Posted by Tim Gulliford on January 30, 2009 at 4:39pm
Obama Snubs Nation's Heroes, Becomes the First President to Skip Ball Honoring Medal of Honor Recipients in Over 50 YearsBy JulieCreated 01/21/2009 - 10:13pmBarack Obama may have stumbled over his words briefly during his inauguration, but he made an even bigger blunder later Tuesday evening. The newly sworn-in President opted not to appear [1] at what should have been one of the most important Balls on his agenda that evening - The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball.The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball was begun in 1953 for President Dwight Eisenhower's inauguration. The event recognized recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award. There were 48 Medal of Honor recipients in attendance, who were undoubtedly disappointed by the Commander-in-Chief's failure to show. Over the past 56 years and 14 inaugurations, no President has skipped this event - until now.The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball is sponsored by the American Legion, and co-sponsored by 13 other veteran's service organizations, including those such as the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.Instead of attending this ball honoring our nation's heroes, Obama was busy making stops at 10 other official balls. Obama and his wife's first stop was at the Neighborhood Ball. From there they went to the Home State Ball for Illinois and Hawaii, the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Youth Inaugural Ball, and the Home State Ball for Delaware and Pennsylvania. They finished off the night with brief appearances at the Mid-Atlantic, Western, Midwest, Eastern, and Southern regional Balls.Source and Read more here: http://www.clevelandleader.com/print/8627Read more…
Posted by Kelley Boyd on January 27, 2009 at 12:22pm
Well here it is almost one full month into the new year and I am still looking for some friends to sign up for Idaho Navy Vets command. Some of the time, I think it is hard to get anyone interested in participating. Do you think that goes back to the old "don't volunteer for anything" ? I have a couple of friends that live close to my home town that still haven't looked into this wonderful website yet. The few of you that have read my blogs and posted comments, know about my late Navy buddy Steve. I was thinking about the new grandchildren that are going to be here later this year and remembered the night my first child was born. Of course Steve was there with me and being the joker he always was, it turned into another memory that I can laugh about all these years later. Hope you enjoy this!The night Dan was born!November 1st 1969 was a good day for me, my wife and I had been to see her doctor and he had broken her water and given her some medication to start labor. We were expecting our first child and were very excited. About 9 p.m., Angela started having pains about 5 minutes apart and we went to the Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City. Steve went with me and we were in the father’s lounge when at 2:30 a.m. a Nun came into the lounge and asked for Mr. Boyd. I stood up and Steve jumped up too, when the Nun looked confused, Steve said, “We aren’t quite sure who the father of the child is.” I could have strangled him. I apologized to the Nun and told her that I was Mr. Boyd. She told me that I had a new son and took me to see the baby. I got to carry him down to get weighed in and cleaned up. I was very proud and very happy. Steve continued to swear that I agreed to tease the Nun and say we didn’t know who the father was. I know better.Well I have to get back to the old grindstone, hope you all are having a great year, despite all the doom and gloom about the economy and war effort.Kelley
Read more…
I just returned from my weekend in Portland, Oregon, a 3 hour drive (each way) from my home near Seattle. I spent Saturday with the volunteers of the Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum working on the ongoing restoration of LCI (L) 713. The crew is making steady progress as the 713 slowly comes back to life. Since my last visit a few months ago the AFMM acquired 20mm AA guns .The 713 has 5 20MMs (1 on the bow, 2 forward and 2 aft of the wheel house). Also two 12 cyl diesels where donated to the AFMM. They used to power a U.S. Navy torpedo recovery boat. It will be awhile before they can be installed as the 713 is in desparate need of a new hull. The AFMM is hoping to raise $300,000 so that can get done.It was a cold day to be working on the Columbia river. Temps were in the low 30s and it was snowing. We worked inside and it was hard moving around dressed in 3 to 4 layers of clothing. The LCI (L) which stands for Landing Craft Infantry-Large has 4 separate troop stations below decks. The ship is capable of transporting from 150 to 175 Soldiers or Marines to a landing. Troop 1 has been restored, Troop 2 is in process and my job on this trip was to begin working in Troop 3. With lighting supplied by two rough service bulbs and heat coming from a makeshift wood burning stove I spent several hours wire wheeling rust off of the deck plating and the bulkheads in preparation for grey primer. At the end of four hours I had to come up for air and to hit the head. I couldn't understand why everyone on board kept asking me If I was OK and I thought it was strange that they kept staring at me. It was even stranger when I went back to my hotel and several people hurried to get away from me and one kind woman handed me a dollar and told me to have faith. It wasn't until I got to my room and looked in the bathroom mirror that i started to laugh. Between the rust particles and soot from the woodburning stove, I was blackened from head to toe. I truly looked like I had been living on the streets for many years. Even though I had gone through several particle masks, after 4 hours I still felt as If I had just smoked a few packs of cigarettes. My chest was quite heavy and sore. So I stayed top side for a another hour working on sealing the new insulation in the main mess area. By 15:00 hours I was exhausted and chose to pack it in. Dirty and sore from head to toe I felt a real sense of pride helping to keep alive a little workhorse that so many of our fathers, grandfathers and uncles served aboard so proudly when all that was at risk was the free world. My dad was 18 years old when he reported for duty on the LCI (L) 606 in the South Pacific and for me to put in a few hours every couple of months on the 713 allows me, in some small way, to share a part of his life.The AFMM is currently trying to communicate with the New York City based CircleLine tour company. They have two converted LCIs left in their tour boat fleet that are soon destined for the scrap yard. Although these ships have been modified over the years there are still plenty of mechanical parts that can be salvaged for the 713. Sadly, CircleLine is being less than cooperative. If anyone out there has any connections, no matter how small, It would be a tremendous help if you could help in this effort. For anyone interested in learning more about the AFMM go to www.amphibiousforces.org . The LCI National association will be having it's 2009 reunion at the Red Lion Hotel on Hayden Island in Portland, Oregon in May. This is where the 713 is moored.That's all for now.As always Navy Vets, Thank you so much for your service and for the freedom that I enjoy every day because of your sacrifice. God Bless all of you.Rich LevineProud Son of Henry Levine MoMM3USS Sargent BayLCI (L) 606
Read more…
Well folks, Valentines' Day is almost on us. That's the time when guys spend tons of money on flowers, candy, perfume, cards, and.............oh yes, almost forgot................jewelry!!!! I wish that I had a small percent of the money spent on jewelry, at this time of year. Then maybe I could afford to buy some, myself. As commercial as it's been made out to be, the actual day gets clouded by the thought that we try to convey to that certain someone. Us guys have historically put our better half through a lot and this is OUR day to tell her thanks. It's not a day to "one up" anyone but a day to express our love, trust, friendship, honor, and devotion to that pardner in life that means a lot to us, without having to get too mushy. My life would be extremely boring without my wife. Funny thing, she's knows this. Maybe she says the same thing on her side. Anyways, give that loved one something a bit more meaningful this year. TELL her what is in your heart..............that you love her and appreciate her more than words can say. Of course, you still have to get the flowers, candy, perfume, cards, and...............yep, the jewelry, but at least you told her verbally, what was on your heart. Yeah, right. Give her a quarter carat ear ring and watch out. I'm gonna shut up and sit back and wait. I'll eat the candy, smell the perfume, read the card, and yes,................look at the jewelry and keep saying over and over............."Honey, I love you." If I play my cards right, maybe I can have hot cakes and sausage for breakfast. We'll see.Happy Valentines' Day!
Read more…
Posted by Dan Brown on January 19, 2009 at 10:00pm
I am now, and have been for some time, trying to locate two shipmates. One isMichael J.Luh(?))man, who, when I last saw him, was a ML-2 (maybe 3) on the Jason (AR-8). He later became a diver, and, with Dick Denbow, MLC, was only one of two Molder-Divers in the fleet. I remember that he was orignally from Lusk Wyoming.The other guy that I'm looking for is Jack Jorgenson, SF-1, who was on the Holland (AS-32) with me in Rota Spain , which would have been in 63 or 64. Jack left the Navy, for whatever reason, as SF-1 (sheetmetal) and I assume that he went back to Utah. I can't remember his home town.If anybody knows ANYTHING about either one of these guys, please give me a shout. Tnanks.
Read more…
Posted by Todd Wilson on January 16, 2009 at 10:00am
Some members here get sick from time to time and yes,we are getting older. We maybe a dying breed but we are fighters. We can expect fellow sailors and soldiers may need a helping hand from above and good well wishes help too. If you know someone who is in sickbay and need such help, here is a great place to start. No one likes to find out about someone being ill after the fact and go on thinking that their prayer might of helped. We can all understand this point of veiw and here is a great place to make a difference.
Read more…
Posted by Larry Edgar on January 10, 2009 at 1:00pm
I just finished watching the commissioning of the Navy's latest entry to the fleet, the USS George H W Bush, CVN77. I was pretty moved by this.I left the Navy in Februrary 1980, almost 29 years ago. But today as I watch this ship come to life I found myself a bit teary eyed. Suddenly it was 1974 again, I was 19 years old and standing at the gangway of my first ship, the USNS Harkness. The excitement, the unknown, the adventure ahead....well, it was just pretty damn cool to see this event today.I was also moved by what must have been an amazing event for current President Bush to dedicate and oversee the commissioning of CVN77 being named for his Dad. Say what you will about either man, but what a great moment for father and son.Welcome to the fleet CVN77 and may you have fair winds and following seas.Larry
Read more…
Posted by Tim Gulliford on January 9, 2009 at 5:48pm
Due to the upcoming military budget cuts (F-22 in the chopping blocks; true) the Navy and Air Force are retraining their pilots. wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.
Read more…
Posted by Douglas Karr on January 8, 2009 at 9:16pm
I'm afraid that this one is not a hoax. While I have the utmost respect for our buddies, the devil dogs... I'm not ready to break with the tradition and history of the finest military force on the planet.
A North Carolina congressman has introduced a bill to add the Marine Corps’ name to the Department of Navy.
Republican Walter B. Jones has asked Congress since 2001 to change the department’s name to the “Department of Navy and Marine Corps,” thus giving the Corps “the recognition it deserves as one of the official branches of the military,” according a release from Jones’ office in Washington.
The bill, HR 24, was introduced Wednesday. Source: Navy Vets.
Share your views on this at Washington Watch. There's a poll to the right of the article.
On a side note, I really wonder if this is what our government should be working on right now. Perhaps it's time to call your local congressional representative and let them know whether or not this is important.
God Bless America! Spread the word about Navy Vets. As always, we appreciate all your input and making this the best social network for Navy Veterans.
Happy New Year!
Read more…
Posted by Kelley Boyd on January 8, 2009 at 10:18am
Greetings to all! Hope everyone survived the holidays, since it seems everyone gets a little blue during this time. Actually, it kind of got to me a little this year. My wife and I were out doing some shopping at our local mall in Idaho Falls in early December. Almost every year we stop at the Hickory Farms shop and order a gift pack of meats and cheeses to send to my old Vietnam buddy Steve Nelting. As some of you may have read in my blog, Steve passed away in January of 2008. As Angela and I were passing the Hickory Farms shop, it hit me hard that I didn't need to send that package this year. This brought on a few days of mild depression and thoughts of Christmas times spent either with my friends (shipmates) or being in touch with them. The memories of years spent away from home and loved ones, while serving my country. All these things bring back some good and bad memories. I want to share one of the good ones with you, it is of course about Steve. I call it Farmer Steve.Now Steve was born in New York and then his family moved to Florida. He was a “city boy” like me. He had never spent any time on a farm. Around Christmas time 1971, Steve came out to visit for a few weeks. Angela and I were house-sitting for Angela’s parents. It is a small farm with some cattle, sheep, chickens, and a few pigs. The morning after he arrived I asked him if he wanted to help me do the chores. Two city boys off to play in the snow. He helped me load about 15 bales of hay into the back of Bill’s (my father-in-law) old blue Chevy pickup. I gave him my pocket knife and he stood on the back while I drove the truck. He would cut a bale and start throwing out chunks to the sheep and cattle. I was driving in a big circle to cover the pasture in front of the farm house. The snow was about two feet deep and I had the truck in low. While making the corner I swung too wide and had to stop and back up to start again. When I let the clutch out the truck lurched and Steve got flipped off the back into the snow. I looked back and one of the ewes was licking his face. I was laughing when I got out of the truck and he was getting up and giving me a dirty look, so I told him that if he was really that desperate we could try to find him a date and if he was really set on sheep that he should pick a better looking one. Of course this lead to him chasing me all around the pasture, I was pretty light on my feet then and had no trouble outrunning him. After 10 minutes or so he was winded, so he got back on the truck and we finished the chores, but he still didn’t like it when I would ask him if he was feeling a little sheepish.Happy New Year to you all! I hope your year will be a very good one.Kelley Boyd
Read more…
I know first hand the effects of depression. It has been a part of life since the fourth grade. As a pastor, I will listen and be a your friend to lean on. You are not alone.
Read more…
As some of you might already know, there is an ongoing effort by volunteer members of the Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum (AFMM) to restore the LCI 713 at her home in the Janzten Beach area of Portland, Oregon.In recent months 20mm machine guns were acquired, rebuilt and refitted to the 713s gun mounts.And just a few short weeks ago a generous donor gave the AFMM 2 12-cylinder detroit diesel engines that will allow the 713 to make way under her own power once they are installed. Right now however, installation of these engines cannot be done until LCI 713 gets a new hull. In order to do this the AFMM still needs your financial help.When compared to the glory of the great naval vessels in the likes of the Battleship Missouri or the Aircraft Carrier USS intrepid there's not much WOW factor in the restoration of an LCI. Nonetheless, vessels like these played a major role in WWII and our fathers and grandfathers risked their lives aboard them. At this time there are only 2 LCIs left in the U.S. . One in California and one under the care of the AFMM in Portland. Your help is needed in restoring the LCI 713 to seaworthiness and to keeping her and the memory of those that served aboard LCIs alive for future generations.Please visit the AFMM website to join the AFMM and/or to donate to the cause. www.amphibiousforces.org . Since the AFMM is a non-profit donations are tax deductible as per the federal 501(C)3 tax code.I'll be making the 3 hour drive from my home to Portland in a few weeks to spend a Saturday working on the 713 with the other AFMM members. I'll give you all an update at that time. Thanks to all, bless you and thank you for your service.
Read more…
Posted by Todd Wilson on December 18, 2008 at 4:15am
I've got to tell you,we don't know if we should plan to go out and get a tan or just go skiing? Just a few days ago,it was 80-85 degrees and then yesterday and today,we are below freezing and snowing. In fact,we broke records and even made some new ones.Today,we broke the record for the most rain in a 12 hour period and Las Vegas started a new record of getting over six inches of snow when they have never had snow before. They have gotten snow flirries in North Vegas before but nothing that added up to anything as to records. It snowed so bad that they closed the airport because they don't own any snowplows. What a strange winter so far. What is the weather like where you live?
Read more…
With the clock ticking away, we never seem to have enough time to get all things done. The holidays seem to bring this out moreso than any other time of the year.We run to and fro, going to the malls, buying presents. Then off to the grocery store, buying all the goodies for dinners. Then off to the hardware store for needed things to use to decorate the house. OMG, where is that damn extension cord? Those lights worked fine last year!!! What size of turkey and ham do we REALLY need? Canned goods, what do we need? OMG, not enough time!!!! Christmas cards? Gotta get the cards addressed and mailed. NOT GOING to wait until the last minute this year. No way!!!!Then, there's the time needed to put up decorations, light up the house.....inside and DEFINITELY out. It's a wonder no one ever gets electrocuted..........at least at my house. LMAO!!!!! Gotta get that friggin wreath hung. Red ribbons and bows or bells and ribbon? Real tree or the fake one, this year? Tinsel, garland, bells, bows, glass or plastic decorations? Decisions, decisions. Clark Griswald........your crown is in trouble this year. You can never.....NEVER have too many lights. LOLThen, calling all your friends and family, to see who is going to be over for the dinner. And by God, they better show up, too!!! Better have more than not enough, ya know. We always have unexpected people show up.Okay, okay.............everythings going better now. We can slow down.........a tad, I think. Wait, OMG, we gotta wrap those presents. Crap!!!! Under control here, I think. Lotsa wrapping paper left over from last year. Actually, approximately !,000,000 square yards. Yep, we have enough to wrap the Taj Mahal. Wait, OMG......where's the tape? Last week, we had 100 tape despensers lying around, and now none to be found. Crappola, back to the store. OMG, 15 rolls of clear tape is on sale. Should I get invisible or the shiney stuff? It's 25 rolls and cheaper. Jeez, decisions...decisions. Okay, got the tape. Got plenty of paper. Where are those friggin scissors? Not again. Back to the store. Short ones or the industrial strength shears? OMG, here's some electric ones.FINALLY!!!!!!! Presents are wrapped, dinner planned, invites sent out, house decorated, tree trimmed.........WHAT am I forgetting? There has to be something, I just know it. Honey, can I have some egg nog? Crap, no nog. WTH??? Back to the store.Well folks, after all the running around. Numerous trips to the store. The huge feast goes off without too many hitches. The beautifully wrapped presents are now unceremoniously stripped open and strewn about. Wrapping paper scattered everywhere. The cat is wearing a huge bow, that damn uncle had to stick it on the cats head.....AGAIN!!! Dishes piled in the sink and everywhere else in the kitchen. Arguements about what football team belomngs in the Super Bowl finally fade. And now, loved ones head home. And quiet starts to settle in. Phew!!!!Hectic? You might think, and probably say it over and over......."Well, it all went well this year!" or "Never again. Next year, we go to their houses. I'm not going thru this again!" But the truth of the matter, we will do it all over again and again. Year in and year out. Why? Because we all love the hustle and bustle. We thrive on it. We have to have loved ones over to celebrate one of the truly special holidays. We all do!!!SO, with over a hundred rolls of tape left over, 5 pairs of scissors, nearly 1,000,000 square yards of wrapping paper left ( unfortunately, had to buy more. Something about we can't use that stuff because it's outa date or something), and the cat running thru the house because it thinks that he's being chasing by a long red ribbon, we can all settle down now. Is it really done?Until next year!!!!And on that note, I want to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS and the HAPPIEST OF ALL NEW YEARS!!!
Read more…
Posted by Kelley Boyd on December 11, 2008 at 12:00pm
Greetings to All!I added a new command for Assault Craft Veterans, you can use the link to the website lcusailors. This is a group that I am in the process of joining. They are going to have a reunion in San Diego in May (21-24) in 2009. If anyone wants to join, you can find the information on the website. Also, I added a new command for Idaho Navy Vets. This had not been approved yet. If it is approved, I invite anyone that lived in Idaho or is an Idaho resident to join. I hope to get a good group going, maybe have some reunions of our own in the Gem State.Yesterday, I mentioned my very good friend Steve, I am going to share with you one story about one of our first few nights in Vietnam. Steve and I were only 18 years old at the time. Hope you enjoy it. It is titled, "What’re you doing dummy?"One of the most intense memories I have is of the night we first went to Dong Ha. We had only been in country for a day or so when we anchored off the coast a mile or so from the mouth of the Cua Viet River. Steve and I were put on the midnight to eight watch with me on the bow and Steve on the fantail. We were given Thompson .45 caliber machine guns and a few percussion grenades to throw out in the water to prevent any swimmers from placing explosives on the boat. I remember it was pretty hot and raining lightly around 2 a.m., when I heard a small sampan passing our boat and then a loud splash in the water. I went over to the starboard side of the boat and turned on the battle lantern (big flashlight) to see if someone was near our boat. We had a load of Black Powder charges (explosives for artillery) that covered our whole tank deck. So we were able to walk right on the boxes from the back to the front of the boat. I was getting pretty scared and was sure that any moment someone was going to come climbing over the rail to attack us. I took the safety off the Thompson and it was cocked and ready to fire, just at that time I heard someone behind me on the boxes. I turned and started to squeeze the trigger, as I came around I saw a shape and wasn’t sure who it was at first.Just as I started to squeeze harder on the trigger, Steve said, “What’re you doing dummy?’ I just had time to pull the weapon up and not shoot Steve. I was a nervous wreck for the rest of the day.
Read more…
Posted by Kelley Boyd on December 10, 2008 at 11:46am
I have had quite a year, I just received my first retirement check from the Navy. Being a reservist for nearly 18 years and serving on active duty in Vietnam and later in the Philippines has really been an honor for me. My first years were on an LCU in Assault Craft Unit 1, but my last 15 years were as a Seabee in NMCB-18. I retired as an EO1 in 2000. Of course you have to wait until you are 60 to get the retirement. I didn't have a lot of points and only 2 and 1/2 years on active duty, but it added up some money coming in now. Early this year (January) my very close friend Steve Nelting passed away. We first met as part of the LCU-1481 boat crew going to Vietnam in 1967. Steve and I kept in touch and found time to see each other almost every year since then. Steve was diagnosed with Lukemia in the summer of 2007. It was never proven, but suspected that he may have been exposed to Agent Orange. Only a few weeks later in February another shipmate, Lloyd Cunnington also passed away from cancer. I hadn't kept in touch with Lloyd like I had Steve, but when I called to tell him about Steve passing, his wife informed me that he too was gone. I have not had the money to travel much and have put off the few chances I had to attend service related reunions. Now with two of my shipmates gone, I think I will try very hard to make the next reunion for Landing Craft Veterans in San Diego set for May of 2009. I wrote a tribute to my friend Steve and it was published (thanks to one of his dear friends that worked at the paper) next to his obituary in the local paper in Snohomish, Washington. I am adding it here for anyone who would like to read it. I have other issues that I would like to share when I get time. If you want to reply to this message, please feel free to do so.Kelley BoydO’ My Brother TrueIn Vietnam our bond was forged aboard a rusted LCU,boating on the rivers brown or steaming on the ocean blue.How many trips did we share, where the threat of death was our constant worry?Could we have known at our young age what friendship we would always carry?Do you remember O’ My Brother True the first day we met? Well I sure do!Could I forget your silly hat or your baby face that made me laugh?I’m still haunted by dreams of our first night anchored in deep darkness and full of fright!Could that sound be a sapper near? Will he blow us up or cut our throats?When up behind me on that pallet load with that creaking board upon which you strode and as I turn with weapon cocked to shoot the enemy, but NO, it is not! It is you O’ My Brother True and I just miss shooting you!Eight months almost we lived our lives with loads of work and little fun aboard the 1481.Fifteen shipmates was what we were during those days of our first tour, yet later on near the end we were a family of men, I’m now so sure.From ‘67 to ’69 we served our country, our Navy, and our friends.Yet even as you ended your Navy days, I was there to whisk you away.Our friendship strong through all these years and now my eyes - all filled with tears.How could it be through all the jokes, the homemade cookies, the stale smokes, the happy years since ’69, the trips to your beloved Seattle and your short journeys to my Idaho that you could be leaving me again?How could it be that somewhere in war torn Vietnam that you could be touched by death alone with me right there to never know?Could it really be that Agent Orange caressed you over there in ‘Nam and now your blood cannot keep you fair or sustain your life of which we care?We are not old at 59, in fact we are supposed to be in our prime.Yet now I hear from your dear sister that you will leave me here alone to journey to your heavenly home - where all souls go to meet our Savior, to know why we wore this mortal coil and upon this Earth came to toil, and of his love for us Eternal perhaps to live with Him again and no longer struggle for the end.O’ My Brother True how can you go?Know you not that I’m so low?But if you must be the first to go; then please take with you my friendship true and all the love I have for You – O’ My Brother True.*********************************************************For a true friend who literally saved my life many times and always kept in touch with me over the years and miles.Thank God for you Stephen James Nelting!Your friend forever,Earl Kelley Boyd
Read more…
Posted by Todd Wilson on December 8, 2008 at 4:43pm
I wanted to start a new thread for breaking news. It doesn't need to be just Navy or Marines but anything military would be fine. It could be in your state,your city or even in your own backyard. Just give us something to read about when we come and visit.
Read more…
