Over 800 dead on USS Franklin

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Late in WW2 the USS Franklin took two bomb hits in the waters off Japan. Over 800 sailors died. An iconic photo of one dying sailor made headlines and is often featured in historical documentaries about the Pacific War. one problem, Bob Blanchard, the dying sailor, did not die. Well, it was not a problem for him. It is good to be alive. And he tells his story and the story of two Medal of Honor recipients who touched his life that day. A NJ resident, Blanchard was recently featured in a story about the Franklin in the USS New Jersey newsletter.

Word Around The County

Army JMIPS Concept

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Army logistics are a key part of making an army efficient and effective. This video presents conceptual work toward a whole system for inter-service compatabilty and inter-modal systems. The video was made by BuzzCreek of Sparta, NJ. See www.buzzcreek.com

A Battleship Veteran

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Bob Haarde of New Jersey was a Battleship veteran in WWII. He actually went through boot camp aboard the Battleship Texas while in convoy with the Murmansk Run. The USS Texas is now a museum in Texas.He then became a gun captain for one of the 9 16 inch guns on the USS Alabama which is now a museum ship in Mobile, Alabama. He tells of the sad story of Tarawa in which the shore bombardment was timed wrong for the landing, thus placing the Marines in a position with no effective cover from the battleship guns. The carnage was horrific. He explains the next invasion of Quadjaline used the lessons of Tarawa. This is a short example of volunteer interviews at senior centers in Sussex County. ME3TV.org is the sponsor. If you are a senior with a story to tell, (or know one) , contact me3tv.

Harry Harris, Norman Walther, Eddy Kilkrease and Gary Lockett at the CHS67 hosted Chumuckla Reunion. Gary was in the class of '67. Audio of the teacher and student comments at the gathering follow.