Destroyer Escort Day pays homage to the
Destroyer Escort sailors killed in World War II, Korea
and Vietnam and to the Destroyer Escorts lost in action.
This day of honor includes those who served in DEs, APDs
and FFs.
The first Destroyer Escort Day was held at the Intrepid
Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City on June 16,
1990. The third Saturday in June is now recognized and
celebrated by the National Destroyer Escort Sailors
Association, Destroyer Escort Historical Museum and all
of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association Chapters
nationwide.
Each chapter prepares
and conducts its own program to honor the ships and
crews. Numerous Governors issue Proclamations naming the
third Saturday of June as Destroyer Escort Day. The
first Proclamation was issued on Saturday, June 20, 1998
by Governor George E. Pataki.
On
Friday June 20, 2008, DE
sailors were remembered and honored, as
well as remembering those who have sailed their final
seas, in a service aboard USS SLATER DE-766 in Albany,
NY.
The
Garden State Chapter of New Jersey held its annual DE Day memorial
service Saturday June 21, 2008 at the USS SOLAR DE-221 Memorial at the Naval
Weapons Station Earle in Leonardo, NJ.
A USS UNDERHILL DE 682
survivor remembers his lost shipmates
View
Many More Photos from the Garden State Chapter DE Day
Service
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Those killed on destroyers saluted
By Tom Caprood, The Record
www.troyrecord.com
Members of the USS
Slaters salute those who have passed. Tom Killips -
The Record, ALBANY
A number of elected
officials gathered aboard the nation’s sole floating
destroyer Saturday to celebrate Destroyer Escort Day, an
annual ceremony to honor those lost aboard the ships that
defended convoys of men and naval supplies from attacks
by kamikaze air attacks and Nazi U-boats through our
nation’s history.
U.S. Navy veterans paid tribute to the destroyer escort
sailors who were killed in World War II, Korea and
Vietnam, as well as the ships that were lost in action,
by dropping a red, white or blue carnation into the
Hudson River from the stern of the USS Slater, the city’s
historic destroyer escort museum.
“These valiant men, more than 1,300 strong, gave their
lives so that we all might live in freedom,” said Mayor
Gerald Jennings. “That is why it’s so important that we
never forget what they did for us and why the USS Slater
is such an important symbol of their time and of their
sacrifice.”
Jennings recalled seeing the ship pulled up to the city’s
dock 11 years ago and wondering what he had gotten
himself into as he stared at the once rust-covered ship
before watching undergo a tremendous transformation over
the years into the fully restored condition it sits in
today.
“Thanks to the thousands of volunteer work hours put in,
the USS Slater stands as a legacy for the sacrifice made
by our sailors during the greatest war in world history,”
said Jennings.
U.S. Rep. Michael McNulty, D-Green Island, first
recognized his father, Jack McNulty, who was in the
audience, as a World War II veteran before commending
Jennings and all of the volunteers who had worked to
bring the USS Slater to its current condition.
“It’s important for me to remember that had it not been
for all of the men and women who served in the United
States military through the years, the rest of us
wouldn’t be able to go around bragging about how we live
in the freest and most open democracy on Earth,” said
McNulty.
Mike Russo, a representative for U.S. Rep. Kirsten
Gillibrand, was also on hand to participate in the
ceremony.
“Today we have the
opportunity to not only honor all the Navy personnel who
served through the years on destroyer escorts but also
the chance to reflect on the service and sacrifice of all
those who have served our country and continue to serve
today,” said Russo.
Assemblyman Jack McEneny, D-Albany, said that he felt
honored to remember the sailors who made the supreme
sacrifice for our nation and also noted how valuable the
USS Slater had become as a local historical resource for
young people.
“They get to experience the sounds, smell and feel of the
USS Slater, bringing an element of reality that no formal
monument or letters in a book are going to convey to
them,” said McEneny.
Albany County Executive Michael Breslin and Rensselaer
County Executive Kathy Jimino also spoke briefly about
honoring the heroics of crews who served on destroyer
escorts, as well as the important role the ships played
in protecting the nation’s ships.
The first Destroyer Escort Day was held at the Intrepid
Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City on June 16,
1990.
The third Saturday in June is now recognized and
celebrated by the National Destroyer Escort Sailors
Association, Destroyer Escort Historical Museum and all
of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association chapters
nationwide.
DE Day Proclamation
- Maine
Friday June 20, 2008 -
Gov. John E. Baldacci shakes hands with John Dube, a
World War II veteran from Jay, before presenting a
proclamation naming June 21, as Destroyer Escort Day
throughout the state. By statute, the governor issues a
proclamation naming the third Saturday in June of each
year as Destroyer Escort Day.
Courtesy of
http://www.sunjournal.com/story/270986-3/Connections/Destroyer_Escort_Day/
DE Day Proclamation
- Michigan
Whereas, During World War II, destroyer
escorts were a special class of fighting ships capable of
performing an impressive variety of duties even though
they were lightly armed and had little protection from
enemy fire; and,
Whereas, Destroyer Escorts were successful in completing
a wide range of combat assignments, including
anti-submarine duty, convoy escorts, shore bombardments,
and search and rescue missions; and,
Whereas, Today, the Destroyer Escorts are remembered for
being one of the most versatile and useful ships in
recent history; and,
Whereas, The citizens of Michigan have tremendous pride
in our servicemen who courageously served aboard
Destroyer Escorts during World War II, the Korean War,
and the Vietnam War; and now therefore be it,
Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the
State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 21, 2008, as
Destroyer Escort Day in Michigan, and I encourage the
citizens of Michigan to reflect on the contributions of
Destroyer Escorts and the gallant bravery of those who
proudly served aboard these magnificent ships.
DESA hopes that each of you had a happy DE Day. We
salute you and remember those crewmembers lost in
service. Read the DE
Roll of Honor.
