Veterans Day Albany Oregon 2011

Under Construction

 

Greetings River Rats:

This 2011 Veterans Day celebration saw our two boats involved in two widely separated events.  Bob Brower and the Army “J” boat was finally moved out of Jim Creek Communications Station on Veterans Day and, on its way to its ultimate home at the Manchester Fuel Depot, stopped off in Everett to participate in the observance of Veteran’s Day at the Everett WA. Children’s Museum.  The foredeck has been repaired and now has a gun tub.  A lot of interest was generated and, as always, the boat was a big hit.  From there the boat was towed to Manchester on Saturday where it was placed in its new enclosure.  This leaves a small amount of equipment and material still to be retrieved from Jim Creek but for all intents and purposes, the move is complete.  

 

The operational boat, after a very fluid planning period, was moved to Albany OR. on Thursday Nov 10th, by Tom Restemayer and his mighty Ford 350.  This was our only choice as the Army, Marines and even the Navy were unable to meet the challenge.  The boat got into Albany around 1800 and parked overnight in the motor pool parking lot at the Oregon National Guard Albany Armory.  The next morning, Veterans Day, we got up early, installed the new guns and prepared the boat for the parade.  At 0800 we transited to the parade staging area and then attended a Veterans Day Memorial service at the Timber - Linn Veterans Memorial Park.   This was a very well attended service and the park was quite beautiful in its Fall colors.  At the completion of the service we returned to the staging area and formed up for the parade.  We had intended to test fire the gun systems but only had time to light off the forward guns before being told there were some folks nearby who were bothered by the gunfire.   Not real sure how valid the complaint was but we shut down as requested.   The weather was clear but cold and the parade kicked off as planned around 1100 hrs; and what a parade it was.  If you have never attended the Albany OR. Veterans Day Parade I strongly urge you to give it a try next year.  This parade is big with over 200 entrants but retains the small town feel that is really special.  We finished the parade around 1330 and returned to the park, picked up the cars and towed the boat back to the armory.

At 1730 hrs., 16 members and three wives met for a social hour and a great dinner capped off Gamewarden’s participation in the celebration.  

 

This event completes the Northwest Chapter’s 2011 schedule.  Don’t forget we have been invited to the Mobile Expeditionary Security Squadron 9, Christmas Party in Portand OR. on 10 December.  They are trying to get a head count so if you intend to attend please respond by email by Nov, 18th.

 

Finally, all of you who did participate in the celebrations mentioned above and took pictures, please download and send them to Heinz Hickethier for inclusion on the web site.  Speaking of our national leader, his knee is getting better but is still under evaluation.   Ain’t get'n old fun?

 

Finally, thank you all for your service and the support you have given me as your president this past year.  It’s an honor and a privilege to serve you men.

 

God Bless America 

 

Home from another Mission

 

Al Johnson, Looking like a River Rat should

Steve Sumrall, Did that gun tub shrink?

Part of the very big and extremely appreciative Albany Oregon, Veterans Day  Parade Crowd

Joe Shadwick and his wife Mylinda from MSRON9 out of Portland joined us for the parade

 

 

 

 

Veterans Day Week Albany 2010

We had much to be grateful for this Veterans Day. The Albany Veterans Day parade is truly the largest west of the Mississippi --- the good weather bought the public out in droves. Thousands of men, women and children hollered Thank you, welcome home and we love you. Every one of our members  should be in at least one parade with the PBR but Albany is special.

We also displayed the boat  at the Heritage Mall on the 10^th where we were able to meet many veterans and members of public.

 Anatomy of an event!!

As everyone in our group knows moving our PBR lives and dies depending of our ability to get a truck to pull our boat. We had several groups that wanted us to be at their Veterans Day Event but no truck.

 Well --- now what.

 There is one letter head that ends with

Oregon Department of Veteran's Affairs "Where EVERYDAY is Veterans Day"

Jim Willis Director of Veterans Affairs started the ball rolling.

 Next the Oregon National Guard stepped up with support from COL Mouw and MAJ McReynolds.  

 

Our boat was getting closer to getting underway for Albany.

 

Three vehicles, Drivers and support personal were lined up and went into action. All of the soldiers from the Oregon National Guard were true professionals working many hours to move our boat to Albany.

(I Will add all of the names of our solders as soon as I get them)

The next day, Wednesday the 10^th they moved our PBR to the Heritage Mall  and supported us all day.

 

Our PBR at Heritage Mall. A slightly tipsy A. Billy Rat looks on proudly after celebrating the hard work of the Oregon National Guard for getting the boat to Albany. He has a twinkle in his eye and is all Gassed up.

A shot of the back of our NHHC PBR

On Veterans Day they hauled us to the parade. We also had Oregon Nation National guard men and women escort the PBR on foot along the parade route. Our Driver amazed us with his driving skills at some very sharp turns and in very confined spaces. We never touched a car, side walk or spectator. WOW what a great job of driving.

 

Our two long term RETIRED shipmates Don Dennis Non petty officer and on the right Jerry Valentine RETIRED 3rd class petty officer both have been retired about 40 years.  the crowd was very large.

Iron Butterfly Larry Bissonnette in the cockpit of our PBR

On the After deck of our PBR L to R Steve Sumrall, Bob Cook, Dick Newkirk and Bob Brower.

ME on the left and the Chief  Howard Meyer Recruiter Albany OR on the bow of the PBR 

L to R Stephen Morrison, Heinz Hickethier, Jerry Patterson Holding, Lilly and Jerry's wife Marlene with her back to the Camera.

We are trying to come up with a safe way to get Jerry on the boat with out hurting his injured back.

Jerry Patterson and Lilly did not get to board the boat for the parade. You can see the disappointment in Lilly's eyes, Jerry is wearing dark glasses so we can only guess how he feels.

Today our solders!! were up early in the morning and the truck convoy was on its way back to Jim Creek . We could not have found a better, more professional group of solders to support the “ PBR Veterans Day event”

Our Baby is at home in Jim Creek and looking forward to all of next year’s adventures. All of you will be looking forward to MORE working parties.

We also had help from the Heritage Mall, the Target store that loaned us a ladder and the Navy Recruiters.

 We were honored guests at the Veterans Banquet on the 10^th.

On the 11^th Applebee’s provided us with a free dinner.

                

They know how to take care of veterans. Thank You Applebee's

All the Parade arrangements were taken care of by Patty Louisiana.  OR would that be Miss Louisiana?

It was a real Veterans Day unlike those we endured 40 years ago.

I would also like to thank all of our members who made our PBR ready for the trip.  

Everyone one of our members in Albany enjoyed the event. It must not be forgotten that they also worked very hard putting in long hours to make sure the public could see our PBR and learn about the men of the Brown Water Navy.

BZ 

If you were not in Albany you missed something very special.