PRESIDENT

• Larry Ryan

1st VICE PRESIDENT

• George (Skip) Coleman

2nd VICE PRESIDENT

• Bob Gubitosi

SECRETARY and MEMBERSHIP

• Dave Orszak

TREASURER

• Fred A. Pelger

DIRECTORS AT LARGE:

• Bernie Byrnes

• Rick Gryder

• Peter Marx

VETERAN AFFAIRS:

• Bernie Byrnes

SPECIAL PROJECTS

• Bob Gubitosi

Arts and Graphics

• Dennis Cosmo, Past Pres.

Web Master

. Rick Gryder

Chaplain

• Rev. Adrian Van Houten

President’s Report 2

Secretaries Report 3

Short Sea Story 4

Meeting Agenda 5

Registration form 6

For info.

General Quarters General Quarters

9

THE FOG HORN I WILL NOT ABANDON YOU LIGHTSHIP NOT IN

CORRECT POSITION

Volume 2 Issue 26 Newsletter of The U.S. Coast Guard Lightship Sailors Association Fall 2009

Membership 2

3

Secretaries Report

4

Short Sea Story

5

Lightship of the Quarter

6

Lightship Sailor of the Quarter Veterans Affairs

7 8

General Quarters In Remembrance

9 10

My Brother Lightship Sailors, Members and Friends, As we have in the past, this edition following the annual reunion is comprised mainly of pic-tures taken during the official meeting as well as outside activities. We all enjoyed the new faces and new stories, we would hope to have even more next year when we meet in Savan-nah, GA. Our eleventh annual reunion and General membership Meeting is now also in our history. I believe those present would approve and rate it a huge success. As this was our first meeting in California, our third on the west coast, it was a new experience for your reunion commit-tee and did offer a few new challenges that were met and handled. We enjoyed meeting some of our members that had not attended any of our meetings in the past. We were especially honored to have in attendance a veteran of WWll, Richard (Dick) Stastny. Dick served on the Umatilla Station on LV 88/513 in 1945 and 1946. Please understand, we need those of you that have not renewed your membership to do so. As our membership declines, the expense of the newsletter falls on those of us that remain current. Of the $25.00 membership dues, $5.00 is dedicated to our historical preservation. We were able to make a donation to our host lightship, The WLV 605 Relief and a small sti-pend to the Coast Guard Heritage Museum that houses and displays our Lightship Sailor Mu-seum. So, our membership dues are very important to our obligations. You may use the cover of this edition or go on line to your website www.uscglightshipsailors.org for the same form. While you are on the web site, browse around, if you have not been on for awhile, take a look at the changes in the last 12 months of hard dedicated work by your web master, Rick Gryder. Look under ‘All Things Lightship’ for pictures of really young Lightship Sailors. In Concord one of our latest projects got underway, the three year project to preserve our lightship sailor oral histories on video tape. This project is headed up by Ron Janard, LSA Historian. Should you prefer to submit yours in a written format rather than video tape, this would be more than welcomed as valued history. Be prepared to share your story with Ron. A lot of sight seeing was done by nearly all on Friday. Several groups did the tourist things in San Francisco, while others visited the State and National Parks. We all were thrilled with the tour of the new Legend Class Cutter, The Bertolf. This is one awesome cutter, in a new Coast Guard. The amount of time we spent on the Relief 605 brought back a lot of memories to yours truly. The United States Lighthouse Society has done a wonderful job in preserving this ship, it looks good from top to bottom. Our host and fellow Lightship Sailor, John Byrne, certainly deserves a round of applause with our thanks for all of the courtesies extended. Our banquet Key Note Speaker, Brian Bender, himself a Chevron Chief Engineer, also deserves our ap-preciation not only for his presentation but also for his dedication to preserving the ship. Our annual Memorial Service presided over by our Chaplain, Adrian Van Houten continues to be one of our high lights of our meeting. In addition to the roll call for all known Lightship Sailors lost in the line of duty, we also have added the names of our brother members that have crossed the bar since our last gathering. As we have in the past, a wreath was laid in

their memory. Keep a Good Light, Larry Ryan

Page 2 The Fog Signal

OUR BANNER Courtesy Of Bob Gubitosi

Our WWll Veteran, Dick Stanasty Registration Table

“Bosun” Joe burgess and Bernie Brynes Larry Ryan, WAL605, Robert Remington, David Lee and Gary Scott WAL 612 San Francisco,

Page 3 The Fog Signal

Pat Orszak, Larry Ryan & Dave Orszak Roland Hollowell, Skip Coleman & Claire Hollowell

The Board at the General Meeting General Business Meeting

Lightship Sailors Social Lightship Sailors Social

Page 4 The Fog Signal

Secretary’s Report Dave Orszak

The Annual General Meeting was convened@ 1400 Hours on 22 October 2009 in Concord, California and Re-

union was attended by 28 members plus their families and friends. Banquet attendance was about 50 peo-

ple.

The Board of Directors and Committee Chairmen gave their reports. The Association is in good shape albeit

that membership decreases each year.

The Board voted to provide 2009 patches to those who attended the Reunion.

The Historian, Ron Janard requested that members participate in his development of video history of light-

ship sailors.

George Rongner was commended for his support of the LSA

Changes to the By-Laws were read by the 1st

Vice President and all were ratified. The By-Laws contain the

listing of all changes. It was agreed not to post the By-Laws on the Website. A copy will be provided to any

member who requests a copy.

The 2010 Reunion site considerations narrowed down to Mobile, Alabama, New England and Savannah,

Georgia based on proposals received by the President. Voice vote by the membership resulted in Savannah

(14), New England (7) and Mobile (3).

Larry outlined our method of selection and alternative sites were discussed for 2011. Nominations were New

England, Cherry Hill, NJ, Baltimore, MD and New Orleans, LA. One of these locations will be chosen at the

General meeting in 2010.

The heritage museum is setting up membership. LSA members are encouraged to join.

Preservation fund donations were given to the Heritage Museum and to the USLHA Relief LV605.

Membership

Total life membership has increased to 31 and overall membership at 186.

2010 Membership cards will be issued to those who have already submitted their 2010 dues later this month.

Your early renewal is appreciated.

Dave Orszak, Secretary, Director of Membership ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Pictures in this edition courtesy of: Pete Marx, Dave Orszak, Ron Janard, Rick Gryder and Zac Ryan

Page 5 The Fog Signal

Ron Janard, LSA Historian & Dennis Cosmo, Past President, Director & Chairman of Arts and Graphics. Preparing for the

Saturday tours and Memorial Service

Ready to board the bus

The Legend Class CGC Bertolf Home ported on Base Alameda, CA Our Host for the ships tour

ENS Justin Valentino

Life Ring Plague on Mess Deck

Page 6 The Fog Signal

Bernie Brynes ( Engineman) Bob Gubitosi ( Cook) Gary and Shirley Scott

Radio Room Relief 605 Ships Office Relief 605

Rec Deck, Relief 605

B-1 Engineroom Relief 605

Page 7 The Fog Signal

ATTENTION TO THE COLORS MT Diablo HS JROTC Color Guard Three fine young men

The Roll Call of Honor

Rev.Adrian and Sharon Van Houten

Page 8 The Fog Signal

Facing left-Joe Burgess, with back to camera Joe McCarthy Two CHBOSN’S. Facing camera center-Dale Matlock ENC

(Just to balance out the table)

Three Lightship Models built by Russ Helberg and donated to The LSA. One raffled off with Rick Gryder the winner, One bought by Ron Janard, and one donated to our mu-seum.

Bob Gubitosi, Kathy Gubitosi, Bernie and Fridel Brynes, Paula Cosmo and Joe Racliffe

Russ Helberg presenting the models to The LSA

Bill Sherman with daughter Patience ( The winner of the free room raffle)

The Colonel Adrian Van Houten begging for a $2.00 bid.

GENERAL QUARTERS

Page 9 The Fog Signal

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2010 ANNUAL REUNION The members present for the General Business meeting in Concord selected Savannah, GA as the location for our 2010 meeting.

The dates and hotel will be announced in the next edition in the Spring. The members had three choices from the nominations offered by the members in Hyannis at the General Business Meeting in ’08.

New England, Mobile, AL or Savannah, GA. *************************************************************************************************************************************

***IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT*** The LSA received a telephone call on Tuesday, October 21, 2009 from Bob Mannino notifying us the sale of LV112/534 had

just been finalized.

Bob stated the ship would be moved from Oyster Bay, LI NY to Boston immediately on receipt of a dead ship tow permit

from The USCG.

He went on to say he would like a list of names of our members that would like to make up a riding crew for the move, em-

phasizing an interest in former crewmen having served on the 112. Needless to add, when this announcement was made dur-

ing the General Meeting it was met with all out excitement.

Editors Note and Reminder: The ship has been tied to the dock for almost 6 years.

The ship has not been inspected for condition or safety or necessary safety equipment by The USCG nor have the bilges been

pumped. At this writing, it has not been determined if any of the generators are operational. We have two former cooks

signed up for the ride, one specializing in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the crew ( just in case there is no genera-

tor ).

At this time, other than having a crew list, there are more questions than answers. Should anyone, in addition to the riding

crew, that would like to be included on the up to the minute updates on the move, please send me a e-mail message to Presi-

dent@uscglightshipsailors.org and I will put you on a list.

Skip & Mary Lou Coleman, Roland & Claire Holloway Pat & Dave Orszak at Muir Woods State Park

Rick gryder, Zac Ryan, Shannon Ryan, & Clint Ritchie, Larry Ryan, Melinda Repko ( our host) Ron Janard Sara & Dale Matlock at Pt

Reyes Lightstation, Pt Reyes National Seashore.

“The Bill of Rights is a born rebel. It reeks with sedition. In every clause it shakes its fist in the face of constituted authority…it is the one guaranty of human freedom to the American people.” Frank I. Cobb

Above only two of the several groups taking advantage of our free day, Friday. These were not part of the official schedule.

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CROSSED OVER THE BAR 2009

Lightship Sailor Veteran Crossed Over LSA Notified

Parnell Perry Aug 20, 2008 Dec 27, 2008 Cheaspeake 116/538 1968-1969

George Shutts Nov 04, 2008 Jan 03, 2009

Nantucket 112/534 1954-1956

Bernard “Bernie” Webber Jan 24, 2009 Jan 25, 2009

Nantucket/Relief 112/534 April ’58-April ‘60 Cross Rip 102/525 Aug ’63-Oct’63

Edmund “Lee” Burbage Jan 29, 2009 Jan 30, 2009

Relief 78/505 Jan ‘57-Aprl ‘58

Tom Branco Jan 16, 2009 Jan 30, 2009 Portland 533 1961-1963

Harvey Drexler Feb 16, 2009 March 19, 2009

Relief 107/529 1968

Robert Yered ( Silver Star ) Jan 26, 2009 Feb 1, 2009

Boston 1968

Stanley Poteat Feb 2, 2009 May 29, 2009 New Orleans 531 1963-64

Robert Thibault May 16, 2006 Aug 19, 2009

Scotland 87/512 1962

William “Bill” Bart May 5, 2009 Oct 3, 2009 Relief 109/531 1946-49

YOU ARE RELIEVED OF THE WATCH,YOU ARE RELIEVED OF THE WATCH,YOU ARE RELIEVED OF THE WATCH,YOU ARE RELIEVED OF THE WATCH,

REST IN PEACEREST IN PEACEREST IN PEACEREST IN PEACE Updated 11/14/09

As we enter into the holiday season, we would respectfully ask that you remember in your prayers those members of the Coast Guard, Marines and Army personnel, and their families, that have perished in the performance of their duties. Our Coast Guard Brothers and Sisters that have Crossed The Bar, and the Marines off of San Diego, CA. Che Barnes, Adam Bryant, John Seidman, Carl Grigonis, Monica Beacham, Jason Moletzsky, Danny Kreder, USMC Samuel Leigh, and Thomas Claiborne. And the Soldiers at Ft. Hood, TX that now Dwell on Fiddlers Green. We also have several of our members recuperating from various health issues, we wish each and everyone a continued rapid re-covery.

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU To all that contributed to a successful annual meeting. To the planners, financial supporters, to the donors of

items for our raffle and the items for our museum. Thanks to all that took the time to travel and have their oral histories recorded.

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“We Americans have no commission from God to police the world.” Benjamin Harrison