Upon Jason's death March 23rd, 2003 we established the "Jason Plite Memorial Fund" in hopes
of being able to give a gift to the Swimming and Art Departments (two of Jason's passions)
of the Grand Ledge High School where he attended and graduated from in 1999.
The Fund did so incredibly well we felt it was imperative that we incorporate the Fund,
appoint a Board of Directors, and establish it as a charitable/non-profit organization and continue
to raise funds so that we can give out Grants and Scholarships to students in the Grand Ledge
Community pursuing further education in Art and Swimming!
We will continue to raise funds by holding an annual Fund Raising Dinner Event each April.
7th Annual Jason Plite Memorial Fund Dinner
Friday, April 16th, 2010
5:30pm - 11:00pm
Grand Ledge Opera House
121 S. Bridge St.
Grand Ledge, MI
Semi-formal attire
$50.00 per person
Send RSVP’s to:
Jason Plite Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 81064
Lansing, MI 48908
We would like to personally invite you to attend the 7th annual Jason Plite Memorial Dinner. We guarantee you an enjoyable evening with a silent art auction, displaying the creative works of many talented artists! A delicious meal catered by Colleen’s Cuisines and a compelling story by our keynote speaker Richard Thelen, a Navy Veteran and USS Indianapolis Survivor.
The MSU AFROTC “Silver Eagles” drill team will also be present to present and retire the colors.
During the evening we will present the 2010 Jason Plite Memorial Artistic and Swimmer Scholarships!
Richard Thelen
Navy Veteran, USS Indianapolis Survivor
Richard Thelen was born March 14
th
, 1927 in Lansing Michigan. He attended Holy Cross, West Junior, and Lansing Technical High School. Richard graduated in 1947 after returning from the service.
Richard enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. He left stateside for Pearl Harbor four months after his 18
th
birthday. The heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis steamed out of San Francisco Bay just after dawn on July 16 wrapped in a heavy cloak of secrecy. In her belly, she carried the atomic bomb that three weeks later would be dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. She raced, unescorted, to the island of Tinian where she unloaded her lethal cargo on July 26. Her mission accomplished, the Indianapolis then began a journey into Hell that would end with the worst naval disaster in U.S. history.
From Tinian the USS Indianapolis sailed to the island of Guam and from there she was ordered to the Leyte Gulf in the Philippines to prepare for the invasion of Japan. Traveling without an escort, her voyage would take her through an oceanic No-Man's Land infested with Japanese submarines and sharks. Richard’s duties on ship were to accompany civilian welders working on the ship, standing by with a fire extinguisher during repairs. Richard also was trained on Mark 14 sight, twin-20 and 40-mm guns.
At a few minutes past midnight on July 30 two Japanese torpedoes tore into her side, igniting an explosion that broke the ship in two. It took only twelve minutes for the ship to dip her bow, roll to starboard and slip beneath the sea. Of her crew of 1,196, an estimated 900 survived the explosion - but the worst was yet to come.
It was four days later, Thursday August 2
nd
when the 317 survivors were spotted by a plane and rescued.
Richard finished his service as Seaman 2
nd
class at Grosse Isle Navy Station in Detroit Michigan in 1946. He married his wife Joann (a nurse at St. Lawrence hospital) in 1951. They had six children, Mike, Larry, Dave, Barb, Cathy and Karen. Followed by 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Joann passed away in January of 2002. Richard has since remarried his dear friend Esther.
Richard drove trucks for 44 years as a civilian, the last 17 years were with Builders Readi Mix. He enjoys playing cards and camping. He is actively involved in the Knights of Columbus, VFW, DAV, and American Legion. Richard was instrumental in writing the book “USS Indianapolis CA-35- only 317 Survived”. Richard and his family are very active with their organization “USS Indianapolis Survivors”. At present Richard is the Co-Master of Arms.
Richard continues to share his story with others through speaking engagements. He has spoke at VFW halls, Knights of Columbus’, American Legion halls, Rotary Clubs and many high schools.
2009 dinner event
Scholarship recipients!
Amy Looyenga, Megan Schinderle, John Fitzgerald, Lydia Kramer & Dawn Peterson To date we have granted 15 scholarships in the amount of $30,000!
Opera House Guests
The Jason Plite Memorial Fund Board Of Directors
Mary Gwardzinski, Colleen Austin,, Dawn Peterson, Sara Clark-Pierson, Amy Looyenga, Pam George & Amanda McDonald Honorary member, Patti Bentley
Jason's Family
Alyssa, Charles, Dawn, & Shaynah Peterson & Sean Cunningham
Thank you to all for the very generous donations. The support from our Community
and throughout the USA has been overwhelming. This is such a special way to keep
Jason's Memory alive, and to turn a tragedy into something good.
Your support and kindness is truly appreciated !
Send a tax deductible contribution to:
Jason Plite Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 81064
Lansing, MI 48908
For additional information, send e-mail to following address: info@jasonplitememorial.com
