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Association President, Joe Dennison, delivered the address to the Millennium Reunion audience at the banquet ceremonies on Wednesday evening, May 3, 2000. "Captain Kennedy, Mrs. Kennedy, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen... On July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong was the first person to set foot on the moon, his first words out of the capsule were: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." But just before he reentered the moon lander, he made the enigmatic remark: "Good luck, Mr. Gorsky." For years the NASA people thought it was a casual remark concerning some rival Soviet Cosmonaut. Upon checking though, there proved to be no Gorsky in either the Russian or American space programs. Over the years, many people questioned Armstrong regarding the meaning of those words: "Good luck, Mr. Gorsky." Armstrong always smiled but never uttered an explanation. On July 5, 1995, in Tampa, Florida, while answering questions following a speech, a reported raised the 26 year old question: "What was the meaning of those words - 'Good luck, Mr. Gorsky?'" Armstrong finally responded with more than a smile. Gorsky had since passed on and Armstrong felt free to disclose the meaning of the phrase. In 1938 when he was a kid in a small Midwestern town, Armstrong was playing backyard baseball with a childhood pal. The pal hit a pitched ball into the air, into the neighbor's yard, and it came to rest near the bedroom window of the neighbor's home. The neighbors were Mr. and Mrs. Gorsky. Neil, leaning down to retrieve the ball, overheard Mrs. Gorsky shouting at Mr. Gorsky. "Sex! You want sex?! You'll get sex when the kid next door walks on the moon!" Thus, "Good luck, Mr. Gorsky," from the kid next door who walked on the moon. At this hour, that is just about the way I feel about the next reunion - when, you ask? When one of you walks on the moon! But, by the end of this week, it will all turn around and the planning will begin anew. I have in several newsletters shared a few of my very personal feelings with you when it comes to this group and these reunions. It was a pure stroke of chance that I coined the words: Reach Out and Feel the Pride. After hearing from so many of you and so many of those unable to be here this evening, I became acutely aware that the thought was not by chance but by design. Manley was a fighting ship with grand successes, and she hoisted her colors with the pride of an elegant Lady who knew with confidence that in her time she served with grace and dignity. She survived attacks from storms and wars; she was embraced by many whose lives were saved by her heroic rescue teams; she is remembered intimately by her men. She was made great only by your deeds. From each commanding officer to every junior officer; from each chief petty officer to every seaman, there existed always a mutual respect and loyalty up and down the line. And it did not end there. When deployed, we were confident that our wives and families would be a part of a safety network of very caring people. A network of all of the wives, from the Captain's lady to the ladies of other officers, to the Chief's wives, to all the wives, we knew that our homestead was secure always and that one would look after the other.. Over the past few days, you have told and and listened, retold and listened again to the history and lore of this naval vessel that became our home for a few years of our lives. Your stories have been funny; they have been interesting; they have in a few instances been exaggerated. Now it is my honor to relate several more tales of sailors and the seas that I am sure you will agree define the meaning of Manley pride. In the early stages of the reunion planning after the announcements were published in not less than twenty-four military or veteran oriented publications, I received an email from a stranger who brought to my attention this tale of rescue. While assigned to the naval hospital in Memphis, Tennessee during the time it was about to be razed, BM1 Baker knew of another person who had taken possession of a Manley plaque. Baker is not associated with Manley but saw our reunion announcement in one of the publications and took immediate actions. Baker wrote: Dear Joe, I was not on the Manley but I came about a brass plaque that was taken from the old navy hospital at NAS Memphis. When the old hospital was scheduled to be torn down, a sailor took the plaque off the wall back in 72 or 73. He has had it in his garage ever since. It's a bit dirty and tarnished now. When I saw in the Naval Affairs that you all were going to have a reunion, I thought you all might want it back or something. Please let me know so I can get it to you all for your reunion. You may want to clean it up some but you are welcome to it. A sailor, Now this sailor named Baker didn't have to do that. He certainly was inconvenienced. He had to wrap the plaque, take it to the post office, pay for the shipping. He could have left it sit and continue to attract dust in that garage. But for some reason he thought of Manley. I think it is a heck of a compliment to you, the crew, when a complete stranger thinks enough of you to take the time to send you a long forgotten remembrance of this Lady we call the USS Manley. Another very special letter hit right at the heart; and it gives true meaning to the words: Reach Out and Feel the Pride... 20 January 2000 Dear Joe, My name is Bill Brandel, retired Navy Fighter Pilot
(and a few other jobs). In the Upcoming Reunions
Oct-Dec 99 Shift Colors, spotted a very special
ship -- USS Manley (DD-940). Good luck! survived the impact; Good luck (no - great response by the carrier skipper to recognize my path, and immediately initiate the turn that cleared me in the water); Good Luck! the plane didn't break up, and I eventually got back to the surface alive and afloat. From there, several .38 tracers and two night flares for Manley to steer on, and in what seemed like really rough water (when you're down there floating in it), the Skipper slipped alongside and came to a stop with yours truly just a few feet away abeam the bridge -- Impressive! Won't bore you with the details of two nights and a day aboard (couple cuts, bruised, and sore) in weather too rough to transport back to the carrier, but BOY did that experience enhance my respect for Destroyer sailors. The XO, LCDR Herman J. Estelmann (think he went by "Joe") looked after me the whole time. When the initial dust had settled, he arranged a ship-to-shore call so I could tell my wife (at one in the morning) that I was OK, (no satellite phones then) and did his best to keep me tied down in something for the next 36 hours. CO was CDR L. I. Smith, Jr. whom I met briefly, but was Estelmann I remember best. Think the 28th was a Wednesday. I got off the ship via helo Friday morning 2 March. Later that evening a Marine Crusader pilot named Ron Luther went over the side during one of his qual arrestment attempts -- this time in very cold water. Manley again to the rescue, and this time with swimmers in the water. Like I said, a busy period. Manley engraved in my memory for good. Often thought of that night over the following years. Flew the Crusader for another eight years from five or six other decks, and every time I launched for the beach last time from an operating period, I thanked the troops on Manly for their hand in that much of my life. Final note. Following ships and classmates over the years, I noted that a few years later one of my NROTC year group 52 classmates from the University of South Carolina, Bill Yetman, pulled a tour as CO of Manley...I forget the year. Joe, assuming that as "contact" you make the reunion, you sure don't need all the above, but for sea story fodder around the bar, it might serve as one small piece of Manley lore. Warm Regards, Bill Brandel My shipmates, reach out and feel the pride and do not dismiss or take casually your accomplishments with a flair or shrug, or discount your service as uneventful. Our country is better off because of your contribution. The value of that contribution may never be clear to you but the people of America are indebted to you and all those who have sailed on the seas before and after you. That debt will not be paid in coin or currency; but it will be settled in due course. Perhaps your satisfaction is in a job "Well Done" or in a higher domain. I wish to express a very deep love and appreciation to my wife and dearest friend who worked so many hours, shared so many frustrations, and whose advice I have come to rely upon - my wife, Shirley. And to you, all of you, I want to say that it has been my honor and pleasure to serve you in this endeavor. And to Mr. Gorsky, I want to say: Good night, Mr. Gorsky, good night and good luck."
This page last updated 09 December 2007 |
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