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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: PT BOATS INC. LAST REUNION
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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.................



[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/FrankAndruss/LastReunion-009.jpg[/image]

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.



[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/FrankAndruss/LastReunion-037.jpg[/image]

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




[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/FrankAndruss/LastReunion-032.jpg[/image]

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




[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/FrankAndruss/LastReunion-018.jpg[/image]

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




[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/FrankAndruss/LastReunion-016.jpg[/image]

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




[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/FrankAndruss/LastReunion-011.jpg[/image]

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



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 3, 2010 - 11:05pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



Frank,
Thanks for sharing these photos. Wish I could have made it there.
Gary



Posted By: Gary Paulsen | Posted on: Jul 4, 2010 - 3:01am
Total Posts: 249 | Joined: Feb 14, 2009 - 6:31am



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

Posted By: Bill Manley | Posted on: Jul 4, 2010 - 3:51am
Total Posts: 64 | Joined: May 4, 2007 - 6:40am



Looks like a great time Frank, thanks for putting these up.

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




Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jul 4, 2010 - 7:03am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am



Thanks, Frankie...

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Jul 4, 2010 - 4:45pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm



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


Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Jul 6, 2010 - 6:03am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



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..................





Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 6, 2010 - 6:19am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am




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 . . .



Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Jul 6, 2010 - 10:00am
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm



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


Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Jul 6, 2010 - 10:58am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



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

Posted By: Randy Finfrock | Posted on: Jul 6, 2010 - 6:44pm
Total Posts: 97 | Joined: Nov 27, 2006 - 6:21pm



It was a pleasure to finally meet Frank in person after many years of email contact. And I got some face time with Tim Connelly for the first time in 10 year when I first met him at the Danvers reunion.

It was a busy weekend for me having to do all the things I needed to do as president. I wish I had more time to just 'hang out".

The memorial service was great, particularly when the cloud cover blocked some of the sun about half-way through the service. Cooled thing off just a tad.

The other PT boater that helped Bill toss the wreath was Stan Allen (Ron 34 and 40) and the color guard was a cobination of sea scouts and young marines. They did a great job.

It was pretty neat to see the vets and splinters all up on the boats before the service.



Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Jul 7, 2010 - 4:19am
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



One of the things I forgot to mention was how impressed I was with the shape these PT BOATERS are in. Getting on in age, many of these guys are fit and trim, and seem as though they would have no problem getting into their uniforms. Although they now walk a bit slower, I would have trouble keeping up with them. Everything they wore was color coordinated with no wrinkles and looking sharp. To see these guys at the Banquet, they looked great. Hey, lets not forget the Wifes that made it to the Reunion. Many were just as fit and trim, and certainly not looking their ages. We can learn a great deal from this generation, which is quickly leaving us. One PT Boater said it best when he told me Never be afraid of hard work, it never killed anyone. Don't be lazy, get off the couch, shut the TV and get off the Computer. Take a walk, even if it's around your yard. Get up and move, and above all, Watch what you eat. Wonderful words from a man that was 90, but I swear was 75.

I will never forget these men that I met during the Reunion. It sure made sence to me that PT also meant PLENTY TOUGH, because these guys are just that.....................





Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 8, 2010 - 4:19am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am