DC



Don Claar MM3 M-Div. 1962-1964

GETTING BAPTISED ON INDY


.....My name is Don Claar and my story takes place in 1962 aboard the Indy. I had become engaged to a young lady - my wife Donna - before enlisting in the Navy. Donna is a member of the Catholic faith and I wanted to become a member as well. I studied about Catholicism before I enlisted, but never got the chance to get baptized. I knew there was a Catholic priest on board the ship, so one day while steaming across the Atlantic Ocean, I decided to drop in on Father Schiavone and discuss a few things with him. The main thing I wanted to talk to him about was the possibility of being baptized while aboard the Indy.

.....Father Schiavone explained to me that in order for me to be baptized aboard the Indy, he would have to send to my home church - St. Patrick’s Church in Newry, PA - for the appropriate paperwork. Father Schiavone sent for the paperwork and two weeks later I heard my name called over the ship’s intercom. I was to report to the Chaplain’s Office. So I did.

.....When I got to the Chaplain’s Office, Father Schiavone said that he had gotten permission for me to be baptized. We went through with the baptismal ceremony immediately. Then Father Schiavone said that he knew the priest in Genoa, Italy - a town we were very near - and that he could arrange to have a Confirmation ceremony for me there. There was just one minor problem. I needed a sponsor - someone of the Catholic faith that would agree to stand for me during the ceremony. Since I didn’t know anyone that would fit the bill, Father Schiavone said that he would take care of all the arrangements. And he did.

.....Father Schiavone found a young man by the name of Larry Kephart to be my sponsor. After the Confirmation ceremony, Larry and I were standing outside that little Italian church and I asked him where he was from. He said he was from Pennsylvania. I told him I was too. I then asked him what part of Pennsylvania he was from and his answer nearly floored me. He said, “I’m from Altoona”. I said, “So am I!!” We were so surprised by the coincidence. What are the odds that out of 5000 sailors, two strangers from the same small city would meet halfway around the world and end up participating in such a special ceremony?

.....I thought the story was unique enough to share with you, I hope you enjoyed it.

Baptism





MEETING CONNIE FRANCIS


.....In 1962, the Indy and her crew, myself included, paid visit to many beautiful ports, among them the French Riviera. One day, while in Nice, France, my buddy, Gerry Falgout and I were walking along the beach. I looked out across the sand and thought I saw Connie Francis sitting on the beach! I told Gerry, and he said that I was nuts, but I insisted that it was her. I proceeded to stroll right on over to her chair and I asked if she was Connie Francis. She said, “Yes I am, how did you know?” I told her that as popular as she was it would be impossible to miss her.

.....I asked Connie if I could get a picture taken with her and she said that would be nice. So I sat down in the chair right beside her on the French Riviera and had my picture taken with Connie Francis!! What a way to live, huh? We talked awhile and then she said, “How about you two boys coming over to my place tomorrow for spaghetti dinner? My mother is here while I’m making this movie (Follow The Boys) and we are staying in a trailer in back of the filming area. This was one blond haired boy that was ready to go full-blown Italian!

CF&DC

.....When I got back on ship the next day, I went through all the “chit sheets” with the division to get the approval to have an extra day off for this special occasion. The last officer that I needed to sign the “chit sheets” was not convinced that my request was legitimate. In fact he said, and I quote, “I don’t believe that crock of bull”. He would not sign for me to get the day off, so I never did get to have dinner with Connie Francis. But I got her autograph, a picture with her and an invitation to dinner - even if I didn’t get to go!

CF

.....Well, lets turn the clock forward about 40 years to the year 2002. Connie Francis was giving a concert in Greensburg, PA - not too far from my home. My wife, Donna, and I decided to go. Then an idea came to me. If I would bring that old picture of Connie Francis and me on the beach, I wonder if she would sign it. Well, I figured it was worth a shot. I bought a rose for her too - just for a little extra incentive.

.....We arrived at the theater about a half-hour before the show started. There was no one around, so I walked up to the locked theater door and knocked on the window. A man came to the door and said he was Connie Francis’ manager. I explained to him that I had this picture from 40 years ago that I would like to have it signed by Ms. Francis. He told me to wait there for about ten minutes and he would be back. He came back with two back-stage passes for my wife and I and said, “As soon as the show is over, you meet me down by the stage and I will take you back to meet Connie.” We were thrilled.

.....We had a really nice visit with Connie and she signed my 40-year-old photo. Then I gave her the rose and a copy of the original photo that I brought for her. My wife and I had a few new pictures taken with Connie to put next to the old one. Connie is a special person and I’m glad I got to meet her again after all these years..





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Special Thanks to John Koonce V-2 Div. 1961-1963 for collecting and formatting this page for our Reunion Site.



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