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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: PT BOATER TURNS 90 1/16/2010
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Hi PT BOATERS! I am the eldest daughter of James J Ver Kuilen of Appleton, Wisconsin, who will be turning 90 years young on Saturday, January 16, 2010...Born in Sault St Marie, Ontario, Canada 1920....he became a U.S. citizen and joined the U.S. Navy as WWII was breaking out. He trained as a motor machinist mate in Boston, was shipped to Frisco and saw action on PT Boat 187 (one of a couple he served on) in the south Pacific--Bougainville, Solomon Islands, New Guinea. He always talks of the fuel stops in Syndney and how he'd like to go back there. [:-cheers-:] He was one of the PT's that were on the rescue mission for PT109 (JF Kennedy's crew) as is mentioned in the book. I'm wondering if any of you mates out there can send a little 90th birthday wish to my Dad on this monumental event or even served/know my Dad. I hope to take him to see the WWII memorial in Washington with the Old Glory Honor Flights this year which is a wonderful tribute to recognize our WWII veterans who have served and we are losing 1,000 a day. Have any of you taken advantage of this? Thanks for your kind birthday wishes in advance; I know my Dad will be touched and grateful, mates!
Member: Nancy Ver Kuilen

Nancy R. Ver Kuilen

Posted By: Nancy Ver Kuilen | Posted on: Jan 15, 2010 - 9:40am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Dear James

As you have reached your 90th Birthday, let me say thank you for your service to our Country. I am sure you have many stories to tell about your time spent on PT BOATS. Please take the time (if you have not done so already) to pass them on to your Daughter and Family. Happy Happy Birthday James.....................

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jan 15, 2010 - 10:09am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Happy 90th Birthday James. Hope you can make the flight to the WW2 Memorial. There have been several groups of veterans from here in Nebraska that have gone and reported it to be a very moving experience.
Again Best Wishes,
Gary

Posted By: Gary Paulsen | Posted on: Jan 15, 2010 - 10:47am
Total Posts: 249 | Joined: Feb 14, 2009 - 6:31am

i would like to wish you a very heartfelt happy 90th birthday james,.may you enjoy many more, enjoy your special day and tip one up for me.
p/s saulte st marie is a beautiful place.i had friends in the one in michigan,just over the bridge. congratulatione earl pt108 ron 5

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Jan 15, 2010 - 1:15pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm

Happy Birthday James! I hope life so far has been good to you. Your daughter seems very nice.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 15, 2010 - 3:18pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Happy Birthday James; Hope you get to D.C. to see the Memorial. I would like to go sometime. I spent a year in the Solomons on 242 - probably made a patrol or two with the 187 sometime.
Take Care:

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Jan 15, 2010 - 3:35pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm

Happy Birthday, James!

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Jan 15, 2010 - 3:45pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

James:

Happy birthday to you. I agree with Frank- please make an effort to pass on to your family your remembrances of your service. Possibly your daughter, who obviously loves her Dad, would put them on this board for all to share. My father was QM on the 113 and then other boats of Div 17- the first six boats to operate in the enemy waters of New Guinea in 1942.

I thank you for your service and I expect that your experiences during that war proved to be a filter through which you viewed the rest of your life.

Be well, and enjoy the National Memorial (forget about Sidney- nothing but trouble, from what I hear).

Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!

Allan (2nd Gen. PT 113)

Posted By: Allan | Posted on: Jan 15, 2010 - 7:48pm
Total Posts: 161 | Joined: Sep 18, 2007 - 7:07pm

James;
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
As the others have mentioned, please pass on your PT Boat experiences, on to your family. It is up to us(the World War Two 2nd and 3rd Generation) to carry your memories into the future, as I have done with my father, he would have been 100 this coming September. As Earl said tip one for me too!
Take care and Best Wishes,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jan 16, 2010 - 6:12am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Happy Birthday James,
Heres a link to a site with lots of pictures of Sydney and surrounds.Its changed a bit now im sure.

http://www.sydney-australia.biz/photos/

Cheers from
Australia Mate
Michael

Michael

Posted By: Michael | Posted on: Jan 16, 2010 - 11:58am
Total Posts: 218 | Joined: Aug 6, 2007 - 7:25pm

Happy birthday James! My dad served in the Hawaiian Sea Frontier but never really talked about his PT service. Passing on your experiences to your family and friends will keep your sacrifices alive for another generation....Thank you for your service!

Posted By: Kathy | Posted on: Jan 16, 2010 - 3:04pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered