Just got back home from the events surrounding the LST 325's arrival. First
let me say that the City of Mobile and the State Docks did an excellent job
of handling an unusual crowd. I'm not a good judge of the number of people
in a crowd, but I would not be shocked to learn that there were some 10,000
people there. They did have a huge gravel parking lot, and I don't know of
anyone who was turned away. We did manage to scrape together 4 jeeps for
display in the viewing area, 2 GPW's 1 M38 and 1 M38A1. I bet I've told a
thousand school kids that "No the machine gun will not shoot," and an equal
number of their parents that "Yes Ford did indeed build jeeps in World War
Two. See the name on the back." Met an absolutely huge number of people who
were unaware that people actually collected and restored historical military
vehicles. And I guess I heard the $50 surplus jeep story at least 100 times.
The day was clear and cold (for Alabama) 28 F in the morning, warming to
almost pleasant 50+ by noon. The LST came in around 10:45, complete with an
escort by a Coast Guard Cutter and a fire boat with the traditional streams
of water. She came in will all flags flying and horn blowing, with answering
horn blasts from other ships in the harbor. Band playing Anchors Aweigh for
all it was worth. Steamed in under her own power to within 50 yards of the
dock then tugs turned her around in the river so the starboard side was
facing the dock, then nudged her into place. Tied up to huge cheers, a 21
gun salute, and more band music. Truly a great site to behold. I wasn't
alive back in '45 when most of her original mates came home, but it had to
have been pretty much the same scene, only 56 hears later.
An absolutely wonderful day. Got plenty of press for the HMV's without
horning in on the main event. Glad I went.
Tom Campbell - Birmingham, Alabama (Dixie Division MV Club)
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