REMINDER: Since the Air Station is an active duty Naval Base all squadron military retirees should remember to bring along their Military I.D. cards to show to the S.P.,s at the Main Gate when they enter.

I will submit a listing of all non military personnel to the Station Police Chief so that it can be used to allow quick processing of other reunion attendees.

NOTES FROM MEMBERS

Bob Polakowski called to report that he and Helen returned from their extended stay in Florida. They enjoyed the warm weather.  Now that they are back home they are in planning stages for the reunion. The round trip mileage of over 4400 miles was recorded on the car has caused them to think about flying to the reunion.  Time will tell though which is the way to go.

Bob wore his VMB 613 cap while on the trip and while at a get together with friends from Wisconsin one of the youngsters in the group kept looking at his cap and finally said to some one he was with, it says 613 on his cap.  With that one of the adults came over and spoke to Bob and mentioned that he was in VMB 611.  He had attended gunnery school in Jacksonville.  Neither of them could remember any names of Marines who had attended class during their time spans there.

Another person came over when he saw the cap and said that he was in MAG 61 Quartermaster.  Bob couldn't remember his name except for a first name while we were talking and after hanging up I checked a MAG 61 Roster and was able to finalize on a John Manning.  In talking to Bob again he said that was the person particularly when I said that if he was an FBI agent he was the person.  Bob said that he was the man.

Bob and Helen say hello to all and will see all at Pensacola.

John Gavin says best of luck and regards to all.  He is unable to make the reunion this year but is sending us some underwater videos of Kwaj.  These will be available for the raffle program.

He also sent along three copies of The Kwajalein Hour Glass.  These papers contain articles about the Missing Raiders, Kwajalein's salutes to service members, and Kwajalein remembers.

I will have these copies at the reunion.

John has also read Fly Boys by James Bradley and is of the opinion that all should read this book, especially anyone who was ever connected with Naval or Marine aviation.

Vern Beggs says hello and regards to all.  He and Anne and the family members are looking forward for the Pensacola Reunion.

Doc Protheroe and Jane send their regards to all.  They were in process of packing to return to Hilton Head on March 9 when he wrote.  Received word that they had made it back to Hilton Head and were now considering how to make it back to Pensacola.

He has had the opportunity to speak to Robbie Robinson, DC Clay, Foster and Doris Cummings and Swede and Jennie Ohlson.  All was well them.

They will be visiting with Swede and Jennie prior to their departure for Hilton Head.

Doc said that they had a nice luncheon visit with Bob and Helen Polakowski along with their daughter Nancy and husband Jerry.

One morning he thought he was back on the flight line of 613 when he heard the familiar sounds of PBJ aircraft engines.  A B-25 had pulled into the local county airport along with a B-24. Both aircraft were there for a week end aircraft event.

Cliff Dotson says hello and regards to all.  His weather report for the area wasn't too good, not the greatest one particularly for their section of the country.  He and Patsy sre still busy reviewing house plans and making critical decisions on the required details to make their efforts come about the way they want them to be.

He and his brother Ray are looking forward to meeting with all at the reunion.

John and Carol Butler send their best to all.  They have been endeavoring to rearrange their work schedules so that they could attend the reunion but were not too successful.  As a result they will have to change their plans and stay at home, they would have much preferred to make the reunion. 

Both had a great time at the last one and express their regrets at having to miss this one. They wish everyone a wonderful time and that the days be filled with camaraderie and memories.  Their thought and prayers will be with each and everyone during their travels to and from.  They will be with us in spirit if not in person.

John as a veteran sends his respect and admiration to all of us.

Stan and Peach Richardson send their regards to all.  They are both feeling fine and hope to remain that way.  Their weather is warming up and has actually hit the seventies.

They will see all of us at the reunion.

Cal Russell and Joyce say hello and regards to all.  They will see all of us at the reunion.

Cal sent along a letter from an Army veteran who is in the process of pursuing a historic legal battle against some of former President Bill Clinton's acts one which was to authorize the United States to participate in the UN'S International Criminal Court (ICC).

I will bring this document to the reunion for all to read.

Walt and Avis Gravello report that they are both doing better this year.  They are sorry that they can't make this reunion but they wish all a great time.

For several months we have been out of touch with Gene Miller and my efforts to contact him via telephone wee not too successful.  I called upon John “Chico” Duarte to try his luck and he was successful in getting in touch with Gene's daughter.

Gene had informed us quite a ways back that Carmina had a severe stroke and was in the process of recovery, They were in the process then of determining a location for her continued rehabilitation be it Puerto Rico or Miami, Fl.

Chico reached Gene via telephone in Miami and had a great conversation with him.

Gene and Carmina are now living in an Assisted Senior Citizens complex in Miami and Carmina is doing real well.

Their new address is listed under Roster Addendums at the close of this news letter.

Spoke to Nick Bozic who says hello and regards to all.  He is feeling well but his leg continues to bother him and as such he has to be careful walking around, particularly when he encounters stairs.  Then he has to watch his weight shifting to accommodate the change in body direction.