Posts

USACS Joseph Henry

2005-06-21

I always knew that my Grandfather Schmidt served on a ship during WWII, but it was only in the past decade or so that I realized it wasn’t a Navy ship that he served on, but rather an Army ship. Recently we’ve been spending most of the time when we are together talking about his experiences during the war on the ships USACS Joseph Henry and USAMP Gen. Absalom Baird. Both of these ships were Army mineplanters, which were also equipped to lay cable. In the case of the Henry the majority of her work was cable laying in the Atlantic.

Missing Sean

2004-07-31

It’s been five years since Sean passed away. The initial pain has faded a bit since then, but the sadness is still there and to some extent always will be. While riding the other day I was thinking of Sean, and wanted to share my thoughts. I met Sean my first day of high school - we lived fairly close to each other, so we rode on the bus together for the 40 minute ride out to Walsh. I still remember that day - Sean with a goofy grin on his face (to be honest, Sean had that grin most of the time) introducing himself to me. I don’t remember who brought it up, but within a few minutes we were talking (and probably arguing) about music. Little did I know at the time that I had just met one of my best friends.

Sean and James Kalal

2004-07-31

It’s been over two years since the day when I found out that Sean had died. Two years since a week that was, at times, one of the worst and best weeks of my life. Worst because I, along with all of Sean’s family and friends, had lost a great friend. Best because of all the love shown by all those who were touched by Sean’s life. Last week, I received an unexpected package from Sean’s parents - a CD of Classic Rock songs arranged for acoustic guitar by Sean’s guitar teacher, James Kalal. Inside was a note from his parents that read, in part: