Subj:	FW: A Revolting Development
Date:	4/28/07 6:29:39 PM Central Daylight Time
From:	jnjheld@msn.com
To:	jnjheld@msn.com
Sent from the Internet

From: "Howard McConnell" <hmmccon@earthlink.net Reply-To: hmmccon@earthlink.net To: "JUDY HELD" <jnjheld@msn.com Subject: A Revolting Development Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2007 06:58:36 -0400 The following article appeared in the Jacksonville newspaper: **************************************************************** "Who Shot The Albatross?" `God save thee, ancient Mariner ! From the fiends, that plague thee thus !-- Why look'st thou so ?'--With my cross-bow I shot the ALBATROSS. And I had done an hellish thing, And it would work 'em woe : For all averred, I had killed the bird That made the breeze to blow. "Fall my pupils My cherry blossoms, Just as I will fall In the service of our land." ~ Lieutenant Yukio Seki "Kamikaze" .. The Of The Sea The Flowers Of The Sea Era Photos - LSM 45 Camp Lejune, NC August 2006 April 27, 2007 - 12:00AM Historic vessel's forever was only three years TIMMI TOLER DAILY NEWS STAFF She isn't easy on the eyes. She doesn't have the regal air and stretch of a battleship or the commanding girth of an aircraft carrier. She's boxy and basic. She was built to haul, supply and carry. But she did her job - and did it well. On July 31, 2004, the LSM-45 was docked at TLZ-Bluebird aboard Camp Lejeune. She sat sturdy with a fresh coat of gray paint and her colors flying as she waited for visitors. People came from all over the country for a special ceremony transferring the title of the LSM-45 to the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas. A crowd of about 300 gathered under sunny, humid skies. Most of the folks were World War II veterans who had served on ships like her. They were anxious to go on board. Many of them had followed her 30-day journey from Freedom Park in Omaha, Neb., to the North Carolina coast. The 3,000-mile voyage was a monumental endeavor in coordination, communication and the pure grace of God. I had been covering the LSM-45 for several months for the paper. I was there to do a story and to see her officially become the largest piece of memorabilia in the museum's collection. Commissioned on July 31, 1944, the LSM-45 was one of about 500 the Navy constructed specifically for use along the Pacific Islands during World War. The flat-bottom design was ideal for loading cargo and supplies in shallow waters. After the war, the Navy had little use for the LSMs. Some were destroyed, others were loaned to foreign countries. It was as if the Navy wasn't sure what to do with them. One veteran I interviewed had a theory about that. "Honestly, I don't think (the Navy) thought the ships were going to come back," said Dave Miller, president of the LSM-LSMR Association. "They were loaded down with 17 and 18 year olds headed into a very bloody war." Those who served aboard landing ships said they were part of a "forgotten" or "throw away" Navy. "(The LSMs) had over 40,000 sailors aboard them, but there's nothing in the history books about us," Miller said. It's true. Accounts of their service are hard to find - the history they helped make passed them by. So, they formed groups dedicated to preserving their role in the fight for freedom. Even now, a Google search for "LSM-45" reveals little. What information is available is courtesy of Web sites like Miller's. The LSM-LSMR Association spearheaded saving the LSM-45. The ship had become part of the Greek Navy and was renamed "Ipopliarchos Grigoropoulos," after a Greek lieutenant who was killed in 1943. It was used as a government transport for 40 years. The association found the deteriorating vessel in 1998. They raised funds and, with Greece's cooperation, took ownership of the craft. They brought her home, cleaned her up and donated her to Freedom Park. But after years of neglect, the group wanted the ship to have a better home. They were promised that home would be the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas - now called the Museum of the Marine. They made the arrangements, footed the $500,000 bill to move the ship here and handed over the title on that hot, July day. "The Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas will take care of the ship and put it in a place where it can be protected forever," the museum director said at the time. It seems forever has turned out to be a bit subjective. The museum's new plans don't include the LSM-45 still sitting where it was docked three years ago. And the museum's new director recently told The Daily News that "We have no plans to use the ship as part of the museum itself. It's an expensive option." Needless to say, Miller's group is worried. Personally, I think they should be outraged. Not only did they go to great expense to get the ship here, but they've donated an extra $36,000 and are holding fund drives to help with the ship's upkeep. And what makes this whole situation even sadder is that she's the only one left. There is no other landing ship medium still configured for its original purpose than the LSM-45. But instead of being treated like the jewel she is, the Museum of the Marine has let her sit in base waters while they contemplate her fate by shrugging their shoulders. Reading through the stories I wrote three years ago, a poignant quote by Miller stands out: "This is our last chance to preserve this history. If this museum doesn't survive, then nothing about our history is going to survive." The LSM-45 helped win a war. She helped save lives. And the reason hundreds of people came out to that ceremony three years ago was the same reason she was sent here to begin with. To be honored. Timmi Toler is a staff writer at The Daily News. Contact her at ttoler@freedomenc.com, 353-1171, ext. 220 or visit her blog at ttoler.encblogs.com. Howard McConnell hmmccon@earthlink.net

"Lest We Forget"

Amphibious Ships Museum donates LSM

Story by Lance Cpl. Matthew K. Hacker A 60-year-old Landing Ship-Medium 45 was donated from the Amphibious Ships Museum to the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas July 31, 2004, during a transfer ceremony at Mile Hammock Bay here. Marines, retired veterans, government officials and family members gathered to witness the massive ship on its 60th birthday and to support the donation to the museum. Retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Joe Houle, executive director of the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas, and Senator Cecil Hargett of the North Carolina State Senate, welcomed the guests and said a few words about the donation. Hargett helped raise $1.5 million through fundraisers, benefits and grants to donate to the museum to help with the costs of its construction as well. I may never again have an accomplishment that gives me the pride and the self-satisfaction that I have derived from helping to procure the one-and-a-half million dollars for the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas, said Hargett. A few other key speakers approached the podium to address the viewers as well. Congressman Walter Jones of the U.S. Congress, Rolf Illsley, founder and benefactor of the Amphibious Ships Museum, and retired Marine Maj. Gen. Ray Smith, the president of the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas. I want to say to all the veterans and members of the LSM/LSM Reserve Association, so they understand that we will hold the title of the LSM 45, but so long as you live, this will remain your ship, said Smith. In addition to the money provided by the state, the president of the LSM/LSMR presented a check for nearly $36,000 to Smith as a donation for the museum. This donation will definitely help us to create a better experience at the museum, said Smith. We want this museum to accredit the Marines for all they’ve done for our country in the name of freedom. After the speakers finished with their presentations and the donations were all handed out, the 2d Marine Air Wing Band of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., played patriotic songs to exemplify the men and women who were there and served in the past, those serving now and those who will serve in the future. Before the dedication ended, the guests were asked to come aboard the ship to view for themselves the youth and beauty the great ship still maintained. Overall, the new museum will begin construction as soon as the funds are made. The exhibits and murals, which will be featured in the museum, will be as truthful and as accurate to the actual events as possible. The management feels this will bring back to Jacksonville the things people need to know about the Marine Corps, and will allow them to witness its affects first hand. Only time will tell whether the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas will provide the economic boost and tourism dollars that we anticipate and hope for, but there can be no doubt that the museum will be an appropriate way to honor our Marines and sailors who have served our country so honorably, said Hargett. "Enjoy .. For only Time will tell were the River Flows and the LSM 45 Goes." We took these Photos of LSM 45 in Freedom Park, Omaha, NE. Enjoy The Photos ~ Bill & Mary Kneebone

"Once Upon A Time In America"
The Ship Of Our Fathers

"Dance Of The Sea"
Phillipe Alexandre Belislie

"Our Childhood Heroes Speak Out"

"The Forked Tongue"

Jukebox
"The Lone Ranger"

Lonesome Polecat & Hairless Joe

Hairless Joe: What do you think Lonesome Polecat. Lonesome Polecat: Make it a Little Stronger for the Museum's LSM 45 Dedication.

Two more former LSM'ers discussing the LSM 45 situation over cocktails.