I have been informed by Shipmates John Meacham and Gary Christensen about the passing of a GALVESTON Gal and Shipmate. John informed us that Kathleen Bellow the wife of Shipmate Harry Bellow passed away due to cancer. Than I received a e-mail from Gary Christensen informing us that he found out one of our Shipmates Michael Conron (who served with Gary) had passed away in 1999. Both Kathleen and Mike will be remembered in the Two Bell Ceremony at the reunion in Memphis. They have been added to the "DECEASED ROSTERS". MAY THEY REST IN PEACE

GOOD MORNING U.S.S.GALVESTON CREW!!!ITS BEEN A LONG WINTER,AND ITS STILL HANGING AROUND.!J.D.,AND JOHN T.OLD BOATSWAINS MATES LIVE IN THE NORTH.THEY WISH THEY WERE IN PEARL HARBOR,HAWAII ABOARD THE GAL.IN THE WARM SUNSHINE WATCHING SOME HULA GIRLS DANCEING,BUT WELL THAT ISNT GOING TO HAPPEN.THEY CAN CALL ON THE MEMORIES,AND DREAM!!SPRING WILL BE HERE SOON.THEN THE SUMMERTIME,AND THEN WE CAN GET READY FOR THE PARTY IN MEMPHIS!!25TH REUNION OF THE GALVESTONS SHIPMATES ASSOCIATION.SOUPY SAYS ELVIS IS GOING TO BE THERE,BUT THAT COULD BE A SEA STORY???OH WELL YOU WILL NEVER KNOW IF YOU DON'T SHOW!!! SEE YOU IN MEMPHIS.

I was not aboard the Galvaston,but I couldn't find anyplace to say something about the new uniforms that thee enlisted now has to wear.I think they SUCK in a very big way .Whats wrong with tradition.Our old uniforms ment something the Piping the 2 stars on our jumper. They tried this about 20 years ago and they went back to the old.Maybe this will happen again..

We have been informed of the loss of a shipmate and a gal. We have lost Shipmate Chaplain Stanford Linzey and GALVESTON Gal JoAnn Reich. They both will be remembered in the two (02) bell ceremony at the reunion dinner in Memphis, TN. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE. They have both been added to the "DECEASED ROSTERS" and Chaplain Linzey's wife Verna is added to the "Honorary Members Roster". Our condolences to both familes.

"WELCOME ABOARD" to John Gibbs, EM3, 67-69, Spouse Holly, Ft Worth, TX. Brings the total of shipmates/honorary 477.

A Veteran is someone that once in his life wrote a blank check made "payable to the United States of America" for the amount of and up to including his life..

I am looking for Larry Martinez; he was on board when the ship left San Diego, February 1967. I think he possibly would have left the ship July or August 67 as he was scheduled for discharge in August 67. I didn't know where to begin it's been so many years. Larry was in the CR Div (at least that was part of his address so I presume that is correct). I ran across some old letters and thought I'd try to contact him. My last name was Zenor then and I lived in Los Angeles. I contacted Bob (admin) and he suggested I post a message here. If you know how to contact Larry please email Bob (bob@USSGalveston.org).
Thanks for any help.

"Anything you can do, we can do better"

"WELCOME ABOARD" to a new shipmate as follows: SUDDUTH, Larry, Spouse Paula, Columbus, MS, BT3, 66-69. Hopefully we will see them being able to attend a reunion sometime.

I received a letter today from Leora Plott. Her husband and our shipmate James R. Plott, BMC, *58-61 (Plankowner) had passed away on April 14, 2008. She thought that she had informed the association, but unfortunately she had not. I spoke with her and I have now added Jim to the "DECEASED ROSTER" and Leora has been added to the "HONORARY MEMBERS" Roster. May HE REST IN PEACE. He will be remembered in the two (02) bell ceremony at the reunion dinner in Memphis.

"WELCOME ABOARD" to shipmate MCFARLAND, Gerald, EN3, 61-63, Spouse Margaret, Ocala, FL. They will be with us at the reunion in Memphis. This brings the total Shipmates and Members to 473.

"WELCOME ABOARD" to the Morris Butcher family as follows: Morris Butcher Jr, Jim Butcher and their Sister. They will all be present at the Memphis Reunion.

"WELCOME ABOARD" to two (02) Honorary Members as follows: Lyda MAGEE and Lori GRUBBS. They are daughters of Lyle "Buzz" and Linda BRIGHT. You will all get to meet them in Memphis at the reunion. Also, welcome their husbands Mike MAGEE and Chris GRUBBS.

"WELCOME ABOARD" to a new shipmate Sidney Evans, MM3, 66-69. Hopefully we will see him at the reunion in Memphis.

TODAY I REMEMBER ELIZABETH LONKI. SHE WAS A SENIOR AIRMAN SERVING IN IRAQ. SHE WAS U.S.A.F. EOD. KILLED IN ACTION 1-7-07. SHE WAS WORKING ON A BOMB WHEN IT WAS REMOTELY DETONATED. THE BOMB KILLED HER AND TWO OTHER AIRMEN! SHE WAS THE GRANDAUGHTER OF CHRIS, AND WALT LONKI FROM DELAWARE, GOOD FRIENDS OF MARY AND ME. SHE WAS THE FIRST FEMALE CASUALTY FROM THE STATE OF DELAWARE. SHE RECEIVED A BRONZE STAR AND A PURPLE HEART. IN MY MIND I KNOW SHE DIED FOR A CAUSE, BUT I WOULD FEEL A LOT BETTER IF THE ENEMY WHO SET THE BOMB OFF WAS DEAD. THANK YOU AIRMAN LONKI. I WILL REMEMBER YOU. FREEDOM IS JUST ANOTHER WORD FOR NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE! YOU'RE FREE!