DE Day 2004

On Saturday, June 19, 2004, Destroyer Escort Sailors across the nation were honored. Many local DESA Chapters held ceremonies honoring DE sailors as well as remembering those who have sailed their final seas.

One such Chapter was the Capital District, CAP-DESA, located in Albany, New York. This information was submitted by Bob Donlon SOG 3/c, USS ROBERT F. KELLER DE-419.

The DE DAY Memorial Observance program below was held on Saturday June 19, 2004 at 0930 hours aboard the USS SLATER DE-766.

Guests:

Master of Ceremony - CAPT Greg Krawczyk, USNR

DEHF Officials - Frank Lasch, President; Dr. Martin Davis, Vice-Chairman; RADM Paul J. Czesak, NYNM (Ret), Vice President

Honorable Gerald D. Jennings - Mayor of Albany

Honorable Ronald Canestrari - Assemblyman-106th Assembly District

Honorable Robert G. Prentiss - Assemblyman-109th Assembly District

Honorable Michael G. Breslin - Albany County Executive

Honorable Kathleen M. Jimino - Rensselaer County Executive

Robert F. Cross - Commissioner City of Albany Dept. of Water & Water Supply, Chairman, Albany Port District Commission

MAJ Willard F. Lochridge, IV - NYNM CMDR MEBS

Award Recipients:
CW04 Charles Marshall
BM2 Elizabeth Spain
Richard Smith, USS EVARTS DE-5
Raymond Lammers, USS TATUM APD-81

Order Of The Day:

Musical Selections - Robert Ditton, Piper Albany Police Pipes & Drums

City of Albany Welcome - Mayor Gerald D. Jennings and Commissioner Robert F. Cross

Presentation of Colors - USS SLATER Color Guard
Lawrence G. Williams EM2

National Anthem - USS SLATER 1MC Sounds
Jerry Jones, ET1

Invocation - CDR Earle E. Flatt, USNR (Ret)

What is DE Day - Dr. Martin Davis, Vice-Chairman, DEHM

Award Presentation - RADM Paul J. Czesak, NYNM (Ret) and
MAJ Willard F. Lochridge, IV, NYNM CMDR MEBS

Recipients:
CW04 Charles Marshall
BM2 Elizebeth Spain
Richard Smith, USS EVARTS DE-5
Raymond Lammers, USS TATUM APD-81

Memorial Tribute & Roll Call - CAPT Greg Krawczyk, USNR
DE’s & APD’s lost in service, with tolling of ship’s bell as a carnation is dropped off the SLATER’s stern for each ship lost.

Amazing Grace - Robert Ditton, Piper, Albany Police Pipes & Drums

Rifle Salute - Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard Association
Tom Sawyer

Slater Gun Salute - USS SLATER ( K-gun )
Erik Collin

TAPS - Steve Stella, Bugler, Albany Police Dept.

Navy Hymn - USS SLATER 1MC Sounds
Jerry Jones, ET1

Benediction - CDR Earle E. Flatt, USNR (Ret)

Closing Remarks - Frank Lasch, President DEHM

Retire Colors - USS SLATER Color Guard
Lawrence G. Williams EM2

The first Destroyer-Escort Day Memorial was held at the Intrepid Sea-Air Space Museum in New York City on June 16, 1990. Destroyer Escort Day pays homage to the Destroyer-Escorts/APD sailors killed in WW II, Korea and Vietnam and to the Destroyer-Escort/APD’s lost in action. As the name of each of the sixteen ships lost during the war is read off, the ship’s bell is tolled and a Destroyer Escort veteran drops a red, white or blue carnation into the waters of the Hudson River from the stern of the USS SLATER DE-766.
The Destroyer Escort Roll of Honor contains the names of shipmates who did not survive the combined efforts of Allied Forces to restore peace to a war-torn world. Represented are 120 ships. They are heroes who gave their lives in combat, accident or illness, in service to their country. We were together once, part of a crew serving in the DE Navy during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. We were all there. These gallant sailors were with us once, but not long enough. Out of a sense for duty and faith in our country, they protected the life and liberty of all Americans and deserve the proper recognition for their service and sacrifice. They paid the highest price for peace, part of the terrible cost of war, never to enjoy the fruits of victory. These brave US Navy and Coast Guard sailors are honored with their ships. They are also enshrined in the hearts of all who knew them. May these noble men rest in peace they so richly deserve, until we all sail together again.
The third Saturday in June is now recognized and celebrated by the National Destroyer-Escort Sailors Association, Destroyer-Escort Historical Museum and all of the Destroyer-Escort Sailors Association Chapters nationwide. Each chapter prepares and conducts it own program to honor the ships and crews. Governor George E. Pataki’s Proclamation naming the third Saturday of June was issued on Saturday June 20, 1998.
Special thanks to CAP-DESA members that participated; Paul Albertine, USS RUCHAMKIN DE-228, Bob Callender, USS KYNE DE-744, Dick Cromer, USS WHITEHURST DE-634, Doc Dachenhausen, USS LOESER DE-680, Dr. Martin Davis, USS PETTIT DE-253, Bob Donlon, USS ROBERT F. KELLER DE-419, John Fautz, US ARMY SIGNAL CORPS, Donald Justus, USS SLATER DE-766, Don Kruse, USS UNDERHILL DE-682, Ray Lammers, USS TATUM APD-81, Ron Mazure, USS SKILL MSO-47, “Stan” McMillan, USS BULL DE-693, Bob Nolte, USS FISKE DE-143, “Hank” Rizzo, USS HASE DE-158, Sam Saylor, USS CONNOLY DE-306, Bill Scharoun, USS OSMUS DE-701, Dick Smith, USS EVARTS DE-5, Larry Williams, USS SNOWDEN DE-246 and guests Mike Brennan, John DiGiorgio, Jack Prendergast and Ronald Tousignant.
CAP-DESA Auxiliary members present: Betty Ringanese, President, Helen Andersen, Treasurer, Joanne Albertine, Shain Davis, Dot Everin, Mary Alice Kruse, Judy McMillan, Mary C. Smith and guests Annette Beauchaine, Lynn Donlon, Mary L. Donlon, Dot Gerrish, Marion Rizzo and Geri Scharoun.
Hank Rizzo has donated the flowers for this and previous years. Thanks Henry ! CAP-DESA also provided quality music from a bagpiper, Robert Ditton, Piper from the Albany Police Pipes and Drums.

Like New York, many other states have enacted legislation designating the third Saturday in June as DE Day. The States of Georgia and Michigan are but two examples.

Gov. John Baldacci proclaims June 19, 2004 Destroyer Escort Day

March 25, 2004

AUGUSTA - Governor John Baldacci has proclaimed June 19 as Destroyer Escort Day. Destroyer Escort Day observes and recognizes the tremendous valor and bravery of the sailors who served on Destroyer Escorts and those who lost their lives during WWII, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War.

The proclamation of Destroyer Day came at the request of Rep. Dick Mailhot, D-Lewiston and the Northeast Chapter of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association. The signing of the proclamation took place in a State House ceremony. Senator Peggy Rotundo, D-Androscoggin, Rep. Dick Mailhot, D-Lewiston, Commander Normand Demers, of Lewiston and Andy Durisko and Jack Cody of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association were all in attendance.

Destroyer Escorts were designated as anti-submarine vessels, which provided both lifelines and protection for convoys, aircraft carriers and other larger ships. These Destroyer Escorts were used extensively in surface to air battles, surface to surface combat, shelling shores for invasion and many other assignments including rescue missions.

More than 150,000 Navy and Coast Guard sailors served on Destroyer Escorts, including 1,500 from Maine. Destroyer Escorts played a crucial role in the defense of our country. In WWII these small and highly maneuverable ships were responsible for sinking 58 enemy submarines and numerous aircraft. Service on these ships was particularly dangerous and difficult. Sailors aboard Destroyer Escorts frequently experienced shortages of fresh water, produce and meat as well as extremely tight quarters.

The Destroyer Escort Sailors Association was formed in 1975 to honor the valiant men who served on these ships and to perpetuate the memory of the brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice in carrying out their duties. The Northeast Chapter was organized in 1996 to bring together those who had served aboard these ships and were from this area of the country.

“It is fitting to recognize the thousands of valiant men, many of whom were from Maine, who served gallantly on Destroyer Escorts through WW II, the Vietnam War, and the Korean Conflict. It is appropriate that we should pause each year to reflect upon these great vessels of the past and their crews who fought for freedom on the oceans and seas of the world.” - Destroyer Escort Sailors Association.

Michigan

Whereas, During World War II, Destroyer Escorts were a special class of fighting ships capable of performing an impressive variety of duties even though they were lightly armed and had little protection from enemy fire; and,

Whereas, Destroyer Escorts were successful in completing a wide range of combat assignments, including anti-submarine duty, convoy escorts, shore bombardments, and search and rescue missions; and,

Whereas, Today, the Destroyer Escorts are remembered for being one of the most versatile and useful ships in current history; and,

Whereas, The citizens of Michigan have a tremendous amount of pride in our servicemen who courageously served aboard Destroyer Escorts during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 19, 2004, as Destroyer Escort Day in Michigan and I encourage the citizens of Michigan to remember Destroyer Escorts and the gallant bravery of those who proudly served aboard these magnificent ships.

Copyright © 2004 State of Michigan

DESA hopes that each of you had a happy DE Day. We Salute you. WELL DONE!