Mar. 2003-1

U.S.S. LOWNDES - APA 154

March 2003 Newsletter

Wm. "Bud" Kautz, CCBW - 34782 Hiawatha Trail, McHenry, IL 60050 (815)344-6326
e-mail REDLABELBUDDHA@aol.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++•

The fifteenth Lowndes reunion will be held from October 2 thru October 5, 2003.
Be sure to mark these dates on your calendar.

Enclosed with this issue of our newsletter is a page relating to the Biloxi, MS reunion. Please
note the last paragraph regarding future notification. Do not contact the Military Reunion Planners. If
there are any questions you may have direct them to either me (Bud) see my e-mail address and
phone number on heading of this page or Jan Trober via e-mail - PJT57@bluebuzz.com or telephone
- (573)358-2736. The average temperature in Biloxi during October ranges from 55 to 75 degrees.

••••••••••••••••••••

Rowana Umbarger

Marty and I really enjoyed helping Walt
And Jackie host the reunion in Indianapolis, IN.
Hope we didn't wear everyone out too much.
We are used to being on the go and forget that
everyone isn't like that. It was great meeting
everyone and putting faces with names. It was
a wonderful group and something we won't
forget. Everyone made us feel like "part of the
family". Thanks for all who helped direct us.
Never having been to one, wasn't sure what to
expect, so it was helpful to have answers to my
questions.

Ecf. Note: It certainly was a pleasure
working with both Rowana and Many. Again, to
repeat, they did a terrific job and I appreciate
Walt and Jackie volunteering this couple to
host and set up our fourteenth reunion.

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, 15
miles from Biloxi Beach Resort Hotel. Serviced
by: Air-Train, Atlantic Air, Continental, Delta,
Northwest Air and Southeast Air. There are
taxis and shuttle services available that meet
each flight. Car rentals are also available. Best
choice.

Overweight is when you put on some-
thing yellow and someone whistles for you
instead of a cab.

Enclosed with this newsletter is a
stamped and addressed post card requesting
information regarding attending the reunion in
Biloxi, MS. Please indicate your intention and
return as soon as possible. We need this input
to help organize a successful reunion. Jan
Trober has put quite an effort and untold hours
into this annual event and we really don't want
to add to the difficulties inherent in this
endeavor. Jan has provided hotel brochures to
be sent to attendees. These are enclosed in
this issue of our newsletter.

Please note: To help defray expenses
incurred by David Brinkman in the creation of a
model of the U. S. S. Lowndes - APA 154.
anyone desiring to contribute to this project
make checks payable to David Brinkman -
USS Lowndes model and mail to David, 1074
Tarrytown Lane, West Columbia, SC. 29170.
The estimated cost of the model is $1,600.00.

Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional Airport 90
miles from hotel - Northwest Airlines.

New Orleans Airport 95 miles from hotel
Same as Gulfport plus Frontier, Jet Blue,
Midwest Air, Southwest Air, United, US Air and
Vanguard.

Mobile Regional Airport 75 miles from
hotel - Continental, Delta, Northwest and US
Air.

Mar. 2003-2

Jim Bussard

Excuse the lateness of this note.
Along with family and friends and all that goes
with this time of year, I've been slowed down
quite a lot I guess I'll have to really plan on
having knee replacements. Although I've
missed the last few Lowndes reunions I think
of all and have gotten quite a kick on seeing
the web site about the Lowndes and seeing
guys I hadn't thought of for years. Of course
the picture of the Beach Party, with "Red"
Bussard was funny. It's been years since I've
had red hair. Carol and I send our best.

Doris Holderman

Thank you for sending me the
newsletters. I enjoy each one. James (Tex)
and I always wanted to attend the reunions. I
am living with my daughter and husband (Sue
and Mike. Mike retired from the Air Force and
we moved in August to Conroe, TX ,1 am very
handicapped with rheumatoid arthritis so
don't get out very much, but I do enjoy
hearing from my friends. James enjoyed and
looked forward to all of the letters and have
saved all of them as Sue wants to keep
anything that Daddy loved and she is so
much like him. I am fortunate to have them
care for me. I am enclosing the dues and
appreciate the newsletters. I am also going to
send for the CD from David Brinkman. My
new address and phone number are:

454 Old Hickory Drive, Conroe, TX
77302, (936) 273-9370 and e-mail address
is:

doris@leesite.com.

Bob Wurth

Where does the time go? Martha and I
are still quite active. We go to quite a few
sporting events that our grand children are
involved in with their respective schools. The
last reunion we attended was about ten years
ago in Indiana. The good Lord willing I'd like
to make another one or so. Looking over the
List of attendees at the fourteenth reunion I

clearly remember two of the names from our
Lowndes days. They are Walt Umbarger and
David Long. Walt was a fellow radio man and
David a QM.

PS: If it isn't too much trouble would you
promote me to RM2c? I checked my discharge
papers and that was my rate. The newsletters
are great.

Ed. Note: No sooner said, consider it done.
"Congratulations."

John Hess

The 2002 reunion in Indianapolis, IN was
our first but will make every effort to see that it
was not our last. Marilyn and I had a great time
and look forward to joining everyone at all future
ones. My e-mail address is:

johnhess@CTLnet. Corn.

Alan Dahms

My mother Gladys Dahms now lives in a
retirement center in Brush, Colorado, and is
doing well as she approaches 92.

Warren Proctor

We were glad o receive the December
issue of the newsletter. We really enjoy knowing
about the different ones. Sorry we missed the
reunion. Sounds like everyone really enjoyed it.
We are planning to make the next one. I am sure
they Roland and Becky Moore will go too, They
seem to enjoy the reunions as much as we do.
Our health is pretty good and we enjoy life, don't
do a lot of work.

James Carson

Well yes we are still alive and kicking.
Sending a picture of me and my wife of 48 years.
We don't get around much anymore, but we do
make it to Biloxi, MS for a little gambling once in
awhile. I just turned 79 in October. I was one of
the crew that put the Lowndes in commission in
Astoria, OR.

Ed. Note: Come visit us at the Biloxi
reunion in 2003.

Mar. 2003-3

David Brinkman

I'm having a 33 inch custom model of
the Lowndes built. The South Carolina State
Museum (here in Columbia) wants to display
this at a special Iwo Jima and Okinawa WWII
exhibit that will start on April 19. They are also
interested in borrowing old items of my Dad's
This would include things like his Carbine
Gun, bayonet, and medical instruments. Wally
and Keith, would you like Norman's dog tag
displayed in this exhibit noting his sacrifice. I
will be meeting with the curator and am not
sure just what he has in mind and what we
can do. The exhibit will run, probably, for
about 6 weeks and the items will then be
returned to me.

An update re the Lowndes model:

It has been decided by the model
maker that to do justice to the project that the
model should be 41 inches long. So we will
have a ship that will be 1/125 scale and will
include an oak base and an acrylic case. By
the way, I came across a 1944/1945 booklet
about the Oregon Shipbuilding Company
(which built the Lowndes and 33 other APA's
as well as many Victory ships. You might
want to take a look at this:

http://www.usslowndes.net/lowndes/oregon

Very interesting how they built a city
(2nd largest in Oregon, at the time) for the
workers of this War project.

Frank Miller

Our little town of Kearns, Utah, which
is just on the border with Salt Lake City, just
hosted the International ice speed skating
championships. The Olympic oval here sure
puts us on the International news and world
spotlight. They are very interesting to watch.
Frances and I are also hockey fans and go to
many games. It is too soon to say we will
make the reunion in Biloxi. Have a medical
problem where my feet swell up on a long
plane trip. Still hoping against hope to see
everyone again. I've placed scanned images
of the booklet at:

Goldie(John) Johnson

Always good to get the mail. Note my
new address and phone Number:

27-700 Landau Blvd. #J140
Cathedral City, CA 92234 (760)322-88

Gordon Buck

Wow... I just finished reading David
Brinkman's masterful historic coverage of the
USS Lowndes and it's contribution to WW II
(much of it with tears in my eyes). I was
surprised to find how much I had "mis-
remembered". I guess we of the Lowndes
Beach Party will carry to our graves the
memory of Don Bowman and Norm Richards.
My only regret was that Iwo was given back to
the Japanese government. I would rather have
seen it set up as a national shrine tike Arlington
National Cemetery. I'm sure that I speak for all
Lowndesmen (especially Fred Brinkman) when I
think of the continuous work that David has
done on this project on our behalf. I shall always
be grateful. I'll try to keep in touch via pc:

Gbuck01409

Ed. note: Gordon has brought up an
unusual idea regarding Iwo that has not been
mentioned before. I'm sure this will bring to mind
second thoughts regarding our participation in this
campaign.

First Navy Jack

The First Navy Jack was originally flown
by the Sailors of the Continental Navy. It was
made up of 13 horizontal alternating red and
white stripes and a superimposed rattlesnake
with the motto "don't Tread on Me." The
rattlesnake was a symbol of resistance to British
repressive acts in Colonial America. On May 31,
2002 the Secretary of the Navy ordered the
First Navy Jack to fly over all ship's bows for the
War on Terrorism. The First Navy Jack is
currently displayed on all commissioned U.S.
Naval vessels from 8 a.m. to sunset.

Excerpt from The Lone Sailor winter
2002 issue newsletter.

Mar. 2003-4

Mary Angelotti

I received the December 2002 newsletter addressed to my father. It is with great
sadness I tell you that my father, Phil passed away April 23, 2002. He always looked forward
to the newsletters. I remember with particular joy the Boston reunion we took him to. He
would have liked to have gone to other reunions, but I don't fly, but now, of course I wish I
had taken more trips with him. Thank you for all the newsletters and bringing the Lowndes
group back together.

No other details available.

Harley J. Hughes

Harley was born on April 23,1926 in Mangum, Oklahoma. Enlisted in the Navy March
4, 1944 at Bakersfield, California. Boarded the Lowndes in 1944 at Astoria, Oregon as a
EMC2c. Stood watch in the engine room and GQ station was on the foc's'le. Left the
Lowndes in April 1946. Discharged at Terminal Island, San Pedro, California. Last active duty
May 23, 1946 at Terminal Island as a EM2c. Received an A. A. degree in electrical
engineering. He took a test for fire fighter and served in that capacity until July 1948. Went up
through the ranks of the fire department and was A captain for fifteen years. Had a heart
attack while on duty on February 19, 1969. Returned to work but the department retired him
on October 20,1972.

Ed. Note: No information on date of passing away or survivors. He and Art Wilson
were from the same town in Oklahoma. He was on the LCVP manned by Art and hit the
beach on Iwo Jima as a member of the Beach Party.

Roberta Brinkman - July 13,1920 - November 18, 2002

She was one of the Lowndes Lovelies. Suffered from Shingles related nerve damage.
Her sense of humor remained intact until the end and, minutes before the fatal heart attack,
she spoke her final words: I'm feeling better today". She enjoyed helping David with the Web
site and reviewing the material. Wanted to be at the last couple of Lowndes reunions but was
not feeling up to the travel.

John Vernale

Sorry to report that my wife, Sally, passed away February 13th- 1 day before her
birthday. She had suffered with an illness for the last thirteen years. We would have been
married 56 years this June7.

Ed. Note: Beside John, survivors are 4 children and 4 grandchildren.

Mar. 2003-5

Tentative

2003 USS LOWNDES REUNION - BILOXI, MS

Our 2003 Lo\vndes Reunion officially begins Thursday, October 2 and runs through Sunday,
October 5,2003. We will be staying at the quaint & cozy Biloxi Beach Resort on Highway
90 at 2736 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Mississippi 39531. The motel is situated on the Mississippi
Gulf Coast, amid 26 miles of sugar sand beach. There arc several Vegas style Casino's
nearby and this is just a wonderful little town to visit There is a small airport in Gulfport,
MS serviced by a low cost airline called Air Tran. There are taxi's and shuttle vans that meet
each flight. No reservations needed. The closest large airport is New Orleans, about 2
hours away. There are shuttles that run from New Orleans airport to Biloxi.

A hot, breakfast buffet is included every morning, and each sleeping room has a small
refrigerator. There is free parking for cars and RV's. The hotel is a classic, 2-story motel,
directly across the street (walk) from the beach. If you have trouble with stairs, be sure and
request a ground floor room. You may also wish to request a pool view room or one that is
close to the "Ship Island Room" our hospitality area.

The room rate is just $63, plus tax of 10%, per night. The rate is good for 7 nights before
and after the reunion dates, subject to availability. They will ask you for a deposit or credit
card number to guarantee your room reservation. Be prepared to write down your
confirmation number and carry it with you.

Note that hotel reservations can be made now through September 1st, by calling the hotel at
800-345-1570. Give them reference code: LOWND to get our rate. Ask for directions if
you need them. Remember that check-in time is 3:00 PM; you cannot be guaranteed to get
into your room before then. We will have the hospitality room open ASAP for early arrivals.

Thursday will be the main arrival day and hospitality in the "Ship Island Room". Come see
who has made it to the reunion this year and to catch-up with old friends.

Friday we "Laissez les bon temps router" during our all day trip to exciting New Orleans.
You will visit the wonderful new D-Day Museum and have time for lunch and browsing on
your own. Since this is an all day trip, dinner and the evening are on your own, back in
Biloxi.

Saturday we will explore the historic and scenic Gulf Coast areas of Biloxi & Gulfport, MS.
Our Banquet dinner will be Saturday night at the hotel. Main departures are Sunday.

Please make your hotel reservations NOW as we have only a limited number of rooms
reserved at this price. Don't miss out - make your hotel reservations today! You can
always cancel up to 48 hours before the reunion with no penalty, so call now.

We look forward to seeing y'all in Biloxi!

Mar. 2003-6

Tentative

BILOXI TOUR INFORMATION USS LOWNDES - APA 154 OCT 2003

THURSDAY REUNION KICKOFF - PIZZA PARTY

Let's get this reunion kicked off with a pizza party. The weather should be great.
You've traveled far, so kick off your shoes at the Biloxi Beach Resort located across from
a 26-mile sugar sand beach, have a cool drink and catch up with your old friends and
maybe some new ones. The hotel is basically ours, so come early and enjoy the party.
The hospitality room "Ship Island Room" opens around 1 PM and the pizza should start
coming at 6 PM.

FRIDAY "LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULERn OR "LET THE GOOD TIMES
ROLLlf DAY IN NEW ORLEANS

We'll tour our way along the coast during the 2-hour ride to New Orleans,
viewing interesting sights along the way. Upon arriving in New Orleans, we will pick up
a local guide who will give us a driving tour of the city. You will leam of its history,
quaint customs, and all the intrigue that is New Orleans. You will see the Garden
District with its fabulous homes, the Avenue of Churches, City Park, and we will stop at
one of the oldest cemeteries (where the graves are all above ground). Then we will visit
famous Jackson Square. Here we will see St. Louis Cathedral, with musicians
performing in the park and local artist at work. You will have time on your own for
lunch and exploring other sites such as the new D-Day Museum before heading back to
the hotel. That evening there will be a short business meeting. "Where mil the 2004
Reunion be?" Dinner and the evening on your own or you can stay in the "Ship Island
Room" for sandwiches and conversation. And of course there are Vegas style Casinos
nearby. Have Fun.

SATURDAY CULTURAL BILOXI SIGHTSEEING AND SHRIMPING TOUR

This will be a fun and eventful day. We will sample some more cultural sights
and hear the tales about the Vietnam Memorial, Crooked Feather, Dantzler House,
Father Ryan Home, Mary Mahoney's Old French House and more. Our first stop will be
at St. Michael's-Church of the Fisherman, a circular structure with 4,000 sq. feet of
stained glass, all depicting the sea, and an alter made of a 2 1/2 ton rock from Mt.
Cavalry. Next you will visit the fascinating Seafood Museum and will be thrilled with the
short film on Hurricane Camille - deemed the worst hurricane of all time which struck
Biloxi in 1969. The museum also traces the roots of trade in this community that lived
off the sea for most of its history. Next, you'll board a boat for a "Shrimping Tour".
Your guide will show you how the commercial fisherman cast their nest and pull up the
fruits of the sea along with a detailed explanation of the catch of the day and a brief
history. Have you ever held a live shrimp? Finally, to get you in the mood for the party
tonight, we'll stop off at the Mardi Gras Museum before heading back to the hotel.
Lunch will be on your own in the "Small Craft Harbor" area. This evening will be our
banquet at the hotel and group photos.

Note: Restrooms are available on all tour buses.
Due to scheduling: All events are subject to change -without notification.