USS BELL
ASSOCIATION (DD587)
APRIL, 2009
IN THIS ISSUE:
Ø MAILBAG
Ø NAPERVILLE REUNION REGISTRATION FORM
NOTE – NAPERVILLE REUNION DATES ARE: ARRIVAL ON THURSDAY 9/24/09 – CHECKOUT ON MONDAY 9/28/09.
The reunion in
Naperville is fast approaching. The
weather should be great for our visit and I am looking forward to another
wonderful time. Some reminders are hotel
reservations must be made by August 25, 2009.
Check in available after 3:00pm and check out by 12:00pm. The Holiday Inn Select is a premier full
service hotel with 426 of the area’s largest and most comfortable guest rooms
and suites, with complimentary high-speed internet, in-room entertainment
including Sony PlayStation and movies on demand, fitness center and swimming
pool.
Airport transportation from the
following companies:
·
Chicagoland Transportation from O’Hare and Midway Airports
for $65.00 for up to 3 passengers. A
24-hour advance reservation is requested for pickups by calling
630-505-9505. This rate is available on
transportation to or from Holiday Inn Select Naperville.
·
Airport Express – 1-888-2THEVAN – This service picks up
and makes multiple stops and drops off people along the route. Fees for this service are O’Hare to
Naperville - $47.00 per person and Midway to Naperville - $42.00 per person.
·
Another Sedan service is My Chauffeur – Call 800-244-6200
or online at www.mychauffeurchicago.com for rates.
Two tours have been selected by Tom
and Jim and they are a Chicago Lake Cruise and a Chicago Tour for
Veterans. On Friday we will do the
Chicago Lake Cruise. This tour will
allow us to enjoy incredible skyline views from the large picture windows of a
ship as we enjoy a fabulous luncheon cruise on Lake Michigan. We will board the ship at the Navy Pier. As we cruise, we will see Chicago’s
magnificent skyline, one of the top ten most spectacular views in America as
voted by the Society of American Travel Writers. A delicious bountiful lunch of creative
salads, entrees and desserts, prepared fresh on board daily, and has enough
variety to please everyone. There will
be engaging entertainment and lively music.
The sleek passenger vessel, built specifically for cruising the Chicago
lakeshore, has three enclosed decks, plus an open air deck to explore.
The Chicago Tour for Veterans is a
fully narrated tour of the City of Big Shoulders. Our tour guide will point out the historic
and significant sights. You will see the
new Memorial Water Wall, a veteran’s memorial at Soldier Field and see the
statues of General Grant and President Lincoln set in the beautiful parks along
the magnificent lakefront. We will
travel to the top of the John Hancock building and be awed by the stunning
views. We will see Navy Pier, a former
Navy training center and now the top attraction in Chicago. We will learn why Chicago is called the Windy
City and why its river flows backwards.
We will also see its outdoor art, the Magnificent Mile, the stunning new
Millennium Park and the landmark Water Tower that survived the great fire. We will have lunch on our own at the Navy
Pier.
There is so much to see in the Chicago
area and Naperville is a beautiful area with things you can do on your own
during your free time. The Naperville
Riverwalk in downtown is miles of winding brick paths along the DuPont
River. It was built by the residents of
Naperville to commemorate the city’s 150th birthday in 1981 and
features covered bridges, gazebos and playgrounds. Naper Settlement allows you to experience
history as never before. Costumed
villagers tell the story of how Midwestern towns changed from frontier outposts
to bustling turn-of-the-century communities.
The community covers 12-acres of grounds where you can visit the
blacksmith shop and visit the Martin Mitchell Mansion and many other
entertaining activities. You can also
take the Historic Trolley Tour where you can see Naperville’s Historic
District, North Central College, downtown businesses and shopping areas,
state-of-the-art police and fire stations, Riverwalk, the Naper Settlement and
more. There is so much to do in
Naperville you would almost have to live there to see it all.
MAILBAG
…..I’m looking
for crew pictures of the USS BELL. My
Grandfather served on her during WWII.
His name is Charles James Turner.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you. Anthony Turner.
(If anyone
remembers Shipmate Charles James Turner, please get in touch with Anthony at Aturner@wetandeep.com or at
559-827-7037 or you can contact me and I will pass along any information.)
....My mother asked
me to notify you of the death of my aunt, Virginia Whitlock. Aunt Virginia was the widow of Charley
Whitlock. She died peacefully at my mother’s
home on October 14, 2007. She spoke
fondly of the times she and Uncle Teter enjoyed with members of the USS BELL
Association.
…..Sincerely,
Kathy N. Isom
…..My name is
Bette Whitrock and Alex Burchardt was my father. Dad was on the USS BELL (DD587). Dad passed away on 9-14-2001. He served in the Atlantic/Pacific Theatre and
was always talking about his duties on the ship. So many times we heard about what he and his
buddies did to pass the time. Those
stories will be with us forever. After
Dad’s passing Mom gave me the Boson’s whistle that Dad had received. It sits upon my desk in a place of honor with
a silver ball engraved with the USS BELL logo.
We also have hanging in our home a map of the world where Dad had drawn
each and every one of the trips of the USS BELL. I will always remember walking into Dad’s
room at the hospital where he was on the 12th of September, one day
after 9-11 and seeing the tears roll down his cheeks as he watched the flag of
the United States being burned by the country that was involved in the
destruction of the Towers. He was so
very proud of serving in the Navy and being a part of keeping our Great Country
free. To see what was happening broke
his heart, and mine. To see one’s Father
cry was devastating. My Mom has been
receiving your newsletter and now that she is living in the Eagles Wings
Nursing Home in Beaver Dam instead of her home, I have been going through and
sorting out her paperwork. I have
enjoyed reading your newsletters and would like to know if you could send one
to me. Thanking you in advance.
…..Sincerely,
Bette Whitrock
…..I hope this
letter finds you well. Enclosed please
find a check in the amount of $20 for membership dues for Greg and myself in
the USS Bell Association. In addition, I
would like to order a cookbook and am including a check for that. Greg and I will definitely be attending the
2009’s Bell Reunion in Naperville this year.
We are very excited about it and glad it is so close to Indianapolis
this year. We were very disappointed
that we weren’t able to make it last year to the reunion in San Francisco. We are hoping Greg’s mother and sister will
be able to come with us to the reunion this year but we won’t know until this
summer. We had such a wonderful
enriching experience at the 2006 reunion here in Indianapolis that we would
love Greg’s sister to be able to experience that as well. Looking forward to seeing you in September.
…..Terri
Grimes
…..So good to
hear from you. Thank you for all that
you do. I thought Lester was going to
retire last year (Aug.) and we could come to the reunions. I can’t come by myself, but he decided to
work about 2 more years and that is good with everything that is
happening. I want a cookbook and I’m
paying our dues. Thanks again and I hope
to see you again someday. …..Love, Neysa
Blagg
…..Thanks for
sending the cookbook. I’m trying some of
the recipes and they are good.
…..Best
Wishes, Neysa
…..Just a short
note to thank you for all your thoughtfulness and sending us all the
goodies. The cookbook arrived yesterday
and we have thumbed thought it and I am planning on one of the recipes for our
church dinner next Sunday. I know it
will be good and will let you know. Our
weather here is beautiful. Ken had his
left hand operated on last Thursday and is doing fine. He heals so well. We go in Thursday the 12th to have
his stitches removed. Be sure and call
and let us know if you enjoyed the film.
Enclosed is the check for the goodies and cookbook.
…..Love
you, Ken & Lucy Lamb
(I will bring
the DVD on Ken’s interview with the Veterans History Project for the Library of
Congress so everyone at the reunion will have a chance to see it. It should appear on the Veteran’s History
Project website at www.loc.gov/vets and those with computers can view it there.
…..Thanks for
all you have done, are doing and prayerfully will continue to be able to
do. Especially now that you have
attained the age and status of great grand parenting.
…..Love
you, Ed Flowers
(Yes, I am going
to be a great grand mother in October and I am so excited)
…..Bud received
your newsletter of the BELL trip to California and other news. He so looks forward for it. We would love to be there but like so many,
his health is bad, so there in memories and love. We see the cookbooks are for sale, so have enclosed
a check for one. Will be happy to use it
while sitting in the house with this terrible winter weather we have had. Take care.
You do such a great job on your letters.
…..Betty
Haskin – the better half of Byron Haskin, Radioman on the USS BELL.
…..How nice of
you to share Happy New Year thoughts with me.
A lot of living since 12-07-41 when all our young lives changes so
much. Not many of us left. I’m 82 years and not U.S.O. dancing
anymore. George and I had 52 years
together, 2 great sons that are here with me.
Mom still cooked the dinner (they bought the groceries). Two special grandsons and one sweet
granddaughter-in-law. They all spent
time with us and dined with us, brought homemade lasagna Christmas Eve day for
us. The world has changed so much, but I
believe God’s infinite wisdom about families is good. Peace to you.
Bless you. …..Penny
Atkinson, George’s Mate, USS Bell
…..I was so
happy to get your greeting. It reminded
me that I may have forgotten to thank you for the USS BELL sun visors,
etc. My granddaughter who served in
Desert Storm quickly laid claim to it.
She served in the Navy and loves her Grandpa’s memorabilia. I treasure your newsletters and look for a
familiar name, should anyone remember serving with my husband, Edward. I’d love to hear from them. He was know as “Ski” and served in the engine
room as “Water King”. I enjoy keeping
contact with the Wetherbys. I won’t be
traveling to any reunions. I’ll be 90 in
April. Best wishes for a very special
’09!!
…..Fran Vershowski, N9169 Hickery St. East Troy, WI 53120
…..It was good
to hear from you. It’s been a
while. I hope you are staying well and
active. Yes, we had a wonderful holiday
season this year; both of Elmer’s boys were here for Thanksgiving and did the
cooking. Christmas was just as
good. Elmer can’t get around
anymore. All traveling is out and even
going out to eat has had to stop. He
uses a Hoverround if he leaves the house.
I’m staying good and can take care of him alright so we are getting
along good. May God Bless & Keep
You.
…..Wilma & Elmer Angus, Lot 650,
2100 Kings Hwy, Pt. Charlotte, FL 32980
…..It has been
my intention to e-mail you for some time now and I am finally getting around to
it. My name is E.A. Hughes and I am a US
Navy retired Master Chief Fire Control Technician with 24 years Navy
service. After my first hitch in the
Navy, I attended the University of Denver and as an assignment for English 102,
I wrote a poem and titled it “Once I Was a Navyman” to show how I felt about
the Navy, the Navymen, the ships we sailed on and other things I felt important
about the Navy. I went back into the
Navy a few months later and stayed another 20 years. About the time I retired from the Navy I
revised my work to include more of the Navymen I had served with, places where
the Navymen came from, some of the ships that some of the Navymen and I served
on and other minor changes I felt I should make. I still continue making changes to my work on
occasion, like the Destroyer Cole where 17 of our Shipmates died and 39 were
injured. She is sailing the seas again
and neither Her crew nor the United States will ever forget what the Cole went
through. I had served on Destroyers USS
Turner (DDR 834) and William R. Rush (DDR 714) back in the 1960’s so I am very
familiar with what Destroyers such as the USS BELL do to earn their keep. Andy my Tin Can days will mostly be good
memories. I noticed that your Feb. 2008
Newsletter carries my work and I am attaching my latest version of “Once I Was
A Navyman” for your inclusion in your Bell Newsletter if that would meet with
your approval.
…..Very Respectfully, E.A. Hughes, FTCM (SS), US Navy, Retired.
(I will print
the updated version in the next newsletter)
…..One more of the Bell’s Vet pasted away
this morning. Maurice C. Hillman passed
away Friday, February 13, 2009 at the age of 84. Services at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic
Church on February 17, 2009. Final
resting place St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Cemetery in Kalkaska, Michigan.
…..His
Loving Son, Gregory Hillman
…..We are the wife and daughter of Clair
Dickman. He was aboard the USS BELL as a
Fire Controlman, 2nd Class. I would like
to inform you that he passed away January 20, 2008 at age 93. He was a good husband, Dad, and Grandfather
of 3. After his honorable discharge from
the Navy, he played semi-pro hockey with the Rochester (MN) Mustangs. He loved hockey and watched it on TV every
time there was a pro game on. He was
also an avid hunter and fisherman.
Hunting rubbed off on my brother and his 2 sons. All are now avid hunters as well. The skating rubbed off on me and my
daughter. I loved skating when I was
younger as well as my daughter. My Dad
was the first one in the family to get her on skates at age 4. He was very proud of all his grandkids and their
accomplishments. He always got out his
wallet every time we all got together and each grandchild got a dollar. He cared very much for his family, always
asking how things were going with each one’s particular accomplishments and
hobbies. We will miss him very much and
very proud of him as well. May I add
that at his wake, we had a table set up with articles from the USS BELL web
page and photos of him aboard ship. Ann,
thank you for your letters. You were
very faithful. We all enjoyed them. Clare wore his “BELL hat” very proudly. He was very proud of his Navy service. We had very good years (60 years) in
2009.
…..Corrine
Dickman & Lynda M. Lund (Daughter)
(I must apologize for not getting this
memo in the newsletter sooner. I did add
Mr. Dickman to the memorial list at the SF reunion and his name was read and
remembered at the memorial service.)
Last year’s
merchandise has been reduced in order to clear inventory to have new items for
this year’s reunion.
We have light
blue golf shirt with the Bell insignia – Men’s sizes -1 large, 2 medium and
women’s only 1 size large.
Navy golf shirts
with embroidered insignia we have four men’s left – 1 size XL and 3 sizes
L. Women sizes in Navy we have 11 size
large.
All shirts have
been reduced to half price of $15.00 each, plus $2.00 postage.
Just a few caps
– screen printed ones $5.00 and embroidered caps $10.00, plus 1.50 postage -Sun
Visors – White with navy print $8.00 plus 1.50 postage.
REGISTRATION
FORM FOR NAPERVILLE REUNION
9/24/09 – 9/28/09
CHICAGO LAKE CRUISE - $75.00 EACH – INCLUDES TRANSPORTATION, CRUISE WITH LUNCH, & TOUR GUIDE
NAMES: ________________________________________________________________
CHICAGO TOUR FOR VETERANS - $49.00 EACH – INCLUDES TRANSPORTATION AND TOUR GUIDE. LUNCH ON YOUR OWN AT NAVY PIER.
NAMES: ________________________________________________________________
FAREWELL BANQUET – $35.00 EACH
NAMES: ________________________________________________________________
TOTAL: $__________________
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO USS BELL ASSOCIATION AND MAIL TO:
ANN POOLE, 3978 ASHLEYWOODS COURT, TUCKER, GEORGIA 30084
