Meets on 3rd Saturday of the month except for June, July, and August at the Cleveland Heights Golf Club at 11:30 AM. - 2900 Buckingham Ave, Lakeland, Florida

MEETING — MARCH 15 2014

We are fortunate to have Admiral Walter Wittholz to be with us at our March Meeting. Admiral Wittholz served during WW II and was involved in several beach landings. His ship the LST 560 received 2 battle stars. He is the National President of the United States Navy LST Association. Note: For more information about LSTs, I put an article about LSTs on page 3 and included 2 photos of LST 560.

Our Speaker on March 15, 2014

Admiral Walter Wittholz

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Landing Ship, Tank (LST) is the military designation for naval vessels created during World War II to support amphibious operations by carrying signifi-cant quantities of vehicles, car-go, and landing troops directly onto an unimproved shore.

The first tank landing ships were built to British requirements by converting existing ships. This was followed by the develop-ment of a purpose built ship.

Thereafter, the British and US collaborated upon a joint design

with the majority of the construction carried out by the US and supplied under lend-

lease. The majority, a thousand, were laid down in the United States during World War II for use by the Allies. Eighty more were built in the United Kingdom and Canada. The final working plans were developed that further stretched the overall length to 328 feet and called for a 50-foot beam and minimum draft of 3.8 feet . This scheme distribut-ed the ship's weight over a greater area, enabling her to ride higher in the water when in land-ing trim. The LST could carry a 2,100-ton load of tanks and vehicles.

Of the 1,051 LSTs built during World War II, 670 were constructed by five major in-land builders. Chicago Bridge and Iron shipyard in Seneca, Illinois launched 156 ships and was specifically chosen because of their reputation and skills, particularly in welding. The most LSTs constructed during World War II were built in Evansville, Indiana, by Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron, & International Steel Co.

LST-560 was laid down on 22 February 1944 at Evansville, Ind., launched on 21 April 1944; and commissioned on 2 May 1944.

During World War II, LST-560 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations:

Palawan Island landings—March 1945

Visayan Island landings—March and April 1945

Brunei Bay operation—June 1945

She was decommissioned on 17 May 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 19 June that same year.

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Eagle Scout Chase Tilburg.

Chase received a $100.00 scholar-ship, a recognition pin, a participa-tion patch and certificate from the chapter. Chase finished 4th in the Florida Society.

Chase read his essay on the Van Tilburg House and its role in the American Revolution.

President Joe Hill presented Compatriot John Randle with a Veterans Battalion Certificate and a War Service Medal for serving in the USAF during the Vietnam Campaign.

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VP Philip Mowry presents Dave Palmer a certificate for his presentation for the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War at our meeting.

NEWS FROM NATIONAL, STATE AND CHAPTER

National Florida Society Lakeland Chapter

124th Congress 2014 Spring BOM The Bylaws are being

Greenville, South Carolina Annual Meeting revised for the members

July 18-23, 2014 May 2 - 4, 2014 consideration. Hyatt Regency Greenville The Florida Hotel &

1-888-421-1442 Conference Center Recommended to change

$125.00/night—NSSAR rate Florida Mall election of officers to

$117.00 FLSSAR rate November and the

installation of the new officers in December

The executive committee believes a calendar year will be a better transition than changing in the mid dle of the year.

There will be a mail ballot sent to the members.

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LAKELAND CHAPTER

SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Minutes of the February 15, 2014 Meeting

The monthly meeting of the Lakeland Chapter was held at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course in Lakeland on February 15, 2014.

President Joe Hill called the meeting to order at 11:30 AM. Chaplain Jonathan Thornhill gave the invocation. Past Presi-dent Richard Hagerman led the Pledge to Old Glory and Past President Bill Thornhill led the Pledge to the S.A.R.

Sergeant-At-Arms John Randle welcomed special guests in attendance.

Secretary/Treasurer John Snapp gave the chapter a brief history of The Battle of Kettle Creek – February 14, 1779 and Historian Mel Sellers gave a brief presentation on our First President, George Washington, on the occasion of his birth February 22, 1732.

Chaplain Thornhill returned thanks for the meal. The meeting recessed for lunch.

The Minutes and Treasurer’s Report for the January 18, 2014 meeting were approved as printed in the newsletter and read at the meeting.

Committee Reports –President Joe Hill presented an update on the School Poster Contest (for Elementary students), Good Citizenship Certificates -50, and the delivery of 50 Keynotes in History CDs to schools. Chaplain Jonathan Thornhill gave an update on the Public Service awards, which have been mailed. He requested confirmation from the chapter that he should send a request to the City of Lakeland in light of recent developments within the Police Department. The chapter supports sending a request.

Correspondence – Letter of appreciation from the State Ladies Auxiliary thanking the chapter for contributing baskets to the fundraiser.

Unfinished Business – None

New Business – Compatriot John Randle requested the chapter look into changing the election procedures to move the date of the election to later in the year and make the terms of office 2 years. After brief discussion the matter was referred to the Executive Committee for discussion and a recommendation.

President Joe Hill gave an update on the recent BOM attended by Alvie Davidson, Richard Hagerman (the new State Soci-ety Chaplain), Bill Thornhill, and Joe Hill. President Hill notified the chapter that Compatriot John Dame will be partici-pating in the next Honor Flight and Joe will serve as his escort. March 8th is the celebration of the Last Naval Battle of the Revolution at Merritt Island. There will be a dinner with special guest President General Joseph W. Dooley on March 22.

Compatriot Philip Mowry introduced our keynote speaker for the day, Dave Palmer, who gave a presentation on the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW). Dave was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by 2nd Vice Presi-dent Chris Thomson for his presentation.

2nd Vice President Chris Thompson introduced Eagle Scout Chase Van Tilburg. Chase received a $100 scholarship, recog-nition pin, participation patch, and certificate from the chapter and finished 4th in the Florida Society. Chase read the chap-ter his essay on the Van Tilburg House and its role in the Revolution.

President Joe Hill presented Compatriot John Randle with a Veterans Battalion Certificate and War Service Medal for service as a member of the USAF during the Vietnam Campaign.

Compatriot Ron Herring won the 50/50 drawing and he presented his winnings to the chapter. The chapter was enriched by $65.00

2nd Vice President Chris Thompson led the Recessional and Chaplain Jonathan Thornhill gave the benediction.

The meeting was closed at 1:45 PM. Of the 25 in attendance there were 16 Chapter members, 5 WOSARs, 1 SAR Guest, 1 DAR guest, 1 guest speaker, and 1 generic guest. John P. Snapp, Secretary

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