Amphibian Special Edition

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SPECIAL EDITION The Camp Gordon Johnston Association AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 2014

Final Plans for Permanent

Location Revealed!Architectural Drawings, Construction plans, Permitting and siteDrawings are completed. Fund-raising efforts are intensied by CGJA Board.

Located on U.S. Hwy 98 across the street from CarrabelleBeach where practice landings were conducted by 3 Infantry

Divisions and 2 Special Brigades, the location holds a com-

manding view of the Bay which was wide enough to handle

all types of landing craft.

At the time when landings were held, the museum land itself

was covered with barbed wire obstacles that the soldiers had

to land to pass through or eliminate.

Land engineering company Innovia, LLC is the prime con-

tractor while Architectural rm 4th Design, both of Talla-

hassee, Florida is completing the construction plans. Bids

for construction are in the range of $450,000.00 for the rst

stage of the location.

Our fund-raising progress can be monitored on our web page

by clicking onto “Building Fund”. Donations can also be

made through the web site. Various levels of contributions

are offered. These persons or organizations will be listed on a

bronze plaque in the main entrance of the building.

A small memorial area with Kiosks honoring the units that

trained here will also be constructed at a future date.

A r t i s t s c o n s e p t i o n o f p h a s e o n e b u i l d

i n g

Eventually the complex will house two buildings a, park-ing area and memorial. Funding for the complex will be

accomplished through donations and grants. Although the

grants process has been non-productive to date the Franklin

County Commission on September 17th passed a budget

which included instructing the Franklin County Tourist De-

velopment Council to allocate $250,000 to the CGJA from

the Tourist Bed Tax. There is some question as to whether

this money will be available, however.

WWII Vet John Easley visits MuseumOn September 3rd, 95 year old John Easley visited the

Museum. John was stationed at camp Gordon Johnston as a

Pharmacist at the camp hospital.

John served for two years at the hospital before being

shipped off to France. This was his rst return visit to the

area since WWII. Joining John were his children and their

spouses.

Linda interviewed John and Manny video-taped the inter-

view. We hope John can visit us again. John, his children

and our staff all enjoyed the visit.



Page two AMPHIBIAN SPECIAL EDITION August -September 2014

The Viet Nam era exhibit has been expanded to include new displays donated by the Viet Nam era veterans. While not

diluting the “purity” of our WWII history mission, it has become difcult to not recognize our newest and most ardent

veteran members. The assistance and support these Viet Nam era vets have shown towards our efforts, has helped make

the CGJA WWII Museum one of the featured attractions of Franklin County, Florida. We also have displays for the

“Spanish American War, WWI, the Korean conict and the current Middle-East war veterans.

Recent donation of an M-1 Garrand WWII rie was donated to

the CGJ WWII Museum by Mr. Jimmy Musconis of Apalachicola,

Florida. The donation was a dedication of one generation soldiers

(Viet Nam) recognizing the contributions of another (WWII) gen-

eration of American heroes.

Mr. Musconis grew up in Apalachicola and served as a platoon

leader during the Viet Nam conict, earning a CIB, Purple Heart,

bronze star as well as other decorations. Jimmy was instrumental

in getting the “Three Soldiers Statue” Park located to Apalachico-

la. Jimmy also served on the Franklin County Board of Commis-

sioners and was instrumental in helping the CGJA secure zoning

for the new museum location.

Honoring our Vietnam Generation.......

Vietnam exhibit grows at the Museum........

As does the Movie Theatre Seating..... A gift of 1940’s theatre seating

from the “Flying Sea Monkeys”

Antique store in Carrabelle, the

20 seat array was planned andarranged by our newest em-

ployee Manny Gass. Manny rst

came to us as a volunteer, shar-

ing time while he cares for his

ailing father, a Vietnam veteran.

We are grateful for the donations

we receive from our many sup-

porters and we know that they

are happy to add the own memo-

ries and experiences with others

to the benet of everyone.



August-September 2014 AMPHIBIAN SPECIAL EDITION Page three

On uesday August 12th the allahassee VA broughtseven veterans to visit the CGJ WWII Museum. Te HUD/VASH program is designed to provide case managers, andothers who work with homeless Veterans in the program,with a comprehensive set of resources to assist in addressingthe multifaceted needs of homeless Veterans.

Te Department of Housing and Urban Development – VASupportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program is a joint effortbetween HUD and VA to move Veterans and their fami-lies out of homelessness and into permanent housing. HUDprovides housing assistance through its Housing ChoiceVoucher Program (Section 8) that allows homeless Veteransto rent privately owned housing. VA offers eligible homelessVeterans clinical and supportive services through its healthcare system across the 50 states, the District of Columbia,Puerto Rico and Guam.

Te CGJA hopes that visiting our museum will allow us tobe a small part in supporting the VA’s efforts.

HUD/VASH division of the VA. Visits

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum.

Left to right: CGJA Board members Greg Kristofferson and David Butler and

Melisssa Violette and James Finn of the HUD/VASH division of theVA.

Museum Day 2014Step back into history during the Smith-

sonian Magazine National Museum Day

at the Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Mu-

seum located in Carrabelle on Saturday,

September 27th.

This will be the 8th consecutive year the

museum has been asked to participate

in this event. The museum will be openfrom 10 A.M. till 4 P.M. with refresh-

ments, live music playing popular songs

from WWII, Video interviews of WWII

veterans, some local, training lms from

the camp and the series “America in the

40’s” will be running through-out the day.

Displays, artifacts, photographs, gift shop

all await you, your friends and family.

As always, admission is by donation and

appreciated.

The Camp Gordon Johnston WWII

Museum is supported, in part, by the

Franklin County Tourist Development

Council1001 Gray Avenue • Carrabelle, Florida • 850 697-8575

Open: Mon.-Thurs. 1300-1600 hours

Fri.-1200-1600 hours Sat. 1000-1400 hours

Tours welcome • Admission by donation

Come to the Camp Gordon Johnston Days parade—

second Saturday in March of each year.

Visit the Camp Gordon JohnstonWWII Museum!

Assistant hired to help Museum Curator

Manual “Manny” Gass is the new staffassistant the Camp Gordon Johnston Mu-seum. Many replaces Bobbye Winchesterwho has retired to be home with her hus-band, Sid, until he recovers.Manny is the son of a U.S. Army soldierand a German mother. Although born inGermany, Manny has lived in Carrabellealmost all of his life. He is the caregiver for

his father, a Vietnam veteran.Manny’s love of history, his computer skills and ability to build dis-plays makes him perfect for this job and we feel very lucky to havehim.

Camp Gordon Johnston Museum

Invited to Westminster Oaks as

Part of Veterans Program

On Thursday, September 18th, the Museum was part of a program

aimed at informing veterans of events, educational programs and futureprojects for the Tallahassee area.

Westminster Oaks is a retirement community, church related, not-for-

prot community service organization dedicated and committed to pro-

viding services for older adults and persons with special needs.

The rst part of the program concerned the new Veteran’s Memorial

Cemetery which will be built on 110 acres of government property 10

miles east of Tallahassee on Apalachee Parkway. It is expected that ap-

proximately 110,000 veterans will be interned in this memorial resting

place.

The Museum presentation was delivered by museum curator Linda

Minichiello who gave a talk about the history of the camp, the mission

of the museum and the importance of preserving our history, as well as

many anecdotes and stories of veterans, how the museum operates and

our future plans.

Both presentations were well received and there were approximately

50 people in the audience. Almost all of them veterans.

Join the Camp Gordon JohnstonAssociation on-line today! go to:www.campgordonjohnston.com

You can now contribute to our Endowment

through the Community Foundation ofNorth Florida.Go to our the web page andclick on: Findlearngive.org



Page four AMPHIBIAN SPECIAL EDITION August -September 2014

Upcoming Events...

Contact Us

Pro Shop: 850-227-1751Dan Van Treese: 850-227-8138Tony Minichiello: 850-528-2125

Special Lodging Package:

Mainstay Suites: $69.99 QueenSuite per night, $89.99 KingDeluxe Suite per night.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 20146:00 p.m. Eastern – A Silent Auction will be held in the St. Joseph Bay Golf Club Clubhouse featuringmany unique items: military and sports memorabilia, paintings, antiques, jewelry, photographs andmuch, much more! Enjoy live music by The Boyer Band with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.Cost of admittance: $10.00 (unless registered for tournament by October 26, 2014).Includes one free drink.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 8, 201412:30 p.m. Eastern – Ceremony Saluting America’s Veterans

1:00 p.m. Eastern – Shotgun Start, 4 player best-ball format.Entry fee: $50 for members or $60 for non-members ifregistered by October 26, 2014.* This fee will entitle you to:

• Free entry to Silent Auction with one free drinkand hors d’oeuvres;

• One basket of range balls prior to teeing off;

• Golf cart for the tournament;

• Free luncheon following tournament.

* After October 26, 2014, there is an additionalcharge of $10.00 to attend the auction.

Cash prizes include (based on number of golfers):

$400: First Place team $350: Second Place team$200: Third Place team

“Hole-in-One” Challenge:Cash prize $10,000

Sponsorship Levels

$500 Division Sponsor $250 Brigade Sponsor $100 Company Sponsor $50 Platoon Sponsor

Sponsors’ names will be posted onall signs and website.

A two-day event to honorour veterans and benefitCamp Gordon JohnstonWorld War II Museum(Carrabelle, FL) and

St. Joseph Bay Golf Club.

(Rain Date:November 15, 2014)

Admission is by donati on, and appreciated. This lm is one in a seri es shown monthly to

educate our visitors on the sacrices made, for us, by our WWII generation.

Free popcorn will be served.

It’s 1944 during WWII. During Captain Joe Newman, M.D.’s reign as

head of the psychiatric ward at Colfax Air Force Base in Arizona, the

number of patients in the ward has grown exponentially. According to

Newman, the diagnoses are now only more accurate, not the

number of air force personnel who have actually required

psychiatric assistance. This assessment is against that of

the base commander, Colonel Edgar Peyser, who believes

many of the patients are t for active war duty. Newman

feels his ward is short staffed and he does whatever

he needs to to get additional staff. So when Corporal

Jake Leibowitz comes to the hospital to be assigned to

work as an orderly in another ward, Newman manages to

abscond the reluctant Leibowitz to work in the psych ward.

One not high on ceremony, the excitable and energetic

Leibowitz adds a little needed levity into the day to day

operations of the ward, although many of his actions are

less than military regulation. Newman also coerces the

beautiful nurse, Lieutenant Francie Corum, to transferinto the ward, Newman believing her beauty will soothe

the patients’ psyches. Three of the more interesting cases

in the ward are that of: Colonel Norville Bliss, who knows

he needs help but isn’t sure what is causing his mental

breaks; Captain Paul Winston, whose primary symptom is

a constant need to sleep, his mental issues which his VIP

family would rather not deal with directly; and Corporal Jim Tompkins, whose excessive alcohol consumption, insomnia

and bravado overshadow his real emotional issues.

Saturday, October 25th at 1015 hours

Captain Newman, M.D.

Nominated for Three Oscars!

Air-Conditioned with retro 1940/50’s theatre seating!

Golf Tournament needs Items

for Silent Auction!

We still need more items for the silent auction

that will occur Friday evening November 7th.

If you have something of value that would

be appropriate, please contact the Museum at

850 697-8575 and bring , or send, the item to

the museum. Remember all donations are tax

deductible.

The types of things that are normally bid

on are gift baskets, art prints and paintings,

athletic items, shing items, wine baskets, gift

certicates for lodging and restaurants and

similar items.

Honor your veteran hero with amarker duringthe 4th annual Salute

to veterans golf tournament !

Be a SponSor…..The Camp Gordon Johnston Golf Tournament To be held on November 8th at the St. Joseph Bay Golf Club

Here’s your opportunity to become a sponsor for the “Salute to Veterans” golf tournamentbeing held at the St. Joe Golf Club on Saturday, November 8th, 2014. This event is beingheld for two reasons: To honor all American Veterans and to keep open the doors to theCamp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle, Florida.The mission of this unique museum is to keep alive the history of America’s efforts inending the tyranny that took the lives of millions of innocent people. The museum alsoeducates visitors and students on Florida’s contribution to the war effort. We have madeeducation one of our main components. We welcome all visitors, tours,and all types ofgroups activities to visit our museum. Visit our website at: www.campgordonjohnston.com

$50.00 Platoon Sponsor (Your sponsorship will be placed on the 18th hole)$100.00 Company Sponsor (Your sponsorship will be placed on the 10th through 17thhole)$250.00 Brigade Sponsor (Your sponsorship will be placed on the 4th through the 9thhole)$500.00 Division Sponsor (Your sponsorship will be displayed at the starting hole)

(You may also choose to sponsor as an individual, your business or recognize a specialveteran who has served in the military)Make Check payable to: St. Joseph Bay Golf Club CGJ Tournament

Sponsor’s contact information:Mary Kelly, Dan Van Treese:850 227-1751 or Tony Minichiello: 850 528-2125

Museum Day 2014Saturday, September 27th

The Camp Gordon Johnston Association is a 501 c (3) not for prot corporation dedicated to preserving the history of the Amphibious

Soldiers of WWII who trained in Franklin County, Florida and is funded, in part, by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

The Camp Gordon Johnston WWII

Museum is a part of the Florida

World War II Heritage Trail.

Come celebrate with us! This marks the eighth consecutive year that the Camp Gordon

Johnston WWII Museum has been asked to par ticipate in the

Smithsonian Magazine’s Annual National Museum Day .

The museum is located in the Carrabelle Municipal Complex,

at 1001 Gray Ave., Carrabelle, Florida. We will be welcoming

visitors from 10 A.M. until 4 P.M. Come view our ever-growing

exhibits. Our gift shop will be open all day. Hear live music

and enjoy f ree refreshments!

As always, admission is by donation. You can learn more about

the Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum and download

directions at www.campgordonjohnston.com. You may

contact us by e-mail at [email protected]

or call (850) 697-8575. For further information on National

Museum Day, please visit Smithsonianmagazine.com/

museumday .

a n a t u r a l e s c ape.c o m

Tourist Development Council

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