World War II Tank Landing Ship LST-325 this week completed its 4200-mile
journey from the Greek island of Crete to Mobile, Alabama. Executive Officer
Jack Carter, KC6WYX, using the WW2LST call sign of the USS LST Amateur Radio
Club, has operated an onboard 100 W rig on 20-meter SSB throughout the
voyage and worked several stations in the US and elsewhere along the way.


According to a report in Stars and Stripes, 29 sailors--men in their 60s,
70s and older--signed on, determined to deliver this ship to a permanent
berth in Mobile to be used as a floating museum. Most of the sailors are US
Navy retirees. Each paid $2100 for the privilege of reliving some of the
excitement of their Navy years. Carter, a 71-year-old retired electrical
engineer, told Stars and Stripes he's feeling better now than he has in 12
years. He also expressed the hope that he and his crew might serve as a
motivation for other seniors to embark on their own journeys.



The group received more than $70,000 in private donations to repair the
ship. British Petroleum and Phillips Oil Company donated a substantial
amount of fuel and money toward the venture. Additional details of the
voyage are on the US LST Memorial/Museum Ship web site.