1968-1979 K-O

• David J. Keck, OS3
  90 Duncan Station Rd
  McKeesport, PA 15135

  Email: djkeck@juno.com  
  Home Phone: 412-754-0407
  Current Occupation: Pilot/Flight Instructor

  
  boarded: 04/30/75
  departed: 02/24/77

  Experiences to remember:

  Reported aboard eleven eighty wonderful in the spring of 1975. Sumter had just returned form the Med and a few weeks later we left for Bermuda delivering equipment to the NAS there.  Ship's company only, and I thought this is great. Little did I know how small an LST gets when you packed 500 marines aboard.  Upon returning to the Creek we readied for a period in the yards. First at Portsmouth and then Newport News.  After a particularly miserable winter aboard an APL (floating barracks) we left for REFTRA in Cuba and six weeks in Hell.  However, we were allowed one day off in that period for Cinderella liberty in Haiti. It was during this time that Sumter became the recipient of a rather dubious record.  Highest u.a. and desertion rate for any ship it's size in the second fleet. As the POD for the Sumter always said no problems, just challenges. (Lots and Lots of Challenges) In any event serving aboard Sumter may not always have been fun but as for a life experience there is at least one novel in it for me. Incidentally in 1977 after a change of command the Sumter went on to earn several "E"s for retention and went on to serve the fleet through the early nineties and is now serving with the Taiwanese Navy.

  Signed onboard this site: January 17, 2003

   

• Patrick H. Lavender, PO3 (Rate unsure FN3?) (deceased)
  2500 Shallowford Road NE
  Atlanta, GA 30345

  Email: britamconsulting@aol.com  Surviving Spouse

  boarded     01/01/70
  departed    12/15/71 

  Experiences to remember:

  Aleta K. Lavender wrote:

  "I am the widow of Patrick Lavender. Pat and I met in 1971 and were married on 15 Oct 1971, while he served as one of the fuel transfer specialists. I especially remember that he took our "Honeymoon" in Mexico with his crewmates and a bunch of Marines on R&R a deed for which I have long since forgiven all of you.  Our son is now Navy (AT3)and would very much like to hear from anyone who may have served with his father and share in your memories of and experiences with him, his email address is RPLavender1@aol.com . While Pat didn't talk much about his time overseas he always recalled his crewmates on the Sumter with great humor and fondness."

  Signed onboard this site: January 04, 2003

   

• Danny L Koesterman, HT3/HT2
  S 861 State Hwy. 88
  Mondovi, WI 54755

  Email: sledhead@mailcity.com
  Home Phone: 715-946-3151
  Current Occupation: Metal Fabricator

  boarded: 10/20/74
  departed: 03/22/77

  Signed onboard this site: October 28, 2006

  Experiences:

  I remember checking on board in Rota, Spain and then getting under way two days later, and being motion sick for about two day's, thanks to the saltine crackers. the North Atlantic is rough for a flat bottom ship. I will always remember the ports of call, getting stuck of the shore of North Carolina, and having a real collision in Little Creek harbor from a barge.
  Also playing on the Sumter touch football team and beating U.D.T. Seal Team 21. Thanks USS Sumter 1181 for the Memories.

   

• Eugene M Kropinski BMSA/GMG3
  500 N. Hwy 89 #151

  Prescott, AZ 86313 USA

  Email Address: ekropinski@yahoo.com
  Current Occupation: CNA

  Boarded: 11/24/1979
  Departed: 4/1/1980

  Signed onboard this site: February 25, 2005

   
• Thomas H Lutz IC2
  200 Hartshorn Court

  Holly Springs, NC 27540 USA

  Email Address: tlutz@croscill.com
  Current Occupation: Lead Analyst/Systems Engineer

  Boarded: 1/10/1973
  Departed: 5/28/1976

  Experiences to Remember:

  First day on board I got lost three times.
  Most memorable voyage was in the North Atlantic through a storm to reach Cardiff Wales where we drydocked for repairs to the screws. First American Military ship since WWII,we were treated like Kings.Introduced to darts in the local Pub.
  Most boring...sitting off the coast of Libya watching a fuel depot.
  It was like riding a cork in a bathtub. That flat bottom was like a roller coaster. Every wave moved the ship.

  Signed onboard this site: January 7, 2005

   

• Michael D Nichols EM2
  4095 Middle Road

  Canandaigua, NY 14424 USA

  Email Address: hawkhunter2@yahoo.com
  Current Occupation: Electrical Engineer

  Boarded: 3/15/1976
  Departed: 6/20/1979

  Signed onboard this site: October 26, 2004