Pat Aube Email

Yesterday I received the following Email from Pat Aube. Pat served on the Hazelwood 62-63 as a CS3.  He was in Hawaii for the Pearl Harbor ceremonies and I thought his Email would be of interest to all of you.

"Happy New Years Jim. Thanks for the blog and for keeping in touch. Sherrie and I were in Hawaii again this year. Every one asked about the Hazelwood hat I was wearing. Even some of the survivors of Dec 7th. You know this was the last year they will be there. I guess they are too old. They turned all of their records over to the park service who is in charge of the memorial now.
I also met a young guy on a tour we took called the Home Of The Brave tour who had read about the Hazelwood in a book by James Elliot but I can't remember the rest. It really surprised me . Well again MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEARS to you and yours. Be proud. Lots of people knew about the great Hazelwood we need to keep her alive as long as we can.  Pat"

I searched the Internet for the author " James Elliott" hoping to find the book in which the Hazelwood was mentioned. I was not successful!! Then I spoke to Pat on the phone and found that the author was Samuel Eliot Morrison. One of his books is "Victory in the Pacific 1945 ..." No doubt that is where the Hazelwood is written about. Now I will have find the book in our local library!!

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian

Emails from Donald Petrie's Daughter

Donald served on the Hazelwood during WW2. The following is a email from his daughter that was sent on December 17, 2011.

"I am writing on behalf of my dad to inform you as to why he may have not responded to any emails you may have sent recently. Dad is currently at the Worcester Beaumont Rehab/Nursing facility. He fell on Thanksgiving day,fracturing his hip. After suffering many complications and giving a valiant effort,it appears his body is just too tired to fight anymore. He has had a great 91 years, filled with wonderful memories of all his friends and acquaintances. I know he would worry that any of you might be wondering why you have not heard from as of late, so I felt I should let you know.

He is a great guy,as you all know. We love him very much and hope his final days are as pain free and peaceful as possible.
Sincerely,
Laurel Davis"

Then on December 20 I received the following email from Laurel Davis.

"Unfortunately Dad died Sunday, December 18th. He was very proud of his service in the Navy, as are we, and never ever left the house without his Tin Can Sailor hat on. Please remember him to all his shipmates. And please extend a heartfelt thought of good wishes and appreciation to all his shipmates and veterans everywhere who so proudly have served our country. Dad was a great guy. We will miss him."



I personally recall Donald at the 2007 reunion and  I agree he was a great guy and will be missed by all who knew him.

Smooth sailing and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Jim Julian

Magazine article about Bill Szturma

Here is an email I received from Bill Szurtma and the article he refers to follows.

"Jim...just thought you might enjoy a copy of an article about me in the Nov issue of Windcheck magazine, a sailing magazine that covers the east coast sailing activities. I was interviewed by the senior editor about my boating career.

Kinda nice to have a moment of fame to brag about.
Regards,
Bill Szturma
USS Hazelwood 61-63"

Congratulations Bill, it is a great article.

As a Safe Boating Instructor, Captain Bill Szturma is enthusiastic about sharing his extensive knowledge of his favorite pastime with others.

"I've always had water in my blood," says Bill, who lives in Stratford, CT. "When I was a kid, my father had small boats. The first was a 12-foot rowboat with an outboard motor, and then he graduated to larger boats and joined Fayer-weather Yacht Club. I loved boating when I was a kid. I joined the Navy right out of high school in 1960. After half a year of sonar school in Key West, I was assigned to the destroyer USS Hazelwood as a sonarman. We were on station off Newport for the America's Cup in '62, but we were also in the middle of the Cold War and we used to chase Russian subs off the East Coast. The Hazelwood was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis and we stood down the Russians, but I don't know if the country realized how close we came to a possible nuclear war. It was quite a time." "I bought my first boat, a 19-foot Grady-White Sportsman, in 1975," Bill recalls. "I'm on my third boat since then. My most recent boat was a retirement present to myself. It's a 22 Vi-foot Grady, and we go out on the Sound and on the lakes. My wife Sharon and I do mostly cruising and a little bit of fishing. We enjoy Cockenoe Island and Port Jefferson, NY, and we go to Greenport, NY with the Southern New England Grady-White club."
Bill is a certified Connecticut DEEP (Department of Energy & Environmental Protection) Safe Boating Instructor. "Connecticut was the first state to mandate requirements for a Safe Boating certificate," he explains. "The DEEP created a division for training and asked for volunteers from the boating community to do the teaching, and they partnered with the Connecticut Community Technical Colleges, who provided venues. I was working at Gateway Community College in New Haven, and the Dean asked me to help set up the classes. I've taught those classes since 2001. It's been a successful program, and a lot of states have copied Connecticut."
"People think they can just turn the key and go, but there are many things to be aware of to be safe. I've been on the water for many years and I've seen everything people could do - good, bad and otherwise. Some of it's downright dangerous, like sitting on the bow of a moving boat — most drownings are the result of people falling off a boat. That's probably the most often violated Rule, and the other is not keeping your speed down where you should."
"My friend Bob Scinto, the Bridgeport Harbormaster, and I teach a course each year at our yacht club, East End Yacht Club, and we've had over 100 people attending. It's good to have people go through a boating class to learn safety, navigation and the Rules of the Road, and DEEP is also preparing to offer classes online. We have a chart that tracks the accidents and fatalities from the start of our program, and the graph is going in a downward direction. Training is not only a good thing — it's a necessity."
Bill is also an instructor with Professional Marine Education & Connecticut Marine Services in Goshen, CT, which provides boating and personal watercraft education. "Henry Moore took over the company around 2005, and I've been teaching with him ever since," he says. "I emphasize safety, common sense, and preparedness in my classes. I bring some of my personal experience to a class, and I will often tell a story as it relates. For example, we talk about man overboard rescue. There's a very specific procedure for getting that person back on board quickly and safely, and it's something you should practice so you can do it in an emergency. Sharon and I once came across two young people swimming in the Housatonic River and realized they were in trouble. Their boat was anchored, but the river is very swift and there was no way they could fight that current. I had a line attached to our throwable cushion, so when I threw the cushion to them I was able to pull them back in. After seeing how Kate Winslet's character in the movie Titanic was saved because she found a whistle and had just enough energy to blow it, Sharon said, 'We're putting whistles on our life jackets!'"

After serving as a volunteer Boat Captain for St. Vincent's Medical Center's SWIM Across the Sound Marathon, a 17.5-mile open water swim that starts at Danford's Marina in Port Jefferson, NY and crosses Long Island Sound to finish at Captains Cove Seaport in Bridgeport, CT, BiD is now a member of the event's Boat Committee.

"Six years ago, SWIM Across the Sound asked Bob Scinto for help with forming a committee to organize boat captains," he explains. "Bob came to me and other members of East End Yacht Club and we formed the committee. In subsequent years, we've recruited volunteers from other clubs. Last year we had nearly 400 swimmers and over 100 boats including U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and police boats from several towns. It's one of the biggest swims on the East Coast, and it's an amazing event."

Bill still has his first boating logbook, with entries from 1975. "I've logged every time I've been out on the water," he says. "If you want to get your Captains license, it's important to be able to prove that you have the hours on the water. My greatest pleasure is getting friends and family out on the boat and letting them enjoy the water. The water is kind of a last frontier and it's a great place to be. You can leave the everyday world behind, and there's a lot of freedom to relax and enjoy yourself. People need that — now more than ever."

And here is the article as it actually apeared in the Magazine.

Captain Lilly's 90th Birthday Party

I have received pictures from Carol Lilly of Captain Lilly's 90 birthday. I am sure all shipmates will enjoy seeing them. The following is her email which included the pictures.

"Hello Jim,

Here are the pix from Creighton's 90th birthday party in September -- finally!!
Creighton's 90th birthday party was a wonderful dinner party attended by over 80 people.



Creighton was roasted and toasted by his children and grandchildren.


At the birthday party I presented the Hazelwood caps and read the many cards and accolades that were sent to Creighton by former Hazelwood crew members and co-workers. My father was deeply moved and astonished -- as was everyone in the room! The deep admiration and love expressed by all who sent cards and letters was truly remarkable.
I send you all a great big giant THANK YOU!
Regards,
Carol Lilly"

Here is Capt. Lilly and his daughter Carol.

This picture is of Creighton and Barbara proudly wearing their Hazelwood caps!

This is a picture of the delicious Hazelwood cake complete with a roadrunner and a golfer!

This is a picture is of a table of memorabilia from Creighton's life.
 

Here is a picture of my parents, their four children, spouses, and grandchildren.

I hope all of you enjoy seeing these pictures as much as I have.  Jim Julian

1954 Hazelwood World Cruise Book

In 1954 the Hazelwood departed Newport RI and cruised around the world. During that cruise many pictures were taken and a Cruise Book was printed. Ken Hughes was on that cruise and he was kind enough to let me take pictures of the entire book.

Here is one of the pictures and the entire Muster List of those who served during that cruise. you can see the  entire book by clicking https://picasaweb.google.com/jimjulian3 . At that same site there are pictures of the recent reunion and past reunions.

Many thanks to Ken Hughes for allowing me to make these pictures available to all of you.

Various Updates

*** I received the following email on my return from an extended RV trip:

"Jim,


Bob Eddy has been hospitalized for 3 months due to 2 strokes. The prognosis is uncertain. If you would like updates on his health, please call his wife Jeri at (215)***-****.

Marilyn King (Bob's sister)"

Bob  Eddy served in 1955 in the OPS department. I am reluctant to show phone numbers without the individual's permission. If you wish to contact his wife email me or post a request on this blog and I will get the number for you.

*** I am still trying to find out the one individual that attended the reunion that did not get a a CD of the pictures. One of the envelopes came back to me with the mailing address label off it. If you have not received your CD of the pictures let me know and I will get it to you.

*** Today I placed a check in the mail to Tin Can Sailors in the amount of $250.00 as a donation to their organization. We still have a sufficient amount left in the checking as a "kitty" for the next reunion.

*** Several weeks ago I sent a $30.00 donation to the JNRTOC of of Terry Parker High School. This was the group that presented the colors at our memorial service.

*** This week I got 2 CD's in the mail from George and Idalia Barket. One CD had a multitude of great pictures taken during the reunion. The second CD had pictures taken while George was serving in the 40's. Just like now, he was a handsome sailor back then.  I will be reviewing these CD's and placing those of most interest on this Blog or providing a link to them. Thanks to George and Idalia.

Smooth sailing, Jim julian

A trailer to a documentary that will come out in November

I found this worthwhile to watch and hope you will also.

The 2 minute video is a trailer to a documentary that will come out in November.


http://media.causes.com/1060527?p_id=175378540

After watching this trailer, please pass it on...

Renewing Acquaintences

I got an email from Ken Hill on Friday updating  his contact information. Ken served on the Hazelwood 59-60 and was in the First Division. He had bridge watches while underway so I am sure he and I were on the bridge together at times. After he left the Hazelwood he went into the SeaBees until he retired.

Ken would like to hear from others he served with and he gave me two email addresses that you can reach him at.  kenrhill@earhlink.net and kennyhill@verizon.net  Drop him an email and I am sure he will appreciate it.

I told him about our coming reunion in Newport area and he is hoping to be able to come to it.

Smooth sailing,
Jim Julian

CAPS AND SHIRTS

CAPS

I have ordered a small supply of caps for those who may want one. One size fits all so it is easy to get a supply that will fit anyone. I will be picking up the supply of 12 caps in Jacksonville on May 24 as we head north in our RV.

If I receive your payment before we head north I will be able to ship a cap to you while we are up in the “North Country”. If I do not receive payment prior to our departure it will be early in July before I will get your payment and shipment will follow shortly thereafter.

The cost of one cap is $10.00 plus shipping of $5.00. I can ship up to 4 caps for the $5.00 shipping charge. If you want one (or more) send your check payable to:

Hazelwood Reunion
Jim Julian
318 Salt Creek Drive
North Port, FL 34287

SHIRTS

Shirts are a little more complex because of sizes. A minimum order of 12 shirts is needed. If you want a shirt, email me at dd531reunion@earthlink.net or drop a note in the mail stating the size. When I have a total of 12, an order will be placed and I will ask payment for the shirt. The cost will be $20.00 per shirt plus $5.00 shipping.

If you are ordering a combination of items, contact me and I will let you know the specific shipping costs.

You can call me on my cell at 941-276-1217 if you wish to discuss this with me.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

2011 Reunion Group Photo

The pictures taken by Dan Harris Photo Art are now on lline. You can see all of them by clicking www.ourfavoritephotos.com and using the password 042911. You can even purchase them on line. The prices are more than at the reunion plus there are shipping charges. Dan Harris did supply a photo to post on our blog.

First row: George Barket, Ray Williams, Richard Zimmerman, Otis Wolfe, Russell Harwood, Bobby Herren, Ted Mariner, Bob Longabard

Second Row: Terry Young, Eric Larson, William Rickard, Lou Kueltzo, Fred Rourke, Ken Hughes, Jim McCorkle, Henry Johnson, Dale Crosier

Third Row (seated): Phil Brigman, Bruce Shillng, Matt Johnston, Roman Stately, Bill Jensen, Charlie Kepner, James Jewell, John Bohnovic, Walter Voll

Fourth Row (standing): Jim Julian, Dave Bleth, Burt Doremus, Dan Zakovic, Ed Schroeder, Ted Winzig, Lawton Howard, Bill Szurtma, Clint Starkey, Alen Keleher, Bob Kevan, Richard Ernst, Ray Berger, Erving Wall

I hope I got all the names correct, but if I didn't, let me know and I will make a correction.

Smooth Sailing, Jim Jim Julian

POST DESTROYER SERVICE BLUES

In my contacts with Mayport Naval Base, I was informed of a serious problem that many Navy veterans who served on Destroyers have been reported having. Those veterans who served on FLETCHER CLASS DESTROYERS such as the HAZELWOOD are especially prone to the problem.

This affliction is serious and is known as PDSB or POST DESTROYER SERVICE BLUES.

Even though it is serious it can be cured, but requires help from the TIN CAN SAILOR’S family plus his own perseverance and cooperation.

Here are the things that must be done to rid your self of POST DESTROYER SERVICE BLUES.

1. Buy a 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. 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.

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. 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, so no bathing will be allowed.

6. Raise your bed to within 6 inches of the ceiling, so you can't turn over without getting out and then getting back in.

7. 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."

8. Have your neighbor come over each day at 0500, blow a whistle so loud Helen Keller could hear it, and shout "Reveille, reveille, all hands heave out and trice up."

9. Empty all the garbage bins in your house and sweep the driveway three times a day, whether it needs it or not. Announce loudly "Now sweepers, sweepers, man your brooms, give the ship a clean sweep down fore and aft, empty all shit cans and butt kits!"

10. . 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 they 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.

11. Every week or so, throw your cat or dog into the pool and shout "Man overboard, port side!" Rate your family members on how fast they respond.

12. Build a fire in a trash can in your garage. Loudly announce to your family, "This is a drill, this is a drill! Fire in the paint locker!"

13. Make coffee using eighteen scoops of budget priced coffee grounds per pot, and let the pot simmer for 5 hours before drinking.

14. 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.

15. Lock yourself and your family in the house for six weeks. Tell them that at the end of the 6th week you'll 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.

If none of these cures relieve the afflicted TIN CAN SAILOR of the symptoms of POST DESTROYER SERVICE BLUES, there is one last thing that can be done that is guaranteed to work.

RE-ENLIST !

THANK YOU

I don’t know how I can properly thank all who attended the reunion for your generous gift. I got so much enjoyment seeing all of you have a great time in the Bull Sessions, the Mayport Base tour, and the banquet that it was not necessary for you to do anything further.


But, you all did and I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness. I felt honored to be your chairman for this reunion. The Hazelwood was a great ship made so by the great crew.

Again, Many, many thanks, Jim and Carol Julian

PS: There are 5 sections of pictures of the reunion on my Picasa Web Album site. Clicking here should get you there. https://picasaweb.google.com/jimjulian3

Reunion Photos

I have put the photos of shipmates on-line on Picasa Albums. You can get to it by clicking on this link https://picasaweb.google.com/jimjulian3 .Later I will be posting more candid photos taken during the reunion. I will be putting a few selected ones on this site also.

Enjoy and smooth sailing, Jim Julian

COMMENTS

I have started reviewing the pictures of the reunion and they will be posted as soon as I have them titled and edited.

The group photos taken by Dan Harris Photography will be on his site in several days and you can view them there. He has some editing to do too!! I believe you can purchase from his site as well as look at the photos. It is  http://www.ourfavoritephotos.com/  and the Hazelwood reunion password is 042911. A click should get you there.

NOW HEAR THIS .... NOW HEAR THIS
Since those attending the reunion enjoyed it, I am hoping they post their comments to let those who did not attend what a good time we all had. Maybe your comments will encourage others to attend.  You can see how many comments there are at the end of each post and then click there to read them.
If you are confused on how to make a comment on this blog, go to the archives on the right side and go to the post of September 7, 2009. It has instructions there.

Smooth saililng, Jim Julian

The End and the Beginning

The 2011 Hazelwood reunion in Jacksonville, FL ended officially last night after the banquet and relaxation in the hospitality room. Based on the comments of the 43 shipmates that attended, it was a very successful reunion and enjoyed by all. There were 7 shipmates attending that never had been to a Hazelwood reunion in the past and all said they would be coming to the next one. Future postings will have photos of the reunion and links to albums of all the candid photos I took during the reunion.

The planning for the next reunion is already beginning. The next reunion will be in 2013 in the Newport, RI area with Richard Ernst, ET2, 59-63 as chairman and Jim Julian assisting. Richard lives in Newport and has extensive local knowledge that will be valuable in the selection of a site. I will continue with the Blog postings and keep shipmates informed by mail and email.

It will be held in late April with the date of April 29 as one of the reunion days so that we can commemorate the Kamikaze attack on that date in 1945. Mark your calendars and plan to attend.

Smooth sailing,

Jim Julian

Everything is happening on April 29!!

I am in the final stages of the reunion planning and I am starting to gather up all the needed item to take to Jacksonville this coming week. I will leaving North Port early on Tuesday so I can arrive early that day. There is lots to do!!

I need to pick up the caps and shirts that have been ordered. We need to get the supplies for the Hospitality room. I have to get the registration desk ready to be quickly set up on Wednesday AM and get the coffee brewing in the hospitality room. Even with all that is going on it will be a fun time.

I have been somewhat disappointed in the number of cancellations though. We will have only 43 shipmates attending. Each shipmate will get a list of those attending.

Now, what all is going on April 29th in addition to our banquet?? At about 4 AM in the morning the royal wedding in England will be shown on TV. At about 3 PM in the afternoon a shuttle launch will be going up from Cape Canaveral. Since we can sometimes see them from the gulf coast I am sure we may get a glimpse of it heading for orbit from Jacksonville.

So it is a busy day for many different people.

Today I just received a package from the son of W. B. Smith who served on the Hazelwood at Okinawa. I will be taking the items to the reunion so they can be put on display. When I gt back I will have photos taken of them so you all can see them on this site.

Smooth sailing.

Jim Julian

Scrapping of the Hazelwood

Several weeks ago I was contacted by Stewart Abelson from La Mesa , CA. In the 1976 he was buying various items from the government and received information about items that were for sale. Even though he did not intend buying ships, he received information about ships that were for sale.

The following pictures are of a document offering the Hazelwood for sale in 1976. There are several pages of information about the items as well as pictures of the engineering items. I found it interesting that they appraised the value of the Hazelwood at $152,000.

Reunion Door Prizes

In the past several weeks I have received door prizes that were donated to our reunion. These will be given away in drawings at the banquet on Friday evening.

TIN CAN SAILORS has donated one-year of free membership;  a complimentary copy of the book DESTROYERS LOST AND DAMAGED; a complimentary copy of the book HISTORIC NAVAL SHIPS VISITOR'S GUIDE; two $5.00 gift certificates for use in The Tin Can Sailors Ships Store; and one $10 git certificate for use in  The Tin Can Sailors Ships Store.

D. L. SEARS BOOKS has donated a 2012 TIN CAN CALENDAR. It will be mailed to the winner in December of this year. I will have a copy of the TIN CAN CALENDAR 2011 to look at. The non-winners may wish to order their own copy of this calendar. Each month has a full color rendering of a destroyer involved in various operations.

The calendar also includes "Roll Calls" for each ship. These list the names of those who served on the various destroyeers. Any "Tin Can Sailor" can have his name added at no cost to the roll call for the ship(s) he served on.

Smooth sailing, Jim julian

Patches, Taps and reunion guest

Several shipmates have asked about the availability of Hazelwood patches. Well I have good news. Ed Schroeder, 62-64 will be attending the ships reunion AND he has arranged to bring a supply of patches with him that he will be making available at a nominal cost. The patches are from both eras of the Hazelwood so regardless of when you, served you will be able to get the patch you want from him.

While talking to Ed Schroeder today, he informed of a shipmate of his and ours that passed away in 2010. Art Godown passed away in 2010. Ed recalls that he was a BT in the engineering department. Art attended many of the reunions and was at the most recent one in Philadelphia. If you go back to the archives of this blog and look at the posting of SEP 13, 2009 there is a video of the Philadelphia attendees and Art is shown on in that video.

Sherwood Bradford, 45-46 had intended to attend the reunion but his health is not allowing him to do so. However he has a brother-in-law living in Jacksonville and he will be attending in Sherwood's place. Bill  Tardiff will be visiting in the hospitality room and may have dinner with us. You may find it interesting to chat with him since I am sure he has some very interesting stories.

BILL TARDIFF IS A PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR. When you see him, give him a warm welcome.

UPDATE

I am sorry that it  has been so long since my last post but I have been busy, travelling and getting a lot of changes to the attendance list. I have received a number of cancellations and many were due to health reasons. This is an "Old Timers Club" so health is becoming more and more of an issue with all of us.

Here is the most recent attendance list. There are 48 shown on the list but I have not gotten a confirmation from Bernie Fitzpatrick yet.

First Name, Last Name, Class


George Barket 44-46
Ray Berger 60-62
Dave Bleth 58-60
John Bohonovic 63-65
Phil Brigman 56
Dale Crosier 55-58
Burt Doremus 56-57
K. C. Doyle 56-59
Richard Ernst 59-63
Bernie Fitzpatrick 64-65 (Bernie has not yet confirmed he is attending)
Russell L. Frignoca 55-57
Russell Harwood 63-64
Gordon Heath 56-58
Bobby Herren 55-59
Lawton Howard 55-57
Ken Hughes 52-54
Bill Jensen 59-61
James Jewell 59-61
Henry Johnson 55-59
Matthew Johnston 56-58
Jim Julian 58-60
Allen Keleher 62-64
Charles D. Kepner 56-59
Robert Kevan 59-62
Louis F. Kueltzo 53-55
Marie (wife of Louis) LaCava 60-61
Eric Larson 58-60
Richard Larson 63-65
Bob Longabard 53-56
Ted Mariner 52-56
Jim McCorkle 54-58
William Rickard 59-62
Fred Rourke 58-60
Edward G. Schroeder 62-64
Bruce E. Shilling 62-64
Richard C. Smith 51-53
Clint J. Starke 55-57
Roman Stately Jr 56-59
William Szturma 61-63
Walter Voll 52-54
Erving Wall 54-57
Ray F. Williams 44-45
Ted Winzig 62-64
Roy Witz 61-63
Otis Wolfe 43-46
Terry Young 63-65
Dan Zakovic 61-63
Richard C. Zimmerman 42-45

I stopped by the hotel on my way back from Myrtle Beach to finalize a few  items with the.

I found out that they are now charging a $3.00 round-trip fee for shuttle to the nearby shopping area. In the past it was free. It appears the fuel costs are causing this change. Shuttle service to and from the airport is still complimentary.

The hotel will offer a round trip shuttle service to the nearby Budweiser Brewery for a $10.00 fee. When you check in we will have a schedule for you to sign up if you wish to go on this tour. Wednesday and Friday are the days for the brewery tours. I encourage those that are driving to the reunion to coordinate with those without cars. In this way you can help save some money for  your shipmates.

I have placed the order for caps and shirts. They will be picked up when I arrive in JAX on Tuesday, April 26 since they are being produced locally. As you check-in at our reunion you will receive your order. The lady shirts are in production and will also be available at reunion check-in.

Those going on the base tour will be required to have a photo ID. We have 82 signed up for this tour and will be using 2 buses. Because of the size of the group, the base will have a separate ship for each bus to tour. Our entire group touring one ship is more than they can handle effectively.

If there are those that would like to attend and have not yet made a reservation, it is still possible to do so. I cannot get caps or shirts but we still have room for more on the base/ship tour and we can add to the banquet group. You will have to give me a call to make these arrangements at this time. My cell number is 941-276-1217.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Attendance Update

I got an Email from Glen Brady today saying he would not be able to attend the reunion because of a family function at the same time. Glen is the brother of Jack Brady, Radioman who passed away in the Kamikaze attack. Glen had hope to be able to attend to meet with some of his brother's shipmates.

I got a second Email from Pat Aube, 62-63 saying that health issues are going to keep him from attending.
I have updated the attendance in the previous post.

I also received a note from Howell Hedrick 43-45 that said he would not be able to attend. He had sent in his registration fee and said the Reunion Group could keep it for the next reunion. Thank you Howell and we hope to see you at that reunion.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Mail in your reservation & Updated attendance list (02/18/2011)

It is now less than 2 1/2 months to our reunion and I am getting the completed reservation forms in. If you have not sent in your form and check yet, please do so soon. It is especially important to send in your reservation information by March 1st if you are getting a shirt, hat or ladies shirt. These items are being made to order and we need to have that amount of time to get the items prepared.

Here is the latest attendance list. I have received several cancellations and this list reflects those. There are 58 now expecting to attend.

First Name, Last Name, Class

George Barket 44-46
Ray Berger 60-62
Dave Bleth 58-60
John Bohonovic 63-65
Sherwood Bradford 45-46
Virgil Bradshaw 56-57
Phil Brigman 56
John Byrne 43-45
Dale Crosier 55-58
Frank DeClements 61-65
Kenneth Dickinson 56-58
Burt Doremus 56-57
K. C. Doyle 56-59
Bob Eddy 55
Richard Ernst 59-63
Bernie Fitzpatrick 64-65
Russell L. Frignoca 55-57
Teddy R. Garner 51-54
John Hankinson
Russell Harwood 63-64
Gordon Heath 56-58
Bobby Herren 55-59
Lawton Howard 55-57
Ken Hughes 52-54
Bill Jensen 59-61
James Jewell 59-61
Henry Johnson 55-59
Matthew Johnston 56-58
Jim Julian 58-60
Allen Keleher 62-64
Charles D. Kepner 56-59
Robert Kevan 59-62
Louis F. Kueltzo 53-55
Marie (wife of Louis) LaCava 60-61
Eric Larson 58-60
Richard Larson 63-65
George P. Lewis 52-53
Bob Longabard 53-56
Ted Mariner 52-56
Jim McCorkle 54-58
Peter Meglin 58-61
William Rickard 59-62
Fred Rourke 58-60
Edward G. Schroeder 62-64
Bruce E. Shilling 62-64
Kenneth R. Smith 58-59
Richard C. Smith 51-53
Clint J. Starke 55-57
Roman Stately Jr 56-59
William Szturma 61-63
Walter Voll 52-54
Erving Wall 54-57
Ray F. Williams 44-45
Roy Witz 62-64
Otis Wolfe 43-46
Terry Young 63-65
Dan Zakovic 61-63
Richard C. Zimmerman 42-45

Hazelwood Crew - Oct 1945

I got an email from Danny Bowman several months ago telling me of a picture his father, Larry Bowman, had of the Hazelwood crew. This past week I received the mounted photos. The pictures below show the entire photoboard and then I took individual photos so each section could be seen more clearly.

The second picture has an explanation of the photos and a short history of Larry Bowman's military service. Also look at the following post of the larger pictures of the crew.

Many thanks to Danny Bowman for his generosity in presenting these pictures to us.

Haxelwood Crew - Oct 1945 - Part 2

Here are the individual pictures of the crew. Larry Bowman is in the back row of the center picture. The joint of the 2 pictures runs through his picture. Notice that the crew had a mascot and it is seen in the life ring.

Cap Embroidery

Today I got the final design confirmed for the caps and approved it for "production". Here it is!
I thought you might like to see what it looks like. Of course it will be placed on the caps but I did not get a picture of it on an actual cap. The embroidery on the shirt will look the same but be smaller in size and will not be on a patch like the cap.

So if you want a cap or a shirt, please order prior to March 1, 2011 so they can be made in time for the reunion.

Smooth sailing,  Jim Julian

The 40's Hazelwood Crew

Several days ago I received a letter and a CD of pictures from Kelly Rich, the grandson of Ralph H. Jacquin a crew member of the Hazelwood until it got hit with the Kamikaze. Ralph was a member of the number 2 gun crew and he survived the attack. These are a few of the pictures that were on the CD. I am sure the guys who served in that period may recognize some of their shipmates. I will have these pictures and other at the reunion so we can all see them. You can see them enlarged by clicking on a picture and then using the back arrow to return to the Blog.

This and That & Reservation Form

I got an email from Pete Meglin, 58-62, RD2 the other day saying he was planning to come to the reunion. We served together and haven't seen each other for about 50 years so this will be nice reunion for us.

Got another email from Murray Pallidino, 43-46, RM3 and he has had to cancel coming to the reunion because of personal reasons. We will miss him.

One of the cards I had returned to me was from the wife of Doyle Williams, 51-55 letting me know that he had passed away July 10, 2008.

Now that I am receiving the Reservation Forms along with checks, I am spending more time getting prepared for the reunion. Tickets for the meals and bus tour have been prepared and placed in the name tags.

I did get an email from a shipmate and they had expected to see the Reservation Form on this Blog. So here it follows:

2011 HAZELWOOD REUNION
Reservation Form

Shipmate: ____________________________

Tel: _____________________________

Name(s) as you wish them to appear on your name tag(s). PLEASE PRINT:

Examples: Jim Julian 58-60 Ltjg Ops
Carol Julian Spouse

NAME YRS RATE/RANK DEPT
1. _________________________ ________ _______________ _________
2. _________________________ ________ _______________ _________
3. _________________________ ________ _______________ _________

HOTEL RESERVATIONS: The reunion will be held at the Jacksonville Airport Crowne Plaza. YOU MUST MAKE YOUR OWN HOTEL RESERVATIONS. Call 1-800-2CROWNE (1-800-227-6963) or 904-741-4404 and be sure to tell them you are with the Hazelwood Reunion. The room rate will be $82.00 per night plus 13% tax ($92.66). If you are not a member of the PRIORITY CLUB, join for free at 1-888-211-9874 or priorityclub.com and you will get some very nice perks at the hotel. The hotel has free shuttle service to and from the JAX airport.

SELECT OPTIONS FROM THE LIST BELOW AND SEND A CHECK FOR THE TOTAL

1. HAZELWOOD Cap. One size fits all. Made in USA Qty: ______ x $10.00 = $ _________

1A. MEN’S HAZELWOOD SHIRT. Made in USA
Select Size: S M L XL 2X 3X Qty: ______ x $20.00 = $ _________

2. LADY’S NAVY DD-531 Shirt. Picture attached.
Select Size: S M L XL 2X 3X Qty: ______ x $31.00 = $ _________
3. Bus tour of Naval Base, Lunch at the Officers club and Commemoration
Service at the JAX War Memorial. Tips included. Tour is on
Thursday, April 28, 2011 from 9 AM - 3 PM Qty: ______ x $55.00 = $ _________
4. Banquet (Friday, April, 29, 2011) Tip & Tax included
A. 12 oz Ribeye w/sides and dessert. Qty: ______ x $34.00 = $ _________

B. Pecan Crusted Mahi-Mahi w/sides and dessert. Qty: ______ x $34.00 = $ _________

C. Chicken Marsala w/sides and dessert Qty: ______ x $32.00 = $ _________

5. Registration Fee. Covers hospitality room, refreshments, mailing costs and other
necessary costs. ……………………………………………………….. $ 30.00
SUB TOTAL $ __________
LESS PREVIOUSLY PAID ...............$ (_____)
TOTAL AMOUNT DUE $ __________

Make your check payable to HAZELWOOD REUNION and mail it to:
Jim Julian 318 Salt Creek Dr.
North Port, FL 34287

Tel: 941-276-1217 (cell)

PLEASE RETURN AS SOON AS YOU ARE ABLE, BUT NO LATER THAN MARCH 1, 2011

The form looks better than I thought it would on this Blog!! By copying and pasting you can print one on your printer and make a reservation even if you have not previously let me know you were planning to attend.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Updates

I have received word from 2 more shipmates that are going to be attending the reunion. They are:

Bill Jensen, 59-61
Eric Larson, 58-60

That brings us up to 59 shipmates attending. I did have a call from Roland (Gil) Guilbault, 59-60 and he was planning to attend. However the very next day he got word that his grandson was going to be married when the reunion was being held so he had to cancel.

You may remember Gil as an Ensign who came on board in the Gunnery Dept. and early in 1961 he went to the Gyrodyne factory to become the first true done controller. He did well since he eventually became an Admiral.

I also received some sad news from the son of Charles (Chuck) Pierce, 51-55. Chuck passed away in May of 2010. I expressed our sorrow and condolences to him.

Smooth Sailing,
Jim Julian

Hazelwood Shirts and Caps

Hazelwood Shirts and Caps are available for purchase for those attending the reunion. I am also making them available to those not attending the reunion. Prices and shipping information follows at the bottom of this posting.

USS HAZELWOOD EMBROIDERED
MEN'S SHIRTThe shirt is a very dark blue, short sleeve, 100% cotton golf shirt with a collar but no pocket. It is made in the USA and embroidered with USS Hazelwood, DD 531 and has a Fletcher Class silhouette. The pictured shirt was made by another manufacturer but is very similar to the one you will be getting.
Sizes available are Small, Medium, Large, 1X, 2X and 3X.

Lady’s Navy Shirt

The shirt is made in the USA of 100% combed cotton/godon by TOM Apparel Group, a high end knitwear company. The NAVY lettering is done with silver sequins that are 5/64 inch in diameter. The “DD” has smaller sequins that are 1/16 inch in diameter. The “531” has sequins from ranging from 5/64 inch to 1/16 inch diameter.

Carol has worn this shirt a number of times and it still looks like new. She washes it inside-out in cold water even though the tag calls for warm water. She dries in the drier at a normal heat level.

Sizes available are Small, Medium, Large, 1X, 2X and 3X. The sizes are “true to size” and do not shrink according to my wife.

HAZELWOOD BALL CAP

I do not a picture of the cap!! The caps are made in the USA and one size fits all. They are embroidered with USS HAZELWOOD, DD531 and has a silhouette of a Fletcher Class destroyer. I have two other caps (TIN CAN SAILOR and BB64) from this manufacturer and the quality is excellent in both.

PRICES AND SHIPPING INFORMATION

Men's Shirt .................. $20.00

Lady's Navy Shirt ......... $31.00

Hazelwood Cap ............. $10.00

Shipping (USA)........... $5.00 for up to three items ...... $10.00 for 4 to 6 items

Shipping other than USA .... You will have to contact me at dd531reunion@earthlink.net to get shipping prices to your location outside the USA.

Orders for these items must be received prior to MARCH 1, 2011 in order to allow me to pick them up at the at the reunion. I will then ship them to those not attending the reunion. Don't forget to specify the sizes you need for the shirts.

Mail your check payable to Hazelwood Reunion for the total amount to:

Hazelwood Reunion

Jim Julian

318 Salt Creek Dr

North Port, FL 34287

Registration Information Sent

Over the holidays I was able to confirm all the needed information to publish the Reunion Schedule (It's in the previous posting), prepare information for Hazelwood shirts and Caps and prepare a Registration Form. The Registration Form has the costs for the merchandise, tour, and the banquet meals.

This information was mailed and Emailed to those who said they were coming to the reunion.

There were a number of shipmates that still were not sure if they were going to be able to attend. A Post Card was sent to those shipmates without an Email address, asking that they inform me if they were going to attend. If I hear nothing from them I will not mail any further information to them about this reunion. Of course they will be retained on the mailing list for future reunions. This keeps the mailing costs down.

There were also a number of shipmates with Email addresses that were unsure. An Email was sent to all of them asking them to make a decision and inform me. I will then send them the Registration Form and the other information.

One of the items of information concerns Hazelwood Caps, Men's Hazelwood Shirts and a Lady's Navy, DD-531 shirt. I will post this information in a following post. There may be those shipmates that are not going to attend the reunion but may wish to get one or more of these items. They will be able to order them and after I receive them at the reunion I will mail their purchases to them.

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian