USS TORTUGA LSD-26/46 ASSOCIATION HISTORY
(Founder, Tom Evans)
BM/3
LSD-26
LSD-46
"A VERY YOUNG TOM EVANS"
FIRST TO CARRY THE PROUD NAME
("USS TORTUGA")
USS TORTUGA LSD-26
Ship’s Motto, “You Call, We Haul”
"USS TORTUGA LSD-46
THE NAME & THE PRIDE LIVES ON"
Ship’s Motto, “Tough, Tall and Tenacious”
WEB EDITORS NOTE:
Please see the 1990 minutes from the first newsletter. Retyped the text because the scanned copy isn't too legible in some places. Scanned copy courtesy of Larry Fay & Jack Hammond. The newsletters starting with the first one in 1990 were sent to Jack Hammond by Larry Fay. Thank you Larry for this very important recorded history of the Association
CW
FIRST REUNION OF THE USS TORTUGA (LSD-26) FORMER CREW MEMBERS HELD AT DAYS INN (AIRPORT) , INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA SEPTEMBER 21, 22, 23, 1990
BUSINESS MEETING HELD 9/22/90 WITH 32 MEMBERS PRESENT. TOM EVANS ACTING AS CHAIRMAN; DAVE WALDRON ACTING AS RECORDING SECRETARY.
MINUTES
Meeting called to order by Tom Evans at 1009, who then suggested we adopt an official name for the group.
Nelson Walton made the motion that we adopt the name of "U.S.S TORTUGA (LSD-26 ASSOCIATION"; Robert Schober seconded the motion; Motion passed unanimously.
Nominations opened for the office of association President & nominations made as follows: Dave Waldron..(Declined). Travis Laird..(Accepted). Nominations closed. Unanimously carried.
Nominations opened for the office of association Vice President & nominations made as follows: Tom Evans..(Accepted). Nominations closed. Unanimously carried.
Nominations opened for the office of association Secretary/Treasurer & nominations made as follows: Dave Waldron..(Accepted). Nominations closed.. Unanimously carried.
Chairman opened discussion regarding future reunions.. Nelson Walton suggested rotating the location between Eastern, Central & Western U.S_. Travis Laird mentioned the very real probability that the new USS TORTUGA (LSD-46) would be home ported in the Norfolk, VA area_James Mitchell made the motion that the next reunion be in 1991; Nelson Walton seconded the motion;. . Motion carried unanimously.
Nelson Walton moved that the 1991 reunion be held in San Diego, CA, as that was the homeport of the "Old" TORTUGA.. William Vandry seconded..Motion carried unanimously.
Larry Horr moved that the 1991 reunion be held shortly after Labor Day; Marvin Miller seconded..Motion carried Unanimously.
Travis Laird moved that Nelson Walton be appointed as Local Coordinator/Chairman for the 1991 reunion; Jack Follis seconded..Motion carried unanimously.
Nelson Walton moved that the Association present a plaque/scroll to C.O. of the "New" TORTUGA'S Commissioning Pennant also to be presented; Travis Laird seconded..Motion carried unanimously.
Discussed the possibility of acquiring the ship's bell of USS TORTUGA (LSD-26) and presenting it to USS TORTUGA (LSD 46)..Bell supposedly at Bremerton Navy Shipyard now. Craig Paslay to follow-up with the assistance of Travis Laird.
Discussed possibility of repaying those individuals who had spent considerable money from personal funds in providing for this first reunion..Dave Waldron moved that the ASSOCIATION repay as is possible from a "slush fund" to be created now by passing the hat; Travis Laird seconded..Motion carried unanimously. Volunteer collection totaled $362 to establish the "slush fund".
Jim Ashby moved that we authorize the Secy/Treasurer to collect 1991 dues now, to be used toward 1991 reunion operations; Ivan Borah seconded..Motion carried unanimously.
Went through the current roster of former crew members, one name at a time, to make any corrections and/or updating necessary.
Grant Sherman moved that the Association provide official membership cards to members of the USS TORTUGA (LSD-26) ASSOCIATION; Al Arthur seconded..Motion carried unanimously.
Tom Evans stated that the Chair would entertain a motion for adjournment..Nelson Walton moved that the meeting be adjourned; Bob Schober seconded..Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 1229.
Respectfully Submitted,
David L. Waldron
Recording Secretary
SECOND PART OF MINUTES
NOTE:
MORE TT ASSOC. HISTORY WILL BE ADDED TO
THIS PAGE AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.