Ozzie Henry MoMM1c 1943 - 45
DE387
WDE487
DER387
Barbara Henry's obituary
A note from Ozzie Henry
Ozzie and Barbara swing dancing P1
Ozzie and Barbara swing dance P2
Brockton HS ballroom dancers flyer
Ozzie Henry Remembers Christmas 1943
A photo of a spindly tree, being held by a crewmember aboard the USS Vance while
off the coast of Vietnam during the sixties, brought back memories of an earlier
"tree".
Christmas on the USS Vance 1943
We were far from home and family, most for the first time, the holidays would
soon be here. We had completed our training and shakedown at Bermuda and were at
sea heading for Charleston, SC. with the hope that we could at least be ashore
if not at home for Christmas. The Atlantic off the East Coast can be stormy and
it was just that, a fierce storm was brewing and we were in the middle of it rocking,
rolling and listening to that ominous clunking of the ship's hull. (Forward starboard
side, did it still do that in 1966?)
It was obvious that we would not reach Charleston in time, to lift our spirits it
was decided that a Christmas Tree was needed a couple of brooms, some colorful
paper and wire made a respectable tree, but what to use for lights? " We
have them" someone shouted pointing to the battery operated red lights attached
to our life belts and so our tree was complete lights and all. Christmas Eve was
celebrated with carols and good wishes, for a few moments, our memories of past
celebrations at home with family and friends were with us.
Our special Christmas Day Menu was reduced to sandwiches. powdered milk and coffee
as it was hang on to something and eat with your free hand as the rock and rolling
continued thru-out the day. Port was reached on the afternoon of the 26th and we
tied up at the Charleston Navy Yard Liberty was posted and those who could made
calls to their loved ones.
That was Christmas 1943 as I remember it. ----Ozzie Henry MoMMl/c
Addendum:
Crewmembers aboard at that time might shed some light on the medical emergency that
occurred on one of the DE's accompanying us. Was an attempt made to put our doctor
aboard to attend the victim only to have the small boat smashed against the davits?
Forward Gun Shield Photos on the USS Vance Web Site reveal storm damage to the forward gun shield,
they were taken during Operation Deepfreeze in 1964, I wonder how many times that
occurred during the many rough seas that the Vance encountered? I know it happened
once before in 1944.
Norfolk VA. 20. January 1944: For those that had the time and were in the vicinity of the piers at the Norfolk
Navel Station it was always interesting to watch the often hair-raising attempts
to safely guide a ship into the dock with the ever-present strong currant. On this
particular day the USS Vance garnered more than the usual interest as the ship
successfully entered the dock. Along side on the pier waited an ambulance and close
observation revealed a crumpled forward gun shield along with many pieces of grit
paper, used to provide safe footing pulled loose from the deck. Soon after mooring
lines were secure a stretcher and its occupant was taken from the ship and placed
in the waiting ambulance and off it went, what had happened?
On 7, January 1944 the day following our arrival at Norfork from Charleston, SC
we were ordered to join a convoy of tankers to Port Arthur TX. After an uneventful
trip port was made on the 12th and liberty granted that evening. Orders were received
for departure the next day, a good thing, for many of those on liberty had been
involved in what had been described as a near riot between sailors and patrons of
a local watering hole.
The first few days produced smooth sailing and the ships work was being done and
reoccurring training was being held. One call to general quarters was for a sonar
contact that proved to be false but it was amazing to see how fast a Navy Tanker
could move at flank speed. We were off the Carolina coast one evening when attention
was called to the unusual green color of the reflected sunlight upon the clouds
described by Lt. S. J. Ellis, as phenomenal. It may be but what went on later that
night and following day got our attention, phenomenal or not.
It seem to come up rather quickly, the sea became rough and orders were given to
secure hatches, safety lines run upon the deck and leeside announced at the change
of watch. I stood the eight to twelve watch in one of the engine compartments and
was aware of the reduced engine rpm's, a concern of seawater pumps losing prime,
the need to hold to something and the ever present "clunking" of the hull.
After standing watch the best place to ride out the storm was in my bunk laying
catty corner with chain secured between my neck and shoulder and hand wrapped around
the frame. At one point during the night a series of rolls took place so violent
that some crewmembers were thrown from their bunks, fortunately none were injured.
At one point there was a loss of power and was eerily quite for a moment. During
a change of watch one seaman exited to the deck an the windward side, was hit by
a wave breaking over the starboard side carried across deck between the deckhouse
and the aft gun shield and fortunately became tangled in a portside "K"
gun preventing him from going overboard. His shipmates rescued him, unfortunately
he suffered a fractured leg.
Damage control and carpenters mates were called when was discovered that the forward
gun shield had been partially ripped from the deck. Seawater was entering a forward
compartment from holes in the deck. They quickly applied wood cones, shoring, a
mattress or two and submersible pumps were brought to the scene.
It was later revealed that on one of the more violent rolls that our ship was at
or close to the point where it could just as easily gone on and capsized as to
return upright. A figure of 54 degrees comes to mind but I'm not sure of that.
Any way that all came to mind when I saw the 1964 picture of the damaged gun shield.
That's the way I remember it.
Ozzie Henry MoMMl/c - USS Vance --1943-45
These stories were mailed May of 2000 by Ozzie and not posted till Nov 2000- Joe
I would like to mention the picture Ozzie mentions of Christmas was actually at
Green Cove Springs and was used as the home page picture December 1999.
Return to Stories TOC
Friday, July 07, 2006
It don′t mean a thing,
if it ain′t got that swing
By Wendi Dowst Contributing writer
A stateside recruit during World War II, Ozzie Henry has seen every major big band perform except for Artie Shaw′s. Now, having also lived through the 90s swing revival, he and his wife Barbara travel across New England to dance.
We go out for music about once a week, Barbara Henry said. The other nights we dance in the kitchen.
The Henrys, who met at a Coast Guard dance during Ozzie Henry′s service, have lived in New Hampshire for the last 20 years. The first words Ozzie Henry ever said to Barbara Henry were, Would you like to dance? He asked that question countless times while they witnessed the revival of the popular jazz music and dance born with their generation —; swing. Swing has served as the background music for major events and social changes from the great wars to the rise and demise of the northeast industrial movement.
At just about every swing dance from the Upper Valley to Boston, one can observe younger couples standing on the edge of the dance floor watching the Henrys twist, hoping to be like them when they grow up. The Henrys hold each other close, stepping quickly to the music of Dom V and the Swing Out Big Band or Beantwn Big Band. With their knees bent slightly and faces beaming, they easily communicate their smooth turns and kicks, shimming nearly to the ground.
The 1930s dance began in the northeast with bands like Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Chick Webb. In the 1990s, contra dance camps helped to revive the northeast swing scene when they began offering swing workshops during their off season. Historically tied to New England, the dance still plays a role in the region′s culture and social activities.
Now outside of the 90s revival, contemporary and local culture such as the TV program Dancing with the Stars and weeklong event Swing Out New Hampshire promote swing dance. Swing attracts dancers from across the country to New England, who rave about the dance′s social and health benefits.
John Tomeny first met the Henrys at one of Dom V′s dances and sees the Henrys regularly at his monthly Upper Valley dances.
Tomeny founded the Upper Valley Swing Dance Network in 1999 because he and other dancers grew tired of driving to Boston every weekend to find a swing dance. In the beginning, the Upper Valley dances′ popularity quickly grew to 100 to 150 dancers and Tomeny now estimates there are 250 dancers in the Upper Valley Swing Dance community.
Nestled between the major dance scenes of Boston and Burlington, the Upper Valley scene still stands on its own — hundreds of people came to the workshops and dance when swing champion Sylvia Sykes taught the Upper Valley Swing Dance Network′s annual weekend workshop event in February.
We had a weekend of swing dance workshops with the largest attendance at a weekend event that we′ve had in three years, Tomeny said. Just that bit of interest suggests that it is a healthy, growing community.
Sylvia Sykes, a swing dance instructor and choreographer who first appeared in the 1960s dancing on American Bandstand, has performed with many of the same renowned big bands Ozzie Henry used to watch.
I had a little dance troop in Santa Barbara, California, Sykes said. When bands would come through town sometimes they would hire us. I got to dance with Count Basie, Less Brown Orchestra, Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw′s orchestra.
Artie Shaw′s Orchestra was the one band Ozzie Henry missed seeing perform live. Having seen Benny Goodman multiple times, Henry said Goodman was his favorite band to watch.
At a lot of those Benny Goodman concerts the kids would get up and dance in the aisles — that wasn′t a made up story, Henry said. The band would be playing a piece and the trumpet section would come in like a gang of chariots with the walls being broken down by their horns.
Sykes calls swing dance our national folk dance and, as such, says it reflects our culture and changes with the times.
So you have an indigenous music, which is jazz. Swing dancing is what we did to jazz, Sykes said. What I find really interesting about swing dancing is that it is able to morph and accept and react to current culture — music, politics, economics — while still keeping a touchstone to its roots or soul.
Like evolving cultures, there are many names for swing dancing — Lindy Hop, Balboa, East Coast, West Coast, Jitterbug, Jive, Hollywood Style, Smooth Style or Charleston. Sykes said the names of styles and dance moves are usually defined more by where they were learned than the dance itself.
Between the Lindy Hop and Jitter Bug and that stuff, the biggest difference is the spelling, Sykes said. There are triple steps, eight and six counts and you do it with a partner and it′s not the cha cha. It swings.
Sykes proclaims that swing dancing is for everyone. She has taught children as young as 6, people who are deaf, blind, and with prosthetic legs.
We′re all in there together, we′re all going to dance together, she said. Once you walk into that room it levels the playing field for a lot of people.
She also said learning to swing dance emphasizes team work and communication.
You need to communicate and get along with somebody for three minutes. You don′t have to like them, but for three minutes you are going to have a conversation, although it may not be verbal, Sykes said.
But overall, the most important guideline for swing dancing is having fun.
Doing it correctly or with a lot of creativity is important, but not as important as having fun, Sykes said. I′d much rather watch two people in a bar who are out of rhythm than watch two people who are trying hard to do it correctly and not really having that much fun.
After more than 60 years of dancing together, the Henrys have certainly discovered that fun. Ozzie Henry said what makes swing fun is the social aspect.
People are going to ask you to dance even if you haven′t been introduced to them, he said. And you want to dance so you should accept. I′ve never seen anyone refuse and when I′m asked I get a big kick out of it.
Some claim swing has remained popular because of its cultural connections, its expression of joy, its universal ability to communicate, its use as exercise, or its engaging music. Ozzie Henry said swing will remain popular as long as fellows want a good excuse to hold pretty ladies.
I just hope folks realize why big bands became so popular, Ozzie Henry said. The big bands just filled a need. When swing became real popular it only lasted a few short years. But the affects and influence of that have lasted 50 to 60 years.
Swinging schedule
Fourth Saturday
Richard W. Black Community and Senior Center, Hanover
(603) 863-6519
Saturday monthly dance
Keene N.H.
www.moco.org
Fourth Saturday
Northampton, Mass.
www.crazylegs.org
UNH Hepcats Swing Club
Aug. 12 and 13 — Boston′s Wicked Lindy Weekend
www.unh.edu/hepcats
Tuesday practice session
Vermont Swings, Burlington, Vt.
www.vermontswings.com
Friday night weekly dance
Swing City, Boston
www.wannadance.com
June 26-July 2
Beantown Swing Camp, Boston
www.hoptothebeat.com
Aug. 30-Sept. 4
Swing Out New Hampshire, Lake Winnipesauke
www.swingoutnh.com
UV Swing Dance Network
8 p.m. — Aug. 5
Plainfield Dance Party
Friday, July 07, 2006
It don′t mean a thing,
if it ain′t got that swing
By Wendi Dowst Contributing writer
A stateside recruit during World War II, Ozzie Henry has seen every major big band perform except for Artie Shaw′s. Now, having also lived through the 90s swing revival, he and his wife Barbara travel across New England to dance.
We go out for music about once a week, Barbara Henry said. The other nights we dance in the kitchen.
The Henrys, who met at a Coast Guard dance during Ozzie Henry′s service, have lived in New Hampshire for the last 20 years. The first words Ozzie Henry ever said to Barbara Henry were, Would you like to dance? He asked that question countless times while they witnessed the revival of the popular jazz music and dance born with their generation —; swing. Swing has served as the background music for major events and social changes from the great wars to the rise and demise of the northeast industrial movement.
At just about every swing dance from the Upper Valley to Boston, one can observe younger couples standing on the edge of the dance floor watching the Henrys twist, hoping to be like them when they grow up. The Henrys hold each other close, stepping quickly to the music of Dom V and the Swing Out Big Band or Beantwn Big Band. With their knees bent slightly and faces beaming, they easily communicate their smooth turns and kicks, shimming nearly to the ground.
The 1930s dance began in the northeast with bands like Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Chick Webb. In the 1990s, contra dance camps helped to revive the northeast swing scene when they began offering swing workshops during their off season. Historically tied to New England, the dance still plays a role in the region′s culture and social activities.
Now outside of the 90s revival, contemporary and local culture such as the TV program Dancing with the Stars and weeklong event Swing Out New Hampshire promote swing dance. Swing attracts dancers from across the country to New England, who rave about the dance′s social and health benefits.
John Tomeny first met the Henrys at one of Dom V′s dances and sees the Henrys regularly at his monthly Upper Valley dances.
Tomeny founded the Upper Valley Swing Dance Network in 1999 because he and other dancers grew tired of driving to Boston every weekend to find a swing dance. In the beginning, the Upper Valley dances′ popularity quickly grew to 100 to 150 dancers and Tomeny now estimates there are 250 dancers in the Upper Valley Swing Dance community.
Nestled between the major dance scenes of Boston and Burlington, the Upper Valley scene still stands on its own — hundreds of people came to the workshops and dance when swing champion Sylvia Sykes taught the Upper Valley Swing Dance Network′s annual weekend workshop event in February.
We had a weekend of swing dance workshops with the largest attendance at a weekend event that we′ve had in three years, Tomeny said. Just that bit of interest suggests that it is a healthy, growing community.
Sylvia Sykes, a swing dance instructor and choreographer who first appeared in the 1960s dancing on American Bandstand, has performed with many of the same renowned big bands Ozzie Henry used to watch.
I had a little dance troop in Santa Barbara, California, Sykes said. When bands would come through town sometimes they would hire us. I got to dance with Count Basie, Less Brown Orchestra, Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw′s orchestra.
Artie Shaw′s Orchestra was the one band Ozzie Henry missed seeing perform live. Having seen Benny Goodman multiple times, Henry said Goodman was his favorite band to watch.
At a lot of those Benny Goodman concerts the kids would get up and dance in the aisles — that wasn′t a made up story, Henry said. The band would be playing a piece and the trumpet section would come in like a gang of chariots with the walls being broken down by their horns.
Sykes calls swing dance our national folk dance and, as such, says it reflects our culture and changes with the times.
So you have an indigenous music, which is jazz. Swing dancing is what we did to jazz, Sykes said. What I find really interesting about swing dancing is that it is able to morph and accept and react to current culture — music, politics, economics — while still keeping a touchstone to its roots or soul.
Like evolving cultures, there are many names for swing dancing — Lindy Hop, Balboa, East Coast, West Coast, Jitterbug, Jive, Hollywood Style, Smooth Style or Charleston. Sykes said the names of styles and dance moves are usually defined more by where they were learned than the dance itself.
Between the Lindy Hop and Jitter Bug and that stuff, the biggest difference is the spelling, Sykes said. There are triple steps, eight and six counts and you do it with a partner and it′s not the cha cha. It swings.
Sykes proclaims that swing dancing is for everyone. She has taught children as young as 6, people who are deaf, blind, and with prosthetic legs.
We′re all in there together, we′re all going to dance together, she said. Once you walk into that room it levels the playing field for a lot of people.
She also said learning to swing dance emphasizes team work and communication.
You need to communicate and get along with somebody for three minutes. You don′t have to like them, but for three minutes you are going to have a conversation, although it may not be verbal, Sykes said.
But overall, the most important guideline for swing dancing is having fun.
Doing it correctly or with a lot of creativity is important, but not as important as having fun, Sykes said. I′d much rather watch two people in a bar who are out of rhythm than watch two people who are trying hard to do it correctly and not really having that much fun.
After more than 60 years of dancing together, the Henrys have certainly discovered that fun. Ozzie Henry said what makes swing fun is the social aspect.
People are going to ask you to dance even if you haven′t been introduced to them, he said. And you want to dance so you should accept. I′ve never seen anyone refuse and when I′m asked I get a big kick out of it.
Some claim swing has remained popular because of its cultural connections, its expression of joy, its universal ability to communicate, its use as exercise, or its engaging music. Ozzie Henry said swing will remain popular as long as fellows want a good excuse to hold pretty ladies.
I just hope folks realize why big bands became so popular, Ozzie Henry said. The big bands just filled a need. When swing became real popular it only lasted a few short years. But the affects and influence of that have lasted 50 to 60 years.
Swinging schedule
Fourth Saturday
Richard W. Black Community and Senior Center, Hanover
(603) 863-6519
Saturday monthly dance
Keene N.H.
www.moco.org
Fourth Saturday
Northampton, Mass.
www.crazylegs.org
UNH Hepcats Swing Club
Aug. 12 and 13 — Boston′s Wicked Lindy Weekend
www.unh.edu/hepcats
Tuesday practice session
Vermont Swings, Burlington, Vt.
www.vermontswings.com
Friday night weekly dance
Swing City, Boston
www.wannadance.com
June 26-July 2
Beantown Swing Camp, Boston
www.hoptothebeat.com
Aug. 30-Sept. 4
Swing Out New Hampshire, Lake Winnipesauke
www.swingoutnh.com
UV Swing Dance Network
8 p.m. — Aug. 5
Plainfield Dance Party
Midsummer fund-raiser for Plainfield Library.
UVSDN hosts parties.
For more information, call (802) 643-5341 or e-mail spin@uvswingdance.com.
Midsummer fund-raiser for Plainfield Library.
UVSDN hosts parties.
For more information, call (802) 643-5341 or e-mail spin@uvswingdance.com.
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Barbara Henry's obituary
A note from Ozzie Henry
Ozzie and Barbara swing dancing P1
Ozzie and Barbara swing dance P2
Brockton HS ballroom dancers flyer