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The Warriors
by Mark A Kelly
The
author treats us to yet another comedy-drama about
his life and that of his relatives and friends who
went off to fight in World War II and Korean. Learn
what your loved ones did when they went off to war.
He introduces each character with humor and insight
- weaving them into stories of hardship, romance and
adventure. Join the crew of the John W Weeks,
a destroyer, as they party in exotic ports
around the world.
About the author
Mark A Kelly
Born in the big city, Mark spent the World War II
years on a small farm in
Geneva, Ohio.
Returning to Cleveland he graduated from
Cathedral Latin
High. Activated by the
Navy
during the Korean
War he served aboard a destroyer, the
John W Weeks DD701.
Uncle Sam afforded him a cruise around the world.
Graduating from the
University of Dayton, he married his
sweetheart, Donna DeVoe and helped raise four
children, while managing two careers - engineering
and finance. He writes about the people who helped
him succeed - his family and friends. |
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Someone spent a lot
of time on this and it is truly remarkable...........to all Vietnam Vets
take a look............................
Someone sent me the link below which is a virtual wall of all those lost
during the Viet Nam war with the names, bio's and other information on
our lost comrades. It is a very interesting link, and those who served
in that timeframe and lost friends or family can look them up on this
site. Pass it on to other veterans who you think would like this.
First click on a state...... then a city, then when it opens .........a
name.......then it should show you a picture of the person or at least
his bio and medals.......
Click
here! |
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I received the
following from Larry Requarth, Larry served on the Weeks from 1962 -
1964 as a RM2.
This last issue of the Leaky Weeks Almanac made me remember more of the
good times of long ago aboard the Weeks. Especially when reading the
article written by Jean Fitzgerald. He was the CO who awarded me the
Good Conduct Medal and appointed me RM2.
A couple of additions to his article might include that John Connaly,
Weeks Operations Officer, had been transferred and met us while we were
entering Massawa, Ethiopia. Also on that cruise we crossed the Equator
and a lot of shellbacks were born. As I recall there weren't very many
aboard that had crossed the equator before. I also remember what
problems we had getting our shellback certificates from RM1 Wilbur who
retired as soon as we ported in Norfolk.
Also aboard that cruise was Kelly Brown, whose idea it was to publish
the cruise book. Going through some papers I found this poem written by
Kelly. I think it was written on that cruise also.
To read Kelly's
poem click "The Radioman's Lament"
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Announcements Concerning Our Shipmates - Updated June4, 2010:
If you know of any of our
shipmates that are sick, in the hospital, or deceased; please contact Len
Budzynski or Bob Miller.
Sick Call
Tony Johnson - I
received the following from Kate Johnson. Just wanted to
let all of you know that Tony had back surgery on May 31, 20210. He will be in
the hospital for a week. After leaving the hospital he will go through 5 weeks
of rehab. He served on the Weeks from 1954 -1959. His phone number is (828)
287-5615 and address is 214 Ridgeland Dr; Rutherfordton, NC 28139-2062.
Shipmates and
Family Members that
have passed away
Eugene Tatera - I
received the following from our shipmate Jim Veld; please add Eugene to
our list of deceased shipmates, he passed away on May 9, 2010. He was a radioman
and served on the Weeks 1955 - 1957. His wife passed away several years ago,
cards should be sent in to his Family, at 4452D West Dakin St; Chicago, IL 60641
Patrick Calhoun -
Coye Calhoun informed the Association that her husband Patrick passed away on
April 13, 2010. He served on the Weeks from 55 - 58 as a second class Electronic
Technician. Cards can be sent to his wife Coye at 418 West 12th St; Claremore,
OK 74017
Dale Denny - I
received the following from our shipmate David DeGanne; please add Dale Denny to
our list of deceased shipmates. He was a signalman 3rd class as I remember and
served on the Weeks 1962 - 1964.Dale Died on a construction job in Idaho just
after he got out of the Navy. No other information is available.
Alvie Stanley Arnold
- I received an email from Alvie’s son Victor, informing us that his father
passed away in 1961. He served aboard the Weeks from 1944 to 1945 as a
Shipfitter First Class. No other information is available.
Wes Budenski - Dawn Smith send the following. My Father passed away May
19, 2009 from pancreatic cancer None of us knew how sick he was, we think he did
but kept it to himself. By time we found out, he went he pretty quickly. When he
died we had all five of his kids and most of his fourteen grandchildren around
him. He went peacefully. He loved being in the Navy and was very proud of that.
Questions can be directed to Dawn Smith at dawn@floridapropertymanger.com or at
1131 Camaree Place; Pensacola, FL 32534 .
Milton Camille - I received an email from his Son that his Father passed
away September 15, 1963 from Hodgkin's. He served aboard the Weeks from 1950
through 1951 as an Engineman 2nd class. You can contact Milt at
mjcamille@gmail.com .
Dave Denny - We received an email from a shipmate David DeGanne
requesting that we place Dale’s name on the ship's “In Memoriam” page. Dale died
on a construction job in Idaho just after he got out of the Navy. Dave served as
a SM3 from 1962 - 1964.
Guido Angelo DeMatteo - Passed away unexpectedly on September 20, 2009.
Guido served on the Weeks from September 1950 through July 1951 as a MML1. After
leaving the Navy he went to work at the Boston Naval Shipyard; he retired after
30 years service. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Edna. You may contact
his grandson at jpower_01@verizon.net
.
Martha Fels - I received a note from Fred Fels that his Wife Martha
passed away in January 2009. Fred served on the Weeks during WWII. Martha and
Fred came to several of our reunions over the years. Fred can be contacted at
fefels@msn.com or 1406 S.Oregon Circle; Tampa, FL 33612-6565
John H Foster - I received the following from John's son Tim. My Dad
served on the Weeks from 1960 to 1963 as a SK1. He passed away March 10, 2007 at
home; he was 76 years old. He was buried in his uniform, a proud Tin Can Sailor.
Also, Tim added the following; I am a Deputy Sheriff assigned to a L.E. Gable
Middle School in Roebuck, SC. Each year we remember veterans here with a big
bulletin board display and an assembly program. I wanted you to know that the
John W. Weeks is displayed in a place of honor on that board. God Bless you all.
You can email Tim at FosterJT@spart6.org
.
Harold Patraw - Harold’s daughter notified us that he passed away June 1,
2009. He served on the Weeks from 1951 - 1952. He is survived by his wife Alma.
Cards can be sent to Alma at PO Box 822553; Vancouver, WA 98682.
George Krasson - George passed away October 9, 2009. He served aboard the
Weeks as a Seaman from 1958 - 1962. For farther information please contact
George’s brother John Krasson at 184 Vanloon St; Plymouth, PA 18651-1612. Phone
570-779-4967
Claude Maxwell - Claude passed away on July 2009. He served on the Weeks
from 1950 - 1954 as a Chief Petty Officer. He is survived by his wife Theresa.
Cards can be sent to Theresa Maxwell at 58 Hillside Drive; Anacoco LA 71403-2667
.
James Noska - From Kent Noska. I am writing to inform you that my
Grandfather passed away on February 10, 2010. He spoke fondly of his service and
often shared his memories of his time on the ship. He served as an FN from 1956
- 1957. You can contact Kent at
knoska@prairiepride.org .
Charlie Wilson - Charlie passed away on February 10, 2010. He served on
the Weeks from 1956 - 1958. Later he served as a 12 term United States
Representative from the 2nd Congressional district in Texas. He was best known
for leading Congress in supporting, the largest-ever CIA covert operation, which
supplied military equipment, including Stinger missiles, and CIA operatives to
the Afghan Mujahedeen during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. His
behind-the-scenes campaign was the subject of the non-fiction book Charlie
Wilson's War by George Crile and a subsequent film adaptation starring Tom Hanks
as Charlie Wilson. Cards can be sent to his wife Barbara at the following
address: 305 Augusta Drive; Lufkin TX 75091
Norman Michael (Mike)
Zoumis - Norman pass away in 2002 and is buried in Las Vegas. His son Pete
remembers stories that his Dad told him how the Weeks tried to help the crew of
the Flying Enterprise and how his Dad convince him to make the Navy a career.
Norman served on board from 1951 - 1953 as a GM3. Pete can be contacted at 206
Woodbridge Place; Reynoldsburg OH 43068.
