Annual reunion brings former crew members together at Naval Museum

Photo By Max Lonzanida | Former crew members of the USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) and their family members converged on the fantail of the USS Wisconsin (BB-64) on Friday, October 5, 2018 for a memorial service. The service was part of their annual reunion, and included guided activities in the City of Norfolk, the Nauticus museum, and a self-guided tour of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. The service honored former crew members who joined the eternal ranks, and included a guest speaker, bell ringing for those who were no longer with them, a ceremonial wreath casting overboard, taps being played and a flag folding ceremony and presentation. Roughly 60 former crewmembers and their family members were present. After the memorial, many toured the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and shared their service experiences with staff members; and many received a commemorative Vietnam War pin presented to them by staff members. (US Navy Photo by Max Lonzanida/Released).  

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

10.07.2018

Story by Max Lonzanida  

Naval History and Heritage Command

Tim Obrien, who authored the pivotal novel about the Vietnam War “The Things they Carried” once wrote:

“Sometimes, remembering will lead to a story, which makes it forever. Stories are for joining the past to the future. Stories are for those late night hours in the night when you can’t remember how you got from where you were to where you are. Stories are for eternity, when memories are erased, when there is nothing to remember but the story”.

This was the case last week, when former crewmembers of the USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) converge on the fantail of the USS Wisconsin (BB-64) to exchange stories with former shipmates and their families during a memorial service. The service commenced with a ceremonial honor guard comprised of the crewmembers of the ships company presenting the flag. Afterwards, a former crewmember provided some remarks, and the names of former crew members who joined the eternal ranks in the past year was read. As each name was read from a roster, a bell was struck; and the high notes of the bell echoed throughout the fantail. A ceremonial wreath was presented, and was cast overboard; followed by the playing of taps and a traditional flag folding ceremony. The ceremony concluded with a group picture in front of the iconic turret #3; thereafter, many of the former crewmembers ventured into the Hampton Roads Naval Museum to explore the gallery.

Many of the former crew members had served aboard the ship during the Vietnam War. And a few stopped at the front desk and shared their experiences about their service with AJ Orlikoff, one of the museum educators with the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. And many received a thank you; in the form of a commemorative Vietnam War pin and a certificate presented by Orlikoff. For many of the veterans, this was their first commemorative pin, while others placed the pin on their hats which were decorated with pins.

The group was part of the USS Lyman K. Swenson DD729 Sailors Association, whose 60 former crew members and family members were in Norfolk for their annual re-union. The group is dedicated to preserving the history and memories of the USS Lyman K. Swenson DD729, identifying and locating former crewmembers, and encouraging comradeship among those crewmembers through newsletters and an annual reunion. The Association Roster & Directory currently lists over 500 former crewmembers.

The USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) was an Allen M. Sumner Class Destroyer that was first commissioned on February 12, 1944. She carried the namesake of Captain Lyman Knute Swenson, who perished aboard the USS Juneau (CL-52), on November 13, 1942 when the cruiser sank during the Battle of Savo Island. The Swenson saw service in the Korean War and earned a Navy Unit Commendation for her actions during the Inchon Landings. In 1967, she deployed in support of Naval Operations during the Vietnam War. During successive deployments, she and her over 300 crew members provided naval gunfire support, escorted carriers, and other performed roles during the war. She commenced her final deployment to Vietnam on May 9, 1970; and returned a final time to her home port in San Diego on September 5, 1970. She was decommissioned on February 12, 1971 after 27 years of service.

About the Museum:

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is one of ten Navy museums that are operated by the Naval History & Heritage Command. It celebrates the long history of the U.S. Navy in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia and is co-located with Nauticus in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Admission to the museum is free, simply by-pass the ticket line and take the stairs or elevator to the museum on the second deck. The museum hosts a robust educational program for area schools and commands, with free educational programs to area schools aligned with state curriculum standards, a traveling sea chest program, a premier Lego outreach program, and historical presentations for area commands. To inquire, contact their Educational Director, Laura Orr at [e-mail] or at [phone]. The museum is also host to a robust volunteer corps, who serve as docents, support special events, and assist in museum archives. To inquire, contact their Volunteer Coordinator, Darcy Sink at [e-mail] or at [phone]. Lastly the museum proudly hosts military ceremonies, such as re-enlistments, retirements, and promotions for area commands aboard the U.S.S Wisconsin and in the museum’s gallery. To inquire, contact their special events coordinator, Tom Dandes at [e-mail] or call [phone].

• Date Taken: 10.07.2018
• Date Posted: 10.07.2018 14:22
• Story ID: 295665
• Location: NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US