*Got the book today!  He has some amazing resources within it, and I've already highlighted many to ask him about.  I believe I will have a better picture of the events leading up to the loss of Strong, and just a better understanding of what led to the engagements around New Georgia Island in general.  Back soon with a more complete review!

Hello all,

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!  Right before the holiday, I learned about a new book that has details on the Battle of the Kula Gulf and the fate of the USS Helena.  The best thing about this though, is that the author also researched the fate of Strong and has covered this in the book.  An email buddy, a man who survived the sinking of Helena and was present in the gulf the night Strong went down sent me an email about this new book.  For kicks and giggles, here's the Amazon.com link for you:http://www.amazon.com/Sunk-Kula-Gulf-Incredible-Survivors/dp/1597978396/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353705259&sr=1-3&keywords=john+j.+domagalski

The title of the book is Sunk in Kula Gulf by John J. Domagalski.  I've included the book on the Navy Links and Research page with the ISBN for you to locate the book for yourself.  I purchased a copy, and am still waiting for it to come, but I also found contact information for Mr. Domagalski.  Since I get a kick out of locating people who will be awesome resources, I sent him an email and he was kind enough to respond.  After the holidays there may be an opportunity for him to share information with me regarding his research on Strong at the National Archives.  Since it's difficult for me to get to D.C. any time soon, anything I can learn from someone who has been there will be so helpful. 

After I get the book, I plan to post a review, especially if he's found any really interesting stuff that I have not seen or shared before.  I look forward to getting my hands on it any day now!

Tammi

Today is Veteran’s Day, the official holiday set for tomorrow the 12th.  I wanted to talk a bit about the history of the day, and I will.  But a friend on Facebook had something really special to say today, and I just have to address it.

The whole reason I started this web site is to honor my great-uncle Billy, a young man I never knew and who died way before he had the chance to make a major impact on the world.  As it is, in the short 24 years he was given, he managed to make impressions on people that persist today.

When Billy graduated from Transylvania University in 1940, he spent the better part of the next two years teaching, some at his former school in Mount Sterling.  One of his students was Betty Tipton, now in her 80’s and going strong.  Betty told me a story once about a spelling bee she participated in back in March of 1941.  Betty had worked hard to learn her words, and Mr. Hedrick spent extra time after school working with her to help her get them right.  The spelling bee took place, and Betty came in first.  To this day, she still has the certificate signed by Billy, and considers it a treasure.

Betty’s family plot at Machpelah Cemetery in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, is near the Hedrick family plot.  When I met her the first time, she told me that she visits her family plots often, and when she does she never fails to say “hello” and acknowledge the Hedrick family stone which bears a plaque honoring Billy and his service on the USS Strong DD 467.  His remains are not there, but nevertheless, she feels honored to have known him and has never forgotten the person he was.  Her niece, Mary Treadway, says this:
“Tammi a special memory of your Uncle Billy Hedrick or Mr. Hedrick on Veterans Day as my aunt Betty will always call him. We stopped by to say "hi" to him today while at his resting place.”

 There’s not too much else you can do to compliment the memory of a special person, than to continue to acknowledge their life and their legacy over time.  Sharing that story with me means something. 

Woodrow Wilson sponsored the first Armistice Day honoring the sacrifices of men who served in WWI on November 11, 1919, saying:
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

May 13, 1938 the day became a legal holiday, dedicated to the cause of world peace.  In 1945, a WW2 veteran named Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama suggested the day ought to honor all war veterans, and not just those from WWI.  President Eisenhower supported this idea, and the very first holiday dedicated to all vets was in 1947.  It took until May 26, 1954 before Congress finally made it law.  By June 1st, they had decided to change it from Armistice Day officially to Veteran’s Day.

I know most of you don’t need to be reminded of what this day is about.  You are veterans or the family of men and women who served in at least one, but sometimes more of the modern day wars and conflicts.  But other family members and friends may need a little prodding to understand that the day is for more than pre-Christmas sales and sleeping late.  They lack your unique perspective and experience on the reason for the day.  They will never see or share your memories of the time you served.  Others will never see what you saw, feel what you felt or live with the physical and emotional scars from your time at war.  And I know you would never wish this on them, but remind them anyway.  We take far too much for granted in this country.  Our loved ones should not be reduced to a commodity of war, and forgotten over time. 

So thank you Dad, Billy, Uncle John, Cousins Patrick and Mike, Uncle Gano, Aunt Stella and all of my relatives and ancestors who put their lives and hearts on the line.  There are really no words worthy enough. 

Thanks again to hubby Greg for his input on the content of this blog.  See, I listen to you.  :o)

Tammi

  Tuesday November 7th is election day. We'll choose the leader, the man, the President who should best represent our needs over the coming four years. This is a privilege I've never taken for granted, even if some times it seems as if there isn't anyone competent enough to carry it off. What one person, what one ideal can serve the needs of all the diverse populations in this country? But I have to believe they do the best they can under the circumstances they are left with. I truly believe in “we the people”, we ARE the government. The officials we elect are put there to represent US, not themselves. We the people, in voting, need to do our best to put good people in office.

As I said, voting is a privilege, one guaranteed to us by the men and women who have fought over hundreds of years to secure this privilege for us. Men and women who have served in everything from the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI and WW2 – and up to the conflicts overseas that still exist today. Without their sacrifices, without their courage and resilience, we might be in a very different situation here. Every man and woman who suffers from post traumatic stress, life altering injuries, every person lost to a battle, major or minor – these people are the reason we go to the polling stations and do our duty to our people and our country. I first voted at age 18, and have missed one local election since then. I firmly feel that if you don't vote then you abdicate your voice, you lose your right to criticize if you are not part of the process. This is something I've always tried to teach my children and to represent by my actions. Many of our fellow citizens may be severely affected by Hurricane Sandy, and have difficulty getting to the polls. I hope their communities can help make it possible for them to get out and cast their vote.

Just for fun, I thought I'd add a few more lines from Captain Wellings letters written about this time in 1942, per the suggestion of my husband Greg. This time 70 years ago, the ship had just gotten back from their shakedown cruise to northern Africa. On October 25th, he writes to his wife Dolly:

“The men know one another and we have developed some real ship spirit.....This trip has been the best of all shakedowns and we are ready for a frolic or a fray.”

November 10th, 1942 he says while in port in Brooklyn, NY:

“Well, here I am still in the big city. I thought the best destroyer in the Navy would be underway by now on its next assignment, but we are still practicing and I suppose awaiting orders. …..I feel certain that I will remain in the Atlantic for awhile after listening and reading the news about Africa....Don't worry about me or my ship. We can more than take care of ourselves. I have every confidence in our ability to uphold our good name.”

The captain had ultimate confidence in his men and their abilities. Until that torpedo found them, they were living up to his ideal. Remember them on Tuesday as you cast your vote.

Tammi