THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR A LAWYER. THIS IS ONLY WHAT YOU MAY HAVE TO GO THROUGH IF YOU END UP IN THIS SITUATION.

Hello Frio,
My name is Dee Drennan. I found your name on a Sims website. Ricks Navy picture
can be found in the crew book printed in 1973 page 48. I am the widow of Ricky
Bob Drennan that served on the USS W.S. Sims in the early 70's as a boiler tech.
Ricky died three years ago Aug. 3 of Mesothelioma and lung cancer due to
asbestos exposure. Before he died HE filed a lawsuit for Erin, our daughter, and
I. He went though hours of testimony on tape at home between chemo treatment to
provide for us a future. He was amazing at all he remembered. Packaging of
products, colors on the packaging, what ships these products were use on and who
he worked with. After the Navy, Ricky went on to be a chief engineer on merchant
ships for 25 years. He loved his "affair of the sea" as I sometimes called it.
If you remember anything about your work with Ricky Bob please contact me.
Enclosed are some pictures of the good times and 10 hours before his death. I
pray you are all in good health.

Best regards,
Dee Drennan

Dear Dee,

Please accept our sincerest condolences to you and your daughter, Erin, from
all of Ricks former shipmates of the USS W.S.Sims (DE/FF-1059).

I did have the pleasure of serving with your late husband, but not as closely
as the BT's in the Fire Room. The only BT that I am in contact with from back
then is Jake Royak  and I am forwarding this response to
him and some other people that might have also known Rick in hopes that they may
be able to help out and/or know where to locate other BT's from that time (Chief
Perry, Dave Patton, Jeff Sherman, et al). I will also repost this note on the
Sims Veteran Association website (SimsVetAssoc Yahoo Site) and have Denny
Walterman do the same on the Sims Association website (||||| USS W.S. SIMS 1059
||||| ) in an attempt to reach out to fellow shipmates to help you. I promise
you that I will do my best to try to locate and contact some of Rick's former BT
shipmates and have them contact you to help out in your plight.

I do remember that we were all always surrounded by asbestos on the Sims.
Everything in the machinery rooms was insulated with the stuff, as was the
entire inner hull of the ship. We used to wear asbestos suits in our fire
fighting training and as 'protection' when welding. It's always been something
that was in the back of my mind (as I am sure it is with others shipmates) when
asbestos was found to be so harmful.

Thoughts and Prayers,

Steven Donofrio
Former EM2, 1973-77
USS W.S.Sims (DE/FF-1059)