May 2003-1

U. S. S. LOWNDES - APA 154

May 2003 Newsletter

Wm. “Bud” Kautz, CCBW- 34782 Hiawatha Trail, McHenry, IL 60050 (815)344-6326

e-mail REDLABELBUDDHA@aol.com

It is not too early to start thinking about where and when our 2004 reunion will take

place. Please give it your consideration so that we may discuss it at our business

meeting in Biloxi, MS. Any suggestions offered will be whole heartedly welcomed. To

repeat, when making reservations at the Biloxi Beach Resort Inn be sure to mention -

USS Lowndes Reunion Group. The room rate is $63, plus tax of 10%, per night. The rate

is good for 7 nights before and after the reunion dates, subject to availability. Make your

reservations early. Biloxi Beach Resort Inn, 2736 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS, (2288)388-3310.

4-"3-4-++++++++++4.++++-}-+++++++++++-b++4-++++++++++-i-+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please see the many changes to the roster list noted on various pages of this issue of

the newsletter.

Possible Attendees for Biloxi Reunion:

David & Odessa Brinkman

Gordon Buck

Howard & Lois Chappell

Jim Chicote & M. McGrody

John & Lebby Dyer

Ed. King & Lavada Boyer

Mary Gebhart

John & Marilyn Hess

Dick & Rosanna Jones

Bud & Jean Kautz

Herb Kears

David & Joanne Long

Clark Martin

Mike & jerry Michalski

Becky Moore

Eileen Murray

Leo & Margaret O’Brien

Ed & Dolores Person

Warren & Albena Proctor

Arthur & Marjor Rauseo

Earl & Frances Robertson

Dee Rodgers

Dallas & Lorene Stratton

Bill & Amelia Tylor

Jan Trober

AREA RESTAURANTS:

Walking distance (1 Block) to International House of Pancakes, Landry’s Seafood

Restaurant, Ryan’s Steak House, Olive Garden (Italian Restaurant), Morrison’s Cafeteria , Food

Court at Edgewater Mall, Red Lobster.

SHOPPING:

Edgewater Mall and Edgewater Village (150 Stores) - Walking distance.

MEDICAL:

Adjacent to our hotel is Gulf Coast Medical Center. Just in case any of our recycled teen

agers need any attention to their well being during their stay in Biloxi.

May 2003-2

SAVING VETERAN’S STORIES

We have memorials, books and films

honoring our veterans, but we have not had a

place to preserve their stories. Now we do: the

Library of Congress’ new Veteran’s History

Project. Co-sponsored by the AARP. The

project has collected oral histories on audio

and video, letters, photos and journals from

veterans of World War I and II, Korea, Vietnam

and the Persian Gulf War. For more

information, visit www.loc.gov/vets or call

01-800-8300.

Jackie Richards

In August, we moved Wally’s mother

from assisted living to a rest home in Nebraska

City where she could get better pain control

and more intense physical therapy as she was

having difficulty walking due to severe pain. As

reported in the December newsletter she

reached the ripe age of 102.

We certainly wish her the best.

Jim Chilcote

I’m now living in a retirement community

in Boise. My new address and phone number

is:

1130 North Allumbaugh - Apt. 157

Boise, ID 83704

( )327-1157

Harriett Nedeau

Lyman is in a nursing home. He was

packing our boxes to get ready to leave for

Florida, but decided to go for one of his walks

(4 miles a day, but did 2 miles twice a day). It

was cold and it was icy in some spots. He fell

and broke his hip. I called the ambulance and

after his operation (about 1 week later) he went

into the nursing home for therapy. He has gone

down hill since then and now has Alzheimer.

He will be 91 August 3^rd. So that too is against

him. I bought a house here in Ludington. I

couldn’t live in our cold cottage, so will sell that

and the one in Naples, FL and stay

here near the nursing home. It doesn’t appear

that he be coming home. He’s always been so

active and wants to get up and do things, so

they keep him under medication, so he sleeps

a lot. They say I can’t care for him, he’s in a

wheel chair. It sure has made a change in our

lives. Very lonesome. Our home address is:

605 N. Emily St.

Ludington, Ml 49431

(231)843-6993

Lyman’s is:

1000 Tendercare Nursing Home

Ludington, Ml 49431

We wish Lyman the best.

Ed. Finch

I was in the Beach Party on the beach at

Iwo Jima D Day +2. I was acting corpsman with

a corpsman that was killed. I believe there

were 52 men in the party. I would like

photographs of the Beach Party. I cannot

attend the reunion, too old 92, last February

27^th.

My new address is & phone Number is:

2205 Village Circle #714

Bedford, TX 76022

(817)545-5415

New address for Goldie Johnson:

27-700 Landau Blvd.#J140

Cathedral City, CA 92234

Returned mail:

Mrs. Slater Christian

Harley J. Hughes

Sherwood P. Johnson

Mrs. Walt Karson

Paul B. Lineback

Mrs. Billy Piercy

Does anyone in the reunion group have

any information regarding the above 6

individuals?

May 2003-3

Lela(George) Kindle

Just a few lines to let everyone know I

am still among the living, not too strong, but

here. I am still in the mountains where we

lived when George left, it will be 8 years. I

was visiting his sister in the hospital and

started home when I was hit by a small car

that caused over a $1,000.00 damage and

they cancelled my insurance that I had kept

for many years. Can’t imagine what you have

to go through at age 77 to get insurance

coverage. I have to get papers signed by a

doctor. Haven’t had a regular doctor since

George had a hundred and they still couldn’t

keep him here.

Ed note: Hey! Leia, just hang in there

it’s bound to get better, we’ll pull for you.

Mildred Binney

Buell and I still live in the same

“places”. Buell has been in the Missouri

Veterans Home in Cameron, MO since

October 24, 2000. Can’t do much for himself,

but still knows us all and is in a wheel chair all

the time. We are fortunate to have a nice

facility available. A very nice place and he

has everything he needs. His health is

“steady” and he enjoys the family visiting him

often. He has lots of nurses that try to keep

him in a “jolly” mood. We celebrated our 60^h

wedding anniversary on September 6, 2002. I

continue to live on Route Z, with the help of

my kids. Have had lots of medical repairs this

year. Thy have all gone well. Had carpel

tunnel repaired in both hands last summer,

have recovered from cataract surgery in

November and December, vision is much

brighter and improved and crocheted 3

afghans. Enjoy cooking, have 5 cats outside

and my new inside friend, “Cash” the cat is

quite spoiled.

Joyce Dubois

We do appreciate the correspondence

about the Lowndes’ activities. Even tho we no

longer can attend, they make wonderful

opportunities to reminisce with Frank.

Mary (Cltff)Schaffer

Hope to see everyone at the next

reunion.

Sally (John) Cary

Hope everyone enjoyed the reunion in

Indianapolis. One of these days I’ll drop

another line or two and hope to see you all this

year.

Ed. Note: We certainly have missed

these people at our reunions and want to give

them our best.

Mike Michalski

If all works out with Jerry - she will have

to stay in the hospital at least a month to try to

gain strength in her legs to be able to stand.

Ed. Note: Post card was received March

11^th. Indicating they plan to attend the reunion

in Biloxi. We wish Jerry a speedy recovery from

her surgery and look forward to seeing them

again.

Leon Fougnies

Our Grandson is being married October

2^nd in Fort Worth so we will miss this year’s

reunion. Thanks for keeping me posted.

Appreciate the newsletters.

Leo O’Brien

Thanks for the newsletter and the group

pictures. That was a nice snapshot of you (Bud)

and I at the podium. “You keep getting better

looking as you age. By the time you reach 100

you should be a handsome devil. Received

David Brinkman’s CD.

Leo, you’re just trying to get on the good

side of me, but flattery will get you nowhere. I’m

sure everyone will find this CD extremely

interesting, certainly shows a lot of detail

regarding the Lowndes and her shipmates. I

would encourage others to obtain a copy. David

has done an outstanding job on this project.

May 2003-4

Bill FletcherfusMC)

Was glad to get the newsletter - the

Lowndes was my best ship experience in

WWII. It just occurred to me to ask why we had

guard duty on the high seas on the ship. I can

understand the need to guard the fruit storage

area (remember my prior confession?) * But I

always volunteered to man the forward point

on the ship and much enjoyed the “ups” and

“downs” of the experience at night. There was

certainly no sleeping on that post but you guys

have to know I afforded little protection for your

safety. Best of luck to all your gatherings. If you

ever meet in Texas I’ll try to attend. Thanks for

allowing me to be a member of your

organization.

Ed. Note: * See page 3 in August 2000

newsletter. Bill, Biloxi, MS can’t be too far from

Angleton, TX.

David Long

Our annual family ski trip had to be

cancelled as Joanne had a brain tumor, which

had to be removed, was successful and it was

benign, thank God. She also had a slight

stroke after that, but that caused no problems

and no after effects. We did go to Florida and

had lots of fun. We visited a few close friends,

traveled around and enjoyed the sun. May 30^th

I had a hip replacement and that screwed up

my tennis and a few other planned events. It

worked out very well and it’s great to get rid of

the pain. We celebrated our 50^th Wedding

Anniversary and renewed our vows. Our

children had the most wonderful party for us at

Andy’s house on Conesus Lake. A great band

under a big tent, wonderful food and of course,

plenty of good liquid cheer and best of all about

190 guests. It was truly a fantastic event and

the highlight of our years. In September we

visited Yellowstone Park for 4 days and saw

beautiful scenery, many animals, geysers,

waterfalls and learned much about the park.

The Grand Tetons are very impressive as was

Grand Targee National Park. Of course the big

event was watching Larry’s Aerobatic

performance in his Extra 300 Stunt plane It

was thrilling, but we would be pleased to

see him give it up.

Walt Umbarger

Jackie had a fall returning from a

COM pot luck supper. Fell on her right

shoulder and with help from friends got

her up, but she complained of her right

shoulder. Took her to the Naples Hospital

emergency, x-rays showed a severe break

in her upper right arm. Arrived at

emergency at 9:00 PM. Got home at 12:00

PM. She had a fairly good night.

Ed, note: Sure wish Jackie a

speedy recovery so we can have the

honor of their appearance at our Biloxi

reunion. You, take care kiddo.

Jim Bussard

My email, as you can tell, is:

cabjwb2@earthlink.net. The next reunion

in Biloxi sounds interesting. Although

Carol and I have traveled in 5 countries

and 40+ states, we’ve never been in

Mississippi. I hope our health is good

enough to attend.

In 1776 the Second Continental

Congress ruled that the term “United

States” officially replaced “United

Colonies.”

Mary Fearing

Am sending our dues for last year

and this year. We are not coming to the

reunion as Dean won’t fly and too far for

us to drive. We are both well except for

what goes with old age.

Frank Miller

I found out that not all chemicals

are bad. Without hydrogen and oxygen, for

example, there would be no way to make

water, a vital ingredient in beer along with

hops.

May 2003-5

W. Ho ward Riley

I received the announcement of the

upcoming reunion and am sorry that I cannot

attend. I am sorry to say that I have never

managed to attend any reunions. My wife and

I have had our handicapped granddaughter in

our care for twenty-two years which has

limited some of our activities. We don’t

complain because she has truly been a

blessing in our lives. Our 5 children and

twenty plus grandchildren are constantly

asking me to tell them about my experiences

during World War Two. I am probably the only

seventy-seven year old who can’t remember

things, but it gets more difficult every year. I

have been wondering if there is any way to

obtain a copy of the history of the Lowndes? I

worked in the office on board ship and at the

end of the war I was able to have possession

of many pictures, but I allowed a shipmate to

borrow them several years ago and he never

returned them. I appreciate receiving the

newsletters and without any response from

me. They do bring back memories of serving

on the Lowndes with a lot of great guys. Have

a great reunion, and thanks for everything.

Please change my address to:

545 S. Valley View Dr #88

St. George, Utah 84770

Howard, your check will cover all cost

of the USS Lowndes history booklet. You

should receive it by the time you get this

newsletter. Time permitting we may be able to

send a few photos.

Renee Michalski

My mother, Jerry wants to convey her

thanks for all the get well/cheer cards that

have been coming her way from the Lowndes

reunion group. There was another cute

handmade one from Pam too. My Mother

really appreciates everyone sending them

and they brighten her day. The news is good.

She is their star ‘pupil’. I had a chance to see

her ‘in action’ in rehab last Thursday morning.

The therapists are impressed at how

motivated she is and at her progress.

Although she gets around in the wheel chair

most of the day, she can now walk 30 yards

with a walker and can stand up by herself

from the bed and do a pivot turn to get into

the wheel chair. She has some hip pain from

where they took bone for the fusion grafts,

but that has not slowed her down.

Received the above e mail from Renee

on April 17^th. Hope all goes well and we can

see her and Mike at the Biloxi reunion. Keep

up the good work Jerry.

Mrs. Charles Seay

I am Lt. Meadows sister (88 years old).

In going through old papers I found the

enclosed, which I thought you might find

interesting. He died 15-20 years ago. He

never wanted to talk much about the war

years having served in both the Atlantic and

Pacific and was well past the age when he

enlisted. Enjoy receiving the newsletters.

The following is an excerpt from the

Feb. 22, 1970 San Angelo Standard-Times

Texas Newspaper that Mrs. Seay sent me.

“\Ne had to make three runs on the

beach before we could get our landing craft to

’stick’ on the steep slope long enough to

unload troops.” Said Lt. Claude W. Meadows,

Jr., a Lt. Senior Grade and a Beach Party

beachmaster for the invasion of Iwo Jima.

“And all this time the shells and mortars were

exploding all around us.”

Lt. Meadows was the Executive Officer

of the Lowndes Beach Party. Therein lies a

story relating to your editor. When I was

assigned to the Beach Party I was a MM2c.

After a short time I asked the Lt. If I could go

fora MM1c rating. He promptly told me “That

there was no place for a MM in the Beach

party and as of now, you are a MoMM.” I did

take the test and got the 1c rating.

How can you have a total of 30 cents

with two coins and one coin is not a nickel?

May 2003-6

Some Facts About Our Flag

By Noble John Martin

A Military Funeral

When you see this, remember something special. Those whose bodies are laid to earthly

rest will be honored by a tradition of folding the American Flag. This is not just a gesture, but has

great meaning from our history - a history, which even terror, cannot overcome. And so, as the

lumps in your throats, tears in your eyes, and struggle with bitterness, anger, and frustration, here

is something to remember how special these people were.

Why is the Flag Folded 13 Times?

Have you ever noticed at a military funeral that the honor guard pays meticulous attention

to folding the American Flag 13 times? I’ve known how the 21 gun salute was determined

(adding the individual digits of 1776, 1+7+7+6=21). The flag is folded 13 times (13 Original

Colonies and stripes on our Flag). The Flag is folded 13 times when lowered or when

presented to a widow at the burial of a veteran. When the Flag is folded completely (13 times) the

stars are the only showing, it reminds us of our nations motto, “In God We Trust.” Also, “In

Peace and Serenity.”

Ed. Note: Submitted by, my sister, Elsie Meisl.

On December 28, 1945 Congress officially recognized the “Pledge of Allegiance.

In 1931 *”The Star-Spangled Banner” was formally designated the national anthem.

A special thanks to newly appointed Brigadier General Marty Umbarger for arranging for the

Navy color guard to present the Colors on Saturday evening prior to our banquet and festivities.

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

David Brinkman

Just want to give everyone an update on the South Carolina State Museum exhibit. The

exhibit opened on April 19^th and will go until mid-September. The Lowndes ship model is still

under construction and should be ready to join the exhibit in a few weeks. The model builders

started over at one point because they thought it needed to be larger. The owner of the model

business wants this to be a great looking model since it is being displayed in the State Museum

(and also because I told him I would leave his name on the display plaque). The LCVP boats were

also redone and the main deck was completely redone when they did not meet the owners

expectations. On another, disappointing note, the Museum reviewed the exhibit with a Marine

Corps consultant and he said the displaying of Dog-tags and photos of the Lowndes members

that died on Iwo Jima (Don Bowman and Norman Richards) would not be appropriate, so these

will not be in the exhibit. I’m very sorry about this. I have the Dog-tags now and will bring them to

the reunion this fall to return them to the families. I will also have available, photos of the Lowndes

model when it is complete and at the Museum.

Ed. Note: Must compliment David on doing a tremendous job on this project. He certainly

has gone beyond the call of duty and I’m sure that the Lowndes crew, spouses and younger

generation appreciate his efforts. Hope that many can have the opportunity to visit and view the

exhibit in the Museum. Even though David has taken it upon himself to finance this project,

several shipmates have made contributions to ease the burden. If anyone would like to participate

in this worthwhile project send contributions to:

David Brinkman - 1074 Tarrytown Lane - West Columbia, SC 29170