USS Noxubee AOG 56

              Shipmates Association Newsletter

March 2007       Editor: Dick Barber

Web Site: www.ussnoxubee.org

Association Officers: President Gary Hall: Treasurer Bob Ahlersmeyer: Secretary Dick Barber

Board of Directors: Lenny Abramowitz; Dick Bland; Dudley Cass; Jim Gabrisch; Paul Gryniewicz;

Tom Mize; Sid Sidebottom; Don Spence.

Message from the President.

Greetings, fellow shipmates,

I trust each and every one of you is doing well.  If you haven’t already done so, mark your calendars for Chattanooga this Fall!  Dick Barber tells me we currently have 34+ responses to attend already.  It surely is sizing up to be a popular event!  Get a room reserved while there is still time! 

Dick and Gigi Peaslee (our hosts) have been working tirelessly on making sure that all attendees have the best time possible.  I challenge each of you that receives this newsletter to call or contact at least 2 other shipmates and work on getting them to attend this reunion.  If you or they have any questions, they can reach Dick Barber, Dick Peaslee, or myself and we will make sure we contact them.

We need each one of you as an ambassador to this reunion!

Betty and I sure are looking forward to being there.

Gary Hall

We have a lot of news pertaining to the Chattanooga reunion 30 September - 3 October 2007

You may now call the Holiday Inn Choo Choo direct at 1-800-872-2529 for reservations or you may also call Holiday Inn reservations. Remember you must mention USS Noxubee for the rate. If you go on line to make your reservation you must use the code letters “USN”.

If you would like a Chattanooga visitors guide call 1-800-322-3344. The guide is free.

The following is information from “Weekend Getaways to Chattanooga” web site

The name "Chattanooga" comes from the Creek Indian word for "rock coming to a point." This refers to Lookout Mountain, one of the city's major attractions. Here visitors can explore extraordinary rock formations, see a roaring enclosed waterfall and travel by train to the top of the mountain for truly awesome vistas. Back down on the ground, don't miss the world's largest freshwater aquarium, the Tennessee Aquarium.

 History enthusiasts will love the city's museums dedicated to Civil War, Native American and 20th-century history. More than anything, Chattanooga is a scenic city, full of natural wonders waiting to be explored by foot, car, bike or train. Some attractions include

Tennessee Valley Railroad (TVR), Chattanooga One of the largest operating historic railroads in the United States offers scenic trips through the Tennessee countryside.
Attraction type: Scenic railroad; Transportation museum

Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga This high, wide plateau located on top of a mountain and surrounded by perpendicular cliffs is home to three exciting attractions: Incline Railway, Ruby Falls and Rock City.
Attraction type: Battlefield; Garden; Cavern/cave; Mountain
International Towing and Recovery Museum, Chattanooga A museum commemorating the history of the tow truckAttraction type: Transportation museum; Specialty museum

*Coolidge Park: Named in honor of a World War II Medal of Honor recipient, this seven-acre park features a restored hand-carved carousel, pavilion and interactive play fountain.
Address: 1 River St, Chattanooga, Tennesse.

*“The Fat Cat Ferry” is a new tourist attraction that is open on the Tennessee River. It is a  Scenic boat ride that stops at  *Coolidge Park, you may disembark to ride the Carousel and catch a later boat back or continue your tour up river and around *Maclellan Island. Group discounts fifteen plus persons are twenty-five percent off regular prices.  You may bring your own lunch or they can provide lunches for groups while cruising the river.

From information obtained in reference to Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain Incline Railway access does not accommodate wheel chairs or motorized scooters. The pathway into Ruby Falls is narrow, on the Incline Railway  a folding wheel chair may be carried but there is no access to lookout Mountain. There are one hundred twenty-four steps to the top.  As far as other sights in and around Chattanooga there are no restrictions.

If you are flying and want to come in through Atlanta, GA or Nashville TN. Shuttle service Groome Transportation (not a hotel shuttle) is available through both areas to Chattanooga for about $40.00 per person one way. Check with your travel agent for more information. The savings may more than pay by flying into one of these locations and taking the Shuttle Service. From Atlanta travel is about two Hours, from Nashville about two and a half hours

Received an update from Cindy Loney about the treatment Greg is receiving. There is too much to put in the newsletter but they are looking to get Greg into a Clinical Trial treatment in Houston, TX. Drop them a note and keep them in your prayers.

Another shipmate located thanks to Al Alaimo we have had contact with Bill Johnson 1951-1952. Bill was assigned as First LT. It is hoped that he and his wife will join us in Chattanooga this Sept.

l/r Ens. Joe Piscioneri, Lt. Jim Claughton, CO Lt. JJ Wilkes, Lt. Bill Johnson

The following shipmates crossed the Quarter deck

Bing A Ehrhorn QM3 1970-1974     21 October 2006

Joseph J  Perla  SN  1952?      27 December 2006

We offer our sincere condolences to the families

Please take time to contact me if you have a change of address, telephone number or E-Mail address.  A lot of effort was made by shipmates to locate you  and other’s, we don’t want to lose you now.

Do you know the current location/ address of the following shipmates? Their last newsletter was returned as undeliverable.

William Donald FN  1966-1968 , Floyd Barlow EN2 1956-1958, William M Clothier SF1 1970-1971

Have you sent in your dues for 2007?  Part of the $20.00 helps to defray expenses of sending out the Newsletter. We are presently mailing 330 copies with costs averaging $250.00 per edition. The cost of maintaining a web site is also paid out of dues collected .

Please forward your dues to:
USS Noxubee Assoc. Treasurer
Bob Ahlersmeyer
8033 Seller Rd.
Fort Wayne, IN. 46806

We still have six White and three Blue hats for sale $11.00 plus shipping.  One XL White golf shirt w/o pocket for sale $13.75 plus shipping.  Contact Dick Barber for info.

The Noxubee web site is now back on line. It is with regret that Paul Gryniewicz will be unable to continue on as the Webmaster.  Paul has done a superb job over the last seven or more years starting and building the site. Working with others to establish the Noxubee Association, and assisting in putting together our first Noxubee Reunion in 2002. Paul’s stepping down will leave a void that ’s going to be hard to fill. Thank You Paul for your dedication to the Noxubee Shipmates over the years.

Paul is going to provide me with the information to maintain the web site. I will try to keep updates and other information there until we find someone that has the talent  and desire to take on the task. If you are out there please contact me.

One other note to all our shipmates, “Pardon me boys is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo”?  Many of our senior Members remember the song, some of you late night classic movie fans may also have seen or heard the song. Well here is our chance to board the Chattanooga Choo Choo 30 September through 3 October 2007. We have shipmates that plan to attend this year that served on board Noxubee in the

1940’s , 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s through the decommissioning of the ship. Now is the time to plan to rejoin in the scuttlebutt, listen to and tell your sea stories, bring your old photos that have been stashed away all these years and reminisce of your time spent on board. Reconnect with that old shipmate you have not yet made contact with but have been meaning to do so. Give him a call and let’s all meet in Chattanooga, Tennessee for 2007. Tours are being organized but if that is not your desire or maybe are not able to do the walking or climbing , and as a few find it difficult or impossible to enter the cavern there are many other sites to see.  Most just a short distance from the hotel by the hotel shuttle. If you would just like to sit around and talk the Hospitality Room will be available. A buffet is being planned for our welcome dinner. So come on shipmates lets head out to Chattanooga  meet new shipmates as well as old acquaintances and make this the largest reunion yet for Noxubee.  My wife and I hope to meet friends from  past reunions and others that are making this their first.  Any questions do not hesitate to contact me

Dick Barber, telephone and e-mail on first page: 

Dick Peaslee  423-876-7343 or e-mail rpeas34235@aol.com