USS Little Rock Association
Annual Shipboard Work Party

Work Party - Spring 2018 (May 14 - 18) List of Volunteers:  40!  A New Record !
Bob Alexander - Jackson, MI (*) John Bertok - McKeesport, PA Ava Bertok - McKeesport, PA (*) Pete Cardwell - Trevos, PA (*) Wally Cardwell - Lawrenceburg, KY Beth Carpenter - Marysville, OH Dick Cipriano - Salisbury Beach, MA Russ Darrow - Endicott, NY Lorie Darrow - Endicott, NY Phillip Gerate - Pittsburgh, PA (*) John Gibbs - Jackson, MI (*) Charlie Haglund - Jackson, MI (*) Bob Kreger - Jackson, MI John Landwehr - Green Bay, WI Alex Loach - St. Augustine, FL (*) Steve Malewitz - Jackson, MI Lance Manus - Delanson, NY Wendy Manus - Delanson, NY (*) Scott Miller - Plymouth, WI Carl Mottern - Buffalo, NY	Mike Mottern - Buffalo, NY Randy Nimtz - Jackson, MI (*) Bill Pearson - Bloomingburg, NY  Phil Place - Jackson, MI (*) Jim Pratt - Inkster, MI Larry Reading - La Grange, KY (*) Kevin Runnells - Richmond, IN Dianne Runnells - Richmond, IN (*) Ed Schweda Jr. - Clifton Park, NY Ed Schweda Sr. - Jackson, MI (*) Walt Slater - Ogdensburg, NJ Ralph Smith - Coram, NY Bob Swanson - Clifton Park, NY (*) Rhonda Swanson - Clifton Park, NY (*) Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Jane Tilley - Fayetteville, PA (*) Kevin Wallin - PA (*) Carl Wetterling, Sr. - Bordentown, NJ Carl Wetterling, Jr. - Bordentown, NJ Dennis Yerkes - Royersford, PA
(*) Indicates non-Association members

2018 Spring Work Party Photos
Photos pending.	Photos pending.	Photos pending.
Photos pending.	Photos pending.	Photos pending.

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Work Party - Spring 2017 (May 15 - 19) List of Volunteers (29 !!)
Bob Alexander - Jackson, MI (*) John Bertok - McKeesport, PA Bruce Butler - Fulton, NY Sharon Butler - Fulton, NY Peter Cardwell - Trevose, PA (*) Wally Cardwell - Lawrenceburg, KY Dick Cipriano - Salisbury Beach, MA Mike Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD (*) Betty Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD (*) Michael Curran - Missoula, MT John Gibbs - Jackson, MI (*) Russ Darrow - Endicott, NY Charlie Haglund - Jackson, MI (*) Bob Kreger - Jackson, MI John Landwehr - Green Bay, WI	Scott Miller - Plymouth, WI Carl Mottern - Buffalo, NY Mike Mottern - Buffalo, NY Bill Pearson - Bloomingburg, NY Phil Place - Jackson, MI (*) Jim Pratt - Inkster, MI Larry Reading - La Grange, KY (*) Ed Schweda, Jr. - Ballston Lake, NY (*) Ed Schweda, Sr. - Jackson, MI Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Jane Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Carl Wetterling, Sr. - Bordentown, NJ Carl Wetterling, Jr. - Bordentown, NJ Dennis Yerkes - Royersford, PA - - -
(*) Indicates non-Association members

2017 Spring Work Party Photos
The Naval Park's ships wait for the Spring Work Party and for the summer crowds	The park area aft of the  LITTLE ROCK shows off its spring colors	Mike and Betty Cottrell get reacquainted with John Gibbs. (Let the Sea Stories begin!)
Two new helpers,,, and One Oldtimer! From left-to-right: Michael Curran - Missoula, MT Dick Cipriano - Salisbury Beach, MA Bill Pearson - Bloomingburg, NY	"Brew For The Crew" "Thanks" to John Landwehr's brewmaster brother-in-law!	Sharon & Bruce Butler.... ALWAYS faithful!
Monday morning: Art discusses the partially installed fantail awning situation with Scott Miller	The ENTIRE workparty discusses the partially installed fantail awning situation....	Installation of the remaining part of the fantail awning commences... "We should be done this afternoon...."
Tuesday morning: Breakfast at "The Hatch" while the crew discusses the partially installed fantail awning.	WHAT awning?	Some serious bridge work is underway....  performed by our Michigan contingent....
After a hard day's work it feels good to sit down and discuss how we would have done it better and faster in the "Old Navy"!	Eddie agrees.... Things WERE better in the 'Good Old' Days!"	Ed Schweda and Ed Schweda in the breakfast chowline. Can you guess which one is the Dad?
Bill Pearson shows of his nearly completed Tool Room project in what was the Chief's Barber Shop!	Wednesday... Installation of the Fantail Awning continues.....	It would appear that Senior Chief Branning is happy! ( Thus far... ! )
Art asks John: "John, do you think they'll ever get the awning installed?"	To which Scott Miller replies: "Hey....  we are almost done... give or take another day or two!"	The "Old Hawser Removal Team"  was in good form.  After discussing the problem on how to dispose of MANY fathoms of 6" hawser, the "Team" decided to pick it up bodily and carry it to the pierside dumpster. Step 1:  Pick it up bodily!
Hawser Removal Team (cont.) Step 2:  Head towards the pier, via the USS The Sullivans fantail.	Hawser Removal Team (cont.) Step 3:  Go forward from the USS The Sullivans fantail to her after brow. And from there to the dumpster	Belay the Electrical Work! Hey guys! Check this out...!! They are finally getting rid of  all that 6" hawser!
Hawser Removal Team (cont.) The last of the hawser sits on LITTLE ROCK's fantail	Hawser Removal Team (cont.) The Team picks the last piece of hawser up and schleps it to the now too familiar dumpster	Hawser Removal Team (cont.) Jimmy Pratt has the honor of being the last guy to have removed 6" hawser from LITTLE ROCK Well done Team !!
Area 51 (a.k.a.  "the entrance to the Missile House Work Shop") Back in "the day" this was OFF LIMITS ! to all but a few MT's and GMM's Art Tilley thinks it still is!	Thursday:  The installation of the Fantail Awning is completed..... The awning crew sets up a few tables and chairs.... probably so they can sit and admire their handiwork....  with a cold beer !
WWII Exhibit Did you know LITTLE ROCK has an extensive and impressive display of WWII weapons, all displayed in mock-ups of WWII bunkers? Very Nice! Check it out!	The Work Party Tool Room Bill Pearson's finished Tool Room pro- ject is a sight to be seen. This space was renovated under Bill's supervision and will be the primary repository for Work Party tools. Bill contributed many hours of his own time making this happen.	Looks like Senior Chief is happy! (Maybe we'll be invited back!)
Looking Back "towards the future" This is a view from the fantail of "old" LITTLE ROCK looking at the venue for the Commissioning of the new USS Little Rock LCS 9 to be held near the end if 2017. Check this website for news of this unique event,		Questions about our Work Party? The Association's annual USS Little Rock Work Party is an event that has been enjoyed by many folks over the years.  It provides a way for former LITTLE ROCK crew members, as well as their families and their friends, to participate in the upkeep and preservation of a national treasure. The projects we undertake are varied in the effort and skill needed. You can be assured that you will find one or more projects that match your abilities and your talents. We typically meet the third week in May, arriving on Sunday, and finishing up on Friday. It is NOT necessary to commit to spending the entire week. And...  because we stay on board the ship wach night, our out-of-pocket expenses are small. Interested?  Contact Art Tilley with your questions or concerns: 717-352-7537.

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Work Party - Spring 2016 (May 16 - 20) List of Volunteers (35 !!)
Bob Alexander - Jackson, MI Bruce Butler - Fulton, NY Sharon Butler - Fulton, NY John Bertok - McKeesport, PA Ava Bertok - McKeesport, PA Pete Cardwell - Royersford, PA Wallace Cardwell - Lawrenceburg, KY Beth Carpenter - Marysville, OH Mike Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD Betty Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD Russ Darrow - Endicott, NY Lorie Darrow - Endicott, NY John Gibbs - Ballston Lake, NY Bob Kreger - Jackson, MI John Landwehr - Green Bay, WI John Meyers - Dunwoody, GA Jan Meyers - Dunwoody, GA Scott Miller - Plymouth, WI Carl Mottern - Tonawanda, NY Mike Mottern - Tonawanda, NY	Dennis Olsen - Lake Park, MN Catherine Olsen - Lake Park, MN Bill Pearson - Bloomingburg, NY Jim Pratt - Inkster, MI Larry Reading - Middletown, KY Ed Schweda, Jr. - Ballston Lake, NY Ed Schweda, Sr. - Jackson, MI Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Dennis Yerkes - Royersford, PA  and...  6  LCS9 Crew from Mayport, FL Magezi Johnson GM1 Raymond Williams EN2 Daniel Thomas FC1 Aaron Huckabaa OS2  Eon Hyles BMC Kyler Ayscue EN2 35 folks total !!
(*) Indicates non-Association member

2016 Spring Work Party Photos
The 2016 USS Little RockWork Party - Nearly all of the 35 participants!
New Highlite! The LITTLE ROCK sports her newly painted "BLUE NOSE"  calling attention to her crossing the Arctic Circle.	Painted by shipmate Dennis Yerkes, the blue high-lighted area on the bow commemerates LITTLEROCK's  crossing the Arctic Circle on 30 Nov 1946,  03 Dec 1946, 29 Sep 1965 and 14 Sep 1972.	Re-anchord anchor LITTLE ROCK's port anchor is now proudly displayed at the north Marine Drive entrance to the Buffalo and Erie Conty Naval & Military Park.
Lunch Time! Mike Mottern (left), the two pizza delivery guys, Bob Kreger, and Ed Schweda Sr. pose with the "Noon Meal" being served on the Fantail.	The Noon Meal is Being Served.... John Bertok, Pete Cardwell, Scott Miller and Bob Kreger get ready to replace the calories they burned doing a hard morning's work.	The Noon Meal is Gone! Pizza is Gone! Thanks to these hungry sailors! Six pizzas in ten minutes! A NEW RECORD!
John Meyers our "Head Man" for a day (actually it was more like five days) gives as a lesson in perseverence!	John's Leftover John Parts NOTE: John was helped considerably by his faithful wife Jan who managed to avoid being in the photo by acting as our photographer.	OS2 Aaron Huckabaa, an LCS9 crewman, is interviewed by one of the many news people who came by to document the 2016 Work Party. Unfortunately we didn't get her name. (But we expect OS2 Huckabaa did!)
Time for Lunch! (Again?) Lunch on Thursday afternoon was hosted by the LCS 9 Commissioning Committee. An amazing spread was provided, and some very nice comments from the committee were offered thanking the Work Party for their efforts.	The Crew digs in! John and Jan Meyers go for the salad!	The LCS9 Crew digs in! When these guys eat.... they get serious. Here are GM1 Johnson, EN2 Thomas, and OS2 Huchabaa enjoying some fine dining.
Seconds! Shipmate Jim Pratt like all of the rest of the Work Party crew enjoys fine dining. He also goes for seconds when invited!	The LCS9 Crew Ready to Turn-To... Left-to-right: Magezi Johnson GM1, Daniel Thomas EN2, Aaron Huckabaa OS2, Raymond Williams EN2, Kyler Ayscue EN2, Eon Hyles BMC (These guys were a real pleasure to work with!)
LCS 9 Crew Tackles BIG Paint Job! The LCS 9 crew exhibited a "Can Do!" approach to a large project on the staboard side of the ship's Missile House. The project involved removing a welded vertical ladder, re-routing drain pipes, and preping and painting a large part of the bulhead,	Racing Shells on the Buffalo River Some "entertainment" was available during our lunch-break one afternoon.  A fairly large group of racing shells passed by the LITTLE ROCK, either in a practice run, or actually racing. Either way they were moving at a good clip. The boats were heading north along the Bufflo River towards Lake Erie. The Buffalo Skyway bridge in the background, as are some abandoned grain elevators on the west side of the river.	Abandoned Grain Elevators at Night Here's roughly the same view at night. The racing shells are gone, but the grain elevators are now illuminated with "moving" LED light arrays. (You'll have to see it to appreciate it!) Here's a YouTube LINK.

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Work Party - Spring 2015 (May 18-24) List of Volunteers (19 !!)
Bob Alexander - Jackson, MI Charles Aughland Bruce Butler - Fulton, NY Sharon Butler - Fulton, NY Wallace Cardwell - Lawrence KY Beth Carpenter - Marysville, OH Jerry Cline - Mint Hill, NC Russ Darrow - Endicott, NY John Gibbs - Jackson, MI Al Hollis - Nashville, NC (*)	Rod Joye - Mantua, OH Bob Kreger - Jackson, MI John Landwehr - Green  Bay, WI Phil Place - Jackson, MI Larry Redding - Middletown, KY Edward Schweda - Jackson, MI Edward Schweda Jr. - Ballston Lake, NY Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Dennis Yerkes - Royersford, PA -
(*) Indicates non-Association member

2015 Spring Work Party Photos
Photos coming soon!	Photos coming soon!	Photos coming soon!
Photos coming soon!	Photos coming soon!	Photos coming soon!

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Work Party - Spring 2014 (May 18-24) List of Volunteers (29 !!)
Bob Alexander - Jackson, MI Don Bertok - Elizabeth, PA (*) Austin Bertok - McKeesport, PA (*) John Bertok - McKeesport, PA Matthew Bertok - McKeesport, PA (*) Wallace Cardwell - Lawrence KY Beth Carpenter - Marysville, OH Mike Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD Betty Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD Jack Coyle - Brockport, PA Lorie Darrow - Endicott, NY (*) Russ Darrow - Endicott, NY John Gibbs - Jackson, MI Al Hollis - Nashville, NC (*) Rod Joye - Mantua, OH	Geoff Kirkendall - Lawrence, KS Bob Kreger - Jackson, MI John Landwehr - Green  Bay, WI Carl Mottern - Kenmore, NY Mike Mottern - Kenmore, NY Bill Pearson - Bloomingburg, NY Phil Place - Jackson, MI Edward Schweda - Jackson, MI Edward Schweda Jr. - Ballston Lake, NY Dan Signor - Mesa, AZ Ed Smiley - Nashville, NC Georgenia Thacker - Frankfort Ky Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Ed ("Smiley") Vermaaten - Marietta, OH -
(*) Indicates non-Association member

2014 Spring Work Party Photos
5"/38 Mount gets a Field Day	New Bloomers on 6" Turret	5"/38 Mount's  Field Day (con't.)
Forward Boiler Room Rehab	Bob Kreger starts on what will become a two-year project....	Lorie shines!
An unexplored space. Maybe a future project?	Missile Magazine received a real Field Day! "Thanks" to Betty Cottrell and Georgenia Thacker!	As did the Missile House Ready-Service Magazine area...
The new "Trex" decking on the starboard side amidships	"Now...Sweepers! Sweepers! Man your brooms! Clean sweepdown Fore and Aft!"	Is this Wally's locker? Source of this photo is unknown.

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Work Party - Spring 2013 (May 19-22) List of Volunteers (25)
Ava Bertok - McKeesport, PA (*) John Bertok - McKeesport, PA Jim Buckalew - Wolcott, NY (*) Wallace Cardwell - Lawrenceburg, KY Beth Carpenter - Marysville, OH (*) Julie Carpenter - Marysville, OH (*) Jerry Cline - Mint Hill, NC Mike Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD Betty Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD (*) Russ Darrow - Endicott, NY Larry Flynn - Lutz, FL Andrea Flynn - Lutz, FL (*) Cade Hudson - Jackson, MI (*)	Rod Joye - Mantua, OH (*) Bob Kreger - Jackson, MI John Landwehr - Green  Bay, WI Keri Manuri - Jackson, MI (*) Bill Pearson - Bloomingburg, NY Ed Schweda - Jackson, MI (*) Ed Schweda Jr. - Ballston Lake, NY (*) Georgenia Thacker - Frankfort, KY (*) Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Jane Tilley - Fayetteville, PA (*) Keith Wolfgang - Painesville, OH Wayne Wolfgang - Chardon, OH (*) - - -
(*) Indicates non-Association member

2013 Spring Work Party Photos
Welcome Aboard! Turn To!	John Branning provides the Plan of the Day	Planning Session
Clean Sweepdown Fore & Aft!	Shipshape and Bristol Fashion!	Crew's Lounge
Now Knock Off Ship's Work for the Noon Meal!		Breakfast at Tiffany's! (Not)
"Now Muster the 6" Gun Crew" (a.k.a. "The Bloomer Guys")	The "Bloomer Guy's" doing their thing.	A barbcue on the Lido Deck! Compliments of the Naval Park.
Feeling seasick?	Feeling better!	Recapping the day's work.
Another break / planning session...!	Dinner on the Town	We missed  Y- O- U in 2013  !!! But . . .  hope to see you in 2014.

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Work Party - Spring 2012 (May 21-25) List of Volunteers (16)
John Bertok - McKeesport, PA Don Bertok - Elizabeth, PA Wallace Cardwell - Lawrenceburg, KY Beth Carpenter - Marysville, OH (*) Russ Darrow - Endicott, NY Rodger Joye - Mantua, OH (*) Bob Kreger - Jackson, MI John Landwehr - Green Bay, WI	Larry Reading - Middletown, KY Ed Schweda - Jackson, MI (*) Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Jane Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Lorie Wilks - Endicott, NY Keith Wolfgang - Painesville, OH Wayne Wolfgang - Chardon, OH John Yocum - Kissimmee, FL
(*) Indicates non-Association member

2012 Spring Work Party Photos
The 5" Gun Crew watches the pier	Bob Kreger a.k.a. "Never Slows Down Bob" gets the Talos Missiles repainted.	Jane Tilley multi-tasking.... She shines the brightwoork and listens to music at the SAME TIME !!
The best part of the watch... coffee and sea stories. Russ Darrow and John Bertok gam while John Yokum looks on.	Installing the canvas awnings is always a "fun" time. In two or three days it's all done!	Eddie is the Naval Park's "Go To Guy". Whatever you need, Eddie can get it. Wherever it is, Eddie can find it. Without him nothing happens!!
It hard to imagine the Little Rock in a nicer setting. Here's a view looking from the location of the original Erie Canal.	Jane Tilley and Beth Carpenter spread the brightwork cleaner around  the bridge. With those two things are "Never Dull"	Lorie Wilks makes quick work of the bi-annual "paint the Talos missiles" project. Sure looks better than when the ship's GMM's had to do it.
John Yokum demolished the old plywood overhead starboard side amidships. If it needs to come down, call John.	Look closely... those are John Yokum's feet just above the ladder. No, he's not sleeping! That's Art Tilley with the box of Kitty Litter (?), and Wally Cardwell further aft.	John's better side is visible after most of the old plywood has been removed. That's the mast of the USS The Sullivans in the background.
The "Planning Committee" meets several times each day to make sure that the Work Schedule is being adhered to.	Sometimes the "Planning Committee" meets to discuss specific projects such as how to best paint the Talos Missiles, or "Where are we going to go for dinner?".	Keith Wolfgang (white shirt) and his Wayne discuss the "Planning Committee" plans with John Branning, the Naval Park's Chief Planner.
Russ Darrow paints the Talos TSAM (Trainer, Surface-to-Air Missile)	Russ Darrow repairs the guidance package on the Talos TSAM (Trainer, Surface-to-Air Missile)	Art Tilley swabbing up hydraulic oil in the Missile House.
Sometimes we forget to bring the key when we come back after hours. Bob Kreger shows how to get the gate open while Larry Reading and Ed Schweda standby to rescue Bob.	Lunch on the fantail !! It doesn't get any better than this !!	Some of the Naval Park staff show their appreciation for all the work accomplished by the 2012 Work Party. Left-to-right, John, Ben and Roy.
A view from the bow of the USS Little Rock as the local yacht club sailing fleet returns after Wednesday night races.

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Work Party - Spring 2011 (May 16-20) List of Volunteers (20)
John Bertok - McKeesport, PA Ava Bertok - McKeesport, PA (*) Wallace Cardwell - Lawrenceburg, KY Beth Carpenter - Marysville, OH (*) Julie Carpenter - Marysville, OH (*) Mike Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD Betty Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD (*) Russ Darrow - Endicott, NY Rodger Joye - Mantua, OH (*) Bob Kreger - Jackson, MI	John Landwehr - Green Bay, WI Carl Mottern - N. Tonawanda, NY Mike Mottern - N. Tonawanda, NY Bill Pearson - Bloomingburg, NY Ed Schweda - Jackson, MI (*) Ed Smiley - Nashville, NC Jefferson Smiley - Nashville, NC (*) Georgenia Thacker - Frankfort, KY (*) Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Keith Wolfgang - Painesville, OH
(*) Indicates non-Association member

2011 Spring Work Party Photos
Work Party crew musters on the messdeck to plan the day's activities.	The planning continues......	And continues......
Betty Cottrell, Master-of -Brightwork	The fantail crew poses while installing awnings. (Russ Darrow, Wally Cardwell, Keith Wolfgang)	Dick Smith (Ship's Superintendent) shows how to get the canvas taut.
Our "piper-in-residence", Bill Pearson, takes time for some onboard entertainment.	We enjoyed fine dining at Pearl Street Brewery, Susie Q's Barbecue, and Fat Bob's, The Hatch as well as on the Messdeck.	Julie indulges in some of Fat Bob's Sweet Potato Pie.
Beth and Julie Carpenter working on some fancywork for the ship (or new shoelaces!).	New pictures and photo were hung in the Wardroom. The center picture is an original oil painting by shipmate Wil Cameron RDSN (1959-1962)	A painting of the USS Little Rock in Gaeta was added to the Wardroom collection

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Work Party - Spring 2010 (May 17-20) List of Volunteers (25)
Gene Appel - Jackson, MI (*) John Bertok - McKeesport, PA Ava Bertok - McKeesport, PA (*) Wallace Cardwell - Lawrenceburg, KY Beth carpenter - Marysville, oh (*) Mike Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD Betty Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD (*) Jerry Dupuis - Inlet, NY John Gibbs - Jackson, MI (*) Rodger Joye - Mantua, OH (*) Bob Kreger - Jackson, MI John Landwehr - Green Bay, WI Stephanie Mann - Sturgeon Bay, WI (*)	Mike Mottern - N. Tonawanda, NY Justin O'Conney - Raleigh, NC (*) Bill Pearson - Bloomingburg, NY Bob Philbrick - Shawano, WI (*) Dan Skowronski - Pt. Pleasant B'ch, NJ (*) Ed Smiley - Nashville, NC Georgenia Thacker - Frankfort, KY (*) Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Jane Tilley - Fayetteville, PA (*) Jeni VanBeek - Green Bay, WI (*) Rebecca VanBeek - Green Bay, WI (*) John Yocum - Kissimmee, FL (*)
(*) Indicates non-Association member

Work Party - Fall 2010 (Oct. 25-29) List of Volunteers (6)
Mike Cheche - Surry, ME Russ Darrow - Endicott, NY Rich Hadley - Cheektowaga, NY	Mike Mottern - N. Tonawanda, NY Bill Pearson - Bloomingburg, NY Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA

2010 Work Party Photos
Coming Soon !	Coming Soon !	Coming Soon !

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Work Party 2009 (May 13-17) List of Volunteers (19)
Gene Appel - Jackson, MI (*) John Bertok - McKeesport, PA Wallace Cardwell - Lawrenceburg, KY Wallace Cardwell II - Lawrenceburg, KY (*) Mike Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD Betty Cottrell - Mechanicsville, MD (*) Russ Darrow - Endicott, NY Russ Earnhart - Mishawaka, IN John Gibbs - Jackson, MI (*) Bob Kreger - Jackson, MI	John Landwehr - Green Bay, WI Keri Manuri - Jackson, MI (*) Justin O'Conney - Raleigh, NC (*) Joe Pound - Lindley, NY Dale Roe - Glen Aubrey, NY (*) Ed Smiley - Nashville, NC Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Keith Wolfgang - Concord Twp., OH Emily Wolfgang - Concord Twp., OH (*)
(*) Indicates non-Association member

2009 Work Party Photos

Unfortunately no photos of this event are in our archives. Do YOU have any photos that memorialize the Spring 2009 Work Party? If so, please contact the Webmaster.

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Work Party 2008 (May 15-17) List of Volunteers (25)
Gene Appel - Jackson, MI (*) Ava Bertok - Mc Keesport, PA (*) John Bertok - Mc Keesport, PA Don Bixby - Irwin, PA Wallace Cardwell - Lawrenceburg, KY Jerry Dupuis - Inlet, NY Dan Eddington - Kalamazoo, MI Dianne Guido - Carlisle, PA (*) Pasquale Guido - Carlisle, PA Bob Kreger - Jackson, MI Mark Layfield - Opelika, AL (*) Terry Mahoney - Meadville, PA Mike Mottern - Kenmore, NY	Steven Rinfret - Ocala, FL Chuck Rudman - Wheat Ridge, CO Jake Rudman - Wheat Ridge, CO (*) Sean Rudman - Wheat Ridge, CO (*) Dennis Shiun - Jackson, MI (*) Ed Smiley - Nashville, NC Georgenia Thacker - Frankfort, KY (*) Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Jane Tilley - Fayetteville, PA (*) Keith Wolfgang - Concord Township, OH Sara Wolfgang - Concord Township, OH (*) Emily Wolfgang - Concord Township, OH (*)
(*) Indicates non-Association member

2008 Work Party Photos
A view of the Little Rock from the Naval Park entrance. ( Doesn't look like your typical shipyard!)	Morning Muster	Wally Cardwell & his sister Georgenia Thacker
Ava & John Bertok	Keith Wolfgang & Don Bixby demolish an old wooden overhead. Is that a BOMB?	Dan Eddington & Dennis Shiun chip and paint a bulkhead, Main Deck, port side.
Sara & Emily Wolfgang get the 03 level, portside, looking shipshape.	Jane Tilley chips, primes and paints a winch unit on the 03 level amidships.	Mike Mottern and Jerry Dupuis ham it up for the camera between jobs.
Coffee Break on the Mess Decks. (Fruit cake compliments of the Bertoks!)	Dennis, Bob and Gene chow down at breakfast at the "Hatch "restaurant	Emily Wofgang shows off the great berthing accommodations we used to enjoy.
Gene Appel poses in between assignments.	Art Tilley titivates the OD's shack on the Quarterdeck.	Ed Smiley washes down the main deck
Georgenia Thacker chips, sand, paints, etc. on one of many hand rails on the 03 level.	John Bertok (and Ava - not shown) worked three days on replacing a "cement" deck in a passageway.	Pasquale Guido (and Dianne - not shown) cleaned and replaced lamps along outside decks.
Steve Rinfret dressed for lunch!	Sometimes we found ourselves acting as "tour guides" for visitors.	Jerry & Art met with Pat Cunningham and John Herman to discuss the new Crew Museum
Dennis Shuin and Bob Kreger clean and repair the Captain's Gig and chocks on the portside.	Chuck & Jake Rudman heading off to fix some electrical problems (Where's Sean?)	Pasquale & Dianne Guido get ready to "Hit the Beach"
Liberty Party departing via the USS The Sullivans	Don, Terry and Dan enjoying a nice meal at the Pearl Street Brewery.	Stragglers getting back aboard just before Liberty expires.
	US Coast Guard helo does a fly-over inspection.

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Work Party 2007 (May 17-20) List of Volunteers (16)
John Bertok - McKeesport, PA Ava Bertok - McKeesport, PA (*) Don Bixby - Irwin, PA Wallace Cardwell - Lawrenceburg, KY Garry Keith - Shelbyville, KY (*) Bob Kreger - Jackson, MI Dennis McAllister - North Syracuse, NY Art "Butch" Siehl - Prince Frederick, MD	Kristopher Stoetzel - North Syracuse, NY (*) George Thomas - Hallieford, VA Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Jane Tilley - Fayetteville, PA (*) Pete Timan - Hawley, PA Keith Wolfgang - Painesville, OH Emily Wolfgang - Painesville, OH (*) Sara Wolfgang - Painesville, OH (*)
(*) Indicates non-Association member

 

2007 Work Party Photos
Art Tilley, Keith Wolfgang and Pete Timan discuss the worklist while Senior Chief Bob Kreger looks on.	Admiral Dennis McAllister points in the general direction of where the work is to be done.	On the messdecks Butch Siehl and Ship's Superintendent Dick Smith discuss the fine art of making (and drinking) coffee.
Ava Bertok, the team leader of the OOD Shack maintenance crew wields her paintbrush.	John Bertok, the other team member of the OOD Shack crew paints, polishes and cleans.	Don Bixby (our work party Bos'n) relaces the canvas on the buffet tables used for USS  Little Rock receptions. (Come to the 2007 Reunion to see these in use!)
Emily Wolfgang tackles the painting of the handrails on the 03 level.	Sara Wolfgang makes quick work of a gallon of "Cruiser Grey" on the deck of the 03 level.	John and Ava Bertok take a break from their work in the OOD Shack, while Emily and Sara "secretly" sneak in a nap on the 02 level. (The camera sees all!)
Keith Wolfgang masterfully applies "Talos Blue" to the two missiles on the fantail. (Bendix would approve!)	Bob Kreger paints the white detailing on the Little Rock's Talos missiles.	Jane Tilley touches up after Keith and  Bob. Women seem to have a knack for that sort of thing.
Art Tilley tests his scraper on the 03 level bulkhead for'd of the Chaff Roc launcher.	This magnificent job of polishing up the bridge brightwork was done single-handedly by George Thomas.	If Wally Cardwell wasn't so tall he wouldn't need to have his paint roller on an extension pole. On the other hand, he DID do a lot of the high spots.
Kris Stoetzel uses up ANOTHER can of Brasso! The ship hasn't looked this good in a long time.	The work party crew lines up for the morning meal at the "Hatch" restaurant at 0800.	And Don Bixby and Garry Keith enjoy a second cup of coffee before turning-to.
Dinner at Pearl Street Brewery....    an Annual Ritual !!		Not quite the same as a sunset at sea, but VERY close!!

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Work Party 2006 List of Volunteers (17)
Gene Appel - Jackson, MI (*) Mickey Cahoon - Weaverville, NC  Wallace Cardwell - Lawrenceburg, KY Jerry Dupuis - Inlet, NY Bob Kreger - Jackson, MI Mike Mottern - Buffalo, NY Chuck Rudman - Wheat Ridge, CO Jake Rudman - Wheat Ridge, CO (*) Sean Rudman - Wheat Ridge, CO (*)	Art Siehl - Prince Frederick, MD Art Tilley - Fayetteville, PA Jane Tilley - Fayetteville, PA (*) Carl Wetterling - Bordentown, NJ Carl Wetterling Jr. - Bordentown, NJ Keith Wolfgang - Painesville, OH Sara Wolfgang - Painesville, OH (*) Emily Wolfgang - Painesville, OH (*)
(*) Non-Association Member !!

2006 Work Party Photos
During a break in the weather, Art Siehl and Wallace Cardwell work on getting the ship's Med Lights operational.	Chuck Rudman shows where the new red lights are being installed on the Flag Bridge.
Sean Rudman pulls new cable to be used in powering new lights on the ship's bridge.	Art Tilley works at removing paint and dirt from lights in Admiral's passageway.
Jerry Dupuis and Bob Kreger go through the chow line (again?) at breakfast on Saturday.	Emily Wolfgang, Art Siehl, Carl Wetterling Sr., Keith Wolfgang, Sara Wolfgang (hidden) and Wallace Cardwell enjoy a meal.
Serendipity !! On Saturday while the work party was engaged in their field day, the Naval Park had a ceremony dedicating a new statue to Lt. Thomas Michael Conway, a 37-year-old Catholic priest and Navy chaplain on the USS Indianapolis. The Indianapolis was sunk on 30 July 1945. Survivors floated in the Pacific for three days before being rescued. During that time Fr. Conway swam between groups of survivors encouraging them and praying with them. Fr. Conway died of exposure just several hours before the remainder of the crew was rescued. Pictures.... Above: Knights of Columbus and Sea Scout Color Guard. Right, the statue of Lt. Conway. Below left: the singing group "Friends of Harmony" from Buffalo warming up in the Admiral's wardroom. Below right: the Sea Cadets presenting The Colors.
Jane Tilley shows of her newly buffed deck and painted ladder between the 01 and 02 levels in the Flag spaces.	Mickey Cahoon, Wallace Cardwell and Art Siehl relax after and early breakfast at "The Hatch" just a short walk from the ship.
Jane Tilley, Gene Appel and Bob Kreger pose for after-breakfast picture just before heading off to continue ship's work.	Emily and Sara Wolfgang share a plate of pasta on Saturday evening after a hard day of polishing brass in the 5"/38 mount.
Refueling operation on Saturday evening. Jake Rudman, Chuck Rudman, Carl Wetterling Jr., and Jerry Dupuis.	And last but not least...Mike Mottern !! Mike is an Associate Member of the Little Rock Association. And although Mike is not an ex-crewmember, he has faithfully worked alongside work party volunteers for two years running. In addition Mike was a key player in our 2005 Reunion in Buffalo. It's guys like Mike that keep the Association running like the well-oiled machine that it is. Thanks from all of us Mike !!

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Work Party 2005 List of Volunteers (11)
Wallace Cardwell Jerry Dupuis Bob Hinckley Bob Kreger Mike Mottern    Randy Nimtz	Chuck Rudman    Jake Rudman Art Tilley Keith Wolfgang Sarah Wolfgang

2005 Work Party Photos
Some of 2005's  Work Party Participants Left to right:  Bob Hinckley, Randy Nimtz, Chuck Rudman, Jake Rudman, Wallace Cardwell, Michael Mottern, Keith Wolfgang, Sara Wolfgang, Bob Kreger, Jerry Dupuis Art Tilley (Photographer)
Keith Wolfgang demonstrates chipping and painting techniques around the base of an antenna mount above the bridge.
	Jake and Chuck Rudman flew in from Denver for four days of turning-to, and still found time to pose atop the 6" turret.
Bob Hinckley adds a much needed coat  of hazy gray painting to the port side look-out wing above the flag bridge.
	Chuck Rudman and Sara Wolfgang enjoy some gourmet dining at Shang-Hai Red's.

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Work Party 2004 List of Volunteers (10)
Don Bixby Jerry Dupuis Bob Hinckley Bob Kreger Chuck Rudman	Bill Shultz Kenny Skidmore Art Tilley Larry Wallace  Paul Zimmerman

2004 Work Party Photos
	Some of the 2005 Work Party Participants Left to right: Bill Shultz, Don Bixby, Art Tilley, Chuck Rudman, Paul Zimmerman, Bob Hinckley, Bob Kreger, and Kenny Skidmore. Not shown are: Jerry Dupuis & Larry Wallace (who took the picture)
	"Bell Polishing 101" Chuck Rudman works the Ship's Bell over with an electric buffer and LOTS of Brasso. Funny, we always thought it was supposed to be green!
	Old Salts at Work (?) Bob Kreger, Bob Hinckley and Don Bixby team up to: (pick one of the following): 1.   Tell sea stories 2.   Read the instructions, BEFORE they fix it... 3.   Take it easy after a tough morning of chipping paint.
	Hey Guys Listen Up! Larry Wallace shows us: 1.   What a WT Door combing is? 2.   Where NOT to bang your head? 3.   What part of a WT Door is never painted? 4.   ALL of the above !!
	Clean Sweep Down Fore and Aft Bob Hinckley and Bob Kreger clean teak decking after repainting the Quarter Deck OOD Office. We always try to leave the ship cleaner than when we arrived.

 

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