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American Fleet Tug Museum |
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American Fleet Tug Museum |
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Latest Important
Information
| 05/17/08
MANY weeks ago, I
gave an interview to a Sacramento, California
television station about the attempt to save
BOLSTER. Attached is the link to that broadcast.
WARNING !!! At one point, the conversation
switched, briefly, to Mare Island and the USS
SPERRY. She was the first ship launched after Pearl
Harbor & "they" put that information into the
BOLSTER story. Oh well, you can't believe
everything you read or HEAR !!!!
To see the BOLSTER
video. type in or click on the attached lick. THEN,
go to the search box & type in USS BOLSTER. A few
down from the top will be a box titled.... WEB
EXTRA; Ex crew wants USS BOLSTER....
You know, one would
think a fine organization like the American Fleet
Tug Museum could provide a better looking
spokesperson. Oh well, tough times I guess...
Enjoy.. ~BRUCE~
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05/10/08
Hello all. I
am in the beginning stages of writing two books.
The first is 'FLEET TUG TALES', a general book about
fleet tugs in general. The second, 'BOLSTER's
BIOGRAPHY' is just about BOLSTER and her IMPORTANT
history. In preparation for writing the books,
I would ask all of you to send me the names of ALL
the vessels, barges, subs, boats, ships, ANYTHING,
BOLSTER assisted. Any additional information
would be help full but the names are the most
needed.
Also, if you would,
send me fleet tug, and BOLSTER in particular,
stories. It doesn't have to be long, just your
remembrances on ANYTHING that happened while you
were stationed on BOLSTER, or any other fleet
tug. The stories can be funny, serious, light
hearted or dangerous. I have had some tell me
that there are stories they have that could not be
put into print. Send those as well. I'll
either not use them or "clean" them up.
If we get BOLSTER,
the books will be sold out of her ship's gift shop.
If we fail, at least your history will be documented
and will not be lost in time.
So, stories, ALL
stories, and names of any vessels, floating or
otherwise, that BOLSTER assisted. Unless you
wish to be anonymous, in the book, I'll be noting
who's story it is. I'm hoping to get
several stories about the same
assist-rescue-salvage-tow. It will make great
reading to have the same event told from many
different view points you to tell . Please
help me out here. This is your history and you
need to document it for others to enjoy.
please do NOT put this off. It's
important..............
Do NOT worry about
spelling or grammar. That will be my job to
edit. Do it for your future family members, do
it for the general public and do it for yourself.
When made into a movie, we can get a big star to
portray you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you & I'm looking forward to putting it all
together.
~BRUCE~
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04/29/08 WHY SUPPORT A MARITIME MUSEUM….
Museums, all museums are important.
It is our way of documenting and hence, preserving
events that occurred which were instrumental in
directing the way we live our lives. We all
learn from our past experiences. Those experiences
become our history and museums are the best forum to
present our history to the generations of the future.
When our nation went to war or was involved in assisting other nations, the call to arms was answered by unselfish citizens who, at the prime of their youth, enlisted in one of the four main branches of our military. Millions of able bodied persons enlisted in the United States Navy In most cases, it was the first time they were separated from their families. The ships they were stationed on became their haven, their home. The officers became their father figures and their fellow shipmates became their brethren. Due to the times and the fact that those young men & women were so fresh and impressionable, solid, life long bonds were formed. No hesitation is noted when you ask any Navy veteran the name of the ship he was stationed on or a list of fellow shipmates he served with. Those are facts that he or she will never forget. It was a pivotal point in their lives. For most, the time spent serving our nation solidified their personalities and the way they lived their lives there after. It gave them a direction, an education and an amply dose of pride in being an American who made a difference. As parents, we proudly display our children’s finger paintings, their first tooth, the sports trophies and ribbons and show off with great pride, photos of their achievements throughout the years and graduation photos and sheepskins. For those households that had members enlist in the military, parents proudly display the photos of their children, and themselves, in uniform. As a nation, our citizens are our children. And like individual parents, we, as a nation, should also take pride in displaying their achievements and successes. This then, is the main roll of maritime museums and, as a proud nation, we need to take every opportunity to beam with pride and show not only the future generations of Americans, but the world ‘s citizenry how much we appreciate and just how proud we are of those who served. Museums, all museums, play a critical roll in presenting our nation’s achievements, showing others how it was done and what sacrifices were necessary to arrive at the improved way of life we all enjoy today. Can you boast to much about your children? No… Can you have to many photos of them growing up? No… Can you be to proud of them? No… Can you show to much love and appreciation that they are part of your life? No… As a nation, we need all the organizations we can create to do just that: show off with pride the successes and achievements of those who served this wonderful nation, a nation that belongs to all of us. Support our nation. Support our past. Support maritime museums……. BRUCE |
| 03/18/08
Bruce,
This absolutely and
positively documents the Bolster was a "brown-water"
vessel. It, coupled with all the other
documentation the men of the Bolster provided were
sufficient to award the surviving spouse her VA
benefits. This is a true example of veterans
taking care of veterans. Please pass this "job
well done" on to everybody for me. Also,
if I can ever be of assistance to you or anybody
else, please feel free to contact me.
Fair Winds and Smooth
Seas
Dave
USMC SgtMaj, Ret.
Veterans Service
Respresentative
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| 03/13/08 Hello all. I have been contacted by a veteran's Administration representative. He was contacting me regarding a widow of a BOLSTER crew member. To provide her the due benefits, he needs proof the BOLSTER was in Vietnam between the months of February 1970 and September 1970.
So if any of you
were aboard her then, could you chime in with some
details of where she was docked and/or what she did
and who she assisted during those months.
Time is of the
essence so PLEASE help this widow by getting back to
me ASAP !!!. Thank you.
~BRUCE~
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| 02/18/08
Hello all....
Well we are making great strides and getting closer
to owning BOLSTER. I hired a lobbyist who has
worked in Washington DC for over 11 years. He
specializes in getting funding for historical
maritime projects. This last week, he met with
every Congressional & Senate person from California
who was in Washington. His report indicated
that the reception was VERY favorable and that the
word on funding will come on or around March 4th.
I also contacted a
woman in San Jose who will help us put together a
formal business plan to submit to MARAD (Marine
Administration) in Washington. Those are the
two steps MARAD says we need to do to get a year
long hold on BOLSTER and that it would also allow us
to visit the BEAUTIFUL BOLSTER during the week
to begin her restoration. Presently, I only
want to ask MARAD for permission to go to BOLSTER on
official business. But with a historic hold,
MARAD will allow us work parties so I can clean her
up, begin coating areas with epoxy and get you
snipes aboard to re-activate her systems.
I again point out
to ALL of you, I am the spear head & focal person,
but I could NOT have done this without you. We
are a team, a crew and a brotherhood of men and
women who care. I'll report back when I next
receive news... ~BRUCE~
"HISTORY LEFT
UNDOCUMENTED, CEASES TO BE HISTORY"
BOLSTER is being
documented !!!!!!!!! Hooray !!!!!!!!!!
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| 01/30/08
La la la...
LOL Hi all. We are all set to go to
BOLSTER tomorrow (Thursday...).. So this is
your last chance to contact me as to areas you want
photographed and or checked out.
By the way, once we
"get" BOLSTER and have her alongside a proper berth,
I plan on writing a book about the three basic fleet
tugs; ARS, ATF and the ATAs. A
major bulk of the book will be made up of stories
YOU have to share, about tows, rescues, salvages
and, OF COURSE, humorous tales. Hence, I'm
asking you ALL to continue to jot down notes that
will jog your memory once & begin the book.
I am looking
forward to being aboard BOLSTER again. I'm
just hoping it will not be the last time...
~BRUCE~
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| 01/22/08
Hello Gang...
The visit to BOLSTER, set for this Thursday, has
been put off until NEXT Thursday, January 31st.
MARAD is working on their power supply and the power
supply to BOLSTER will not be active until next
week. So that gives you folks a few more days
to think of any areas you would like photographed.
And speaking of
YOU, I still need you to contact me with possible
sources of donations and/or sponsors. I have
heard from a few of you, but more of you BOLSTER
lovers need to now take the time to step up to the
plate and be part of the solution.
Remember the FAMOUS quote... "Ask not what BOLSTER
can do for you, but what YOU can do for BOLSTER" !!!
(or something like that....). Anyone know Ross
Perot??? He went to the U.S. Naval Academy.
I'll be contacting his office and STRONGLY
suggest YOU do as well.
On a more fun
topic, I have HUNDREDS of BOLSTER photos that are
not displayed on the AFTM web site. So, for
your fun & entertainment, I'll attach one to each
email I send out... Enjoy...
~BRUCE~
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| 01/16/08
Hello crew...
MARAD, (Marine Administration), has granted us a
visit to BOLSTER, perhaps our last, on Thursday,
January 24th. The purpose of this visit will
be to "introduce" BOLSTER and the American Fleet Tug
Museum to a Napa newspaper writer with the express
reason to reach Napa residents and Napa based
businesses and to ask their support in our project.
The visit
will be a fairly short one but I will have my camera
with me so if you would like me to photograph of any
particular area of BOLSTER, let me know SOON.
And, OF COURSE, I
again ask you to act and help us find funds to
acquire BOLSTER and maintain her. I may be the
head cheer leader, but YOU are part of the team & we
need YOU to help NOW....Please do not be timid;
contact your businesses, corporations, wealthy
friends, organizations, unions and philanthropists.
For every reason you can come up with to not help,
I'll match you with SEVERAL reasons to help.
MARAD is working
with us BUT is quick to point out that BOLSTER needs
to go, either to us or to Davy Jones.. And,
believe it or not, the choice is YOURS....
~BRUCE~
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| 12/31/07
Well gang, it's New
Year's eve. 2008 is upon us. MARAD has
told me that in the near future, BOLSTER will not be
sunk or destroyed but they, a fellow in Washington
DC named Sean England, has also told me in no
uncertain terms that the clock IS ticking and they
won't "hold" BOLSTER for us forever......
It appears our next
step is to secure MAJOR funding for the purpose of
restoring BOLSTER. So I will be spending these
next few months working ion building up our war
chest. So, I again, ask your help in finding
persons of means AND-OR corporations willing to
assist in the BOLSTER BEAUTIFICATION project.
Your local companies, larger corporations, wealthy
concerned citizens, military groups-organizations, a
rich Uncle perhaps. All are persons we (That
means you and I) need to contact to see if they
would be willing to be a part of saving our (that
means us AND them !!!) history. Another path
we need to go down is securing maritime and-or
history grants.
So, put on your
thinking caps and put forth the effort to be a part
of BOLSTER's future. We have a green light &
need to charge ahead !!!!!
Will you look at
this. I started to write you to wish you a
HAPPY NEW YEAR and turned it into yet another
BOLSTER rah-rah letter. Go figure. So I will
combine the two by saying let's include BOLSTER in
our great New Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~BRUCE~
|
| 11/10/07 Attention on deck !!!!!... OK, belay that.... LOL.... First, I found out that, unless you are part of "their" district, the Congress & Senate will not even open up your emails. Damn.... But hey, do not delay in contacting YOUR representatives AND Governor's office. WE CAN DO THIS, but we all need to participate!!!!!!!!!!!! Secondly, I want to pass in a WONDERFUL honor I received the other day. I received a telephone call from JIM COX. Mr. Cox is a BOLSTER plank owner !!!! He was stationed aboard BEFORE BOLSTER was commissioned in May of 1945. You could easily hear the love & concern he had for BOLSTER. He loved his time aboard and clearly loves BOLSTER. So, with the chance of sounding like a broken record, please contact those politicians. Also, do you know any high ranking military officer, (Admiral, General or President???). If so, PLEASE contact them as well. They will respond if they receive enough proof of interest. OK, break out those computers AND FAX machines & get it done !!! Carry on.......... ~BRUCE~ |
| 11/10/07 Here is more letter information, I hope you use. Joe Peterson , head of the ATA-Comanche museum, sent this to me; Bruce: Sometimes if you contact another source within a Congressman's office that is not part of your district you might get some attention. You might want to contact the aid for Military and Veterans affairs at a particular Congressman's office, they are usually vets who might give you an ear. Go on any Congressman's web page to find who is their mil/vets aid and email them direct. Just a suggestion. Joe in Tacoma. ALSO, we, that means YOU and I, need to contact Donald C. Winter's office. He is the current Secretary of the Navy. The email address is AAUSA_SECNAV_help@Navy.mil The surface mailing address is... Office of the Secretary of the Navy 1000 Navy Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20350-1000 I hope you will take advantage of this information to spread the word. REMEMBER, it just takes that ONE person with the power, to save BOLSTER !!!! |
| 11/8/07 OK folks. The attached response from a Congress person, is proof that the letter writing is having a positive effect. PLEASE send in your letters to your Congress & Senate representatives TODAY. PLEASE do not put this off. We need your letters to be sent NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And, if you know ANYONE living in Lynn Woolsey's district, it is VERY important that THEY write her as well. Again, I know it is easy to put this off, but come on: BOLSTER is worth it and we are getting the word out. BOLSTER needs your help. Feel free to have the representatives contact me. I can talk for HOURS about how IMPORTANT Bolster is!!! OK, YOUR turn to act. Please do it NOW. Thank you & with YOUR help, we will all meet on BOLSTER's decks soon to congratulate each other. I can't do it alone.... ~BRUCE T. MARTENS Response November 8, 2007 > > > > Mr. Richard S. Greenwell > 225 Montego Ky > Novato, California 94949 > > Dear Mr. Greenwell: > > Thank you for contacting me about preserving the USS BOLSTER > Auxiliary Rescue Salvage (ARS)-38, to act as the museum base > and flagship for the American Fleet Tug Museum. I appreciate > you taking the time to share your thoughts with me on this matter. > > Our nation has an absolute responsibility to commemorate the > sacrifices made by the brave men and women who operated the > fleets of towing, rescue, and salvage vessels for the United States > military during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam > War. It's because of their vigilance and dedication that we can > enjoy the freedom that is cherished by every American. As you > may know, some ex-military vessels, including the USS > BOLSTER, are currently scheduled to be destroyed by 2008. Like > you, I believe it is vitally important that we preserve our nation's > history so that these irreplaceable treasures are intact for future > generations to enjoy. Ex-military vessels like the USS BOLSTER > have made immeasurable contributions of to the security of our > nation, and be assured that I will keep your concerns in mind as I > continue to work to reaffirm and strengthen our commitment to our > armed forces. > > Again, it's good to hear from you. The people of Marin and > Sonoma counties are the most important voices I listen to as I serve > in Congress. > > Sincerely, > > Lynn Woolsey > Member of Congress > > PS - Visit my web site and sign up to receive e-mail updates on > legislative issues that are important to you. The address is: > http://woolsey.house.gov/emailupdates.asp . > |
| 10/20/07 I'm sorry but I needed to re-send the contact information because it turns out some of you didn't get the message the first time around. I am asking ALL of you to go to the attached web sites ans send as many "Support saving BOLSTER" email messages as possible, especially to the Congressperson & Senator in your district. They do get them and some have responded!!!!!!! And the more emails they get, the better the chances we have of saving BOLSTER from being destroyed. So PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...Take the time to do this. We need BOLSTER, thus BOLSTER needs YOU to get of your duffs and take the few minutes to show your support....NOW people, NOW !!!!!! LOL... ~BRUCE~ Congress; http://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm Senate; http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Once on the site, locate those you want to contact, (hint...the MORE the merrier!!!), fill out your name information then cut & paste my attached letter or say "it" in your own words. If you are contacted, please let me know so I can keep track. THANK YOU and I'm sorry for those who got this twice!!!!!! ~BRUCE~ |
| Bolster History
Document AMERICAN FLEET TUG MUSEUM P.O. BOX 3324 SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA 94912-3324 ~… ARS…ATF…ATA…YTB…YTM…ASR…ATO…~ `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` My name is Bruce T. Martens. I am the person spearheading the American Fleet Tug Museum. The primary purpose of the museum is to document, educate and present historical events relating to the activities of the United States Naval fleet tug-salvage vessels related to World War II, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. The vessel we want to use as our museum base and flagship is the USS BOLSTER; ARS-38. She represents ALL fleet tugs and more importantly, the brave men and women who served their country while aboard fleet tug/salvage vessels. Over the last 60 plus years, the three (3) primary fleet tug class vessels assisted ALL branches of our military and ALL classes of United States Navy vessels, including aircraft carriers, battleships cruisers, destroyers, submarines, landing craft and cargo/tanker ships. BOLSTER alone was awarded (15) FIFTEEN battle stars for her services to our country!!!!!!!!! Presently, due to a Congressional mandate, all ex-military vessels located within the three MARAD reserve fleet groups, and of World War II vintage, must be destroyed by 2008!!! The USS BOLSTER was built in 1944-45 so she is included within this mandate. It is VERY important for you to understand that BOLSTER is not only her class ship, but the LAST one available and, presently, in VERY good condition. Please check out her web site now. We are not seeking funding at this time, but asking YOU to assist us in saving her from being sunk as a target, hence lost forever. BOLSTER needs to be taken off the SINKEX (Sinking Exercise) list. There are hundreds of ex-fleet tug crew members as well as thousands more history aware persons, (all voters) who want her saved. “HISTORY, UN-DOCUMENTED, CEASES TO BE HISTORY” Presently, within the continental United States, there are over 59 operating maritime museums displaying the very classes of ships BOLSTER and her sisters assisted over the years. I have no doubt that within the Congress and Senate are members who were on ships assisted by fleet tugs at one time or another. We are asking YOU, and other persons of power and responsibility, to step forward and sponsor our goal, allowing us to present this VALUABLE portion of our history to the public and future generations of Americans. As a side note, Fleet Tugs were used in World War II, Korea AND Vietnam, SAVING lives as well as shipping. They also participated during the Atomic testing and as support vessels during many of the early space capsule recoveries. It seems only fitting that a vessel, who served her country so well, saving ‘things’, should now be saved herself. PLEASE act now as we need to beat the clock on this IMPORTANT matter. Time is money and I want to thank you for taking the time to review this situation and acting so promptly. Do not forget, you have the power to save her and the fact is, that it is YOUR history too….. Please contact me NOW for details….. Respectfully submitted, Bruce T. Martens; American Fleet Tug Museum Telephone/FAX number (707) 645-1377 Website address; AMERICANFLEETTUGMUSEUM.ORG Email address; FLEETTUGMUSEUM@SBCGLOBAL.NET |
| 10/19/07 OK... Here are the Congress & Senate members web addresses. You can cut & paste my letter or form one of your own. DON'T BE SHY. Send 'letters' to as many as you can. I'll be mailing to all but the more letters "they" receive, the more important saving BOLSTER becomes to them. And it's THEM who can save BOLSTER so go to it. Feel free to write what you want and have them contact me. If they do contact you, PLEASE let me know. OK, on with sending emails !!!!! Woo Hoo..... ~BRUCE~ (707) 645-1377 Congress: HTTP://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm and.... Senate: HTTP://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm |
| Bolster Letter
|
| 5/5/07 TUGBOATS..... That name brings up all sorts of good image's. No matter whether you grew up on the coast or on a farm, we ALL had tugboats in our lives. SCUFFY, LITTLE TOOT, THEODORE TUGBOAT, they all touched our lives and inspired our imagination. That tough little powerhouse that could !!! The moral of their stories were that if you apply yourself, anything is possible. In real life, they carved a solid place in our history. World War II, Korea and Vietnam were all staging events where tugboats of all sizes proved their merit. They were used at every maritime engagement to assist in moved ships and equipment, towing disabled vessels, rescuing sailors and downed pilots, salvaging all types of vessels and so much more. Their accomplishments makes one realize just how necessary they were and how great their contribution was. Men and women of all ethnicity's have proudly crewed these gallant vessels, their stories are hearting and inspiring. Over the years, 'we' have failed to make a proper effort to document this vivid and valiant history. Our wonderful childhood hero's have been scrapped, sunk or otherwise destroyed and with them, their history is gone forever as well. My mission is to create a maritime museum, using one of these great tugboats, document their history. So many stories, so little time. History left undocumented ceases to be history. The ship we need to use as a floating museum is the USS BOLSTER; ARS-38. She is a 214' ex-Navy Salvage-Rescue tug. During her colorful career, she saved ships, saved equipment and most importantly, saved hundreds of lives. Her history includes hundreds of rescues, weathering the worst weather the Pacific Ocean could throw at her and she is one of a very few Naval vessels to have a female commander. She was not a ship of war, but won fifteen, yes, FIFTEEN, battle stars for her valiant performances. BOLSTER is the last one and NEEDS to saved. ALL others have been destroyed and BOLSTER is scheduled to meet her final fate by this Fall. All the plans have been addressed, the project has been mapped out. But money is needed. I need to reach persons willing to partner with us to save this great ship. I need you to step up and be instrumental in saving (and making !!!) history by helping save BOLSTER. Do this because it makes you feel good. Do it because it will make you feel important, Do it because it will benefit many generations to come or do it for SCUFFY and LITTLE TOOT. Just do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Involve your friends, your company or your corporation. We need to act NOW. ...N-O-W !!!!!! They won't wait for us, we need to make this happen or lose her forever. PLEASE contact me NOW and let's make a positive difference. Also, check out the website www.AMERICANFLEETTUGMUSEUM.ORG Bruce T. Martens (707) 645-1377 Tugbruce@SBCGLOBAL.net All I need is your participation. I'll do all the work and you can take all the glory. But only if you act NOW.... CONTACT ME ..................... |
| 5/2/07 OK gang. I'm out of personal prospects. So I NEED your help. As I see it, we, the American Fleet Tug Museum, NEED national exposure in hopes of reaching a person or company to underwrite our BOLSTER project. Radio, TV major newspaper that attracts business persons who might be wise enough to help save this WONDERFUL example of Naval history. I have TONS of upbeat enthusiasm and could create an effective presentation. Anyone know Oprah or Phil or Larry King or !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.. I find it hard to believe there aren't current or retired military persons out there who would allow our government to destroy this Lovely ship, so full of meaningful history. Is anyone close to Bush or ANY high government officials who could stop her destruction????????????? Come on guys, pull strings, make calls and rattle cages. PLEASE put on your thinking caps and let's pull out all the stops. The government WILL sink our BOLSTER by the end of THIS year if we don't stop them. Feel free to give my name and telephone number to ANYONE with money, connections or both. I'll even re-name her USS OPRAH if that will save her !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The clock is ticking.......... Bruce T. MARTENS (707) 645-1377 |
| Hello all. Time
is marching on and her demise is near, but I refuse to
give up on BOLSTER. I am asking you to PLEASE take the
time to write a letter (sample attached) to your
Congressperson or Senator, asking them to help US to
save BOLSTER from being destroyed. Also, if you belong
to a large union, have them write their politician
NOW. For those of you who haven't heard, our government has passed a Congressional mandate that directs all older reserve fleet ships to be destroyed by the end of THIS year. That is about 6 SHORT months away !!!! So please use the attached letter, inserting your information and ANY additional comments you feel important, or write one of your own. BUT DO IT NOW. The wheels of government turn slowly & BOLSTER'S time is running out FAST !!!!!!!!!!!! One of our shipmates, Scott, said he wrote letters to Senators, Congress persons and the President AND wanted to know what more could be done. I suggested to him, as I am now suggesting to you, that he get as many friends and acquaintances to also write letters AND see if your unions will join in & write letters as well. Unions have large & strong voting blocks and their support to our BOLSTER project might be enough to sway a politician wanting to get elected-reelected to help us. Another possibility would be Veterans groups in your area. BOLSTER and ships like her saved those serving in ALL branches of the military so do NOT be shy about pointing that out to your favorite general!!!!! (LOL). Also, if persons NOT directly associated with BOLSTER or the military writing would also show the powers-to-be that the general public also values saving BOLSTER as a "living" representative of our U.S. Naval history. Owing that BOLSTER had a female commander, women's groups should also be asked to assist.
Their letter might
state... "...I was not stationed aboard
a naval ship but love my country and thing saving a
ship like the USS BOLSTER is WELL worth doing and
look forward to someday going aboard with my family
to share her history and hence, further appreciate
what services & sacrifice's our people in the
military gave for ALL of us..." Or words to
that effect. Another point that needs to be pointed
out is that the AMERICAN FLEET TUG MUSEUM does not
advertise it's web site YET we have had over 6,000
"hits", again showing the great amount of interest
there is in our ship project. Point that out
within the body of your letter as well.
People, I am VERY
dedicated to saving BOLSTER and will be happy to
help ANYONE compose a letter asking "them" to help
us save BOLSTER, so please do not hesitate to
contact me for possible direction. But feel
free to use this letter and or parts of other
letters to submit. I'm hoping we will
"connect" with that SPECIAL someone (or
Corporation) who can help us save BOLSTER.
THANK YOU ALL. BOLSTER will represent ALL Navy
sailors and become a great place to bring families
to give them a "hands-on" feeling of history.
She is way to special and important to be sunk as a
target or be reduced to meaningless scrap iron.
We have the plan,
we have the will, all we need is to get the ship and
put it all together. With all of us pulling
together, WE can save her. But act NOW
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you again and
remember, "It ain't' over until the fat lady sinks"
(sorry BOLSTER....)
Thank you & go
BOLSTER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Sample Letter
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Dear (Congressperson-Senator), “History left undocumented ceases to be history…” Most Americans love and protect their history. My purpose in contacting you is to call your attention to the emanate loss of a vital and important piece of our history. The historic vessel USS BOLSTER(ARS-38) is about to be destroyed and we need to stop her demise. She is a 214’ ex-Navy salvage tug who was used to save MANY lives and millions of dollars of ships & their respective cargos. Thousands of people served their country while stationed aboard the USS BOLSTER. As a rescue-salvage vessel, she was part of World War II, served in the Korean Conflict & spent a great deal of time in Vietnam. Although she is not a ship or war, her salvage efforts won her an amazing fifteen (15) battle stars, more than most battleships. She was also only the fourth ship of the United States Navy to have a female commander. Due to a blanket Congressional mandate, she is scheduled to be destroyed by the end of THIS year!!!! The organization, American Fleet Tug Museum, (www.americanfleettugmuseum.org) wants to make the USS BOLSTER a floating museum and training platform and their plans include making her accessible to the NROTC, Sea Cadets, Sea Scouts and all other youth groups that will benefit from this beautiful & historic vessel. The USS BOLSTER is presently within the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet, operated by the Marine Administration. She is in VERY good condition and will be the only one left of her kind. The USS BOLSTER saved a great deal of personnel and material and now the USS BOLSTER needs saving!!!!! There are thousands of United States veterans who want her saved. You & your office CAN make that happen. We are requesting an attachment be added to any bill, conveying the ownership of this fine ship to the American Fleet Tug Museum. Please act NOW. The clock is ticking. We need her demise stopped or at the very least, put on long term hold. Your actions will be GREATLY appreciated and will not go un-rewarded. This situation is important and needs addressing right now. Feel free to contact me at (your contact information) as well Bruce T. Martens, the founder of the American Fleet Tug Museum. Please act immediately as once she is gone, nothing can bring her back. Also contact your fellow politicians for additional support. Signed_________________________________ |
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Thanks for your support! |