Home base for the Cecil Crew Bridge to downtown Corpus Christi The old Gray Ghost listing to port Marcia waiting for me to catch up. Note how the high tide flooded the street. USS Lexington museum on the bay Abandoned motel near the Lexington Side entrance to the Texas Aquarium Big Ed outside the Aquarium Some weird looking birds More birds - they are alive Two big fish A Big Bad Stingray Educational display Hey Ed, put a saddle on that guy Big flat white fish Another shot of the whitefish Those cute little orange and blue guys better watch out for the octopus A mean looking poisonous eel Some more boring fish - what did you respect to see in an aquarium? Lions and tigers? This shark didn't get away A cute sea turtle Here he is again Hey, not again. Let's make some soup. Anyone for king crab? Here I am posing for Marcia in front of a beautiful flowering bush My wife Marcia outside the aquarium at the Dolphin pond
Bridge to downtown Corpus Christi
The old Gray Ghost listing to port
Marcia waiting for me to catch up. Note how the high tide flooded the street.
USS Lexington museum on the bay
Abandoned motel near the Lexington
Side entrance to the Texas Aquarium
Big Ed outside the Aquarium
Some weird looking birds
More birds - they are alive
Two big fish
A Big Bad Stingray
Educational display
Hey Ed, put a saddle on that guy
Big flat white fish
Another shot of the whitefish
Those cute little orange and blue guys better watch out for the octopus
A mean looking poisonous eel
Some more boring fish - what did you respect to see in an aquarium? Lions and tigers?
This shark didn't get away
A cute sea turtle
Here he is again
Hey, not again. Let's make some soup.
Anyone for king crab?
Here I am posing for Marcia in front of a beautiful flowering bush
My wife Marcia outside the aquarium at the Dolphin pond
Sleek Navy fighter jet at the entrance to the USS Lexington Museum Shot of the Gray Ghost taken from my balcony at the Radisson Sunrise over the Gulf. Note the remnants of last nights high tide Tarawa to Tokyo aboard the Lexington The tote board of the Lex's Japanese kills The Joe Jessel Mega Theater on the hanger deck A US Navy Nightingale "The Watery Grave of the Unknown Sailor" Memorial to the Blue Ghost Pea Coat Memorial Swab that deck sailor Hammocks up forward on the forecastle used durin the making of the movie "Pearl Harbor" Forward Anchor Room housing the anchor chain capstains Founding Captain of the USS Lexington CV-16 - Admiral Felix Stump -- 1894-1972 Admiral Felix B. Stump Memorial Gallery Captain's sleeping quarters Officer's Wardroom Attack Flight Operations/Planning Room Flight Control Room CIC - Combat Information Center Marcia relaxing on the Hanger Deck while Ed tours Officer's country Single engine prop plane T-2C Buckeye jet Navy Blue Angels jet aircraft No, I was a Tin Can sailor not a "Blue Angel" although I did serve on the USS Tarawa CVS-40 back in 1954-56 Fighter Jets line the Lex's flight deck Neat view of the Gray Ghost's massive superstructure towering over the flight deck Nice view off the stern showing Old Glory with the Radisson Hotel in the background A-4 Skyhawk Closer view of the Radisson with Old Glory in the foreground TA-4J Skyhawk sign Better view of the TA-4J Skyhawk A real sleek killer fighter plane That's Marcia in the lower left takin a stroll aft on the flight deck An apt warning during flight operations Neat view of the Lex's island structure Where has he gone now Marcia's still waiting for Ed Three Cecil old timers discussing the old days They recruit them young in Texas Looks like the old timers found the Geedunk Stand Taking a timeout fot the pause that refreshes The mess deck never looked like this on the Tarawa. That's Jules on the left telling sea stories again Having a cool one A farewell view of the Gray Ghost's starboard side Ed takes a bead on the Radisson. I'm glad the gun's not loaded Boatswain's Mate Bill Foley Big Ed mans the AA gun with his rally cap on Marcia gets a history lesson A few Cecil visitor's taking a break during the tour Navy Bellhop's uniform
Shot of the Gray Ghost taken from my balcony at the Radisson
Sunrise over the Gulf. Note the remnants of last nights high tide
Tarawa to Tokyo aboard the Lexington
The tote board of the Lex's Japanese kills
The Joe Jessel Mega Theater on the hanger deck
A US Navy Nightingale
"The Watery Grave of the Unknown Sailor"
Memorial to the Blue Ghost
Pea Coat Memorial
Swab that deck sailor
Hammocks up forward on the forecastle used durin the making of the movie "Pearl Harbor"
Forward Anchor Room housing the anchor chain capstains
Founding Captain of the USS Lexington CV-16 - Admiral Felix Stump -- 1894-1972
Admiral Felix B. Stump Memorial Gallery
Captain's sleeping quarters
Officer's Wardroom
Attack Flight Operations/Planning Room
Flight Control Room
CIC - Combat Information Center
Marcia relaxing on the Hanger Deck while Ed tours Officer's country
Single engine prop plane
T-2C Buckeye jet
Navy Blue Angels jet aircraft
No, I was a Tin Can sailor not a "Blue Angel" although I did serve on the USS Tarawa CVS-40 back in 1954-56
Fighter Jets line the Lex's flight deck
Neat view of the Gray Ghost's massive superstructure towering over the flight deck
Nice view off the stern showing Old Glory with the Radisson Hotel in the background
A-4 Skyhawk
Closer view of the Radisson with Old Glory in the foreground
TA-4J Skyhawk sign
Better view of the TA-4J Skyhawk
A real sleek killer fighter plane
That's Marcia in the lower left takin a stroll aft on the flight deck
An apt warning during flight operations
Neat view of the Lex's island structure
Where has he gone now
Marcia's still waiting for Ed
Three Cecil old timers discussing the old days
They recruit them young in Texas
Looks like the old timers found the Geedunk Stand
Taking a timeout fot the pause that refreshes
The mess deck never looked like this on the Tarawa. That's Jules on the left telling sea stories again
Having a cool one
A farewell view of the Gray Ghost's starboard side
Ed takes a bead on the Radisson. I'm glad the gun's not loaded
Boatswain's Mate Bill Foley
Big Ed mans the AA gun with his rally cap on
Marcia gets a history lesson
A few Cecil visitor's taking a break during the tour
Navy Bellhop's uniform
All aboard for the King Ranch Don't panic folks there's another bus right behind this one King Ranch Visitor's Center Ranch History plaque Another Historical marker A Cecil couple heading into the King Ranch Museum Cecil quartet toasting marshmallows after the ranch luncheon barbecue Two lovely Cecil wives stop to thank our entertaining tour guide I'm not for real said the King rattler They sure do grow them tall in Texas I'm just a poor little pussey cat Plank Owner Reed Santa witl his daughter Chris Jules taking a photo of me taking a photo of Jules Cecil folks enjoying a geedunk break in Kingsville I think I see Ernestine at that center table Jules never misses taking photos of the pretty young girls This little pharmacy lunch counter was never so busy
Don't panic folks there's another bus right behind this one
King Ranch Visitor's Center
Ranch History plaque
Another Historical marker
A Cecil couple heading into the King Ranch Museum
Cecil quartet toasting marshmallows after the ranch luncheon barbecue
Two lovely Cecil wives stop to thank our entertaining tour guide
I'm not for real said the King rattler
They sure do grow them tall in Texas
I'm just a poor little pussey cat
Plank Owner Reed Santa witl his daughter Chris
Jules taking a photo of me taking a photo of Jules
Cecil folks enjoying a geedunk break in Kingsville
I think I see Ernestine at that center table
Jules never misses taking photos of the pretty young girls
This little pharmacy lunch counter was never so busy
Corpus Christi skyline viewed from on board the Lexington The Texas State Aquarium with the Corpus Christi bridge in the background Reunion attendees arriving for the Prayer Service Welcome aboard the Gray Ghost Jerry Berard, reunion coordinator, directing traffic Rev. Warren Brandt discussing Prayer Service with the local leader of the Honor Guard Reunion attendees patiently await the start of the Prayer Service on the Hanger Deck Another shot of the audience Gettin ready to start Local Honor Contingent from a Corpus Christi Veteran's Organization at the ready Honor Guard presents the Colors to start the service Rev. Warren Brandt prepares to make his opening remarks to start the servive. That's Reed Santa hiding behind the prayer wreath Rev. Warren Brandt prepares to deliver the opening prayer. That's Cecil Association President-elect Jerry Berard seated on the right Reed Santa reads the name of one of our recently deceased shipmates Cecil crew members carry the wreath to the Hanger Deck hatch Prayer Wreath is slid into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico Final salute to our departed shipmates Honor Guard prepares for the flag folding ceremony Honr Guard folds the flag to end the service
The Texas State Aquarium with the Corpus Christi bridge in the background
Reunion attendees arriving for the Prayer Service
Welcome aboard the Gray Ghost
Jerry Berard, reunion coordinator, directing traffic
Rev. Warren Brandt discussing Prayer Service with the local leader of the Honor Guard
Reunion attendees patiently await the start of the Prayer Service on the Hanger Deck
Another shot of the audience
Gettin ready to start
Local Honor Contingent from a Corpus Christi Veteran's Organization at the ready
Honor Guard presents the Colors to start the service
Rev. Warren Brandt prepares to make his opening remarks to start the servive. That's Reed Santa hiding behind the prayer wreath
Rev. Warren Brandt prepares to deliver the opening prayer. That's Cecil Association President-elect Jerry Berard seated on the right
Reed Santa reads the name of one of our recently deceased shipmates
Cecil crew members carry the wreath to the Hanger Deck hatch
Prayer Wreath is slid into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico
Final salute to our departed shipmates
Honor Guard prepares for the flag folding ceremony
Honr Guard folds the flag to end the service
Cecil Association Board Meeting (L to R) Louis Capriotti, David Nagy, Herve and Pat Collette, Janice Capriotti, and Don Halvoson (lower right). (L to R) Ira Riley, Mick Dwyer, Kelly Coombs, and Clyde "Tex" Hancock. Art Mitchell, a Plank Owner, and James O'Neil pose for the camera. Looks like Robert Kolsrud is enjoying himself. Harvey Jones and Tim Graves swapping sea stories. Cheer up Pam, Kelly will be right back. John and Mary Dwyer and Jean King chatting in the Hospitality Suite. Here's my Marcia checking out some of the auction items Marcia's still looking for a bargain Outgoing President Warren Brandt presenting opening remarks to start the 2002 business meeting Warren gestures to emphasize a point Marcia's making sure no one takes my seat while I go get a beer Warren assumes his customary role of auctioneer to raise money for the association Chris Anderson, Reed Santa's daughter, accepts appointment as the Official Historian for the USS C.P. Cecil USS Lexington provides an appropriate background for the auction items
(L to R) Louis Capriotti, David Nagy, Herve and Pat Collette, Janice Capriotti, and Don Halvoson (lower right).
(L to R) Ira Riley, Mick Dwyer, Kelly Coombs, and Clyde "Tex" Hancock.
Art Mitchell, a Plank Owner, and James O'Neil pose for the camera.
Looks like Robert Kolsrud is enjoying himself.
Harvey Jones and Tim Graves swapping sea stories.
Cheer up Pam, Kelly will be right back.
John and Mary Dwyer and Jean King chatting in the Hospitality Suite.
Here's my Marcia checking out some of the auction items
Marcia's still looking for a bargain
Outgoing President Warren Brandt presenting opening remarks to start the 2002 business meeting
Warren gestures to emphasize a point
Marcia's making sure no one takes my seat while I go get a beer
Warren assumes his customary role of auctioneer to raise money for the association
Chris Anderson, Reed Santa's daughter, accepts appointment as the Official Historian for the USS C.P. Cecil
USS Lexington provides an appropriate background for the auction items
Cecil crew and their wives arriving for the banquet Warren chatting with the photographer Can anyone of you fing Jules in this photo? Captain C. G. Belcher, Commanding Officer of the Mine Warfare Command at Ingleside, TX, and his lovely wife. Captain Belcher, as invited guest speaker, gave an inspiring talk about his Navy career and the role of the Mine Warfare Forces in today's Navy. A young Navy helicopter pilot and his lady friend chatting with some of the Cecil vets and their wives. Captain Belcher and his wife chatting at one of the tables Is that Ernestine I see in the pink outfit? Captains go to the head of the chow line Chris loading up on the chow line with her Dad just behind her Captain Belcher preparing to deliver an inspirational talk that concluded with a standing ovation. My Marcia sipping on a glass of Chardonnay with Ginny Cullen at her left. Ginny and Fran Cullen listening to the guest speakers. That's my Marcia to the lower left Fran Cullen (1949-51, RD3) in the lower left corner listens intently to the guest speakers Outgoing Association President Warren Brandt accept award for his years of faithful service Outgoing Association Treasurer Jules Fryoux and his wife Maryann accept award for their years of faithful service Rene "Bruce" Broussard and his wife accepting an award for their service to the Cecil association for the past five years. Bruce handled the Association's hat, T-shirt, golf shirt, and jacket operation. 1945-1949 Shipmates 1950-1959 Shipmates - left side 1950-1959 Shipmates - right side 1960-1969 Shipmates 1970-1979 Shipmates "The Plank Owners" Cecil wive's group photo Another photo of the wives
Warren chatting with the photographer
Can anyone of you fing Jules in this photo?
Captain C. G. Belcher, Commanding Officer of the Mine Warfare Command at Ingleside, TX, and his lovely wife. Captain Belcher, as invited guest speaker, gave an inspiring talk about his Navy career and the role of the Mine Warfare Forces in today's Navy.
A young Navy helicopter pilot and his lady friend chatting with some of the Cecil vets and their wives.
Captain Belcher and his wife chatting at one of the tables
Is that Ernestine I see in the pink outfit?
Captains go to the head of the chow line
Chris loading up on the chow line with her Dad just behind her
Captain Belcher preparing to deliver an inspirational talk that concluded with a standing ovation.
My Marcia sipping on a glass of Chardonnay with Ginny Cullen at her left.
Ginny and Fran Cullen listening to the guest speakers. That's my Marcia to the lower left
Fran Cullen (1949-51, RD3) in the lower left corner listens intently to the guest speakers
Outgoing Association President Warren Brandt accept award for his years of faithful service
Outgoing Association Treasurer Jules Fryoux and his wife Maryann accept award for their years of faithful service
Rene "Bruce" Broussard and his wife accepting an award for their service to the Cecil association for the past five years. Bruce handled the Association's hat, T-shirt, golf shirt, and jacket operation.
1945-1949 Shipmates
1950-1959 Shipmates - left side
1950-1959 Shipmates - right side
1960-1969 Shipmates
1970-1979 Shipmates
"The Plank Owners"
Cecil wive's group photo
Another photo of the wives
Local restaurant across from the Radisson. Doesn't look like much from the outside but the food'd great and the price is right. This is what happens if you don't leave a tip. El aso Red Hot Border Babes Cecil vet relaxing on the River Walk. Here's the vet's dear wife Marcia in the same spot. Even the Goldfish are big in Texas. Alamo photo 1 Alamo photo 2 Alamo photo 3 One of the Cecil's forward guns A kodak moment for Ed at the Alamo A real "old" mesquite tree in the Alamo courtyard Another shot of that scrawny mesquite Alamo photo 4 Alamo photo 5 Alamo photo 6 Monument outside the Alamo's wall in the middle of downtown San Antonio Here's Marcia waiting for me to put the camera away Can you find Marcia in this shot? The Haunted Adventure Museum in downtown San Antonio Another of San Antonio's five missions Same mission - closeup view River Walk tour boat 1 River Walk tour boat 2 This monument was a recent gift from Mexico River boat passing under a stone bridge How about a cool refreshing ice cream cone? Anyone for spagetti? Bar on the river walk Here's that damn boat again The Margaritas are this tall Best crab cakes in town Goodbye San Antonio
This is what happens if you don't leave a tip.
El aso Red Hot Border Babes
Cecil vet relaxing on the River Walk.
Here's the vet's dear wife Marcia in the same spot.
Even the Goldfish are big in Texas.
Alamo photo 1
Alamo photo 2
Alamo photo 3
One of the Cecil's forward guns
A kodak moment for Ed at the Alamo
A real "old" mesquite tree in the Alamo courtyard
Another shot of that scrawny mesquite
Alamo photo 4
Alamo photo 5
Alamo photo 6
Monument outside the Alamo's wall in the middle of downtown San Antonio
Here's Marcia waiting for me to put the camera away
Can you find Marcia in this shot?
The Haunted Adventure Museum in downtown San Antonio
Another of San Antonio's five missions
Same mission - closeup view
River Walk tour boat 1
River Walk tour boat 2
This monument was a recent gift from Mexico
River boat passing under a stone bridge
How about a cool refreshing ice cream cone?
Anyone for spagetti?
Bar on the river walk
Here's that damn boat again
The Margaritas are this tall
Best crab cakes in town
Goodbye San Antonio