USS Brownson (DD-868)

USS Brownson Association Website News

Issue #6 - Thursday, January 12, 2003
Website: www.ussbrownson.com
Email: webmaster@ussbrownson.com

Merry Christmas Merry Christmas

Hi and Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel, Mele Kalikimaka, Mitho Makosi Kesikansi or whatever else may apply. If I didn't get your native language you can probably find the appropriate greeting here. The photo of the card was contributed by Ron Tamoush (FT2, 60-63). It was recently sent to him by RADM J. Edward Snyder who was the Captain of the USS Brownson in the early '60's. He found it while clearing out his attic. The card will be 40 years old this Christmas. Ron also included a Christmas dinner menu. Both are posted in full size in the gallery in the "Various" section.

OK, the card's a little late, as this newsletter. As usual, I didn't get this out anywhere near when I intended. With a full time job and a half a dozen websites to maintain I'm finding it increasingly difficult to find time to do this. I've decided for my New Year's resolution, to stop promising to do better next time. I'll just get these things out when I find some time and have enough material.

Anyway, hope you all had a happy holiday and I wish you the best in the coming year.




In This Issue:


New Brownson Memorabilia

Since the last newsletter we have received photos and other memorabilia from the following Brownson shipmates:


Reunion News


Website Changes

If you were sharp you might have noticed the masthead on this newsletter now says that the website address is www.ussbrownson.com. It's really not, but I've registered the name and set up a redirect to the current address. All this means is that you can enter ussbrownson.com into your browser (you don't really need the "www") and you should go to the site. This is the first step in a site redesign that I'm working on to make it a little more professional. As I said in the introduction, I'm making no promises as to when that will happen but it shouldn't be too long. Depending on where you live and how long the name servers take to update, the redirect may not work by the time you read this but should within the next 24 hours.


New Email Addresses

The following addresses have been added or updated since the last newsletter


New Links

Jack Richardson directed me to Warships1. It's a comprehensive database of warships from all over the world. If you have a few hours to kill, check it out. Jack also pointed me at the site of the USS Haynsworth (DD-700). They have a really nice site with a lot of good ideas that I will be "appropriating" when I get a chance.

I've also added a link to the Kitchen Table Gang site. This is a group of folks who try to make life easier for hospitalized veterans by sending "care packages", writing letters, etc. Please check out the site and help them in any way you can.


Mystery Photo

I found this picture on my hard disk and unfortunately don't know who sent it to me. If it was you, please contact me and let me know the details.




Humor Dept.

Last but not least, another contribution from Jack Richardson ...

USMC Rules for Gunfighting

  1. Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns.
  2. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Your life is expensive.
  3. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.
  4. If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough nor using cover correctly.
  5. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)
  6. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.
  7. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived.
  8. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and running.
  9. Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on "pucker factor" than the inherent accuracy of the gun.
  10. Use a gun that works EVERY TIME.
  11. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.
  12. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.
  13. Have a plan.
  14. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.
  15. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.
  16. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.
  17. Don't drop your guard.
  18. Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.
  19. Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them).
  20. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.
  21. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.
  22. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
  23. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.
  24. Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.
  25. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with a ".4"

Navy Rules to Gunfighting

  1. Go to Sea
  2. Send the Marines
  3. Drink Coffee

Contribute to the Memorabilia Collection

We would love to have you make a contribution to our growing collection of memorabilia. We can accept just about any form of electronic media. Ideally, photos should be scanned at 200-300 dpi, saved in jpeg format and zipped in a compressed file but just about anything will do. Winzip (www.winzip.com) is about the best compression program and is pretty easy to use. If you would prefer to send actual materials please me first.

That's about it for now. Talk to you next issue.

Bob Sanderson (ETN3)
USS Brownson Association Webmaster
webmaster@ussbrownson.com


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