Ramblings From the Editor!

Well, here I am back from Cripple Creek Colorado! It was a wild whoop-de-do, with veterans from all over the US roaring in to celebrate! I even met a couple of submariners!

For those interested, here's the photos: http://imageevent.com/cmvmc/cripplecreek06

For those who are not familiar with the event:

Cripple Creek Salute to American Vets!
 This is by far the largest event in Cripple Creek and the 7th largest Vet / Motorcycle rally in the United States. Over 110 vendors line not only the main street of Cripple Creek but also the side streets and virtually everywhere in town. You can shop for anything from a rare motorcycle to many Veteran memorabilia. Thursday evening will be a salute to Police and Fire fighters with a cocktail hour and many presentations. Then Friday is a black tie reception and dinner to honor Veterans that will be attending the event. On Saturday there's the largest military parade of the season and following the parade is a procession of over 7,000 motorcycles. When all is said and done Cripple Creek will have around 60,000 spectators and 10,000 motorcycles. Sunday will feature a concert and other events as well as the great shopping.

I know some of you live in the Colorado area, and it is a beautiful state, but how in the heck can you live in a place that rains and thunders in the middle of summer? T'aint natural!! I froze my bejeejus off in my little tent! Of course it would have helped if my sleeping bag would have fit me! I could only zip it up as far as my chest! And it would have been more comfortable if my tent did not have to be placed on the side of a hill!! To top things off, we were camped at over 10,000 feet! I couldn't walk ten paces without panting for breath (you remember what it felt like to be down for 20 hours or so and try to move around in the oxygen depleted atmosphere of our favorite boat). But it is a pretty state, and God willing I'll be back next year! Who's going with me???

 


Reunion News!

Click Here!!

 

  

 

Remember when John Fields ran the Spinax into the side of the tender and bent the bow at a 45 degree angle? ...And when the Captain of the tender came aboard, Captain Schlosser said "Sorry about the dent, Captain!"

or

Remember when Drifty got greased in the Engine room and washed it off with alcohol, and lit a cigarette while doing so?....And when he was a human torch running through the After battery, Bullet throwing a blanket over him! Remember when the helicopter picked him up? Remember never seeing him again?

or

Remember the time two Spinax sailors decided to steal a flag from the top of the Victoria hotel in BC, and while trying to climb up, one of the sailors fell through the roof of a greenhouse?

or

How about sending in your sea stories??? I know there are hundreds of them out there!!!
Captain Jack publishes a book!

The title is "The Effectiveness of Airpower in the 20th Century, Part Three 1945 - 2000)". It covers the post-WW II conflicts from Korea and Vietnam through Kosovo in 1999. You can access it at Amazon.com, either under the title or by "John O'Connell" as author.

Here's the web address:
http://www.amazon.com/Effectiveness-Airpower-20th-Century-Three/dp/0595403530/ref=sr_11_1/104-2500319-6647117?ie=UTF8

Regards,

Jack O'Connell

Hello,
My name is Jeffrey A. Richards, from Littleton, N.H. Just wanted to drop a quick line to say that I like your site and that Charles Libby, former crewman of the Spinax is alive and well in Lynn, Mass. Charlie is the father of my girlfriend of 13 years, so I guess unofficially that makes him my father-in-law. He tells us all such fond stories of his days aboard the sub. I have even captured some very amazing video from a an old video camera he had with him when stationed aboard. There is a  hilarious episode of a well built crewman doing handstands on deck much to the delight of everyone watching. But anyway, nice site, and thanks for those times when you all did a great service in serving our country. .....


Take care, J. Richards
 
Many thanks to this months "Booster Club" supporters (the ones I can remember)

• If I didn't post your name, that means that I'm getting old and forgetful. I apologize!!
I am humbled and shamed!!!

Pecos

There are stories told about knights of old and the shooting of Dan McGrew
And the classic tale of the great white whale still thrills us through and through.
There’s Farragut and John Paul but the saltiest of them all
Were the boys in blue from World War Two who answered Freedom’s Call.

Now I won’t boast so I’ll drink a toast to the boys who went down under.
With Navy pride they fought and died when their boats were ripped asunder.
They learned their trade, our debt they paid in the world beneath the sea
And there they sleep in waters deep, a part of history.

Those noble ships with sonar blips once fought their way to Glory
And the men inside, because they died, left none to tell their story.
Proud Argonaut, you had your shot, you and the Amberjack,
‘Twas near Rabaul you gave your all and never more came back.

Pompano, you and Runner, too, were lost in forty-three.
Your gallant crew went down with you, defending liberty.
The Pickerel too, the sleek Wahoo, the Grampus and the Herring,
The Albacore, all lost in the war, have taken their last bearing.

So many more, subs by the score, went to their watery grave,
In silence deep they lie asleep, the young lads and the brave,
But this I know, somewhere below lie those who paid the price,
Our debt is paid because they made the final sacrifice.

A Poem by:
Robert L. Harrison
Oct. 16, 1997
Greenfield, Indiana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes of address, phone numbers and emails. If anyone has a change let me know  ralarsen@comcast.net

 

New Shipmate:
We now have one more "S" name in the Powell family. " Sawyer," He was born tue.morning @ 2:30 am @ 7#15 oz.
Sara and Scott are doing better than Grandma Sue.
Sam, Sue, Scott, Sarah, Sonnet & Sawyer say HI!

Updated:

After 33 years in the same house it is time to clean out and move.  We have sold our house in Coronado and moving to a 55+ gated community in Lakeside, Ca.  No more webtv after 9-14-06.  Our new snail mail:  9500 Harritt Rd, #9, Lakeside, Ca 92040-6009.  For those familiar with San Diego County we overlook Lake Jennings and the East County Mountains.
Our phone:  619-390-1169  Fax:  619-390-1149   Our E-mail:
 mizlu@sbcglobal.net or luke96webtv@yahoo.com  PLEASE do not send jokes, forward with pls forward or include our address with all your other E-mail buddies.  We love to hear about you and yours personal lives but that's it.
Thanks, and yes I am getting grumpy in my old age....
Kelli lives across Lake Harritt road and we wanted to be closer to her in case any of us need help.  She also wanted us closer.

Love to all,

Bev & Joe Luallen
 

Dick Phillips
 dick_phillips@shaw.ca

Gene White
 cindy35719@aol.com

 

Links:

New USSVI Website
Visiting the USS Texas

Liberty in Westpac
Supporting our Awesome Troops - Marie Jon'
News on the USS Wahoo!!
Yokosuka, City of Sin
Skate/Swordfish
The Lads Who Rest Below the Waves...
Sea Power Slide Show - submitted by Alex Guerra
Marines in Solomon Islands

The Veteran - Angel Fire NM
The Military Channel
Submarines for sale!
\ Israeli Subs
America, why I love her - John Wayne
Well Sir, Welcome to my World
Become a Submarine Officer for Fun and Profit
Submarine Plans
USS Blueback
Lets Say Thanks!!!