From The Director s Chair

Transcription

1 Newsletter of the Battleship Texas Foundation Summer 2014 In this issue... The Director s Chair Pg.1 FTV Volunteers Pg.2 Battleship Update Pg.3 About Patriotism Pg.4 In Memoriam Pg.5 Overnight Program Pg.6 International Scouts Pg.7 In Honor Of Pg.8 In Honor Of Pg.9 Membership Pg.10 WWII Poster... From The Director s Chair Wow, what a year 2014 has been for The Battleship Texas and all of us that work so hard to preserve her. I wanted to take my space here and share some of the highlights with you. As many of you know we have been in the midst of a massive renovation and repair effort on The Texas that started last year. Taylor Marine has performed nothing short of a miracle since they started their work. With total renovation cost just under $20 million dollars we have been able to make significant repairs to The Texas. This phase is quickly coming to an end and we could not be more pleased with the results. The effort to perform the remaining repairs will be determined by how much success we have in raising additional funds. In March along with Texas Parks & Wildlife we hosted two remarkable days. The first one was on March 12 th when we welcomed home over 30 former crew members and hundreds of their families to celebrate the 100 th anniversary of the commissioning of The Texas. It was truly a day that no one will soon forget, for information please visit our website at Then on Saturday March 15 th we capped off a great week by hosting several thousand people at our 100 th Anniversary public celebration. With live music. and a wonderful fireworks show it to will a day long remembered. Just when you might think we couldn t do anything more we joined forces with French Consul General Sujiro Seam for a D-Day Ceremony on the bow of The Texas. The highlight of this ceremony was the awarding of the French Legion of Honor Medal to 36 WWII Veterans that served in France. This is the highest honor that the Nation of France can convey on a non-french citizen. The turnout was remarkable and the only group assembled that day was the group at Normandy. As you can see from just a few of the highlights above we have had a remarkable year in With your help and support we will continue to press forward in our efforts. Battleship TEXAS Foundation

2 Advisory Directors Hon. James A. Baker, III 61st Secretary of State ADM. James L. Holloway, III USN (Ret.), Former CNO Ned S. Holmes Commissioner, Texas Transportation Commission Board of Trustees Anthony K. Gregory, Chairman Thomas J. Perich, Vice Chairman Donald H. Fischer, Treasurer Rey Gonzales, Jr., Secretary Charles A. Alcorn, Chairman Emeritus Jimmy Burke Penny H. Butler Alfred Davis, IV Sylvia R. Garcia Theodore S. Hirtz RADM. J. Weldon Koenig, USN (Ret.) Michael N. Pearson CAPT. Clifford H. Royal, USN (Ret.) Thomas C. Wright Bruce D. Bramlett Executive Director; TPWD Ship Staff Andy Smith, Ship Manager First Texas Volunteers By Don Fischer Restoration The First Texas Volunteers is currently working on two maintenance type projects. W o r k c o n t i n u e s o n t h e wooden, Main Deck to fill weathered gaps and to properly caulk the seams between the planks. As this work progresses, various products and methods are being tested to ensure the material holds and the paints adhere to the severely weathered boards. In this regard FTV, rather than the deck, seems to be winning. Also, due to some safety stipulations and a dip in active restoration membership, another small team has focused on cleaning existing surfaces on the 2 nd Deck and the Butcher Shop on the Main Deck. Years of grime are being cleaned from painted surfaces on the bulkheads, frames, overheads and wiring so that visitors can view a ship that looks as if she were active. At the same time, a good inspection of the surfaces can be made to determine whether certain areas can wait for repainting, or whether it needs to be performed in the near term. The paint in most places worked is in good shape; however the deck in the Butcher Shop requires removal of rust scale and complete prepping and painting due to water intrusion into the compartment. The equipment within is also being cleaned, and where necessary, will be touched up or completely re-painted. The First Texas Volunteers has also funded a contract in the amount of $16,500 to restore the two 36 searchlights located on the mainmast. These are currently under restoration in the Dallas area and should be returned for reinstallation within a couple months. Hard Hat Tours The final Hard Hat Tour of the season was held Saturday, May 3 with a nominal turnout, earning FTV a total of $2, In almost every sense of the word, from revenue to feedback from the attendees, the tours were a great success. To all who attended, please accept our grateful thanks. The first tour of the next season is Saturday, October 25, Please contact the Foundation office at (713) to make reservations. Education Courses on multiple subjects (including weapons systems, communications, aviation, life aboard ship, and many more) are currently being updated from the lesson plans of classes previously held aboard ship by FTV instructors and several members of regular ship staff. These lesson plans are being fleshed out so as to be more readable by a third party, but yet not be wordy and still convey only t h e c r i t i c a l p o i n t s t o b e learned. These outlines will be uploaded into the FTV website upon completion for all to enjoy and learn from. These will hopefully foster additional research by individuals desiring a greater depth of knowledge on these various subjects. Page 2

3 Dreadnought Update By Neil Thomas As the loyal Dreadnought readers know, Taylor Marine Construction, Inc. (TMC) has been working under contract to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) since the spring of 2012 to execute critical structural repairs to the Battleship Texas. TMC remains ahead of schedule and 100% of the structural work for which TMC was contracted to perform was completed in May 2014! There remains a significant amount of work on the reinstallation of items that were removed to facilitate the structural work, but the actual structural repairs to Trimming Tank D-12 and to the spaces under both C-1 and C-2 engine rooms are completed. Additionally, the retro-fit of the monopiles is also completed. While this is great news, the fact remains that the structural needs of the battleship outweigh the current funding available to TPWD to address those needs. This underscores the necessity to utilize all of the currently available funding to execute as much repair work as possible. Therefore, TPWD has elected to utilize all of the remaining project funds (funds that had been held in a small contingency) to add additional structural repair scope to the TMC contract. 115 below the 3rd deck. The work in the CPO area is limited to the vertical stanchions that transfer load from the upper decks to the turtleback above the steering gear. As of August 1, this work is 70% complete. The work on FR104, FR110 and FR115 is occurring between the engine rooms and D-12. This work will ensure that all of the bulkheads originally designed as water-tight bulkheads between FR89 (forward end of the engine rooms) and FR129.5 (aft end of D-12) below the 3rd deck are returned to a true water tight condition. This portion of the work is about 30% completed on both the port and starboard sides. All of the work, clean-up and demobilization is slated to be work is expected to be completed by early- to mid Once this work is completed, the current funding for the project will be 100% expended. In late May, TPWD instructed TMC to proceed with the most critical structural repairs in the CPO (Chief Petty Officer) areas on the 3rd deck (CPO Pantry, CPO Mess, CPO Quarters) and with replacing water-tight bulkheads at Frames 104, 110 and Upper photo is the aft bulkhead repaired and painted. In Trim Tank D-12 Lower photo is the new hardware on one of the monopiles. Page 3

4 About Patriotism By Bob Sullivan Not long ago while grocery shopping I stopped to tell an elderly gentleman thanks for serving. He was wearing a ball cap with US Army on the front. I had noticed him a couple of times going up and down the isles. He said thank you, and we shook hands. He was quite surprised as most veterans tend to be when I greet them this way. He went on to tell me that he had been in the Marines, but the PX did not have a Marine cap so he bought the Army one. Their reactions are pleasing to observe. Some are shy, probably wondering what I am up to. Others are enthusiastic and seem to enjoy the conversation. I have never had one express his outrage at having to serve in uniform. Service men and women are proud to have served their country. Greeting veterans this way is a habit I developed while working on the Battleship Texas. Of course, most of them ask me if I have served, and when I say yes, Navy they return the thanks. I have pondered what it is that makes these folks so easy to talk with. I may have the answer. The answer may be that we all have something uniquely in common. If one has gone through the riggers of basic training, boot camp for the Navy and Marines, and learned all the DI s have thrown at you. If one has stood in long chow lines in the cold or gone back to the barracks and found it totally trashed because someone found Easter cards, a magazine, or Page 4 letters from home. It took us days of hand washing to remove the yellow crayon messages left on our bed sheets. If you have been awakened to stand the mid-watch or guard duty (12:00 to 4:00 AM) in the rain. If you have stood in formation for inspection or paraded on Saturday you know that it is a kinship you feel to other military veterans; to salute our flag, and hear the Stars Spangled Banner played by the band. The first Saturday I was in formation on the Parade Ground, the Drum and Bugle Corps put the horns to their lips. The drums were beating and out came Anchors Away! All the hairs on my neck came to attention. I was so proud! Later that day parents came to visit some of the recruits. I was taken aback by how unkempt they looked with all those colors. I thought it was awful, after all I had seen nothing but shades of blue for many weeks. My first glance of patriotism came while still a High School student. Somehow a friend got two tickets to a big college football game and he asked me to go with him. We were so high in the stands I was afraid to stand up for fear of falling down. The stadium was a huge horseshoe and at the open end was the parking lot and a sea of cars. Many fans were walking up to the stadium as the band started playing the National Anthem. Much to my surprise all the people in the parking lot stopped until the band finished and the flag was up. They knew they would miss the kick off, but I wonder if that would happen today? The open end of the horseshoe has been filled in with seats, I guess I ll never know, but I would like to think yes, people would still stop to listen. I have told this story many times before when the subject of the flag or patriotism was being discussed. My problem is that it left such a profound impression on me that I can never get through it without a quivering voice, big lump in my throat, and a tear in my eye..

5 In Memoriam Celebrating The Lives Of Frederick Roland Smith, Jr. Huck ~ Vernon Lee Graham Bunny ~ Edward J. Boroski 1923 ~ John Jeffries, Jr ~ Merrick Pratt Page 5

6 Battleship TEXAS Overnight Youth Education Program By Jerry Irwin and Paul McCann On August 8, the OEP hosted, 21 campers from BSA Troop 3 from Derby Connecticut along with scouts from the, 107th Scouts and Explorers, hailing from their sister city, Derby England and several scouts from Limerick, Ireland. In addition to their visit, we hosted a total of 499 campers this summer. This was a slight improvement over our normal summer attendance. We are working with TPWD and FTV in order to expand the The pictures below are of the Battleship Overnight Booth at The Spring Scout Fair. infrastructure to accommodate more campers. To do so, more meeting rooms/eating areas, berthing areas, restrooms and sleeping areas for the crew are necessary. Plans include adding or replacing at least six new air conditioners, restoring the original crews head and casemate #4 to be used as a meeting and breakfast room. Other projects are also pending. Currently the Overnight Program is working with several local attractions and other area historical sights to form partnerships. Our goal is to create a, destination weekend, enhancing the overnight camping experience on the TEXAS. These partnerships will be able to offer discounts and other accommodations for those groups wishing to take advantage of their time while visiting the Battleship TEXAS. If you are interested in or know someone who maybe, in becoming an Overnight Education Tour guide: Please contact us at overnight@battleshiptexas.org or (281) office. Page 6

7 Troop 3 from Derby, Connecticut, the 107 Scouts and Explorers from sister city Derby, England as well as Scouts from Lemerick, Ireland participated in the Overnight Program on the Texas this Summer. Battleship Texas Foundation s Executive Director, Bruce Bramlett hands Ship Manager, Andy Smith the second $10,000 dollar check for deck restoration and hull painting for the 100th Anniversary in March. The $20,000 dollars was well spent, as the ship looks beautiful. Good job FTV and Ships Crew! Hard work in hot weather... or cool weather. Page 7

8 IN HONOR OF Everett William Abbott Matthew R. Aguilar Leamond Onnie Allen Leamond A. Allen Richard J. Allen Jeff Austin, Jr. PFC Apolonio Sierra Almaraz, USA William P. Barron, Jr. Steven G. Bass Sissy & Jeff Austin, Jr. Jonathan D. Barton N. A. Autry, USN William Eugene Averyt, Sr. Roderick O. Bell Frank G. Baca Jerry & Judy Berard Jimmie H. Barbour Dr. Gloria C. Biles William P. Barron John Bellock Jerry Alan Berard Donald R. Cade George H. Bethard Lt.Col. Harvey A. Boese, USA Dick Cain, USN Paul D. Broussard, Jr., USN Jack Boyd Buckley, USN Al Davis LCDR Francis E. Carnicom, USN Wallace A. Caskey Jim Cooper Joyleen Christmas Clarence C. Connor, USN John Edward Crawley, USN Robert Cronin Edwin Blessing Davenport James H. Dawley, USN Billie F. Davis Jim T. Bowie Michael Brannan Darrell Brewer James S. Buckley Marvin W. Butcher Gregory L. Cain F. B. Cantrell, Jr. Gene Carnicom Thomas R. Casebere Robert D. Caskey Frank Cempa J. M. Chastain Dr. Robert R. Clemons Will Allen Courtney Harrington E. Crissey, Jr Cullen M. Dauchy Wallace E. Davenport Jim & Erma Defee Robert F. B. Diller Edward A. Dollase Roy Dew Amos R. Dreessen C. F. Dieter, Sr. Marvin Farmer Roger Diller, USMC Edward Finnegan Arnold C. Dollase James Fischer Jack P. Dunlap, USAAC David J. Fish Marie DuPree William A. Flanagan Kenneth Oscar Ekelund John R. Foreman GM2 Raymond L. Fischer, USN CAPT John W. Francis, USN (Ret0 Stanley O. Fish E. Norman George Capt. John W. Francis, USN H. Clifford Giese Thomas W. Gillette Capt. Lawrence H. French, USN G. Marvin Frey, Jr. Dominick R. Golio H. C. Giese James J. Hansen Msgt. Lee M. Givens, USAF James Harle N. Maxwell Goodloe Stephen & Marisa Hegyesi Earl C. Goodwin Lee & Joan Hendrickson Vernon Lee "Bunny" Graham Edward P. Hermann Hubert E. Griffith, Jr., USMC George R. Hoeppner Dr. Roger Kaestner Dennis E. Halvorsen John W. Jackson Col. Ed Hammerbeck Brent D. Johnson Edwin W. Hansen Wiley B. Harle Craig Lamb Greg G. Majors LCDR James L. Hardgrave, USN (Ret) LCDR James L. Hardgrave, USN (Ret) Charles C. Kubin Dr. Fornie Edward Hartsell, USN John E. Lewis Billy Heckendorn Lois P. Luallin William J. Hendricks Everett P. Lunsford Karl J. Lyons Lee Hendrickson Oly Louis Hicks Brenda J. Mabry James W. Maines Alvin N. Hlavenka, USMC Dean G. Horn Edgar A. Meredith Vance Huff Donald G. Merritt Rosemarie Hughes George S. Mihalik Page 8

9 IN HONOR OF Tom Hughes Judge Cletis Millsap Reese E. Jackson Wayne Morrow John Marlin Jarnagin Garry Nelson Adolph Jarolik Ronnie Northcutt John Jeffries, Jr Patrick M. Parham Charles R. Johnson, USN Mary Virginia Pittman-Waller John Paul Jones Bruce & Martha Pope Cmdr Walter W. Kalteyer, Jr., USNR Harvey L. Prokop John S. Kinzey Ira L. Ratliff Eugene Knipp Dr. Harold W. Ray F. L. Reasoner 1st Lt. Randall Krebs, USA Pvt. Andrew Krippner, USA Doris A. Richardson Charlie F. Kubin Stuart M. Rohre II James H. Lamb Peggy S. Rose Donald Langa Dr. Bernard A. Rosenberg R. W. & Evelina Lawrence Van L. Rubenstein Don Vicente L. Legarda Robert S. Schlemmer Albert Dale Littlefield* W. H. Sentesi Roy A. Logan Dolores A. Sharp Duane Luallin Gregory N. Small Frank Marek Walter & Judy Smithwick Elmer M. Mascher, Jr William D. Southworth James V. McGonagle family Ricky Lee Spriggs Edgar U. Meredith Irvin D. States Dale R. Merrick, USNJames A. Stone LTJG George J. Michaels, USN Karl J. Strobl Ben B. Thigpen William J. Mitchell Samuel E. Thompson Roy O. Northcutt Phillip D. Tippen Donald G. Oakes, USN Bruce Trepl Robert F. Olsen Scott Trzesniowski Van E. Parham, Sr. Otto C. Perkins Denver Perkins Denver Perkins, Jr. Julie Ann Petterson Merrick Pratt Jesse E. Pettey Thomas Phillips Ronald Pickering Joe G. Pritchett Richard Allen Pruett Henry E. Vincik Lewis E. Wald, Jr. Mark & Jean Williams William D. Winters Ann Elizabeth Zibrat MAJ Donald T. Zajackowski, USA (Ret) Noble Ray John A. Reasoner Steve Richardson Jack Roberts Lt. Ben Rogers, USN Stephen Rose CPO Walter Rohre, USN CPO Arthur C. Ross, USN Victor Spinks Theodore J. Sarn, Sr. Tom Scott Capt. Joe Reid Scott, USN (Ret) Alex Sentesi Harvey G. Shean, USN W. N. Small Billy Joe Smith CAPT Carroll J. Smith, USAF Frederick Roland "Huck" Smith, Jr. William Socha Jack D. Southworth Harvey J. Spiller Joseph H. Strittmatter SSGT Samuel L. Strode, USAF Eva Teer MSgt Samuel E. Thompson, USAF (Ret) Lawrence A. Tippen, USN Henry Grady Traylor, USN Ewing Calvin Varner Alfredo L. Vitela Charles Wesley Walker, Jr. Henry Martin Ward John Wayne Watkins Horace Dell West John Slifer Wilkinson Clyde Williams, Jr. Robert McAlpin Williamson C. J. Winters Charles C. Miller USS Lansdale Crew of the USS Houston Crew of the Allen M. Sumner 1st Marine Division Iwo Jima veterans USS Texas 100th Anniversary Page 9

10 One Riverway, Suite 2200 Houston, Texas Membership Application I am pleased to support the USS TEXAS with my membership in the Battleship TEXAS Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non profit organization. Individual $35.00 Name Family $45.00 Supporting $ Benefactor $ Corporate $2, Address City State Zip Phone Fax USS TEXAS Veteran $ Check here to receive your Dreadnought by . Membership Benefits Individual. $35 Entry level membership entitles Member to receive a free subscription to the BTF quarterly newsletter The Dreadnought and a free subscription to TPWD s bi-weekly newsletter The Battle Report (if you provide your address). Family. $ 45 Everything above, plus invitations to San Jacinto Site activities and special events. Supporting $ 150 Everything above, plus one (1) Hard Hat Tour. Benefactor. $ 500 Everything above, plus two (2) Hard Hat Tours Corporate. $2,000 Everything above, plus publication of your firm s name in The Dreadnought and at special events held aboard the TEXAS. USS TEXAS Veterans. $10 Benefits the same as for Individual Member. Mail to: BATTLESHIP TEXAS FOUNDATION One Riverway Suite 2200 Houston, Texas Phone