USS Ingraham (FFG 61) and Naval Station Everett hosted a USS Nitro Association wreath laying ceremony, June 20. 

The ceremony, held on the flight deck of Ingraham, commemorated the lives of former crew members of both USS Nitro (AE 2) and USS Nitro (AE 23).  Jim Timmons, president of the USS Nitro Association, read the names of recently passed crew members before the ringing of eight bells and wreath-laying to honor the deceased shipmates. 

Eighty-six year old Raymond Walters, who served aboard USS Nitro (AE 2), laid the wreath in the water along with William Baer from the crew of USS Nitro (AE 23).  Walters told the audience why he was honored to help lay the wreath. 

“In 1944, USS Nitro went alongside the battleship Mississippi to give them ammunition.  I had known there was a high school classmate of mine on the Mississippi. He was a very close friend of mine, so I immediately started asking the crew if he was still on board.  And I will never forget the reply.  ‘No, John got killed.  John was in a gun tub when a Japanese plane hit the gun tub and was killed instantly.’ In putting the wreath in the water, I think of John.”

The association, which has 156 active members from every decade the ships were in service, held a raffle-auction at its annual reunion dinner and presented the proceeds to the Everett Chapter of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. 

“We like to try to give back to those that are currently serving,” said Timmons.

Crew members of Ingraham attended the ceremony and provided tours to the 63 association members present. 

Bob Eberlein, the founder of the association and current vice president said the association is more like a family than anything else.

“It is an extended family,” he said. “You arrive a stranger and leave a family member.”

The USS Nitro Association holds reunions every year and Eberlein said they always invite current Sailors to participate in the ceremonies.

“It may not mean anything to these Sailors now, but 30 years from now when they are retired, it will be a very special experience.”

For more information on USS Nitro (AE 2), USS Nitro (AE 23) or the USS Nitro Association, visit http://www.ussnitro.org{{PERIOD}}