survey

FEEDBACK FROM THE CREW
is below

Sam,
* Has the security of storage aboard USS Little Rock been determined?
If so, the idea sounds feasible.
*Reunion on ship every 2 - 3 years.
*Please explain money to support the project.
*Sounds like a good deal. Gene H.Hanlin
236 73rd St
Virginia Beach,VA 23451
thetenor@exis.net

Sam,
My 2 cents:

Store all memorabilia on the USS Little Rock:

Yes, particularly as the CLG-6 project, at the Nimitz Museum in Fredricksburg, Texas,
is a long way off, if ever, of being started.

Have a designated space with Cases for display:

A designated space, at a place that would have some longevity, would be ideal.

Have a reunion every other year on the Little Rock:
Have a reunion every 2-3 years on the Little Rock:

Mixed feelings here. Having a reunion on the west coast seems desirable.
Perhaps have the reunion every 2-3 years on the Little Rock with the proviso
that if enough interest is generated, some of the reunions could be held on
the west coast.

Raise money to support this project:

The best for last. This could be the hard one. The question is, what is the likely
monetary requirement for this project? No question though, raising money is
crucial from the very beginning. It would seem that most funds would come
in the form of pledges from Association members. Can/will the members
support it? For me, I would probably contribute at least $100 for this project.

Amen, the passing of time is a real concern.

My 2 cents.

John Bunn
USN MCPO (Ret)

Sam
I think that would be a great ideal to have all the memorabilia where
everyone could go and see it any time they wanted to. A reunion every
2 or 3 years on the USS Little Rock would be nice. I am sure we could
come up with some kind of project to raise money to support the project.

Take Care
Ronnie Winters

I agree to storing stuff there, but if we have reunion there who will chair
these events.

Bill McCubbin

If the Little Rock is offering us space to set up a display, I think that is a great idea. Seeing as how she is the last of the Cleveland class cruisers. As far as the other ideas, I am a little biased. You see I live only 100 miles from where the Little Rock is berthed. I love the idea of the reunions being held on the Little Rock. Keep me posted as to the results.
Mike Leins SN
U.S.S. Providence CLG-6
1965-1967

As a new member of the CL82 group association, I will forward my reply to your request.

1. Buffalo, NY is a long way to travel for many of us as a PERMEANT location for reunions. I support reunions as often as financial attendance support is there, but would recommend changing locations, west central, east, north south, etc., More participation by having area members arrange the meetings, speakers, place etc.

2. A show case on the Little Rock sounds good and is probably convenient, for eastern members but wouldn't a traveling show case for each reunion be seen by more PROVIDENCE attendees? How large is the items you speak of, size, weight, area, etc.? How many items, who keeps it, where, now?

3, Lastly what is the median diversity of addresses of membership? These are of course considerations that the governing board should consider.

Just my nickels worth, Thanks for letting me get it to you.

Bill Price

I'm in favor of all of the proposed suggestions regarding
1. Storing Providence memoribilia aboard the Rock
2. Having cases for the display of memoribilia
3. Holding a reunion aboard her, every other year
4. creating a fund raiser to help defray costs.

Sam, If this seems to be a favorable discision from the membership of the Providence Association, as Commander of VFW Post 2332, and an Officer within Southern Tier Counties Council of the VFW, I would be happy to promote and assist in asking other VFW posts to get behind a fund raiser for this project. Let me know how things progress.
Best Wishes,
Wayne Felsheim

The USS Little Rock is the USS Little Rock, Not the USS Providence.
Why store anything on the Little Rock just because it is a like ship.
The Providence was an 'INDIVIDUAL". If any place, store
memorabilia at its name sake. I am sure they would be glad to house it.
This will answer one and two.

Why reunions, anytime, especially every other year on the Little Rock.
What about previous members on the West Coast. Give them a break.
The city of Providence will far out last the USS Little Rock, and Buffalo, NY
This will answer three and four.

The opinions of the members of the association will determine any
number five from the Providence crew.

This is an election year and full of politics. This almost sounds political.
Take care
Red

With regard to the Providence space. We can have the space built out
however we desire, with display cases, momentos, photos, and various other
displays that would be a continuing memorial. That way members and the
general public, at the Naval Park, could appreciate the Providence.

Talk to you later.

Jim Chryst

Do not think much of the idea, but the problem is, I do not have a better
idea. Tom Trumble , Flagler Beach, Fla.

Could we put the memorabilia somewhere on USS MIDWAY in SD Harbor? Does
that make any sense?
Serra, H. Lawrence

* Yes on storing the memorabilia on the Little Rock, I know we have to
put it somewhere. How much room would they have available for us?
* Yes on a designated case (I assume on the Little Rock) to display
the memorabilia if that site is chosen.
* No on having the reunion every other year on the Little Rock.
* No on having the reunion every 2-3 year on the Little Rock. (I like
the way we do things now, every 18 months at different places around the
country, but would like to return to the Little Rock occasionally, say every
5-6 years or so.)
* Yes on raising money to support the project.

Jack Reighley

Hi Sam,

I feel that the Providence memorabilia should remain portable if at all possible for the enjoyment of all crew members. If this proves too costly then we should have a permanent place on the USS LITTLE ROCK.

Reunion locations should be rotated as they are now to allow equal opportunity for all our shipmates to attend as many as possible. I do think that a reunion on the USS LITTLE ROCK perhaps every 5 years or every 4th. reunion would be a good idea, that way at least every so often the crew could come back on board one of our beloved cruisers.

I would be happy to help with funding for which ever decission is made regarding the displays and storage.

Just my thoughts

Mike Landkamer

..Store all memorabilia on the USS Little Rock and have a designated space with Cases for display. Have a reunion every other year on the Little Rock .

And Raise money to support this project I don't have a lot of money but I will send what I can

Ralph I Wilson

Sam,
Barring any other alternatives, I see no reason not to use the USS Little Rock as a storage for memorablia from the USS Providence. I remember visiting the Little Rock when it was cruising with us in 1948. I did not think that it was as trim as the Providence, in fact, I found it to be unkempt in comparison to the CL-82. Be that as it may.
From what I gather, I do not think the condition of the Little Rock has improved, and as such, is not what I would want to remember as a facsimile of the Providence.
I do not believe it is worth spending a lot of time and effort on a fund raiser
for this project. In my mind, the Little Rock was a black sheep sister to the Providence.
I guess I do not want the Providence to be thought of in the same class as the Little Rock.
I am sorry for the negative comments. My opinion was solicited, and I have stated my feelings.
Best to you Sam.
Take care,
Bill Fitch

The opinions of the members of the association will determine any
number five from the Providence crew.

This is an election year and full of politics. This almost sounds political.
Take care
Red

Sam. Good day to you.

In your points two and three make the most logical way. We can have them at all reunions to share with our shipmates.(memorabilia)

Let our Executive Committee look into working with the Armed Forces Reunion
(www.armedforcesreunions.com/ ) in planing future reunions.They do a great job and very professional manner. The most needed info will be the place/city name of the reunion.
We tell them what we want and they do the leg work. Our Committee can look over the package for any changes.With the approval of the Committee will then put the plan to work.

Reunion date. Every 12 to 18 months. It's nice to see your shipmates as time goes to fast. Life gets shorter by the day, Just Think who you have missed.

Reunion location, should move around. If you keep returning to one place a lot of shipmates will drop.

Thanks,
Clarence Weichold

Survey:

1. The good ship Providence should be memorialized at Providence, Rhode
Island.
.
2. No need for permanent storage of articles not held at a museum.
.
Why don't we have reunions at ports visited by the USS Providence
(CL-82)(CLG-6)? Are we too elaborate in our planning/coordinating?

Yes, I would be willing to work on a coordinating committee to put a reunion
together.
.
Best Regards......Charles Sullivan (USMC) 1959-1961

From: "KENT UTTERBACK" <TRITIPK@msn.com> Save Address | Headers
To : "sam villa" <sam@star77.com>
CC :
Date : Fri, 20 Feb 2004 06:05:10 -0800
Subject : Re: Survey Address/USS Providence
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02/20/04

Sam,
in response to your survey:
(1) I would prefer if our display would be portable so we can all enjoy it wherever the reunion is held.
(2) I would contribute to a fundraiser in order to keep the materials portable.
(3) I would prefer official reunions in various locations every 3rd year with the possibility of having mini reunions, regionally, under more casual circumstances. ie 4 regions: West,Mountain,Central and East. Have a weekend of activities within each region. Have each region set up with their own committee. Let them be responsible for the display materials.
(4) Am in agreement that it would be difficult to imagine the Providence gear stowed on another ship.
(5) Would be willing to participate under these circumstances.
(6) I feel that the above would be advantageous financially and fit everyone's time-constraints. It may get more shipmates involved in the preservation of the memories we had.

Kent Utterback
71-72'

From: Dean Whitfield <hdwhtfld@sbcglobal.net> Save Address | Headers
To : <sam@star77.com>
CC :
Date : Tue, 24 Feb 2004 13:05:11 -0800 (PST)
Subject :
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Dear Sam,
Thanks for the time and dedication you have given to the USS Providence Association. I would like to see the reunion in different parts of the country, with every 3 to 5 years on the USS Little Rock. I live in Oklahoma City and would like to go to a reunion on the west coast for example, or Dallas, etc.
Thanks again and God Bless you and your family.

Dean Whitfield former RM2, 1966 - 1968

From: "Richard A. Haas"
To : <sam@star77.com>
CC :
Date : Sat, 20 Mar 2004 17:05:47 -0500
Subject : Re: Days of Glory/Providence
For your survey:

I support locating whatever memorabilia the City of Providence might have an
interest in, at that city. I remember once being treated to a lobster dinner
by the Navy League in Providence. If that organization still exists they
might have an interest in a display. However it was a real treat for me to
browse the historical documents which were brought to Las Vegas and I
support continuing to bring these items to reunions whenever they are held.
I am more likely to attend reunions which are held in cities that have other
attractions as well. Las Vegas was a good example. It would not be
interesting to always travel to the same place and folks like me would not
likely return to the same place twice.

Richard A. Haas

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From: "Florian Osredkar" <engineering@benkoproducts.com> Save Address | Headers
To : <sam@star77.com>
CC :
Date : Sat, 3 Apr 2004 02:34:45 -0500
Subject : FEEDBACK ON USS LITTLE ROCK
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SAM, I WAS ABOARD THE LITTLE ROCK ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO AND IT WAS LIKE BEING ON THE PROVIDENCE AGAIN. DIDN'T GET TO GO BELOW AT THAT TIME BUT FROM WHAT I COULD SEE SHE'S A CARBON COPY OF OUR SHIP (EXCEPT FOR SOME OF THE RADARS). I THINK IT WOULD BE FITTING TO HAVE EVERY OTHER (I.E. ALTERNATING WITH OTHER SITES) REUINION ABOARD THIS SISTER- SHE IS AFTER ALL "PART OF THE FAMILY" AND WOULD ADD IMMENSELY TO THE REVIVAL AND ENJOYMENT OF OUR MEMORIES.

Ozzie

Thank you to all:

Great feedback. Appreciate the info.

Will continue to post as received....

Sam

Sam's opinion.........

Good Guys of Providence:

My thoughts after reading some insightful feedback comments.

POINT ONE

Okay to Raise money for Plaques, Proclamations, Certificates, Presentation Cases in Musuems, photos or Official Certificate Presentations when appropriate and approval for the following:

(Gives recognition to the USS Providence in many locations)

Put a display case on the USS Little Rock.
Put a display case on the USS Midway in San Diego.
Put a display case in the Nimitz Museum.
Put a display case in a Museum in Providence, R.I.
Put a display on the _____________.

Or present plaque or Photo from Prov Association to a museum or other.

POINT TWO

Do not need a permanent storage area. Cost of mailing
memorabilia is about $100 which is affordable.
Some of the memorabilia will be loaned out for display in the future and
therefore will reduce items mailed to reunions. Sam has a storage area that can be used to house materials between reunions if necessary or kept by each passing chairman as is being done now.

It seems that portability is important.
Consider making a permanent mailing container.
Consider making appropiate frames and other to protect fragile items.
Items that we have include:

Cruise books, Photo albums, scrap books, old Ship's news papers, both
CL82 and CLG6, Vietnam combat story, Reunion photos, Shipyard badge
from the building yard, Ship's blue prints CL82 - profile and deck
plans only.. print of the oil painting of CLG6 in HKG hbr, oversized
photos of the CL82 ,a box of US Navy official slides of Pov CLG6
underway in fleet ops, the copy of the Mt Soledad Memorial plaque ...

POINT THREE

Therefore we should continue to have reunions throughout the USA as determined by the good members of the Providence Association. Also mini reunions as organized by interest in regional areas.