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| Subject: Shipmate passing |
Author: Buddy
Date: 11/15/2012 3:16 pm CDT
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Vernon Drewa, a shipmate of the LST 1126 passed away recently. I never met him, but had Email contact with him over the years. He was a prolific writer and connected to what was going on as well as remembering the past. He gave me information about the LST 1126 when I asked several years ago and we have stayed in touch since. He was very connected to some major personnel of the Navy and Air Force, and sent me clippings and such every now and then. He had been writing his family history; I hope he had it up to date.
I will miss getting those updates and information he sent out periodiclly. I am honored to have known him from afar even as was.
As he had requested, in liew of flowers, I made a donation in his honor to The Wounded Warriors organization. |
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Shipmate passing |
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Buddy |
11/15/2012 3:16 pm CDT |
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Jim Craven |
11/16/2012 6:54 pm CDT |
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On May 21, 2005 a monument was unveiled in Seneca, Illinois, dedicated to all the workers, who built 157 LSTs at the Seneca “Prairie Shipyard” as well as all those who served on any LST during World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam. The monument contains seals of the US Navy, the US Coast Guard, the British LST Association, and the sponsoring organization, the Illinois LST Association.
The monument contains a sculpture of an LST on top of the gray marble center section. On the two flanking black marble sections are etchings of an LST being launched, an LST beached and unloading its cargo of tanks, and a woman shipyard welder. On the sides of the black sections all 157 LSTs constructed at Seneca are listed The monument stands in Crotty Park in Seneca, on property adjacent to the old Chicago Bridge and Iron shipyard.
Approximately 500 people from all over the country and Great Britain attended the dedication. After the dedication, approximately 200 of those in attendance gathered together for a catered lunch.
About 27,000 people worked at the shipyard during World War II. A number of those and/or their descendants attended the ceremony. They are rightly proud of their contribution to the war effort, as is the city of Seneca, Illinois, the home of the “Prairie Shipyard”.
During World War
2 there were 1051 LST's (Landing Ship Tank) built to carry
troops and supplies to American and Allied troops fighting
in Europe and the Pacific theaters. When WW2 ended most of
the LST's were scrapped, modified, or given to Navies of
other countries. Some remained in service and saw action in
Korea, Viet Nam, and even the Cuban Blockade.
A few WW2 type
LST's remain in service today, but not in the USA.
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