Did You Know? Antique road grader soon to be "On the Road" again?

A generous donor in Oregon has offered an antique road grader to be displayed at the SEABEE Museum and Memorial Park under construction at the former Naval Construction Battalion Center in Davisville, R.I., but there's a problem! The SEABEES have to transport it at their own expense. Here's where you come in. Any possible donation (tax deductible) which you can immediately forward to the Navy Seabee Veterans of America, Inc, to cover the high cost of fuel for this cross-country move to its new home is desperately needed! Retired Master Chief Equipmentman, USN, Dick Parker, National Commander of the Navy Seabee Veterans of America, Inc has advised me of this effort in the hope of getting some help with expenses. The NSVA has received offers from drivers to do the driving and a tractor-trailer lowboy to carry the grader. All that remains is the rest of the expenses for the men and equipment, the largest being all the fuel burned on a round trip from one coast to the other and back.

Your donations will be documented for tax deduction and the Navy Seabee Veterans of America will provide recognition of donors at the site of the grader display once it is in its final place of honor.The form of recognition will be determined at a later date.

Here's a chance for everyone to support the efforts of the Navy Seabee Veterans of America, Inc to create at the spot where it all began in 1942, a place for future generations to appreciate the great contributions that the U.S. Navy SEABEES have made, and continue to make, to our nation and the rest of the world. Details on this operation provided by Dick Parker follow. Please be as generous as you can.

The Grader was located in Salem, Oregon.and arrangements were made to move it cross country. Seabee Frank Montgomery, the truck owner, and Richard Morey, EOC, USN (Ret). both of Washington State will be driving the lowboy across the country with Seabee signs on both sides of the trailer. Donal Egelus, EQCM, USN (ret), North West Regional Vice Commander, NSVA, was instrumental in acquiring the hand controlled towed Caterpillar Model 66 Grader, which was manufactured in 1932 in Minneapolis, MN., and comes complete with manuals. This is a real find!! These guys do need some reimbursement for their out of pocket expenses on fuels and tarriffs.

Send your tax deductable check to:
Seabee Museum and Memorial Park
(ATTN: Towed Grader Fund)
21 Iafrate Way
North Kingstown, RI 02852

Now you know! Will you help these dedicated and generous SEABEES in this project to place a representative piece of the SEABEE legacy in its rightful place of honor? I know you will! "Can Do". Send that grader to Davisville, "All the way with OSK" ! "Stormin' "

(Editor's Note: Don't miss the three part photo essay on the SEABEE Memorial Park and Museum in our Photo and Insignia Gallery. Also see the link to the NSVA SEABEE Museum website.)

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