Walt Harrington's Letters to the Editor


I posted "Patriots Point Might Cut Exhibits" on the home page an article from the Post and Courier written by Allyson Bird.
Walt gave her these replies:
 

Allyson:

I read your article about the Laffey "Running out of time".  I live here in South Carolina,  just about an hour away on Lake Marion.  I served on the USS Laffey in the Korean War and have been working on her since the early 80's when they brought her to Patriot's Point.  I also helped to put her back in commission in the late 1950's.  This ship means so much to so many Veterans and their famalies.  I know a lot of these so called "law makers" see it as a money maker and because times are tough now, they want to let "Her" go away.

They have never been on any of our work party's and seen an old Veteran cry while he is chipping paint or painting a bulkhead remembering his lost shipmates that lost their lives so we could have the privilege to keep the memories of why we went to war and fought for our country.  The USS LAFFEY is not just an old war ship, to all the Veterans it is, I would say "A Shrine".

I was married on the Laffey ten years ago on the 28th of April.  Both my wife and I hope to be cremated and our ashes put of the fantail of the Laffey.  The way they're talking now, we'll have to find another place when our time comes.

Speaking for all the Laffey family, we thank you for your articles and we hope they will have an input on saving our ship.

I just wanted to let someone know the feelings we have for our most precious ship.

Thank you,

WALT HARRINGTON  


Second Letter:

Allyson:

Why would the state of South Carolina want to do away with such an historical ship as the USS Laffey and still maintain one ship and still be able to call Patriot's Point a maritime museum?  The Japanese could not sink her in the second world war and the North Koreans tried also and failed in the Korean War, also known as The Forgotten War.

There was a reason why she earned the title as "The Ship That Would Not Die".  I would like to think that all of South Carolina would be proud to know they were blessed to have that special old war ship berthed there in Patriots Point, South Carolina.

Why was the USS Laffey put into the Historical Register?  I'm sure not to take her out to sea and sink as a reef.

Mr. Hagarty mentioned if she sinks where she is now, it would be a big blow, not only to Patriots Point, but to all Veterans.  If she had been repaired properly the last time she was in dry dock, this situation would never happened as it did.  But if the Laffey does sink at her berthing what is the big deal, they raised the Hunley from the bottom of the ocean.

Someone mentioned about the tourist numbers were down, well anybody can read the paper now and see that we are in tough times.  The Laffey has been the most kept up ship at Patriots Point and the second money maker there. The Laffey has been maintained mostly by those who have served on her, other destroyer sailors, our association members and friends who have cared.  Yes, Patriots Point's staff has done their share of work also.  I believe I can speak for all Veterans and try to make a plea that this old warship needs to be repaired so her gallant stories of her survival to keep our country free can be told for many more years.

Please don't let us Veterans down.

Thank you,

WALT HARRINGTON
1881 Lake Marion Shores Rd.
Summerton, South Carolina  29148
803 478 3118

If anyone would care to share their thoughts, Allyson Bird can be e-mailed at abird@postandcourier.com
or  editor@postandcourier.com

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