Hi Gary from Fred Martin,
I remember your dad, Mr. Senkus, as he was my division officer I recall. I also recall him having a Corvette and I got the job of making new knock off hubcaps for it in the machine shop as I was a machinery repairman and worked in the light and heavy machine shops. The time period was 1961-1962 though...again recalling from memory. Funny, I don't remember any other officers...but I do remember your dad. Something tells me that I remember him smoking a pipe, does that sound right? He was a good officer and I don't remember anything bad about him. I think he was a Chief Warrant Officer. Cheers, Fred Martin, Greenfield, Ohio..(ex MR-2) USS Arcadia AD-23


From: Richard J Grinnan (Irishcap10@comcast.net) Date: 06-Dec-2004 21:41 | delete

I reported aboard Arcadia Aug of 60 your Dad was my Div Officer (R-2Div Foundry).He was a great guy.I remember he had a corvette I believe. We had it on the well deck one time on a trip We made to Mayport If I remember right.Ltcom.Raymond was Repair officer,I Think he was a mustang.That was agreat Ship And a great Div. And your Dad Had A lot to do with it.I left there for the Grand Canyon headed for the med .I always Missed that ship and her crew.My younger Brother de -commisoned it.


Gary ,I was so glad to hear from you .I have other stories to share with you as I think of them . I see you are Navy so you know about those special ,People And Ships that im pact your life forever. Wishing you fair winds and following seas ,and a joyous season. Rich Grinnan


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Richard,
Your words about my Dad are very kind. I have read and reread your post many times, have been left watery eyed by it. Dad showed me a strech of road between Jax and Mayport that he opened up the corvette on after it arrived on the trip aboard the Arcadia in Mayport. He later left alone for Mayport his final duty station and retired shortly after. I joined him a couple of years later at age 14. Newport but most of all the Arcadia 23, ships picnics, eating aboard ship, seeing her decorated at Christmas, waiting somewhere around Portsmouth, RI with other family members for first siteing of her as she returned from a cruise (may have been the Mayport trip, was young back then), made that period of my life as the Navy I knew.
I never have had so much trouble sending an email as this one. Thank you for spending the time to post those words that I will never forget.
I hope this special day goes well for you and your loved ones.
Gary Senkus

Gary,
Happy New Year. Just a little reflection on your Dad . I had made 3rd class in April and was getting married in June . As luck whould have it the leave schudle did not allow for me to start my leave to coincide with the wedding .I had special Liberity provided by your Dad for my best man and I to commence on Friday at 1200 and end at 0730 on Monday morining .I returned to Newport on Sunday afternoon We got settled into one of the motels near the base and reported back to the ship 0730 Monday morning.
Around 1000 your Dad showed up in the foundry congradulated me and handed me my liberty card and provided me with special liberty for Mondat & Tuesday . I started my honeymoon Leave on Wednesday. I was transferd to the Grand Canyon the following Aug headed for the Med .I never returned To New port but I never fogot his kindness. I am now 64 years old ,retired and living at the Jersey shore four miles fron the ocean.
But I will never forget the the Arcadia. I guess your Dad is gone by now but if by chance he isnt give him my best. Fair winds and smooth seas ,Rich