The FReeper Foxhole Remembers the U.S. Merchant Marine in Vietnam - Jan. 2nd, 2003

USMM ORG ^

[Eastbound]

"And finally, that it is a tragic shame that we find ourselves at odds with a large portion of that world..."

Yes, it's a shame that 'a large portion of that world' finds itself at odds with us. So much so, that they are trying their best to whittle down the point spread.

[HiJinx]

I'm thinking their bench isn't deep enough to last. You don't invite the world's biggest wearer of cowboy boots to an a$$-kicking contest and expect to survive...

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[Eastbound]

That's wisdom. LOL!

[conservativemusician]

Thanks again for the ping.

My uncle was a merchant marine during Viet Nam.

He thought he'd be a wise guy and go to Piney Point rather than be drafted. Upon graduating, he went to the hall and signed up for a ship designated "destination unknown" because it payed more. It wasn't until they set sail that he found out he was running jet fuel to Viet Nam. He left a punk kid and came back a changed man.

The story is still good for chuckles at family gatherings.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for sharing that about your Uncle.

I used to know a guy who joined the Coast Guard for the same reason, ended up in Vietnam anyway.

[Ligeia]

I was just poking around on the United States Merchant Marine Academy site yesterday. I hadn't known much about them.

Two veteran related stories in the newspaper this morning:

State issued 442 honorary high school diplomas to vets in 2002
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The Virginia Board of Education issued 442 honorary high school diplomas last year to veterans who were unable to finish their education because of their military service.

and

Bedford financial accord at hand? D-Day Memorial lawyer optimistic
Officials at the National D-Day Memorial Foundation in Bedford hope for good tidings in the new year, and an answer to the organization's ongoing financial woes.

Happy New Year to all our Vets and their loved ones!

[aomagrat]

Today's classic warship. USS Idaho (BB-24)

Mississippi class battleship
Displacement. 13,000 t.
Length. 382'
Beam. 77'
Draft. 24'8"
Speed. 17 k.
Complement. 744
Armament. 4 12", 8 8", 8 7", 12 3", 2 21" tt.

The USS Idaho (BB-24) was launched by William Cramp & Son's, Philadelphia, 9 December 1905; sponsored by Miss Louise Gooding, daughter of the Governor of Idaho; and commissioned at Philadelphia Navy Yard 1 April 1908, Captain S. W. B. Diehl in command.

The new battleship conducted a shakedown cruise to Cuba April-May 1908, and after a visit to Panama returned to Philadelphia for alterations. The ship took part in the giant naval review in Hampton Roads 22 February 1909 celebrating the return of the Great White Fleet from its around the world cruise. In March she returned to the Caribbean for maneuvers, continuing to take part in training operations until October 1910. Idaho sailed 29 October for exercises in British and French waters, and upon her return participated in gunnery exercises in Chesapeake Bay 19 to 28 March 1911.

Idaho sailed from Philadelphia 4 May 1911 for a cruise up the Mississippi River to Louisiana ports. She then steamed to the east coast of Florida for battleship maneuvers, and continued to operate off the coast and in the Caribbean until entering the reserve at Philadelphia 27 October 1913.

There she remained until 9 May 1914, when the ship sailed to the Mediterranean with midshipmen for at sea training. After visiting various ports in North Africa and Italy and carrying out a rigorous training program, Idaho arrived Villefranche 17 July 1914, transferred her crew to the USS Maine, and decommissioned 30 July. She was turned over to the government of Greece, whom she served as coastal defense ship Lemnos until being sunk in Salamis harbor by German aircraft in April 1941.

---

SAMWolf, I think you would like this version of the USS Idaho even better.

[SAMWolf]

Finally an Idaho I'm familiar with!

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the links, Ligeia.

Check out the site that I got this article from, it has a lot of good info on the Merchant marine.

[SAMWolf]

Current Military News
Medical Civilian Assistance Program (MEDCAP)

Lt. Col. Katharine Opitz, of Fort Lewis, Wash., examines an elderly woman during an operation of Medical Civilian Assistance Program (MEDCAP) Thursday Jan. 2, 2003 at Mero Gul Village, near Kandahar, Afghanistan. The U.S. Army based in Kandahar Air Fields regularly carries out this program in nearby villages. (AP


Girls watch U.S. soldiers with a Humvee in background, during an operation of Medical Civilian Assistance Program (MEDCAP) Thursday Jan. 2, 2003 at Mero Gul Village, near Kandahar, Afghanistan


Capt. Isaac Kim, Houston, Texas, left, examines a baby with skin infection during an operation of Medical Civilian Assistance Program (MEDCAP) Thursday Jan. 2, 2003 at Mero Gul Village, near Kandahar, Afghanistan.


A soldier picks up packs of Humanitarian Daily Ration to give away to villagers during an operation of Medical Civilian Assistance Program (MEDCAP) Thursday Jan. 2, 2003 at Mero Gul Village, near Kandahar, Afghanistan

[Darksheare]

Ugh! Backside immunizations!

[Darksheare]

"SS Seatrain New Jersey. Notorius for being shot up more than any other U.S. merchant ship. Had many symbols of rockets and mortar bombs painted on her bridge wing, each denoting an attack "

Sounds like my former captain. He had more 'Killed by' his own men than any other captain in my old unit. We loved making that guy's miles gear go off.


Only this ship had it happen for real. *wince* Wonder if the crew thought they were cursed?

[SAMWolf]

Thank you, Cote.

Excellent poem honoring our Merchant Marine. I should have known you'd find something like this.

[SAMWolf]

OH NO! I just noticed that.

[firewalk]

Thanks for the ping AntiJen....Here's a bttt

[occam's chainsaw]

WWII ace Joe Foss dies at 87

R.I.P. Joe
Thanks for serving your country. You are a true American hero.