Edson Project News
New Postings Will Have The Dates (or information within a date) Shown In Red Color!!!
After Two Weeks The Dates/Information Will Be Changed To Black.
26 January 2008. A large group of veterans belonging to many Milwaukee
area veteran organizations held their "Night of Heroes" dinner. There were probably over 400 people in attendance and they included veterans
and their friends, family, and ordinary citizens concerned about less fortunate veterans and their issues. It was held at the Bluemound Gardens
and the owner of the restaurant generously contributed the dinning facility and financially to the event. It was a most inspiring evening.
The honorees included a congressional medal of honor recipient, one of the few remaining survivors from the USS Dorchester (Navy cruiser) sinking
in World War II (think of the four chaplains, their bravery and their sacrifice in going down with the ship so others could use their life jackets
to live), two young Brownie Scouts who raise money to send Girl Scout Cookies to our servicemen in Iraq and Afghanistan, a young female veteran
who received a Purple Heart during her deployment to Iraq, the parents of a young son killed in Iraq with a second son currently serving in Iraq,
and WINSA. Our WINSA President was honored simply to be invited to the event and further honored to accept the "Eagle" on behalf of WINSA. It
truly is recognition that WINSA is on the right track and that it is an orgainzation that can do much for the veterans and communities where we
have influence. When the USS Edson is in Sheboygan's Harbor, we will be able to contribute some of the funds we raise to needy causes. Our program
will unselfishly promote patriotism, teach young Americans that "Freedom Is Not Free," provide scholarships, support veterans causes, and help
southeastern Wisconsin by the ship's positive financial impact! There is a huge group of veterans and others working to help Wisconsin communities
and WINSA wants to and will be a part of that effort! (12FEB08)
08 January 2008. WINSA hosted a meeting at the Community Bank & Trust in
Sheboygan Falls with representatives from City of Sheboygan (Engineering, Public Works, Planning/Development, Tourism, and Common Council),
Congressman Petri's Staff, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Sheboygan River Basin Partnership, Rockets
for Schools, U.S. Coast Guard, a private contractor, and WINSA. It was an excellent meeting. Of particular interest was the information provided
that the recent water depths (May 2007) and the distance below the harbor river bed to unsafe contamination levels in the general vicinity of the
USS Edson's berthing site are greater than previously known by WINSA. This was great news for WINSA and it could have a positive impact on the
Edson's Project costs. The other important aspect of the meeting was the general attitude by participants of working together for the overall
benefit of the Sheboygan Community. It was an extremely beneficial and important meeting! (02FEB08)
26 December 2007. WINSA's 436 page USS Edson Donation Application Package
arrives at the Naval Ship Donation Office in Washington, D.C. It was shipped by FEDEX Christmas Eve. Submitting the application prior to the
03 January 2008 deadline was a major accomplishment and Joe Lombardi, President of Ocean Technical Services has earned a Bravo Zulu for putting an
outstanding package together! If WINSA had failed to meet the January deadline, we would have been disqualified from participating in the Edson
donation process. WINSA has now completed two of the three major task required to bring the USS Edson to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The major tasking
status is as follows:
** Negotiate the Edson's Sheboygan Berthing Site Contingent Lease with the City of Sheboygan -- Complete!
** Submit the USS Edson's Ship Donation Application to the Navy -- Complete!
** Raise the funds required to finance the project and bring the Edson permanently to Sheboygan -- Underway!
The third task is now WINSA's priority effort! To see how you can help, please return to the home page!
28 September 2007.
WINSA's Hall of Fame is established for individuals,
corporations or foundations to publicly recognize outstanding performance by individuals or extremely generous financial support by individuals,
corporations or foundations.
28 September 2007,
WINSA sets up an online donation program. To make a
donation return to the home page and click on the appropriate donation category.
18 September 2007.
WINSA's Board of Honor is established to publicly
recognizee outstanding contributions by members in helping to bring a historic naval ship permanently to southeastern Wisconsin. PO1 James F.
Derse USNR and CAPT Donald A. Hansen USNR have been elected posthumously to WINSA's Board of Honor. Their memory will be an inspiration for
all of us!
04 August 2007.
WINSA had an entry in Sheboygan's Fourth of July Parade
and in todays Brat Day Festival Parade. In addition to parade participation, WINSA members got many blue USS Edson Support Cards signed by the
large crowds watching the parades. The WINSA entries were well received in both parades and it was a chance to show the "flag" to large numbers
of "Sheboyganites." The highlight of the Brat Day Parade was meeting State Senator Joe Leibham who expressed support for the USS Edson
Project.
08 July 2007.
WINSA members John Mozol and Dick Caswell solicited blue
USS Edson Support Cards signed by visitors to the Brat Festival held in Johnsonville, Wisconsin. It was an extremely hot day, but again many
cards of support were signed and the "brats" were excellent!
25 June 2007.
WINSA and Ocean Technical Services (OTS) signed a contract
for OTS (Joe Lombardi) to prepare WINSA's Ship Donation Application for the USS Edson. OTS specializes in projects of this type. The firm is well
respected throughout the industry and by the Navy. WINSA will have a very professional application when it is submitted to the Navy's Ship Donation
Program Manager at the end of December 2007.
18 June 2007.
WINSA hosted a Kickoff Event at Sheboygan’s beautiful
Blue Harbor Resort near the future home of the USS Edson. It was well attended and extremely successful. Principal speakers were Major Herbert
R. Edson USMC (Ret), Joe Lombardi of Ocean Technical Services, and former Sheboyganite Dennis Bersch. Vice President Eldon Burg was superb as
Master of Ceremonies and Museum Director Chad Sorce did an outstanding job as the event closer.
08 May 2007
"WINSA has completed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the
Rockets for Schools (R4S) organization. As reported in the Sheboygan Press Editorial of 08 May 2007, this well respected organization works with
high school students in schools located throughout the mid-west. Under adult supervision, these students build rockets, design specific payloads
and develop presentations on the projects. They are turned on to math, physics and science. They learn the importance of teamwork, hard work and
perseverance. It is an outstanding program and the firing of rockets on Sheboygan’s south pier where the USS Edson will be berthed is unique to
Sheboygan. The MOU has been generated to outline a cooperative effort between WINSA and the R4S Program to the betterment of both programs."
27 March 2007.
WINSA members Don Hansen and Dick Caswell briefed VFW Post
5716 of New Berlin, Wisconsin. The briefing was set up by VFW member Gary Heyel who also served on board the USS Edson. Don Hansen was the
principle briefer.
26 March 2007.
In recent Wisconsin Department news letters published by
the Reserve Officer Association, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, an article was published that updated the USS Edson's
project status. To view the basic article, Click Here. Additional articles are planed for the Vietnam Veterans of America and Disabled American
Veterans newsletters.
16 January 2007
The WINSA Board of Directors considered many options in
regard to the disposition of the funds fenced for saving the USS Des Moines. With the Daisy Mae being scraped, sending them to an organization
that had saved the ship was certainly not an option. With this in mind the board decided to invite the U.S. Navy Cruiser Sailors Association to
have a cruiser exhibit on the USS Edson. As part of their exhibit, they would highlight the USS Des Moines. As the first item in the exhibit,
WINSA will provide a beautifully framed Michael Donegan signed, limited edition numbered print of the USS Des Moines underway. It is expected
that to honor the Daisy Mae on board the USS Edson, WINSA will spend much more than the funds that were fenced to save her.
18 December 2006
The Sheboygan Common Council approved the Contingent
Lease that was negotiated between WINSA and the City of Sheboygan on an 11 to 4 vote. This is a huge step forward and it means that if WINSA
satisfactorily completes the required contingencies, the USS Edson has a berthing site in Sheboygan. With the completion of this milestone,
the USS Edson project is now for real and progress will begin to move forward in a lot of different areas.<
21 October 2006.
WINSA member Dick Caswell briefed Darin Bricko - Operations
Manager for the Seabird Restaurant at Sheboyan's Blue Harbor Resort. The brief went extremely well. It covered a wide range of subjects, but
really concentrated on the perceived impact of the USS Edson on the Seabird's lake front and river views. During the brief, Dick demonstrated that
those views are essentially unaffected by the USS Edson in its proprosed "notched" location.
18 October 2006.
WINSA members Dick Caswell and John Kupferschmidt met with
Wisconsin State DAV Commander Jerry Merritt and Milwaukee DAV Chapter 1 Commander Arthur Schmitz to discuss their organizational support for
bringing the USS Edson to Sheboygan as a historic naval ship. Both commanders are very interested in the project.
05 October 2006.
WINSA members Chad Sorce and Dick Caswell briefed the
Reserve Officers Association - Chapter 007 of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Chad Sorce was the principle briefer.
20 September 2006.
WINSA member Dick Caswell briefed the Reserve Officers
Association - Chapter 013 of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
15 September 2006.
WINSA members Dick Caswell and Chad Sorce were interviewed
by host Nick Reed on Sheboygan's Radio Station WHBL. The live interview on "Nick Reed's Show" went very well and provided listeners with a status
report on where the effort to bring the USS Edson to Sheboygan currently stands and where the project is headed.
14 August 2008.
WINSA members Norb Bybee, Dick Caswell and Chad Sorce
briefed the following officials at the Wisconsin Department of Tourism (WDOT) Headquarters in Madison, WI:
- Terry Van Akkeren - Wisconsin State Represenative, 26th District
- Sheree Branch - Deputy Secretary, WDOT
- Katie Crawley - South Central Regional Coordinator - Senator Russ Feingold
- Jim Holperin - Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Tourism
- Jerry Huffman - Director of Communications & Industry Service, WDOT
- Sarah Klavas - Director of Marketing Services, WDOT
- John Kuehl - eBusiness Director (Web Guy), WDOT
- David Volz - Wisconsin State Senator Joe Leibham's Office
The meeting objective was to bring those in attendance up-to-date on the project and to seek help in moving the project forward. Chad Sorce
was the principle briefer. It was an excellent meeting and the briefing went extremely well. Good ideas from both sides of the table were
exchanged and there appeared to be strong support for bringing the USS Edson to Sheboygan as a historic naval ship.
04 August 2006.
WINSA's Eric Sunstrom, John Mozol and Dick Caswell worked
the crowd at Sheboygan's Brat Festival and got many USS Edson Project Support Cards signed. It was a very productive effort.
09 July 2006.
WINSA's Eric Sunstrom setup a booth at the Johnsonville
Sausagefest in Johnsonville, WI. Helping Eric were Dick Caswell, Larry Freitag, John Mozol and Laura Spalinger. The booth objectives were to
provide a project up-date to interested folks and to get as many USS Edson project support cards signed as possible. This booth operation was
also very successful.
08July 2006.
WINSA's Eric Sunstrom setup a booth at the Sheboygan History
Adventure Weekend in Sheboygan, WI. Helping Eric were Dick Caswell, Larry Freitag, Rich Jordan and Laura Spalinger. The booth objectives were to
provide a project up-date and to get as many USS Edson project support cards signed as possible. The booth operation was successful.
02 July 2006.
WINSA' s Eric Sunstrom with Dick Caswell's help had a booth
at the Elkhart Lake Fireman's Picnic in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. This time the weather did cooperate. Dick and Eric managed to pass the word on
bringing the USS Edson to Sheboygan and to get many blue project support cards signed.
18 June 2006.
WINSA' s Eric Sunstrom had a booth at the Wings and Wheels
Festival at the Sheboygan Airport. The weather did not cooperate, but Eric still managed to pass the word on bringing the USS Edson to Sheboygan
and to get many blue project support cards signed.
27 April 2006.
WINSA's Eric Sunstrom has briefed the following organizations about our mission and plans to bring the USS Edson (DD-946) to Sheboygan, Wisconsin:
- 26 April 2006. Kiwanis Club - Greater Sheboygan of Sheboygan, WI.
- 25 April 2006. Knights of Columbus Council 722 of Sheboygan WI.
17 April 2006.
WINSA's Eric Sunstrom has briefed the following organizations about our mission and plans to bring the USS Edson (DD-946) to Sheboygan, Wisconsin:
- 11 April 2006. Senior Citizens Center of Sheboygan, WI.
- 04 April 2006. Masons Lodge #11 of Sheboygan, WI.
- 21 March 2006. Lions Club - Evening of Sheboygan, WI.
- 16 March 2006. Kiwanis Club - Lakeshore Sunrise of Sheboygan WI.
13 April 2006.
WINSA briefed the Sheboygan Yacht Club on the mission and
status of the efforts to bring the USS Edson to Sheboygan. The briefers were Chad Sorce and Dick Caswell.
15 March 2006.
WINSA's Eric Sunstrom has briefed the following organizations
about our mission and plans to bring the USS Edson (DD-946) to Sheboygan, Wisconsin:
- 09 March 2006. Kiwanis Club of Oostburg, WI.
- 20 February 2006. American Legion Post 83 of Oostberg, WI.
- 15 February 2006. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10820 of Random Lake, WI.
- 14 February 2006. The Lions Club of Sheboygan, WI.
- 13 February 2006. The Eagles Club of Plymouth, WI.
- 17 January 2006. The Outboard Motor Club of Sheboygan, WI.
17 January 2006.
WINSA briefed the Sheboygan Area
Great Lakes Shore Fisherman Club on the mission and status of the efforts to bring the USS Edson to Sheboygan. The
briefers were Eric Sunstrom and Dick Caswell.
16 January 2006.
By a vote of 12 to 4 the Sheboygan Common Council authorized Contingent Lease negotiations between
the City of Sheboygan and WINSA for a USS Edson berthing site. The contingencies that WINSA must successfully complete are:
- A feasibility study.
- Securing all required governmental approvals.
- Raising all required project funds.
- Securing final Sheboygan Common Council Approval of the negotiated Contingent Lease.
WINSA President Dick Caswell said "This is a huge advance in the project and it gives us a chance to move the project
forward in an extremely dramatic fashon. A lot of Sheboygan community support has developed. This support was certainly
important and appreciated. We have much to do in a relatively short time, but being given the chance to make this happen
is wonderful and a challenge. WINSA likes a challenge and the ball is definitely in our court."
09 January 2006.
WINSA briefed the Sheboygan High
School Class of 1950 on the mission and status of the efforts to bring the USS Edson to Sheboygan. This brief was requested
by the group that was finishing their normal meeting in the same restaurant and overheard the WINSA Brief to the
Sheboygan County Retired Mens's Club. The brief request was a spur of the moment decision and WINSA was more than happy to
do the briefing. The briefers were Chad Sorce and Dick Caswell.
09 January 2006.
WINSA briefed the Sheboygan County
Retired Men's Club on the mission and status of the efforts to bring the USS Edson to Sheboygan. The briefers were
Chad Sorce and Dick Caswell.
13 October 2005.
The Project's Board of Directors:
** Changed the name of the organization from the "Milwaukee - USS Des Moines Historic Naval Ship Project, Inc." to the
"Wisconsin Naval Ship Association, Inc." or WINSA for short. Until state and federal officials approve the name change,
officially we will still be known as the Milwaukee - USS Des Moines Historic Naval Ship Project, Inc." As part of the
change, in August, the Board had approved a mission change to pursue the destroyer, USS Edson (DD-946) in place of the
USS Des Moines. For additional information, please see Guest Book entries No's 450, 451, 466, 467 and 468 in that order.
** Approved a policy of splitting the liquid funds held by the project as of 22 August 2005 (date of mission change)
between support for the USS Des Moines and the USS Edson. Inputs from individuals and organizations who donated funds
in the past are requested to tell us whether you want your donations to be counted towards saving the USS Des Moines
or bringing the naval destroyer USS Edson to southeastern Wisconsin. The donations for each group will be totaled,
the total funds donated through the 22nd of August established and the percentage of donations to save the USS Des
Moines will be calculated. The percentage of Des Moines support will be multiplied by the liquid funds held by the
project on 22 August 2005 to determine the funds fenced (protected) for the Des Moines. After the Navy and the congress
approve a USS Des Moines application, a check will be cut and sent to the successful city or organization in the amount
of the fenced funds. If the efforts to save the Des Moines fail and she is sunk, a check will be sent in the amount of
the fenced funds to one of the successful historic naval cruiser museums. Please let us know in which group you would
like your donation(s) to count. Send your snail mail response to the:
- Milwaukee - USS Des Moines Naval Ship Project
- Post Office Box 144
- Greendale, WI 53129
Be sure to include your full name and address in your response. If we have no input, the board will decide where your
donated funds will be counted. The target date to end field input is one month after the next issue of The USS Edson
Signal newsletter is published or 09 December 2005 which ever occurs later. Please pass the word.
As soon as those cities or organizations that are still persuing the USS Des Moines provide us with their website
address, we will link to them. So by visiting this website (www.ussdesmoines.org) in the future, you will have a
choice to explore the USS Edson's or the linked USS Des Moines' website(s).
07 September 2005.
The Project
briefed the Marina Committee at one of the sites under consideration for berthing the USS Edson. Chad Sorce was the
principle briefer and did an outstanding job. The Power Point Briefing was well received by the Marina Committee and
a motion was unanimously passed to explore berthing the destroyer at several sites in the harbor. While there is much to
explore, this would be an excellent site for the Edson. The community is committed to tourism, has an extremely strong
tourism base and is working hard to increase it. Project members were very impressed by the interest shown and the
depth of questioning by the committee. It was an excellent evening.
22 August 2005.
The Project's Board of Directors
changed the mission of the organizaton by replacing the Navy's heavy cruiser USS Des Moines (CA-134) with the Navy's
destroyer USS Edson (DD-946). The project's mission now reads ~ "The mission is to preserve a Navy destroyer such as the
USS Edson (DD-946) for future generations to enjoy and to bring her to Southeastern Wisconsin permanently to serve as a
Naval museum, to educate young Americans, to serve as a tourist attraction, and as a splendid memorial for all veterans.
The ship will also be available for use as a Disaster Recovery Command Post and/or emergency shelter during natural
disasters or terrorist attacks." For additional information, please refer to Guest Book Entry #450.
22 August 2005.
The Milwaukee - USS Des Moines Historic
Naval Ship Project Board of Directors elected Chad Sorce to the Board of Directors and Edward Dorsey to the Honorary Board
of Directors. Both of these gentlemen have earned the recognition and have contributed significantly to the project's
progress. We pay special tribute to Navy Veteran Ed Dorsey who served both in World War II and the Korean Conflict as a
Third Class Quartermaster.
Guest Book
"Letters written in good taste and non-political will be posted, but it should
be understood that the individual letter comments reflect the position or
opinion of the letter writer and not necessarily the position or opinion
of the Milwaukee - USS Des Moines Historic Naval Ship Project, Inc." |