Message from the President

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#C0C0C0" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ships Store "><U><B>Ship's Store </B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U><B>Contact Us</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MEMBERSHIP FORM"><U><B>MEMBERSHIP  FORM</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Southerland in the Pacific"><U><B>Southerland in the Pacific</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HISTORICAL TIDBITS"><U><B>HISTORICAL TIDBITS</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Boston 2006 Reunion "><U><B>Boston 2006 Reunion </B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Story of a WestPac Cruse"><U><B>Story of a WestPac Cruse</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="JOIN THE SOUTHERLAND MEMBERS ASSOCIATION"><U><B>JOIN THE SOUTHERLAND MEMBERS ASSOCIATION</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SAN DIEGO 2004 REUNION"><U><B>SAN DIEGO 2004  REUNION</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="REUNION 2002 in Review"><U><B>REUNION 2002 in Review</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="REUNION 2000 "><U><B>REUNION  2000  </B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Reunion 2000 Pictures"><U><B>Reunion 2000  Pictures</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SHIPS ROSTER AH"><U><B>SHIP'S  ROSTER A-H</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SHIPS ROSTER IM "><U><B>SHIP'S ROSTER  I-M </B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SHIPS ROSTER NZ"><U><B>SHIP'S ROSTER N-Z</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id51.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Crews Pics Klein Submission"><U><B>Crews Pics- Klein Submission</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="USS SOUTHERLAND"><U><B>USS SOUTHERLAND</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id49.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MEMORIAL PAGE"><U><B>MEMORIAL  PAGE</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MORE CREWS PHOTOS"><U><B>MORE  CREWS  PHOTOS</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Message from the President</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CREWS PHOTOS"><U><B>CREWS PHOTOS</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="USS Thach Tour Pictures"><U><B>USS Thach- Tour Pictures</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ships History Project"><U><B>Ship's History Project</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News and Notes"><U><B>News and Notes</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MESSAGE FORUM"><U><B>MESSAGE FORUM</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="USS SOUTHERLAND"><U><B>USS  SOUTHERLAND</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mothball pic"><U><B>mothball pic</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sinking Details"><U><B>Sinking Details</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="USS SOUTHERLAND"><U><B>USS SOUTHERLAND</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ship Pictures"><U><B>Ship Pictures</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Suggested Links"><U><B>Suggested Links</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="San Diego Pics 2004 ReUnion"><U><B>San Diego Pics- 2004 ReUnion</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1e3a39e0.jpg" border=0 width="163" height="158" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFCC33" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>USS  SOUTHERLAND</B></FONT>     |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="USS SOUTHERLAND"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> back to  <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="USS SOUTHERLAND"><U><B>USS  SOUTHERLAND</B></U></A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Message from the President</div> <div> (Scroll down to read the entire message)</div> <div> <B>Officers</B></div> <bR> <div> Chairman & Treasurer:</div> <div> John Jones</div> <div>  (402) 431-1661</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:jearlj@cox.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:jearlj@cox.net"><U><U>jearlj@cox.net</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> President:</div> <div> Rick Anderson</div> <div>  (740) 362-6235</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:r.l.anderson@worldnet.att.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:r.l.anderson@worldnet.att.net"><U><U>r.l.Anderson@worldnet.att.net</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Vice President:</div> <div> John Dooley</div> <div> (318) 232-4266</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:doojh@bellsouth.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:doojh@bellsouth.net"><U><U>doojh@bellsouth.net</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Secretary:</div> <div> Tom Bramhall</div> <div> (360)832-6375</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:bramhallthomas@hotmail.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:bramhallthomas@hotmail.com"><U><U>bramhallthomas@hotmail.com</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Ship Historian:</div> <div> Bill Jorgensen</div> <div> 218.927.3903</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:jorgelml@mlecmn.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:jorgelml@mlecmn.net"><U><U>jorgelml@mlecmn.net</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <U>George Chambers</U></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:gjchambers@aol.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:gjchambers@aol.com"><U><U>gjchambers@aol.com</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <U>Dave Riordan</U></div> <div> <U>(582) 694-6080</U></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:davidrio@aol.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:davidrio@aol.com"><U><U>davidrio@aol.com</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <U>Stan Shirey </U></div> <div> <U>(410) 822-6805</U></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:stans@dmv.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:stans@dmv.com"><U><U>stans@dmv.com</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Web Master:</div> <div> Lawrence (Dave) Coates</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:Destroyer743@bellsouth.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:Destroyer743@bellsouth.net"><U><U>Destroyer743@aol.com</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <U>Website</U></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.usssoutherland.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.usssoutherland.com"><U><U>www.usssoutherland.com</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Presidents Message</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Time is drawing close to the Boston Reunion. The Reunion Committee has been working together to make this a great time. We have made arrangements with the Embassy Suites on cost and needed facilities. Tours have been set up for our activities. A DJ has been hired to provide us with dinner music and toe tapping music during the Friday Banquet. Saturday evening New England style dinner, prizes and speeches. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>George Chambers is continuing to work hard to have a draft of the Southerland's history for us by the time we get to Boston. He still needs help from all shipmates that would like to send him information from the different times we all had aboard her. He is seeking information from 1946 through 1950. Anyone aboard her at that time is being asked to contact George to provide input.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>  Penn and Kaye Michelini have taken it upon themselves to update the shipmate's roster. Penn and Kaye were able to visit the Embassy Suites and said it is a real nice facility. Due to State law the usual Managers Reception will not include alcohol drinks. Those wanting a drink can either purchase it from the hotel or bring a bottle with you and keep it in your room.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We all need to work hard to get as many of our shipmates together as possible.  And remember, without you there are no reunions.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>With the coming of the reunion I would like to express my appreciation of those that helped and assisted me over the years as President. It has been a pleasurable and rewarding experience for me. I have enjoyed the freedom to bring some of my ideas (and stolen from others) to build during these reunions. Some have worked and some need a little polishing up.I've enjoyed working with Dave Coates in bringing the Shipmates a great website for all of us to share and hopefully add something to it. With this said, I will now say that due to leading the reunions for the pass four times it is now time for me to step down and pass the torch onto someone else. There comes a time when a person feels they have given it all and a new era of fresh ideas and leadership needs to come into the picture. I have enjoyed the work and the opportunity in meeting all the shipmates and their partners that have come to the reunions. I hope that someone will set up and lead the reunions and continue to make them enjoyable as I have tried. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Bill Jorgensen has also stated his desire to hand over the Ship Historian position to anyone interested. Bill has provided us with a lot of help prior to and during the reunions. I personally would like to thank Bill for his work and commitment to me and the Association.  </B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Hope to see everyone in Boston!</B></div> <div> <B>Fair Winds and Smooth Sailing, Rick</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Treasurers Report</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Our funds currently stand at $4,069.92 anyone desiring a full treasury report can contact me.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>President's note</B><B>:  These funds are extremely helpful with defraying a number of costs.  They help us maintain our website, they provide us the funds to copy and mail newsletters, and they allow us to provide prizes and rent various equipment during our gatherings, such as wheelchairs, projectors, etc.  This leads me to the next item:</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Submitted by John Jones</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Memberships</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>In this newsletter we will ask shipmates to pay an annual $10.00 membership fee.  As explained above, this allows us to maintain our communication network and give something back at each reunion.  For those that have not paid for 2006 and 2007 you can sent your dues to </B><B>John Jones at </B><B>5112 No 145</B><B>th</B><B> Street, Omaha, NE. 68116. </B><B>Use the form at the end of the newsletter. </B><B>Please make all checks payable to John Jones, not U.S.S. Southerland</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Ship History</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Don't forget to send your photographs, stories and histories to our ship historians.  These will be compiled and available for all shipmates to view at our next reunion.  Some stories could even be added to our website.  Once again, the e-mail addresses for Stan Shirey, George Chambers and Dave Riordan are located on the Officer's Page of the website. </B></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Ahoy Southerland Shipmates:</B></div> <div> <B>Shipmates:</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>First let me thank all those who have sent me materials. I believe that I've already thanked you individually but if I haven't I apologize for the oversight.</B></div> <div> <B>My research Assistant (my wife Jackie) and I spent a week back East researching the ship's deck logs. So far we've gotten through 1953. Since then, I've been putting all extracted data, along with the stuff that has been sent to me, into a word processor. I've also been reviewing the history of the times as it relates to our fine ship. We expect to return to the National Archives and the Washington Navy Yard this spring to do more research.</B></div> <div> <B>My plan is to have a couple of drafts of the manuscript available at next September's reunion for all to review and make comments.</B></div> <div> <B>Meanwhile, please keep your anecdotes, clippings, stories coming. We really need stuff from all of you pre-Korean War shipmates. Don't worry about spelling or grammar.  I'll correct all of those types of things. Also, I'll return anything that you want returned.</B></div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B>Sincerely,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>George J. Chambers, SCPO, USN, Retired</B></div> <div> <B>14161 Elystan Circle</B></div> <div> <B>Westminster 92683-4823</B></div> <div> <B><gjchambers@aol.com></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>USS Southerland:</B></div> <div> <B>October 1950 - October 1953</B></div> <div> <B>Ship Store</B></div> <div> <B>  </B></div> <div> <B>Anyone who didn't get the chance to purchase a hat, T-shirt or golf shirt with the Southerland's Phoenix patch . . . </B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>. . . can do so by contacting Mary Antoni. Her number is: 513-521-2907.  Or you can e-mail her at </B><B>frs@cinci.rr.com</B><B>.  Mary can provide you with an assortment of colors and sizes of shirts. She can also custom embroider the patch on anything you like.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Currently, shipmate Jim Kumbalek is working on hats and shirts…</B></div> <div> <B>              </B></div> <div> <B>                                  </B></div> <div> <B>    </B></div> <div> <B>… with the USS Southerland DD/DDR 743 emblem printed on them.  He has offered to work directly with anyone interested in purchasing one of these.  You can reach Jim at 920-684-8976.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>In Memory</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Roy L. Main (killed while still serving 1951) FC 1 1947 to 1951, 4 years</B></div> <div> <B>Charles "Chuck" Erwin Vessey Sr. RM2</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>