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A brief story of how Gerry Greaves got involved with the U.S.Navy Armed
Guard Veterans in early 1985, I got very interested in finding some old
shipmates.
I called some office in Washington, DC to inquire. They led me to the
Armed Guard National Chairman, C.A.Lloyd in North Carolina, I was put
on the mailing list and also notified that there would be a National
Reunion in Norfolk, VA soon. As it turned out Lee and I were getting
ready to drive to Texas to visit our son. I came up with the idea of
driving to Norfolk and stop at the Reunion just for a few minutes to see
what was going on, then continue on to Texas. We were welcomed by C.A.
Lloyd and many others, as a result we enjoyed it and stayed at the
reunion for four days, then continued on our trip to Texas. In the
following years (1986 thru 2001) I went to all the National
Reunions.
A month or so after the 1990 Reunion, I got a call from Alex Lombardi
the North East Regional Chairman who lived in New Jersey. Alex wanted me
to work with him and host a reunion in memory of the men who lost their
lives when the S.S.Blackpoint was torpedoed off the coast of Point
Judith, RI on May 5.1945 on November 11,12,13,1991. After a lot of
thought, I agreed to host my first reunion on November 11th to 13th
1991. With a lot of help from Alex and many others who attended the
reunion, it was a great success.
At the Reunion I met a few Armed Guard members from Rhode Island and
we talked about a lot of things including the possibilities of starting
a local chapter here in New England. Again a lot of thought was given
to this venture which was also new to me. I obtained a list of all the
members in New England from C.A.Lloyd with a set of labels. I sent out
a post card asking who is interested in a Armed Guard Chapter here in
New England, the response was great. After about a month I sent out a
notice to have a meeting at the American Legion Post in Sturbridge,MA to
discuss the possible future of an Armed Guard Chapter in New England.
We had approximately 70 who attended the meeting and discussed the
future. My thought was to have a New England Chapter and later form
many other local chapters for each state or section of each state.
We kept the New England Chapter going for about two years and the only
response that I got to form a local chapter was from Tom and Priscilla
Dufresene, from Ludlow, MA. and myself, to form a chapter in Rhode
Island. We formed two very active chapters and we are still going
strong. Just recently Lew Tew from Gales Ferry, CT has formed a new
chapter for his area and it is also doing well.
Another call from Alex Lombardi asking if our area would host a North
East Regional Reunion. Again after a lot of thought and I agreed.
First I picked a committee of six Armed Guard members and their wives.
Together we ran a great reunion in Plymouth, MA. As time went on the
members in the New England Chapter lost interest or whatever and it
gradually went down hill. Donations to the New England Chapter also went
down hill and I was using money out of my own pocket to buy stamps,
etc., to try to keep it going. I called a committee meeting and it was
decided to abandon the idea of maintaining the New England Chapter and
Tom Dufresene would have the Western Ma. Chapter and I would run the
Rhode Island & Eastern Ma. Chapter.
I will say that all chapters through out the country have made great
progress in making it known that we the U.S.Navy Armed Guard Veterans do
exist.
I am honored that I volunteered for the Armed Guard and thankful that I
survived. I am also glad that we in the Armed Guard have formed a great
family relationship and it is second to none.
The following links contain some photos and events that took place in
the past few years or during World War Two.
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As you know we the Rhode Island & Easterm Massachusetts Chapter have had the above boat in many parades and other functions to enlighten the American public of what the U. S. Navy Armed Guard did to help win WW-II. As you can see in the pictures below, taken at the donation ceremony at the Maritime Academy that we were very proud of her and wanted to give her a respectful transfer ceremony. Due to our age and capabilities at this time in life, we have decided to donate our boat to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Borne, Massachusetts. They have assured us that they will keep it on display and possibly use it in parades as well. Being that this boat has has given so much publicity about the Armed Guard for the past several years, our chapter wanted this entered into the Pointer and on our web site. Gerry
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