Raymond Andersen

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (ArtNH) — Wed, 06 May 2009 08:03:04 GMT

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (gsk1) — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:15:10 GMT

are the flags still available?

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (bluenose) — Tue, 05 May 2009 07:46:08 GMT

Mine was flown on 21 October 1998 at Lat: 00* 54' 42"S and Long: 080* 22' 42"W off of Manta, Ecuador...

Although I have a Flag Pole at my house (with 3 lights under it which go on at Dusk and off at 1st Sunlight) this Flag has been flown only once on my pole. As you all know the weather takes it's toll on Flags, and this one I want to pass onto my family.

Walt

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (cruizin47) — Tue, 05 May 2009 07:05:31 GMT

Do you still have the flags available and what do I need to do to get one?

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (ArtNH) — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:23:57 GMT

Background: When the BOSTON was getting ready to go on her last UNITAS deployment, in which she circumnavigated South America, I had a bright idea, and cleared it with the board of directors and the CO of the BOSTON. We acquired 3x5 American flags, highest quality, made in USA, and provided them to the boat, along with blank Certificates of Authenticity.

At various places on that deployment the duty crew would go topside with a flag at 0800, announce "Attention to Colors"...

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (spectroid) — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:32:58 GMT

I think we all do, Walt.

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (bluenose) — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:52:07 GMT

Skip...

Othen than the date, Latitude and Longitude (which I don't know) the "Certificate of Authenticity" states...

USS Boston Shipmates

Certificate of Authenticity

You have been selected to receive a flag of our country that was officially raised and flown over the commissioned U.S. Navy Vessel

USS Boston SSN703

I don't know for sure, but it was most likely signed by CDR D.A. Olivier, Commanding Officer USN
...

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (SkipNeff) — Mon, 04 May 2009 10:04:45 GMT

What did the certificate say????Skip

Inquiring minds want to know..

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (ArtNH) — Mon, 04 May 2009 04:13:16 GMT

We had solar-powered lights shipped to the cemetery. We mailed a USS BOSTON flag to Myrna, and just received this acknowledgment:

I have just now gotten around to checking my mail from yesterday and wish to report that your flag flown over SSN703 has arrived in Vallejo, CA. I showed off the certificate to one of my volunteers earlier. We are honored to receive a really special gift from our USS Boston Shipmates and will fly it proudly. I plan...

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (bluenose) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:09:45 GMT

Art...

As Skip said "Bravo Zulu"...I think it would be an honor to Ray to have his name associated both with our Shipmates there as well as Mare Island itself. Knowing Myrna, I'm sure she has been touched by your proposal as well.

Fair Winds and Following Seas...

Walt

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (spectroid) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:23:48 GMT

I think that is a great idea, and a fitting tribute to Ray, our long ago shipmates, and all the others resting there. Those two ladies definitely have earned membership in our Association.

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (SkipNeff) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:41:07 GMT

Excellent idea...I second the motion and will be a willing contributor.

Bravo Zulu Art for a great honor to all USS Boston Shipmates.

I feel we should really make Myrna Hayes and her associate [Sue??] honorary shipmates of our organization....what think thou??

Skip

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (ArtNH) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:12:02 GMT
This does not end here. I presented a proposal to our org officers, and as a result, I just sent email to Myrna Hayes, under the subject heading "A Mare Island Tribute to Raymond Andersen":

Basically, what I proposed is that the USS BOSTON Shipmates undertake a project to refurbish the main flagpole at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery.

This is a worthy cause, both for Ray and for our Shipmates who are interred there.

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (SkipNeff) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:18:51 GMT
I talked with Ray's daughter quite a bit at his funeral and the luncheon after. I suggested she log onto our forum to see the tributes to her dad.
This is what she said to me in an e-mail yesterday::..."Thanks for letting me know. I did check out the sites you referred to. I was touched by all the kind words about my dad. I tried to reply on the Boston site, but it would not let my comment come through, as I was not "signed in".

So Shipmates....Michelle says...

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (spectroid) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:30:40 GMT
That was very touching...God Bless those two ladies.

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (ArtNH) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:40:31 GMT
Our friends at the Mare Island cemetery held a memorial for Ray yesterday. It's shown in this blog.

And this video.

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (LucyS) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:23:59 GMT
Thank you for sharing those pictures. They are great! Ray sure did have a great time in Memphis and in Portland.....

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (CAG1QM3) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:44:44 GMT
Here's a couple of photos from our Memphis reunion, July 2007:

4 QMs Above, from left to right: Ray Anderson, Jim Ammon, Me, and Tom Rambo.
Ammon is the glue, having served with each of us, although I had left just prior to Ray and Tom's arrival

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (Guitarget) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:03:59 GMT
Rest in peace, shipmate........

Re: Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (bluenose) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:33:26 GMT
I called Myrna last night to thank her for the web page she put together for Ray's family. Before I realized it, we had spent an hour and a half on the phone. I consider her one of our shipmates as well.

Hang in there everyone...

Walt

Raymond Andersen

feeds@yuku.com (SkipNeff) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 19:59:41 GMT
I just got off the phone with Ray's wife Sandy.....Ray passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last Tuesday morning [7 April]. Wasn't found until Thursday morning when his daughter came up to their cabin next door to where he was staying. Autopsy showed a massive blood clot in the heart.
Mass and sevices will be Wednesday 10 am [15 April at funeral home in Grand Haven, Mi].

Will be back with more info as soon as I get it. My prayers are are with Sandy and their children...