Dennis Norwood
I have walked among the head stones at Flanders Fields and have seen the entrenchment of soldiers with only bayonet tips sticking out of the earth.
Later I traveled to Normandy where I stood on the sand and made scuff marks with my shoes on Omaha Beach and climbed the hill to the magnificent American Cemetery there. I again walked among the many, many tomb stones so neatly and ornately laid.
I’ve been to Pont du Hoc and looked over the ledge at the sheer cliff that Darby’s Rangers scaled amidst a barrage of German gunfire and looked at the barbed wire still in place that they had to negotiate. I’ve seen the blown out pill boxes that contained the guns that fired on our ships and men.
All so very special and well-maintained. All places that demanded my reverence, and that of others. We were standing amongst the history that truly shaped our nation.
Even though it was all on foreign land there in France, it was our memorial.
Another one of those memorials came to our city this week, the USS LST-325. Docked along the Chattanooga riverfront she looked as awesome as the day in October 1943 when she was launched. She would later be commissioned on Feb. 1, 1943.
Outfitted for battle and the movement of supplies to our troops, she made several runs. But, by far the most famous of her movements came on June 6, 1944, as part of the armada, she landed on Normandy’s beaches.
Walking through this magnificent vessel I tried to imagine what it would be like to have been aboard that day. I tried to hear the shells sounding and feel the rolling of the deck. To experience the rush and tumble of the drivers and crews of the vehicles running to get to their vehicles being unlashed from the decks.
I tried to feel those last few moments before the bow opened and everything began to move onto the beach. It must’ve been nerve wracking.
To walk among the memories that the LST-325 held was certainly a magnificent time. The thought about her being the last of her kind afloat puts urgency in trying to save this lady who served us well during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. She even went on to serve the Greek Navy for a number of years before being reclaimed from the scrap yard.
A group received Congressional approval to take charge of the boat and a group of men averaging 72 years of age sailed her back from Crete to New Orleans, LA.
During my tour I ran into a veteran of a destroyer during WWII and Korea. I spoke with several Vietnam vets who had served aboard an LST and one gentleman who served aboard another LST. As they walked the deck they would reverently touch pieces of gear and ruminate on it as if had some sort of special meaning to them. It brought tears to my eyes as watched this greatest generation relive their memories.
We can help preserve this steel lady by donating to their organization. Go to their website www.lstmemorial.org and make a donation, it is tax deductible. If you want to be a member, $20 gets you a one year membership, while $50 is for three years.
The USS LST-325 is the last of her kind afloat. Every effort must be made to keep her sailing into American cities with her tale to tell to school children and adults alike.
Safe winds and fair seas, LST-325.
(Dennis Norwood may be reached at newswriter614@gmawil.com and followed on Twitter at @DennisENorwood,)