Shipmate Passing

Greetings Altair Shipmates. I received the following email:

"Hello Shipmates. It is with great sadness that I report to you the passing of Chief William H. Stoye Sr. August 13, 2010. He loved his career in the Navy and was proud of all the friends and shipmates he had over the years.

William H. Stoye, Jr. Maj, (Ret)
Tallahassee, Florida 32308"

Shipmate Stoye was an AD2 aboard the Altair 1959/1960.

Shipmate Passing

Greetings Altair Shipmates. Here is an email I received via Shipmate Mike O'Connell.

"I'm sorry I am the bearer of bad news but I got a call from Paul Meierdierks' family and was informed he had passed Sunday, August 8, 2010. His wife Theresa can be reached at:

Mrs. Theresa Meierdierks
99 Knickerbocker Road
Closter, NJ 07624

I mentioned to them I would let you know so that you could let the other shipmates know.

Thank you.
Mike O'Connell"

Our sincerest condolences to the Meierdierks' family.

July 2010 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Crew. Here is your monthly report for July 2010.

SHIPMATES: Please welcome aboard two new shipmates:

Dennis R. Dudas, SN, 1961-1962, Millburn, NJ

William F. Sharp, Jr., SN, 1961-1962, NJ

WELCOME ABOARD!!

FINANCIAL: The beginning July balance was $1028.13 with dues income of $30.00 and no expenses leaving a cash balance of $1058.13. The beginning Altair savings account was $3835.54 with no income or expenses leaving a balance of $3835.54. The total Altair cash balance is $4893.67.

EMAIL CHANGE: For those trying to contact C O Lee, his email has changed to:

AKS32 [at] earthlink.net

HURRICANE SEASON: For those shipmates living on the coastline, you might take a look at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ and you will get the latest updates from the National Weather Service as to tropical storm, hurricanes, etc.

I hope all the shipmates have checked out all the information that Dick Braun has uploaded to the Altair web site. A tremendous amount of Altair data and information. the location of the data is http://www.ussaltair-aks32.org/navylinks.htm or take the Navy Links from the menu on the site.

You can contact me at cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us with any comments and information.

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

June 2010 by Charles Brecheisen

HAPPY JULY 4th..........Please have a happy and safe Fourth of July.
Remember all the Veterans and Troops in combat in your prayers.

NEED INFO: I am seeking any info you might have on CDR Richard W. Leighton. CDR Leighton served on the Altair 1958-1959. I need stories, remembrances, anything. Please email ASAP to me at cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

FINANCIAL: The beginning cash balance was $1008.13 and received $20 in dues with no expenses leaving a cash-on-hand balance of $1028.13. The beginning savings account balance was $3830.76 with interest of $4.78 leaving a savings balance of $3835.54. The total cash balance is $4863.67.

REUNION: If you need additional Nashville reunion information please contact myself at cmb altairaks32 [at] fastmail.us; or

Joe Basso at jomapakg032 [at] verizon.net

SHIPMATES: I keep a running list of shipmates by state and show 475 total. My mailing list of shipmates totals 470. Why the discrepancy? There are a few that have moved and not forwarded their new email or home addresses. Please, if you move or change email addresses, please notify me.

As usual, please do NOT reply to this email. All comments and recommendations should be sent to cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Best Wishes To All.............Charles

Shipemate Passing

It is with immense sadness that I send you, this email to inform you of the death of my beloved husband Ashley Pecka on May 28, 2010.

Sincerely, Kathleen Pecka"

Condolences can be sent to:

Mrs. Ashley Pecka
P.O. Box 667
Eagle River, WI 54521
715-479-4809

Shipmate Pecka served aboard the Altair 1964-1966 as a SN.

New Shipmate

Greetings Shipmate Drennan. And, WELCOME ABOARD! I show your info as:

Arthur P. Drennan, MM1, 1953-1956,
189 Main Street
Waltham, MA 02453
nanyngp [at] yahoo.com
781-893-3589

The Altair web site is http://www.ussaltair-aks32.org

The Altair photograph site is http://altair.smugmug.com and shipmate Dick Braun will be contacting you about getting your photographs uploaded to the site.

I served aboard the Altair 1959-1961 as a RM2. Information about our next reunion in Nashville in October is on the way snail mail. I will get you added to the monthly email list and shipmate Martin Summann will get you added to the web site.

Welcome aboard!

Best Regards, Charles Brecheisen, Holly Lake Ranch, Texas

May 2010 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Crew.

DEJA VU AGAIN? The 'dog days of August' arrived late in April and are continued through May. Our total rainfall in May was 0.56" (zero point five six) total for the month of May. Our beautiful dogwood trees are wilted, the azalea plants are dying. Some of you shipmates need to send some moisture to the East Texas area!

SHIPMATES: Please welcome aboard Stanley Wolczyk, MM2, 1968. Shipmate Wolczyk resides in Phoenixville, PA. WELCOME ABOARD!

FINANCIAL: The beginning cash on hand balance was $1104.63 with dues income of $30 and expenses of $126.50 leaving a balance of $1008.13. The expense was for the Internet Provider for the Altair web site. The savings account balance is $3830.76 bringing a grand cash total of $4838.89.

REUNION REMINDER: Please contact Joe Basso, reunion chairman, at jomapakg032 [at] verizon.com or myself cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

All for now. Any comments or questions, please contact me at: cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us.

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

COLD WAR RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE

Greetings Altair Shipmates. I am forwarding a message received from Joe Basso.

"Hi Altair Shipmates, Government Workers and Other Veterans from Army and Navy. I was surfing the Web the other night, and I came across a Web Site that stated that anyone who either Served in the Military (ANY BRANCH) between 1945 December, and 1991 December, are entitled to what is knows as a "COLD WAR RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE" write to:

COMMANDER, US ARMY HUMAN RESOURCES COMMAND
COLD WAR RECOGNITION, HOFFMAN II
ATTN: AHRC-CWRS-3N45
200 STOVALL STREET
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22332-0473

Within a week and a half you will receive an application and after filling out the application you will have to return with a copy of your DD214. You just have to prove that you served only 1 day. For Government workers you have to submit a pay stub or some type of government I.D. Lots of luck and I am about to putting my application in the mail tomorrow and I will keep you posted of my endeavor.

Joe Basso

P.S. Let us know of how you make out."

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

Shipmate Passing

To All Concerned:

My husband Darrell Tinker Chronister passed away on March 26th, 2010.

He recently was put on your email list but fell ill shortly thereafter and could not respond to anyone.

Thank you for sending all of the updates to him.

Best regards,

Lois Chronister
Jefferson City, MO

March 2010 by Charles Brecheisen

Spring has sprung as the yellow pine dust is covering everything here in E. Texas.

SHIPMATES: Please welcome aboard the new Altair shipmates for a total of 468!!!

Thomas E. Ryan, SN, 1960-1962, Philadelphia, PA
Carmen S. Napoli, IC3, 1964-1966, Easton, PA

WELCOME ABOARD!

FINANCIAL: The March beginning on hand cash balance was $1212.20 with dues income of $40 leaving a cash on hand balance of $1252.20. The beginning savings account balance was $3826.04 with no dividend. There was no expenses leaving a total balance of $5078.24.


ALTAIR REUNION: The 2010 Altair reunion in Nashville is rapidly approaching! (October 21 ~ 24, 2010) Please get your reservations in ASAP! Should you need new paperwork to get signed up, please contact me at cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us and I will get the information in the mail. Please don't forget to get Joe Basso or John Thomas the $25 per person check for the Hospitality Room and goodies. (I messed up Joe's address on the forms I sent out and here is the correct address) They can be reached at:

Joe Basso 16 Edgemere Dr., Matawan, NJ 07747

John Thomas 2632 Oak Leaf Circle, Helena, AL 35022

ADDRESSES: I wish I could track down all the shipmates that have moved or changed their email address and not notified me of the changes. But, there is just no way. IF YOU ARE GOING TO MOVE OR CHANGE EMAIL ADDRESS PLEASE NOTIFY ME SO YOU I CAN KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE ALTAIR HAPPENINGS.

All for now. Please do NOT respond to this email as it will be automatically deleted. Please contact me at cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us for any questions or comments.

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

February 2010 by Charles Brecheisen

ALTAIR CREW: Please welcome aboard shipmate Orville Eckler, EM2, 1963-1964 and residing in Chaumont, NY. WELCOME ABOARD!

ALTAIR CAPS: Shipmate Joe Basso has a good supply of Altair caps. If you need a new cap or a replacement cap, please contact Joe at:

jomapakg032 [at] verizon.net

FINANCIAL: The beginning cash balance was $1092.20 with dues income of $120.00 and no expenses leaving a cash balance of $1212.20. The Altair savings account had a beginning and ending balance of $3826.04.
The total Altair cash account is $5038.24.

That's all for now. Please contact me with any comments or questions at cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

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

The Red Shirt

I received this email today and thought I would share if with the group... Dick

If the red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man...

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together...

After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?

No. I'm escorting a soldier home.

Going to pick him up?

No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you, Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

Red Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority." We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday ... and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that ... Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women a far, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, & TV let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is. "We need your support and your prayers." Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.

January 2010 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates. Here is your monthly report for January 2010.

Yipes.......it's already February 2010. Where does the time go????

ALTAIR REUNION: If you have not received Nashville reunion information either via email or snail mail, please contact me cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

SHIPMATES: Please welcome aboard the following shipmates:

Darrell T. Chronister, SA, 1968, Jefferson City, MO

William L. Hickman, LTJG, 1963-1965, Rockville, MD

Gary K. Hysong, EM3, 1959-1961, Attica, IN

SHIPMATE PASSING: The following Shipmate Passed:

Frederick W. Meister, LTJG, 1963-1965, Passed 2000

FINANCIAL: The beginning cash balance was $1136.15 with dues income of $150.00 and expenses of $193.95 leaving a cash on hand balance of $1092.20. Expenses were envelopes, labels, stamps, printing and mailing of the reunion information to the non-email shipmates. The beginning saving account balance was $3822.71 with interest of $3.33 leaving a balance of $3826.04. Total cash balance is $4918.24.

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

2010 Reunion Information

Here is the latest 2010 Altair Reunion information from our reunion chairman Joe Basso.

The Nashville reunion will be held at the Holiday Inn Select Opryland/Airport from Thursday, October 21st through Sunday, October 24th. Nashville, TN ~ October 21st – 24th, 2010

Travel & Leisure Magazine recently named Nashville America’s Friendliest City! Not only is Music City friendly, it has also been named the 4th Best American City for Holiday Travel. The USS Altair Reunion tours will give you a chance to experience some of the top attractions in Nashville. Tours include a group dinner at one of Nashville’s most unique restaurants and tickets to the famous Grand Ol Opry show. Saturday, don’t miss the city tour which will highlight some of Nashville’s most popular attractions. Your reunion program hits all of Nashville’s most famous attractions, while allowing plenty of time to relax and catch up with your friends.

Hotel Information:
The reunion dates are from Thursday, October 21st through Sunday, October 24th. You will be staying at the Holiday Inn Select Opryland/Airport which is located at 2200 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37214.

Reservation Information:
The room rate is just $99.00 plus tax per night based on single or double occupancy. Rate includes complimentary breakfast buffet daily. Please make your hotel reservations NOW by calling (615) 883-9770 between 9-4 pm EST and ask for in-house reservations. For those of you who would like to arrive early, the same room rate is available 2 days prior to the start of the reunion, and 2 days after the reunion. You may cancel up until 48 hours before arrival at no penalty. Be sure to ask for the USS Altair Reunion rate to assure you are associated with your group. You may request specific room types when you call to make your reservations (handicap accessible room, etc.). These are on a first come basis. The hotel check-in time is 3:00pm. Please, don’t expect to get into your room before then. They will ask you for a deposit or credit card number to guarantee your room reservation. The hotel is holding rooms until they sell out or September 10th, 2010, whichever comes first.

Transportation & Directions:
The closest airport is Nashville International (BNA). The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service from the Nashville International Airport. Upon arrival, use the courtesy phone located in the baggage claim. For those of you driving to the reunion, the hotel offers plenty of free parking. The hotel is conveniently located off Interstate 40, at the Broadway exit. Ask hotel for detailed directions when making your reservations.

Travel safely and we will ….
See you in Nashville!

Please call the hotel and make your reservations making sure you are getting the Altair special rate.

USS ALTAIR AKS 32 ~ 2010 REUNION EVENTS:

EVENT A: GROUP DINNER & GRAND OLE OPRY SHOW
Friday, October 22nd (4:00pm-10:00pm)
This spectacular evening begins at the Cock of the Walk Restaurant, where you will have a private area reserved just for the USS Altair. Known as one of Nashville’s most unique restaurants, you will dine on their famous golden fried catfish, and other southern specialties. The large barn-like restaurant is well known around Nashville for having the best seafood in town. The restaurant takes its unusual name from an old flatboat man’s term for the top boatman. Following dinner, board your coach for the short drive to the Grand Ole Opry Show. This is the show that made Nashville famous! The one, the only, the Opry. You never know which celebrities will turn up and perform, but one thing is for certain, it’s always a great show, with something for everyone. Music, dancing, and lots of laughs, make this variety show a Nashville tradition and a crowd favorite. You’ll have great seats, so come see what all the fuss is about!
Please note: You will be required to walk down 6 steps to your seat for the show. All Opry seats are benches with backs, similar to church pews.

EVENT B: BEST OF NASHVILLE CITY TOUR
Saturday, October 23rd (9:00am-2:00pm)
This is not your typical, routine city tour, but an entertaining look at all the sights that make up Nashville. Enjoy a driving tour of the landmarks of the city including Historic Downtown, Fort Nashborough, the State Capitol, the Parthenon and Music Row. The tour includes some of the homes and recording studios of celebrity stars of television and radio. You’ll also have time downtown to explore and have lunch on your own. Bring your camera and comfortable shoes. This will be a great day!

BANQUET DINNER:
Saturday, October 23rd (7:00pm at Hotel)
Join all of your friends for your Banquet Dinner at the Hotel. Dinner will be served at 7:00pm. Please make your entrée selection on the reservation form.

OPTIONAL TOUR CANCELLATION INSURANCE:
Protect yourself from unforeseen expenses caused by sickness, injury or any other causes that impact your travel plans. This insurance enables a refund of Tour & Banquet expenses up until three (3) days before the start of your reunion. If you need to cancel – please call our office immediately (817-251-3551) for a cancellation number. If you have not purchased cancellation insurance all tour and meal money is non-refundable 6 weeks prior to the reunion.

Important Reunion Notes:
~ Tours may be cancelled if a minimum of 30 people per bus is not met. In this case, full refunds will be given.
~ Please understand that a certain amount of walking is necessary from the bus to attractions and in some
instances, to also see the attractions. Please consider your abilities before purchasing tours.
~ Be sure to bring photo identification (like a driver’s license) on all events.
~ All tour times are subject to change. A final itinerary is available at registration

Tour reservations are contained in a PDF file that will be emailed or faxed to you by Dick Braun at dbraun at msbservices . com upon request

Another great auction will be held Saturday evening at the banquet; and, the valuable item you bring does not have to be Naval related item! (I hope a shipmate brings an original J-38 key!)

The Hospitality Room opens on Thursday. There will be a $25 charge PER PERSON for the cost of the hospitality room and all the "GOODIES."
Please send your check to:

Joseph Basso, 16 Edgemere Drive, Matawan, NJ 07747

or

John Thomas, 2632 Oak Leaf Circle, Helena, AL 35022

Joe Basso can be reached at jomapakg032 [at] verizon.net

Best Regards to All and See Ya in Nashville!

Charles

Sick List

Greetings Altair Crew. I received the following email from Dick Stader who wanted me to pass the info about the "Altair Sick List."

"Charles, just thought I would send you this information that I got yesterday on Dave Poland; his daughter called me yesterday to let me know that he (Dave) was having some chest pain on Tuesday, 5 Jan., and so she took him to the hospital to have him checked out; and he is there now with four heart blockages waiting to have bypass surgery next Wednesday 13 Jan. I talked to him last night and he says he is doing fine and feeling no more pain; but, because he takes Plavix, they need to wait a week before they can do surgery. His phone number is 757-388-8471 (repeating 757-388-8471) at the hospital in case any shipmate would like to give him a call; I am sure he would enjoy hearing from any of our shipmates.

Best Regards to you and Lillie.

Dick"

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

December 2009 by Charles Brecheisen

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

FINANCES: The beginning December cash balance was $1136.15; the beginning December saving account balance was $3822.71. There was no income nor expenses leaving a total balance of $4958.86.

DUES: There were 83 dues paying shipmates in 2009. THANK YOU! Dues are $10 per year and due again for 2010 sent to me. Thank you again!

SHIPMATES: There are 462 Altair Shipmates!!!! Let's get more!!!

SHIPMATES PASSING: The following shipmates passed:

Perry Charles Hahn, EM3, 1963-1965; Passed November 20, 2009

Gerald (Jerry) Pelton, DP3, 1967-1968; Passed January 21, 2003

Allen D. Post, MMC, 1962-1964; Passed October 18, 2009

Our condolences to their families.

All for now. If you have any questions or comments, please reply to cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Let's all have a Blessed, Happy, Healthy and a prosperous 2010!

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

November 2009 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Crew.

ALTAIR BRANSON REUNION: Shipmates are still talking about the wonderful reunion in Branson, MO. Dick Stader and his crew did a superb job!

ALTAIR SHIPMATES: Please welcome aboard JJ Kennedy, SN, 1962-62, Bergenfield, NJ

ALTAIR SHIPMATE PASSING: Tom Planes informed me of the passing of Allen D. Post, MMC 1962-1964. Shipmate post passed Oct. 18 due to cancer. Our condolences to the Post family. The Post family can be reached at:

Allen D. Post Family
315 30th. Avenue West, Apt. B-303
Bradenton, FL 34205

FINANCES: The beginning cash balance was $1136.15 and the savings balance was $1820.99 for a total of $2957.14. There was no income from dues. The total income from the donations for the Hospitality Room and the Auction was $2965.00. Total Reunion expenses were $963.28. The income balance (receipts minus expenses) was $2001.72. This income balance was put into the savings account bringing the savings total to $3822.71. Coupled with the cash on hand, the total Altair monies total $4958.86. If any shipmate would like a detailed accounting of reunion expenses, please contact me at cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL THE SHIPMATES AND THEIR FAMILIES!

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

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

USS Altair Remembered by Tom Planes

She wasn’t much to look at but like most homely ladies she had a heart big as all out doors and a need to be loved. Even on her best days she could never compare in looks with a slick destroyer or a behemoth bird farm but oh my, she was a worker. She could keep up a steady 15 knots and churn along not missing a beat while the sixth fleet came along side to sample her wares. Like back street lovers with a brief kiss from high line to high line and a promise of more to come.

That crew in the early sixties she loved the most they took her from unfit for sea duty to proudly showing the red and white E’s for excellence. With paint, sweat and hours of work even though they cursed her at times their was love in the heart of all who served in her. The old girl showed her appreciation by never letting her boys down and always returning them to Barcelona where she could rest and they could play.

As she sat in the bone yard in Texas awaiting the searing torches that would tear her to pieces. Ripping her right down to her keel where she began. That steel back bone that stood true through thousands of miles of storms, cold and heat. From the battle for Okinawa to her life in the Atlantic and Med she had had a wonderful life and reflected on it.

She recalled the stormy passing through Cape Hatteras in early 60, bobbing around like a cork on a string under tow from a sea going tug. It was embarrassing not to be able to rely on her own turbines to make this trip to the Brooklyn yards. In the yards however she began to renew her strength. CWO Goodson was breathing a new life into her engine room changes in her evaporators meant she would never be with out fresh water. New nozzles in her turbines meant better underway speed control.

The deck apes (funny how she never thought of them as monkeys) they were always so dedicated to their work fighting rust and keeping her top side in ship shape. The electric wenches and all her rigging under their supervision were put in perfect working order. Her store keeps had a place for everything and everything in place mostly.

Then came the sea trial she was a little nervous with a new untried crew heading to Cuba with stops in Jamaica. Her first shakedown in the fifties was to Cuba also. Just before that she had been renamed the Altair. She wondered how many plank owners are still around and how many even remember her. They were a fine group of seamen. She was sure most of this crew would be career sailors.

The shakedown went well the men performed outstanding with their first replenishment drills. Soon she was back in Norfolk awaiting orders to deploy to the Med. When the word was passed to single up and she got underway she virtually trembled with excitement. She was not sure if it was a bad shaft bearing or the crew’s anticipation of liberty in Barcelona. The night before arriving in Spain she knew it was the crew. The entire crew had comedown with channel fever and was wide awake the vibration from all that energy was electric.

While her view of Barcelona was limited from her birth at the pier near Barceloneta she could still see the Ramblas a promenade lined with sycamore trees festooned with flower shops and kiosk where you could buy confections, news papers and perfume. The ever present cry at an Andalucian pitch of the lottery lady “ Para Hoy Equal” brought dreams of riches.

She could smell more of Barcelona than she could see. An off shore breeze sent a bouquet of fragrances that covered the bay like a warm blanket. The pine sent from the crest of Tibidabo mingled with the smell of flower, and the food being cooked along the Ramblas. The perfume worn by the ladies of the night was like the cherry on top of a sundae. She loved being in Barcelona it was a time to relax and repair between logreps.

There was a love affair with Spain that was so deep it lacked explanation. There was so much emotion that flowed within her hull. The heartbreak and anger brought on by a Dear John letter. The joy of announced birth over shadowed with the sadness of not being there. The collective glee of anticipation when the word is passed for liberty or mail call. The explosive anger with shouts and sometimes blows when a shipmate is caught stealing or a line was crossed that started as a joke but ended with fury and blood.

As much as she loved Barcelona she loved the open sea more. Supplying the sixth fleet was her job and her heart was quickened by it. To be out there steaming true in her little corner of the world, the Mediterranean. This is what she was built for and yearned to do. To hear the whine of the electric wenches and the shout of the deck crews as they send net after net of cargo to what ever Romeo ship came along side. The roar of the Sikorski and smell of spent aviation fuel at her flight deck. She recalled how skilled the pilots were off loading lading to other ships in the fleet. She was the first to try this form of resupply and met the challenge with open arms.

"Old Sailors" received from Jim Braydon author unknown

Old sailors sit and chew the fat 'bout how things use to be, of the things they've seen and places they've been, when they ventured out to sea.

They remember friends from long ago and the times they had back then, of the money they've spilled and the beer they've swilled in their days as sailing men.

Their lives are lived in days gone by with thoughts that forever last, of Dixie cups hats and bell bottom blues, and the good times in their past.

They recall long nights with a moon so bright far out on a lonely sea, and thoughts they had as youthful lads, when their lives were unbridled and free.

They know so well how their hearts would swell when the flag fluttered proud and free, and the stars and stripes made such beautiful sights as they plowed through an angry sea.

They talk of the bread Ole Cookie would bake and the shrill of the boson's pipe, and how the salt spray fell like sparks out of hell when a storm struck in the night.

They remember mates already gone who forever hold a spot in the stories of old when sailors were bold and lubbers a pitiful lot.

They rode their ships through many a storm when the sea was showing it's might, and the mighty waves might be digging their graves as they sailed on through the night.

They speak of nights in a bawdy house somewhere on a foreign shore, and the beer they'd downed as they gathered around cracking jokes with a busty whore.

Their sailing days are gone away, never more will they cross the brow, but they have no regrets for they know they've been blessed 'cause they honored their sacred vow.

Their numbers grow less with each passing day as their chits in this life are called, but they've nothing to lose for they've paid their dues and they'll sail with their shipmates again.

I've heard them say before getting underway that there is still some sailing to do, and they'll exclaim with a grin that their ship has come in, and the Lord is commanding the crew.

All Hands USS Altair AKS 32

From: 2009 Reunion Chairman
Subj: Veterans Day Message

I waited until today to send this out and Charles I hope I am not asking too much of you to forward it on for me today on this day set aside for all of us Veterans. I want to say thank you to all of you out there, both Shipmates and wives/girl friends and invited guest who came to Branson and celebrated another years reunion and harmony and unity, and to tell you that it was my great pleasure to serve as chairman for this years reunion, and to see each and every one of my old shipmates and wives and friends and to get to spend some time together with you, brought me a great amount of joy and I look forward eagerly to next years reunion in Nashville, where we can once again enjoy the camaraderie of old friends and shipmates. HAPPY VETERANS DAY TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, and may you always have FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS. On another note I want to tell you that all that in the November Issue of the FRA magazine, there is a guy looking for crew members from the USS Marias, Aucilla and Altair who is working on a book about all of us stationed in or visited Barcelona from 1951 through 1987 and willing to share your recollections of life aboard ship, impressions of Barcelona, or related photos. If you are contact Xavier Theros at xavier.theros@gmail.com

I have not contacted him yet but I plan on it. Once again, Happy Veterans Day To All.

Dick Stader