| USS Vreeland Log, January 2003 |
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| Name : James Card |
8 Jan 2003
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| Rate/Rank : QMC |
| Years Onboard : 89-91 |
| e-mail : cardjd@lassen.navy.mil
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Comments : This is awesome! I am here onboard one of the newest Aegis Destroyers, the USS Lassen DDG-82, and I have two other Vreeland shipmates that were onboard the ship during my tour. One of them is now
known as EN1 Maddox and the other is QM1 Bond. I was a QM2 that picked up First during my tour and Maddox was a 3rd, Bond was a QMSA and I was his first LPO. Talk about a small Navy!
I truly enjoyed my tour onboard the Vreeland. She taught me how to be a "smallboy" sailor.
I have pictures of Vern but will have to scan them and send them into you. I hope they will piece together more of the history for which you seek.
I will also mention this site to EN1 Maddox and QM1 Bond. I am sure they have things to submit also. Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmates!
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| Name : Mike Heintz |
10 Jan 2003
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| Rate/Rank : STG 2 (SW)
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| Years Onboard : 1987-1989
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| e-mail : Sonardog@aol.com |
Comments : Hello Shipmates,
Has anyone seen DUDE Reardon?? Last I heard he was a first class. Imagine that!! Hope all is well with everyone. I'd like to say hello to Dude, Terrel, Myron, Chuck Herring, Mike Locker, Ron,Jeff, Spang, Bob Soucie, Gmg1 Rivers Tm1 Smith,Don, SM1 Mark Conner, Stevie, George King, Harold D, Brad,George Russel,and our DIVO LtS' Smith and Michaelis. Take care. I'll never forget any of ya!
Spike
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| Name : Jon Vreeland |
12 Jan 2003
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| e-mail : jonnyv2004@aol.com |
| Comments : I've been told that I am related to Charles Vreeland however I haven't verified this information. Never the less I am proud of the ship and its crew.
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| Name : Roger Chaney |
15 Jan 2003
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| Rate/Rank : GMT1
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| Years Onboard : 86-87
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| e-mail : taurus611@earthlink.net |
Comments : Fantastic page! Great to see so many old friends and shipmates from the mighty Vern. I was onboard for 365 days and counted every one! Loved the crew but have to say it was the worst command
climate I observed in my 23 years of service. The XO wouldn't sign my PCS orders to shore duty because he didn't like the color of the gold ASW "A" on the ASROC launcher. He wanted it "yellow" despite the instruction
calling for gold. Thus a stand-off on my last day. I told LT Lockett I'd be in sonar-unattended drinking coffe till the ship was decommissioned but wouldn't repaint the A. GMT2 Stacey (pervert) Harris and TM1 Jamie
(Smitty)Smith went out and repainted it so I could go to shore duty... what a hoot!
I retired 1 Nov 02 as an LDO LT. I did a tour on USS CONSTELLATION 99-01 and met our old DIVO LT Smith, now CDR Smith. He was the DCA on CONNIE and still a crew favorite. I also ran into TM1 Smith at a PQS workshop in Pensacola in 96. Would love to hear from any mighty Vreeland sailors.
Remember... loosing the tail in the Med? DOH! Big Soucie-Little Soucie? Big Soucie later became my detailer...
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| Name : Gene Lovett |
17 Jan 2003
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| Rate/Rank : FC3
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| Years Onboard : 90-92
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Comments : I can still remember the sound of the ship inport and underway. I wish I would have enjoyed it more while I was onboard. But on a ship your either counting the days of going home or counting the days of getting out of the navy. But for the rest of my life I will never forget what it was like being on board the Vreeland. Jason Herzog/Troy Kelly/David Renfroe/Scooter Clements/ I will nerver forget...
Why were we always drunk?
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| Name : Danny E Smith |
18 Jan 2003
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| Rate/Rank : GMC
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| Years Onboard : 1977
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| e-mail : chiefgunne00@hotmail.com |
| Comments : I enjoyed the short time I was on The Vreeland, and the personnel in the Gun Crew were fantastic during the Unitas cruise. They worked hard and performed work on the Gun Mount at sea that should or before then was believed could only be performed in the shipyard. The crew was fantastic, and the liberty fine. GMC Danny Smith USNR - Recalled Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom
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| Name : Ken Barr |
23 Jan 2003
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| Rate/Rank : YN3 |
| Years Onboard : 69-71
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| e-mail : kenbarr@sc.rr.com |
Comments : Some of the best years of my life. I am a Plank Owner. Started my Naval service onboard the USS North Hampton out of Norfolk, VA. in 1968 as a store keeper. When that ship was decommissioned, I
transfered to the precommission detail in Rhode Island and thinking I stilled wanted to be a store keeper. While standing in line one day, along with probably 50 other guys, this yeoman, I think it was YN1 Payne,
asked if anyone could type.
It was bitter cold outside and we were sent to do ground cleanup to keep us busy while awaiting for orders, I thought to myself, this typing is an inside job and while I only took typing I in high school, I raised my hand.
Best decision I every made. They offered me the job as Operations Department yeoman. Lt Will Rogers was my Boss. The same Will Rogers, that as commander of the USS Vincennes, shot down the Iran Air Bus(Flight
655). The book Storm Center is an account of the incident.
I hope to hear of a reunion soon as everyone is getting older and some have died.
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| Name : Seldon Linkous |
24 Jan 2003
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| Rate/Rank : OS3
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| Years Onboard : 81-84
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| e-mail : seldonlink@yahoo.com |
| Comments : In retrospect my three years on the Vreeland were the most exciting and fun times of my life.I only wish I had felt that way then!
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| Name : Bob Fairweather |
31 Jan 2003
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| Rate/Rank : GMCS
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| Years Onboard : 82-84
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| e-mail : rfairweather@cfl.rr.com |
| Comments : If anyone remembers me I came on board Vreeland in 1982 and retired from the Navy on board the Vreeland in 1984 after 24 years of active duty. I now live in Orlando, Fl. and work for the Orange County School Board where I will soon retire after 20 years. Doesn't seem like almost 20 years since I retired. I was a relativly young man when on the Vreeland, (to some I was ancient), and here I am almost 60. I'm still in good health and I play alot of golf and have other activities that keep me reasonably busy so hopefully I'll be around for a good many years to come. If any one has a chance, send me an e-mail and we'll talk about old times. The best to all of you and hope to hear from a few of you soon.
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