Sunday, December 17, 2006

November 2006 by Charles Brecheisen

SHIPMATES: One new shipmate came on board during November; LTJG David Cullen, 1961-1963. Shipmate Cullen resided in Vienna, VA and is the 411th. shipmate on board.

FINANCIAL: The beginning December balance was $1456.64 with income of $10.00 and expenses of $41.07 for postage leaving a balance of $1425.57. Thanks to all!

EMAIL: I must say again please do NOT reply to this email either to me or all the addressees. Since I have been getting 30-40 SPAM emails a day I have set the filter to reject ALL emails. Please use cmbaltairaks32@fastmail.us Fastmail.us is a great email service and does a great job of filtering out SPAM.

INTERNET: If you do a lot of surfing on the Internet, you might consider downloading the "McAfee SiteAdvisor." Its a free download and rates each site with either a green check mark indicating a safe site; or a question mark for an untested site; or, a red check mark indicating a very unsafe site. It works great.

PHOTO UPLOAD AND NEWSLETTER: I seem to be spending most of my time at the doctors, etc. and still have not done anything about setting up the photo site. Same with working on a new newsletter. But, both are on the top of my priority list and will be done.

Best Regards To All......Charles

September 2006 by Charles Brecheisen

FINANCIAL: The beginning September balance was $1356.64 with dues paid of $40 and no expenses leaving a balance of $1396.64. The "special fund" remains the original same. A record of 76 shipmates have paid dues! Many thanks to all!

SHIPMATES: Fred Keefer LTJG 1960-1962 found another new shipmate, John C. Jefferies, CT1 1960-1963. John resides in Molino, Florida.

SHIPMATES PASSING: Thanks to Fred Keefer for most of this information.

Gene Van Der Molen, FTSN 1952; passed August 2006.

Ed Stephens, RD2 1964-1966; passed July 2006; Ed was a movie and TV actor.

Bernard Ruckhardt, QMC 1960-1962; passed December 1997.

Alfred E. Menard, SM2 1960-1962; passed May 2002.

Morris Kanefsky, SK2 1959-1960; passed July 2001.

I distinctly remember Shipmate Menard as we used to "hang out" together on liberty. And, he used to let me us the signal lights communicating between ships. We used to call him "Alfred E. Neuman" after the character in Mad Comics.

The severe drought continues here in East Texas. We have lost over 75% of our beautiful dogwood trees and many oak trees have died also. And, no relief in sight. I have not done much on the photograph web site as it seems that Lillie and I spend most of our time either at the hospital or at the doctors office. I really don't like getting old!

All for now. Please contact me at cmbaltairaks32@fastmail.us with any comments or questions.

Best Regards to All . . . . Charles

October 2006 REPORT by Charles Brecheisen

FINANCIAL: The beginning October balance was $1396.64 with dues paid of $60 and no expenses leaving a balance of $1456.64. A total of 80 shipmates have paid dues. Many thanks!

SHIPMATES: Three new shipmates came on board in October bringing the total to 410 shipmates! Jim Brooks, YN3 was aboard 1961-63. Frank
DiSalvo, RM3 was aboard 1963-1964. And, Granville Nelson, SK2 was aboard 1959-1962. Many of you might remember Shipmate Nelson as the ships' barber giving haircuts on the main deck. I sure do remember him! Granville later transferred to stores and was a SK2. I also remember Jim Brooks.

All for now. Please contact me with any comments or questions and please us my other email address cmbaltairaks21@fastmail.us

Best Regards To All . . . . Charles

Thursday, September 07, 2006

AUGUST 2006 REPORT by Charles Brecheisen

SHIPMATES: Thanks to Fred Keefer LTJG 1960 - 1962, two shipmates were added to the roster. Norman Rubinfeld, LTJG 1961-61, and Sanford J. Snuffer, LTJG 1961 - 1963. This brings the total shipmates aboard to 408. Shipmate Rubinfeld lives in Mission Viejo, CA and Shipmate Snuffer resides in Reno, NV.

FINANCIAL: The beginning August balance was $1316.64 with dues paid of $40 and zero expenses leaving a balance of $1356.64. A total of 75 shipmates have paid dues in 2006!!!! Thanks to all!

PHOTOGRAPHS: Tim Truesdell sent me a CD ROM containing 110 Altair photos all the way from New Zealand. Thank you Tim! Since there is no way to put them up on the Altair web site as it would clog it down, I have decided to put ALL the Altair photos on a photo web site named "Smugmug." The Altair site on the Smugmug site will be broken down into separate galleries for easier viewing. Plus, the Smugmug site will be password protected and only the Altair shipmates will have the password. Many thanks to Dick Braun for converting all the Truesdell photos from TIFF files to JPEGS. As soon as I figure out the Smugmug site and the procedures and get some the pics uploaded I will send all the shipmates the password to access the site.

All for now. Please contact me with any questions or comments at cmbaltairaks32@fastmail.us


Best Regards to All.........Charles

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Altair Mystery

Greetings Altair Crew. Ernie Forbes sent me an email and here is a copy; maybe a shipmate knows the answer.

"Heres a mystery maybe one of the crew can answer it: The Aberdeen Victory was delivered to Waterman Steamship Lines after launching and was transferred to the maritime commission for use by the Navy, the Navy used it as an AK, AK-257 to be exact after the war it was put in the reserve fleet till it was activated to be used as the ALTAIR. While it was an AK during the war it had a name - WHAT WAS THAT NAME ! ! When I was aboard I did DC work and I used to weigh the CO2 bottle at the fire station at the top of the stairs, ladder, in officers country, at this fire station there was a plaque commiserating USS ?

AK-257 during WW2, the person I was with said it was an Indian area, ? territory, state. I wrote the name down and many years later go tmy letters to my parents. They had saved every one, but it was not in them. I have tried to revisit that day in my dreams and see the name I had written, but I have had no success so far. Maybe one of the crew can recall that name. Ernie"

Best Regards To All.......Charles

Altair Picture Surprise

Greetings to all. I got a surprise in the mail yesterday all the way from New Zealand. It was a CD from Tim Truesdell, SK2 1958-1960 and had 110 Altair photos on it! Tim is currently living in New Zealand. All the pics were in tiff format and about 1 meg. each in size. Tim really sent some neat pics, too.

There is no way to upload Tim's pics even after converting them to jpegs. I also have many many other pics that have not been uploaded to the web site. Therefore, I have decided to use a photo upload service, such as smugmug.com and put ALL the pics that I have into books or albums, etc. There are quite a few hundred pics and I think that this is the only way all the Altair pics can be shown and viewed by the shipmates at their leisure without waiting for the pic pages on the web site to download. Smugmug has no ads and no login is required. The site and/or albums can be password protected if necessary.

Any comments? Any other recommended site instead of Smugmug?

Best Regards To All......Charles

JULY 2006 REPORT by Charles Brecheisen

SHIPMATES: No new shipmates came aboard in July leaving the total at 406.

FINANCIAL: WOW once again. A total of 71 shipmates have paid dues this year. The beginning balance was $1226.64 with receipts of $90.00 and no expenses leaving a balance of $1316.64. The "special fund" remains the same.

SHIPMATE VISIT: Ben "B.X." Wabich and his wife stopped by here a couple of days ago on their way to the Rio Grande Valley. Ben and I served together on the Altair in the communications area 1959-1961; and, Ben looks like he did 46
years ago! Ben retired from the Navy after 30 years of Navy service. Ben and Barbara reside in Algonac, Michigan and own a locksmith business. We had a great visit swapping old sea stories that the other had not heard.

TEXAS DROUGHT: Still no rain and our drought area is still classified as "severe."

All for now. Please contact me with any questions or comments. Again, please do NOT use this email address but use cmbaltairaks32@fastmail.us

Best Wishes to All........Charles

Sunday, July 02, 2006

JUNE 2006 REPORT by Charles Brecheisen

SHIPMATES: Please welcome aboard Shipmate Joel Fuller, SN 1963-1965; and Don Wangrud, GM3 1956-1957. Joel resides in Thomasville, NC and Don resides in Fargo, ND. WELCOME ABOARD Joel and Don!

SHIPMATE PASSING: Mike Troiano reports that Jerome "JJ" Campbell, SN 1964-1965 passed away in 2005. Our condolances to the Campbell family.

FINANCIAL: WOW again! A total of 62 shipmates have paid dues this year. It's really nice to have so many shipmates involved with the Altair Shipmate Group. THANKS! The beginning balance was $1126.64 with receipts of $100.00 leaving a balance of $1226.64.

TEXAS DROUGHT: It is so dry here in E. TX that our oak trees are dying, our pine trees are dying and our dogwood trees are dying. We had no measurable rain in either May or June and no prospect of rain in sight. My cactus garden is even dying. We did not even get a drop of rain from Katrina! Of course, we have a county burn ban, fireworks ban and are on water rationing. We cannot even BBQ! It's going to be a very long hot summer!

All for now. Please contact me with any questions or comments.

Best Regards To All...........


Charles Brecheisen
248 Drifting Cloud
Holly Lake Ranch, TX 75765-6321
903-769-5325

Sunday, June 11, 2006

MAY 2006 REPORT by Charles Brecheisen

SHIPMATES: Please welcome aboard Walt Stout. Shipmate Stout served aboard the Altair 1964-1965, was an ENT3 and resided in Covington, TN. This brings the total shipmate list to 404! Welcome aboard Walt!

FINANCIAL: WOW, a total of 53 shipmates have paid dues so far this year far exceeding the total for last year. THANKS! The beginning balance for May was $820.64 with receipts of $345.00 and expenses of $39.00 leaving a balance of $1126.64. The "special fund" remains the same.

SHIPMATE PASSING: I received the following letter:

"Dear Mr. Brecheisen: I am writing to inform you that Bernard J. Sumbs passed away at home on Nov. 21, 2005 after a long illness at the age of 73. I think you for sending The Altair Star Newsletter. Bernard enlisted in the Navy on March 27, 1950 and was discharged on May 27, 1953. He served on the USS Altair (AKS257) and the Mattelesst (AOB-52). They were married for 51 years last June and were blessed with 2 great sons. Our youngest son was killed at the age of 37. God Bless you and our Country! Sincerely, Shirley Sumbs."

Our sincerest condolances to the Sumbs family.

All for now. Please contact me with any comments or questions.

Best Regards To All:

Charles Brecheisen
248 Drifting Cloud
Holly Lake Ranch, TX 75765-6321
903-769-5325

Monday, May 01, 2006

APRIL 2006 REPORT by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates.

The spammers are at it again! For many days now, I have had over 100 spam emails in this account (cmbaltairaks32@ussaltair-aks32.org). Plus numerous spams in my Fastmail account. So, please do not reply to this email account but use cmbaltairaks32@fastmail.us

SHIPMATES: Please welcome aboard Tennis Hatfield, HMSN 1962-1963. Tennis resides in Baisden, WV and is related to the Hatfields' of the famous feud!
This brings our shipmate total to 403. Welcome aboard Tennis!

DUES: A total of 35 shipmates have paid dues through April which has exceeded the total for all of last year! Thanks!

PHOTOGRAPHS: In case I have not mentioned it before, I have uploaded quite a few new pics on the photo's page two on the Altair web site.

FINANCIAL: The beginning balance was $1081.23 with dues received of $90.00 and expenses of $350.63 leaving a balance of $820.60. Expenses consisted of postage, ink, labels, envelopes and printing.

GREAT NAVY WEB SITE: For a neat Navy web site try http://objflicks.com/Seapower.htm It will take a long time to load for dial-up users.

All for now. Please contact me with any comments or questions.

Best Regards To All:

Charles Brecheisen
248 Drifting Cloud
Holly Lake Ranch, TX 75765-6321
903-769-5325

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

MARCH 2006 REPORT by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair shipmates. Here is your monthly report for March 2006.

SHIPMATES: We have one new shipmate that boarded ship in March bringing the total count to 402 shipmates.. Please welcome aboard :

Jesse B. Jones, SH2, 1953-1955. Jesse resided in Jackson, TN

DUES: The reduced cost of dues to $10 seem to be working. Thanks to all sending in dues!

FINANCIAL: The beginning March balance was $861.26 with income of $220.00 and no expenses leaving a balance of $1081.27.

ALTAIR NEWSLETTER: I am finishing up the Altair newsletter and only have a couple of spaces to add material. I am waiting for a couple of shipmates to send in their bios and the newsletter should be mailed in a couple of weeks.

ALTAIR REUNION: There have been a few shipmates questioning when our next reunion would be held; and where. Good questions! After our first reunion in Norfolk in 2004, emotions were running high to have another reunion. Those "emotions" sort of petered out. But, we (another shipmate) is in the process of checking out Charleston, SC as a possible site. I will keep all posted.

All for now. Please contact me with any questions or comments.

Best Regards To All:

Charles Brecheisen
248 Drifting Cloud
Holly Lake Ranch, TX 75765-6321
903-769-5325

Saturday, March 04, 2006

FEBRUARY 2006 REPORT by Charles Brecheisen

Greeetings Altair Shipmates. Here is your monthly report for February 2006.

SHIPMATES: We have two new shipmates bringing the total on board to 401. The shipmates are:

John Cherny, Lexington, SC BM3, 1966-1968

James "Red" Foley, Biddeford, ME SN, 1959-1961

DUES: The dues have been changed to $10; and, thanks to all that have paid their dues. It's what keeps this organization running!

FINANCIAL: The beginning balance was $912.07 with income of $125.00 and expenses of $175.80 leaving a balance of $861.27. The major cost was $126.35 for the Altair web site, postage. I purchased a "Naval Aviation News" February 1965, that contained a nice article on the Altairs' helo replenishment with the
Sixth Fleet.

U.S. NAVAL MEMORIAL COMMEMORATIVE WALL: Pledges are coming in nicely and thanks to all for your dollar pledges. I will give a pledge report in the next Altair monthly update. If you are not familiar with the Commemorative Wall, please
visit http://www.lonesailor.org/plaque.php and you will be impressed!

All for now. Please contact me with any questions or comments.

Charles Brecheisen
248 Drifting Cloud
Holly Lake Ranch, TX 75765-6321
903-769-5325

Saturday, February 04, 2006

JANUARY 2006 REPORT by Charles Brecheisen

SHIPMATES: No new shipmates were signed up in January and the total stands at 398.

SHIPMATE PASSING: As most of you know, Louis Ruch, SKSN, 1954-1955 suddenly passed away on September 23, 2005. Louis and Frances both attended the first Altair reunion in Norfolk. Our condolances to the Ruch family.

DUES: Dues are hereby changed to $10 per year. A couple of shipmates sent in $25 and credit will be given for dues paid for 2007. Hopefully we can get more shipmates on board with dues.

FINANCIAL: The beginning balance was $867.07 with $45.00 paid in dues and zero expenses leaving a February 1 balance of $912.07. The Altair "Special Fund" remains the same.

U.S. NAVAL MEMORIAL COMMEMORATIVE WALL: I was surprised at the lack of pledge response for an Altair plaque. Thanks to those shipmates who did make a pledge. This is a great and worthwhile cause to honor the Altair Shipmates. Joe Basso is the driving force behind this idea. For those not familiar with the wall, please visit Navy Commemorative Wall

A INTERNET BROWSER NOTE: I have switched over to Mozilla's "Firefox 1.5" and no longer use Microsoft I.E. 6.0. Firefox seems a bit faster and reportedly is "safer" than I.E. Microsoft is working on I.E. 7.0 but I don't know when it will be out.

All for now. Please contact me with questions and comments.

Best Regards To All:

Charles Brecheisen
248 Drifting Cloud
Holly Lake Ranch, TX 75765-6321
903-769-5325

Monday, January 09, 2006

Shipmate Passing

Jan. 7, 2006

Dear Sir:
I am not sure which person to address concerning the death of my husband Lewis Ruch, who was aboard the Altair from 1952-1956, Passed away suddenly on Sept. 23, 2005. This is just for your records.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Lewis Ruch
POB 327
N. Stratford, NH 03590

Monday, January 02, 2006

DECEMBER 2005 REPORT by Charles Brecheisen

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2006......It's hard for me to believe that 2006 is here already. Where did 2005 go? I hope everyone has a happy prosperous and a very healthy New Year in 2006.

SHIPMATES: Please welcome aboard:
Keith C. Fraser, ENS, 1966-1968. residing in Swanzey, NH

FINANCIAL: There were no expenses in December and $25 income bringing the year-end balance to $867.07. There were 32 shipmates that paid dues in 2005. It has been suggested that we drop the yearly dues from $25 to either $5 or $10
and make then mandetory. Comments please...........

PHOTOGRAPHS: I have received quite a few new photos from Robert Rati and hope to have these on line soon.

U.S. NAVY MEMORIAL COMMEMORATIVE WALL: Joe Basso has come up with a great idea of having a USS Altair AKS32 plaque on the "U.S. Navy Memorial Commemorative Wall." For those shipmates not familiar with the Navy Commemorative Wall,
please visit Navy Commemorative Wall. The USS Altair AKS32 can have a memorial plaque placed on the wall which would a great tribute to all the shipmates that served on the Altair. At the present time, this is still in
the "working" stage and we are looking for dollar pledges and not soliciting donations. There has already been several hundred dollars pledges! Please give this worthwhile cause consideration and make a pledge.

All for now. Please contact me with any comments or questions.

Best Regards To All:

Charles Brecheisen
248 Drifting Cloud
Holly Lake Ranch, TX 75765-6321
903-769-5325