To the editor:

My name is Cecil Calavan, I am the president of the USS Utah Association.

I represent the association of survivors who were aboard that wonderful old battleship USS Utah the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, in Pearl Harbor. The USS Utah was the first ship attacked and hit by aerial torpedoes and strafing aircraft, she capsized in less than 15 minutes. Many members of her crew were  trapped below decks and suffocated as the air in the watertight compartments was exhausted.

She suffered nearly 60 casualties that morning.

For the last 25 years the survivors have participated in a yearly reunion to remember and honor our dead shipmates who are still serving on board. All of our reunions in the past eight years have been in Las Vegas. We receive great rates from the hotels and restaurants, etc. Now of course, our expenses are increasing, while our ranks decrease.

It has finally come to pass, we need some financial help. Some of our survivors are now in their 90s, can travel, but need a caregiver to travel with them or their wives. Some survivors find the expense of travel and expense of a caregiver too much and will not be able to attend this year’s reunion (May 15 to 18) in Las Vegas.

May I place the request in your paper, asking for donations in any amount to be used for the USS Utah Association and its survivors?

If so, donations should be made as follows (we are a nonprofit organization): USS Utah Association, Warren Upton/Treasurer, 5000 Adair Way, San Jose, CA. 95124.

Cecil Calavan

Survivor USS Utah

Anacortes