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Comanche 202 - News and current events

Shipmates: It's going good at the museum dock but we need some help showing people around, especially this Saturday, June 13th. If you can come from noon to late afternoon or early evening please let me know a.s.a.p.
Also, we will be working aboard later today (Thursday) and on Friday painting, etc. and showing anyone around as we have the manpower and time to do so.

Sunday there is a special event at the museum for two very important historic tug people (their 50th wedding anniversary) and they have asked us to be available to show some of the 150 guests around early in the afternoon!
Late afternoon on this Sunday, after 5pm, we will be moving Comanche to the long finger pier behind where we are tied up at the request of the museum.... and for a much lesser cost to us than where we are. We can stay there until July 10th when another vessel is scheduled to be there.

Between now and July 10th we hope to have open house for visitors each Saturday, June 20, 27th, July 4th (the big one!).

And we need to raise at least $500 to pay for the mooring cost thru to July 10th, which is a real bargain for us! After July 10th we'll probably go out and anchor off Tacoma unless something else comes up, so we'll need a crew for that move on July 10th or maybe the 11th, a Saturday.

It's going well and we anticipate it will get even better. A great deal of interest in Comanche in Tacoma.
Please let me know if you are available the next few days. If you plan to come to the museum, please park on the street and not in the museum lot, they have very limited room for their guests. There is plent of street parking for free. The lot next to the museum is a charge lot you can use if you pay the fee. Bring a lunch and a drink.

Thanks, "Red skies at night", Joe Peterson, Director of Operations, Comanche 202 Foundation. (253) 227-9678 Call or email me if you have any questions. I'll be abaord Comanche much of today and Friday thru Sunday.

FYI

Submitted by Joe V. Peterson, Comanche 202 Foundation
(253) 227-9678 June 6, 2009.

After residing in Olympia area since January, 2007, the historic vessel USN ATA 202 and USCG Cutter Comanche has left Olympia for Tacoma on Friday, June 5th. Comanche operated out of Tacoma for over a decade as one of the largest tugs in the Puget Sound.

Comanche is a WW-II ocean going tug that was given to the Comanche 202 Foundation in Olympia in October 2008 for preservation. It is the last vessel of its class and thought to be the last floating operational vessel involved in the second largest invasion of WW-II, at Okinawa, for which it received a battle star for rescuing combat damaged ships and saving many hundreds of sailors lives as USN ATA 202.

After WW-II it was acquired by the Coast Guard where it continued to save lives on the Pacific coast and chaise pirates in the Caribbean. In 1990 it became one of the largest ocean going tugs on the Puget Sound, even towing log barges to Olympia.
In 2007 it was decided to save the vessel as the last of her kind and the Comanche 202 Foundation was formed and the vessel was donated to the Foundation in October, 2008, by David Howard of Toledo, WA, owner of Thunder Pacific Towing.
In December 2008 it was invited by the Naval Historian at Annapolis Naval Academy to join the Naval Historic Ships Associations. It is also a member of the US Coast Guard Tug Association and the Maritime Heritage Association. Comanche is considered a rare national heritage.

Comanche has been popularly received and toured by over 2,000 visitors during her stay in the Budd Inlet at events at Olympia. Due to pressure from a few residence along the Butler Cover, near the Olympia Country Club who felt she disrupted there view of Mount Rainier, she was forced to leave her anchorage by the Aquatic Department of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Comanche had been invited to anchor in that area by beach front property owners in September of 2008.

Comanche has been invited to participate in the Tacoma Fourth of July events and other venues in the Puget Sound. It may return to Olympia for Harvest Days in early September. Olympia was the first choice of the Comanche as a home port but accommodations, outside of anchoring, are lacking for such a vessel and any continued anchorage is an issue with the DNR.

Contacts for Comanche 202 Foundation are ata202@live.com or Joe Peterson, Operations Manager, (253) 227-9678.

Olympian Newspaper, Olympia Washington 11-09-08 Article http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/655692.html

Historic Naval Ships Assn. http://hnsa.org/ships/comanche.htm

Coast Guard Tug Assoc

http://www.76fsa.org/cgta/comanchee.htm

Coast Guard News TAM Communications: http://www.coastguardchannel.com/images/news/Comanche202_022308.pdf

For the crew and guests coming with us on Comanche from Olympia to Tacoma, Friday, June 5th.

Be at Olympia's Swantown breakwater (far north) pier at 9am for the first run out to Comanche. 10am will be the last run with Mimesis out to Comanche. Unless you have a marina parking permit, park in the gravel parking lot near the office.

What to bring: Weather will be partly sunny and in the high 60s.
Bring a meat for the BBQ and salad makings for yourself and something to drink and anything else you'd like to eat or share. Coffee and tea will be available on board.
Bring your camera and binoculars if you have them. We'll make some stops for photo oportunities from Mimesis.
We should have enough life jackets for those who are already signed on.
We will be docking at the Foss Waterway Seaport Working Museum, 705 Dock Street, Tacoma, late afternoon or early evening. There should be plenty of parking. The big lots on either side of the museum a fee lots. There will be shuttle vans ready to take people back to Olympia. http://www.fosswaterwayseaport.org/

Saturday Comanche will be open to the general public for tours on from noon to 5pm. Bring your friends and family to see her and the museum. Some crew will be spending the night on Comanche.

If you have any questions call the Comanche cell phone at (253) 227-9678. Red skies at night! Joe Peterson, Operations, Comanche 202 Foundation.

Historic Naval Ships Assn. http://hnsa.org/ships/comanche.htm

Coast Guard News TAM Communications: http://www.coastguardchannel.com/images/news/Comanche202_022308.pdf

Coast Guard Tug Assoc.

http://www.76fsa.org/cgta/comanchee.htm

Important Notice Comanche Fans & Volunteers

The Comanche will be moved 40 miles under her own power from Olympia to Tacoma on this coming Friday, June 5th. Those wishing to volunteer or come along for the ride contact us a.s.a.p. Limited space available for non essential personnel.

First Priority are the regular volunteers, contributors, Foundation board and advisors: volunteers are those with over 60 hours of on board volunteer service since June 5th, 2008, or those who have volunteered recently and have contributed an average of 5 hours a month since volunteering and new volunteers since May 1st. And those who have contributed $250 or more to the Foundation in the past 12 months. There will be no 'fuel sercharge' for this volunteer working group.

Second Priority: Family members of those mentioned above can come along with for 'fuel sercharge' donation of $20 each.

Third Priority: Volunteers and family members with less than 60 hours of on board service in since June 5th, 2008, can come along as volunteers for a $60 donation 'fuel sercharge' per person.

Fourth Category: Those will no volunteer time in the past 12 months can come on a space available basis for $100 'fuel sercharge' donation per person.

If you are not sure of your volunteer status contact us. We keep tract of everyone's hours on board volunteering.

R.S.V.P. (notify) us if you desire to ride along. Deadline is Wednesday, June 3rd.

There will be a 'pot luck' lunch BBQ underway with our experienced chef Rob Hull. Items to bring will be your choice of meats (steak, fish, pork, etc.) and items for salad. Baked potatoes will be provided. b.y.o.b. drink. (Note, those volunteers crew on the move cannot have alcohol during the movement.)

There are enough life jackets for only the volunteer crew and their guests. Others coming along need to bring their own USCG approved life jacket.

Comanche has a working head (restroom) with running water. Bring your camera. Our shore boat Mimesis will be with us and will make a couple of trips out for people to take pictures of Comanche underway. Sites to see: South Sound, Anderson Island, Nisqually delta, Ft. Lewis, McNeil Island State Prison, Steilacoom, Tacoma from three sides, Tacoma Narrows twin bridges (we'll pass under them), Point Defiance, Vashon Is. Ferry and Commencement Bay. Passengers can be picked up at the public dock at the Maritime Museum, Dock Street, Tacoma Friday late afternoon.

Various operational systems will also be tested on Comanche during this trip. It's a working trip, too.

No infants or children under 12 years old. No pets. No smoking inside the ship. If it looks like rain bring appropriate clothing.

All people on board will have had either signed a release as a volunteer or will have to sign a visitors release at boarding time.

We will make the first trip from Swantown, Olympia at 9 am for Comanche at anchor and the last trip at 10 am Friday. We will get underway for Tacoma immediately. Estimated underway time is 4 to 6 hours, arriving in Tacoma between 4 to 6 pm that evening or later. Transportation back to Olympia for volunteers and family members is being arranged. Others may need to provide their own return trip to Olympia. We'll keep you post. Contact us for details.

We are making the move because the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Aquatics Department (the DNR) has 'kicked us out' of the lower Budd Inlet where we have been since September, 2008, as guest of the beach/tide lands owners. It was apparent in discussions with them they have taken the side of a handful of people by the Olympia Country Club that do not like seeing Comanche in their view of Mt. Rainier. And it was apparent the DNR knows little about maritime rules of the road or the USCG anchorages... they had never hear of USCG anchorages that I showed them from printout from the USCG site!! They have never communicated with the USCG concerning anchorages! But, we are not in spirit to quibble with them at this time.

Never-the-less, we have enjoyed our stay in Olympia and the many fine people who supported us (far more than ever complained!) We'll be back.

We are headed for Tacoma to participate in the 4th of July events and be an attraction for a time at the recently renovated Foss Waterway Seaport Museum, where the October reunion of Modoc and Comanche will be held.

We appreciate your continued support and encouragement. Without folks like you, it would be a 'dead end cause'. Remember, all donations are tax deductable.

"Red skies at night", Joe Peterson, Operations, Comanche 202 Foundation. 403 Garfield St. S., Tacoma, WA 98444

(253) 227-9678.

Armed Forces Day 2009

Comanche will be at the Port Plaza dock, at the north end of Columbia Street next to Anthony's Restaurant down town Olympia this weekend.
Plan is to arrive at the Port Plaza at around 2 pm Friday.
Saturday, May 16 (Armed Forces Day) open house 10 am to early evening.
Sunday open house to 4 pm. 5 pm depart for anchorage at Butler Cove.
A crew will be going out this Thursday to get things ready and spending the next three nights onboard.
If you want to join a crew and/or spend the night aboard, let us know. We need crews and hosts to show people around.
Thanks, Joe Peterson. Comanche cell phone (253) 227-9876.

UPDATE: ARMED FORCES DAY May 15-17.
Comanche will be at the Port Plaza dock down town Olympia Friday afternoon thru Sunday afternoon, May 15-17. Saturday will be Armed Forces Day and the Comanche will be open for public tours from 10 am to early evening and again on Sunday to 4pm.

If you want to ride in with us on Friday or back to anchor with us on Sunday please let us know a.s.a.p. the names of those who want to come along and we'll send you the details. Limited room.

We can use some folks to help tie up Friday at the dock when we bring her in. If you are available for that contact me. Port Plaza is by Anthony's Restaurant on the water front down town Olympia.

For those who have wanted to visit on board Comanche this is the time to do it on Saturday or Sunday.
Thanks. (253) 227-9678

COMANCHE VOLUNTEER WORK PARTY

Comanche crew: Just a reminder that this coming Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21st are the regular monthly volunteer work party days for Comanche at anchor at Butler Cover, Budd Inlet near Olympia. Any and all are invited for either one or both days.

Much has been accomplished with total volunteers hours since Oct 2007 of over 3500 hours! New volunteers aboard Comanche this year have included Dwayne Harris, Oakville, a former US Army boat quartermaster; Donald M. Cox, Oakville and Douglas Nervik, Lacy, both former USN tug man (Korean War); Robert Krisinger, Woodinville, former USMC; and Dennis Willard, Woodinville, former USN CB. A total of 54 volunteers have worked aboard Comanche since the foundation received her as a gift in October, 2007 and we have nearly 200 people on our emailing list interested in Comanche. Interest is growing.

With volunteers like these and the others coming and putting in time on Comanche it won't be long before it will be super shipshape! We couldn't do it without our faithful supporters and volunteers!

This coming work party will focus on clean up and work on the bridge (woodwork, brass, etc.) and painting the crews mess deck bulkhead for displaying photos etc., as well as the usual engine room work and sorting of parts, etc. Weather permitting we may do some outside working, too.

We will meet at Swantown, far north pier, at 10 am Friday and Saturday with second runs at 1 pm if necessary. Bring a lunch and drink. If you can spare some cash for fuel it will be welcome or bring a 5 gal can of diesel. (I bought 50 gals for Comanche at the station corner of Portland Ave. and 112th in Tacoma for $1.85 a gallon Sunday!)

If you intend to come and haven't done so already please let me know. If you need directions or have any question just let me know. (253) 227-9678

There will be an extended work part April 15 thru 18, with possibilities of staying aboard and a run up the Budd Inlet on Saturday, April 18th. More on that later!

Thanks so much, 'Red skied at night!', Joe Peterson, for the Comanche crew.

See attached photo of gyro repeater in the pilot house with the painted stripped off... sold bronze and brass glowing, thanks especially to the efforts of our volunteer Roger Carnes of Olympia.

FEBRUARY, 2009

Comanche volunteers:
Work party this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb 20, 21, 22, 2009, on board Comanche at anchor.

EACH Day: Park in gravel parking lot north of Swantown Marina office. Meet at the last long pier (break water pier) at north end of marina. We'll be going in my sail boat Valkommen (motoring out.)

Friday, first boat trip to Comanche at 10 am.
Second boat trip to Comanche about 1 pm.
Return trips begin around 3 pm.

Saturday, first boat trip out at 8 am from same location.
Second boat trip out at 1 pm
Return trips to Swantown around 3 pm

Sunday, only one boat trip out at 11 am. Returning at 3 pm.

Bring lunch and drink, working clothing, dress warm. Work party: cleaning up decks inside and out, engine room work, moving parts, polishing brass, inventory, etc. Come and join the fun! Comanche cell phone (253) 227-9678. Please RSVP if you intend to come one or all or any of those days. Thanks! Red skies at night!

Joe Peterson for the Comanche crew.

Photos: Comanche in the fog and snow, taken by Jerry Isaksen.

COMANCHE 202 FOUNDATION 2009 SCHEDULE
(Subject to changes)

HARBOR DAYS, end of August, 2008, Olympia , WA .
Comanche on the right at the end of the row of tugs.

Tentative schedule for 2009… We want to make a couple of moves with Comanche under her own power. Please mark these dates and let us know if you will be available. Work parties will vary though out the year due to individual schedules. Hopes are to have work parties every other week with the possibility of some stay aboard days this summer. Comanche is presently at anchor in a very good location thanks to the generous hospitality of the Isaksen’s at Butler Cove near Olympia . We will take our vintage motor cabin shore boat out when we need to access Comanche. Comanche is scheduled to make several ports of call.

SPECIAL DATES for MOVEMENTS or EVENTS “Now set the special sea detail.”

MARCH or APRIL Do a run up the Budd for ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS & family; either some weekend in March or on or by April 18th (Sat.) With maybe a BBQ on the fan-tail and enjoy the sights as we test out the systems on the Comanche.

Before MAY. Our shore boat Mimesis II needs a haul out in March or April, get the bottom painted and have it all ready for the Olympia Wooden Boat Festival to promote our Comanche projects. Estimated cost for haul out and paint is about $400.00 (we have some paint already.) We’ll need volunteers to help with that project at Swantown Boat Works in Olympia .

May 9 and 10th (Mothers Day weekend) is the Olympia Wooden Boat Show. Our shore boat is a classic one-of-a-kind 1950 Fletcher Built at Port Blakely, WA. The Mimesis II is a 33’ long and a beauty. It will give us an opportunity to promote the following weekend event with Comanche.

May 15-17 Armed Forces Day We have received permission from the Port of Olympia Swantown Marina to use the Port Plaza , down-town Olympia . We will bring Comanche in on Friday for open house, tours and talks on board and perhaps a military/Coast Guard honor guard for Armed Forces day on Saturday. Sunday we will return Comanche to anchor. A crew is needed for ships movement and on board tours, etc. Some accommodations are available on board Comanche for stay over-night for active volunteers.

Fourth of July It would be great to do something. Take Comanche into Olympia or all the way to Tacoma for the huge fire-works display on the bay. Modoc, Comanche’s sister, often comes to that and anchors in the Bay. We could take people on the ride (about 8 hours one way) if we can raise the funds to do so. Maybe if we have the cash buy some bulk fuel while in Tacoma . We would be ‘at sea’ with Comanche for four or five days with liberty for the crew in Tacoma !! A crew is need for ships movement and on board tours, etc. . Some accommodations are available on board Comanche for stay over-night for active volunteers

Labor Day, Sept 4-7 Harbor Days & tug races in Olympia as we did last year when we had over 1,200 visitors aboard for the event. This year we may use Comanche for a viewing platform for the tug races for one afternoon. A crew is need for ships movement and on board tours, etc. Some accommodations are available on board Comanche for active volunteers.

OCTOBER 9-11 THE BIG EVENT for 2009 Comanche/Modoc REUNION Details are being worked on which may include taking Comanche to meet with Modoc on the Puget Sound . Your input on this event is encouraged!

WORK PARTIES Most likely every other weekend or as we can do them. We’ll notify everyone as the dates become clear. And, if some volunteers would like to work on other days that can be arranged. Overnight accommodates are available in Comanche’s state-rooms as well…. Heads (toilets) work, galley works, etc…. bedding is available but you can bring your own. Bring your own food and drinks.

Mimesis, our shore boat along side Comanche. Mimesis in the snow this winter at her
Mimesis means to imitate thus we plan to paint moorings at Swantown Marine, Olympia
her in CG colors this spring!

COMANCHE 202 FOUNDATION, 403 GARFIELD ST. S , TACOMA , WA 98444 (253) 227-9678

HNSA http://hnsa.org/ships/comanche.htm CGTA http://www.76fsa.org/comanche/

Work Party Notice for Comanche

January 2009

The next regular scheduled work party on Comanche will be Friday, January 9, 2009. Meet at Swantown pier A, slip 111 at 9:30 am. Bring lunch and drink. We will come back to Swantown by 1600 (4pm). Park in the gravel parking lot just to the south of pier A (Pier A is to the south of the boat launch at the north end of Swantown.

Cell phone (253) 227-9678.

We may go out again on Sunday, January 25^th as well.

Later this month we will be sending out the Comanche 202 Foundation financial report for 2008 and proposed budget for 2009 a long with our ‘wish list’ of things to acquire and do for the coming year. We are hoping to get underway with Comanche in March or April for a ‘shake down cruse’ for volunteers and visitors; for Armed Forces Day in the middle of May tie up at Port Plaza downtown Olympia; maybe a June or July run up the Budd; and Olympia’s big Harbor Days/Tug Races at Labor Day. And then the Comanche/Modoc reunion in Olympia and Gig Harbor October 10-12. We’ll keep you posted.

We are now members of the Historic Naval Ships Association, in good company with some famous ships! See http://hnsa.org/ships/comanche.htm Thanks especially to a former USCG Comanche crewman for providing the funds to join! Bravo Zulu to you Glen!

We are always in need of financial support. Our wonderful old shore boat Mimesis costs around $300 a month to keep at Swantown until we can take her back out to Comanche for tie-up (the winter weather prohibits leaving her there unattended.) The need for supplies (paint, zincs, fuel, etc) are on going. Your donations are tax deductible and most welcome! Please help us keep things ‘afloat’!

Red Skies at Night! Joe Peterson, for the Comanche Foundation. . Cell phone (253) 227-9678. Mailing address is: Comanche 202 Foundation, 403 Garfield Street S., Tacoma, WA 98444.

COMANCHE 202 FOUNDATION November-December 2008

WORK PARY: Our next scheduled work part on board Comanche is Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6. If you are planning on joining us please contact me for details. Leaving Swantown but from an other pier both days. Contact me for details (Joe Peterson at this email.) This will be the only regular scheduled work party for December. Next will be the second Saturday in January, 2009.

It’s been a busy month for Comanche! The Olympian newspaper article went out on Associated Press and appeared in at least a dozen other newspapers we know of, including the Navy Times. We have received a number of calls and emails from former Comanche crewmen and other interested parties. We now have 57 people signed on as volunteers with a total of 177 people or groups expressing interest in our endeavor.

See Olympian Newspaper, Olympia Washington 11-09-08
Pictures http://www.theolympian.com/localgallery/gallery/655407.html
Article http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/655692.html

Also, Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008396529_oldtug16.html

We have also been invited to join Historic Naval Ships Association (HNSA)‏ www.hnsa.org which is a great honor for Comanche. We will need $150 to join as the annual fee. If you would like to contribute to that cause please designate your donation “HNSA membership.”

Mics. Work Thursday, November 20^th, we picked up the huge brass fire monitor for Comanche from the Modoc Pearl in Gig Harbor (Comanche’s sister Cutter/ATA). Comanche’s fire monitor disappeared years ago. (See picture of the retrieval crew having lunch. And a picture of the monitor on Comanche in the 1960s. And the Modoc Pearl at its dock in Gig Harbor in November.) Thanks especially to Pete Bennison, owner of the beautiful Modoc Pearl. Piece by piece we are getting Comanche back into the configuration it was in the 1960s Coast Guard.

REUNION 2009 NEWS: Speaking of Modoc, we have set a tentative date for the 2009 joint reunion for Modoc and Comanch for October 9, 10 and 11^th. Mark that on your calendar! Plan will be to bring Comanche and Modoc together for a great reunion of former crews and volunteers. It will be Comanche’s 65^th birthday weekend, too. Modoc will be 66 in 2009. It will be the first time since4 1978 that they have been together. Neither are ready for total retirement! Details will be sent out sometime in early 2009. Suggestions are welcome! Let all your former crewmates know.

Comanche trivia: A former Comanche crewman, a retired Coast Guard officer from the 1960s, informed us Comanche did pirate patrols off the coast of Cuba and South American. We learn new things about Comanche every week!

Comanche always needs your financial help. Donations are tax deductible and very much appreciated. We a have done a lot with very little money but a lot of volunteer man hours. However, financial donations are needed regularly to keep up on various needs. It’s all used for essentials and very wisely.

A financial report for 2008 will be out in early 2009. Thanks so much for your support. Red skies at night! Joe Peterson, for the Comanche crew. (253) 227-9678.

COMANCHE 202 FOUNDATION, 403 Garfield St. S., Tacoma, WA 98444

Attached photos: Comanche’s fire monitor1960s .

The Modoc Pearl in Gig Harbor in November, 2009.

Comanche crew having lunch after picking up the fire monitor from Modoc Pearl.

Other Comanche links:

Coast Guard News TAM Communications:
http://www.coastguardchannel.com/images/news/Comanche202_022308.pdf

NavSource Online

http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/38/38202.htm

Maritime Heritage http://www.maritimeheritage.net/attractions/attraction_select.asp?id=174

Coast Guard Tug Assoc. http://www.76fsa.org/cgta/

CGTA Comanche links: http://www.76fsa.org/comanche/

http://www.76fsa.org/cgta/comanchee.htm

COMANCHE WORK PARTY

Friday and Saturday

November 7^th and 8^th

We will have a general work party this coming Friday and Saturday on board Comanche at anchor. Those planning to come please let me know before Friday. The Olympian newspaper would like to do a story on Comanche and might come out Friday. Thus Friday’s departure time from Swantown is yet to be determined.

Saturday we will leave Swantown at 10 am. returning by 4pm.

Work will include continuing with electrical improvements and interior painting. Bring lunch/drink and work clothing. If it’s chilly dress accordingly.

Red skies at night! Joe Peterson, for the Comanche.

Next scheduled work party will be December 5^th and 6^th.

(253) 227-9678. rsvp

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COMANCHE! 1944-2008

October 10th

You are cordially invited to attend the 64^th “Birthday” Party of the Comanche (USN launch day, October 10, 1944) and celebration of one year since Mr. Dave Howard gave her to the Comanche 202 Foundation and the achievement of our volunteers in donating over 2,500 hours of work on Comanche! It’s time to party!

Tentative plans, weather permitting, is to party on board Comanche moored at the Port Plaza guest dock down town Olympia. Friday, October 10th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with cake cutting at 6:30pm. BYOB. Cake and ice cream, coffee and tea will be serviced… as well as sea-stories! R.S.V.P. the names of those coming. You may bring guests to the party or to tour the ship on Saturday between 10 am and 1 pm.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Thursday, October 9^th volunteer crew is needed to come out to Comanche to get her ready for the party. Meet at Swantown Marina Pier H at 10:00 am returning to Pier H at 5:00 pm.

Friday, October 10^th a volunteer crew is needed to haul anchor and bring Comanche into port. Meet at the Port Plaza at 10:30 am. The remainder of Friday will be devoted to getting Comanche ready for the party! There are some accommodations for staying over night on Comanche Friday night. Please let me know if you would like to spend the night before Friday, Oct 10th.

Saturday, October 11, is the monthly Comanche Saturday work party beginning at 9:00 am. dock side. Bring a lunch/drink. Saturday around 2:00 pm we will take Comanche back out to anchorage and will need a crew for that. We will return to the Port Plaza dock around 5:00pm and then to Swantown Marina Pier H.

What does Comanche need for her birthday, you may be asking? Money is the most important thing we need right now. We have done an amazing amount of work and have accomplished a great deal with very few funds relative to tasks completed but we do have some things for which we need immediate cash. It is not cheap keeping a large historic vessel like Comanche in repair and running so every little bit is greatly appreciated.

CONTINGENCY BIRTHDAY PARTY LOCATION PLANS

Should it appear we are unable to bring Comanche in to the Port Plaza Friday, Oct 10^th we will let all those who have RSVP to come know what the alternative site is before Friday, Oct 10^th. We have a couple of tentative locations in mind and are open to suggestions. Be sure to get us know if you plan to come Friday and/or Saturday.

Thanks! “Red skies at night”, Joe Peterson, for the Comanche Foundation

(253) 227-9678

COMANCHE 202 FOUNDATION, 403 GARFIELD ST. S. , TACOMA , WA 98444

All donations are tax deductible.

COMANCHE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Thursday and/or Friday Sept 25 & 26^th

For those with week days free we will have one (or more) week days work parties as volunteers are available. One of our chief engine room people, Curt Colvin, former engineman on Comanche’s sister Modoc, will be available on the 4^th Thursday and Friday of each month. I will also be available for other work on board.

Since we have not received word as to when we can do a haul out with our 33’ shore boat Mimesis II, we are not planning to work on it on land this week. Thus we will head to Comanche on Thursday with the possibility of an overnight say for those who’d like to. Others will be returned to Swantown about 4:00 pm. Thursday’s departure from pier H at Swantown for Comanche is not yet set. For those available for Thursday or Friday contact me for details. Friday we will return to shore about 3:00 pm.

Projects include further engine room work with opportunities to learn about Comanche’s amazing engine room and painting either on deck or interior spaces, as weather permits.

Volunteers should bring food/drinks, work clothes and if possible we can always use some fuel! Overnighters should bring bedding (there are clean sheets and extra blankets on board.) R.S.V.P. to this email or call Joe Peterson at (253) 227-9678 if you plan to join use Thursday and Friday or have any other questions or suggestions.

At some near date the shore boat Mimesis II will be taken out of the water at Swantown Boat Yard for exterior painting and we could use some help then as well. The plan is to sell Mimesis for needed cash. (Any one want to buy a great Puget Sound classic wooden boat?) It’s been a great shore boat we have all come to love! We are especially grateful to Mr. Bob Peck of the South Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society for donating such a great boat to the Foundation! We will notify you when we need help with painting it, hopefully soon!

October 10^th is Comanche’s 64 “birthday” (USN 202 launch date, 1944) and we are planning on having a party either at the dock or somewhere on land. October 11^th is the second Saturday work party. We hope to have details available by Thursday, Sept. 25 or that following weekend. It’s a party on the fantail for volunteers and guests! It will also be one year since Mr. Dave Howard donated Comanche to the Foundation as well. Since then nearly 2,500 man hours of labor has been invested into Comanche. We deserve to party!

Remember, Comanche 202 Foundation can always use your finance gifts. Diesel fuel prices are lower right now and we are hoping to bring aboard as much fuel as we can. Also we can use paint, we are only half way done with painting the exterior. Every penny is used to support the restoration and utilization of Comanche, the last vessel of her kind in original condition and a dignified WW-II combat vet. as well. Donations are tax deductible: Comanche 202 Foundation, 403 Garfield St. S. , Tacoma , WA 98444 . We accept cars and boats to for resale for the Foundation as well. Thanks so very much! “Red skies at night”, Joe Peterson for the Comanche crew.

Other volunteer dates: Come for one or for all! It’s your tug, too!

No overnights on board are planned in Oct, Nov. or Dec.

Oct. 10^th (Friday) Comanche birthday.

Oct. 11^th (Saturday) Regular work party.

Oct. 19^th (Sunday) Regular work party.

Oct. 23^rd (Thursday) Regular work party.

Nov. 2^nd (Saturday) Regular work party.

Nov 16^th (Sunday) Regular work party

(no other work party days scheduled for Nov.)

Dec. 13^th (Saturday) Regular work party.

Dec. 21^st (Sunday) Regular work party.

(no other work party days scheduled for Dec.)

We still have hats (one size fits all) & Tees in size Adult small, medium, large , XL & a few XXL. Hats are $20 and tees $15 while they last. Shipping is $5.00 parcel post.