LST Crew Members

Many years have passed, 55 years or so, since the men have served together, and maybe just as long since they have been with each other. But, the bond of being together during those rough years have shaped and formed their lives, and will stay with them forever. Although the song playing, "My Heart Will Go On", was done for the ship Titanic, it seems fitting to use here for our lost shipmates.
The LST will always loom as big as life for the Officers & Crewmen of the LST 996, and all the others involved in her success during WW2. We pay tribute to the ones below who have already passed on to the Otherside....

Although Richard Hall was not an actual crewmember aboard the LST 996, he did work on LST 996 at the Boston Naval Shipyard. His ingenuity led to money saving fixtures used during fabrication of the LSTs. As a result, his wife, Mrs. Ursula Hall, was chosen as the Sponsor for LST 996. For that reason, we feel Richard & Ursula Hall are a part of the LST 996 family, and our hearts go out to his family.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Grace Henninger and family over the recent loss of Jimmy Henninger. He died at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD of colon cancer and the related complications which occurred. Below is a poem written by his Granddaughter, Alena, the night he slipped off quietly and gently into another's arms....

"My Grandfather's Arms..."

The world was not scary-
                in my Grandfather's arms.
He chased away all of my worries.
Life felt safe, less intimidating-
                in my Grandfather's arms.
He gave me courage and strength.
His arms were strong, yet gentle.
They enforced discipline,
                 yet were open for hugs.
His arms saw war
               and carried the dead.
His arms saw peace
                       and carried many new lives.
ALWAYS THERE. NEVER TIRED.
I am blessed to have felt those warm, loving arms.
Now, arms greater than his hold him close,
                     wipe his tears, and give him love.
They are the everlasting arms of the
                  Everlasting Savior.
--Alena Petersen