USS BELKNAP Association

Newsletter 2006

Letter from Al Krekich, former BELKNAP CO

Stephen,

I very much regret Bobbi and I will not be able to attend the BELKNAP reunion this month. Both of us have so many fond memories of our two years in Gaeta, Italy. It is difficult sometimes to comprehend that two decades, twenty years, have passed since I had command of BELKNAP. My two sons were ten and twelve and excited about being in a foreign country; Bobbi was being the typical Navy wife with the challenges of keeping the family together; and I was overjoyed at the prospect of having a cruiser command and the wonderful, dedicated sailor who manned her.

The two years I had command of the “Fighting Flagship” we focused on a nation that was up to mischief with terrorism; namely Libya. I remember well the operations in late summer, early fall of 1987 as we went south of the “line of death” as a show of force. We also had our share of quick sprints to the eastern Mediterranean to take care of business off Lebanon. Terrorism was not so much an issue for us at sea, but was more an issue for our families ashore. The day before I turned over command of BELKNAP to Admiral Hal Gehman, terrorists struck and killed several sailors in Naples. Twenty years later terrorism is at the center of our concerns both as a nation and for current sailors who serve in our Navy.

While I regret not being able to join you, I want to thank those who served with me during our time together on BELKNAP. You were a great group who put aside the challenges of being in a foreign country to get our mission accomplished in serving as the Flagship for the SIXTH Fleet Commander. You were the best and I am proud and honored to have served as your Captain.

Have a great reunion. God bless!

And with much respect…

Al

Alexander J. Krekich

Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired)