FLEET RESERVE ASSOCIATION

TRIANGLE BRANCH 182

2021

"Staff of The Supreme Commander"

Two Bell Ceremony in remembrance of those
Shipmates that have received orders to serve

on the Staff of the Supreme Commander.

2021

Shipmate Robert J. Shanley

Shipmate Duane "Robbie" Robertson

Shipmate Juan Velazquez-Ortiz

Shipmate Samuel P. Tom, Jr
Shipmate Richard G. Johnson

Shipmate Robert J. Bellflower

Shipmate John C Sasso

Please remember our troops overseas in
Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chief Petty Officer
John C. Sasso USN (Ret)
April 13, 1929 - November 12, 2021

Shipmate John was a FRA Member of 46 years. He was a Navy Corpsmen and served 20 years retiring in September 1966.

Navy Log:
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/sasso-john

For his full obituary please see the link below:
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/23083340/john-carmen-sasso/gaithersburg/maryland/devol-funeral-home

Chief Petty Officer
Juan Velazquez-Ortiz USN (Ret)
March 12, 1928 - February 13, 2021

Shipmate Juan was a FRA Life Member of 47 years. He served a 25 year military career in the US Army & US Navy, having travelled all over the world, followed by a career at the Washington Hospital Center.

Navy Memorial’s Navy Log:
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/velazquez-ortiz-juan

For his full obituary please see the link below:
https://www.chambersfuneralhomes.com/obituary/juan-velazquez-ortiz

Top of Page

The Two Bell Ceremony. When executed properly, the Fleet Reserve Association’s “Two-Bell Ceremony” is dramatic testimony to humility, dignity, reverence and honor. It fulfills the promise of our preamble – “our reverence for the memory of our departed shipmates.”

Unfortunately, there is no written documentation or knowledge that clearly identifies the origin of this beloved ritual except that it is unique and ours alone. In researching naval history back to the time of Britain’s Lord Nelson we can find no record of a memorial ceremony using the ship’s bell. Our current elder statesmen credit several deceased shipmates as being largely responsible for the originating and refinement of the ritual. But it is clear the sounding of two bells is the “time,” or the “moment,” to pause and reflect on our shipmates who are now serving on the staff of the Supreme Commander.

In days past, “two bells” marked the end of the routine day aboard ship. It was time for “Tattoo” and soon “Taps” would sound throughout the ship. Certainly, this is a most appropriate time to honor our departed shipmates.

Those familiar with one of the greatest stories of the sea, “The Ancient Mariner,” will remember that he/she found safe passage in narrow waters by listening to the bell on the marking buoy. That bobbing marking buoy sounds much like the tolling of a bell for a funeral dirge, solemn, reverent and mournful.

Since the beginning of recorded time, men of the sea have been guided and impressed by the sounding of the ship’s bell. In our “Two Bell Ceremony,” the tolling of the bell and the spoken word can and should be combined to execute a ritual that contributes to and strengthens the bond that exists amongst all shipmates of the Fleet Reserve Association.

To report a passing of a Shipmate please Contact Us .

Commander
Robert J. Bellflower USN (Ret)
July 9, 1939 - August 8, 2021

Shipmate Bellflower was a FRA Member of 49 years. In August 8, 1957 at 18 years of age Robert enlisted as an Electronics Installation and Maintenance Technician in the United States Navy. This journey would see Robert achieving the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. In August of 1969, he was selected for and received a Commission as a Warrant Officer. In 1972 he would be Commissioned as a Line Officer. On August 31, 1993, after 36 years, Commander Bellflower would conclude his service on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Education and Training in Pensacola Florida.

For his full obituary please see the link below:
https://www.pnj.com/obituaries/pnj066728

Chief Petty Officer
Duane “Robbie” Robertson USN (Ret)
January 12, 1924 - February 1, 2021

Shipmate Robertson was a FRA Life Member of 63 years. He was a World War II Navy veteran who survived the sinking of the USS Yorktown during the Battle of Midway. After retiring as a Radioman Chief Petty Officer in 1960, he was a NASA Communication Specialist at Goddard Space Flight Center. He served as President of the Fleet Reserve Association East Coast Region during the 1981-1982 FRA Year.

Shipmate Robertson’s USS Yorktown experience was documented in a three part article written by Branch 182 President Keith Kaider, which was published in the 2015 June, July and August issues of the FRA Today magazine. These FRAToday issues can be obtained by going to the following link:

https://www.fra.org/fra/Web/Web/Content/FRA_Today_Magazine_Archive.aspx

Navy Memorial’s Navy Log:
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/robertson-duane-0

1st Sergeant
Richard G. Johnson USMC (Ret)
November 22, 1931 - May 22, 2021

Shipmate Richard was a FRA Life Member of 53 years. Following graduation from high school Richard enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and proudly served his country and retired after more than 20 years of service as a 1st Sergeant. Richard was an excellent cook and most of his culinary training was learned while in the Marines. Richard was a life member of the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Department, the Delmar VFW Post 8276 and St. Stephen's United Methodist Church where he served several terms as trustee and was the head bell ringer. He was a life-long avid Washington Redskins fan.

For his full obituary please see the link below:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/delmarvanow/name/richard-johnson-obituary?pid=198771596

Lieutenant Commander
Robert J. Shanley USN (Ret)
April 24, 1926 - January 16, 2021

Shipmate Shanley was a FRA Member of 48 years. He was in the Navy from January 1944 to September 1967 and served on the following ships and submarines: USS Barnwell APA-132, USS Sea Owl SS-405, USS Dace SS-247, USS Salem CA-139, USS Northampton CC-1, USS Frank Knox DDR-742, and USS Proteus AS-19.

For his full obituary please see the link below:
https://www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Robert-J-Shanley?obId=19679191#/obituaryInfo

Navy Memorial’s Navy Log:
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/shanley-robert

First Class Petty Officer
Samuel Peter Tom, Jr USN (Ret)
May 9, 1962 - May 5, 2021

Shipmate Tom was a FRA Life Member of 4 years. Born on May 9, 1962 in Fairchance, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Samuel Peter, Sr. and the late Pauline Leilamae (Long) Tom. Sam served six years in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as an Infantry Medic, and 20 years in the United States Navy, ending his career as a First Class Petty Officer.

For his full obituary please see the link below:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fredericknewspost/obituary.aspx?pid=198572884

In Remembrance