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DEDICATED TO THE MEN AND WOMEN
THAT SERVED ON THE USS SANCTUARY |
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DEDICATED TO THE MEN AND WOMEN
THAT SERVED ON THE USS SANCTUARY |
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POSTS FROM OUR SHIPMATES OR THEIR FAMILIES |
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2/8/2010 Great web page. A very good friend of mine, Brian T Walsh, HM3 served on the Sanctuary during 1972-73. I served with him on the Repose 1970-72 and have lost track of him. He introduced me to my wife of 36 years and she was a Lab Tech HM3. If anyone knows his whereabouts, I would appreciate hearing from them. Thanks, Duane Van Hemert HM3 Repose Annex. duane@iowaschoolconstruction.com |
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9/30/09 I am Navy LT Richard Martinez serving in Bogota Colombia. We are headed into October and we would like to celebrate the Navy Birthday and 70th Anniversary of the Naval Mission here in Colombia on Oct 27th. During this celebration we would like to depict the visit the USS Sanctuary made to Buena Ventura in the 70's. Can anyone help me find pictures or memories of the USS Sanctuary when she visited Buena Ventura, Colombia, from 12 October to 6 November 1973? We would like to share this with our Colombian Counterparts. Any help would be greatly appreciated! V/r LT R. Martinez JPAT Maritime Plans Officer Naval Mission US MILGRP, Colombia 011(57-1) 266-1214/15 011(57) 310-243-2435 |
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My wild brother Stuie or Stuart was on
the Sanctuary during the late 60's. He drank a lot and laughed a
lot. He passed away 1 year ago and we need stories or photos of him on
the ship for a memorial. He was from Connecticut. Anyone remember
him? Liza Brown raniza@verizon.net |
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While searching for something on the
internet I was bounced to the website
www.womensmemorial.org/ISO/13thEdition.html
. This is a site "in search of women in military service" and I found the following under the word "Navy" after scrolling a bit more than half way down the screen: Any boot mates who were in Co 3 or 9 with RCPO McMahan and MPO Charnock at Bainbridge, MD, between Jul-Dec 1970 or were in Class 7220 at Hospital Corps School, Great Lakes, IL, between Mar 1971-May 72. Also anyone who was stationed at NAS Portsmouth, VA, between May 1972-Apr 73; on the USS Sanctuary (AH-17) between April 1973-Jan 75; or NAS LeMore, CA, between Dec 1971-May 72, especially Cindy "Pineapple" and the Scooby Gang. Please contact Rene "Ruby Bagonya" Hopwood at rhopwood@usvetsinc.org or by calling 310-348-7600. |
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Hi.! You are probably wondering who this
is ? Well my name is Anneliese Knapp and I do remember you. You worked in Second Division and I worked on First Division. I loved working on the Sanctuary and do I miss it. I had such a wonderful time on the boat. It bring good memories in my heart. You probably wondering what I am doing HUH! Well work in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the V.A. Hospital. I work with the Open heart surgery in the intensive care unit. I love it. stehrthevet@yahoo.com Oh Yes I remember You.! |
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my name is richard page, when i
first joined the navy in 1971 while still in high school the navy
recruiter filled out my dream sheet with the choice of the east
coast and ports of norfolk, charleston, and mayport..when i got out
of boot camp and received my orders to san francisco i was surpirsed
and talked to my m/chief and asked what kind of ship was the
sanctuary. he said it was an ah-17 hospital ship and nice and
white...several of us from north carolina where on a program to go
to boot and the same ship together...after flying in and catching a
cab i told the driver to take me to the sanctuary at hunters
point....after arriving he said their it is...never will forget what
i saw...half white. have rust, hoses every where and the dreaded
sound of sand blasting..could not even live on the ship, had to stay
at baq. i never in my life would trade the relationships or the
memories of the following years...working on that ship and and being
a plank owner was fantastic..though i almost died with anineliese
knapp while painting with red lead in the foward bm locker.
love to talk to her...making friends like bill culley and richard
jenkins and john wylie...kudos to the women on board who pulled the
weight...but alas the country boy in me was calling and i did a swap
with another bm from the uss pretel asr-14 out of charleston south
carolina...went on to server over 23 years in the navel reserve,
army reserve and finished with the north carolina national
guard...buy the way i went to personal and told them the navy
cheated me by my dream sheet but they said i was on an east coast
ship out of mayport stuck in san fran..lol...
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MAGGIE......... I STUMBLED ACROSS YOUR
WORK ON THE USS SANCTUARY AND AFTER A QUICK LOOK, WOULD LIKE TO
SAY YOU HAVE DONE A SUPER JOB HELPING KEEP SHIPMATES IN
TOUCH AND THE SANCTUARY MEMORIES ALIVE AFTER NEARLY 40 YEARS.
I MIGHT BE ABLE TO ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS
THAT ANYONE MIGHT HAVE...AS I PROBABLY HAD BEEN ON THE SHIP THE
LONGEST WHEN SHE WAS FINALLY DECOMMISSIONED THE SECOND TIME UP
IN PHILLY. I FIRST REPORTED ABOARD IN LATE DECEMBER 70 (OR THE
FOLLOWING MONTH) WHILE THE SHIP WAS STILL IN VIET NAM......I
CAME BACK WITH THE SHIP AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE ORIGINAL CARE
TAKER CREW (WHICH STARTED IN VALLEO, CA.)......THE
RECOMMISSIONING CREW AND THEN THE FINALLY DECOMMISSIONING CREW.
( LEAVING HER IN PHILLY APPROXIMATELY. TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE
LAST CREW MEMBER LEFT.) ( I SERVED FROM 1970-1975)
SANCTUARY WAS MY FIRST SHIP SO SHE HAS
ALWAYS BEEN VERY SPECIAL TO ME.... MY MEMORIES OF MY SANCTUARY
SHIPMATES ARE AS FRESH IN MY MIND TODAY AS THEY WERE 38 YEARS
AGO, AND HAVE BEEN SHARED MANY TIMES WITH OTHER SHIPMATES ON
DIFFERENT COMMANDS THUR OUT MY 24 YEAR
CAREER.
IT IS VERY OBVIOUS THAT THERE WAS A
"CERTAIN MAGIC" ABOUT THE SANCTUARY THAT CAUSES A CREW TO STILL
BOND AS CLOSELY TODAY AS THEY DID 35+ YEARS AGO.
MAGGIE ...I HAVE INFORMATION ON SEVERAL
SHIPMATES FROM THE ORIGINAL CREW (VIET NAM ERA), CARE TAKER
CREW, AND THE RECOMMISSIONING CREW, WHICH I WOULD BE WILLING TO
SHARE ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.
ANYONE WHO HAS INFORMATION'S ON ROBBIE
ROBINSON, BRUCE DAVIO, LEROY WEARE, BILL STANLEY, GEORGE
CHESHIRE, TED MERRICK, OR "TWEETY BIRD" PLEASE SHARE......
LIFE TIME SHIPMATE
GMAIL....swbmcs@gmail.com
JOHN WYLIE BMCS (SW)
RETIRED
I remember YOU!!! |
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Great web site. I, too was a crew member from
recommissioning to decommissioning in Philadelphia in '75. I noticed that I was not on the crew roster but came aboard in October of '72, recommissioned, cruised to Buenaventura Colombia, Port-Au-Prince Haiti and finally to Mayport FL. As an HM2 I was assigned to hospital admin. I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing more of the crew of the Sanctuary. Cary Cary C. Bucko PT, MPT Olympic PTWest 6320 West Union Hills Dr. Suite 2000B Glendale AZ 85308 Phone: 623-561-0494 Fax: 623-561-0199 PTWestTherapy.com “Failure is only postponed success as long as courage ‘coaches’ ambition. The habit of persistence is the habit of victory.” —Herbert Kaufman ************* Hey Cary you are listed on the Roster.. |
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My name is Patrick F. Dorrenbacher, I also served aboard the Sanctuary from Sept. 1974 until her decommissioning in Philadelphia, 1975. I was assigned 1st Div, Deck.
Your website is a fine
tribute to a Grand old ship I'm glad I found it.
District Chief P. F.
Dorrenbacher
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Wow, I can't believe I have never looked up the Sanctuary to see what is there. I really enjoyed reading the comments. I will e mail Giordano....we were together in Avondale shipyards as part of the commissioning crew....great time. I was a Corpsman in the "intensive care" unit. Quite a year, and lifelong memories. Really good people who did some really good work. I am attaching a poem, of sorts, that I wrote this past December. I will put a little thought into other thoughts and people to include later. Thanks so much for your work on the site. |
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Does anyone have an e-mail address, street
address or telephone number to reach Jana Lee Hammer? Email Me Please |
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Hello, my name is Ronald C. Spencer, HMC, USN,
RET. I was on the Sanctuary for Commissioning at Hunter Point Naval
Shipyard in 1972. I transferred prior to the first deployment. Looking
over the roster of 1974 I did recognize a lot of the Hospital Staff. I
never did get a cruise book. I am now retired since 1986 and working at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia as a computer trainer. Ronald C. Spencer |
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2/26/08 On a whim I looked up the Sanctuary on the web and found your site. I notice my name is not on the roster of hospital crew. I came on board after commissioning ceremonies. I went on the cruise to Columbia and Haiti and spent several months at Mayport, but worked at the Naval Hospital. I left Mayport in January of 1975. Paul R. Troop HM2 I have added you Paul.
Some others were omitted for unknown reasons and I added them. |
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11/29/07
I was a patient on the
Sanctuary June - July of 1968.
I had my twentieth
birthday party complete with cake and still have the pictures.
There were two USO/
Red Cross workers, in the pictures.
Two women, who lent us young Marines, their
smiles through a very bad time.
I'd like to find them and the head nurse whom put everything in prospective for me. Not to embarrass but rather to offer in return, the most sincere thank you they will ever receive.
Semper Fi
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11/13/07
Since you posted my short article on 9/14/07 about the Vietnamese boy with the cleft pallet, I went to Vietnam and met him in Dong Ha. Now age 45, he has a scarred lip, but is a happy guy, married with 4 children. I updated the article because of that visit.
I would certainly appreciate your replacing the
earlier piece with this one. A couple of your readers have offered
clues, and I am still hopeful that someday one of them will lead to
the doctor.
Thank you.
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9/14/07 I have been
working on a story about an incident that happened in mid March 1970 in
Quang Tri Vietnam. Please read over the attachment, and you will
understand why I would like to locate the doctor, a Navy Lieutenant from
the USS Sanctuary, who performed surgery on a small child at my request. |
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6/27/07 - Hi to all AH-17 Squids, I was in St. Albans Navel Hospital in 1966 when I received orders for the Sanctuary. Was sent first, to Norfolk Va. where the the medical crew was being assembled, along with many other Corpsman, Dr's. and Nurses. After a couple of Month (I think ) or so, we were then sent to New Orleans where the ship was being outfitted with the latest medical technology. Daily, we escorted many civilian Nurses and Dr's from the local hospitals, to view our facilities as a state of the art Hospital. At the time (circa 1966) we were the largest Hospital (bed count wise) in the state of Louisiana. We then sailed down the Mississippi, across the Gulf of Mexico, through the Panama Canal, and up the Calif. coast. Off the coast of Nicaragua a foreign tanker signaled us the had a very sick sailor aboard. We lowered a small motor launch went to the ship and picked up the patient. All the Dr.'s wanted to treat him. We brought him to port with us and transferred him to a hospital in Calif. (any old crew members remember this)? Around Christmas time in 1966 I got orders for the USS Bon Home Richard CVA-31 where I we flown to the Philippines worked in a dispensary where I met a Nurse I new from Corps School Great Lakes. Then was flown onto the Deck of the Bon Homme Richard (God Man Richard) CVA-31 Attack Carrier (what an experience). I finished my Vietnam tour on the, Bonnie Dick which was her nick name, where it was stationed off the coast of Viet Nam flying bombing raids daily. Then, a year later, flew off the ship (wow again) with a patient, which I dropped off in the Philippines before returning home, via a flight from Manila, to New Jersey for discharge While I never got to Viet Nam with the Sanctuary crew, I certainly enjoyed her commissioning and the cruise to Calif, from New Orleans. Steve Interdonato USN HM3 1965 -> 1968 |
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6/14/07
Thanks Maggie for your work and efforts! I was an HM2 aboard the
Sanctuary from October 1969 to October 1970. While I worked in
Patient Affairs we all had our "other jobs" such as helping out in
Triage, OR, Ward duty etc. I learned so much from this time in my
life. A great experience. I can remember some of those incidents of
life. Does anyone remember when we blew a boiler off of DaNang? I was
a back up photographer for the Hospital side and was asked to report
to the engine room. They needed pictures from inside the boiler to
determine how bad the problem was and I was asked to crawl inside and
take pictures. Still have some copies stored away. We were told we
would be going to drydock in the P.I. and figured we would be there
months. However in about 10 days they put us in drydock, stripped and
painted the hull and repaired the boiler! There are many more stories
we all have of our Sanctuary time. Hi to all shipmates out there. Bill
if you read this e mail!
HMC Thomas A. Curl USNR Ret.
TCJMCurl@aol.com
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5/29/07
HM1 DISCHARGED AFTER 12 1/2 YRS FROM NAVY. SERVED ABOARD USS SANCTUARY FROM 1966 NORFOLK, VA TO LATE 1968 IN DANANG HARBOR. SERVED ABOARD AS LAB TECHNICIAN AND WE WERE SORELY UNDERSTAFFED FOR THE WORK WE ACCOMPLISHED. MANY TIMES 48-72 HRS. WITHOUT BREAK, BUT I CHERISHED EVERY MOMENT IF IT NOW. EVEN WHEN WE FINALLY GOT A BREAK WE WERE SO WIRED ON COFFEE WE COULD NOT SLEEP SO WE PLAYED CARDS TIL THE COFFEE WORE OFF. HAVE TOO ADMIT THO, IT ADDED TO MY OVERSEAS INCOME. ANY CORPSMAN ABOARD THEN FROM 66-68, WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. LARRY POLAK LAB TECH |
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Thought you may be interested in
this recent article I found on the USS Sanctuary. My father was on
her in Vietnam from 1969-1970.
See below article
and please circulate around the web to others that would be
interested in recent news on her.
Thanks.
-Albert E. Hagovsky
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Hopes for Sanctuary may be sinkingAfter nearly 20 years, millions of dollars and a protracted court battle that became increasingly bitter, the port of Baltimore and the owner of a ship promised to recovering drug addicts may finally part ways. The Sanctuary is a former Navy hospital vessel with decades of proud service. And Stephen J. Hammer is a former substance abuse addict consumed with his desire to see it serve others in need of rehabilitation. With some powerful political backers years ago, he pushed his way into a port-owned pier in North Locust Point. But Hammer's five-year lease with the Maryland Port Administration ended last June before he could find a suitable sponsor and a residential treatment program to move aboard. He owes the port nearly $100,000 in back rent, fees and the cost of securing the vacant ship to the weedy docks that surround it. The port, which never wanted a rehab center on its grounds to begin with, went to U.S. District Court last week to force the sale of the Sanctuary to cover its costs and rid the state pier of the now-deteriorating ship. 'We need some resolution to this matter,' said Richard Scher, a spokesman for the port. 'A couple of weeks ago, it broke free from its moorings and floated away from the pier. 'We were able to tie it to a neighboring pier. But that was an indication to us about the ship's physical state,' Scher said. If the court agrees with the port, it could order the ship sold or turn it over to the port for sale. Hammer, who lives in Gettysburg, Pa., has maintained his belief all along that Baltimore needs such a facility. A deeply religious man, he expressed continued faith that the program would come to fruition. In an e-mail, he said he feels like 'one tiny person [with a rosary] being attacked by everybody.' After all, the court sided with him last time. That's how he got the lease. Port officials say it wouldn't be physically safe for participants to come and go through a working port. North Locust Point, primarily a gateway for paper, also handles automobiles. Officials say the cargo wouldn't necessarily be safe from the ship's residents. Hammer's nonprofit group, Project Life Inc., took over the Sanctuary in 1993 from another group, Life International, which acquired it four years before from the Navy for $10 in exchange for putting it to good use. After failing to reach an agreement with the port about finding a state pier for the ship, Hammer sued the port in 1998 in U.S. District Court, accusing it of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and other statutes for denying recovering addicts a place to go. After several years of fighting, the port lost the lawsuit and was forced to pay $12 in damages to Project Life and $1.1 million in legal fees. Hammer also won the right to a five-year lease, which was signed in 2001. Things were looking up for the Sanctuary. The state had issued bonds worth at least a half-million dollars, and coupled with private fundraising, Hammer had about $2 million. It was spent on upgrades to the ship. But still, Hammer couldn't find a government sponsor for the 522-foot, eight-story ship. The ship would be able to accommodate 3,600 addicts a year for residential rehabilitation, Hammer says. In addition to finding a program, the ship also would need an inspection by state and fire officials to ensure the health and safety of those living aboard. And to be housed at the pier permanently, the Sanctuary would need approval from the Army Corps of Engineers and an inspection by the Coast Guard. Such efforts are less likely now. After the ship's escape from its moorings, Baltimore's top Coast Guard official recently wrote a letter to Hammer that the ship 'presents an unacceptable risk to the port of Baltimore with existing mooring arrangements at Pier 6 [of Locust Point].' B.D. Kelly, captain of the port, wrote that Hammer needed to submit professional plans for securing the ship. Hammer hasn't said what he'll do next. Copyright © 2007 Baltimore Sun, All Rights Reserved.
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3/12/07 I WAS AN ORIGINAL PLANK OWNER , GOING ON THE SANCTUARY IN 1943 AND LEFT IN 1945 AFTER GOING TO NAGASAKI, AND WAKAYAMA, JAPAN AND BRINGING HOME AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR. THEY WERE A SICK BUNCH OF MEN WHO HAD TO BE HOISTED ON BOARD WITH STRETCHERS. HOPE THIS IS OF INTEREST. REGARDS, LENNY LKovall@aol.com |
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2/27/07 Any idea of exactly where the USS Sanctuary is and
if I can view her? A friend died aboard her 20 Jun 1968. I would like to see the ship. Any info would be much appreciated... I think that the last document I read said Pier 6 at North Locust Point. This is a few miles ENE of Ft McHenry. Much appreciated. Do you know who owns her??? Thanks again. Semper Fi... Respectfully, MGySgt Williams
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I served on Sanctuary
(1970-1971) in Vietnam..........brought her back to Vallejo and
ultimately was on the crew that put her out of commission in 1971 at
Hunter's Point. Great Web Site! While serving on her, I was a Chief
Yeoman, eventually went on to retire in 1978 as a Master Chief
Yeoman. I remember the voyage home, the liberty in Hong Kong and
Sasebo especially. Keep up the good work........
Larry S. Thomas |
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Hello,
I was just watching some movie and I had a
thought about the USS Sanctuary. That was one ship that was named
appropriately. It was absolutely a sanctuary for me.
On September 10, 1968 I was wounded in an
engagement near Dong Ha mountain. I was choppered out to the third
med in Quang Tri. After a short time there the Dr asked me how I
would like to see some American girls. Certainly that appealed to
me. He said that he was going to send me out to the hospital ship USS
Sanctuary.
That sounded good to me. Actually I was only
on the ship for a few days. They cruised down to Da Nang and I was
unloaded there to go to the hospital. After a few days I was flown to
Guam.
At any rate, I just wanted to say thanks to the
people who provided so much assistance and help to all those Marines
that were wounded. Being on that ship provided such a safe
comfortable environment I know that everyone appreciated it. The
brief time on that ship will always be with me.
Thanks again,
James Graves
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I was at pre com detail in Norfolk, Va. in 1966.All us original crew
members flew to New Orleans to commission the Sanctuary and go aboard.
We were there for Thanksgiving and rode the ship through the Panama
Canal up to Vallejo, California. We sailed across the Pacific and
Joined the Domain of the Golden Dragon (crossing the 180th Meridian)
We were online with our sister ship Repose by March of 67 in Nam. I
went aboard a Seaman and made Third Class Commisaryman on the ship. We
went up and down the coast picking up patients from DaNang, Chulai,
Phu bai and Dong Ha-------we sometimes got beer liberty in DaNang and
I remember causing a semi riot as I jumped off the peer it was so
hot----I was sooooooooo drunk----lol. Others followed to the tune of
about 40.We had great liberty in Subic about 5 days every other month
or so. San Miguel beer, monkey meat on a stick----------and riding the
jitny to the bars. We also went to Hong Kong once and became
Shellbacks crossing the Equator going to Singapore. I was
transferred to finish my enlistment on the USS Rigel AF 58 making med
cruises out of Norfolk. I left Sanctuary in March 1968.
Met and served with a lot of great guys---and an old man of 60 now I
can look back at some great times as a young man in the Navy.
Thanx for this website Maggie---it was great to tap into it and
bring back memories
.------------------------sincerely------- Richard Murray(CS3) |
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Michael Bodnar Email: hmcs4thbn@comcast.net Just found this web site----what a rush. I served on the Sanctuary Jan'69-Feb'70.as HM3, First on the Ortho ward, B-1 I think, then HN division in the Ortho Clinic. I spent a little while as damage control Petty Officer for hospital spaces. Does anyone remember what ship we bumped during an unrep? We did quite a bit of damage to their ship, and we took on water in the aft berthing compartment-and all night long it would rush from side to side as the ship rolled, caring with it shower shoes, towels & anything else that was on the deck. Then when we did get to Subic, the Captains Gig needed to get repaired, and it was brought back to the ship while we were pulling out of the harbor. As it was being raised, the forward hook let go, and two or three guys went in the water, one of them went thru the screw, untouched, but shaken. Anyone remember who that was? Anybody remember Chief Stacy---I think he tried to put together a reunion a few years ago-it was posted in the NERA magazine, but nothing ever developed. |
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Hi, this is FN R. J.
Allen.
When I came across the
website for the Sanctuary, tears began to flow. I came aboard the ship
Sept. 9, 1972, and left March 14, 1975.
I still remember the fun I
had and most of its crew. My best friend onboard was, and still is, FN
Richard. We were machinist mates in the engine room.
While the ship was in
Florida, I met my wife, to whom I've been married for 31 years, this
coming April (2006). We have two sons, Raymond, Jr., and Noah.
Raymond, Jr. is now in the Army, stationed in Iraq.
It's been a long time
since I've seen everybody. It would be great to get together
with as many as
possible for a reunion this Nov. 18, 2006, on the Sanctuary's helo
deck in Baltimore, Maryland. It would really be nice to see everyone
again.
My email address is angrybull54@yahoo.com.
FN R. J. Allen
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Photos from Ed Wolven |
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I remember all of these guys but not many names. Jimmy Cowell is in the front row first on the left. Charlie Carter is center of the front row. I'm the wise guy with the cocked hat second from the right first row. The tall guy third from the left second row is Larry Laskowski at least I think his name was Larry, we never called him anything but Ski, he was the original "wild and crazy guy." |
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| That's Me I think its in the dry cleaning shop | A .J. Montgomery in his office |
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| Me and Joe Schuler on Liberty in Hong Kong | Charlie Carter in Hong Kong |
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Papy Felker SH3 doing what he did best. Papy came from Harrisburg, Pa. and was a great poker player. |
Ron Wright FN manning aft steering Ron was a good friend, he came from Garden Grove CA and his parents put up with several visitors while we were in Sand Diego. His mom could really lay on the food. |
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A. J. Montgomery SH2 all around cool dude. I think this was taken in Pearl Harbor on the way over. |
Bill Slocum SN is in the supply berthing compartment. I think Bill came from PA but I don't remember his town. |
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My Name is Ed Wolven I was
on the Ships Original RE Commissioning Crew. I joined the ship as A
Seaman Apprentice in New Orleans Sometime in Late 1966. I was Aboard
her until Late 1968 and left as A third class P.O. I'm sure I have
some pictures around here somewhere, and I also have our Cruise Book,
which would be the first one.
ewolven@hvc.rr.com |
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Maggie, hats off again to
you. gotta meet you some day when in erie. Been in touch with you for
some time now. my boy graduated from Lecom Medical School there, now my
little girl is student there, and my youngest is in premed at Behrend.
All thanks to the USS Sanctuary, as she saved my life, as I volunteered
for duty in Vietnam, came to my senses, but too late, as I was to be
assigned, but, orders to this newly commissioned hospital ship
superseded my orders. was quite a chapter in my life Maggie. just like
yesterday to me. best to you Maggie, happy new year. ciao, Steve
Giordano
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Would like to update my email
Maggie. either asgio2001@yahoo.com or
mgiordano80@verizon.net,
thanks Maggie, and happy new year! ciao. Steve Giordano, USS Sanctuary, operating room tech,1966-67
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| Great to see this site! Served in
the recommissioning crew beginning in New Orleans, got off March 5th
1968. Took the long route from Michigan to report to Bethesda, and was in Louisville the night Martin Luther King was shot. Looking to hear from fellow Corpsmen: Leo Zens; Howard Skalaberg (did see Howard way back in 1978 in Richmond ) & Mike Ardelean bgmsu@aol.com or bcgrant@midcogen.com Left the Navy and went to school. Now live in the hometown of Dow Chemical and work at an abandoned nuclear power plant - but I don't "glow". Sanctuary was briefly used as a TV set for a crime show supposedly based in Baltimore. Bruce Grant HM2 |
| I stay in touch with TC and
Penny, Jack Long, Mike Roff and Alan Perry by e-mail and phone. Al
and I thought we might be able to meet at some disaster sometime in the
last couple of years (He was working for FEMA and I serve on a FEMA USAR
team). Never happened. A reunion sure would be nice
sometime. I came on board at Hunters Point. Think there
was only about 18 – 20 of us and stayed till she was decommissioned.
There are some interesting stories on this board. I still
have all of my “wheel books (little green notebooks) that have an
almost daily log of my time if anyone has an interest. I’m
married living in |
| I enjoyed reading this email and thought I want to share it with everyone else. I think the statutes of limitations has run out so no one can get us for any crimes we may have did or cause or malicious comments we may have made. Hey after all, this whole website is about MEMORIES. |
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Because
we were the first nobody knew how to handle our personnel actions so I
slipped on board as the first and only ship to shore swap - it wasn't
until we were under the Golden Gate bridge that PN1 Robbie Robinson
said, "Hey you can't go ship to shore on a swap." But
Heather Byford (whose place I took) was waving goodbye to me as we
left port. :o))
Casino
Night out at sea - I made the phony money with looney toon characters
instead of dead presidents.
I
remember being called into Captain's Mast when LTJG Kerr got a
permanent and Robbie Robinson asked her if her dildo shorted out - he
honestly didn't see anything wrong with that. Captain Rodgers
had to leave the bridge 3 times and you could hear him laughing in the
other room.
I
remember LTJG Kerr laying in her hammock once we homeported in Mayport
- I read where she passed away - we must be getting old.
I
was in 2nd Division more than 1st Division but when I moved to 1st I
remember those 3 black guys in paint locker who were always singing
and harmonizing - one song in particular "Rock the Boat, Don't
Rock the Boat Baby", I can still hear them singing. Then,
of course Walker came up and ruined all the fun. He was a lot
more compassionate then he acted. I had Quarterdeck watch with
him one time and he actually said that I wasn't too bad a broad as a
sailor. Now days I could have sued for sexual harassment but
then it made me so proud that I couldn't put my hat on for days!!
Remember
after Dee Dee Hosey got anthrax or whatever and she came back to the
ship but she couldn't close her left eye - boy, was that spooky trying
to wake her up for watch. She was on the main drag in the
berthing area, too so you always had to walk past her bunk at night -
still gives me the creeps.
Coming
back to the states and going through Customs - if we had known that
they weren't going to search women's berthing we could have hid all
the "stash" down there. Sally Cravens, Trish Reinhart,
Randee Heath, Annalisa Knapp, and I (there were more but I can't
remember) went up on the port side so we could get a view of the helo
deck when all the guys had to drop their drawers.
I
had the "rat watch" in Buenaventura Columbia on the night
that Max Fresquez got stabbed. I carried him up the gangplank
and the medics took him from there. Jerry Emery made me stand
the rest of the watch with Max's blood all over me. The rats
really liked me then.
Remember
little Cristobal? He had to carry that bucket around with him
because he had chronic seasickness - poor thing and he was so cute.
He always "defended" and hung around with Jeannie Flynn -
she had the tattoos around her wrists that looked like flowers.
Were
you on board when we all went down to Lyle Tuttles to get tattoos?
Boy, was that fun. Myra Barnes got that turtle with the knapsack
carrying the American flag on her boob. The flag waved when she
walked.
I hope that people write back and add on - maybe we can make an
unofficial log of all the tricks and bad things we used to do to make
our ship the most unique in the navy,
One
more thing - in the background on an episode of Homicide - Life in the
City - I saw the Sanctuary in port - my husband thought I was crazy -
I was screaming - There's my ship - There's my ship but of course we
didn't have DVD or TIVO or anything so I couldn't bring it back to
see.
And
then there was Mike Satter and Tweety Bird who, when Wylie was calling
roll call in the morning and called Danny Dunn (who went on vacation)
said (at the same time) "Everything was fine until he crossed the
Macon County line." Knowing that he liked to indulge in the
smoke and Macon was so redneck we all cracked up and got extra duty
that evening - Oh well - it was all worth the experience and memories.
|
| And I thank you for walking me down memory lane too. What about the rest of you? You send it I'll post it! |
|
|
| Received this email and WOW did it bring back memories. |
|
Have you heard from Betty Boats? I ran into Mark Ford and Kenny Knox in Salina Kansas - they were brothers on the ship - totally opposites but still brothers. I guess they were kind of like the Hosey siblings - brother and sister but seemed they were from two different worlds. Hey - where did you bunk? I had the lower bunk right next to the head - Jennie Highfill, the dental tech, used to get drunk all the time and sit on my bunk and pee - I guess she thought she was on the john. By the way - she still has a couple pair of my corduroy pants - funny how you remember things when you see something like this. My e-mail at work is kathleen.caylor@us.Army.mil - it will be nice to hear from other shipmates. But, if I owe you money, please don't write :o)) Kathy Corbett Caylor >Can you spell my name right on the roster? . |
| YES Kathy I will edit the roster. |
| My
name is Clyde (Jim) Williams and I served on the USS Sanctuary
with great very dedicated men and women (nurses) saving lives of
American fighting men in |
| In Memory of Lt. CDR. Willa Ruth Wahlstrom - I received an email from her nephew Mark Wahlstrom and requested that this information be posted here. When his aunt passed away these clippings, books and photos were among her prize possessions. To all that served with her on the USS Sanctuary, here is a brief portion of her memories. |
|
I was a PM 3 on the Sanctuary in 1945. It's not the same ship, but the same name. I was discharged in Dec 45 |
I was just wandering around the 'net checking out sites that might
provide me with pictures of the units that I was attached to while in
the Navy, and stumbled onto your 'well done' testimony to the
Sanctuary. It was a little strange seeing my name on the roster,
although my middle initial is "E", rather than "W"; but what pleased me
the most was seeing the names of all my shipmates, medical and ship's
staff listed once more.
A lot of water has passed beneath our 'keel' since we last shipped
out on the Sanctuary, but I think that we can all agree that her short
recommissioned life was v-e-r-y interesting. The passage through the
Panama Canal (trashing the wooden pier), our sojourn in Buenaventura,
Columbia; and our short stay in Port Au'Prince, Haiti before continuing
on to Mayport Florida provided many of us with unforgettable memories.
I hope all is well with you and yours, and that life has treated you
kindly.
Fondest regards,
Raymond E. Jewell
HMCS/Ret.
Nice to come back to your site. My email
has changed to lmg@lmg-inc.net.
Any word or anything on any type of reunion anywhere? Sure would like to
attend.
Ernie Linkous, BM2 on the Sanctuary then QM1 when I got out in 1973.
My name is Bob McDonald. I served on the
USS Sanctuary from 1966 to 1968. I reported aboard her in New Orleans just
prior going to Viet Nam. We went through Panama Canal, up to San
Francisco, then to Viet Nam. I was a Dental Technician (DT3), but had a lot
of corpsman friends (one of them was Bill Beasley).
Bob
McDonald
MY NAME IS LARRY HALL . I AM A PLANK OWNER , RODE
SANCTUARY FROM SHIP YARDS IN NEW ORLEANS THROUGH THE CANAL TO SAN DIEGO . THEN
ON TO FRISCO . ON TO HAWAII , THE P.I, AND ON LINE APRIL 10 1967 . WAS ABOARD
FOR THE 121 DAY LINE PERIOD . WHAT A RIDE , ALL THAT TIME WATCHING THE BEACH
FROM THE HELO DECK , WORKED THERE , BUT COULDN'T TOUCH IT . LEFT IN SEPT. 67 FOR
THE WORLD . THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.
Maddmookieslair@aol.com
|
I was totally unaware as she was a very quiet, private, decidedly no nonsense woman that she was on such a historic ship and was one of the original crew following Admiral Zumwalt's orders. She was a pioneer as well as a faithful servant to our country, as were all the women who served on those ships.
She never married, spent her entire career in the Navy, and retired to a very quiet, almost reclusive life in Alameda, California. However, as I went through her things this past weekend I was staggered by her obvious devotion to the sailors and fighting men who served in Vietnam, as well as the training and guidance she gave younger nurses serving in her command. The boxes of letters from those in her care or her command attest
She has few surviving family, and those who are still here are either very old or too far to travel. Therefore I am having her buried at Arlington National Cemetery in the next two weeks with full military honors. It is fitting she is at rest with the soldiers, sailors, nurses and doctors who meant so much to her and that she worked to hard to care for during her 24 years of service.
Thank you for your site and the additional perspective it provided on that special ship and the people who served on it. As I go through the notes and paperwork I’ll do my best to preserve her notes, letters, pictures, etc and eventually post them on here. If anyone has any memories of my Aunt, who was decidedly NOT the life of any party, but a damn good nurse, I’d be more then happy to hear them. Sincerely,
|
I was a patient on the Sanctuary in July 1967. The best care I ever had while serving with the Marines
in Vietnam. I had the misfortune of seeing the Sanctuary a few years ago in Baltimore
Harbor all
rusted out and it brought a tear to my eye. Here are a couple shots I took the day I got off in Danang Harbor.
 |
 |
Thanks for sharing,
Rod Adams
Bedford, Va.
Hi my name is Stephen Wright.
I served on the Sanctuary from
1973 till it was decommission in 1974. I remember going over seas to
Haiti and Columbia on a good will cruse. I can remember the bad storms that we had at sea. I believe I still have pictures of the sleeping quarters somewhere. If I can find them I will send you pictures. This was a great ship. I was a medic and worked in the emergency room on the ship. It was funny looking back on the ship. I even remember the terrible accident where the
vehicle went off the dock and the driver was killed.
Do you remember getting the ribbon for service on the ship
during the Vietnam war. I had a good time when we went threw the panama canal and the ship stayed in Mayport Florida. My son sent me this email and all. Thanks for posting this on the web. This was a good ship, a great crew and everyone on board was special. I will never forget. You can email me anytime. I live in Danville, Indiana. I still think back at times of how it would have been if I stayed in the navy. It was good to me
.
Thanks
Stephen N. Wright
HN
Danville, Indiana
| My brother David G. Adams, served aboard the Sanctuary on
his second tour in Viet Nam, about 1971. I thought the ship was decommissioned, at
Vallejo/Mare Island near the end of his service? We met the ship somewhere near
Sausalito and got to go onboard for the trip up the bay to Vallejo. I remember the
harbor pilot really po'ed the crew when he scrapped the paint off the starboard side passing
through the Richmond-San Rafael drawbridge. The ship had just been painted in Hong
Kong on the way home. What was supposed to be about a 2 hour ride turned into a 4 hour
ordeal when she became stuck in the mud at Vallejo.
I don't remember my brothers rate at the time, maybe a Petty Officer or something, but my Mom's got a Ships Clock - he claimed it was from the Capt. Quarters - mounted in her living room. We've also got a set of coffee mugs with an illustration of her on the side. Anyway, he was on ambulance boats running up and down the rivers, evacuating injured servicemen. Received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his duty on board. Rod Adams
I did a little research via Google after I
e-mailed you. |
I was a 21 year old marine at the time I
was on the sanctuary. I was hit thru the right upper arm 23 Aug. 1968 and was brought aboard
by chopper. I remember the shock of a rather pretty round eyed young nurse when she saw
me. At that time I was 5'3" 115 pounds and the corpsmen struggled to get my machinegun
away from me. she said...."he's so tiny" I laughed thru my morphine haze and was
taken away to be cleaned up.
Those two weeks aboard the sanctuary were comforting and heart warming to see how the young American
men were treated like gold. Thanks to all the wonderful professionals who accomplished such a
difficult task with amazing grace.
Roger
Herrera
former U.S. Marine Sgt.
Saw the crew roster and thought I would say hello.
I left the ship in Mayport 5/74 and went to Australia for an exchange tour with the RAN.
I eventually retired 1/86 as a CWO3.
Very respectfully, Jack Long
A great website. I served from November 1973 to March 1975. I have
great memories of my tour.
I have kept in touch with Robert Forrest, David Reese, Eddie Arnold & Earl Robinson
through the years.
I would like to hear from anyone serving during that time.
Lonnie Drumin
SDSN/MSSN
I served aboard the USS Sanctuary AH 17 from May 1969 to June 1970 `. I was
first assigned to Commissary (not as a mess cook) then transferred to Deck Division. This is the
first time I have seen anything on the Sanctuary.
Do you happen to know when and where it was decommissioned? You mentioned Mayport Fla. all we ever
saw was Danang the DMZ and after 90 days of that Subic Bay P. I. for 10 days.
Francis Pirrone
In June 1970, a helo from
SANCTUARY crashed in Da Nang. The MWB from USS FOX, DLG-33, picked up some of the people on board
(crew and civilians). If any of your shipmates have any further detail or pictures of this rescue I
would appreciate having them I'm currently writing a history of the FOX and this is a great human
interest story.
Thanks you for your assistance.
George
J. Chambers
FTCS, USN-Ret
FOX Historian
I was onboard from commissioning in Norfolk to Viet Nam tet 67, 68, 69 and
was on the bridge.
I was SN and left as BM2 to go to "A" school in San Diego
and changed rates to Quartermaster. I got out in 1973 as QM1. I PNA to
Chief, but elected not to put on the hat.
Do you know of any reunions for
the Sanctuary? Do you know how to reach any of the commission crew?
Ernie Linkous
San Diego
HEY CREW OF THE SANCTUARY ITS MIKE SATTER BM3 SERVED ABOARD FROM 1971 TO1975
PART OF THE ORIGINAL SKELETON CREW. ITS GOOD TO READ ABOUT EVERYONE THEY WERE SOME DAMN GOOD TIMES
IM LIVING TACOMA WASH IM A CHEF AT CHARLES WRIGHT ACADEMY IM MARRIED DOING GREAT I TALK TO A FEW PEOPLE ONCE IN A WHILE DEPENDS ON HOW MANY BEERS IVE HAD
I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HERE FROM ANYONE OUT THERE OR DROP ME A LINE SEND A PICTURE TO MIKE SATTER AT 8101 83rd ave sw condo H31 lakewood wash 98498
WELL WHO EVER WRITES OR EMAILS ILL VISIT MORE AND WE WILL ANSWER EACH OTHERS QUESTIONS.
(update)
I SPENT 4 YEARS ON HER IF ANYONE GETS THIS MESSAGE EMAIL ME BM3 MIKE SATTER
TO THIS VERY DAY I CAN STILL REMEMBER ALL OF THE SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE WHAT A RIDE
I CALLED CAPTAIN RODGERS A FEW YEARS BACK HE WAS DOING GOOD GETTING READY TO GO HUNTING MOOSE IF I REMEMBER RIGHT UP IN
CANADA
HE LIVES ABOUT TWENTY MILES AWAY FROM ME
A GUY THAT WORKS FOR ME WAS ON THE SHIP AND GOT
TRANSFERRED
ABOUT 2 MONTHS BEFORE I WENT ABOARD IN SEPT OF 1971
GO PANTHERS SUPER BOWL TIME AGAIN BREAK OUT THE BEER
NOW WELL GOTTA GO
COME ON SOMEONE OUT THERE EMAIL ME
I SURE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM SOMEBODY .
TAKE CARE GOD BLESS YOU ALL
MIKE SATTER
Served in USS Sanctuary 73-75 in HA Division, Patient Affairs/Medical Records. I was an HM3/2.
Served on the Sanctuary June 67-April 68 in Neuropsychiatry. I served aboard the USS Sanctuary AH-17 form 1972 - 1975 until her
decommissioning at the Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard.
I was a third class electricians mate. I played in the ships band Shot-Gun,
with Lisa, Scotty, and Tom love.
I live in
San Diego and have from the time of my discharge. My name is Gary Fisk (HM3) and I served aboard the Sanctuary Nov69-Nov70 in Patient Affairs and the Triage area. All in all, clearly the best year of my life as well as the most important year of my life. I have a thousand memories of that year. From vert reps to unreps, to Marony and Wolfs Cry In, to the Other Brothers Comedy Hour of which I took part. At present I am a Physicians' Assistant specializing in Cardiac Surgery and truly, the start down my medical career road began on AH-17. I will always be indebted to "her" as well as my shipmates. "Carry on. I'll be in the area all day."
I have a friend name "FERNANDO P. PENULIAR who served in the US Navy and was
on the USS Sanctuary (1973) and he also served on USS J Ellison DD-864
(1983). Please give me some advise on how to locate my long lost friend. I
have been trying to locate him for the last 15 years. Your help will be
greatly appreciated. My father John H. Moffett was on USS Sanctuary from December 1969 (I think) to March 1971 ... he was in the Vietnam War. He left me great photos he took of the sea and love letters he had sent to my mom in 1970 about things that would happen. I served aboard the USS Sanctuary from January, 1973 through her decommissioning at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. I was a Seaman and I worked with you at the deck department. Maybe you don’t remember me but I sure remembered you when I saw your picture. I retired from the Navy in 1992.
I would like to get in touch with Romeo Obligacion and the other Filipino seamen that served the Sanctuary in 1973-1975. You did a great job on the website. Congratulations.
Cesar Angkaw
I served aboard the U.S.S. Sancturary from the Pre-commissioning days of July 1966 departing her from Da Nang in late August 1966. I am trying to
find anyone that can remember when I was aboard your ship for an illness in
1970. L/cpl Bruce Dennis.
I had large soars and blisters all over my body. MY NAME IS BRUCE W. HARRIS. I SERVED ON THE USS SANCTUARY, IN 1971, WHILE IT WAS IN
ALAMEDA/HUNTERS POINT AREA. I WAS A SEAMAN APPRENTICE. I WAS THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE USS MARS AFS-1, THAT WENT TO VIETNAM. Email Me Sent the photos to
Bob, but here it is for everyone to see. Can you pick him out?
My father served aboard the USS Sanctuary in 1969 off the coast of Vietnam. He was a corpsman and his name is
Albert Hagovsky. He would welcome any old shipmates to contact him at: oysteral@aol.com HOW
TO SIMULATE BEING A SAILOR: I was on the sanctuary from Oct 73- Dec 74. I was a Dental Tech and married
SK TC Love. I just returned from a weekend in Nebraska visiting with Joe
Sterling, Hugh Campbell, Jack Long and Sheila Borger. Sheila came on in Dec
74. In October I was in San Francisco visiting with AL Perry (All Sanctuary
crewmembers) . I also know that Stoney Burke is in OK. I would love to get a
copy of the roster from the crew book if that is possible. I live in NH
Have you heard from many people from the ship? Thanks a lot - Penny Wernig
HineslyS@aol.com
I was surprised and pleased to get this email:
Dear Maggie:
While never serving on board I was there from Hunters Point to Mayport.
My father is Capt. Thomas A. Rodgers USN (ret). It was quite an experience watching and learning from all the activity on board. I remember the streaker at the vessels commissioning! As a matter of fact if ya look on page 96 of the cruise book there is a cropped picture top right corner.
Notice the non regulation shoes and pants, that's me!
My dad to this day is very proud of all the work you guys and gals did.
Thanks for the nice web site!
Sincerely Scott T. Rodgers
You are welcome Scott. I am so glad that so many can keep in contact from here.
My mother was on the sanctuary
from 72 to the decommissioning in 75.
She was SHSN Linda Garner.
I'm trying to locate someone she served with, First Cass Petty Officer James Woodall.
If anyone has a idea on how i can find him please email me...thank you so much.
It must have been one heck of a time because my mom always has such wonderful memories of being on
that ship and cant wait to get to Baltimore to see her! squidkid75@hotmail.com
Left USS Sanctuary and went to Independent Duty School, from there went the Marine Corps Reserve Center, Erie, PA. After 3 years there served in USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) for 17 months, the USS Kidd (DDG-993) for 25 months. This was followed by a 3 year tour of teaching Independent Duty School in Portsmouth, VA.
I was then assigned as Squadron Corpsman, Destroyer Squadron 2 in Norfolk. After 4 yeas there I attended the Senior Enlisted Academy on my way to Delta Co, 4th FSSG, 4th MARDIV, N&MCR Center, Pittsburgh, PA. I retired in 1994 as an HMCS(SW).
I currently live outside of Ellwood City, PA and own my own locksmith business.
Brian F. Franksain
Dr's Rovno and Herman Langner were there during that time.
Some corpsman included: Bruce Grant, Howard Skalaberg, Mike Ardelean, and Chuck ?. Howard and Bruce are you out there?
Mike I know you are in Michigan. Hope the ship survives.
A.L.Zens HM3 USN 64-68
I am still playing music and have a CD released on mp3. Chuck
Steak Blues Band
Charles
Schwab
Thank you
Gracie Tangalin
Jessica.Moffett@BristolWest.com
Sure would like to catch up with Bill Beasley, or Jim Williams.
Bob Everett Brandon, MS.
I was an Operating Room
Technician onboard Sanctuary from Sept '72 until Jan '75. I see you have a
cruise book ....
if possible could you forward a picture of the HS-Division gang?
Thanks,
Bob
Melphis
My
name is Robert Cupples and served on the Sanctuary from Sept. 1972- decom. I was
assigned to B Division. Within the past couple years I've been in touch with
some of the snipes we served with. Its been a lot of fun getting in touch with
them. If you like to get some of the names let me know. Robertcupples
@aol.com
Also, the USS Sanctuary is currently docked in the Baltimore harbor (for those who do not know). She was bought several years ago by a non-profit organization who wanted to restore/convert her into a shelter for battered women. However, the city of Baltimore blocked the project b/c they did not want her to serve in that capacity and be a part of the Baltimore Harbor waterfront. I know that litigation did commence surrounding her future, but do not know what the status or outcome is. So she sits there, close to the old sugar factory, rotting away. Hopefully something can be done with her.
If you are traveling north on Rt. 95 through Baltimore, just before entering the tunnel to go under the harbor, she can be seen off to the left. She is facing Rt. 95. Look for her unmistakable tower bridge on the bow. She's hard to see, but she's there.
A water taxi ride from the inner harbor in Baltimore out to old Fort McHenry will take you by her. If asked, the water taxi driver may take the boat over to her for some pictures. Most of the drivers are very nice and accommodating if told that there is a former member of her crew on board.
Al Hagovsky, Legal Assistant
Kirkpatrick and Lockhart LLP
1800 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
202-778-9480 (f) 202-778-9100
Email
Served aboard her from 72-74. We affectionately called ourselves "Banana Boat Commandoes. Many a good time was spent at the Horse-Cow. Those of you who never entered the H&C Ballroom located on 3rd st in "frisco, really missed out on some wild times. I understand Jim Looby has applied for a patent for the "Looby Bounce". I thought ol' Henry at club International was going to cry to we gave him those Merle Haggard records & a record player to go with them. That's got to be the
only place in the world where you could "hurt " yourself with a ten dollar bill. Seeing as the price of beer doubled there in Buena Ventura. Yep it went for two cents a bottle to four cents a bottle. Would rather have spent another month there then in Haiti. Too much VOODOO for my blood. Mayport wasn't too shabby, although I tried to get my plank, Capt Rogers wouldn't let me have it. Just cuz I wanted the one in front of Gus' stateroom-imagine that. They kept telling us the crew was handpicked.
There'll never be a crew as close or slicker than the crew of the Sanctuary.
While we're on the subject, what happened to the training sub that used to be on top of the Horse-Cow????? Sure would make one heck of a conversation piece to have it in your backyard.... Hope everyone is hanging in there & just remember these words: If You Can't Beat'em, Confuse them.... works for me
Walter Burke
I am looking for a cousin of mine name Romeo Obligacion. Could you please email me at aliciakaeding@hotmail.com for some information about him. I want to know where he is right now for it is
Christmas. Please email me back for some information. I will very much appreciate your help. Thanks and have a merry
Christmas
to all.
Sincerely, Alicia R. Kaeding
Sent to me for the holidays..... I laughed
till I cried. how many of you DO THIS?? Strange as it seems. I said YES to
a few. LOL Have fun!
1.
Buy a steel dumpster, paint it gray inside and out, and live in
it for six months.
2. Run all the pipes and wires in your house exposed on the walls.
3. Repaint your entire house every month.
4. Renovate your bathroom. Build a wall across the middle of
the
bathtub and move the shower head to chest level. When you take
showers, make sure you turn off the water while you soap down.
5. Put lube oil in your humidifier and set it on high.
6. Once a week, blow compressed air up your chimney, making sure
the
wind carries the soot onto your neighbor's house. Ignore his
complaints.
7. Once a month, take all major appliances apart and then
reassemble
them.
8. Raise the thresholds and lower the headers of your front and
back
doors so that you either trip or bang your head every time you pass
through them.
9. Disassemble and inspect your lawnmower every week.
10. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, turn your water heater
temperature up to 200 degrees. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, turn the
water heater off. On Saturdays and Sundays tell your family they
use
too much water during the week, so no bathing will be allowed.
11. Raise your bed to within 6 inches of the ceiling, so you can't
turn over without getting out and then getting back in.
12. Sleep on the shelf in your closet. Replace the closet
door with
a curtain. Have your spouse whip open the curtain about 3 hours
after you go to sleep, shine a flashlight in your eyes, and
say "Sorry, wrong rack."
13. Make your family qualify to operate each appliance in your
house - dishwasher operator, blender technician, etc.
14. Have your neighbor come over each day at 5 am, blow a whistle
so
loud Helen Keller could hear it, and shout "Reveille, reveille, all
hands heave out and trice up."
15. Have your mother-in-law write down everything she's going to
do
the following day, then have her make you stand in your back yard at
6 am while she reads it to you.
16. Submit a request chit to your father-in-law requesting
permission to leave your house before 3 PM.
17. Empty all the garbage bins in your house and sweep the
driveway
three times a day, whether it needs it or not. (Now sweepers,
sweepers, man your brooms, give the ship a clean sweep down fore and
aft, empty all shitcans over the fantail.)
18. Have your neighbor collect all your mail for a month, read
your
magazines, and randomly lose every 5th item before delivering it to
you.
19. Watch no TV except for movies played in the middle of the
night.
Have your family vote on which movie to watch, then show a different
one.
20. When your children are in bed, run into their room with a
megaphone shouting that your home is under attack and ordering them
to their battle stations. (Now general quarters, general quarters,
all hands man your battle stations.)
21. Make your family menu a week ahead of time without consulting
the pantry or refrigerator.
22. Post a menu on the kitchen door informing your family that
they
are having steak for dinner. Then make them wait in line for an
hour. When finally get to the kitchen, tell them you are out of
steak, but they can have dried ham or hot dogs. Repeat daily until
they ignore the menu and just ask for hot dogs.
23. Bake a cake. Prop up one side of the pan so the cake
bakes
unevenly. Spread icing real thick to level it off.
24. Get up every night around midnight and have a peanut butter
and
jelly sandwich on stale bread. (midrats)
25. Set your alarm clock to go off at random during the night.
At
the alarm, jump up and dress as fast as you can, making sure to
button your top shirt button and tuck your pants into your socks.
Run out into the backyard and uncoil the garden hose.
26. Every week or so, throw your cat or dog in the pool and
shout "Man overboard port side!" Rate your family members on
how fast
they respond.
27. Put the headphones from your stereo on your head, but don't
plug
them in. Hang a paper cup around your neck on a string.
Stand in
front of the stove, and speak into the paper cup "Stove manned and
ready." After an hour or so, speak into the cup again "Stove
secured." Roll up the headphones and paper cup and stow them in a
shoebox.
28. Place a podium at the end of your driveway. Have your
family
stand watches at the podium, rotating at 4 hour intervals. This is
best done when the weather is worst. January is a good time.
29. When there is a thunderstorm in your area, get a wobbly
rocking
chair, sit in it and rock as hard as you can until you become
nauseous. Make sure to have a supply of stale crackers in your shirt
pocket.
30. For former engineers: bring your lawn mower into the living
room, and run it all day long.
31. Make coffee using eighteen scoops of budget priced coffee
grounds per pot, and allow the pot to simmer for 5 hours before
drinking.
32. Have someone under the age of ten give you a haircut with
sheep
shears.
33. Sew the back pockets of your jeans on the front.
34. Every couple of weeks, dress up in your best clothes and go to
the scummiest part of town. Find the most run down, trashiest bar,
and drink beer until you are hammered. Then walk all the way home.
35. Lock yourself and your family in the house for six weeks.
Tell
them that at the end of the 6th week you are going to take them to
Disney World for "liberty." At the end of the 6th week, inform
them
the trip to Disney World has been canceled because they need to get
ready for an inspection, and it will be another week before they can
leave the house.
Served in disbursing in 1967 and 1968.
I retired from the Ready Reserve.
I'm pleased to find another
Sanctuary site. I served on the Sanctuary from June, 69 to June,
70. I worked on Orthopedics and the recovery room. Will never
forget my time on board her. I still keep in touch with former
shipmates like Carl (Smitty;CT) Smith & J.J. (Gil) Raigoza.
To this day, whenever I hear a "helo" approaching, the
hairs on my neck stand up, and I can still hear the "man
your patient handling stations for helo" call.
After leaving the Navy, I went to Inhalation Therapy school in
Phila, Pa and was a respiratory care practitioner
for twenty
years. I now work in the industrial gases industry as a medical
product manager.
Keep up the great work
Best Regards, Jeff Dubrow
I am the former wife of Lt. JG
Richard Arend who served aboard the USS Sanctuary during the
Vietnam War 1969 -1970, I think. Richard received early
retirement from the military, returned to civilian life in
Portland Oregon, and became a grade school teacher. He died of
liver cancer in 1982, but we had a lovely daughter who carries on
his tradition of teaching. I am wanting to get in contact with
his roomie, Mr. Ogglevie, if memory serves, or anyone who knew
him, to discuss a very important matter.
Regards,
Hi, I'm Marita A. Santin
O'Dell. I was one of the first 10 women that served aboard the
USS Sanctuary as a crew member from October 1972 - July 1974. I
arrived shortly after the first enlisted woman, PN3 Peggy
Griffith reported to the Sanctuary in September 1972. I was a
member of X-Division and was a YN3.
After I left the ship I stayed with the Naval Reserve's while I
finished my Bachelor's Degree. After that, I was commissioned in
the United States Air Force and retired from there as a Major in
March 1997.
I would love to hear from anyone that I served with during the
years I was aboard the USS Sanctuary. In fact, Mary Jane Smith
Armstrong (SHSN) and James H. Armstrong (PN3) (who were aboard
the Sanctuary) have remained friends and we stayed in contact
through Christmas cards all these years. A little over a year ago
we got together after 26 years. It was great to see them.
I also stayed in contact with (then Ltjg) Lt Cmdr Ann E. Kerr for
a number of years until her death (I was not informed of the
circumstances). In the late 1980's I ran into Chris C. McCart
McCullough at Lackland Air Force Base, TX. She was still in the
Navy. It was very unusual circumstances which brought us
together. I never saw her after that.
Hope all is well.
I was station aboard the
Sanctuary from Jan thru Dec 1968 ( Phil McLaughlin,
HM3). I spent most of my time in the OR as and operating room
tech. Shortly
after the Tet Offensive in Feb. 68 we were on station for 90
day tours with
ten day trips to the Philippines each quarter.
I had the honor and emotional pleasure of boarding the Sanctuary
in Baltimore
Harbor in 1997. Steve Hammer met me and my family there and
allowed me to
take them on a tour of the ship. We entered her through a door in
the her
port bulkhead right into the operating room where we did most of
our work.
That was a very emotional moment. The operating room tables
and lights were
still intact. It looked exactly as I had left it almost 30
years before.
Sanctuary is still alive and providing care for others as she
always had.
She is the only remaining hospital ship from those commissioned
for W.W.II,
Korea, and Vietnam.
If you here from anyone who was aboard her, especially the
operating room
techs, during my tour I would appreciate a message. Thank
you for allowing
me to share this brief moment with you.
|
Betty "Boats" Wallace |
I was better known as
"Betty Boats" during my service on board the USS
SANCTUARY from September 1972 through November 1974. I had the honor of becoming the first rated female Boatswains Mate while on board. After my discharge from the service I spent 17 years in San Diego. I now reside in Gulfport, Florida. Keep up the good work, and Bless you for what you have done here! Regards, |
I'm former HM3
R Bureau Serving
aboard Sanctuary in 1970 in Marine Liaison Office before going in
country with A 1/5.
My dad served as Seaman
First Class in 1945.
Ships captain was Captain Brandt. My dad's name is: Anthony James
DeSantes (Tony).
Am looking for old shipmates for him to contact. Thank you,
Loretta Crow (1946) Navy
Nurse
Traveled home aboard the USS Sanctuary.
Phil Mills HM3 (nucleus
crew) 6/66-10/67. Worked in anesthesia department of OR.
A. Steve Giordano (June
1966 - Dec 1967) Nucleus Crew ..
Operating Room Tech. Neurosurgery with Dr. Fred Jackson
HM3 Ed Priger (Plank
Owner.. 9/66-3/68)
Was on Precommissioning detail, Norfolk.
Hi. My name is
Martin Trehal. I was a member of the Marine Liaison on board the Sanctuary from Jul 1967 until Jun 69. SNCOIC was GySgt Charles School, and NCOIC was a Cpl John Blodgett. I came aboard with another marine Ronald M. "Pete" Armstrong. The two of us stayed on board for the better part of two years. I've lost track of "Pete" but he was from the K.C. Mo. area. I stayed in the Corps and finally retired in 91.
Chuck Cobb HM3 - I climbed
aboard the AH-17 one week prior
to the Singapore trip in Sept 67.
Left in early Oct 68. I worked on ICU and Surgery Ward C-5.
TD SMITH IC2 (Oct.'68 to
Oct. '69) Email
Beth Marie Murphy (Feb 1969
- 1970) Nurse
Darryl Templer HM2 (Tech)
1969- 1970
Frank Kammerer HT3 ('72
until Aug of '74.)
"I made the cruise from San Francisco (where we were in the
Hunters Point Shipyard) our home port, to Columbia, where we
stayed for a month. Then we went thru the Pamama Canal and to
Haiti. We stayed there for a month also. We finally reach our new
homeport of Mayport, Florida."
EM3 Dale Blodgett (1972 -
1975) "I served on board the Sanctuary from 1972 until
decommissioning in Philly in 1975. Presently, I design Navy
Destroyers for Bath Iron Works in Maine."
HM2 Joseph Snyder; Lab.
Tech.. Reported aboard October '74 in Mayport Florida, until
decomissioning of hospital section January '75 in Philly
Shipyard. The showers were DEFINATELY COLD those first few
days!!!
Now working as a Registered Nurse; Hyperbaric Medicine &
Wound Care Specialty in Canton, Ohio.
Love to here from those who served aboard!
Tonya Jo Lancaster
I too was on the Sanctuary, the Bahamas cruise, Mayport, Fla. and
decom in Philly.
If you feel like talking give me a yell, --- I was in the engine
room. ---
History of the Sanctuary
JACK'S PAGE (Machinist's
Mate Second Class, "M" Division, 1970-1971)
Military Network
Servicewomen in Viet Nam
Higgy
RM2 Mike Turner (1968 - 1974)
Al Varelas - USMC
COMMENTS
I was a young 19-year-old Marine in Aug. 1968. I was wounded during Operation Sussex Bay,. and medivaced to this wonderful ship. I will never forget my experience and time spent on her. The entire crew was the world's best. I remember well a corpsman wrapping my head in gauze and putting blood on the gauze, and telling me to go to chow. I was told I couldn't eat in the mess hall with a seeping bandage. .... LOL The corpsman and I got a big kick out of that.
Jack
Evans
USMC Vietnam 68-69
Just surfed into your site
and noticed that several of your e-mailers were asking about the
whereabouts of the Sanctuary. I last saw her tied up in Baltimore
Harbor in 1994. The government had donated her to a non-profit
group in Baltimore to use as the base for a large long term care
drug rehab program. The effort was having money, organizational
and other problems at the time. The director in 1994 was a Steve
Hammer at 410/766-3088 or 2872. The Baltimore Sun did one or two
articles on the effort. You might wish to try these contacts.
Don't know whether the program ever got off the ground.
Alvin J. Arnett
I was a hospital corpsman
assigned to the Marine Corp in Viet Nam in 67. I noticed you
served on the Sanctuary. Did you happen to know Cdr. Rae Leff US
Navy Nurse on the Repose? I just thought it might be a long shot.
If someone did, maybe they would email Gene
. I salute you, We need more women with guts enough to stand up
and be sailors and be counted.
The assh*** men who might think you waves are just meat should
have to swim home!!
This is one ex- sailor that thanks you and wants to see you
expand your web-page
I was an EN-2 when I separated, did my four on a sub tender and
then on PBR's in the Nam.
Service connected now and just gettin along. Anyway just wanted
to say you make me proud to have been in the USN lots of us guys
take things for granted, again I thank you (-:
D. C. Hutchison EN2 USN 65-69
Vet
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