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Shipmates, our families and friends,
Fifty-five years have passed since that overcast morning in May, 1944, at Boston Navy Yard when we heard the order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"
Time, -- for the moment -- recedes, along with some of our physical frailties, as we recall those fast paced eventful days. Getting to know new shipmates -- our two week "shakedown" cruise in Chesapeake Bay -- to Norfolk to receive LCT 1043, then to New York for cargo and off to the Mediterranean, Oran, North Africa, and Bizerte. By that time we began to feel at ease, but the "on-the-job" training never really ended as we prepared for Italy, Southern France and then later the Pacific.
Time also has a way of softening and healing most of the unpleasant experiences that occur during our lives. But, we can all share in and be thankful that during all of LST 996's duty tours in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and Pacific theatre's, ending at Okinawa on 6 August '45 when the first atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, we never lost a man!
We must acknowledge and present a very crisp salute to "Sunset" (Paula) Hayes for her dedication and efforts in honoring her father, our shipmate Martin "Dusty" Greaser, by originating our outstanding website. Certainly a labor or love. Her consistent efforts to locate and bring us together is very much appreciated.
I have been touched also by the response from family members, sons, daughters, grandchildren, etc. who have found the site and responded, expressing love, respect and appreciation for their kin's dedication and sacrifice that they may benefit. We are truly one at heart!
I look forward to visiting with you, and remembering the past, in Buffalo, NY- August/September at the annual LST Association meeting.
Until then, smooth sailing to all,
Charles A. Leach, Jr
CO, LST 996
LST 996