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Post by fots2 on Sept 29, 2010 19:33:11 GMT 8
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Post by buster on Sept 29, 2010 21:49:44 GMT 8
Fots, your images consistently show your mastery of the medium - the greatest photos of Drum. I can't specify, damn, they are ALL good.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2010 0:07:08 GMT 8
Dear Fots2, Wow! What great photos. You have some talent, sir. I went thru all of the Corregidor content and was very pleased and surprised. Thank you for taking the time to share those with us. I could almost put myself there thru your photos. My nephew and I went on Edna Binkowski's WWII History Tour in May '09. We spent a few hours on a guided tour of the island, which didn't leave any room for freelancing, as you have done. I would like to go back and spend additional time there. We did happen to be on the island on the 67th anniversary of the fall and surrender. I was asked to speak at the wreath laying ceremony commemorating the event at the memorial, and did so. I kept it short. "Steve on the Rock" on the other hand... Just kidding. We took some photos of the tour which lasted about a week and since the family did not all go, he shared them with everyone by making a hardbound book of our trip on Shutterfly, which he gave as Christmas presents last December. That book is posted on the Shutterfly website, and here is the link: community.shutterfly.com/gallery/search/start.sfly?term=binkowskiEdna Binkowski was the tour promoter and guide, and her name is a sure fire way to find the book. I had one printed for her also. My interest in the island relates to my father, Capt. Ben King, who was Battery Commander of Battery Geary at the start of the war. He was responsible for the initial firing of "large seacoast artillery at the enemy". He was later transferred to Fort Drum after the firing at Longos Kawayan Point. He was on Fort Drum at surrender and was the only surviving officer of Fort Drum at the conclusion of the war. I'd be pleased for you to visit the book at shutterfly. Regards, Richard H. King
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2010 2:25:17 GMT 8
Dear Fots2,
I have had a chance to view some of the other albums you have posted. I am awestruck. Thank you for sharing those with the members and visitors to this board.
Smokinguntoo Richard H. King
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Post by okla on Sept 30, 2010 4:24:55 GMT 8
Hey Fots...Fort Drum must have been a unique place for Army personnel to serve. Not unlike being a crew member of a warship except the vessel didn't move. I suppose that's the reason some early photos depict a few of the guys sporting white USN "dixie cup" hats just for "laughs". I have always wondered just how long the tours of duty,etc were on Drum during peacetime, i.e, whether they were rotated in small groups or by Battery every so many days/weeks/etc. I have heard/read that there was always a skeleton crew on duty at all times, but were these people also rotated after a reasonable period?? If this wasn't the case I would imagine "land lubbers" would get a bit "antsy" even yearning for the EM Beer Hall on the "Rock" let alone for a "romp" in the dives of Manila. I betcha Battery Boy has all the "skinny" on this. Thanks for posting these excellent pix. Cheers.
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Post by tomasctt on Sept 30, 2010 8:18:42 GMT 8
Great shots!
I've always wanted to visit Fort Drum. I recall seeing her (odd, like a ship, I give the fort a feminine label) from Caylabne Beach Resort many many many years ago.
When and from where is the best time and place to visit Fort Drum? Cost involved? Thanks!
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Post by fots2 on Sept 30, 2010 14:32:55 GMT 8
Hi Richard,
Welcome to the forums. I just had a look at the shutterfly. That is an amazing quality book you have there.
If you have any photos or stories of your father and Fort Drum, I am sure we all would like to see and hear them. It is great to see someone who is proud enough of their father to share and make public their family history.
Thanks for your comments.
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Post by fots2 on Sept 30, 2010 14:33:44 GMT 8
Hi okla,
I don’t know the answers to your questions but perhaps smokinguntoo does. Fort Drum is a unique fort but I know I would want to get off it regularly.
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Post by fots2 on Sept 30, 2010 14:36:35 GMT 8
Hi tomasctt,
Karl and I visited Fort Drum when we were staying on Corregidor. If I remember right, the banca cost P3,500 for the day. We were not hurried while on the fort. Prices change and your negotiating skills might be better than ours so good luck.
For a few suggestions , go only when Manila Bay is very calm and preferably around high tide. There is no dock at Fort Drum and you basically jump onto one of two Sally Ports. There is a narrow lip of 2 or 3 inches in the concrete near the ports to use as a foothold but nothing to hold onto.
Have the banca bring a ladder, not for climbing on but walking on. Consider the shape of a banca, long narrow bow and outriggers on each side. It cannot get real close to the Sally Port so using a ladder as a gangplank works great.
What about hiring a fishing boat from Ternate? Do you have any contacts there to inquire about this? Forget the resort, last year I asked and they want P2,000 per HOUR to rent their boat.
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Post by tomasctt on Sept 30, 2010 14:52:53 GMT 8
P3,500.00!!!!!WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! Nope, I don't have contacts in Ternate. Not yet though. ;D I'll look around, maybe some of my mountaineering friends live in the area or knows a friend of a friend, relative of a relative.... ;D Fort Drum will be on my To Do list for 2011. I guess the best time is summer...?
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