Sound clip: USS Truxtun anti-nuclear protest

I was ship's chaplain on Truxtun during the '82 visit. I met many very nice people, including one young lady who came to stay in Virginia, USA, with my wife and me a couple years later. We still keep in touch. Best memory: talking with a protestor who had no idea there was a Soviet intelligence-gathering ship in port at the same time. They only knew what their leaders wanted them to know.

I was a crew member in 1982. I recall waiting to cross the street to catch the liberty boat back to the ship and seeing the protesters doing their thing. An older gentleman came up to me and said, "Don't pay too much attention to them mate. If it wasn't for your fathers and grandfathers we would be speaking Japanese today." The Kiwis were teriffic to us. Love them.

I recall the visits of USS Truxtun into Wellington and the nucleur threat that over the world during the years of the cold war. USA was behind Russia with the delivery of nuclear devices at the time of the Kennedy/Kruchev Cuba confrontation and so had every reason to be scared. For the period of the cold war we in New Zealand were coerced by Governments to hate the Soviets, Chinese, Nth Korea, Nth Vietnem and everything communist while on the other hand, the protest movement were coercing everyone to hate the USA, etc. etc. To my mind, one lot is just as bad as the other. They all lie or twist the truth - look at Chris's last sentance "wanted to nuke the world" pah!

In later years I had reason to visit a few ex-Soviet States and, talking to people, I found them just like us. Can I say it again - JUST LIKE US - wanting to raise their children and get on with their family lives. They had their houses and lovely possessions and didn't hate us as imperialists and all that nonsense.

Our nucleur policy and Nucleur Free Cities is nothing more than the manipulation of people for political purposes and Chris's mob are very much part of it. A protesters career path is "politician".

As a protest participant I had many conversations with Truxtun sailors on the dock. They told us it was easy to know when the Truxton was carrying nukes by how big the Marine guard was during loading. Most said they were in the Navy because it was the only job they could get, they hated it and couldn't wait to get out. We even took some for a tour of the city - it wasn't their fault their government wanted to nuke the world.

All can say what they want, I am a born and breed kiwi gal, I married a TRUXTUN naval man, I could tell you many things, but one thing I can state for certain is the integrity of the USN Truxtun crew, amazing military men, of course they will neither confirm or deny !!! our own son has had 7 war deployments quit bitching about the little things and recognize true military honor, I love NZ but I also honor my husbands service R.I.P. Don.

Rm2 Daniel Renusch, was on board, wanted to blast them bitches, lucky I wasn't the Captain, Pearson was cool though.

I was onboard for the third and final visit. When we departed, Wellington was declared a nuclear free zone. Upon arrival there were lots of protesting vessels and people. Two Friends and I were photographed and made the Wellington Newspaper. They gave me an original photo also. I bought a record that was produced prior to our arrival titled Mutants of Nuclear Fallout. The cover had a photo of the ship and the music was scary and fit the title perfect. I love Wellington and had a great time. Smooth Sailing, Engineman Lee M Withey

I was a young seaman stationed aboard the USS TRUXTUN during the first visit to Wellington. Even though we had protesters greet us at the entrance to the harbor we were more worried when some tried to cross the ship's path. It was cold and windy that day, the water was choppy as we made our way to shore since we were anchored out. Once ashore we and as we made our way through town we found a great many Wellingtonians were quite friendly and warm opposite of the flotilla. We had a wonderful time there. Meet some great people. I even traded my US Navy hat for a Police officers hat that to this day I still cherish. One day (as a member of the Captain's Gig) we taxied our skipper to shore to meet with some dignitaries and while waiting for him we walked up a few blocks and were atrracted to a sign on the window. "Fish & Chips", wow what a treat that was! Let's see, I went out on a blind date with a wonder young lady wishing we had become pen pals and then some. I've had friends that married some great women but unfortunately one mate passed a few years after marriage and one other a few weeks ago. Smooth sails and blue skies Allan Stake and Don Purdy. I hope someday my wife and get to pay New Zealand a visit besides all my other ports of entry. God bless. Mr Jesse M. Ramirez USN '76-'80

I was a reactor operator on the Truxtun from 85 to 88. Too bad we did not go to New Zealand while I was on board. That would have been something to see.

I was there on the truxtun back in 82