MOORE MEMORIES

USS BELL ASSOCIATION (DD587)

DECEMBER, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE:

Ø REUNION NEWS

Ø MAILBAG

REUNION NEWS

Next years reunion will be held in Savannah, Georgia. The dates selected were May 26 through May 29, 2010. May is a great time for visiting Savannah. The temperature usually has not reached the eighties and is a comfbrtable mid-seventy degrees. The city is in full bloom and the parks are fantastic. September and October is also a good time, but it is also close to the time the tropical winds start gathering and with the city surrounded by the ocean and a large river the wind can become an interruption. I do not have all the details as of yet, but the hotel is known as The Inn at Ellis Square. This hotel is a Historic Preservation Award Winner. When they named Savannah America's Favorite Walking City, they must have started at the door of The Inn at Ellis Square. Everything wonderful about "Georgia's First City" is just a walk-in-the-park. The Inn is located on Bay Street and has gained the name of "The Grand Lady." There is not a full service restaurant in the hotel, but from any door of the hotel you will find many restaurants located just across the street. Included in the room price is a full complimentary deluxe continental breakfast. The Historic District has numerous restaurants of all types and some of the most unique shops you will find anywhere. I might add that I have a lot of favorites in that area. The Savannah International Airport serves six major airlines, including American, Continental, Delta, United and US Air. I will have all the details soon after the Christmas Holidays and will be sending out more information at that time. I hope you will mark your calendar for the May dates and join us for another BELL reunion.

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MAILBAG

..... Just read the notice in August issue of American Legion magazine. I served on the BELL in 1945-1946, as radioman 3rd class, with lots of fond memories of many crew members. When we sailed home the ship was dry docked at Mare Island, CA, for paint, etc. From there we sailed to San Diego, CA, where she was put in mothballs and later decommissioned. Please send any additional information you have concerning hotel accommodations, costs, etc. Where will the reunion be held and how many of the crew might be attending. I sure will make every effort to be there. I have a lot of pictures of the guys to share and, of course, some old sea stories. Since we live in California we would probably fly in to Chicago or where do you advise? We sure do appreciate any information you have to send to us and thank you in advance for your efforts. Looking forward to hearing from you.

.....Kenneth C. Seckman, 3143 Lori Circle, Simi Valley, CA 93063

.....Read your notice in the American Legion Magazine and was amazed to see the name of my old ship!! Does this mean there will be a reunion on September 24 to 27 in Naperville, IL? There are many of my old shipmates I would love to see, but I doubt if there are very many left. I would love to come to the reunion, but since my wife and I are signed up for (and have paid for) a two week trip in mid September, I probably will not be able to attend. I certainly appreciate your running the ad in the magazine and hope to hear how it turns out. My name is Richard Law, SKD 3c, and I was on the BELL from April 1941 till its decommission in San Diego Harbor in 1946. I live in Lewiston, Idaho, 83501 at 3758 Country Club Drive. My email address is lgramibets@aol.com. I hope to hear from you.

.....Thank you so much fpr your work on the U.S.S. BELL newsletter. Mother and Daddy always enjoyed catching up on everything and I always enjoyed listening to Daddy tell stories about his days in the Navy. Unfortunately, we have lost them. Mother died November 25, 2007, and Daddy died February 23, 2008.

.....Thanks, Ronnie Gage, son of Joseph & Marjorie Gage

.....I've been meaning to write you, but time just flies by. I've enclosed a check for the dues. I enjoy receiving the BELL newsletter. I noticed that a lot of the families are looking and may be planning to show the medals. I found a place here in South Carolina that will mount the medals and will search to be sure all the metals you're entitled to be there. The name is Medals of America, 114 Southchase Bldg, Fountain Inn, SC 29644 and the phone number is 800-308-0849. The men who run this business are all veterans. You can have them mount the medals or they will help with the material needed to do it yourself. I had Johnny's medals mounted and they look great. I have included a picture of Johnny's. My phone number is 843-553-3034. Thank you for keeping us informed about folks in the newsletter.

.....Sincerely, Dottie (Dorothy) Pike, 6941 S. Kenwood Drive, Charleston, SC 29406

.....I really appreciate everything you have done for my Dad. I'm visiting him till the 18th of July. My new address is 2705 Navajo Rd, Corinth, TX 76210 and phone number is 214-226-7177. Hope you and your family are well. My dad, Byron H. Atkinson, put the ship in commission in Charleston, SC, as a plankman and was one of the first crew to get on the U.S.S. BELL. There was also an A.H. and G.W. Atkinson on with him.

.....Sincerely, Donna Feldman

.....Just to say that I feel good and am still bowling. I cannot drive now as my memory is not good.

.....Jack Forester

.....Thank you for all your efforts to keep the BELL people informed on our behalf. In your last letter, you asked for information on plank owners. I am a Plank Owner being present at the commissioning of the BELL in Charleston. I was a Sonarman 2nd Class. I remained on board about two years when I was selected to attend Electronics Tech School. I was first in Hot Springs, AR, and later in Chicago. Remained in Chicago as an instructor in the electronics school. Discharged in 1945. Attended the University of Wisconsin on the G.I. Bill and graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree. Was recalled in 1951 and received a commission in the Civil Engineer Corps. Served another 22 years in various locations including commanding a Seabee Battalion for two tours in Vietnam. I retired in September 1971 and have enjoyed 35 years of retirement! Again, Ann, thanks for all your efforts.

.....Gordon W. Schley

.....Thank you so much for your thoughtful, lovely card. I enclose a copy of the eulogy which I think may interest you. It mentions his Navy service fiom 40 to 46. He was an Electrician's Mate 2nd Class. Also enclosed are a list of all the ships he was on and a list of his medals. Like so many of his generation he was a loyal, honest family man who was always proud to be an American.

.....Sincerely, his wife & lover, Louisette Colligan

.....On June 7, 2009, George Colligan passed away with his loving wife of 54 years at his side. He fought a courageous battle to recover from a stroke, but ultimately succumbed to pneumonia. Born on January 16, 1921, in New York City to Margaret & James Colligan, he was the youngest of 3 children. Even though his childhood spanned the Great Depression, he recounted that he always felt fortunate because his father had a steady job as a night watchman at the Elks in Manhattan and his parents were always able to share with family. Growing up next door to his father's sister and her family, his life would be filled with family. He happily recollected that when his Aunt baked a pie there was always a piece saved for Georgie. His love for and commitment to his family would continue through his life. Holidays and special occasions would be shared with his sister Anne, his brother Jim, and their families.

Upon graduating from high school in 1940, he enlisted in the US Navy. Just miles outside of Pearl Harbor when it was bombed, he witnessed first hand the extent of the destruction just hours after the attack. As an electrician stationed on destroyers, he fought in the battles of Midway and Guadalcanal. His parents had their 2 sons serving in the war and at one point received telegrams that both sons were missing -- George's ship had sunk and his brother Jim's submarine was unaccounted for. Fortunately both sons survived unhurt. George had fond memories of his wartime experiences and valued his lifelong friendship with his navy buddy, Larry Harlow.

After the war he did not pursue his desire to re-enlist in the Navy and instead left the service to care for his elderly parents. Using his wartime experience as an electrician, he took a job purchasing electronics and during his career would advance from buyer to purchasing manager at FEL, Singer and Fort Monmouth. He valued and kept his friendships with numerous co-workers at Fort Monmouth.

In 1954 he married Louisette Payssard. Together as a young couple they continued to care for his ailing father. He welcomed into his family his wife's mother and her sister. They began their own family with a son and a daughter. He was a devoted husband and father. A man who's idea of the great outdoors did not go any further than a golf course, he volunteered with his son's boy scout troop and braved winter camp outs in the New Jersey snow. One time coming home from work he was greeted with a story of how his daughter's goldfish was accidentally dropped in the sink; immediately, still in his suit, he took apart the sink drain and rescued the goldfish unhurt from the trap. He and his wife celebrated their 25th anniversary in the French Riviera on their first European vacation. They would continue their travels seeing both the United States and much of Europe and enjoyed their retirement at Timber Oaks. Their final major trip was to Italy on their 50th anniversary.

Mr. Colligan was laid to rest with military honors on Friday, June 19, 2009, at 11:00 at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.

.....I have also received information that Shipmate Edwin S. Harris of Elkins Lake, Texas, was also a plank owner.

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Merry Christmas to All!

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