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Kenney, 11/24/06 does anyone have an extra color picture of the USS PYRO AE-24 that they are willing to sell if so please e-mail. thank you 11/23/06 To all i had alot of great times on board the boat, unreping is very exciting. i still keep in touch with zelch, steve harris and Tony fernandez. chief farmer passed away a couple of years ago, he died from a brain tumor. pretty sad, i always liked him. 11/19/06 Served on USS Lawrence DDG-4 72-74, including Is anyone in touch with David Randall of Winnsboro, Louisiana (now living in Texas) who was on board Pyro for 72 WestPac cruise? David and I graduated from High School together and I distinctly remember seeing him operating a crane duting unrep with Pyro. I was in the Lawrence "Chorus Line" on deck handling lines and had a bird's eye view of the Pyro at work. Thanks guys - we gave 'em hell while we could. Tom Hollis EN3 USS Lawrence DDG-4 11/18/06 Shaw, 11/7/06 Coen, Thanks, I have been trying to get on touch with those guys for years, with no luck. Except for Morton. I had his number but he moved to Boston, and I lost touch. Weren't you an engineering guy? Name rings a bell. I will try going through the ACU guys. 11/5/06 Shaw, 11/5/06 Finally made it back in. Anyone in touch with Morton, Trugon, Miller, Butler, Gould, or Bovard please post on the board or e-mail me. They were all OS's in the 90's onboard the "pigboat" as we lovingly called her. This sight brought back a ton of great memories. I actually miss it. 11/1/06 Was onboard a little over a year. Was with Chief Cragun And HT-1 Lanier re-enlisted by CDR Swan in 73 going to white sands missle range . finnaly made a carreer in the navy 10/19/06 Was onboard a little over a year. Was with Chief Cragun And HT-1 Lanier re-enlisted by CDR Swan in 73 going to white sands missle range . finnaly made a carreer in the navy 10/19/06 Paul--Your dad gave new credence to the phrase--"an officer and a gentleman' as well as being a fine engineer. The plaque he proudly kept in the log room said it all---"As the engineers go--so goes the ship." 10/17/06 I simply wanted to thank all who served beside my father Charles A. Moshenrose (66-69). He often mentioned his affection for the Pyro and the men he served with. He time aboard helped mold him into the officer, man, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather he became. He left behind fond memories and instilled in me a sense of honor and craftsmanship in every task I undertake, no matter how large or small. This, I attribute directly to his time in teh Navy, and more precisely, his time aboard the USS PYRO. 10/13/06 Hello fellow shipmates, I ran across a web site that tells the stories of Pearl Harbor. The Pearl Harbor Survivors Project's goal is to preserve as many stories of the attack as possible. It has already collected an impressive amount of stories. They're told by military personnel as well as civilians. You can browse the stories and the photos. And if you're a survivor, you to can tell your story. It is important that future generations remember Pearl Harbor. http://www.pearlharborstories.org/ 9/24/06 Just wanted to let all my old shipmates know that I'm now the CMC on USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG 53). If you need anything please drop me a line. Hope to hear from some of you. Take care. 9/18/06 Looking for anyone that served between Sep. 69 and March 72 who might have some pictures of myself and shipmates.
9/18/06 Wazzup Pyro!! Its been along time since Ive been able to come here and check out the boards. and Kramer,,, you would by far make one of the BEST CMC ever!!!!! well lets see here... Im working on my second divorce right now, I love my job, my daughter is living with me and is a sophomore in highschool here in Dallas Oregon. Ive kind of lost touch with Corey Gramley this year, he is living here in Salem Oregon, but we have both been very busy. Still have not heard from many of the Hole Snipes that served with us. Take care everyone, and I will be in touch.
9/14/06 My husband is currnetly on the USS Abraham Lincoln and his father was on board the USS Pyro. We are trying to find any info that could help us find his father James Hartwig Smith Jr. I am not sure when he was on board but anything would help. I also want to say thank you to everyone who has served!!!! Please let me know if anyone has any info... Thanks, Nicole Daugherty
9/14/06 I'm sure that Robert Smiley left this world better that when he came in as he gave the world a very bright star in his son Robert W. Smiley, Jr. 9/10/06 I miss Bob for many reasons. First of all his heart, secondly his humor. I can honestly say, I have never and will probably never meet anyone like him again. Warmly, 9/10/06 I met Mr. Smiley thru his son Bob on a wild and wacky vacation in California. He had no clue who I was but accepted me as a friend of Bob's without reservation, welcomed me into his beautiful home and made me feel welcome. We all laughed and shared a beer or two and left. Thinking of him today, I still smile and am glad I made his acquaintance. He had this great big jar of matches that he had collected from all over and remembered where each book was acquired. See I'm smiling again, thanks Mr. Smiley. I remember you too! I wonder if you would remember me? 9/9/06 I met Mr. Smiley thru his son Bob on a wild and wacky vacation in California. He had no clue who I was but accepted me as a friend of Bob's without reservation, welcomed me into his beautiful home and made me feel welcome. We all laughed and shared a beer or two and left. Thinking of him today, I still smile and am glad I made his acquaintance. He had this great big jar of matches that he had collected from all over and remembered where each book was acquired. See I'm smiling again, thanks Mr. Smiley. I remember you too! I wonder if you would remember me? 9/9/06 I never had the privilege of meeting Robert Smiley, Senior. I have had the good fortune to have been associated with Robert Smiley, Junior for almost 20 years, and feel that I've gotten to know Robert Senior through his son, and have observed the legacy of great character that has been passed on. 9/9/06 I remember a quiet, well-spoken man of obvious strength of purpose. A good man. 9/9/06 Dad, on 9/9/99, 7 years ago today, you died. I miss you. And I loved you. With all my heart. You taught me so much. Of lasting significance. May you rest in peace. Love Bobby
9/9/06 Just hoping to reconnect with previous shipmates. Was an HTFA to HT2 onboard mostly in the DC shop way back aft. Finally retired two years ago and miss the navy almost everyday. 9/8/06 Hello everyone, 8/22/06 FYI.. There is a cruise book for sale on ebay for the 1980 Westpac for anyone interested... just saw it on there it is $25.00 plus $5 shipping... 8/21/06 Just a quick note to to say hi to all my fellow Pyromaniacs and hope you are doing well.I moved to Idaho last year and am loving it up here. Got a job at Micron Technology "making memory".Anywhoo,just write me if you still have the strength. I'm Dr Whiplash and I'm out to lunch 8/16/06 I am looking for any imformation on my father that was station on the USS Pyro. My father was a cook on board the ship. My father name is Raymond F. Meyer Sr. I remember that when the ship come home the family was here to see the ship come in. The last time that I was aboard was the time that my father come home and my boyfriend come aboard with us. All the sailors had fum with him at the time he was in the marine crop and come aboard in his unform. Please if anyone can help me????????????? 8/11/06 Is anybody still alive that served onboard between 1968-1970 ? 8/9/06 Hello all hope all my old shipmates are doing well and staying cool this summer. Im here in Dallas and its hotters than H---! 8/5/06 l got to meet Ray Gillman when l got assigend to clc room for my G.Q station, thats was the only time we got to talk to each other, since l was in supply div. he was a wonderful guy to talk to.It wasn't until 2oo1 when l touch base with him again on the internet, We became very good e-mail buddys on the internet had long conversations over the phone, he help me alot when l had problems with my computer. and with my claim to the VA about my Prostate cancer. Ray was one of those guys that would take his shirt off his back and go out of his way to help out a shipmate.l got to meet Betty on the phone l think she is a wonderful Lady, My heart goses out for her. l miss Ray alot like alot of you do. Ray some day will meet again, our deepest symphathy to Betty and Family. 8/4/06 enjoy the scuttlebutt everytime I read it, lots of names I don't remember or met but we are all saliors of some sort. 8/3/06 Jerry, just click on the association link up above. 8/2/06 Great site. How do I get my name on the crew roster ? 8/1/06 I like to go to next year reunion also and would like to know if any of my shipmates plan to go. Please let me know if you plan to be there in Philly. Its been over 30 years. Thanks! 8/1/06 Is there anyone going to next years reunion in philly that was on board from 87 to 90? I'm going to try and go. Send me an e-mail if you think you might go......Thanx 7/31/06 AMERICAN FLAG RETIREMENT Don't throw that American flag into the trash! Do you have a old and frazzled flag that's laying around your office or home and you just don't know what to do with it? Then send it to us! We will properly dispose of it according to federal laws. Who are we? Visit our website at http://www.kitchentablegang.org for details about us and what we are doing to help veterans and our soldiers overseas, and giving proper respect for ol'glory. The Kitchen Table Gang Trust will retire your tattered, worn out and frayed American flags with honor! Anything else is desecration! Just send your flags to the non-profit Kitchen Table Gang Trust, 42922 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93638-8866 and we will dispose of your flags in a proper and dignified manner with full honors and dignity pursuant to the United States Flag Code Section 8K (PL93-344). The Kitchen Table Gang (formed over15 years ago) is a "rag-tag" bunch of patriotic military types helping hospitalized veterans and our soldiers and Marines overseas with "Care" packages. Our flag retirement ceremonies are held on Flag Day, June 14th each year and are conducted by GySgt Daniel Kelley USMC and an all volunteer military honor guard with Boy Scouts assisting. The Kitchen Table Gang Trust also has a nationally recognized educational program for our young people and students, teaching them the history, traditions and respect for our national emblem. When you send us a flag, we'd sure appreciate it if you would enclose a tax deductible donation for this service which allows us to continue and expand our many programs. We do good things with your contributions. We are located at the junction of Highway 41 and Avenue 12 just down from the world famous red, white, and blue barn on the way to Yosemite National Park. Send us your flags! Charles Taliaferro 7/25/06 Hope everyone is doing well and having a good summer. 7/14/06 Hey everyone, been reading the guest book and happy to see lots of shipmates from my Pyro days. I'm a BMC now, and would you belive, am currently deployed to Afganistan for a year to mentor the enlisted leadership of the Afgan National Army. Its alot like dealing with deck Seaman that dont speak english. Anyway, anyone that remembers me, feel free to drop a line. 7/12/06 HELLO to everyone from the good old Pyro days... Just was surfing around and thought I would drop everyone a quick note. I was wondering if anyone had heard from or knew what happen to HTCS Ed Putman after he retired..?
7/12/06 to betty and family, my prayers are with you and i know that ray will be missed by the whole pyro assoc i had the previlige of talkin to him at one reunion and on this website. he helped me find some old shipmates and gave mer aloty of encouragement whem i needed it. as a former radioman i can appreicate hi navy service as a radarman. fair winds and following seas to ray as visits with the number one sailor of all. god bless and keep you all. rm1 bobby r hunter 6/20/06 Ray Gillman, I have been reading the editorials written by our shipmates. They are what you deserve to hear and have said about you. Happy Father's Day. 6/18/06 Happy Father's Day, Dad. From all four of us. Bobby, Jimmy, Lee and Mary. Rest in peace. 6/18/06 Mary & I were watching TV one evening a few years ago when the phone rang. She answered & got a puzzled look then handed me the phone. The voice on the other end asked, if I was the James P Williams that was aboard the USS PYRO in 1962-63. I said that I was, and he introduced himself as retired Chief Radarman Raymond Gillman. That night I will never forget. Mary and I met Betty & Raymond in New Orleans & we were truly impressed. 6/18/06 Dear Shipmates of Ray Gillman, 6/17/06 Ray, May the Lord's peace be with Betty during these trying times and may she find happiness in the knowledge that all your sailings will be smooth from now on. Lonnie, RD2 '63-'65 6/14/06 My heart aches for you Betty, Rags left so quickly. He left many funny moments with me, arguing politics, sharing books and he was so generous in mailing me so many great ones to read. I would like to share a small poem with you that helped me through some painful time in losing a loved one. "THAT WHICH WE LOSE In sincerest sympathy, Ellie Fricke, 6/13/2006 6/13/06 I would like to thank all of Chief Gillman's friends and shipmates for their kind thoughts and comments. I was very fortunate to have been able to spend his last few days with him. He genuinely felt that he lived his life to its fullest and had no regrets. I loved him deeply and will miss him dearly.Thanks, again. Ray Jr. 6/13/06 To all my Pyro family: Thank you for your prayers and phone calls. Your tributes to Ray on the guest book mean a lot also. I have wonderful memories of my time with Ray and all the good times with our Pyro family. God bless you all. Betty Gillman 6/12/06 We will miss Chief Ray's help with the website, he was instrumental in getting it up and running and was invaluable with all the help locating folks. His passing will leave a hollow spot in our hearts. (This is really hard because I hate losing friends it took so long to find out they were there) 6/12/06 I am Ray Gillman's stepson, Betty's Son, I want to thank everyone for there very kind words & thoughts at this time. I truly regret not getting to spend some personal time with Ray, we only talk on the phone & by e-mail as I live in California. 6/11/06 Ray Gillman will truly be missed beyond measure by me and so many others that he has touched the lives of. My life has been enriched by having known Ray. I was one of the sailors that Ray located for the USS Pyro Association. We had become good friends over the past few years. 6/11/06 Just wanted everyone to know that the chief was someone very special to us. He found Art and then got Art's buddies together. Just found one that was with him on Midway Island. Thanks to the Chief. If someone had someone that you wanted to find all you had to do was tell the Chief and he more then likely found them. Betty (Chief's wife) put up with all the hours he spent doing these thing's for people he liked. She is a very special person also. Like Smiley said they are both very special people. And Betty will always be a part of my family. Do not forget her in her time of need. 6/11/06 Regarding Ray Gillman: Ray was our staunchest recruiter, and holds that record with the USS Pyro Association. For those of you that would like to see the many shipmates who thanked Chief Radarman Gillman for locating them, check into the "View Archives" above from the start. I have hanging on my wall one of the three precious plaques with the USS Pyro logo that Ray painstakingly made by hand. And he autographed for me. I will cherish it always. 6/11/06 Raymond P. Gillman, Chief Radarman, died last night, June 11, 2006 of complications of cancer. He had just turned 69 on March 23. He was first sworn in on 11 May 1954 and retired 31 July 1973. He made Chief 16 November 1963, 4 days prior to reporting aboard Pyro. Over half his Navy career was as a Chief. He was aboard the USS Pyro from 11/63 TO 7/66. He was my chief of opeartions when I was an ET. And we were reunited in 2000 when I first engaged detective agencies to locate some of my lost shipmates. He became active in the USS Pyro Association, and he was a cofounder of the Pyro website and spent many years locating lost shipmates with me. He was a wonderful, warm, generous man--if he liked you. I loved him and will miss him terribly. Betty, his beloved wife, loved him deeply. May he rest in peace, and may he be logged into the Rainbow Bridge until I can again see him. His memorial on our website will not be able to say enough about him. My brother, Jimmy Smiley, wrote him a song and he got to listen to it before he died. Jimmy called it "Gillman's Sail". I called it "Ray's Song." He was brave until the end. America lost a brave and loyal sailor. Goodbye Ray, my good friend and shipmate, and rest in peace. You deserve the best. Your Loving Friend Bob Smiley 6/11/06 I was on board Pyro from 1986 to 1989 and was an officer. I worked closely and have a lot of respect for cheif Bailey. I am using the navigation he taught me to finally fulfill a dream of mine which is to become a pilot. I am glad that I never had to go to war on that old rust bucket, cheif Baily is one man though that I would want at my side....please give him my regards....Lt. Hee 6/9/06 hey let anyone who is receiving medical care or compensation from the vetrans adminstration, that last night 5 21 06 some one stole a journal computer disc. that dis contained name ssn addresses and phone numers for over 26 milllion i repeat 26 million veterans info on it. so best get ahold of bank credit card companys mortage companys and any thing you think might compromise your info and get it flagged. please do not wait around to do this.......rm1 5/22/06 I am writing to find out, who does one contact to check up on a person's membership status. My father's name is Patrick Glenn and he is wanting to know what happened to his life time membership card. Any help you can give, will be much appreciated by the both of us. 5/18/06 does any one hasve an extra color photo of the USS PYRO AE-24 please let me know i will buy it from you i will be back home may 26th gsinger 123@cs.com 717 234-1972 gerson h. singer 5/17/06 Hello, This is Smitty,had the day off so I mowed the lawn and my old landlords lawn front & Back,transferred some plants to my new house,then went to a really good A/A meeting here in santa Rosa,doing the best checking to see If I knew anyone,I do BT3 Tate,I was thinking about the steelbeach picnic we used to have underway,the BBQ's and the potatoe salads ect., since the weather here has been really nice and remember always going back for second helpings :}also remember being on the flight deck for p/t:Physical Training,since some of us were considered a little over weight {ME}up there doing exerises,did manage to lost some poundage,well pretty tired going to bed be well everyone. "Smitty" 5/10/06 Hope everyone is doing well.Karl 5/9/06 I am looking for anyone that remembers my father Rudy Sedillo. I know that while in the Navy he was on the USS Pyro AE 24. He graduated from Naval Recruit Training on Nov. 10, 1966. If that is of any help. That is all his DD-214 said. He passed away in Jan 2001 from cancer and we are doing a section on our family history of his time in the Navy. If anyone could help me, I would greatly appreciate any stories, memories or pictures you have of him. 5/8/06 Has anyone heard from Hugh Massie recently? Hugh if you read this please call Rev. McNeal. It has been a while since we talked. I am concerned about your well being. Joseph asked about you also. Please call me at your as soon as you can. I have been hospitalized twice this year with clogged arteries, Jan 6th and again on April 6th. I now have 7 stents inserted and doing fine now (again)but I have to continue to exercise and eat right. 4/25/06 Hello,it's me Smitty,pyching myself out for work ,had alittle time so I thought I'd send a message,DAmn!!I wish I was on liberty with some of you guys Slim From Texas,Dusty Neil Young from indiana,we used to go to Grateful Dead concerts together,living up here in Santa Rosa,California President bush came thru here,he said something like its to hilly for his taste,well gotta go all be well,I wish they would turn the Pyro in to fish & chip Restaurant,that would be the coolest _Smitty 4/23/06 OK.....where is Ramos? Last I heard he was in Oakland California. Does anyone know where he is? I was in First Division........along time ago. 4/22/06 hey tom sanborn how was the reunion// and where did the assocation decide to hold the next one.. i am checking into sacramento ca for 2008 maybe any how send me e mail misplaced yours thank rm1 hunter 4/18/06 Wespac 1983 4/13/06 Getting paroled from recruiting duty September heading back to Virginia Beach.... USS Oak Hill LSD-51. Haze Gray and underway!!!! 4/11/06 Would like a list of those aboard 1943 4/5/06 the sailor with glasses in picture#P3004 is Dean E. Owens. 4/3/06 Thanks Jill(Bubba)! You can come serve on my ship anyday, that goes for all my R-Division guys. Take care and hope to hear from some of my old shipmates. 3/31/06 I just wanted to put out there that DCCM Karol Kramer got selected for CMC! Great Job Karol!!! You will be a great CMC! 3/31/06 anyone ever hear of BM1 Ortiz?? That guy was classic!! I remember when I took a bunch of photos of my mother nature, and pasted them above his bunk. So, when he laid down and looked up, he got an eyeful of my best side!!! 3/26/06 served aboard uss rainier ae-5 as rm2 68-decommissioning. nice to visit othe ship sites 3/17/06 Part of Robert Smiley, Sr.'s legacy is his son. A man that any father would be proud of! Let's keep the faith they all had in our country, and strive to make it batter as they did! 3/9/06 Served four years on the Pyro AE-24 and three tours of duty overseas.I was a 3rd class BM in the first division. I remember some other BM in our division, Cambell, Watson, Bickford would like to hear from my old shipmates. 3/3/06 For those that remember the Zodiac who killed and taunted the bay area in the late 60's and early 70's. A movie is coming out soon about him. Zodiackiller.com 3/3/06 I forgot to mention, I had a long conversation with Chief Worrell prior to my trip to CA, Chief, I told Joseph about our talk. God bless you all. 3/1/06 Hi,I visited BT Senior Chief Lawrence Joseph in San Diego two weeks ago. It was really a good feeling to see him again after all these years, I had not seen him since 1964. I had a troubled four years in the Navy but I met some great people who will always be in my memory. Joseph left the Pyro as a BT1. I also visited several former shipmates in Long Beach from the USS Manatee AO 58. I took some pictures of Joseph, I will look into how to insert them on this site. I will continue my search for my friends from the past and as I come across them I will forward the information. 3/1/06 Ahoy Shipmates, 2/7/06 was in 1-st division with joe drake, eric neff,richard quick, albert duplantis, jessie barrows,rhineheart,lassiter,hambone, and a lot of others. good luck to all of you 2/7/06 Spent a couple of good years onboard the Pyro. I will be going to Great Lakes Feb 8th to see my son Grad from boot camp. I met his mother on Westpac 81-82. We divorced which is not a suprise, however got 4 outstanding kids. Now divorced and MARRIED to the most wonderful woman in the world and LOVES them like her own and I feel the same about the 2 she had on her previous marriage. To all my SHIPMATES FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS. Jeffrey L Caffey RET RMC/ITC (SW). New Braunfels Texas 2/1/06 My dad was a really great guy in addition to being a stellar Navy Captain. He build Naval Ammunition Bangor from the ground up; he started with trees on hillsides. Heck of place now. 1/28/06 My dad was a really great guy in addition to being a stellar Navy Captain. He build Naval Ammunition Bangor from the ground up; he started with trees on hillsides. Heck of place now. 1/28/06 It's been quiet a while since I'v seen her.I bet she smelles the same. I use to be a boatsanmate e-4. I was just wandering If I could have some history on her during this time 68-69, because I'm claiming disabilities for agent orange. I know we were around the DMZ during the VietNam eara. 1/20/06 http://lonesailor.org/log_intro.php 1/18/06 Hello everyone. I will be visiting California next month to visit my mother. I will also visit BT Lawrence Joseph who lives in San Diego. I have also been in contact with several of my former shipmates from the USS Manatee (64-65)I have not seen Joseph since 1964 but I was abale to locate him through the white pages on the internet. He was one of the best BT's I ever served with. I have a great deal of respect for him. I have also been in touch via the internet with Bob Nash who was a good BT as well as Hugh Massie. They were all good people, I wish I could have learned more from them to assist me during my years on the Pyro as far as my discipline. I read this site everyday and many times I am moved to tears because I allowed myself to fall victim to bad behavior and I had to pay a price for my mistakes. I am now 62 years old, retired pipefitter, college graduate ( class of 2000 ) Christian, father of 4 former Pastor (retired) but I still have that one thing in my life that still bothers me. I have been wanting to write this letter for several years but could not find the nerve to do so. 1/16/06 Looking for Don Green 1/13/06 Was down in Vallejo a few months ago and I think our ship is still there in the mothball fleet, it is hard to tell from the distance, since the markings have been removed it just doesn't look the same. Happy New Years everyone. 1/4/06 |
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