Dennis Ayer, Stafford, Va.
This note is in reference to the article you wrote about my Dad in the May 31, 2013 Sartell Newsleader. (Access archives at http://issuu.com/newsleaders/docs/stl053113opt/7?e=6534301/2707686.)
In November of 2013 Dad passed away (www.williamsdingmann.com/ObituaryDisplay.aspx?ID=8169). I just wanted to thank you for your story about my Dad; he was my hero and it wasn’t until after his passing that I found out he was a member of the YMS-183 crew which was written about in the book, The Wooden Dreadnaught.
I purchased the book for him a few years before he passed away but he never spoke to me about it. After cleaning out his room at the nursing home they gave me the book and I sat down to read it and read about all the actions the ship and crew went through during WWII. It was very humbling to read and try to understand what they must have gone through.
Again thank you for the writeup you did so we never forget the sacrifices they gave for us all.