Herb Quick, John Engstrom, and Andrew Walden worked to clear the snow on Thursday after a Euclid came through.

Also in preparation for Dry Dock we tested the Bow Anchor Windlass.  It went well.

With Dry Dock approaching, we prepped LCVP #1 and hoisted it aboard ship.

The Night Before Christmas

"Let us not forget the reason for the season and those who went before us to insure our right to do so."

-Bob Pointer

The Night Before Christmas 

by Bob Pointer

Twas the night before Christmas,

and throughout the ship,

not a person was stirring,

not a sound from a lip.

The racks were all empty,

the decks were all bare,

the lights were all out,

just some red ones here and there.

The volunteers were gone,

at home with their families.

There was no one else aboard, I chuckled,

'cept maybe a few ghosts and me.

I looked out of a porthole,

and slowly let out a sigh.

I saw that it was snowing,

large flakes were drifting by.

I was locking down LST 325.

It was closed for the holiday,

just a few more things to check

and I’ll be on my way.

When up on the main deck,

there rose such a clatter.

I ran up two ladders

to go see what was the matter.

I ran past the galley,

ran right past the head,

turned starboard at the Wardroom,

un-dogged the door by the Captains bed.

Outside I find silence,

just wind blowing through the lines,

the lapping of waves on the hull,

like I've heard so many times.

The moon on the crest of the new fallen snow,

cast a hypnotic like luster to the deck below.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

but a deck full of soldiers with their packs and their gear.

There were Sailors setting the sea detail,

the rails were guarded by Marines,

it seemed we were getting underway.

Was it real or in my dreams?

I walked up to a lonely private,

I ask what was going on here.

He turned around to me and said,

We do this once a year.

We went to sea on this LST,

but never made it home,

we died on foreign beaches,

but we did not die alone.

Many years before our time,

our Savior paid the price.

He promised he would be with us,

through all our trials and strife

Like the Shepherds did before us,

we set course for that Eastern Star,

at journeys end we worship him,

like the others did from afar.

Was I dreaming or was it real?

I really did not know,

slowly the soldiers began to fade,

the private said now I too must go.

One thing I ask before I leave,

something you must do,

remember us on Christmas Eve,

and the Savior who died for you.

The night air was crisp and silent,

as I stood alone on the deck,

snow still falling around me,

cold wind blowing down my neck.

Suddenly I heard the ships bell ring,

but no one was in sight.

I could have sworn I heard the private say,

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

BP '09

Another beautiful morning on the river.  

The river is on the rise and brought with it a large passerby. 

Interesting facts on this day in history:

1944 Beginning of Liese-Aktion: recruiting of labor force for Germany

1944 Congress establishes rank of General of Army (5-Star General)

1944 German occupiers forbid use of electricity in parts of Holland

1941 1st NFL division playoff, Bears beat Packers 33-14

1941 Premier Winston Churchill travels to U.S. on board HMS Duke of York

1941 U-557 torpedoes British cruiser Galatea

The river is rising and we have beautiful chilly weather today.  Here are a few scenic pictures.

Lowering of the Bow Ramp Door Gaskets to Tank Deck

Monday we received our gaskets for the Bow Ramp Door.  Today John Engstrom and Andrew Walden lowered them to the tank deck.   We also have Jerry Howe, John Hatton, and Darrel Lane staying on board for Engineering.  Harry Manor, Dave Schrader and Pete Crasher also stopped by earlier this week to help with the electrical work on ship.  Thank you for volunteering gentlemen.

Bah Humbug

Herb Quick made a quick visit today.  Contradiction of spirit.  Merry Christmas to all of the Scrooges out there.

Scenic Picture

It's been a bit slow down at the 'T' the last couple of days.  This morning our friends at Ingram Barge had a tug sail by.  Very nice scenic view of Evansville and the Ingram tug. 

Dry Dock Plans

On January 7th we plan to depart for Port Arthur TX to Dry Dock at Gulf Copper.  It is estimated to take 5-7 weeks for necessary repairs.  We are still in need of donations for food for crew, fuel, transportation for crew to return home and to return to dry dock, along with the extensive repairs and refurbishing of the ship's hull and the removal of the Ice Breaker that was installed before her mission in the arctic during Operation SUNAC. (http://www.lstmemorial.org/pages/history.html)  

Many of the repairs being done are necessary for us to continue to sail this historic vessel.  Our USS LST 325 is the last WWII accurate, fully operational LST in the United States.  In order for her to remain operational, we depend on support from our members, volunteers, and visitors.  Please visit our Donate page for more information on ways to help preserve a living piece of history.
http://www.lstmemorial.org/pages/donate.html

Below are pictures depicting the USS LST 325 unloading equipment for one of her last operations in Kulusuk, East Greenland, 1960-61. 

Many of the repairs being done are necessary for us to continue to sail this historic vessel.  Our USS LST 325 is the last WWII accurate, fully operational LST in the United States.  In order for her to remain operational, we depend on support from our members, volunteers, and visitors.  Please visit our Donate page for more information on ways to help preserve a living piece of history.  

http://www.lstmemorial.org/pages/donate.html

January Board Meeting

Our January Board Meeting will be held at United Fidelity Bank at 18 N.W. 4th St. Evansville, IN  47708 at 9:00 a.m. in their 2nd Floor Conference room on January 5th, 2013.  

Remember Pearl Harbor Today

On today's date in 1941 America witnessed one of it's greatest disasters:  Pearl Harbor.  Please take time today to remember this tragedy and honor the men and women who perished.  There are several internet sites that can give you more information about Pearl Harbor, below are just a few links to various Pearl Harbor related internet sites.  

http://www.pearlharbor.org/

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/pearlhbr.htm

http://www.pearlsofhonor.com/

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Harbor

We're Back!

Good morning folks.  After 2 days of our website being down, we are back up and running thanks to the folks at PC Quest.  Thank you for your help. 

Yesterday we also had Bob Lenn and Andrew Walden install fencing around the 40mm gun we have on display at the entrance to the pavilion by our gangway to the Gift Shop.  This will help ensure that the hard work spent restoring the 40mm done by the folks at BAE Systems doesn't go to waste.  Thank you gentlemen for your efforts.