The LST-325 docked for tours at Madison, Indiana on 09/14/2013.  This LST (Landing Ship, Tank) was used on D-Day +1 to offload tanks, trucks, jeeps, and troops at Omaha Beach and to transport injured soldiers back to England for care.  It was utilized in Korea & Vietnam before being decommissioned and sold to the Greek government.  When the Greeks were ready to scrap it, it was purchased by a group of veterans who have worked to restore her as she was during World War II.  Her home port is Evansville, IN, but she sails during the summer so that others may board her and explore a piece of history.

(more pictures under the cut)

This is the second time I’ve toured this ship in the last 10 years, and it was even better the second time.  I find it captivating to stand on her deck and wonder what she’s seen and who has stood where I stood.  She’s full of history and now she’s being preserved out of love and respect.