This was my second year attending the memorial service for veterans here.  I plan to make it an every year event.  When you are there, it feels right as if this is where you were meant to be at this moment in time paying homage to family who served and people you have never met who put their lives on the line for you.  It was a sunny, cool and beautiful day to honor these men and women.  Our keynote speaker was our Mayor Jim Gray.  Jim spoke about his father who was a PT boat pilot in the Pacific just after WWII.  As a young boy, the elder Gray allowed his son to believe he was right there fighting with his father, even though he had yet to be born.  These stories gave him great joy as a youngster as he imagined the life his father lead while serving in the Navy.  Gray ended his talk by quoting a portion of the Gettysburg Address, which seemed so fitting since my husband and I just returned from visiting the town and battlefield.  Here below is the entire text as it appears on a plaque in the cemetery:

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great Civil War, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.  We are met on a great battlefield of that war.  We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.  It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate- we can not hallow this ground.  The brave men, living and dead who struggled here, have consecrated it.  Far above our poor power to add or detract.  The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.  it is for us the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.  It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

To all of you who have visited the site and who have had family in conflicts from the Revolutionary War to present times, I salute you and wish you the best of Memorial Days. 

Tammi

In checking the USS Strong DD 467/758 site today, I see the venue has been chosen!  Details and reservation forms can be found here:  http://www.uss-strong.com/1reunions.htm

We will be meeting at the Holiday Inn at 7813 North Davis Highway in Pensacola.  It's not on the beach, but we're just a few miles north of the Gulf and west of Escambia Bay.  Check the link above for downloading reservation forms and for who to send checks to. 

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there!  There will be much to discuss this time around, and lots of wonderful people to meet. 

Tammi

Early in May, Strong along with DESRON 21 and some other companion vessels went through the Blackett Strait southeast of
Kolombangara Island laying mines.  The Japanese Vila Express had been using the strait to resupply their troops in the Kula Gulf area.  These mine laying efforts were somewhat successful, bringing down a few Japanese ships, and crippling others. The allies, alerted by the Australian coast watchers, would send out planes the next day to finish off any crippled ships.  The next mine laying operation would take place near Kolombongara, the coast of which the allies predicted the enemy would use as an alternate route for transport.  On the evening of May 13th and 14th, Strong was again involved in laying mines in the waters off shore of Kolombangara.  Some of the escort ships themselves had difficulties, such as a turret explosion aboard the Nashville, St. Louis lost an anchor and it punched a hole in the bow and Strong lost steering capacity for a while.  Japanese mine sweepers cleared this area before it could do much damage to their ships, however.  Seems there was a lot of playing cat and mouse among the participants in the Pacific version of this war and we're just lucky in the end that we were the cat.  

During this time, Gus kept up the easy and carefree banter in his letters home.  He could not tell his wife of their activities or the danger involved.  His brother Al was a frequent companion, and I can imagine for anyone far from home having family nearby was a comfort that most didn't enjoy.  Gus was a truly fortunate man in that respect.  Just a few excerpts from his letters around this time:

May 4th, 1943
 “There has been no mail the past few days but I cannot complain because my darling has been very sweet about writing and after all it is too much to expect daily mail in the Pacific.  We have a lot of fun kidding about mail.  Donald & Grimes plus Curran are the leaders now that Doctor Laughlin has left. However I come a very close second.  I therefore think I am very fortunate because two of them have still to catch their girls and the other is a newlywed – although a prospective father.  

Al has been aboard each night for dinner and the movies.  It surely is good to see him again.  He has a big job starting another
unit up here but he loves it.  The rascal is getting fat on it.  Incidentally your little boy is on a diet to reduce at least 5-7 lbs. 
 
My cold is much better.  I really believe I had a touch of the flu.  I am still taking things easy and will continue to do so for another week or so.  Did I tell you the doctor prescribed whiskey – Sooo – I had a pint of scotch in my medicine cabinet and I had a “tot”
before lunch and dinner. It seemed so funny to be drinking aboard ship – Also quite a few times I forgot to take my “tot” - can you imagine it.”

May 8th
 “All is well here in the Pacific.  Perhaps things are too quiet.  We have (had) considerable discussions aboard ship trying to
figure out the grand strategy.  I honestly believe that the European and African theater will continue to be the primary front.  Todays' reports indicate that the final drive for Bizerte and Tunis has started.  We will have to push the axis out of Africa before we can start anywhere else.  Apparently we have enough equipment and men to do the job.  My guess is that this operation should be completed by the end of May at the latest.  After Africa??  We will have to do something in Europe this summer.  Just where is anyone's guess.  Italy would fold up quickly – if the Germans were not too strong in Italy.  Turkey seems to
be more friendly recently.  If they could be persuaded to come in on our side, a drive up through the Balkans would seem an ideal move.  Oh well – Lets leave these questions to the experts.”

May 16th
 “Today is Sunday and we are in port.  This morning I went to mass on board the Relief and afterwards had coffee with
Pete Moncy – who is captain of the Relief.  He is the same old Pete – Remember the officer whose ship was across from the Strong when we were commissioned.  

Tomorrow morning I am going outside for a little target practice and Pete is coming with us to see if all the news he hears about
these new destroyers is true.  I hope my boys have a good day because I want Pete & Al, if he can come to see a darn good shooting team in action even if it is target practice.

I am sorry that I have not written so often the last few days.  We were a little busy – no not any shooting – Although we were
looking for trouble which did not develop.  I promise to make up for lost time during the next few days.”

 May 17
 “Well my pet, all is well again in the Strong –  We received our first mail for ten days.  I received four letters from the
sweetest of all girls – No 21-24.  No. 24 was dated 5 May.  Gosh what a difference to me and my officers and the arrival of mail has on morale.  Mail is the only thing we have to look forward to – except an occasional trip to the club for an hour or two when we are in part and not attending conferences, fueling, getting supplies etc.  It seems I spend half my time in port attending
conferences or visiting.

First of all about this so called victory.  I don't know (?) where you got the information but please don't spread it around
in the first place.  I could deny any you may have heard, but I believe you will be happy to know that we were lucky and did a good job in very short order without any trouble to the ship or crew.  However we are far from heroes and
still have a lot to learn. Incidentally I don't know how much you know but please keep it quiet.  This (is) supposed to be confidential and will not be published.  We all had a thrill and it did my ship a lot of good.  The Strong is a good ship but I am not boasting.  Old lady luck plays an important part.  I still play the old percentage game and feel that it is on our side with great
odds (in our favor) that all will continue to be well.

Now in regards to my letters about swimming etc. they are the truth and I am not trying to deceive you.  We do roam around in
areas that are potentially dangerous but we also have periods in port when all is quiet and serene with visits to other ships, the club and movies under a tropical sky and moon to entertain us at night.  We actually have seen very little shooting.  Of course the mental strain is always present underway and once in awhile we do get tired from lack of sleep.  However I still adhere to
taking things easy.  Fred continues to run my ship with me setting the policy and the “executive” decisions.”

And later in the day, another letter with rememberances of the doctor who had just left the ship for other duties, and
more mention of brother Al:

 “I am happy that Dr. Laughlin remembered to call you on the phone, even though I gave him the money to make the call.  He surely was glad to get away and I suppose you can't blame him.  His relief came aboard about an hour before we were due to sail on a special operation.  I told the Dr. (Laughlin) that I would keep him aboard until after the trip in order to break
the new Dr. (Horne) in with destroyer work.  The Dr. took it like a good sport although I know he was anxious to get away.   This was the trip in which we had a little excitement.  When we returned to port the Dr. said he would not have missed the trip for the world.  I did give him a letter of commendation because I felt as though he did an excellent job and should be rewarded (I don't mean on the trip because no one was even scratched).
 
Al is rapidly getting settled here at our base.  He has some wonderful stories about getting his outfit organized in this area. 
He comes over all the time.  He stayed so late (2400) the other night that I put him up on board, gave him a good breakfast and sent him on his way.  It surely is fun having him around.” 

They're in port for a while, catching some rest and hanging out at the beach.  With the coming actions, these are the times of
rest and restlessness on the part of the men.  There was little danger in port, but too much down time to suit them. They were either in the thick of it, or had too much time on their hands.  

Tammi


 

We just got back from a week in Gettysburg and soaking up a little Civil War history.  Being in a place where history shed in the blood, sweat and tears of men is literally soaked into the soil is indescribable.  I imagine it must be the same at any battlefield anywhere in time, anywhere in the world including gulfs, bays and coves of island chains in the south Pacific.  To have the experience of being on a boat in the Kula Gulf where so much violence and tragedy occurred – it could be one of the few times in my life that I'll be rendered speechless.   


 

Just because I took 260 photos of the battlefield and monuments, I thought it might be nice to include one, so enjoy.  I have more on Facebook and if anyone wants to see them just contact me for the link or friend me.   

Things with the project have been quiet for a while, but there has been some recent and encouraging “activity”, so to speak.  Some spikes in hits on the website had me happily flummoxed and I believe now I know the cause of said spikes.  At present I can't reveal anything at the risk of having to eat my words or back track later if nothing happens.  I can just say that an email received over the weekend gives me hope that something amazing may be in the works.  It would be an honor to reveal awesome news here on the blog, and I have my fingers crossed that the chance for this will come.  Some very accomplished people have taken this project to heart, and I can't express enough how much this means to me.  In time, I hope all of this proves fruitful for them and is worth the time and effort they have invested.   

In early May of 1943, Gus Wellings was mostly recovered from a bout of the tropical flu that had his men down and out.  He also got a very nice surprise.  He was fortunate enough that one of his brothers was stationed on an island nearby, and for the first time he was able to pay a visit to the ship and spend some time together:

 “Sweetheart:
This afternoon I was sleeping peacefully when I heard a loud voice “Get up, do you want to sleep all day” 
opening one eye slowly then both eyes widely here was Al.  He had just flown in from his base on an inspection trip which may last quite some time.  Needless to say a huge session began immediately over two cups of coffee.  The time was 1545.  He stayed until after dinner – raining so no movies on deck – and then returned to the tender where he will make his headquarters.

 It was the first time I had seen him since the Strong passed through his home port on the way out here. I just
didn't have any luck getting the ship down his way.  He looks grand - putting on extra weight.  I sent to sick bay and got our bathroom scales after we plus Fred had a discussion of weight.  I told them our scales were wrong because I weigh
myself when I had my cold.  However they both swore the scales were right after weighing themselves.  Al weighed 192 in uniform with heavy Army shoes, Fred 144 and your little thin ….....(bottom of page cut off) 180 lbs.  Boy oh boy!  I
immediately decided to go on a diet of course.  I have had no exercise the past week but one doesn't put on 10 lbs in a week.  Guess I will have to start working.  It wasn't beer because I haven't been to the club for ten days.  Sooo
– I am on a diet and no fooling.”

Al was able to hang around for a couple of days in this May 4th letter, as Gus laments his weight:

“Al has been aboard each night for dinner and the movies.  It surely is good to see him again.  He has a big job
starting another unit up here but he loves it.  The rascal is getting fat on it.  Incidentally your little boy is on a diet to reduce at least 5-7 lbs. “

Al's being close by becomes important to Gus as July grows near.  When you are sick or wounded it's nice to
have family around.

Tammi