USS LOWNDES APA-154

Vol.1 No.3 ---------------- NOVEMBER 1990 ------------------- BUD KAUTZ, EDITOR

USS LOWNDES APA 154
Wm. "Bud" Kdutz
34782 Hiawatha Trail
McHcnry, 1L 60050

On September 21 - 23, 1990 in Duluth, MN Alonzo Hodgson, Beach Party
Signalman opened the "2nd ANNUAL USS LOWNDES REUNION" with a
semaphoric welcome. The 3rd USS Lowndes Reunion will convene in Fort
Wayne Indiana on June 20th thru 23rd (4 days). Jim Frieden - P.O. Box
307 - Silver Lake, IN - 46982, 1-219-352-2425 will host the event at Don
Hall's Guesthouse. Registration is $30.00 per person. Please send checks
to Jim by June 1, 1991.

86% of Americans like mashed potatoes.

34 crewmembers, spouses and friends attended our Saturday night banquet. Dinner and
service were both excellent. Stan Dunn spoke and related several interesting experiences
of his aboard the Lowndes. Also informed us that Mary (Ed) McKellar had been feeling
under the weather. A special thanks to Stan, he had two beautiful bouquets flown in from
Hawaii to spice up our banquet table. A drawing was held and the Fearing's and Karson's
were the lucky winners of the vases of flowers.

Ed Bensie told of being aboard the Lowndes for 1 month before his presence became
known, and that was only because he ran out of money and upon getting into the payline
was it discovered that he was not on the ship's roster. When he and agnes were at the
airport ready to leave Duluth their carry on luggage was searched, guess what? Their
grandson's toy gun was confiscated.

The only place where two heads are better than one is on a ship.

Plaudits to Dick and Bunnie Jones, host and hostess of the Duluth reunion for the terrific
job they did in arranging details, both in facilities at the hotel and on the cruise and tour.

Thanks to Pedro Cisneros for his help at the rostrum with an opening prayer and in the
reading of the deceased.

Celebrations were in order: Leonard & Isabel Johnson - 50th Anniversary
Robert & Lorraine Warnburg - 50th Anniversary
Leo & Marie Winter - 51st Anniversary

Joe Young's Birthday - Sept. 21, 1990 (Age unknown)

John Cary retired in September and after the reunion he and Sally headed out west to
Washington to visit relatives. Which brings to mind that

59% of Americans are overweight.

The Joe Freitas' of California were unable to make it to Duluth this year because of walnut
harvesting time, they harvested tons of nuts. Thank you for the package you sent Jean Kr. I.
Talked to Joe and was informed that they will most definitely be in Fort Wayne next year.

Henry and Dolores McNamee had a conflicting trip planned, hope they had a good time in
Yugoslavia and a safe trip home.

Sally (John) Vernale spent time in a hospital having a kidney removed. Bob Hail was
operated on recently. Both are doing fine when last heard from. Reason enough for them
not making the trip to Duluth. Wish them both well and look forward to seeing them next
year. By the way, John, I still have that bottle of Beefeaters.

If you think things improve with the passing of years, attend a Navy reunion.

I have hats imprinted with USS LOWNDES - APA 154. They are solid blue with yellow
lettering. Anyone desiring one or more, the cost is $6.25 including postage. Send
requests to Bud Kautz.

Happy Birthday to Cliff Schaffer - October 14, 1990.

Dan Wisdom and family were unalile to make it this year but are planning on being in
Fort Wayne in 1991. Would you know? The school year interfered. Oh to be young again
with only that kind of problem. Gladys Dahms and her Son Dr. Alan Dahms had the same
reason.

* The Freitas' will celebrate 42nd Anniversary
on November 8. 1990

(3)

Photographs wore taken Saturday evening of crew members and their wives, a group
photo wa.s also taken. Must say the photographer did an excellent job. Photo session
was finished at 6:30PM and at 10:00 PM the group photos were delivered to the hotel,
Anyone desiring a copy of the group shot please- contact:

The cost is $11.00 including postage..
Anyone ordering a photo, let me know
and I will send you a caption listing the
names to be attached to the bottom.

Jeff Frey Photography
405 E. Superior St.
Duluth, MN 55802

"SOMETHING FOR THE LADIES"

Or is it LOVELIES? At the last reunion in Duluth the gals got together and had a little
fun of their own. They now call themselves the "LOWNDES LOVELIES". Fits doesn't it?

In addition to a name, they've decided that each Lovely attending the 1991 reunion in Fort
Wayne, IN should bring one handmade item to be auctioned off in a silent auction. The
monies made can be used to do something worthwhile for someone or something
connected with the Lowndes APA 154. And Lovelies, if you can't attend, you can still
send your item to :

Agnes Bensie
2780 Marda Dr
Parma, OH 44134

And I (Agnes) will see that it gets to Fort Wayne

PS. Bud needs interesting items for his news letter. Be sure to send him any tidbits
such as special anniversaries, etc.

Agnes Bensie CEO LOWNDES LOVELIES

Largest flag ever constructed was 270 feet long and 90 feet wide
ATTENDANCE BY STATES

MINNESOTA
Joseph Eriandson
Dean Fearing
* Richard Jones
Franklin Judnitsch
Walter Karson
Robert Warnburg
Leo Winter

PENNSYLVANIA
John Cary
Howard Chappell
David Frederick
William Taylor

TEXAS
Pedro Cisneros
Alonzo IIodgson
C. C. Michalski
Joel Rodriquez
James Ross

INDIANA
John Dyer
James Frieden
Walter Umbarger

IOWA
Robert Henkels

ILLINOS
James Briscoe
Wm. "Bud" Kautz
Donald Lorenzi
Joseph Young

OHIO
Edward Bensie
James Bussard

MICHIGAN
Erie Niemi

HAWAII
** Stanley Dunn

MISSOURI
Buell Binney
Harold Brunner
John R. Johnson
Leonard A. Johnson

CALIFORNIA
George Tuppan

VIRGINIA
Clark Martin

* Shortest distance travelled

** Longest distance travelled

John and Julia Jurica were leaving Texas for Duluth and became involved in an
automobile accident totalling their car. Fortunately they were not injured.

Clark Martin gave a report of his trip to the James River Reserve Fleet to collect items
from an APA. The last one has left the United States bound for the Indian Ocean. The
June 1990 issue of Smithsonian Magazine (page 30) has a good article explaining that it
is cheaper to tow scrap ships overseas than to break them up in the US.

To those who didn't make it to the reunion,

"Ya snidda bin ther, we had lotsa joy"

(4)

What do you think of a fellow who peddles a bike from California to Virginia Beach, VA,
a total of 3300 miles (47 days), but says his trek from key west to Philadelphia was
ONLY 1700 miles. That individual was David Frederick. Wonder how many tires he
went through.

Fellows: How about phone numbers and up to date ratings along with spouses names
for future roster lists?

Jim Frieden brought his video camera and did an excellent job of taping segments of
our reunion for posterity,

Little boy to his father on golf course:
"Daddy why mustn't the ball go into
the little hole?"

The probability of someone watching
you is directly proportional to the
stupidity of your action.

Boy! They sure do things in a big way in Texas. Alonzo and Oneice Hodgson are
moving Oneice's old house to make room for a rebuilding project.

Just received word that Bill Pollock has been feeling poorly, would appreciate
hearing from some of his old Lowndes shipmates. Good luck. Bill.

Now that we have arrangements all set for our 3rd Reunion in Fort Wayne, IN.
We are now looking for someone to host the 4th Reunion. Are open to any and all
suggestions, please pass them on.

TAPS

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky,
All is well,
Safely rest,
God is nigh.

Elmer Carrell Brown
Chelsea, OK

Stater Frank Christian
Columbus, MO

Owen Cavanaugh Collins
Portland, OR

Stanley Ambrose Matz
Waseca, MN

Ernest 0. Scott
Tulsa, OK

Hubert Wesley Ravenscraft
Leeton, MO

George S. Roth
Minnetonka, MN

Harley O"Red" Sarten
Kansas, OK

Details regarding Don Hall's
Guesthouse to follow.

1313 West Washington Center Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825

(219) 489-2524

TOLL FREE
1-800-348-1999

DOWNTOWN FORT WAYNE

Dues for 1991 will be most heartily, warmly,
cordially, sincerely accepted and welcome.

The following information is needed:

Birthdates of: Ed. King
Joel Rodriquez

Both claim enlisting in the Navy
at the age of 16.

Who is the youngest?

That's it for now.
Bud