BECKY EMRICH'S SISTER PASSES AWAY

If you don't follow Facebook you might not know that Becky's sister Joann Walker passed away last night in Little Rock. Becky has been posting daily as she visited Joann in the hospital, and I think I missed the very beginning post. Joann and husband Dennis were on vacation in Arkansas when she became sick. Her lungs were involved and it's now been a two week battle which Joann fought valiantly, but lost last night. Please keep Becky and her family in your prayers. When I learn more, I will post. Our classmate Gary Schmidt is now at home resting and progressing a bit each day after two heart attacks and surgery this past weekend. He too needs all our prayers and positive vibes.

MORE FROM THE USS IOWA

My brother Kert, KHS69, spent two weeks in March aboard the USS IOWA as she was undergoing major restoration prior to her new role as tourist and educational attraction at San Pedro, CA. He's made a good video of the work, and he's back this coming week for more. Here is his explanation:

The ship is undergoing major restoration now (4/12)- she has been completely scaffolded and paint crews are sand/waterblasting, priming and painting. We opened to the public in December up in Richmond to generate $$ to stay afloat. It's the $3M from the Iowas state legislature that has allowed the new round of work to begin. We will tow to LA on the 21st of May. The plan is to have the ship open to the public at her permanent berth in San Pedro for the last week of June. To that end we are just starting a round of video/museum installation projects to tell her story. Waiting now for funding for that. We seem always to be waiting for $$ which usually comes, but not as much as we would like- always... So standing by to do a lot of work in a really short time! I was aboard for two weeks in March and am heading back this morning for another week to film the painting.

Check out his video to see the latest on the progress - he'll be making another video to show the rest of the work and the unveiling of her in her new glory! Way to go Kert and to all our Veterans who served aboard her we say THANKS!