status of the Association's historical archive

From: "dkmiller" dkmiller@zoominternet.net To: debronranch@comcast.net Cc: "Judy Held" jnjheld@msm.com WKinney@carolina.rr.com "T. D. BURNS" TDBURNS624661133@aol.com "Last Patrol" Lastpatrol@aol.com "LARRY GLASER Sr" labetco@verizon.net "JAMES TUSING" jamestusing@cox.net "Chuck Kramer" secondwavechuck@hotmail.com Subject: Re: Re: USS LSM 45 and Association Archives Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:41:49 -0500 Dear Ron. Thanks for your e-mail. If you do not have any artifacts you more or less do not need any one to take care of them. When the ship was moved to Jacksonville all the history and plaques were pack up by Judy Held and her group that went to Omaha with a truck and brought them all back to Jacksonville for storage, to placed on the ship when it got to the museum, that the Marines were going to build. As you know this never happened, and they are still the property of the Marine group. There has been talk that when the ship is moved to Port Clinton all the artifacts were part of the deal and would be taken care of at that point in time. As far as I know the deal for Port Clinton is still on hold. When and if it ever happens we then will have to worry about the items that are to be placed on the ship. If the ship is never moved then we would have to look for a storage facility or a place were they could be displayed. At that time a decision would have to made on who would take care of them and where they would be placed on display. The tone of your letter makes it look like we do not care what happens to them, but it still is a waiting game. and we are running out of time. I have no problem with someone who is related to one of our veterans to be a historian. It would take a person who would care enough to take the trouble and time after most of us veterans have passed on,to have a museum to keep the history of the LSM-LSMR alive. Thanks for the interest to do this work. I will bring it up to the board members at our next meeting. Thanks David K Miller ----- Original Message ----- From: debronranch@comcast.net To: dkmiller@zoominternet.net Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 2:11 PM Subject: FW: Re: USS LSM 45 and Association Archives Dear President Miller: I wish to inquire about the absence of a Historian with the USS LSM-LSMR Association; and about the status of the Association's historical archive. First, the USS LSM-LSMR Association is unique among veteran's associations in lacking a Historian (at least since the time that Mr. Rolf Illsley stepped aside, to my recollection). Could you please advise me whether this absent position has been or is being addressed by the board of directors? (As an aside, I would be honored to apply for the Association's Historian position, but my understanding is that current Association by-laws prohibit non-LSM veterans from serving. Nevertheless, other veteran's associations have addressed and resolved this very problem, for instance, the USS LCS(L)(3)-1 to -120 Association, whose Historian, Mr. Robin Rielly, is a former Marine who served in Vietnam yet whose father served in WW2 aboard an LCS). Second, Mr. Ken Roberts expressed concerns to me about the custody and integrity of the Association's archives, that is, documents, photographs and memorabilia that preserves and honors the history and accomplishments of the LSM-LSMR men and ships. I'm sure you are aware that all veteran's associations, such as the LCS group cited above, maintain archives (for lack of a better term) for and about their respective organizations. Hence, could you please advise me about the status and location of the LSM-LSMR Associations archives? I am also forwarding below an attached email I sent to and reply received from Mrs. Judy Held concerning related questions. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. Please advise me if I can be of any assistance. Most sincerely yours, Ron MacKay, Jr. -------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- From: "JUDY HELD" jnjheld@msn.com To: debronranch@comcast.net Subject: Re: USS LSM 45 and Association Archives Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2008 18:01:51 +0000 Mr. MacKay; In answer to the letter below, I'm not sure just how to answer. Since I don't know exactly what it is you are referring to as "archival records" I can only give you a general answer. That answer is that nearly everything which was aboard the ship in Omaha was removed and trucked to Jacksonville. All of these removed items were located in the Museum offices as of three years ago when the ship was turned over to them. Since anything donated to a museum belongs to that museum, I would have no knowledge of where it might be now. However, I seriously doubt that the folks in Jacksonville would have place the artifacts back on the ship. The Marines are no strangers to security so most items should be OK. Knowing Ken Roberts and his fascination with the General Plans, and making a guess that this is what you are referring to, I would have to admit that I don't remember whether or not they were remo ved in '03 or still remain on board. It is unknown to me whether or not any of the donated artifacts/archives will go with the ship when she moves to Port Clinton. This is between the Marine Museum and the folks in Ohio. The LSM/LSMR association no longer has any claim to them as far as I know. Hope this answers some of your questions. Judy Held ----- Original Message ----- From: debronranch@comcast.net To: jnjheld@msn.com Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 5:35 PM Subject: FW: USS LSM 45 and Association Archives Dear Jack & Judy: My PC is acting up, so I don't know whether my emailing is working. Therefore, I am re-sending my original email to you, and please accept my deepest apologies if you have already received this message. Warmest regards, Ron MacKay, Jr. -------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- From: debronranch@comcast.net To: jnjheld@msn.com Subject: USS LSM 45 and Association Archives Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2008 22:04:46 +0000 Dear Jack and Judy: Mrs. Betty Glaser advised me to contact you regarding the status of the LSM-LSMR Association's archives. (Larry was on the golf course at the time!). I expressed my concerns to Betty about the condition and location of the Association's archival materials after having talked with Mr. Ken Roberts, who thought these items were still aboard the USS LSM 45 in Camp Lejeune. I was truly alarmed at the prospect that such unique, valuable and irreplaceable historical records would be left in the LSM 45, first, because the materials would be subjected to the vicissitudes of moisture and temperature; and second, the ship is tied to a dock along the shoreline, which my brother John visited a few months ago and informed me that anyone can easily climb aboard the ship, hence vandalism poses a potential problem given the ship's relative isolation. I would appreciate any information you may be able to offer Thank you so much. Sincerely, Ron MacKay, Jr. PS: I attached a file with recent photos of USS LSM 45.