How it all began...

How the Association Began...

In June of 2001, this notice appeared on a web site posting ship reunions:

USS CASA GRANDE LSD-13

Mr. Ben Lines, Gunners Mate 2nd class 860-868-0408

(Connecticut)BenJuneLines@aol.com


REUNION: Mr. Ben Lines is looking for former shipmates from 1950-1955


In the same time period, Bob Kinsella, EM-3 was involved in a personal project trying to locate
former shipmates and creating a roster. They pooled their efforts.


Click here to see Bob's Beginnings


In February 2002, contact was made with Philip Forrest, YN-3 who then joined their efforts along
with June Lines.


During this period, Claude Blackwell, MM-1 became aware of what was going on. His experience
in attempting to do the same thing previously and his list of crew members became a great asset
when he joined the project.


IT HAPPENED


Notices were sent out to all 45 names obtained regarding the possibility of holding a reunion asking who
would be interested in getting together and where. As the results came in the Roster, grew into the
60s. Based on the number of positive returns, the announcement went out that there would be a reunion
in 2002. On March 25th, 2002, a Reunion Committee was formed.


CREDIBILITY

On the 25th of March, 2002, contact was made with the Internal Revenue Service. They classified
the USS CASA GRANDE LSD-13 REUNION ASSOCIATION as a business and issued the ASSOCIATION an EIN number.
On the 30th of March, 2002, a bank account was established under that name.


WE ARE NOW UNDERWAY

*****With a crew of 5, going through uncharted waters*****


PROGRESS


By the time of the first Reunion, the number on the Roster had grown to just over 300 and still more were
being located. Bob Kinsella had his hands full continuing to generate names and insuring that the
information for them was correct.


SUPPORT

Enthusiasm grew with all. Many had always wondered if there would ever be Reunion with the
Casa Grande crew. Some had given up hope that they would ever see some of their shipmates
again. Generosity for its existence was overwhelming.


BENEFACTORS

(in alphabetical order)

Raplh Baker	George Laux
Peter Beach	Ben Lines
Frank Beireis	Anthony Martingano
Phil Burt	Harold Mason
Richard Crabb	Donald Miller
Philip Forrest	George Moreland
Myles Forrest	Jim Muckelvene
William Fotherby	Withro Noel
Charles Herubin	Jim Packard
Ron Hiles	Rodney Rhodes
Merlyn Iverson	John Ulrich
Arthur Kelly	Ed Wagner
John Kimmet	Crown Trophy
Herbert Kitchens

===== HONORARY MEMBERS =====

(in alphabetical order)

Ethel Bidlow

Capt. Philip Briscoe VI

Jessie Eargle

Helen Hambric


Seth Hardy

Marjorie Iverson

Nancy Kepp

Mark Mackechnie

Darrell Neeley

Renae O'Malley


Betty Parlier

Capt. Tobey Spahr

Kenneth Strumm

Carol Teater

Mildred Winkel