Hi, I hope all is well and everyone is recovering from this hot summer. Where did it go? It is Fall already and it is only 13 weeks until Christmas. Before we know we will be back together at the reunion. That reminds me that this April the Tutuila is celebrating 80 years since it was commissioned in 1944. It is amazing how this ship impacted so many lives. I hope as many of us will be at the reunion to celebrate. We need a head count as soon as possible so if you have not registered, please register ASAP. Register online or by mail. Call me if you have any questions (910-295-1045) or need help registering. NO PENALTY FOR CANCELLATIONS (Up to 48 hours before Reunion)! It is also time to think about where we would like to have our 2025 Reunion. If you want to host it start researching now and plan on telling us about it at the Reunion. 50/50 Raffle Tickets If you are not coming to the Reunion and want to purchase Raffle Tickets Click Here |
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Registration is now open for the 2024 Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, TN Greystone Lodge on the River
April 29 – May 2, 2024 Hotel Reservations Call: Smoky Mountain Tour Connection, Inc. 865.908.9100 / 800.782.1061 toll free Tutuila Rate 4 Nights $675 FIRST COME – FIRST SERVED |
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Shipmates Corner & Updates We still have members whose DO-R-DUE. If you have not visited the new Members Directory, you should do so. It now includes your dues information so you can know when you last paid (those of you receiving a paper newsletter your expiration date is on your address label). Reminder... You now have the option to include your picture in the directory. If you want your picture added send it to me or use the website to upload it. All Reunion Books have been mailed. If you haven’t received your book let me know. |
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New Pictures Received new pictures from Terry Owens. Got him in with the 1966 group and “Remember When”. Don’t forget to send your pictures in. Still looking for more shipmate pictures and REMEMBER WHEN pictures. |
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I have also received a photo album from Gary Lentell, son of Lynwood Lentell who served on the ship 1944-1946. It covers his time in China. I will be adding them to the website as soon as I get time. It is a pretty comprehensive collection of pictures. Look for more information in our next newsletter. New Member Please join me in welcoming our new member Arthur Hooker (LTJG 1971). His contact information is in the membership directory on the website. If you don’t have access to the site, contact me. |
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Letters David Notarnicola wrote: I'm looking for any information I can get on my uncle who served on the Tutuila during Vietnam, Thomas Freeland. If anyone can help, please contact me: Email: dave_deluxe_1@hotmail.com, Phone 302-377-3990. I have to apologize as I received this poem and somehow, I lost who it was from. I hope whomever it was will contact me so I can give the credit that is due. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I wish it had a name but there was none given |
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It was just across the Delaware, Bainbridge Maryland is the spot where we doomed to spend our time in the land God forgot. Down with the snakes and lizards, Down where a man gets Blue, Right in the middle of nowhere We freeze, we sweat, we shiver It’s more that a man can stand, We’re not supposed to be convicts, just defenders of our land Guarding our peoples millions, for two and a half a day Living with our memories and waiting for our gals |
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The time we spend in the Navy The part of our lives we’ll miss Boys don’t get stuck in the Army and for God’s sake don’t enlist. Nobody knows we’re living Nobody gives a damn At home we’re soon forgotten We belong to Uncle Sam When we hit the Pearly Gates You will hear St. Peter yell, Pass on you Bastards from Bainbridge, You’ve spent your time in Hell |
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Please continue to send in your REMEMBER WHEN pictures and anything else you would like to share. I am sure the crew would love to hear your stories or comments. |
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AMERICAN STORY The legacy of DAV member and Medal of Honor recipient who served in famed Japanese American battalion during World War II lives on. |
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Brian Moto’s late father, World War II veteran Kaoru Moto, didn’t talk about the war in front of his children, and Brian and his siblings knew better than to ask. Instead, they learned bits and pieces of their father’s story from other veterans and members of the local DAV chapter in Maui, where Kaoru Moto was a lifetime member. “And they would say, ‘Oh, your father was a very brave man,” |
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Brian Moto remembered. The citation for the Distinguished Service Cross awarded to his father told more of the story. Over the years, Brian would read many accounts detailing his father’s heroic actions on July 7, 1944, near Castellina, Italy. This was POSTED ON MAY 23, 2023, BY ELIZABETH DEPOMPEI on the DAV Website. |
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Veterans News Disability Benefits for Vietnam Veterans Vietnam Veterans may be eligible for expanded VA disability compensation under the PACT Act, a law passed in 2022 that increases access to VA benefits and health care for Veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service. If you are a Vietnam Veteran, find out if you’re eligible for disability compensation due to certain medical conditions. Contact your local VA or go to their website: | | |
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Vietnam Veterans of America Did you know about Vietnam Veterans of America. There are 663 Chapters. VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. VVA strives to achieve the following: |
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incurred during military service mandating veterans’ health care and MIAs More information can be found https://vva.org/ |
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USS Tutuila Cross Word Puzzle All Answers can be found on Website Down 1- In 1944 the Tutuila painted in with ___________ 2- What kind of potatoes were served at the 1968 Dinner aboard the Tutuila? Across 3- The Tutuila received 13 of these for the Vietnam Conflict? 4- The first Captain in 1944 was George ___________ Answer Key Click Here |
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SHIP’S STORE New items in our Store Wicking Polo Shirts in Three (3) Colors! $35.00 Check website or contact Noel. Ship’s Store is Open 7 days a week 24 hours on the website. ORDER NOW! Online or call Noel Cotton 865-233-3684 nandacotton@gamil.com |
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Well That's it for Now.... Remember this our Shipmates Newsletter so please remember to send me stories, pictures, jokes or anything you would like to see in the next newsletter as well as on the website. Thanks, Guy Veni |
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