWORTH Conti — ALWAYS GOOD

Bring back memories?

April 2009- 3

TAPS

Frank Dubois

Born June 6, 1920 at Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Passed away January 2, 2009. Enlisted in the Navy

October 2, 1942 At Jacksonville, Florida boarded the

Lowndes in Seattle, WA as a RM3/c. His watch station

was in the radio shack. Left the Lowndes December 28,

1945 as a RM1/c (T). As a civilian he attended television

school and was hired by a Philco distributor and

extended wholesale electronics sales for the next 30

years for various different distributors. Frank loved

dancing , he started dancing in his early 20’s and then

became an instructor with Arthur Murray. He and his first

wife started square dancing in 1970, and by 71, he was

teaching round dancing, which he continued doing for the

rest of his working career. He was cremated. The VA

provided several military attendants, they blew Taps and

presented me with a folded Flag. Survivors include his

wife, Joyce; and several nieces and nephews,

Edwin McKellar

Ed was born on April 29, 1914 at Shawnee,

Oklahoma and joined Davy Jones’ Locker in January

2009 in Hawaii. In 1932 he enlisted in the Navy at

Atlanta, Georgia. Boarded the Lowndes as an APC W1

on September 14, 1944 thereby becoming a Plank

Owner. His watch station was in the supply compartment

and General Quarters station in the Comm. Office. He left

the Lowndes at Norfolk, Virginia on April 11, 1946 as a

CPC W2. Later assignments Pac. 13 TKLJ. China,

Commissary store at San Diego, California., NAS

Kanoke, Hawaii, NAS Balbene Pt, HL, Naval Station,

Pearl Harbor, HI. Last Active duty Naval Station, Pearl

Harbor as W2 in 1953 and retired from the Navy October,

1943. Employed by Davidson Meat Co. in Hawaii for 6

months. Manager Pearl Harbor Sub. Base Officers Club

January ’54 until June ’56, Manager Oahu Country Club

Honolulu, HI June ’56 to June ’67, Sales, Davidson

Chudacoff Meat Co. from June’67 to May 76. Retired to

S.S.May’76. Ed rented a beach house and furnished food

and music for the 1998 reunion on a beach in Hawaii

while Stan Dunn hosted the event in Honolulu. Incidently

that was the same beach that the Lowndes Beach Party

practiced landings with either the Marines or the Army.

Prior to the Iwo Jima and Okinawa invasions.

April 2009-4 (IJ-ADD-12)

WILLIAM HOWARD RILEY - St. George, Utah - One of the strongest impressions I

have of serving on the ARA USS Lowndes was during the invasion of Iwo Jima. I

remember that early in the morning we were served steak and eggs for breakfast, which

was a rare occasion. It was just beginning day light when we arrived in the vicinity of

Iwo Jima. I had never seen so many ships in one place at one time. It was a forest of

masts. The battleships were firing over our heads with flashes from the big guns. I

remember Lt. Commander Berner, who was in charge of getting the landing craft over

the side. One day when we were practicing doing this, he threw his ball cap down on

the deck band jumped up and down because we weren’t getting the craft in the water

fast enough. One day, from off the coast of Hawaii, we were to pick up Marines off the

beach and take them on board ship. Robert Hail, who had become a good friend of

mine, invited me to go with him. He was one of the coxswains on an LCVP. While

transporting the Marines, some of them got very seasick. They had to climb up the argo

nets with backpacks and rifles. Some of them were too sick to get up the nets and had

to be hoisted aboard ship. After returning to the ship, the call came over the sound

system for Riley to report to his executive officer. I was told not to leave the office again,

where my duties were supposed to be fulfilled. Our ship was loaded with wounded

Marines. They were brought aboard the ship with a pulley attached to the side of the

ship, which was safer than using the boom. Besides, there were too many to do it that

way. Many of the Marines whom we had befriended never returned to the ship and

probably never made it through the fighting. The raising of the Flag on Mt. Suribachi

was sobering to witness. With the first attempt the Flag went down but then was raised

successfully. When all the ships were ordered out to sea, our anchor was lodged in

volcanic ash and could not be pulled up. We sat like sitting ducks, so to speak. An

expected air attack from Okinawa didn’t happen, otherwise we surely would have been

sunk. We received some shelling from Mt. Suribachi, but it d\fell short because we were

out of range. Actually, our ship was at greater risk at Okinawa.

STUART HYDE - Corte Madera, CA - On February 19, 1945, we transported 1,500

Marines and SeaBees from Saipan to Iwo Jima, landing them on Yellow Beach II. For

several days. Our landing craft delivered reinforcements, as well as food, fuel,

ammunition, and medical supplies, returning to our ship with wounded Marines who

were treated by our small medical staff of surgeons and hospital corpsmen. We landed

our ship’s Beach Battalion of 43 officers and men on Dog-Day plus 1. When we

retrieved them on February 24, four of our shipmates had been killed and thirteen

seriously wounded. So, in our first engagement, a part of us had been severed. The

loss affected all of us, and our bond became much deeper. On March 4, we carried

Marine casualties to hospitals on Guam. Of the 321 injured men we treated, only one

died from his wounds. A month and a half later, we delivered Marines to Okinawa,

where we were in constant danger from Kamikaze attacks.

"Recently received the above from William H. Riley and Stuart Hyde to be added

to the ‘Iwo Jima booklet’ that had been printed previously.”

April 2009-5

USS LOWNDES ~ 2009 REUNION

Milwaukee, WI ~ September 24^th - 27^th, 2009

Welcome to Milwaukee

Milwaukee is the 22^nd largest city in the United States, bordering the western shore of Lake Michigan.

Metropolitan Milwaukee offers urban, suburban, ethnic neighborhoods, waterfront, industrial and rural settings

within minutes of each other. Milwaukee's big-city advantages are enhanced by a friendly small-town spirit and

Old World charm. The city's neighborhoods weave a patchwork of diversity, as characteristics of the German

heritage blend with influences of many other cultures. In the face of all the progress, the traditions and values

that make Milwaukee remain constant. Your reunion tour program will include some of Milwaukee’s most

popular attractions. Begin at the Pabst Mansion, followed by a visit to the Lakefront Brewery, which will give

you a look and a taste of the beer industry which thrives in Milwaukee and is an important part of the city’s

history. The tour concludes with an all-you-can-eat fish fry dinner, a wonderful chance to relax with your

friends and family. This reunion will offer an unforgettable visit to one of America's best loved cities, and give

you memorable experiences to share with family and friends.

Hotel Information

The reunion officially begins on Thursday, September 24^<h and ends on Sunday, September 27^th. You

will be staying at the full service Milwaukee Marriott West which is located at West 231 North 1600 Corporate

Court. Waukesha, WI 53186. The Milwaukee Marriott West is in close proximity to many of the area’s top

attractions.

Reservation Information

The room rate is S90.00 plus tax per night, based on single or double occupancy. For those of you who choose

to arrive early or stay late, the same room rale is available 3 days before and 3 days after the official reunion dates,

based on availability. Please make your hotel reservations NOW by calling the hotel directly at 877-651-7666

between 9-4 pm CST and ask for in-house reservations. Mention that you are with the USS Lowndes Reunion to

assure you are associated with your group. You may request specific room types when you call to make your

reservations (handicap accessible room. etc.). The hotel check-in lime is 3:00pm: please don’t expect to gel into

your room before then. Make your reservations today; you can cancel up lo 24 hours prior to arrival without

penalty. They will ask you for a deposit or credit card number to guarantee your room reservation. The hotel is

holding rooms until they sell out or August 14^th, 2009. whichever comes first. Don't delay.

Transportation & Directions

The closest airport is Milwaukee International (MKE). For those of you driving, the hotel offers plenty

of free parking. Contact the hotel directly if you need specific driving directions.

Travel safely and we will ....

See you in Milwaukee

April 2009-6

USS LOWNDES

2009 REUNION EVENTS

EVENT A: PABST MANSION, LAKEFRONT BREWERY TOUR & FISH FRY DINNER

Friday, September 25^th (l:00pm-8:00pm)

Your tour begins at the Pabsl Mansion", the magnificent Flemish Renaissance Revival Mansion, home of

Captain Frederick Pabst, built in 1893. Captain Frederick Pabst was a world famous beer baron, accomplished

sea captain, real estate developer, philanthropist and patron of the arts; his home is a testament to his success.

Pabst chose the Flemish Renaissance style of his original homeland as the inspiration for the home. Today, the

mansion has been restored and furnished to reflect the dignity, graciousness, and affluence of the period in which

it was created. Boasting stunning interiors, elegant original furnishings, elaborate wall coverings, the finest

wood craftsmanship, intricate ironwork, brilliant stained glass, and rare art, the Mansion helped make the 1890’s

the "Pabst Decade" in Milwaukee. You will then take the short ride to the Lakefront Brewery, a locally-owned

microbrewery specializing in handmade beers in the tradition of early Milwaukee brewers. After the tour, lake a

seat in the Palm Garden, a unique warehouse-type atmosphere, where you will enjoy an all-you-can-eat fish fry

dinner.

FREE DAY TO TOUR ON YOUR OWN

Saturday, September 26^th

There is so much to see and do in the Milwaukee area we are leaving Saturday free so you can visit the sites

that interest you the most. You may want to consider the new Hurley Davidson Museum, shopping at Old World

Third Si., or touring the Miller Brewing Company.

BANQUET DINNER

Saturday, September 26^th (7:00pm at the Hotel)

Join your friends for your Banquet Dinner at the Hotel. Cocktails will be available from the cash bar at 6:00pm;

dinner will be served at 7:00pm. Entree choices include Petit Filet Mignon or Chicken Cardinale (boneless breast

served with a lemon butter sauce). Please make your entree selection on the reservation form.

TOUR CANCELLATION INSURANCE

Protect yourself from unforeseen expenses caused by sickness, injury or any other causes that impact your

travel plans. This insurance enables a refund of Tour & Banquet expenses up until three (3) days before the start of

your reunion. If you need to cancel - please call our office immediately (817-251-3551) for a cancellation number. If

you have not purchased cancellation insurance all tour and meal money is non-refundable 6 weeks prior to the

reunion

Important Reunion Notes:

- Tours may be cancelled if a minimum of 30 people per bus is not met. In this case, full refunds will be given.

~ Please understand that a certain amount of walking is necessary from the bus to attractions and in some

instances to also see the attractions. Please consider your abilities before purchasing tours.

~ Be sure to bring photo identification (like a driver’s license) on all events.

~ All lour times are subject to change. A final itinerary is available at registration.

April 2009-7

USS LOWNDES

2009 REUNION RESERVATION FORM

Complete and mail this entire form with a check payable to:

Military Reunion Planners, P.O. Box 1588, Colleyville, TX 76034

people at $ 15 p.p. = [

REGISTRATION FEE - Everyone Please Pay:

{Fee is non-refundable}

EVENT A: Pabst Mansion, Lakefront Brewery Tour & Fish Fry

Friday, September 25^th (1:00pm-8.-00pm)

people at $79 p.p. = [

Banquet Dinner:

Saturday, September 26^,h (7:00pm at the Hotel)

SELECT. Petit Filet

OR. Chicken

Tour Cancellation Insurance: (Protect your money)

Late Reservation Fee: (If received after August 14^lh, 2009)