MOORE MEMORIES

USS BELL ASSOCIATION (DD587)

MAY, 2004

IN THIS ISSUE:

Ø 2004 REUNION – COVINGTON, KY

Ø MAILBAG

Ø GET WELL WISHES

Ø IN SYMPATHY

Ø RECENTLY LOCATED SHIPMATES

Ø NICE PEOPLE

Ø REUNION FORM

2004 REUNION – COVINGTON, KENTUCKY

I hope everyone has their calendars marked for the reunion in Covington, Kentucky on September 29 – October 3, 2004. I think plans are complete for a great time. Remember that your hotel reservations must be made by August 30, 2004. Phone number is 1-800-354-9793 for those living outside Kentucky. Anyone living in Kentucky should call 1-800-352-9866. The hotel has free transportation from the airport and plenty of free parking for those who will be driving. At the airport, go to the phones in baggage claim and find the phone for the Drawbridge Hotel and press the number on the phone. I think it is 20, but check the board. Our reunion schedule is as follows:

September 29^th – Registration begins at noon – Welcome Reception

September 30^th – City Tour with lunch at the Hofbrauhaus.

October 1^st – Memorial Service at the World Peace Bell park. Afternoon on Mainstrasse. Lunch will be on your own.

October 2^nd – Business Meeting, Raffle and our famous auction. Farewell Banquet.

October 3^rd – Continental Breakfast in Hospitality Suite.

The Hofbrauhaus is the first authentic Hofbrauhaus in America. Guests are now able to enjoy many of the traditions from Germany that have made Hofbrauhaus famous. From the traditionally decorated rooms in the building to the beer that is brewed on-site, and of course the excellent German fare. Fun and friendly is the atmosphere in the bier Hall, with live music and about 350 soon to be close friends. Many dishes are prepared with ingredients specially made locally for the Hofbrauhaus or imported from abroad. The Bier Garden, with freshly planted trees and shade awnings, will seat an impressive 400 guests. The view is of Newport’s waterfront with the Cincinnati skyline as its backdrop.

The memorial service will be held at the World Peace Bell. This is the World’s Largest Swinging Bell. The bell weighs 66,000 lbs., is 12 feet by 12 feet and swings every day at four minutes after noon. The bells at the church across the street chime at noon. The 33 ton cast bronze bell was cast on the coast of France in Nantes at an ocean supertanker propeller foundry…the only foundry in the world with a molten bronze metal capacity of 72 tons necessary to cast this bell. The project required the joint efforts of the Paccard Bell Foundry and the Royal Dutch Petit & Fritsen Bell Foundry. After a journey by sea from France, the bell entered America through New Orleans. From there it traveled up through the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Newport, Kentucky where the twelve by twelve foot bell was mounted in front of the Millennium Monument at a height of 100 feet. The World Peace Bell was first sounded on New Year’s eve to ring in the new millennium at the present location in Newport, KY.

Mainstrasse (Main Street) will be where we have lunch after the Memorial Service. Mainstrasse is an old German neighborhood of shops and restaurants so I am sure everyone can find a perfect one for lunch.

On the city tour you will be treated to a walk-on guide who knows the area like the back of her hand. You will also see some beautiful views from both sides of the river. We will stop at the St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and you will be able to go inside and see how truly spectacular it is. In 1895 the Cathedral was nearly complete: the interior being modeled after the Abby Church of St. Denis in Paris while the façade would mirror Notre Dame de Paris. Built in the 13^th Century French-Gothic style, and constructed of Indiana limestone, the Cathedral’s interior shines with beautiful appointments. Among them, 82 hand-poured stained glass windows crafted in Munich, Germany, including the 24-foot wide by 67-foot tall window in the north transept, one of the largest in the world. Two rose windows (each being 26ft. in diameter) grace the west and south clerestory and are modeled after those in Notre Dame Cathedral. The font of the Baptistry is carved from one solid block of marble from Peitrosanto, Italy. Today, the Cathedral Basilica welcomes some 70,000 visitors each year from virtually every corner of the globe.

And for those of you that want to pack in a little more, there will be live horse racing at Turfway Park on Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free. For those feeling lucky or just want to make a voluntary donation to the State of Kentucky, the Argosy Riverboat Casino is only twenty minutes from the hotel. The Argosy has three huge, easy to navigate decks with wide aisles. In addition to the 300-room deluxe hotel, and fine dining, there is a 200,00 square foot entertainment pavilion where the good times never stop.

REMEMBER TO BRING A SMALL GIFT FOR THE RAFFLE IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE. ALSO, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING A LITTLE GIFT FOR THE AUCTION, PLEASE DO. IT IS FUN!

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MAILBAG

I am so far behind with my mail. I have been out of circulation for some time. I appreciate the mail you send me and Elwood would be so thankful to hear about all the news about the Bell and everyone. I am getting along right now better than I have since I developed diabetes August two years ago. I also developed arthritis about the same time. I can’t walk with my right leg and knee. I am sorry I haven’t kept up with your letters. I read them when I’m well and do enjoy them. I was 88 years old in January. My sister will be 90 in May. My mother passed away at 90 years of age, my aunt at 104 and uncle at 93. God has been good to me. May God bless you and keep you young at heart. Always be thankful and happy.

…..Respectfully, Louise Mathis, Route 1, Box 88, Homerville, GA 31634

Joe had a stroke two years ago this April but he is still making improvements. God blessed us because his stroke could have been so much worse since it was a blood clot in the brain stem. Only his right side was affected. He enjoys the newsletters very much. Thank you for all the memories they bring back.

…..Bobbie L. (Mrs. Joe) Stuart – 280 County Road 2718, Mount Pleasant, TX 75455

Thank you for the packet you sent. I was surprised you remembered me after all these years. I must be one of the oldest on the USS Bell. I was 84 January 8^th. I still remember a few of the Bell crew and pray for their safety and good health. Have a good year and God be with you. Your old shipmate,

….Harold S. Hughes WT 1/C (The called me Sweed). 844 Stetson Rd, Exeter, ME 04435

I am doing fine but Mavis had a heart spasm, and is better now. Say hello to all the shipmates. I think about them often and pray that they are well and happy. Forgive my writing, as I was never one to write. With love to all, the old Swede WT 1^st Class, take care and I will see you all over there.

…..Harold & Mavis Hughes

My father was on the Bell. He was Russell Halberg, a Radarman. He passed away on December 8, I’m trying to get more information on the ship and crew. Someday I would like to come to one of your reunions. Thank you.

…..SGT. Richard L. Halberg

Happy New Year and all I can say over and over is thank you. I keep thinking back to Charleston when you accepted this job. Enclosed is a check for my dues and if you will please send me the Bell window emblem for my car.

…..Sincerely, Ed Flowers

My grandfather Paul Joseph Hankey served on the USS Bell in WWII. I was trying to find any information about him. Can you suggest any resources that might help? He was severely wounded and shipmates thought that he had died. Later when putting together a reunion they found out he was alive, but my grandfather died before the reunion took place. If you could help me in any way that would be great. Thanks. [ Editor’s Note: You might try www.ancestry.com. Though extensive information is on a per-fee basis, it may be beneficial in getting you some basic information at no cost. ]

…..David Burks

What a devoted secretary you have been for the association. All your Moore Memories are just great and Betty and I so enjoy reading them. I should have written before but just kept putting it off with no excuse. Every year we plan on going to the reunion and I end up in the hospital or just can’t travel. We always enjoyed the reunions so much and looked forward to the next reunion. Well, who knows maybe this is the year we make it. I am enclosing a check for dues. I was going through some of my things from WWII and found the enclosed printings of a paper that was made on the Bell. Maybe some of the shipmates or families would like a copy of the 8 Stars for the Great USS Bell DD587 or the other newspaper also. Thank you again for all your letters.

…..Sincerely, Byron & Betty Haskins, 702 Forest Ave, Se, Staples, MN 56479

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GET WELL WISHES

Edgar Glenn suffered a heart attack a couple of months ago, but is doing well.

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IN SYMPATHY

This is to let you know that my Dad, Robert Thurman Baker, passed away on March 10^th after a six-month battle with a rare form of lung cancer in the lining of his lung. I wanted you to know how much he enjoyed your newsletter. He spent much of the last months of his life thinking about his years in the service of his country. He ordered videotapes of the battles that he was in during his service on the USS Bell and laughingly remarked, “I didn’t know how much danger I was really in.” He was just doing his job just like our boys are doing today. We buried Dad with his Navy cap beside his head, a pin on his label of the US Flag and our Nation’s flag draped across his casket. He was a proud American. Thank you again for the joy corresponding with you and reading the newsletters brought him.

…..Pat Southard, Daughter of Robert Thurman Baker

George P. DeMars, Electricians Mate, passed away on 6 February 20004. My father left me his medals with a note that these were not all of them he was entitled to. He said to check with some of his crewmates and they could fill me in on how I can get them. I am looking for anyone who served on the bell who may have the information on what the ship is entitled to since the only individual medal he got was the purple heart. I believe my father served on the Bell when it was on the Atlantic in 1943 (because he had some stories about being on shore leave in Boston once) until it was delivered in 46 to San Diego at the end of the War. I want to find as much information as I can about him before it is lost forever. Thank you for any help or information you can muster.

…..Kenneth W. De Mars, 439 MSG/CECC, 250 Patriot Avenue, Westover ARB, MA 01022 [ Editor’s Note: There is some very good information about requesting medals on our very own USS Bell Web site. Go to the main “News” page and select the “Medals and Awards” link. ]

Thank you for all of your valuable information. I am going to miss my dad very much and this is a start of really getting to know him more. I will always have the wonderful memories of him during my lifetime, but I want to know more about him before I was born. Then I will have the full history of this good man to share with my sons.

…..Kenneth De Mars [Editor’s Note: See above note about www.ancestry.com. ]

It is with sadness that I am writing to let you know that my grandfather, George Adams, passed away on March 17, 2004. He was 92 and had a long, wonderful life but he will be sadly missed. He had recently recovered from a bad case of shingles and was on the mend. He had a heart attack and went quickly, which is the way he would have wanted it. No laying around in hospitals for him!! He was our link to our past and has been there for us and we knew we could count on him for his support. He and my husband Steve were very close and I know Steve will miss their weekly talks and Grandpops ideas, as he was Steve’s sounding board for any ideas he had. We were sorry that we couldn’t make to more than that one reunion. Grandpop enjoyed getting together and going over the “old days” during those few days. It was truly and experience for me listening to all the great stories and I wish I could have experienced another reunion. I hope this year’s reunion goes well – it sounds like it will be another memorable time. Hope all is well with you.

…..Michele Brice, Granddaughter

Michele brought Grandpop to the reunion Newport, RI.

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RECENTLY LOCATED SHIPMATES … WELCOME ABOARD!

The address is correct. I am alive and well. Please send me more information concerning the USS Bell if possible. Thanks.

…..Alvin Sterkin, 926 Par 4 Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

I am Howard Lee Craig from Varner, Kansas, that served on the USS Bell in WWII from March 1949-June 1946 and held the rank of Fireman First Class at the time of discharge June 21, 1946. After my discharge, I lived in Kingman, KS, until 1950 when I moved to Wichita. Thanks for your letter. Sincerely,

…..Howard L. Craig, 2630 Larkin Street, Wichita, KS 67216

(Note) Mr. Craig’s letterhead had a picture of the USS Bell DD-587)

Thanks so much for the many items on the USS Bell that you sent me. It was great to receive all of the information on the crewmembers also. I am sending a check for my dues. Will look for to receiving new information and news. At age 77 I am still in good health and take no medication. Yours for now, Howard L. Craig, F 1/c

I am very thankful for all the gifts you sent to me and the letters of Moore Memories. I have my dues and my wife’s Clare, and a little extra for the mailings. Hope to see you in Covington, Kentucky. Thanks again.

…..Lawrence J. Assip, S2/c – 134 Woodloch Springs, Hawley, PA 18428

I was the Hospital Corpsman aboard the Bell during her tour of duty in the Pacific. I have many memories of serving aboard and wished my memories were as clear as they were a few years ago. I am approaching my 82^nd birthday this August. I would be happy to give you any knowledge I have of my duty aboard the USS Bell. I continued my life’s work as a Medical Technologist with a group of doctors here in Lafayette, LA. I retired in 1986. I am married and have four children and twelve grandchildren. At present, I have a son-in-law serving in the Air Force, Captain Danos. Sincerely,

…..Lawrence Howard, 204 C Dublin Circle, Lafayette, LA 70506-3887

Aloha, Ann – Thanks for all the memories you brought back. I will send you my dues. I have decorated my computer room with all of the goodies you sent me. Thanks again, Howie (Lawrence Howard) Doc

Enclosed you will find my dues. Again, thanks for all the information and for including the information on the USS Bell website. My children and grandchildren are going to get a thrill out of seeing the wife and me on the website. My daughter is in Mons, Belgium at present awaiting the return of her husband from Iraq. I am certain she will be accessing the Home Page and showing it to the four grandboys. Sincerely, Howie

Thank you for sending me the USS Bell memorabilia. I assume Moore Memories was initiated by Wally R. Moore. He and I were good friends on the Bell. Wally designed the Bell logo. Wally also did a lot of photographic development. We dried the photos in the ship’s galley. You know who the cooks were. Enclosed is a check for my 2004 USS Bell Association dues. Sincerely, Willard A. Mescher, 2006 Nautilus Lane, Newport Beach, CA 92660

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NICE PEOPLE

I received a letter looking for shipmate R. W. Alexander. Although I am R. W. Alexander, I am not the individual for whom you are searching. I was born April 25, 1964. I am currently an active duty Captain with 14 years service in the U.S. Army. I have great respect for all those who served in WWII. My grandfather can be counted in their numbers. I wish you the best of luck finding all your shipmates. All WWII veterans have my thanks and gratitude. We are doing our best to uphold the traditions set forth by the generation that served in WWII. Receiving your letter surprised me. It must take a lot of time and work to track potential shipmates around the world. I wish you luck in your endeavors. I am not sure what the future holds for us in service of our country now, but I pray we never face the level of warfare and sacrifice experienced by our WWII veterans. Your support and prayers are always appreciated. Take care and God bless. Sincerely, Richard W. Alexander, II, Captain, U.S. Army

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REMEMBER TO SAY A PRAYER FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN SERVING OUR COUNTRY AT HOME AND ON FOREIGN SOIL.

See you in Kentucky!

REUNION FORM

Following is a form for the reunion. If you plan to attend the reunion please fill out the form and return to me by August 30, 2004. Make your hotel reservations directly with the hotel.

PLEASE PRINT AND RETURN THIS SECTION

USS BELL (DD587) ASSOCIATION

2004 REUNION

COVINGTON, KENTUCKY

SEPTEMBER 29 – OCTOBER 3

CITY TOUR & LUNCH AT THE HOFBRAUHAUS - $25.00 PER PERSON

(Includes bus, lunch, tax & gratuity)

Number Attending - __________ Amount - _______________

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE WORLD PEACE BELL - $12.00 PER PERSON

Includes bus and fee for Memorial Service (Lunch on your own at Mainstrasse)

Number Attending - __________ Amount - _______________

FAREWELL BANQUET AND DANCE - $40.00 PER PERSON

(Includes taxes and gratuity)

Number Attending - __________ Amount - _______________

NAMES OF PERSONS ATTENDING: ______________________________________

Do you or your guest have any disability or special dietary needs: ________________

Emergency Contact & Telephone Number: ___________________________________

Please make check payable to “USS Bell Association”

Mail to: Ann Poole – 3978 Ashleywood Court, Tucker, Georgia 30084

We welcome and encourage family members and friends to join us at our reunions.

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