In a tradition going back to the earliest days of DESA, a memorial service was held Thursday morning honoring all who have died in service,
especially recalling those men who served in the 16 US and 17 British DEs lost.
New board President George Weidman read the
ship name and number of fallen crewmembers of each lost DE as a
Powerpoint presentation, by webmaster Pat Stephens, displayed a
photo of each ship and listed the names of each crewmember
lost. A single bell toll honored each ship and her crew
as a ship representative placed a carnation on a memorial table
lovingly prepared by Phyllis Gruber.
Silent and public tears were shed as those
in attendance remembered the ultimate sacrifice of so many
fallen DE sailors. The playing of TAPS closed the very
emotional service. Use the scroll buttons, <
or >, to scroll through the photos. There are 28 photos in
this album.
Click on a thumbnail to
display the full image
DESA board members preparing to open the memorial service. At the far right is Angie Ager, wife of president Dick Ager. Presentation of the colours to begin the service Dick Ager, outgoing DESA president, opens the service. Powerpoint presentation prepared by webmaster Pat Stephens Dave Perlstein USS HUSE DE-145 places a ribbon for USS LEOPOLD DE-319. 170 men lost Harold Roth, USS TOMICH DE-242, remembers USS HOLDER DE-401. 17 men lost. USS DONNELL DE-118 remembered by Clifford Eng, USS FOGG DE-57. 29 men lost Clyde Richardson, USS COFFMAN DE-191, lays a ribbon for USS FECHTELER DE-157. 29 men lost A ribbon for USS RICH DE-695. 90 men lost A ribbon laid for USS FISKE DE-143. 31 men lost Placing a ribbon for USS SHELTON DE-407. 13 men lost Kenneth Golliher, USS HOLLIS DE 794 lays a ribbon for USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS DE-413. 94 men lost Remembering USS EVERSOLE DE-404. 80 men lost Remembering USS FREDERICK C. DAVIS DE-136 is Don Loggins, USS OTTERSTETTER DE-244. 115 men lost A ribbon for USS ENGLAND DE-635. 37 men lost A ribbon laid for USS OBERRENDER DE-344. 9 men lost Placing a ribbon for USS BATES DE-68/APD-47. 21 men lost Tom Kidd, USS KENNETH M. WILLETT DE-355, honors USS UNDERHILL DE-682. 112 men lost Dick Breil, USS SELLSTROM DE-255 places a ribbon for USS ROCHE DE-197. 3 men lost Dean Hoover, USS Van VOORHIS DE 1028 & USS HARTLEY DE-1029, places the ribbon for USS SOLAR DE-221. 7 men lost LtoR: Charlie Blinkow and Ralph Parkes-Pfeil, HMS Gardner K-478/DE-274, CCFA, honor the sailors lost in service aboard the 17 British DEs A salute to the British DEs and her lost crewmembers The completed memorial table DESA members gather after the service LtoR: Mr. Kuhn, USS LAKE DE-301 and Bob Stambaugh USS OTTERSTETTER DE-244 Al St.Jean, USS OTTERSTETTER DE-244, proudly wears his WWII uniform.
DESA board members preparing to open the memorial service. At the far right is Angie Ager, wife of president Dick Ager.
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