Shipmates,

The 2010 Association Reunion will be held in Nashville, TN at the Radisson Hotel at Opryland from 9/8 thru 9/11, 2010. We hope to see in Nashville as it has so much to offer.Come one come all and renew old friendships and make new ones.

The USS Dyess Reunion Committee
Jerry Kutcher-,[email protected], Joe Peters-,[email protected], Ken Moore, Paul Naughton and Fred Anderson

Ken,

Yup, just as I thought. Thanks for your response.On another subject entirely. Last month I flew out to San Francisco by
US Air
to attend the 99th birthday of the oldest living member in my family
bloodline.
When this person passes away, I will be the oldest. While on this
flight I wore
my USS Dyess jacket -- the one with the ship embroidered on the back
and my
name on the front -- that you sold me two years ago. When it came time
for the
stewardess to serve drinks to the passengers along with the box lunches
that
people had to buy, I asked her to give me two small (miniature size)
bottles of
white wine to drink with my lunch. She took a good look at my Dyess
jacket. US
Air's price for the wine was $7.00 per bottle so I gave her a twenty
dollar bill.
She said she didn't have change at that time and would get back to me
when
she had it. I said OK. She came back about fifteen minutes later,
handed me
the twenty dollar bill that I had given her and said "Thanks for your
service to
the country -- your wine will be free on us". I said thanks very much.
Bottom
line to this story -- wear your Dyess jacket on your next flight and
see what
may happen. You may use this true story to help sell more personalized
Dyess
jackets.

Best regards,
"Walt"

"STEAMIN DEMON"

We hope all you shipmates and grandkids will enjoy trick or treating this halloween.The weather has been very delightful here, cool nights, warm days and no humidity.

We have gained some new members lately mostly from the 70's which we do need these guys as the years are creeping up on some of us.I am getting more inquiries fro shipmates from the late 60's and 70's who want to join us.Joe Peters spent some time in NJ to visit with his daughter. Joe's granddaughter was sworn in as a assistant DA in Hudson county. Joe was honored to hold the bible for her when she was sworn in. He is now home and enjoying himself. We have received many favorable comments on going to Nashville in 2010. Received a note from Mac McDonald who recently went to his USS Manchester reunion. Mac said he had a good time but those crowds are getting smaller as the Manchester was decommissioned many years ago. Hope my old buddy Ron Ward can make the Nashville reunion, haven't seen him in over 57 years. I have spoken with him on occasions over the years.. Tom Bailey, thanks for signing the guest book. The email address you entered is not available as a valid address for you. Let me hear from you with your new address. I called George Scatko and he came through with flying colors and will most likely return home on 10/3 for some needed rest. Let us say a prayer for all shipmates and their families. I heard from George Scatko tonight (10/7) and he came home on the 3rd and is recuperating now at home. He said it was a tough time and is now feeling better. He said he hopes to make the TCS meeting in Lakeland in January and will be with us in Nashville.

The new web site is up and running. We would like your input to help us improve the site and also want stories and photos to be added to the site for all to enjoy reading and viewing. We will be upgrading the ship store page so you can view articles we sell to our shipmates. You may send me what you would like added to the bulletin board, ships crews(active and deceased) and reunion pages to Ken Moore to [email protected] or to Joe Peters at [email protected]

USS Dyess Association

Boyd Bell, Joseph Carroll, John Coffman, Lyman Culver JR, Robert Dillon, Joseph Fincher JR
Charles Gordon, Lewis Greer, Joseph Hagaman, William Huff, Ken Johnson, Walt Larimer, Johnny Lewis, Fredrick Luhrs, Warren Morgan, Kenneth Pfitzer JR, James Ramage, Frank Rapin, Kevin Seely
Danny Shannon, Harris Sirigos, Gary Vertieb, Michael Wilson, Mel Yudofsky

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIPMATES!

On the left menu, there is an addition to the website - the US Navy Memorial. Recently, I took a trip to Washington DC and got some information and pictures for you to enjoy. - Ernie Pomeroy

It is a very nice memorial, you can check out the foundation here.

One hundred years ago this past Sunday, Jimmie Dyess was born in Augusta. He lived for only 35 years but what a life he lived!

There was a pattern to his life that we can all learn from -- a pattern of selfless service, courage and concern for others that was truly extraordinary. It is fitting that we celebrate the anniversary of his birthday.

Both Augusta and North Augusta can lay claim to the only person to have earned America's two highest awards for heroism. He lived with his family in North Augusta from 1909 until he left to attend Clemson in 1927. He attended Richmond Academy and was especially active as a leader in the corps of cadets. He was a student at Clemson on summer vacation when he earned the Carnegie Medal. When he returned from Clemson in 1931, he lived in Augusta until he was called to active duty in the Marine Corps in 1940. He earned the Medal of Honor in combat in February, 1944. Dyess was killed on the last day of combat on the Japanese island of Roi Namur in the Marshall Islands.

THROUGHOUT THE CSRA, the Medal of Honor is well understood and well respected. Many have read the best selling book, Medal of Honor by Peter Collier or the recent book by Medal of Honor recipient, Jack Jacobs, If Not Now, When? I heartily recommend both.

In addition, many have met a Medal of Honor recipient; in the past seven years, seven recipients have come to Augusta in November to support the Boy Scouts at the annual fund raiser. However, the Carnegie Medal is not well understood and deserves some attention.

In all of world history, Andrew Carnegie was the second-wealthiest person (John D. Rockefeller is 1st, Queen Elizabeth I is15th, Bill Gates is 37th). Carnegie spent the last 18 years of his life giving his money away; he gave away, to good causes, 96 percent of his wealth. Carnegie was extremely wise in how he parceled out his gifts. He started more than 20 foundations, most of which are thriving today.
Of all his foundations, the one he was most proud of was the Carnegie Heroes Fund Commission. The purpose of this commission is to honor those civilians who accomplished an act of extraordinary courage as they attempted to save the life of someone in great danger.

Jimmie Dyess earned his Carnegie Medal as a result of an action he took off the shores of Sullivan's Island in 1928. One woman was drowning and another woman who courageously swam out to save her was not being successful and was in grave danger of drowning herself. The storm was huge, yet Jimmie Dyess, with no help from anyone else, swam way out to sea in the heavy storm and rescued both women.

SIXTEEN YEARS later, Lieutenant Colonel Dyess, U.S. Marine Corps, earned the Medal of Honor. He went behind enemy lines to save the lives of four badly wounded Marines. The next day he was leading his men against the last Japanese pillbox, when he was shot and killed.

Dyess's legacy continues:
1. The Jimmie Dyess Parkway is a vital artery for those who work or live at or near Fort Gordon.
2. Fort Gordon recently revised its welcoming video. Everyone newly assigned to the Fort now learns about Dyess's valor in peace and war.
3. In 2004, Dyess was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Clemson University.
4. The Navy and Marine Reserve Center on Central Avenue is now named in honor of Dyess.
5. The headquarters building of the 24th Marines outside of Kansas City is named in his honor.
6. Dyess Field on the island of Roi Namur in the Marshall Islands is a very active facility. This island is a key space-tracking facility for NASA and the Department of Defense.
7. Recently, the Semper Fi Society of Clemson University started an annual 5-kilometer race. The Jimmie Dyess honorary race is held each April at Clemson.
8. Other organizations that honor him include Richmond Academy, The Marine Corps League and the Order of the Purple Heart.

WHAT CAN YOU do to learn more about Dyess, the Medal of Honor or the Carnegie Medal? Twice a Hero: The Jimmie Dyess Story is a 60-minute DVD that tells his story. It is available at the gift shop at the Augusta Museum of History.

On the second floor of this fine museum at 6th and Reynolds Street downtown, there a wonderful display that tells the story of the USS Dyess, the USS Augusta and Jimmie Dyess. "A Century of Heroes" tells the story of the Carnegie Heroes Fund and the Carnegie Medal. In this book is a chapter on Jimmie Dyess.

Finally, I encourage everyone to visit the newly upgraded Congressional Medal of Honor Museum in Mount Pleasant South Carolina. Bring the kids and grandkids.

(Maj. Gen. Perry Smith U.S. Air Force retired, is the son-in-law of Jimmie Dyess. His wife, Connor, was 8 years old when her father was killed.)

The associations donation have been distributed to the following, Tin Can Sailors $200.00,Patriots Point Naval Museum for the USS Laffey restoration $200.00 and to the Augusta Museum for the Dyess exhibit room $100.00.

If your name does not appear on the active men's web site please let me hear from you and we will gladly add your name. We have been receiving dues from new and younger shipmates, this is a good sign as we do need the younger shipmates for future growth.

Thank you for all your support to our association,Your support helps us to grow and keep the USS Dyess name moving on.

A new USS Dyess banner donated to the association compliments of Joe Peters. This was taken at the TCS bull session in Lakeland ,FL on the 10th January.

TCS Lakeland ,FL January 10th bull session.
l-r, George Scatko 49-53, Joe Peters 52-54, Ken Moore 51-52 and Mac McDonald 58-61.

**James Lester, Dick Rightmyer, Jon Picciuolo, Glen Sweitzer, Glendon Pyle, Dwight Berry, Douglas Jaqua, Bill Metcalf, Jim Perez, Terry Boyle, Richard Brockelsby, George Scatko, Fred Anderson, Anton Svitok, Bob Barkalow, Paul Naughton, Howie Cohen, Andy Lehoskay, Stan Gourley 
Gary McGraw, James Rossiter, Ed Anger, Gil Bernoski, Richard Crouch, Bill Fronhapple, Charles Gordon, Howard Smith, Jerry Pufahl, Rees Sanks, Sal DePiola, George Willis, Henry Croy
Charles Millard, Ray Stas, Len DiLorenzo, Donald Fitzpatrick, **Dave Sage, Glen Sweitzer, Boyd Bell
Roland Dagneau, Ken Moore, Milt Verts, Ron DelRico, Hank Furniss, Joe Peters, John Tandy
**Richard Aarhus, Ray Weekly, Dick Reeser, **E.J.Fortner, Ron Ward, Ron Delong
** Jerry Oydgard, Gene Koser, Jerry Kutcher, Gene Marrapese, Walt McCue, Charles Millard
M. Allen Ward, **Jim Adrian, Mac McDonald

 We have 64 Life Members

Let us add your name to this group.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Click Here for the 2009 Dyess Association Dues form