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 Author  Topic: PT BOATS INC. LAST REUNION
Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Jul 3, 2010 - 11:05pm

Well guys, I just came home from Warwick, Rhode Island from the very last PT Boats Inc., Reunion. I must say that I had a wonderful time and met some of the most wonderful PT Boaters. Many of these guys, I had corresponded with over the years, but never had the chance to meet. I met Randy Finfrock, Alex Johnson, Chip Marshall, Tim Connelly, Don Shannon, Alyce Guthrie and others. Many of the PT Boaters had stories of their adventures that they shared with me. I was so honored to be in their presence, and enjoyed it so very much. It was sad that this would be the last time so many would gather under one roof. Enclosed are a few photo's of the Reunion.................





JPEG- 009 - Myself and Shorty Krauel. Shorty was on PT-190 when it was jumped by no less then 38 Japanese planes. Along with PT-191, the boats would fight off the planes for 45 minutes knocking down 4 planes in the attack.





JPEG 037- Harry Nicholas and Jack Duncan, they had not seen each other in many years.






JPEG 032- The very busy Ships Store, set up with merchandise and many PT Boat displays and photo's






JPEG 018- Left to Right: Bruce Marshall, Myself, and Alex Johnson in our glory






JPEG 016- Jack Kinsey from Ron 31 and the MTBSTC. He came with his daughters Christine and Sherri, along with his Wife, Eleanor.






JPEG 011- Left to Right, Harry Nicholas, Ron 25, Don Reed, Bases 3-11, ComNavNorSois, and Bill Cobleigh, AGP-12, share a laugh at the Reunion


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  Gary Paulsen

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Gary Paulsen   Send Email To Gary Paulsen Posted on: Jul 4, 2010 - 3:01am
Frank,
Thanks for sharing these photos. Wish I could have made it there.
Gary


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Bill Manley

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Great photos Frank. I wish I could have been there. Have a happy 4th of July and a happy 4th of July to everybody. Bill

Bill Manley

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Jeff D

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jeff D   Send Email To Jeff D Posted on: Jul 4, 2010 - 7:03am
Looks like a great time Frank, thanks for putting these up.

Thanks Bill, hope you and everyone else has a good 4th too.



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Will Day

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Thanks, Frankie...

Will

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newsnerd99

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Jul 6, 2010 - 6:03am
Frank - it was nice to see you at the reunion! With it being the last one and all, I just had to be there. My father and I made it up Saturday morning, cruised the gift shop and exhibits before saying hi to Frank and Garth. then we headed down to Melville for quick visit before the banquet.

Alyce, Allison and everyone else involved did a great job pulling everything off - the room was packed! I think Charlie mentioned something like 175 first timers showed up. It was very heartening to see PT vets with all of their kids and grandkids.

It was bittersweet to hear the squadron/base/tender roll call and see the men associated with each stand up. Some squadrons had no vets present - but others had a large cheering section!

I missed out on some t-shirts - all the fatboy sizes were gone before we ever showed up. I'm hoping HQ orders more of the shirts in a bigger size. There were a couple of new designs I hadn't seen before.

I'll post my pics when I get home tonight...

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net

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Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Jul 6, 2010 - 6:19am
Jim it was so nice to see you and your Dad, and I am sorry I forgot to mention you and Charlie Jones in my first post. Yes it was a great time, and no I did not buy a shirt as Headquarters would have to sew two of them together for me to enjoy it. I met some very nice PT BOATERS during my time spent there. I was happy that my book sold out, and happy to see some familiar faces. Your Dad is getting along pretty well on those crutches, so remember to keep me informed of his progress, because that could be me one day. Looking forward to seeing your photo's. It was nice to see you Jim. If you read this Charlie, thanks for letting me see a sneak preview of your up coming book, which I am sure will be a real keeper for us PT BOAT NUTS. Nice seeing you as well..................




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Dick

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Dick   Send Email To Dick Posted on: Jul 6, 2010 - 10:00am

Hi Jim . . .

Nice to see you back posting, It must be well over a year. We've missed your comments - please keep them coming.

Dick . . .


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newsnerd99

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Jul 6, 2010 - 10:58am
Thanks Dick! Lots going on in my life since I got married last July - but everything has calmed down now. The reunion has reminded me how much I enjoy all of this and how important it is to keep on 'keepin' on' - so I'll do my part to be a regular around these parts. BTW - it was nice to see your work for sale at the ship's store!

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net

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Randy Finfrock

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Randy Finfrock   Send Email To Randy Finfrock Posted on: Jul 6, 2010 - 6:44pm
Frank and all: it was truly a once in a lifetime experience to be present at the 46th, and final reunion, to renew acquaintances with several veterans and to get to meet you and Alex among others. Sorry I missed seeing Jim, Ted, Dick and some others that I was not even aware were there. Frank, it was fun hearing you 'interview' Shorty about the 190 and 191 boats facing the 38 planes! He is a real card, and a gem of a guy.

Don't know who all made it to the Memorial Service at Fall River, MA, but thought I'd tell a little of the story. The attendance onboard the BB Massachusetts was packed even though it was in the heat of the day (starting at 2:30). I was able to take many pics there and told Alyce Guthrie afterwards that I'd be sending her a CD. She was worn out having put such a wonderful reunion together. Her daughter Allyson and son-in-law Rick Bethune were always 'in the wings' taking care of business.

I think, as someone else has already said on this subject, the occasion being 'bittersweet', that it would be a timely gesture if those of us who appreciate PT Boats Inc and what the Newberry's and Guthries and Bethune families have done over the years... to send a thankyou note to them in Germantown, TN. PT Boats is not gone, it is simply a new era being the last reunion.

At the service on BB Mass, current soliders & sailors were in attendance to assist the veterans and elderly up and down the gangway; a local group of Sea Scouts was there viewing living history; the presentation of the Colors (I believe handled by a local ROTC unit) was impressive; the names were read of those veterans who passed away in the last year; the Navy Band of the Northeast was on deck and did a fabulous job; a 21 gun salute by the big turret guns (required ear plugs by many) - each blast resounding up and down BB Cove and Fall River. Finally the Navy bugler played Taps to perfection, and Bill Cobleigh and another shipmate (sorry I did not get his name) took care of the wreath laying. It was as you could imagine a solemn, yet uplifting occasion.

As I am now typing this from a hotel in Little Rock, on the way back to Tulsa, OK - I am wondering if my wife thinks I may have drowned in the pool. Does that sound familiar Frank? Was great meeting you!


Randy Finfrock

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