Reunion 1998
USS Talbot County (LST 1153)
October 9, 1998 aboard the USS North Carolina (BB 55)
1. William W. Spurrier, (aka Bill) retired LCDR and former XO - 2. Julian P. Minchew, retired CTC (aboard in 58/59 as a TEYN2) - 3. Joseph Topor, a former DC3 who was aboard in 53/54 - 4. Donald Hepburn, a former EM3 who was aboard in 52/54 - 5. Brad Ferguson, aboard as a Seaman in 54/55 - 6. Eric Brand, a former Seaman Second Class and Plank Owner of the 1153 - 7. Jim Marlar, a former MM3 aboard the 1153 in 51/53 - 8. Lou Gaither, retired FTC, who was aboard from 55 thru 59 as an FT2 & FT1 - 9. Charlie DiMaria, a former FTE3 aboard in 56/59 - 10. Bob Morrow, a former MM3 aboard in 51/53 - 11. Merl Poling, a former Machinist Mate aboard in 51/52 - 12. Ed Hendrix former Seaman aboard in 50/51 - 13. Lou Winsmore, retired CS1 aboard in the late 50's as the ships cook - 14. Milevoy Kotay, former MM3 aboard in 51/53 (Milevoy is the elected President of the USS LST 1153/USS Talbot County Association and he & his wife Janet arrainged this reunion - Bravo Zulu Milevoy and Janet) - 15. Victor Fricke, a former Seaman aboard in 52/53 - 16. Alan Ward, a former BM3 aboard in 53/54 - 17. Al Brameld, a former seaman aboard in 51/52 - 18. Al Velesquez, a former GM3 aboard in 56/58 - 19. Ed Turner, retired MCBM, aboard in 57/59 as a BM1 - 20. Your's truly, John Ashburn, former RD2 aboard in 58/61 (and yes, after seeing this photo I did resume my long neglected diet)
Retired MCSM J.D. Albright and former FTSN Jim Coyle were forced to send their regrets due to medical problems.
(Please note: The dates that each crew member was aboard the ship, as shown, are approximate time frames and are not intended to show specific dates aboard.)
Brad flew in from New York and Al flew from Arizona with his wife Lorean. Bill and Ruth drove from Texas, John and Cindy drove from New York. Ed drove from Florida while Al & Benji flew in from Denver. Charlie and Ann drove from New York and Lou was picked up in Virginia by John and Cindy and he rode with them. J.P. and Flo drove from Florida while Jim and Libby drove from Alabama. From Delaware and Tidewater, the deep south, the far north, New England, the far west and the mid-west, we came by land and air. Twenty former crew members of the USS Talbot County (LST 1153) converged on the Holiday Inn in Wilmington, North Carolina during the weekend of October 8th, 9th & 10th 1998, for a long............... long overdue reunion, and we had a GREAT time. Though most would probably be a bit embarrassed to admit it outside the circle of those who were there, tears were seen in the eyes of quite a few grown men choked with emotion at being reunited with their comrads in arms of so long ago.
Many were accompanied by their wives, a few by lady friends and several came alone. Some traveled great distances to be part of this moment in time. Al and Lorean Brameld flew all the way from Surprise, Arizona and Al Velesquez and his wife Benji came by air from Denver Colorado. William Spurrier, a retired LCDR who was XO of the Talbot County in 58 & 59, drove almost 1500 miles with his wife Ruth from their home in Texas to join with Bill's former shipmates in this special moment.
October 9, 1998 aboard the USS North Carolina (BB 55)
The ladies behind the men
1.Donna Brand - 2. Ruth Spurrier - 3.Mary Topor - 4.Yevette Hepurn - 5. Barbara, guest of Alan Ward - 6.Ann Morrow - 7. Libby Marlar - 8. Ann DiMaria - 9. Alice Winsmore - 10. Janet Kotay - 11. "Benji" Velesquez - 12. Beverly Fricke - 13. Lorean Brameld - 14. Polly, guest of Merl Poling - 15. Cindy Ashburn - 16. Flo Minchew
Some were aboard when the ship was identified only by LST 1153, others came aboard after the ship had been named USS Talbot County. No matter that it was quite a mixed bag as far as date's aboard the ship are concerned, it was really great to renew old friendships, make new ones, swap tales of the exploits of the ship, as well as shipmates, and to reminisce of times long gone when in our youthful innocence and exuberance we stood together quite ready to conquer the world.
The weekend began on Friday afternoon when we gathered in a hospitality room to meet informally, view material concerning the ship and our shipmates, brought to the gathering by the shipmates attending, view a video tape provided by former RD3 Joe Ingemi (who was unable to attend) and generally getting to know one another again. On Friday evening we gathered in a hospitality room and all shipmates present introduced themselves and their mates or escorts, after which a short business meeting was held and a buffet dinner was served. The rest of the evening was spent informally, again simply chatting and enjoying the moment.
Saturday we had free time to roam, shop, or whatever until 2PM when we again gathered at the Holiday Inn and were transported to the Battleship North Carolina. Aboard the ship we had roughly two hours to roam around and visit the areas of the ship that interested us and were open to the public. This is one impressive ship. Having never been aboard a Battleship before I was awed by the sheer massiveness of this ship. It's sixteen inch guns are huge. I stood next to one of the shells for this gun and it's taller than I am. (I'm only 5' 9" tall but for a bullet that's hugh.) I can't help but wonder what a new Battleship would look like if they were still being built. Our (self guided) tour began at 3PM and at 5PM we all gathered near the after 16 inch gun turret for the photo's included here. The group photo's shown above also appeared in an issue of "The Scuttlebutt" the newsletter of the US LST Association.
After the photo session we were served dinner aboard the ship and had time to socialize again. We again conducted a short business meeting at which it was determined that the next reunion would take place in April of the year 2000 at the Surfside Inn in Virginia Beach, VA.
At the business meeting it was decided that we would adopt the name of USS LST 1153/USS Talbot County Association and Mr. Milevoy Kotay was elected president of the association. It is intended to be a loosely knit organization whose purpose is to foster brotherhood among shipmates, arrange reunions for the group and act as a focal point for shipmates from this ship to locate and stay in touch with each other. No dues have been established at this point but a voluntary contribution was taken up to help defray the cost of mailings etc.
After dinner we returned to the hotel and spent more time reminiscing, laughing, viewing photos and other memorabilia brought by the various shipmates, and yes shedding a tear or two.
Sunday morning was time to go our separate ways again and it was obvious that few had the heart to do so. Lingering good-bye's, hug's, tears, laughter, and promises to stay in touch were the order of the day at breakfast in the hotel dining room early Sunday morning. My wife Cindy and I arrived home Monday evening and here we are, back at the old stand, feeling a bit empty (did it really happen)? yet a lot fulfilled (it really did happen!!) and looking forward to the next time that we can spend some very pleasant, and very special, moments with our shipmates and comrades in arms.
Those of you who could not come this year, please try to attend next year. Any and all from all era's that the Talbot County (LST 1153) was in service (1947 - 1970) are welcome and invited and we'd love to see you again. You can contact Milevoy or Janet Kotay at 615 South 14th Ave., Lebanon, PA 17042 Tel: 717-273-6389 or e-mail me including your name and mailing address and I'll insure that the correct person contacts you.
Return to Home Port here.