I am thrilled to announce that I am turning the helm over to our next President. That being Peter Schermerhorn, a fellow OS from 1975.
Also, our Historian, Hugh Doyle, has been persuaded to become the Vice President of the Association while maintaining his position of official Historian of the Kirk. As a reminder, please send any memorabilia to him, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you, for archiving. Photos are especially valued.
And filling the third Association Officer slot, please welcome David Hyson as our new Treasurer.
Captain Jacobs and myself, will not be riding off into the sunset however, we are standing by to make the transition of leadership as seamless as possible. As loyal crewmembers, we will always be on call for the Kirk and its crewmembers.
Jim (Bon) Bongaard
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
To the crews of the USS Kirk during Operation Frequent Wind:
Gentlemen,
I found your website from listening to the NPR series on the USS Kirk last week.
I was 15 year old, living in the Vietnamese Naval Base in Saigon during the last days of war. Since my father was a South Vietnam Green Beret Lt. Col, staying under the Communist rule was not an option for us! So we found ourselves among hundred of thousand other desperate Vietnamese, trying to flee the incoming oppression. My family and I was on the South Vietnam naval vessel HQ-3 at Con Son Island when the USS Kirk came back to lead us to Subic Bay. Until now, I did not know it was the USS Kirk that came to our rescue.
Needless to say, the crews of the USS Kirk had saved many lives, and my family and I were among those people. Just to let you know how this small family that you helped to save has become:
My father did the best he could to support his family of 3 kids and a wife. He started out as a shop floor cleaner in Erie, PA and ended up to be a skilled precision instrument calibration technician at Metro Shipyard in Norfolk, VA. He passed away due to liver complication (Agent Orange?) in 1985. He overcame many difficulties and was successfully raised us to adulthood.
My younger brother, younger sister and I attended and graduated from college. My sister has been working for the US Bureau of Census. My brother worked for the US Army for a while then opened his own software support company. I spent my whole career working for the US Navy. Currently, I am heading an engineering branch at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, performing research and development on making our ships more survivable.
Just a few words to let you know the outcome of your good deed, and thank you for saving us.
God Bless,
David Nguyen
Dear David,
So sorry it has taken so long to reply, but I have been very busy with personal matters after turning over my Presidency of the Kirk Association to my dear shipmate Peter Schermerhorn.
Just like the movie and the NPR series your family’s story brought tears to my eyes. It is, exactly, the format that your family traveled after coming to the US that makes all the Kirk’s crewmebers hearts swell with pride.
Your family came with nothing but a dream, starting at the bottom, not asking for a new life but creating one from hard work. That is what our country is all about, and that is what makes us Kirk sailors so proud.
I would like to speak with you personally when you have time. My phone number is 704 598 3590. Call me anytime.
My, and my shipmates, condolences on your fathers passing. I believe, however, he is smiling upon your family’s achievements. As a SVN Green Beret he is a TRUE hero.
Jim “Bon” Bongaard
OS2 USS Kirk 1972 – 1975
Plankowner USS Kirk Commissioning 1972
Founder of the USS Kirk Association
President of the USS Kirk Association 2008-2010
Dear sirs, do you have a regular E-mail address? I have information concerning what I believe to be the bronze commisioning plaque of the USS Kirk. It is in our possesion in Los Angeles,Ca. I can send you digital photos if you desire. Our company is interested in possibly returning this piece of Naval Military history to your Association. Please respond to me at your earliest convienence. Thank you in advance.