MOORE MEMORIES

USS BELL ASSOCIATION (DD587)

 

DECEMBER, 2003

 

 

IN THIS ISSUE:

 

Ø      HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Ø      2004 REUNION – COVINGTON, KY

Ø      MAILBAG

Ø      BEST WISHES

Ø      IN SYMPATHY

Ø      RETURNED MAIL

Ø      THE ORIGIN OF “TAPS”

Ø      WORLD WAR II TRIVIA

 

 

 

HAPPY  HOLIDAYS  TO  ONE  AND  ALL!

 

Our Las Vegas reunion was again a wonderful time for all the members and family and friends who attended.  My thanks to Jack and Roseann Ogden for all the errands they ran for me in supplying our hospitality room.  They really were so helpful and I greatly appreciate it.  Las Vegas is place of many activities.  Visiting the many hotels and just looking and browsing along the shops is time consuming.  You can just lose yourself in the lobbies and along the avenues attached to the hotels.  It is also fun just to people watch.  A lot of us took some of the tours that are offered.  Some of my friends and I took a tour through the Valley of Fire and we enjoyed it so much.  Our tour guide was a walking historian.  His great grandfather had come to Nevada in the eighteen hundreds and had explored all the desert region and settled in Las Vegas, so the guide learned as a child all there was to know about the desert and the life in the desert.  We were treated to a nice lunch along the way at Lake Mead.  We also took a tour that included Hoover Dam, and a drive through a portion of the Hualapai Indian Reservation on Route 66 on our way to the bottom of the Grand Canyon along the Colorado River where the rafters stop for a short rest.   We then left that portion of the Grand Canyon and traveled to the West Rim of the Canyon for a breathtaking view of the walls.  It was almost sundown so the colors were so beautiful.  Leaving the Grand Canyon we stopped in the Joshua Tree Forest to make some pictures.  .

 

Wednesday morning we assembled for a business meeting.  Jimmy Faith began our assembly by delivering a brief message and prayer.  His daughter Gina graced us again with her beautiful voice with the song “America”.  All the shipmates were asked to stand and introduce themselves and their family members and friends.  Shipmates attending were Mario Capitanio, Russell Haberle, Eddie Kleek, Tom Gutierrez, Ralph Marino, Maurice Moe, Mike Diveronica, William Cavanaugh, Jimmy Faith, and Jack Ogden.  Jon Diulas, son-in-law of Mario & Marion Capitanio was awarded an Honorary Shipmate status.  Jon has been so helpful with assisting in the activities of the Bell reunions.  Mike DiVeronica presented a package from the City of Covington, Kentucky, inviting us to come there for one of our reunions.  The shipmates met to discuss the package that was presented and they voted in favor of the City of Covington for 2004 reunion.  After the business meeting, we had our raffle for the gifts.  We also had an auction for a few items and it was one of the highlights of the reunion.  We had so much fun and so much laughter with it that anyone who would like to bring an extra gift for the auction, we will do it again next year.  Wednesday night was our farewell banquet.  The hotel had decorated the dining room in red, white and blue and it really looked pretty.  We had a lavish banquet and I thought the food was really good.  It was also noted that some of our members had just had some big birthdays and anniversaries, so we put our best voices forward and sang Happy Birthday.  Door prizes were awarded and a special gift was presented to our host and hostess, Jack and Roseann.  Everyone is looking forward to our 2004 reunion.

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2004 REUNION – COVINGTON, KENTUCKY

 

The 2004 reunion will be held at The Drawbridge Hotel & Suites beginning with check-in on Wednesday. September 29, and checkout on Sunday, October 3rd.  A block of rooms have been reserved for the USS Bell and every one attending will be responsible for making their own reservations.  The room rate will be $68.00 per room plus tax for Single, Double, Triple or Quad occupancy.  This rate is also extended to the three days before and three days after the reunion dates.  The toll free number for reservations is 1-800-354-9793 if you live outside Kentucky.  Those people living in the State of Kentucky should dial 1-800-352-9866.  Reservations must be received by August 30, 2004 to ensure room availability.  Any cancellations must be make before 6:00 pm on the arrival date or you will be billed for the first night.

 

Check-in time is after 3:00 pm.  Check out time is no later than 12:000 noon.  The hotel will make every effort to accommodate those arriving earlier than 3:00 p.m.  Baggage storage is available for guests who arrive and depart at times other than those listed here.  Parking at the hotel is free.  The Drawbridge Hotel operates regularly scheduled airport transportation for hotel guests on a complimentary basis.  The hotel will also extend to each person a 10% food discount in Chaucers and Josh’s Tavern & Grille. 

 

Covington is known as “The Southern Side of Cincinnati” and is located just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.  Covington has a nice waterfront with many restaurants and shops.  I will be sending out additional information early next year.  Please mark your calendars with the dates September 29 – October 3rd, 2004.  It is less than a year away!

 

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MAILBAG

 

…..I am sending you a copy of our Destroyer.  I have a granddaughter in the Navy, Lt. J.G. Lacey Hillman so I decided to keep the original for her and get some copies.  I have been wanting to do this for some time.  Also, a great big thank you for the cap.  I defend it and wear it to places where I believe no harm can come to it.  Many thanks once again.

                                                            …..S. I Class Maurice Hillman

 

…..What a happy surprise in my mailbox yesterday.  The shirt is beautiful.  Dates brought back memories.  George was so proud he was with the Bell when she was commissioned and when she was decommissioned.  Thank you so much.  You are very kind.  Are shirts still available to purchase?  If so, I’d like one medium and one large.  Let me know cost of shirts and mailing.  God Bless You.

                                                            …..Penny Atkinson

 

…..I received the USS Bell shirt and was pleased to get it.  Thank you for your thoughtfulness.  It was nice to hear from you and to be thought about.  Francis is having cataract eye surgery September 16th, but otherwise has good health.  He enjoys visiting and reminiscing with friends and relatives about his years of service in the Navy and looks forward to receiving the Moore Memories.  Thank you for all your good work for the Association.  We will not be attending the reunion in Las Vegas this year, perhaps another time.  Our weather is hot and have dry conditions due to lack of rain.  We live in the country, 30 miles SW of Des Moines, Iowa and the corn and soybean crops are suffering from the drought and the yields will be low.  Thanks again, Ann.  Keep up the good work.  We appreciate it.

                                                            …..Maxine & Francis Harpole

 

…..Enclosed find our dues.  We had plans to be at the reunion in Las Vegas, but something has come up and we aren’t going to be able to make it.  Sorry to miss it, but do have fun.  Keep in touch.

                                                            …..Al & Pauline Lewis

 

…..I will not be attending the reunion, but I do want to let you know that Joe passed away June 18, 2002.  Joe & I both enjoyed reading the Moore Memories and now since he is gone I hope I can keep on receiving them. I am enclosing a check for membership dues.  I miss him so much.  We enjoyed 60 years of happily married life.

                                                            …..Mrs. Joe (Bessie) Schwarz

 

…..Many thanks for card and good wishes on behalf of Bell Association.  And thank you for sending reunion information to my relatives in Wisconsin.  We were so hoping to come to this reunion and to get together with my sister and cousin (both widows) in such a fun place as Las Vegas.  It sounded great but we just can’t do it.  It’s too bad because the original “plank owners” on the Bell (like my husband) are departing this world, unfortunately.  Of the original gang, only Doug & Terri Wetherby and Mike DiVeronica are left that we know well.  We hope you have a good turnout though and know it will be fun.  We haven’t been to Las Vegas for a couple of years and loved the arrangements you had made, but unfortunately we can’t be there.  I’m recovering ok, but age (old) does slow me down.  I also have admiration for anyone who donates a kidney because the surgery itself is rough.  Gord was a wonderful caregiver after I came home from the hospital.  We’re getting along ok now and I’m back to the cooking (which never was his forte). Thank you again for good wishes and you all have a wonderful reunion.  We’re with you in spirit.

                                                            …..Mrs. Gordon (Mary Jane) Schley

 

…..I really appreciate getting the Moore Memories as it brings back a lot of memories of the wonderful times we had at the reunions we attended.  Alex passed away September 14, 2001 from lung cancer and I am not able to come to any reunions myself because of handicap.  I was happy when reading the last Memories because I discovered that Harold Hughes is ok and still communicating with you.  Also, the one before Bette Hope had a note in.  Chad Hope was such a good friend of Alex that our son was named Chad when he was born.  We also have a daughter Bette.  Here are my dues for the Memories.  Best of Luck to everybody.

                                                            …..Marian Burchardt

 

….. Your consideration and welcome thoughts were much appreciated in our time of illness.  We look forward to seeing the crew as well as you and your helpers at the next reunion.                                  

                                                            …..Arthur & Dolores Arbogast

 

…..Found you home page and suddenly realized that name sounded familiar to me.  I served aboard in 1946, until I was discharged in early 1946.  I prelisted on May 22, 1946.  Jobs were hard to come by for Hospital Corpsman.  I then served aboard the USS Gordius, ARI-36, the USS Gyatt DD712, the USS Philippine Sea CV-47.  I made a trip with Admiral Byrd to the South Pole, Operation High Jump (There is a home page for this ship’s sight).  Last ship assignment was on the USS Wisconsin on her last days in the Navy.  I am still very active for an 81-year-old ex-sailor.  After retiring I ran a medical laboratory for a large group of doctors for thirty years.  I like to tell all young men that don’t know what to do with their lives to try the NAVY and you may have a life long career.  I was recalled for the Korean War and was injured and retired with 30% disability.

                                                            …..Lawrence Howard HM2C US Navy Ret.

 

 

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BEST WISHES

 

…..to Arthur Arbogast who suffered a heart attack the week before our reunion.  He and his family were coming to the reunion but instead he had to visit the hospital.  He is doing very well and looks forward to next year’s reunion.

 

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IN SYMPATHY

 

Robert “Bob” Turner of Cocoa, Florida dies Sunday July 13, 20003 He would have turned 82 on July 17, 2003.  Mr. Turner was born in Greenville, Ga. He graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1941.  He worked for Tom McCann Shoe Store when he was transferred to Miami.  He joined the Navy while living in Miami.  During one of his leaves from boot camp, he met and later married Florence Juanita “Nita” McLendon on September 23, 1942.  He spent more than three years in the Navy, mostly aboard the USS Bell DD487 in the South Pacific.  He moved to Orlando, Florida in 1946 with Atlantic Chemicals.  In 1953 he started Bry-Turner, Inc. with Bud Bryan.  He stayed with the company until he moved to Cocoa in 1959.  He then started Bob Turner Sanitary Supply, Inc.  He sold the business in 1985 to retire.  Mr. Turner was a Rotary member from 1960 to retirement.  He was a dedicated member of the Central Community Church of Cocoa for many years.  Funeral was July 17th at Florida memorial Funeral with interment at Florida Memorial Gardens.

 

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RETURNED MAIL

 

Mail was returned from John & Faye Chandler, Jr.  If anyone knows a new address for John and Faye please let me know.

 

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THE ORIGIN OF “TAPS”

 

We have all heard the haunting song “Taps”.  It’s the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes.  But do you know the story behind the song?  If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings. 

 

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison’s Landing in Virginia.  The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.  During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field.  Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, Captain Ellicombe decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.  Crawling on his stomach through gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.  When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.  The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock.  In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier.  It was his own son.  The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.  Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.  The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status.  His permission was only partially granted.  Captain Ellicombe had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.  But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.  The Captain chose a bugler.  He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth’s uniform.  This wish was granted.  The haunting melody, which we now know as “Taps,” used at military funerals and at the end of each day on US military bases, was born.

 

Day is done…..Gone the sun…..From the lakes…..From the hills…..From the skies…..All is well…..Safely rest…..God is nigh.

Fading light…..Dims the sight…..And a star…..Gems the sky…..Gleaming bright…..From afar…..Drawing nigh…..Falls the night.

Thanks and praise…..For our days…..Neath the sun…..Neath the stars…..Neath the sky…..As we go…..This we know…..God is nigh

 

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A LITTLE WORLD WAR II TRIVIA

 

Aaron Ward, U.S.S. – U. S. Navy destroyer (DM-34) that was hit by five kamikaze aircraft in May 1945 -- and survived!  It was stationed off Okinawa as Radar Picket Ship #10 and was commanded by W. H. Sanders.

ABC-1 – Designator of the most important conference in World War II.  The meeting was held in Washington, D.C. from January to March 1941, between American and British staff officers.  It was decided that if the United States and Britain were involved in WWII as allies, their main effort should first be directed toward defeating Germany.

Abucay Line – Name given to the first line of defense set up by General Douglas MacArthur’s forces across the Bataan peninsula in 1941.

A Card  - U.S. gas ration card.  It indicated the lowest priority of gas rationing and entitled the holder to three gallons of gas per week.

Acuff, Roy – Country and Western singer voted the most popular singer by GIs overseas during World War II. (Frank Sinatra was second).

Adam and Eve – Nickname of the 1st. Pursuit Squadron of General Claire Chennault’s American Volunteer Group in China, more commonly known as the Flying Tigers.  The Adam and Eve were primarily former U.S. Army pilots, although form Marine Gregory (Pappy) Boyington was also a member.

 

A TRIVIA QUESTION FOR ALL YOU MEMBERS – The first five people that can send me the answer to the following question will win a prize.  Here’s the question: What was the name of the Soviet spy captured by the FBI and exchanged for U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers.  He was a spy behind German lines during WWII for the Russians.

 

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