Here's where we'll list announcements, items of interest, and news about shipmates.
If you'd like to post information here, please click the link and let us know. Also, if you know the whereabouts or
how to contact other TCH shipmates who aren't TCHVA members or registered on our sailing list, please submit that information
as well so we may contact them.
Jeff Bacon, the creator of "Broadside" cartoons has given
us permission to display his cartoons on our website! Look for Jeff's work throughout the site! Check out Patrick Burke's new Sea Story on the Sea Story page.
Received the following from a Hart shipmate - If you can help,
please contact him "I am trying to
recover my lost memories with HSL-32 during the 90-91 Med tour. I was one of seven that got into a car accident while going
to the ships party in Hurgata Egypt. I have a lot of trouble in my life and seeking answers and need help fron the Navy. Please
help me find answers. Thank You"Alton Franco
Click here to email Alton
Welcome shipmates. If you would like to share your
contact information with our TCHVA members, please complete the form below. This information will not ever be made public
or shared with any non-TCHVA member. By providing your contact information, we will incorporate the information in our
master TCHVA database to which TCHVA members have access. Thanks
 As the founder,
past President, and current Secretary of TCHVA, I'd like to thank everyone who has helped build the Association! The
membership has grown and we continue to grow! Those of you who are visiting the site for the first time searching
for shipmates or glimpses of the past, I'd urge you to consider joining the Association and above all, attending the upcoming
Norfolk reunion! Unless you have attended a reunion, you just can't imagine the feeling when you are suddenly face to
face with your shipmates from decades ago! The memories of foreign ports, liberty adventures, the faces of shipmates,
and much more all come flooding back to your mind! When I started TCHVA years ago as a labor of love, I did so because my
days on TCH were some the best of my 22 year career! TCH was a great ship; we had great leaders in our CO's, a hard
working and superbly talented crew, and one heck of a lot of fun! Naturally, there were times we'd all like to forget
as well but when the "big picture" is considered - TCH stands out as one great tour! As you may know
the TCH is now in the hands of the Turks, and some say, she is destined for scrapping soon. While that would be unfortunate,
we who sailed her know that the ship is just a mechanical "thing". A ship can do NOTHING without a crew. What really gives life and spirit to a ship is the crew that puts her
to sea! You were the very "HEART" OF HART. It is that "HEART" that we gather to celebrate and remember.
It is all about you - the crew of TCH! Godspeed! Garry Collins (Suppo 86-89) JOIN or RENEW NOW. YOUR
$20 MEMBERSHIP FEE WILL PAY YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES THRU 2013! Click the "Join TCHVA" page on the left or click
the link below!
CLICK TO JOIN TCHVA NOW!
Shipmate Kerry Long has been in contact with our ships sponsor,
Penny Bragonier. Penny is the granddaughter of Admiral Hart! It's great to finally make contact with Penny and
we welcome her to our site! Please read about Kerry's distinguished career after leaving the TCH and the Navy.
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| Submitted by Kerry Long |
Commissioning day VIP's: RADM Rumble, First District Commandant, Congressman Joe Moakley, Penny Hart Bragonier,
LCDR Ronald Forst, and Caroline Brownson Hart, Penny's mother and widow of Admiral Hart.
Received this email from Naci - a Turkish sailor
who served on TCG Zafer Sir,
I am (ret) BTMCPO of TCG zafer, TC HART.
I was member of turnover party, US to Turkey. I have worked onboard
1992-2000. TCG Zafer is the only one that is still in commision. The others are decommissioned.
This time I can not be with you. I hope
next time my wife and me can be with you.
Very Regards.
Naci Öztürk
We received an email from Richard Gale, previously a crewmember of HMS Alfriston. Richard wrote" wonder if
any of your veterans remember when the USS TC Hart was in gibralter. I remember this ship because I was serving on a
british minsweeper and we had a football with some of the Harts crew afterwards we were invited back on board your ship for
a meal which was fantastic and we later invited some of your crew onto our ship for a few beers, I remember some of your crew
staggering back to your ship happy days.
Please pass this message to your members they might remember this event.
Best wishes
MR Richard
Gale EX WEM(R)1 HMS Alfriston" If anyone remembers the football game after the beers, give Richard a yell at:
Click here to email Richard
TCH veteran selected for
Admiral!
| U.S. Navy Photo |
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| Captain Willie L. Metts, USN |
We're very
proud to announce that Captain Willie L. Metts, USN has been selected for promotion to Rear Admiral! He began his naval career
aboard TCH as an Ensign in the late 80's. RADM (sel) Metts is currently serving as, division director information
warfare senior detailer/placement officer (PERS 47) in Millington, TN. In addition to his promotion to Admiral, he was
also selected as the 2010 Distinguished Black Engineer of the Year by the National Society of Black Engineers. For those
of us know Willie and had the opportunity to serve with him on TCH , we know the Navy has done the right thing by selecting
this fine officer to flag rank! Way to go shipmate! BZ!
Click here to read the comments left by Admiral Mett's shipmates!
Click here to read RADM Mett's official Navy Bio (Wow, what an exciting job this must be - at the forefront of National Security!)
Patrick Burke has provided some links if you are interested
in modeling. The wooden models are great but pricey. The resin models are also nice for the price conscious! f you want a museum quality ship model and money is
no object then look at these sites If you like to build your own ship model or money is a consideration: http://www.steelnavy.com/
"YA GOTTA HAVE HART"
Where did the phrase "Ya Gotta Have Hart" originate? Click here to find out!
Attention TCHVA Members! - Has your email address or other personal
information changed? If so, please report it here so we can update our records.
Click here to email Secretary about your dues status!
Tommy Sexton found this link to a Turkish floating museum featuring the ex-USS Ainsworth. Click here!
Tommy Sexton also found the USS Paul. Click here.
Captain F. Richard "Dick" Whalen,
USN (ret), CO (81 - 83) is also an accomplished artist, specializing in marine art. Click the below links to learn more
about Captain Whalen and his art!
Click to read about CAPT Whalen's art!
Click to see CAPT Whalen's Ad
We received the following
from Steven Greisman: "I was a member of the US Naval
Sea Cadet Corps USS Wright Division that were guests abord the Hart when she called on Port Everglades Fla as part of Unitas
76'. Several of us were allowed to take the helm for a period of time. That is an experience I will never forget. I wore my
Hart windbreaker throught Jr. High." Thanks for sharing your story Steven!
We received the following
from "Thomas C. Hart" - Sir: According to family I was named
after the Admiral. My father was in the Army at the time of WWII. Thanks. Thomas C. Hart, Commander,
Support Services Division, South Windsor Police Department, South Windsor, Connecticut
Received the following from Richard
Wilkinson: "Ex-turdchaser aboard the Tommy Chuck, many good memories and good times. Seen things that I could
not have seen otherwise, being a countryboy from Arkansas, first ship, first time at sea, couldn't swim, Wow!!! What a rush!!!
She brings back good memories,times, and old friends that I wonder where they are now. Anybody remember 'the dwarf','R' division,
Philly shipyards, 1979-1983,original rough rider for big red, shortest hotsuitman in history."
Received the following email from
Dean Hoover, a director of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association -" My name is Dean Hoover, a DESA Director and I would like your permission to reprint some of your sea stories
for the DESA Newspaper. Of course the writer would get credit for it. Also I would like to get permisson to get
to the crew email list as I'm the recuriter for DESA and the 1000 class guys are the ones to keep the DE history going as
there are no more DE's and never will be. Thank you, Dean Hoover MM3 ,USS Van Vorrhis DE-1028, USS Hartley DE-1029." Due to our privacy policy I was unable to pass on all the TCHVA members' email addresses but
I have linked the DESA website on our links page. I encourage all hands to consider joining DESA as it is a specific
organization dedicated to DE's and FF's. You can email Dean directly at DE-1029@mchsi.com. Those of you who have submitted Sea Stories should check the DESA site as they may be displayed there as well!!
Check out this great link to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - A great history lesson with lots of pictures.
Tommy Sexton has found some interesting
reflections. Click the "Navy Experience" link below to bring back some shared memories of
your Navy LIfe.
The Navy Experience!
| Photo courtesy of Capt Dick Whalen |
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| TCH transits Germany's Keil Canal enroute "Kieler Woche" |
Do you know about the "Golden Thirteen"? Click here to find out more about the men whose commissioning was truly historic!
What happened to RTC/NTC Orlando Florida? Click here to see for yourself!
All Hands (TCH Vets Only) - Click the "Yellow
Banner" below to visit the Ship's Office so you can add your name to the Master Sailing List for TCH!
Please take a few moments to read the below
poems: I think you'll identify with the themes! They do bring back memories!
Click to read the "Grey Destroyer Crew" Poem
Click to read "I was a Sailor Once"
Interested in a small scale model of the TCH? Patrick Burke submitted this for your consideration! Click here to view the
model.
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