A few days ago I discovered a wonderful article on line and shared this email with my list:

"Hello families,
I'm in the process of researching the DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) and their work in particular in the South Pacific right after the war for a future blog. I'm also trying to solve a mystery, but more about that later. In the process of some Google searching I came across a wonderful article. Clay Bonnyman Evans became involved with a man named Mark Noah, founder of a recovery group called History Flights. Noah and his team have for years raised money and volunteers to search for the remains of Marines lost in the islands of the Pacific. Evans became involved due to his desire to locate the remains of his grandfather lost in November 1943 on Betio Island on the Tarawa atoll, Lt. Alexander Bonnyman. From the article: "Though 56-year-old Evans, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, had never met his grandfather, it was his greatest wish to find Bonnyman’s remains and bring him home to the United States." His search effort eventually paid off and resulted in a book that came out this past July, "Bones of my Grandfather: Reclaiming a Lost Hero of WWII". After reading the article, I ordered a copy of the book. 

Just in case some of you might like to do the same, here is the link to this article: https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/battlefield-archaeology-world-war-ii/

FYI, by the end of the article I was nearly in tears. There is much in here that I identify with, and I'm sure it will ring true for many of you." 

Since sending the email I've made contact with Clay. He was happy to have me share the information here on the website and to help promote his book, Bones of My Grandfather. To have the experience on such a personal level as Clay did - that's what I imagine I will feel if given the chance to visit the burial site of my uncle Billy in the Kula Gulf. The emotions will be overwhelming, but it's something I must do. If it's presented to me, I wouldn't miss this opportunity for the world. 

To learn more about Clay and his grandfather visit his website here: https://claybonnymanevans.com/alexander-bonnyman-jr/

To order the book on Amazon, click here: Bones of My Grandfather

Tammi
​

So, to put last week in perspective…….
First, I have to thank the men and women of the USS STRONG Association for another wonderful and well planned week of togetherness, travel, learning new things and meeting new people. We always look forward to what has become a family reunion and appreciate all the hard work that goes into hosting the event. Thank you all so much!

Greg and I arrived Monday with plans to visit D.C. on Tuesday. Monday night we had a very nice dinner with Jim Kelly and his lovely daughter Cathy at Red Lobster near the HUGE mall and casino complex not far from the hotel. Thank you again Jim for your generosity!

We got up Tuesday morning and headed to the train station via the hotel shuttle, bought tickets for the MARC to Metro Centre and two trains (and a confusing ticket buying process) later we exited the train at the intersection of 18th and I Streets at Farragut West. Google Earth says it’s only 0.84 miles from there to the WW2 Memorial, our first destination. In 95 degree heat with a higher heat index and a husband nursing a swollen knee (he was determined to walk it), it felt like much more. The Washington Monument was to our left, but we didn’t go visit there. Photos would have to do. We got some good photos at the WW2 Memorial. This was on my bucket list of things to do because of Billy, and it felt good to be there. Next was to walk past the Reflecting Pool, which upon reflection really needs a good cleaning. Whomever takes care of it is neglecting their duty.

The Lincoln Memorial sits at the end on the east bank of the Potomac River. By the time we got there, we were both hot, hungry and thirsty. Thankfully they have a great but expensive deli just south of the memorial where we took care of 2 of the 3 issues. Next stop, cross the Memorial Bridge and see if we could make it to Arlington National Cemetery.

The way across the bridge was an easy walk (0.75 miles), but again the heat was getting to both of us. Once across, we saw the entrance to Arlington and the visitor’s center at the top of the hill. To our right across the street was the Metro station. At that time the walk up the hill looked daunting. The Metro Station won out and we headed back to Baltimore for a shower and a very nice supper at the hotel restaurant, the Stained Glass Pub.

Wednesday was our visit to Annapolis and the Naval Academy. We were joined on the tour by Annapolis resident and the son of Lt. jg.O. Milton Hackett, Torpedo Officer on the DD467, Jeff Hackett. Jeff, it was so nice to finally meet you! Another beautiful sunny day, again very hot. The group plan was to tour the site by bus and then attend a memorial service for the combined DD758 and DD467 men in the Navy chapel. We were awed and grateful to have been allowed in there. Just a few days prior the nation buried Senator John McCain in the cemetery at Annapolis. Unfortunately we were not able to visit the cemetery. I got some great photos of the stained glass windows and the area near John Paul Jones’ crypt. During the service, it felt as if Billy were there with me and a part of the group. No way I don’t believe that. Lunch was soon after and then got some time to shop in the Visitor’s Center before heading back to Baltimore.

Thursday was our free day and we had been invited to visit with Stephen Harding, author of The Castaway’s War at his office at Historynet in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia. Steve is also the editor of Military History Magazine, one of many put out by Historynet. Andy Hoder provided our transportation and got us there safely. Seeing Steve again after 4 years was wonderful. So much has happened since then related to the book and will happen in the near future. He was able to share some information with us regarding the movie for TCW and the fact that it’s in pre-production right now. Shooting will start right after the first of the year, if not before. Stay tuned for more information as I will share with the group when given permission. This is going to get exciting! Not to mention he also has a film in pre-production for The Last Battle. Steve will be one busy guy! We also met some of his staff, grabbed some free magazines and soon headed back to Baltimore. Thank you Andy for providing the ride and I hope the toll on the short strip of road we were on wasn’t a problem. Oops, damn EZ Pass lanes! Later that afternoon we got on the light rail from the airport and headed downtown to the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Myself, Greg and Andy had supper at the Bubba Gump’s there. Our very first meal together was in Gatlinburg in 2012 at Bubba Gump’s. So, it felt very nostalgic and was quite tasty. Darkness fell and lightening flashed in the sky as we made our way back to the railway station and home to the hotel.

(By the way, anyone from the film company for The Castaway’s War that might read this – I am sincerely open to sharing information that could add to the quality of the script, such as personal accounts from family members of men who were with Miller on the island. Just sayin’, I have stuff to share.)

Friday found us back in Annapolis, this time for a historic tour of the town on foot and then a boat ride on the Severn River. One impressive stop was the State House where George Washington resigned as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. We stood in the very spot where he, in 1783 became just a citizen once more and retired to his home in Mt. Vernon. Jeff Hackett again joined us for the tour, as part of the walking tour went right by his home. His lovely wife Syd was on the porch waving the Maryland flag to greet us as we walked by. Lunch time was at the Middleton Tavern built in 1750, the oldest in Annapolis. Jeff and Syd joined us, with Reuel and Barbara Kaighn. From the boat on the river we passed the campus of the Naval Academy and were treated to information on the history of the city, founded in 1649. Those who live there are truly steeped in history and in a really beautiful little town that retains its character. We would love to have spent more time wandering the streets and plan to revisit one day.

Our last day was Saturday the 8th, with the business meeting and raffle in the morning. We used the afternoon for packing and resting. Around 5:00, Jeff Hackett arrived bringing a box full of his father’s records from the DD467 and we spent the hour before dinner just pulling files and looking at what I might like to have scanned. We almost missed the opening ceremony of 2 Bells because we were engrossed in it all. Just prior to dinner, those of us who represented the families of the DD467 read out the names of the lost in honor of the 75th anniversary of the sinking. The food was tasty and the company lively. The evening wrapped for us with saying good-bye to Jeff and a quick exit to get some sleep before our early flight the next morning.

This year we got home just before the threat of Hurricane Florence became real. We wish those who will be affected by this storm much luck. She’s going to be a real bitch.

Next year, look out Savannah! Can’t wait to see what the next year brings for the project and all the families involved.
​
Tammi

Just a few photos of our day and the beautiful sights. We had a moving memorial service in the chapel, lunch in Dahlgren Hall and then some time to shop and visit. Friday we will be dropped off in downtown historic Annapolis to shop, tour and just enjoy our time here. Also got to meet a "new" DD467 family member, Jeff Hackett. Jeff is the son of Orwall MIlton Hackett, torpedo officer on board STRONG. Milt was a big help to me in putting together some information on my uncle Billy. I'll always be grateful for that!

So hot this week! But the folks are starting to arrive. More later if we don't melt!

​Tammi