HAVE YOU CHECKED THE HOME PAGE FOR THE LATEST INFO?
I have managed to resurrect some of the Guest Books from the previous FDR Websites. There are some that are lost forever but this is the best there is at the moment. There is a lot of good stuff there.
Click on the year you want to view. Click on the left arrow at the top of your browser to return to this page.
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006-09
MISUSE OF INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN COULD BE AN INVASION OF PRIVACY!
Sign in using the comment form at the bottom of the page and please leave a valid email address. It will NOT be viewable to visitors! If you want to hear from your shipmates leave your email address IN THE MESSAGE ALSO.
SO
Please put your email address in your message so your shipmates can get back to you (if they can remember you).
There is software on board that makes it unreadable to the “bots” who collect that sort of stuff.
All entries must be approved before they will appear in the book. Any inappropriate entries, as well as those with invalid email addresses, will be deleted and will not appear. I check daily so don’t despair if your entry doesn’t appear immediately.
Due to a rash of automated spam messages we now use “captcha” authentication. Just enter the “captcha” code and then SUBMIT. Don’t worry about upper or lower case….either will work. If you have trouble reading it just click the little button to the right and it will “refresh”. Thanks!
Many shipmates have told me, via email, about having visited this site. Oddly many have not left entries here for their shipmates to see. THEY do wonder how you are and probably would love to hear from you. This is a great way get back in contact.
REMEMBER….THE ONLY WAY FOR YOUR SHIPMATES TO GET IN CONTACT WITH YOU IS HAVING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR MESSAGE
For YOUR protection – No home phone numbers or addresses please. Please save that for when you make email contact.
REMEMBER….IF YOU WANT TO BE CONTACTED MAKE SURE YOU PUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE BODY OF YOUR MESSAGE
Many a memory of cruising on the Roosevelt in 76 and 77. Often think of my shipmates in AIMD.
liddond@hotmail.com
I served on foo de roo 2 tours 1952 and 1953 both med cruise 1952 became a blue nose operating in North Atlantic. Would like to hear from or get cruise books if available from anyone who served. I was in squadron VC33. Thanks for everyone’s service!
Zangomike80@gmail.com
As a Reservist I was aboard in April 1949 for a North Atlantic Training Cruise. Boarded in Norfolk and docked in NYC the day before Easter Sunday. Actually walked in the Easter Parade with 2 buddies. My 2 weeks aboard the “Rosie” is something I treasure and will never forget. Robert A. Draznik , Seaman Apprentice
robertdraznik@mac.com
I was on ship from early 1957 to Feb 1959 (just before ship was to depart on another Med cruise). I made the Med cruise in the fall/winter of 1957. Was in Communications, and stood watches in crypto. If anyone is still around, contact me. Don’t put off contacting me if we have commonality. Will be 88 in a few months. No telling how many sunrises I have left.
ejloi@yahoo.com
I was stationed in Mayport, Florida on the FDR from January, 1974 through October 1, 1976. Served as an EM 2 in the Power Shop under Chief Werks, and later in another department under Chief Williams and Lt. Mike Loessin. All three were great guys, and I think of them often. Had many other friends on board that I still think of a lot, as well. Made one Med cruise and was preparing for another when I got an early out because I had too little time left on my “short timer’s calendar”. Many great memories of touring places in the Mediterranean that I would never otherwise have visited. Would be great to hear from some of my old shipmates.
bobfontaine@verizon.net
Hello Shipmates, Just checking back in after a few years.
I served aboard the “Rosie” from 1965 to 67 in the N div.
Many fond memories, some of which are fading.
Sandtoy77@comcast.net
Served on the “Rusty Rose” from Nov. 1963 through Oct. 1965 in OA Division. I reported for duty as the ship was about to re float in dry dock in the Brooklin Navy yard. Spent my 21st and 22nd Birthdays at Gitmo after ORI
dblamp@bellsouth.net
To: wade.dendy6@gmail.com—Your father, when a coxswain of the ship was probably in 4th division on bridge-watch as i was in 1st division 71-72. The gunnery division you speak of is called G-division ( GM) gunners-mate. They would not have had bridge watch. Most of us GMs were put into deck-divisions because Rosie was headed for the Med and already back from Nam. Like they told me when reporting to the ship we don’t need any gunners-mates in the med. I still did as others in 1st division who were gunners have our G.Q. station in gun-mount-51. 5-inch. Foreward/starboard side. Me a ( hot-caseman). The other 3-cannons man”d by G-division, B’ (battery) division, marines. gun-mounts 51,52,53, and 54. 2 on each side. 4th-deck was the boats division, called transportation division. I became yeoman of 4th buss’es to airport and back in port at Jax. You’ll never know how much fun we had in 72 in the Med. The best thing i ever did was to quit public school for the navy. Whats a 17 year old ta do, wait until the fair comes to town again???
kempophil@atmc.net
I served aboard the Rosie as an RD3 on 31 March, 1967 to 29 October 1968 in the OI Division. Made 2nd class April of 68. Looking for anyone who might remember me. I was a Reserve who came on board as an E4. People I remember – Radel. Alexander, Master Chief Flowers and his brother, Dodson & Klemowicz (not sure of the spelling). Lots of faces in my pictures but names are very fuzzzy. Have some pictures and videos that I will try to get to this site. I can be contacted at my American Legion email. listed below.
amleg1941@gmail.com
i was on rosie from 71-73 and i doubt any agent orange was still on board if ever? Yes, Vietnam in 66-67 but I’m fine and i went to CDL-School in 79 across the field from 3-mile island 1-month after their dissaster and I don’t glow, YET?
kempophil@atmc.net
Thank you for your service, Dear Gentlemen!! May God richly reward you! What a beautiful page.
misspattite@gmail.com
Led to this site by finding the short videos of the 70 & 71 cruises on YouTube!! Just ordered the full videos on this site.
GREAT MEMORIES and sounds!! Wish the roar of the launches could be captured and pound in the chest and brain as they originally did…Thank you! Jon Donald
jonadonald@cox.net
I made the last cruise on CV-42, I was a GMT. I loved the ship and the experience. Contact me if you remember.
Johnalverson065@gmail.com
I served on the Rosie in 1972 in the weapons division are there any guys out there from the weapons division?
rickmatt37@yahoo.com
Hello to all. I am Sherrie K. Long the surviving spouse of Harold D Long who served in The Navy from 1968-1972. Harold passed away from pancreatic cancer on April 29, 2019. He served on the USS Coral Sea and the USS FDR. I would Like information on how to pursue a claim based on the fact that he died of his exposure to agent orange which caused his cancer. The VA is telling me I need pictures to prove he was on land in Vietnam even though they know he was. Can any one send me a picture of Doug on land in Vietnam any where. A bar or somewhere else? It sure would help. Thank you to all who served and fought for my freedom. May God Bless you all.
sherrielong1018@hotmail.com
Hi I’m looking for anyone who might have served with my father. He was in the Navy from 1966-1970, Arthur “Bud” Whitman. My email address is wesmwhitman@yahoo.com , thank you all in advance.
I seved aboard Rosie from 1961 to 63 in the 2nd division. I look back on it as a good experience. I will forever be a proud Navy sailor.
bobscayuse@gmail.com
I was not on the FDR but my dad was from 1964-1968. He died in 1989 but he spoke fondly of his days on the FDR and the Navy. I am a second generation Navy veteran. My dad was MR3 Johnnie Fox. I wish I could upload a picture of his Shellback card that he carried in his wallet. I found it when I located his wallet with some of my mom’s papers. It is not dated and I wish I could find out when he would have crossed the equator. I would appreciate if anyone was on the FDR around the time of my dad that could possibly give me the date. I know it meant to him to have carried it with him in the 1980’s.
Navygirl0315@hotmail.com
I was onboard from Oct 69 – Jan 73, 1st division, started as SN, left as BM3. Richard Dilaura
rdilaura52@frontier.com
I am looking for an old Navy buddy, David Lee Harris. He was a member of the ship’s company in 1970. Any information is appreciated. Dale Chitwood
jdconcepts@yahoo.com
Email address for those wanting more info re DRPEW, bevdoug@comporium.net.
Dear shipmates of Douglas Walblay, aka: DRPEW. 1957 – 1960 Doug just passed on the 27th of May 2020 at his home with his family by his side. Douglas was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in January this year.
Doug worked in the OPS department and I have heard many good stories about those days.
We were fortunate to attend the 2007 FDR memorial service and dedication reunion in Jacksonville, FL.
“Bloomie” if you are still around I tried to contact you but received no reply to an email I sent.
Any how, “fair skies and smooth sailing” to all if that is the correct term.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Douglas (Beverly Walblay
After 1 and 1/2 years in GITMO, I was transferred to the Rosie, I served from 01/76 to its decommissioning in 1977. I started in Batt Div and then to G-Div. Made it for her last deployment to the Med. Met many good shipmates and still in touch with two of them. Miss my days in the Navy and the Rosie.
Email: retmos1@yahoo.com
I was the Deck Department Yeoman Sep 68-July 70 I worked for the First LT, LCDR Economides. My co worker in the office was SN Darryl Briscoe from Indiana. I went on staying in the Navy and retired after 22 years. I retired as a YNC. Married and have two sons, now in their early 40’s. Now living in the Orlando, Florida area. Say “hi” if you remember me.
YNCMIG@GMAIL.COM
I was stationed on Rosie between Jan 1969-July 1970 in the A gang while in the med. I used to stand watches in fwd and aft emergency diesels. Also engineer on the liberty boats and officer’s abridge while in port. I know somewhere out there, there is someone the also was in A gang at the same time. I remember many cold windy nights walking out that boom and down that rope ladder to get on and off the liberty boat. If anyone was there and in the A gang get in touch. Lets hash over those crazy times, would like to chat..
ddb369@aol.com