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A Note from Sunset:
Never did I think I'd find such joy, happiness and sense of accomplishment in creating the Virtual Port for LST 996, but I have. It has become very "dear to my heart" for so many reasons. The first, for being able to showcase my Dad's ship, his efforts, his friends & loved ones, as well as many of the fine photos he took, developed & printed while aboard. He was just one of the many Plankowners of LST 996, and it's to him, and his shipmates & Officers that I (we) pay tribute to. Fifty-five years ago today, their ship was commissioned, and they set out on their journey. How scary it must have been to leave your home & loved ones, not knowing if you would ever see them again. We were fortunate, the men that served aboard LST 996 made it home safely, while others did not. I would not have been here to help tell the story of LST 996 if my Dad had perished in WW2, so thanks Daddy, and my thanks to everyone on LST 996 that kept her out of harms way!!
Another reason it's become so dear to my heart is from being able to "virtually meet" so many nice folks I would not have otherwise met, like Bob Sullivan, Ed Wasmer, Al Hunter, the Skipper, his wife (is this where I say, "and Gilligan too!" hahaaa), and so many others. You have all helped to make this a dream come true!
Lastly, it's allowed me to "help others", something I love to do. There have been so many letters or Guestbook entries by others searching for their Dad, or Granddad's ship... looking for tidbits of information because their Dad is now gone, and it's a part of their life they knew nothing, or very little about. I have received many touching letters from those that can now put the pieces together! Jim Anderson is one... he found Bob Sullivan, who lead him in my direction, and now Jim has a site in memory of his Dad and crew for LST 1110. If you haven't yet visited the other LST sites, I think it's well worth your time to visit them all, and hear their stories, and see their pictures... just cruise on over to my links page, you'll find them all listed there.
With that all said, my warmest wishes to my Dad, the crew & officers from LST 996, Happy Anniversary, and thank you for helping to make America what it is today!!!!
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Sunset, Joe & daughter Larine |
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Message from the Skipper, Lt. Charles A. Leach, Jr |
23 May 1999 - Today I was able to reach Pappy (William) Halward via phone. My Dad was so thrilled to hear his voice on the other end of the phone after all these years. We plan to visit him and his wife Marie (who is 98 years old) next weekend while we are in Boston. I hope to get some pictures for his Bio while there, along with some new ones for the Now & Then photo area. Pappy & his wife are at an assisted living home, his address & info is:
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William "Pappy"
D. Halward 1 Lyman Street Westborough, MA 01581-1437 Phone: (508) 366-6798 |
I guess the question I have is this.... if his wife is 98 years old, how old is Pappy?? <s>
If you served aboard LST 996 and would like to add an Anniversary comment here, please Email or snail mail it to me.
