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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
Sick PT Veteran
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To all members.....I just got off thephone with Jerry Covington. He si the son of Henry Covington.
Hank was on the 162 boat, in ron 9, when the 109 got cut in half. I had been in contact with him for many years, then suddenly lost touch.The last that I knew of his whereabouts he was in Biloxie, Miss. in a VA hospital. I was able to find his son's address and talked to him. Since I hadn't heard from his son, I tried to contact him with no success.
Today I was able to contalct him at his workplace. The reason that I wasn't able to contact him earlier was that he had changed his phone number.
He told me that Hank was in a nursing home in Mobile. He said that Hank cannot talk in a way that you would know what he was saying, and that his eyesight is failing. I know that he has Parkinson's disease and Prostrate cancer. I asked his son if he is still heavy, for the last time I talked to Hank, he weighed over 250 pounds. To quote his son "He looks like he was just freed from a concentration camp" I was able to obtain Hank's address form his son.
I am going to send him a letter. There is a lady who reads mail to the patients.
Why I am posting this is that I am asking anyone who appreciates Hank's getting wounded for his country, to send him a card of thanks and well wishes.Let's flood him with cards
That's all I ask.
Here is his address as given to me by his son::::
Henry Covington
Room 11
Linwood Nursing Home
4164 Hallsmill Road
Mobile, Al. 36693
Posted By: Russell Pullano | Posted on: Feb 23, 2009 - 10:53am
Total Posts: 131 | Joined: Oct 23, 2006 - 7:31am
It will be my pleasure to send him a card. I will do that later this afternoon............
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 23, 2009 - 12:29pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
ROGER THAT, WILL DO.
(IT'S GREAT TO PRESERVE THE BOATS, I WISH WE COULD PRESERVE THE MEN.)
ROSS FISHER
ross@dupagels.lib.il.us
Posted By: ROSS FISHER | Posted on: Feb 24, 2009 - 7:50am
Total Posts: 82 | Joined: Jul 23, 2008 - 10:03am
I sent him a note and a couple of copies of my PT paintings. Thanks
Posted By: BobPic | Posted on: Feb 24, 2009 - 9:15am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Hi All.........I thought I would send a slight reminder about sending Henry a card, Jjust in case it may have slipped someone's mind. Today I was able to contact one of the nurses at the nursing home where Hank is. I asked her if she knew if any cards had arrived. She said that some have been received. Of course, I didn't dare to ask her how many, but I did ask if he received my letter. He had.
So if any of you, who may have wished to send a card, but forgot, you can still do so. I'm sure it would put a smile on an old shipmate veteran's face .
Via con Dios,
Russ
Posted By: Russell Pullano | Posted on: Mar 2, 2009 - 12:57pm
Total Posts: 131 | Joined: Oct 23, 2006 - 7:31am
Roger that, Russ.
Will
Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Mar 2, 2009 - 1:58pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm
Hey Russ,
I just sent Hank an envelope with a pamphlet and several recent pictures of the PT658 and some other neat stuff. I hope he enjoys seeing recent photos of the PT 658, and I also sent him a get well letter. Just FYI Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin
Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Mar 3, 2009 - 5:03pm
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm
Thanks Jerry. That's great. I'd like to see Hank's face when he receives the cards. I never did hear rom him. I guess the nurse wasn't able to get him a phone, or perhaps his son was correct when he said that he can't talk so that one would understand him
Russ
Posted By: Russell Pullano | Posted on: Mar 3, 2009 - 6:49pm
Total Posts: 131 | Joined: Oct 23, 2006 - 7:31am
Russ
I sent Hank a card with several items to read about the Exhibit, and a picture of the PT Memorial we spoke of. I hope that he can at least look and read the articles. That should brighten his day.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Mar 4, 2009 - 1:38am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Russ: I sent Henry a note - wishing him well! I mentioned that we operated with Squadron 9 and Commander Kelly in December 1943 and January 1944 at Treasury in the Solomons. I am sure he was there too at that time. I do hope his health improves.
C. J. Willis
Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Mar 4, 2009 - 9:15am
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm
C J , He was there at that time. Thanks for sending that to him. I also wish his health would improve, but I'm afraid that is not in the cards. He is in bad shape according to his son. I believe that,.... because if he possibly could he would definitely contact me.
Ed Rice tells me that he was overwhelmed when you phoned him. He really enjoyed recalling old times.
Russ
Posted By: Russell Pullano | Posted on: Mar 4, 2009 - 12:15pm
Total Posts: 131 | Joined: Oct 23, 2006 - 7:31am
Frank,....Thanks. Hank is going to have some nice memories to brighten his days. I think I'll give his son a call and see if I can get an update.
russ
Posted By: Russell Pullano | Posted on: Mar 4, 2009 - 12:20pm
Total Posts: 131 | Joined: Oct 23, 2006 - 7:31am
Hi All, I just got off the phone with Henry Covington's son. He called me from Hank's bedside at the nursing home. I had previously asked his son to let me know if Hank received many cards,etc. I was surprised to hear that he got less than 10 so far. I am disappointed with that. I see on this board that many times there are over 1000 people who view some messages . I know that some of the messages are read and responded to multiplel times, as I am doing now. Yet some posters who have been helped by this message board and some hypocrites who claim their loyalty to the heroes of the pt boats, which Henry is one of them. As I stated before he was wounded fighting for your and my freedom and some of you cannot even go to a Dollar store and spend 50 cents for a card.
I know that I will get much criticism for reprimanded some of you. But let me tell you something . Today I was so excited to hear from Hank's son that Hank was so thrilled that he was even able to talk a little .
His son told me how thrilled Hank was to receive the beautiful pictures that Jerry Gilmartin sent. He is going to frame the picture of the boat. As yet, he hasn't received the picture of the monument that Frank Andrus sent. I'm sure he will be beholding to Frank for his contribution to PT boat sailors.. Hank wants to thank those few of you who have sent him cards and pictures and etc.
Go ahead and give me hell for this post, I don't give a damn.
Russ
Posted By: Russell Pullano | Posted on: Mar 8, 2009 - 12:24pm
Total Posts: 131 | Joined: Oct 23, 2006 - 7:31am
Russ
You have every right to feel angry. Everything here on the message board can't always run smooth. It is a place not only to enjoy, but one to vent your feelings. As a WWII PT BOAT VETERAN, you have every right to be upset with the turnout of well wishes for Hank. I am sure there will be more heading Hanks way, but if not, you have done your best to get the word out. If people do not want to act on it, thats their business, what can you do.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Mar 8, 2009 - 3:32pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Hi there.
I think this Canuck is going to send that ailing ex-PT boater a card and a letter too. After all I do admire all of those who served on all of the Allied Mosquito boats. Will we ever see their likes again?
Cheers from Peter
"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"
Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Mar 8, 2009 - 7:31pm
Total Posts: 494 | Joined: Jun 24, 2008 - 5:59pm
Russ,
My card is on its way to the good old, US of A now.Your absolutely correct,us P.T. people share a unique bond and as such,we should look out for our Mates.
Good on ya
Your a good man.
Michael
Posted By: Michael | Posted on: Mar 10, 2009 - 11:46pm
Total Posts: 218 | Joined: Aug 6, 2007 - 7:25pm
Michael, He will be surprised to get a cad from Australia..Well Done.
Cheers
Posted By: Russell Pullano | Posted on: Mar 11, 2009 - 12:57pm
Total Posts: 131 | Joined: Oct 23, 2006 - 7:31am
Peter Tare, I'll bet hank will be surprised to receive a card from a Canuck.. I was in boot camp with a bunch of Canucks from Maine,US. I didn't mention anything about cards from C J,Willis, Ross Fischer, or Bob Pic. Thank you guys from me, for Hank.
I can't single out everyone who may have sent cards of well wishes to Hank, but I want you all to know that I think you guys are special.
Russ
Posted By: Russell Pullano | Posted on: Mar 11, 2009 - 1:18pm
Total Posts: 131 | Joined: Oct 23, 2006 - 7:31am