Dear Amo,                                             August 8 2003

We have received the news that the US Navy tanker USS Canisteo AO 99 is soon to be scrapped.  Having served on the USS Tappahannock AO 43 and living in the village of Canisteo, I have a personal interest in acquiring some memento of this venerable ship.

We have in our Kanestio Historical Society an oil painting of the ship rendered by a former crew member.  We have been visited at different times by several crewmembers, one of whom was a "plank" member.  Launched in 1945 she was not among the twenty tankers listed as being in Tokyo Bay at the big event that took place aboard the USS Missouri.  However, her presence in Antarctica as a support vessel did result in a small piece of land being named the Canisteo Peninsula, you can look it up.

Having grown up in the vicinity of lakes Keuka and Seneca, and the rivers Chemung and Conhockton and Canisteo, I have an appreciation for and have been shaped by this place and her people.  I feel confident you share a similar affection for these,
"a few of my favorite things"

To obtain some tangible evidence of the relationship between our community and the events that have taken place in the world during our lifetime is surely a worthy goal.  The president of Sampson WW-2 Navy VETERANS., Inc.  Steve Bull assures me that it is still possible to acquire something meaningful from these old vessels as they are put to rest.  He also suggests that he knows no one better able to help us than you.

So if you can discover what may remain to choose from on the USS Canisteo, and help us find a way to get it here, we will put it in a place of honor and display it with respect.  On a personal note, I would delight in putting my hands on the helm or steering wheel one more time.  And of course that bell on the bridge is the most prized item.  On the principle of "see]: and ye shall find," surely we can find something to show off to the youngsters among us.

     Respectfully,
            Ole Bill Wheeler


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Dear Amo,                                             August 8 2003

We have received the news that the US Navy tanker USS Canisteo AO 99 is soon to be scrapped.  Having served on the USS Tappahannock AO 43 and living in the village of Canisteo, I have a personal interest in acquiring some memento of this venerable ship.

We have in our Kanestio Historical Society an oil painting of the ship rendered by a former crew member.  We have been visited at different times by several crewmembers, one of whom was a "plank" member.  Launched in 1945 she was not among the twenty tankers listed as being in Tokyo Bay at the big event that took place aboard the USS Missouri.  However, her presence in Antarctica as a support vessel did result in a small piece of land being named the Canisteo Peninsula, you can look it up.

Having grown up in the vicinity of lakes Keuka and Seneca, and the rivers Chemung and Conhockton and Canisteo, I have an appreciation for and have been shaped by this place and her people.  I feel confident you share a similar affection for these,
"a few of my favorite things"

To obtain some tangible evidence of the relationship between our community and the events that have taken place in the world during our lifetime is surely a worthy goal.  The president of Sampson WW-2 Navy VETERANS., Inc.  Steve Bull assures me that it is still possible to acquire something meaningful from these old vessels as they are put to rest.  He also suggests that he knows no one better able to help us than you.

So if you can discover what may remain to choose from on the USS Canisteo, and help us find a way to get it here, we will put it in a place of honor and display it with respect.  On a personal note, I would delight in putting my hands on the helm or steering wheel one more time.  And of course that bell on the bridge is the most prized item.  On the principle of "see]: and ye shall find," surely we can find something to show off to the youngsters among us.

     Respectfully,
            Ole Bill Wheeler


Links: