Veterans Day
Nov 112013
USS Orleck Association news
Oct 292013
For those who may not know what a “plankowner” is, it is a member of the crew of a ship when that ship was placed in commission. While not an official Navy term it is carried proudly for the rest of their lives by those who were a part of the beginning of a new Navy ship. We believe it is a status that should be honored and recognized whenever we can.
On October 29, 2013 I received a call from one of the USS ORLECK’s plankowners by the name of Kennith Champney. He was part of the crew of the USS ORLECK when it was placed in commission in Orange, Texas in September of 1945. He left the ship in Shanghai in 1946 and presently resides in New Hampshire.
He was responding to mailed information about our San Diego reunion that was sent to him. He advised that his health will not permit him to attend this reunion. If you want to contact and are familiar with our roster system you know that you can access his address and phone number. If you have any problems doing that contact Bob Orleck and he will help you.
For those who think that I misspelled his first name, this might be of interest to you. Kennith tells me that his mother really liked the name Kenneth but knew a Kenneth she did not like and did not want to name her son after him or that it might so seem. When she learned that Kenneth could be spelled Kennith she jumped on that opportunity and got to name him with a name she liked.
Kennith is very proud of his service aboard USS ORLECK and he made some friends that he has lost track of. Their names are Danny Cousins, Bill Baker and Dale Piper. Our Association does not have any information on these men so if you know of them or about them please contact Kennith or Bob Orleck. It would mean a lot to him.
Bob Orleck
bob@ussorleck.com
Sep 112013
Never forget! Always Pray!
Aug 172013
If it were possible would you like to have an email address that instead of being gmail.com or yahoo.com was ussorleck.com?
Just like some folks have vanity plates on their car, you might be able to have a vanity email address.
Let me know your thoughts.
You can either post your interest here, on the FB page or write to me at bob@ussorleck.com.
Apr 082013
USS ORLECK sailor? Check out the Roster to see if you are on it or if information is correct about you.
(You can correct your information yourself if you have a link to your personal page.
If you do not have this link then send a request for your personal link to link@ussorleck.com.
Any other questions or if you want us to add or correct your information then contact bob@ussorleck.com)
USS ORLECK engages enemy in Vietnam
This web site is dedicated to the men who served aboard the Orleck during its 37 years of service.
Almighty God, ruler of the sea, may thy grace and rich blessings vest upon the officers and men who serve in this ship. Let thy presence and power go with them as they defend their country both overseas and at home. Keep them in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This prayer was written inside the ship’s Bible by Chaplain Thomas Gary Hawkins at the USS ORLECK commissioning ceremony 1945. This same prayer was read at the decommissioning ceremony in 1982.
Jun 242012
Northern Kentucky Reunion Photos June 24, 2012, day 4.
The following post was put on the forum 5 days after the reunion event in N. KY. I thought I would share it out here since many do not visit the forum. By the way, the forum is full of great information and pictures and may be the best secret place on the website for some great material.
The June 24, 2012 optional event was a Major League Baseball Game featuring the Cincinnati Reds and the Minnisota Twins. We had 52 people registered to come to the game and our men were asked to be the Color Guard in the pre-game ceremonies and our entertainer Marie Mazziotti auditioned for and was the singer of the National Anthem. The men of the Color Guard were all from the 1940 decade and included Norman Terrell, Chas Staples, Louis Jagucki (a plank owner) and Chet Chernac. click to view honor guard and singing by our Marie Maziotti. (video done by Ben Loder)
They all did great! I was so proud!
Chet was so happy to do this and he was overwhelmed at the event at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and told me there that he never realized that he could enjoy himself so much. As he described his feelings tears came down his cheek. What a wonderful man! Chet went to be with the Lord not long after our reunion there. I am so thankful that I got to know him so well. This is the great value of reunions to me. The people I have gotten to know and love are the best and have enriched my life.
Bob Orleck
(photo by Bill Blush)
(photo by Bill Blush)
- Left to Right: Dennis Cantwell (Instructor), Louis Jagucki, Chas Staples, Norman Terrell and Chet Chernec.
(photo by Bill Blush)
- Marie Mazziotti, our entertainer from New York City, performing the National Anthem.
(photo by Bill Blush)
- Lydia enjoying Major League Baseball!
(photo by Bill Blush)
- Marie & Bob on the field in Cincinnati!
(photo by Ben Loder)
- The Great American Ball Park!
(photo by Ben Loder)
- The Great American Ball Park!
(photo by Ben Loder)
- Orleck people at Reds Game!
(photo by Ben Loder)
- John & Molly Fruin (From Holiday Inn)
(photo by Ben Loder)
- I don’t think their mind is on the game!
(photo by Ben Loder)
- I’ll drink to that one!
(photo by Ben Loder)
- “I sure do love a good football game, don’t you Richard? Richard!
(photo by Ben Loder)
- Looks like at least a couple of them are enjoying the game!
(photo by Ben Loder)
- Have you heard that old saying, “Up to their knees!”?
(photo by Ben Loder)
Now if you don’t get that last one, go back to the picture and look above our folks heads! Get it? Its pretty bad when you have to explain the humor!
- Definitely into the game, wouldn’t you say!
(photo by Ben Loder)
- More of the folks!
(photo by Ben Loder)
- Nice picture of plank owner, Lou Jagucki and family! As your eyes can tell you, they are real Reds fans!
(photo by Ben Loder)
- Rhonda and Ron, our friends from Lake Charles!
(photo by Ben Loder)
- They can smile even though the Reds lost!
Mar 042000
At the 2002 Reunion of the Destroyer USS ORLECK Association, Greg Zonner, Curator of the Arkansas Inland Marine Museum (AIMM) attended and presented Bob Orleck with a beautiful large pen and ink drawing of the USS RAZORBACK and a plaque making him an honorary member of their sub base. This was in recognition of the help Bob provided at the beginning of the process to return the submarine to the United States to be a museum ship. Though contacts that Bob had made during the service of ex-USS ORLECK (TCG YUCTEPE D 345) in Turkey, the N. Little Rock group was able to make the necessary contacts that resulted in them obtaining the USS RAZORBACK and bringing her to Arkansas to be the centerpiece of AIMM. The plaque proudly is displayed in Bob’s office.
office Razorback display
Razorback plaque