The PT Boat Forum
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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?cid=101&fct=showf

ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?fct=gotoforum&cid=101&fid=102

ť Topic: The Book is Finished & Delivered
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=3365

I wanted to let everyone know that the book I was working on with all of your help is finished and I gave it to my husband.
I wanted to Thank all of you for your help these last 20 months.
I started the project Jan.1, 2012 so that I could give my husband the surprise gift of his dads WWII history. It was started the first of Jan. so that it would be done in "Plenty" of time for fathers day in June of 2012.
Huh ! you guy's probably knew that I was on a bigger journey than I did. It took 20 months and I missed two Fathers Day's.
The book was a huge success and I wanted to thank all of you on this board that helped me with photo's and answered my questions for almost 2 years. I relied on the board a lot. I really don't know what I would have done with out this Forum.
I want to mention a few names that helped me a lot, Steve N. found what boat my father in-law was on. That was big, the odds of finding him on a boat was not good at best. I remember when I first started, looking at each boat and wondering "was he on this boat?" It was a lost sinking feeling, the whole project took off after knowing he was on the 156. Ted W. posted the first picture I ever saw of the 156 underway, that was another happy day. What a beautiful site, cried that day. Just the term "Underway" made me cry. Ted also answered my email questions. Wayne T. was not far behind with photos of the crew labeled unknowns of the 156 and there he was. Those photos were priceless. He sent me many wonderful photos for my book and answered many questions for me. I am afraid I became a pest to him, but he always answered my questions. Earl and C. J and Jack Duncan are veterans quoted in my book which brought all the places my father in-law was to life in their descriptions and stories. Earl and C.J. also answered more questions than they probably cared to and dug up memories for me. They made the book what it is. Well this is getting to long and probably boring for you all, I just want to thank everyone, Dick for all he does to make the board possible and all he did for me personally.
Everyone else, Will, Nat, Frank, Donald Shanno, Jeff D. Jerry G., Gene K., Tracy W., Bruce M., Garth and many more. Each piece of the puzzle was important for the whole picture and I appreciate each and everyone's help on this book. Please Forgive me if I forgot anyone, its been a long journey and I had to hide everything for 20 months and my records became a bit disorganized because of it. Many Thanks to All !!
Sincerely, Julie

Posted By: MN Gal | Posted on: Oct 7, 2013 - 4:21am
Total Posts: 126 | Joined: Jan 4, 2012 - 7:57am

Charlie, I forgot Charlie...... Priceless!

Posted By: MN Gal | Posted on: Oct 7, 2013 - 4:26am
Total Posts: 126 | Joined: Jan 4, 2012 - 7:57am

julie
ypu are one priceless and determined lady.you are part of why this board is here.
we th ank you earl

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Oct 7, 2013 - 7:25pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm

Glad your book turned out to be such a huge success. Now all we need is a photo of your husband enjoying it.

Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Oct 7, 2013 - 8:40pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am

Congratulations Julie, well done! You have an admirable drive and determination. And a precious part of your family's history preserved thanks to your hard work. [:-cheers-:]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Oct 7, 2013 - 9:03pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Julie;
I am sure I can speak for all of us here on the board when I say, "You are the priceless one". It was our pleasure to assist you in your quest
to gather information and create a book on your father-in-laws PT Boat service.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Oct 8, 2013 - 2:15pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Julie: Glad you got the book finished and I am sure your husband is really happy to have it as a memoir to his father. Glad I could help in a small way. I just returned last night from Washington D.C. I went on the Honor Flight from Oklahoma with 82 other WW 2 vets. It was a great trip. Got to see the WW 2 Memorial and many other interesting sights in Washington. I had never been to Washington.

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Oct 9, 2013 - 7:10am
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm

It was a pleasure working with Julie and I am happy I could help. I was surprised at all of the documentation she had (which I believe she got from St Louis). Sometimes it was a mystery to help connect all of the dots in tracking him around the Pacific. Particularly foo someone who didn't go through MTBSTC before he went to PT Boats.

So if you are wondering about tracking a relative, attempt to get the data from St Louis (of course after the furlough is over). IT makes it much easier to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Oct 9, 2013 - 3:29pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm

Ahoy there.

I bet Alyce would love a copy of this book too as would Frank.

Nice to see this history preserved.

Cheers from Peter

"Give me a fast boat for we want to get out of harm's way too."

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder2 | Posted on: Oct 9, 2013 - 6:04pm
Total Posts: 204 | Joined: Dec 8, 2012 - 6:03pm

Hey Julie, Congratulations! You pulled it off, Researched your father-in-law's PT Boat service made it into a book to surprise your husband and from what I had heard he was truly Surprised. I'm sure everyone who assisted you felt this was very important and we were only to glad to help. I think we were all impressed at your determination to do it right. Great Work.

Wayne

Posted By: Wayne Traxel | Posted on: Oct 10, 2013 - 3:29pm
Total Posts: 248 | Joined: Oct 11, 2006 - 5:40am

Way to go, Julie. I'm sure the book is fantastic.

Steve

Posted By: Nuge210 | Posted on: Oct 11, 2013 - 7:54am
Total Posts: 323 | Joined: Jun 4, 2008 - 7:50am

Here are the photos that Frank asked for.
the first one is when he first saw the book, The first glimpse of his dads dog tags on the cover brought him to tears.
It surprised us both, he is not one to show emotion.
In hindsight, taking him camping to give him the book turned out to be the best. He just sat there and looked and read the book for two days.
Thanks again to all of you.
Julie

[IMAGE]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/MN%20Gal%20PT-156/1.jpg[/IMAGE]

[IMAGE]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/MN%20Gal%20PT-156/2.jpg[/IMAGE]

[IMAGE]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/MN%20Gal%20PT-156/3.jpg[/IMAGE]

Posted By: MN Gal | Posted on: Oct 18, 2013 - 12:50pm
Total Posts: 126 | Joined: Jan 4, 2012 - 7:57am

Julie;
Outstanding!
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Oct 19, 2013 - 10:00am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Great Job Julie, the cover looks wonderful. A gift that last's a life-time...............................

Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Oct 19, 2013 - 3:01pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am