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For years, a
contingent of Volunteers has reported aboard USS JOSEPH
P. KENNEDY Jr. (DD-850) for what has come to be known
within the historic fleet as Field Days. Today our
sister ships of the Historical fleet follow in the
footsteps of those early Volunteers. This tradition
continued in 2003, with KENNEDY hosting the Spring Field
Day (May 16 thru 18) and the Fall Field Day (October 17
thru 19).
However, this
year was special. KENNEDY celebrated TWENTY-FIVE years
of hosting Field Days, with the May Field Day.
Among the nearly sixty Volunteers to mark this special
occasion were Greg Shippe - USS ROBERT L. WILSON (DD-
847), Dick Ross - USS MAHAN (DLG-11), Perry Denham -USS
STRICKLAND (DER-333) and Maury Crotteau - USS HARWOOD
(DD-861). These gentlemen were a just a few of the
pioneers who boarded KENNEDY in the late 1970's and saw
an opportunity to something to bring the ship alive
again. One may remember that before his success aboard
the USS KIDD (DD-661) and USS SLATER (DE-766) Tim
Rizzuto started his distinguished career in the
preservation of historic ships right here aboard
KENNEDY. These men saw more than a torn up, trash
filled, rusted decommissioned ship. Stripped of its
dignity and a far cry from the warship that served the U
S Navy across four decades, KENNEDY was then a dead
ship. There was no water, there was no power and
functioning heads were just a dream. There was no
ventilation, obviously there was no heat and cooking
aboard was not an option. Berthing was not even
considered. KENNEDY was just a shell of the proud ship
she once was. With this nucleus of Volunteers setting
the standard, today DD-850 proudly continues her
tradition of hosting former crewmembers, fellow Sailors
and members of every branch of service, as well as those
who never served, in and effort to preserve and restore
this historic ship.
The efforts have not gone
unnoticed as was evident when KENNEDY was selected to
"head back to sea" in the spring of 1999 for the filming
of "Thirteen Days", the movie about the Cuban Missile
Crisis. As a reward for their efforts over the years,
nearly thirty Volunteers, including yours truly and many
others mentioned here, were provided a golden
opportunity to ride KENNEDY back to sea as she was towed
to Goat Island and then off coast of Newport, Rhode
Island for filming of the movie. Working mostly as
Engineering and Deck hands, it was certainly a once in a
lifetime chance and we were proud to be riding KENNEDY
back to the area that she was so familiar with during
her active service.
All of this would not have
been possible without the years of blood, sweat and
energy of the hundreds of Volunteers who have crossed
her brow. Guys like Earl Walker (US Armed Guard),
Charlie Boothroyd - USS STRIBLING (DD-867), Jim Ferguson
(US Coast Guard) and Ken Williams - USS GREGORY (DD-802)
who all gave years of their time aboard. Guys like Rich
Calabro -USS ROAN (DD-853) and Gene Fiorella - USS Helm
(DD-388) and hundreds more like them, who spent many a
day on KENNEDY, cleaning, welding, painting, plumbing
etc. to make the ship habitable.
These days, a typical Field
Day weekend, attracts a crew from thirty to sixty
Volunteers. Calculating twenty-five years of Field
Days, with two Field Days per year, with an average crew
of forty-five, roughly figured, Volunteers have expended
nearly 50,000 man hours for DD-850. That figure doesn't
include the Mini weekends, the times during the week
where Volunteers are aboard, or the work done away from
the ship.
The skills of our crew ranges
from professional Electricians, Welders, Plumbers,
Painters and Metal Fabricators. It brings those who have
basic, everyday skills and knowledge, which is
intangible. One main rule aboard KENNEDY Field Days - no
one is asked to do anything they don't want to. If
someone doesn't want to clean the bilges, they aren't
expected to. There are enough jobs and projects to go
around that everyone can find something to keep them
busy and add to the success of the ship. We stress
safety first and want everyone to have an enjoyable,
satisfying experience. If they do, we hope they will
want to return again. One thing is for sure, when the
KENNEDY Volunteers are aboard - WE WORK - HARD.
Picture this. It's zero
six-hundred (oh-dark early) and the creaking of canvas
bunks is heard as someone moves to a more comfortable
position - trying to get those last few minutes of
precious sleep. The hum of the ventilation blowers is
mixed with the sounds of snoring and someone talking in
their sleep. Suddenly - the quiet peacefulness of the
ship is broken with the shriek of the Bosun's Pipe
and.....
REVIELLE - REVIELLE - ALL
HANDS HEAVE OUT AND TRICE UP .. NOW REVIELLE..
BREAKFAST IS NOW BEING SERVED FROM THE
GALLEY.
The smell of fresh brewed
coffee, sausage and bacon permeate throughout the ship.
The galley crew, led by Bill Klein - USMC /Chu Lia,
Vietnam '68, Bob Sipos - USS FRED T. BERRY (DD-858) and
Bill Hamilton -USS BARRY (DD-933) have been up early and
have breakfast ready to go. The rest of the crew
grumble, complain, but roll out of their bunks as those
in years past would do. "It never changes - does it" a
voice is heard. "What time is it"? " Geez - No one
should have to get up this early". The lights begin to
flicker on and occasional annoyed voice pleads to "Turn
the lights out.it to damn early to get
up"!!!!
The
sounds of lockers being opened, showers being running, the fumbling around of
keys and the slamming of WTD's (Water Tight Doors) bring the ship alive as it
was when KENNEDY was commissioned on December 15, 1945. Surprising how little
shipboard life has changed. Sure the crew is a few years older, a little grayer
(except those that are folically challenged) and most of us, but not all, are a
little bit heavier than they used to be. The ladders do seem steeper and the
main passageway may not appear quite as spacious as it once seemed. But the
complaints are jokingly shared as the crew begins to move about; reflecting on
the years they were aboard their particular ship and sharing with others,
memories of their youth.
Is
it that special smell permeating from the Engineering spaces, the Galley and
the Paint locker merging into one, that attracts these old salts? These
Volunteers represent nearly every type of ship. There are Carrier sailors,
Submariners and Cruisers sailors as well as those who served aboard Oilers,
Ammo ships and of course - the Tin Can. There is a mix of WWII, Korean and
Vietnam veterans aboard. Most of them have served and those that haven't
served, gain a better appreciation and higher respect for those that have.
As
soon as breakfast is completed, the 1MC announces "Now Muster on the
Fantail". To the sound of the ladders rattling, quickly followed are
questions of "what's on tap for today", "what are you working on?", "Need a
hand with that?" "Has anyone seen my work gloves", " Where's the fantail - I
forgot" is jokingly asked. "Opposite the pointy end" is the reply. There are
friendships built and many renewed during these weekends aboard. If you don't
hear at least a dozen sea stories before breakfast - you must have "slept in".
There are those who haven't seen each other in years and others who are
neighbors, all together working, laughing but most of all - Enjoying
themselves.
Shouts
into the Amidships Storeroom to Clarence "Smitty" Smith - USS JOSEPH P. KENNEDY
JR. (DD-850) looking for that tool, fitting or a handful of ¼-20 screws are
constantly heard. Owen Hayes - USS WALDRON (DD-699) is found chasing down
malfunctions in the overhead lighting or fixing switches.
Bob
Greening - USS MASSACHUSETTS (BB-59), the elder statesman aboard, is found
making his way to the IC Gyro room to continue his rope work, or working his
rope magic along a ladder railing, making Turk heads like no one else can do.
His is a lost trade one that we all appreciate immensely.
The
crew is compiled much like it was when she was active. Every New England state
is represented. Shipmates are from New York, New Jersey, Florida, Virginia,
Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Kentucky. They are from Michigan, Indiana,
Nevada and California. During the Spring 2003 Field Day, we also had three
ladies aboard. For them it was a chance to see just how strong the bond between
their men and "the other lady" can be. The other lady, obviously being the ship
that their sailor served on. Most of those ships may no longer be around, but
they are still deep in the hearts of all of us who served in the fleet.
It
is estimated that our volunteers travel in excess of 10,000 miles each Field
Day to join us. They fly into Providence or drive nearly twelve hours. Some are
just minutes away. The years of military experience aboard calculates into the
hundreds of years. It's a mix of many people, with all of us bringing our
specific talent and experience together to bring the ship to life. Many of us
bring our own tools and donate parts and materials that may be useful
aboard.
With
all this talent, countless number of spaces have been restored and opened to
the public. Numerous compartments have been brought close to original
configuration. In the past two years alone - the DASH hanger was completely
gutted, restored with an original QH50, donated by the US Army and supported by
Peter Papadakos - Executive Director, Gyrodyne Helicopter Historical
Foundation, now on display. Mike Angelini, USS JOSEPH P. KENNEDY
JR. (DD-850), was key to restoring and piecing together the QH-50 DASH.
Radio
Central is an ongoing restoration project. Using original and salvaged
equipment, and after countless hours of painstaking work, the Radio Central and
Transmitter Rooms are now transmitting and receiving to other ships of the
Historic Fleet.
With
the support of Captain Jack Casey, USNR-Ret, Chief Operations Officer at
Battleship Cove, material has been acquired through trips to the former
Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard, Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet, and the James River
Reserve Fleet. Volunteers have salvaged tons of material, equipment and spare
parts so that our ongoing effort to restore KENNEDY maintains headway. The
Ships Office once gutted from it's original furniture, now looks newly 100%
original due to the efforts of guys like Don Charpentier - USS Ranger (CVA-61),
Neil Swanson - USS SHELTON (DD790) and Blair Sandri - USS Forrestal
(CVA-59). The Engineering Office, Supply Office, and Weapons Office have been
completed. The Post Office and Ships Store are 100% restored and you almost
feel as if the store is ready to open and start selling Lucky Strikes, sardines
and Vienna sausages.
The
Ship Fitters Shop is past the halfway point of restoration to a fully
functional space with a drill press, grinding wheel and welder already in
place. During the October Field Day, former USS STORMES (DD780) shipmates Lee
Jones and Mike Sukeena, along with Jerry Shea - USS NOA (DD-841), continued
their efforts in "their space" - since all were Shipfitters. The deck was
recently tiled, thanks to a donation worked out by another STORMES shipmate Tom
Cox and sports an inlaid SF symbol. A nice touch to a space that will certainly
see a lot of activity in the coming years.
The
Spring of 2004 will see the Galley nearly restored to its original
configuration while still maintaining full functionality. During a recent Mini
Weekend, Gene Byers - USS RICHARD E. KRAUS (DD-849) and the galley crew began
efforts to remove, replace and install equipment that had been salvaged from
USS BIGELOW (DD-942).
Through
out the year, Tony Horman (USS NEWMAN K. PERRY - DD 883), Dave Margerum - USS
GLENNON (DD-840), and Jim Caruso (CIVLANT) are among the solid core of
volunteers that continue to support KENNEDY attending Mini-Field Day weekends
monthly. It is this ongoing dedication of volunteers that is so vital in the
attempt to keep up with the maintenance and restoration of the ship. There are
many more that I have not mentioned - but every one of their efforts is truly
appreciated. For without them - none of this work would ever be done.
At
the end of the day, after a Saturday evening dinner of Steak or Chicken or a
spaghetti feed that leaves you full to the brim, the cooks present homemade
pies or cakes to be served with ice cream. It's the time for guys to wind down,
reflect on what was worked on over the weekend and share in the comradeship of
a crew a sea. More sea stories are shared and as usual, they exaggerate into
bigger and better stories. Most often, we'll have one crewmember aboard that
should be doing a stand up comic routine, because the jokes just continue to
flow one after another. Finally, around 2200-2230, the crew heads off to their
bunks and by 2300, the ship has become silent again. Except of those small
pockets of diehards who occasionally need to be reminded that lights are out -
the ship is quiet and rests like any other ship of the fleet.
Sunday
morning comes, reveille is held off until 0630 and after breakfast the
crew begin to pull their gear together and head back to their homes. They do so
with self satisfaction of another job well done, another Field Day under their
belts and the pride in being part of this crew.
With
continued support, Volunteers will be holding Field Days for many, many years
to come. The Kennedy Restoration Committee, formed by long time Volunteers Ed
Zajkowski - USS KEPPLER (DD-765), Rich Angelini, and myself Steve Whynot - USS
TRIPPE (DE-1075) was created to work as a conduit with Battleship Cove, in the
interest of DD-850. We will continue to keep the focus on the future to ensure
KENNEDY remains a premier Destroyer of the Historic Fleet and look to all of
you to join us in that effort. We do this, to honor all of our shipmates who
have gone before us and to ensure that this symbol of American Naval History,
remains a first class exhibit to the public.
Thought
about being part of it again or for the first time - Go to the KENNEDY Website
at http://www.ussjpkennedyjr.org
and check it out for yourself.
Remember
- It's not just a Job / It's an Adventure. And it's a unique opportunity to be
part of preserving our history.
Steve Whynot
SK1
USNR-Ret
USS TRIPPE (DE-1075)
Volunteer
Coordinator
USS JOSEPH P. KENNEDY (DD-850)
JR.
Email:
sk1_whynot@hotmail.com
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