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| • News
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Secretary of the Navy Raymond Mabus attends 2009 U.S.S. Little Rock Reunion The following article is from the Buffalo News.... By Jake May jmay@buffnews.com July 19, 2009 Ray Mabus was once a communications officer on the USS Little Rock. He served aboard the Navy ship for three years from 1970 to 1972. Standing watch at the bridge of the Little Rock was a common task he would take on late at night. Some Navy men who knew Mabus during his time on the Little Rock said they never expected him to amount to the man he is today: Mabus was appointed by President Obama last month as secretary of the Navy. Mabus joined about 240 Navy members and their families Saturday as they toured the ship, his feet touching its deck for the first time in 13 years. The ship has been stationed in Buffalo since it was decommissioned in 1976. “This was my ship,” Mabus said. “The stateroom where I used to work has been turned into a museum, so it made it tough for me to get to some places I once walked everyday. “But some people these days don't have any daily interaction with the military, not like in my time,” continued Mabus, a 60- year-old who boasts he is only 39 with 21 years of experience. "This is a way to do that, this ship that is. It shows the intensity and lethal force this military is capable of.” Upon Mabus’ recent appointment, an old Little Rock shipmate wrote him a letter of congratulations. The letter, Mabus said, recalled a night the two sat on watch, chatting about how the military needed better leadership. “ ‘Remember all of those nights on watch when we would say this whole thing could be run better?’ he wrote,” Mabus said. “ ‘Well now you have the chance to do it. Go for it!’ And it’s true. I guess now I do have a chance to follow through with that.” Mabus spoke at a reunion for the Little Rock’s former crew members Saturday at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. The group convenes in Buffalo every two years. Rod Ritterbusch, 66, served as the ship’s guided missile operator for four years in the mid-1960s. He said the reunion means sharing fond memories with fellow Navy men. It’s about talking about life, he said, explaining the different stories in detail to others who have served on the same ship. “It’s camaraderie, male bonding,” Ritterbusch said, adding: “The Little Rock, it is really a gem. Most ships like this are made into razor blades. I am so glad to see it preserved here in Buffalo.” Mabus said he remembers being on the ship as if it were yesterday. But, he said, time is catching up to all its former crew. “Four decades have disappeared,” Mabus said. “Honestly, when I was walking onto the ship I was expecting someone to ask why I wasn’t in uniform and that we were shipping off. . . . Ships like this show the history of this country and what we have done.” |
| • News from the Association |
Spring 2010
Shipboard Workparty - A Great Success!
Webmaster 23 May 2010 The USS Little Rock Association's annual Spring Workparty is now over. This annual event gives crewmembers, their families and lovers of naval ships an opportunity to personally contribute to the upkeep of the historic vessel U.S.S. Little Rock, moored at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in Buffalo, NY. This year 25 individuals joined together from Monday May 17 through Friday May 21 to clean, scrap, paint and polish the Little Rock from stem to stern. And as always, the fun and the camaraderie significantly contributed to this worthwhile event. I needs to be noted that this year there were more non-Association volunteers than ever. In fact, the number of individuals who are not members of the U.S.S. Little Rock Association outnumbered Association members 15 to 10! As always, the Naval Park and the Association were extremely grateful for all who could participate. |
| October 2010 Shipboard Workparty Planned Webmaster 23 May 2010 In response to many requests, the USS Little Rock Association is planning to add a second workparty to ongoing efforts by the crew to participate in the upkeep and maintenance of the ship. This annual event provides an opportunity for crewmembers and their families to significantly contribute personally to the U.S.S. Little Rock, now moored in Buffalo, NY. It was decided at the 2009 Annual Meeting in Buffalo to add an October workparty in addition to the "traditional" May workparty. The dates for the 2010 Fall Workparty will be available soon. |
| • News from the Fleet |
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Navy
closes Gaeta
elementary school after 45 years
By Lisa M. Novak, Stars
and Stripes, European edition,
Sunday, June 8, 2008
GAETA, Italy — The last day of school is usually a happy time for students and faculty, as they look forward to summer vacation. But Friday at Gaeta Elementary School, the students and faculty were also looking back. It was, literally, the last day of school for Gaeta, as the classroom doors shut for the last time. The school closure was one of the final steps in down sizing the U.S. Navy's presence in Gaeta. Some services moved from the hilltop base of Monte Orlando down to smaller, pier-side facilities to support the crew and staff of the 6th Fleet flagship, USS Mount Whitney. Other base facilities, like the school, have been eliminated completely. Gaeta Elementary, opened in 1970, was originally named the Joshua Barney School. It was renamed in the mid-1980s. It was slated to close last year, but was granted a one-year reprieve by Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Europe following a 2006 request from the Navy. As the final day arrived, faculty, friends and parents of the remaining 18 students gathered to celebrate with music and an awards assembly. It was also a final chance to say good-bye. "I'll miss the base and my friends," said 9-year-old Victoria Moore, who just finished fourth grade. "It was a lot of fun here." Friday's events marked a special milestone for Mary Tatta, a teacher of 45 years. She has taught at the school since it opened. "It was a wonderful time," said Tatta, who is set to retire. "It’s bittersweet. There were some rocky bumps along the way, but it was such a pleasure to have worked with the DODDS children. They're the best." |
| • News from the Past |
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U.S.S. Cruiser Little Rock Launched Arkansas Gazette August 28, 1944 Philadelphia. Pa. Aug. 27 (AP) The U.S.S. Little Rock, a 10,000-ton light cruiser, slid down the ways into the Delaware River today at the Cramp Shipbuilding Company yards here. Mrs. Samuel M. Wassell, wife of a Little Rock councilman, christened the vessel. Congressman Brooks Hays, Arkansas, told the crowd of approximately 5000 workers and guests that “cruisers were the hottest item of naval combat.” “The people of Little Rock are proud to have such a ship as this bear their city’s name.” said Mr. Hays. “Even those of us who know little about the classification of naval vessels know that the cruisers have distinguished themselves in the Pacific was and that this is the outstanding type of combat vessel for that area. The navy men tell us that the cruiser is ‘the work horse of the navy,” big enough to go into any battle, fast enough to lead any task force. “Carrying as it has the heaviest load in the Pacific where the greatest battles have taken place the cruisers have added luster to naval history. We hope in the time remaining before our enemies are put down the Little Rock will take her place alongside the Boise, the San Francisco, the helena, and the Chicago, preserving the prestige of the cruisers. “We are glad to honor the workmen and the company for which they work. I am sure we are all impressed with the spirit of teamwork which produced the results we observe today. In March 1943 the keel was laid, and for 18 months materials for the ship have come from everywhere. The taxes to pay for it will be assessed against men and women of great and little resources. Teamwork from beginning to end did the job. So with the war. A glorious victory lies ahead but there is much remaining to be done. Only teamwork can supply the dynamic power yet needed to complete that victory. Every ship launching is a reminder of the power that comes to a people who work together to achieve.” McClellan, Fulbright
Attend
Other guests included
United States Senator John L.
McClellan and Congressman and Mrs. J.
William
Fulbright, Arkansas.
The Little Rock, a vessel of the Cleveland class, will mount 12 six-inch guns in four turrets as a main battery and will have secondary and anti-aircraft battery of guns of smaller calibre. GAETA, Italy, Nov. 28, 1968 -- As a preview of things to come the year's first bowl game result is in. The Wardroom Tigers rocked 0-1 Division, 38-18, today to win the first Pasta Bowl flag football championship at the home of the Sixth Fleet flagship, USS Little Rock. |
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