From: tomnan@intercom.net

To: Amphibs@rpadden.com

Cc: ps@cstone.net

Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 7:48 PM

Subject: Amphib Memorial - Saving the Last APA

I am writing you because of your website. I am part of a group that is trying to build interest in saving the last remaining Haskell class APA in existence, the USS Gage, APA-168. It is in the hands of  MARAD the (Maritime Administration) in their James River Reserve Fleet in Virginia.

The ship was a veteran of the Pacific war and was removed from service in 1947. It remains much as it was at that time and would be a fitting memorial to the class of ship and the men that crewed them.

I was on an APA myself, the USS Rockbridge APA-228. I am not asking for any money just a posting on your site to see how much interest we can get and if we can have people write to the Maritime Administration to save the ship as a memorial.

The Captain of the ship during the Iwo Jima and Okinawa timeframe is still alive and we are also getting his support to save the ship.

If you would enter the information on your site it would be most appreciated.

For further information about the project you could contact Peter Stoudt at  ps@cstone.net.        Thanks- Tom Gonzalez