USS HELENA ORGANIZATION
596A WEST HUNTINGTON DRIVE
ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA 91007

 (626) 446-7361
Bill Bunker, President
Matt Slovensky, VP East
Lou Bacca, VP West
Bob Kern, VP
Dennis Kuhl, Editor &
Administrative Assistant
Dick Renbarger, MAA
NEWSLETTER JUNE 2005

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT:

Greetings to my "Helena Shipmates" from Bill Bunker. We are looking forward to seeing you at the "Orleans" Hotel in Las Vegas 5-9 September. I have already received many reservations so am sure of a good turnout. 3 August is the Hotel reservation deadline. Do it now...you only have about 60 days.

We have had a series of mail thefts in our Arcadia area and I want to make sure we haven't lost any mailings from you. I have sent post cards to all that have made their banquet reservations. If you haven't received a confirmation card, please contact me immediately. The same goes for dues checks. If you didn't receive your new membership card within 10 days, call me: (626)446-7361.

I can remember when you didn't have to lock your doors, you could leave your keys in the car and feel safe anywhere after dark and never heard of identity theft. Mail boxes didn't need locks. Ours has been broken into. It's a new world.

REUNION SCHEDULE: 

Monday, 5 September                    Hotel checking (on your own). If on 4 September will charge for $99.

Tuesday, 6 September                   0900-1700 Registration (Hotel convention center)
                                                    1630-1900 No host reception (Hotel Piano bar, south side of casino)

Wednesday, 7 September              0900-1700 continue registration.
                                                    1730          No host cocktails and dinner, drawing for door prizes.

Thursday, 8 September                   0930 Business meeting. Space to be announced.
                                                     1730 No host cocktail and dinner, dance.

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PRESIDENT MESSAGE CONTINUED:

All of our functions are "NO SMOKING."

We need a substitute chaplain to do the before dinner prayer. Send in yor name to me (Bill).

We will have an open reception room all during the reunion with boards to post pictures, clipping, etc.

I have already received reservations from "TEX" Lowrence, who is in his middle 90s. He will be happy to see you all.....

We encourage you to bring family members and friends with you to enjoy the reunion at Las Vegas.

Don't forget to bring a door prize.

Dues notices are included in this mailing. Dues keep us going.....

The Orleans Hotel address is: 4500 w. Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103 PO Box 8-690 Las Vegas, NV 80690. Toll free number (888) 356-7111. Be sure to ask for the USS Helena rate for reunion. Hotel reservations form was included in last newsletter. Our contact calls for us using the reservation form.

WELCOME ABOARD NEW MEMBERS. . . . .
Address, phone numbers and email addresses omitted to protect privacy
Robert Anderson
CA75 S Div
SHC 60-62
WWII, Korea, Vietnam,
Ret (USN) 1966

Sanford A. Crowley (Lillie)
CA75 CS2 Div 52-54
NEW LIFE MEMBER



William G. Goad (Carolyn)
CA75 USMC PFC 46-48		 John Lungaro (Mary)
CA75 RM3 CR 51-54




Eugene A. Morales
CA75 GMSN (Small Arms) 55




John R. Morano
CA75 RM3 Flag 54		 Robert M. Powers
CA75 F Div SN 59-61




James E. Smith (Rosalie)
CA75 2nd SN to GM1 55-62
Served 3 CA, DLG, CVA,
ret (USN)81. GMCM Naval Sea
Systems Command Master Chief

Lyle J. Summerfield (Rita)
CA75 GM 55 Dates unk but
recalls Bars Long Beach,
copper penny New Yorker,
saratoga, cruisers, etc

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Merylin Hansen (Wanda)
CA75 X 4th 3rd BM1 59-62
Served Salt Lake City, Pasadena,
Mathews, Pres Hayes, LSMR409
St Paul, Recruiter Vallejo,
New Life Member

Charlie W. Kenan (Arvie)
CA75 6th SN 53-56
LOVED HELENA		 Harold V. Nyland (Evelyn)
(Son of Gust Nyland (dec) of
FG9 1918-21, Harold served in USN
Blimps at Lakehurst 44-45




Robert Plake

NEW LIFE MEMBERERS: Life membership is $100.
Merlyn Hansen
Kurt Heber
Stephen Polaski
Elmer Malliot
Edward Greigo
Robert Everson
John Morano 		CA75
CA75
CA75
CA75
CA75
CA75
CA75

CALLED BY THE SUPREME COMMANDER FOR NEW DUTIES. TAPS CALLS: Life membership is $100.
Lindor Beaster
Charles Cioffi
Rob Roy Davis
Lawrence Flannagan
Woodrow (red) Heintz
Billie Sexton
Kenneth Scott
Frank Prazen		 CL50
CL50
CL50
CL50
CL50
CL50
CL50
CL50
 Frank Lanson
Mike Meehan
Roy Reynolds
Alvin Carson
Joe Frederick
David Householder		 CA75
CA75
CA75
CA75
CA75
CA75

OLD BASE PAY:

Interesting to compare military pay now against our time on active duty:
E1
E4 3 years
E5 over 3 years
E7 over 8 years		 $1235 MO
$1787
$1968
$2899		 01
03 over 3 years
05 over 10 years		 $2344 MO
$3823
$5605

I remember #21 per month minus insurance. . . . . . Bill submits. . . . .

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SHIP'S STORE ITEMS:
Blue baseball cap with silhouette ship (CL50 or CA75)
Large CA75 jacket patch "Proud and Fearless"
USS Helena Organization decal
USS Helena Organization license plate frames 1 for $10.00 2 each for
CA75 photo pix of the ship		 $15.00
15.00
2.00
15.00
15.00

Order ship's stores items from Lou Bacca at 6822 Silverbeach Circle, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.
Make out checks payable to USS Helena Organization.

LETTER FROM DAVID KILLPATRICK:

This note responds to Gerald Cohen's "letter to Bill" in the November 2004 newsletter. Gerald commented on the great time in China, his love for the ship, and especially how Commander John L. Chew, the executive officer and the "Captain of the Marine Detachment" were really impressive in their military bearing. I could not agree more heartily with Gerald.
I first knew Commander Chew as my Gunnery Instructor at the Naval Academy. He had been the Air Defense Officer aboard CL-50 at the time it was sunk, and he was sent to the Academy for his next tour. He did a smashing job teaching us the 5'/38 gunnery system including the Mark I computer and Mark 37 Director. In July 1946, I left USS West Virginia and reported to CA75 at Tsingtao, China in August. Commander Chew assigned me to the Gunnery Department, F Division where I assumed duties as Secondary Battery Fire Control Officer. I never met another officer that I held in esteem than Commander Chew. He retired as Vice Admiral.
The Captain of the Marine Detachment was Captain Herb Beckington, USMC. He was a Citadel graduate, and was the kind of Marine who shaved and changed his shirt at least three times a day. He was always impeccable. While in West Virginia I had been Recorder of Summary Court Martial and slid into the same role in Helena. Herb was Recorder of the Court, and each of us on occasion acted as defense counsel in opposition of each other so I got to knew him quite well in that roll. The last I knew of him, he was a General in the Office of Judge Advocate General of the Marine Corps. I went to law school after I retired from the Navy, but do not know when or where Herb attended law school. His Detachment Executive, Lt Flitcroft and all the men in the Marine Detachment felt the same toward Capt Beckington as Gerald and I did.
Gerald's comments about the beauty of CA75 also struck a note with me. I took a number of photos of her in Shanghia, my favorite being one I took when going ashore on July 4, 1947. I was in the whale boat off the starboard bow on the way to Customs Jetty when I looked back at the ship, saw the romance of her being full dressed in perfect lighting. I whipped my Kodak Bantam out of my pocket and made the shot. The boat canopy blocks the lower portion, but to me it is a beautiful picture and maybe my favorite souvenir of the China days.
I am sorry that I do not recall Gerald. I do remember LTJG Johnson who was Ship's Secretary and maybe Gerald's boss. Mr Johnson was a mustang and a fine gentleman whom I remember with affection.

Signed: David D. Kilpatrick . . .

SHIPMATES . . . . .CALL ONE OF YOUR BUDDIES . . . . .THEN SEE THEM IN LAS VEGAS . . .

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