Block Island (CVE 106) - Naval Cruise Book

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Vw' THE VICTORY MARCH and Coast Guard who are absent today because they gave their lives to reestablish a world in which free peoples might live. Our sympathies go out to their relatives and friends. At the same time we extend thanks and appreciation to our companion services of the Army and to the gallant allies who fought beside us and to the millions of people on the home- front who supported us with their labors and their prayers- It is as a team we have worked and fought to the victorious conclusion of the war. As we turn now from tl1e vital tasks of A TOAST TO VICTORY war I call upon all members of the Armed Services to re- dedicate their efforts with the same courage devoted to duty and united spirit to the work of resolving the great problemS of peace. Only by doing this can we fulfill our obligations in preserving the freedom which has been gained at such great cost and effort. I am proud to have served with everY one of youf, r t V ' s ,. W ,NJA ' 1 ' 'rule vurrom' CAKE

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1-0-H.: 'They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great watersg These see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. DIVI E ERVICE The two ships l1ave had two chaplains. Chaplain Gordon McGinnis reported before the commissioning of CVE 21 and left CVE 106 in Manila. Chaplain Edward Reighard is his successor. The Hammond Organ installed in the hangar deck has enriched the services and furnished much enter- tainment. The beautiful altar and its appurtenances, pro- vided by the Navy, is further enriched by a prayerbook pre- sented by the DAR of Block Island, R. I. The Chaplains have not only provided counsel and regular services aboard but have sought to comfort men in the ex- tremities of life. In addition to those already mentioned the following men gave their lives while on duty in these ships. lst Lieutenant Harold Paul Harmer, USMCR was declared missing at Luzon. P. I. PFC ,loseph Lawrence Cordova, USMCR, was knocked off balance by the tail of a plane striking him as it swerved. He fell from the catwalk to the glllll 5110115011 llClOXV. TfSgt. John Donald Sykes, lr., USMC was knocked from the flight deck when an incoming plane landed on top of a plane parked on the flight deck. These men are to be nnlnhercd among the llc-rocs of the ship.