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USS Franklin
| Our Shipmate - Joe Allen, Found this story about the man in costume in This picture. Every Thursday, Richard Don Simms picks up 4 doz. fried pies from Mindy Lu's and 4doz. cinnamon rolls from Ginger Brown's Old Tyme Restaurant . He then takes them to the USO/ DFW Airport. The soldiers love them. What an honor to play banjo for the troops . . (note edited from a message received from - Richard Don Simms, From Ft. Worth,Texas) . Oh! The owners donate the sweets. Richard Simm's father died in the bomb attack on the USS Franklin in March of 1945. Father O'Callahan (USS O'Callahan) was awarded the medal of honor for his efforts on that day and his story is told in this website by Bob Blanchard, a survivor. Richard is also featured at SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. Visit the site. It is worth it.  This is a great story about the little things Mr. Simms does to cheer up the troops in today's generation of heroes. (A letter to Mrs. Simms - view here) text : Dear Mrs. Simms,I have sent you via Navy Draft a longer but general letter. I wish here to express by personal sympathy at the loss of your husband. May God ease your sorrow. Joseph T. O'Callahan ... ... See the beautiful resolution prepared and presented to the Simm's from The Texas Senate. Mr. Brimer was beaten in the last election after 20 yrs. in Austin. He authored this Resolution for my Dad. A great Senator. RDS |  |
You MUST see this photo of Richard as a little boy with his dad. Photo 2 blog entry on Richard Simms Photo 3 The Ship that Wouldn't Die Photo 4 Last Letter Home to Parents. Franklin is headed West. Photo 5 We Regret to Inform You .. The unwanted telegram. Photo 6 From Dad - Enjoy First Day of School, Don. The ship was attacked on March 19,1945.The telegram arrived April 5,1945. The story of the loss of DAD was printed in the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram May 19,1945 (with picture) RDS (click on the picture for a full size copy of the letter) Richard's Dad died in the bomb attack on USS Franklin in 1945. We Regret to Inform You .. The unwanted telegram One of Tammy Swofford's websites tells of the day that Mom and I received the telegram. We received it April 5,1945. " Big Ben,with Santa Fe,steamed slowly into Pearl Harbor on April 3rd,1945. In the words of one of the men,'On March 3rd we had sailed from Pearl- so clean, so proud, and in such fighting trim. On April 3rd we were returning , in such a wrecked condition that it was almost unbelievable.' " That quote is from Big Ben THE FLAT TOP / The Story of the U.S.S. Franklin/ Albert Love Enterprises USS O'Callahan was named for Fr. O'Callahan, who was one of two medal of honor recipients from the USS Franklin. The Story of the Photograph (Fr. O'Callahan) Told HERE in VIdeo. |   |
 April 30,2002 Tarrant County College and I got these three Franklin Veterans to speak about their time on board the SHIP. I also was on stage. 300 students were in awe. From left,Mr. Frank Turner,Coxswain Vi-Div.,RDS, George Black,RM3/c K-Div.,trapped with Dad. Dad opened hatch allowing Mr. Black and 11 others to go free. Mr. Gayle Bowen,Coxswain,5th Div, who was sitting with Dad peeling potatoes for noon meal when bombs hit. Mr. Bowen was trapped with 300 who were set free by Don Gary. Nov. 6,2006 Grapevine High School honored Dad by placing a stone in his memory in their Veterans Garden of Memories. I was there to cut the ribbon. GHS honors vets each Veterans Day. RDS  To Contact DonRichard Don Simms 4212 Normandy Road Ft. Worth, Texas 76103 Phone 817- Banjo Player Pianist Comedian |   |
| A message in 2008 from Don to his Dad: Dad, You said it all in that letter. I had you as a Dad for only 7 years and 7 months but you were the best Dad in the world. I did my best to take care of Mom. Dad,We got a big vote coming up. I'm concerned. ...................... Don,You got to vote the right way. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. Love ya,BOY. |  |
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Latest page update: made by me3tv
, May 25 2009, 10:59 AM EDT
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First day at school 1944.jpg (JPEG Image - 194k)
posted by me3tv May 25 2009, 10:55 AM EDT
Letter- First Day at School
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SIMMS-Jan.1945 letter from Dad.jpg (JPEG Image - 431k)
posted by me3tv Jan 8 2009, 10:57 AM EST
Last Letter to Mom and Dad
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simmsRegret to inform you (telegram).jpg (JPEG Image - 469k)
posted by me3tv Jan 7 2009, 3:08 PM EST
Regret to Inform You Telegram
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Admiral Mike Mullen Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.jpg (JPEG Image - 245k)
posted by me3tv Nov 19 2008, 7:03 AM EST
Letter from CNO 2008
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Simms-Copy of 03_23_1.JPEG (JPEG Image - 1,556k)
posted by me3tv Nov 10 2008, 7:24 PM EST
Don and His Dad in Sailor Suits
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