Memo To: All The Super Patriots
NOTES FROM MEMBERS
Chico Duarte says hello and regards to all. He was
interested in reading of the squadron's sea going trip
to Kwajalein and mentioned that several of the air crews
went over seas on a Baby Flat Top thus they
missed the pleasure of the George W. Julian.
He returned to the present and said that the weather has
been very, very cold but he still gets up and over to
work at the store on a daily basis. He puts in six
hours at the store and then returns home to do various
required tasks to keep the family well nourished.
The remnants of the ice storms in his area are something
that he wishes would disappear because they encourage
the snow to stay around which makes walking and driving
a little dangerous.
Nick Bozic called to let us know that he suffered a
severe stroke on New Year's and was in the hospital for
six weeks. At time of calling he had been home for
about two weeks and is coming along now. His
daughter has been taking him to the hospital for several
tests which include monitoring his blood pressure.
His body remains very weak and he couldn't write so he
called to alert us as to his medical problem. He
travels in a wheel chair or walker, his right leg is
very weak.
Diet wise he has to watch what he drinks and eats and
keep track of his blood pressure and heart beat.
His heart beat appears to be irregular so he remains
under home therapy. He is of the opinion that his
body is getting stronger.
Received a message from John Kennedy who sends his best
to all. He mentioned reading about RL Marx's
problem with carpal tunnel syndrome and related it to
his problem with his right hand and left hand.
He had both hands operated on by an outstanding doctor
and passed on some info for me to give to RL if he is
still in need of further treatment.
Chuck Cannato called and sends his best regards to all.
He enjoyed seeing the picture of Waxie Prankard and
said that it brought back a lot of memories. It
was the first time he had seen a picture of Waxie
in years. He said that he missed the old views of
Waxie,
more hair etc.
Nick Dudo sends his best regards to all. He
reports that he is getting along alright, slowly though.
His artificial hips are fine but his back isn't.
Sections of his back are giving him problems plus he has
an abdominal aeortic aneurism that has to be taken care
of. He has appointments with the MD's to review
and determine what course of action is required. (Note
there are some spelling errors that my dictionary
wouldn't help me with)
One good thing he reported on was that the weather has
been fantastic no snow at all, only 4 inches so far at
the time of this writing.
Foster Cummings says hello and regards to all.
They are getting over the worst winter they have
experienced in years and he hopes that the weather
doesn't try to repeat any storms before it leaves the
area for good.
In reading one of the Boston news papers he found a
write up concerning the Town of Marbelehead, MA.
Ninety four years ago Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham
grabbed the stick of a rickety, "two-wing hydroplane"
puttered out into the sky and became the first aviator
of the United States Marine Corps.
Today, the "birthplace of Marine aviation," as the park
has been designated by the U.S. Government is maintained
year round in immaculate condition through the efforts
of a former Marine and a few volunteers who donate time
and money to their labor of love.
You can read more in the newspaper article which is part
of this newsletter.
Received word that John Aymen had to go to a nursing
home due his falling out of chair. Although it was
only a small fall the medical personnel felt that he
should be checked periodically since they determined
that he didn't have enough oxygen in his system.
He had to have a pace maker installed. This
occurred around the 1st of February.
It was also determined that he had signs of Parkinson
Disease and they are waiting for a Medical Analysis to
confirm this fact.
John has also developed problems walking by himself
which the medical personnel want to carefully analyze.
Don McCune sends his best regards to all. He
turned 91 on January 8th and as such he isn't
doing much traveling, he quit working two years ago.
Now he spends much of his time reading and watching the
history channel and enjoying his stamp collection.
These are things that he never had time to do when he
was working. He said that he does enjoy hearing
from his fellow Marines.
Bob Litzau sends his regards to all. He reported
that the only news with his area of the country is big
time heavy winter snows - wind- drifts, white outs, and
about two weeks of sub zero, freeze and wind drifts.
He had to use a snow rake to remove 2-3 feet of snow
from their west roof.
Bob's son gave him a book which he says is a must read
for any one who spent time on the blue Pacific. The
title is Halseys's Typhoon. It is a true story of
an epic storm and untold rescue in a 1944 tragedy -
survival and heroism - 90' waves, destroyers turned
brittle and one other broke in half.
He is of the opinion that every library in the country
ought to get a copy.
Kim Haddix the granddaughter of Frank Haddix is writing
a senior research paper as the last assignment prior to
graduating from college. She has read several
articles on the legacy of Ernie Pyle and was wondering
if any members of VMB 613 remember his stopping off at
Kwaj and if they can recall any attributes that she
could use in her paper on Ernie.
If you can e mail them to Kim Haddix,
rokster14@aol.com,
or send them to me and I will get them delivered to her.
In advance many thanks for your efforts.
TAPS
Condolences from squadron members:
From the family of Dr. Frank J. Carthey. Frank
passed away on February 17, 2007
due to problems arising from liver cancer. He was
82 years old at the time of his passing.
Frank had practiced medicine for nearly 40 years in New
Ulm after graduating from the University of Minnesota
Medical School. He then took a teaching position
with a specialty in family practice at the University of
Minnesota Medical School. In 1975 he and his
family returned to New Ulm where he continued practicing
medicine until his retirement in 1990.
HEALTH REPORT
Received an update on Stan Richardson from Peach
Richardson. She said that he is still about the
same as we mentioned last month being limited by his
breathing problem which limits his time to stay up and
move about. Other wise he is alert and seems to be
content. Stan is still physically limited to how
far he can walk and really has to watch it.
He continues to feel stronger and endeavors to try
physical activity such as walking by himself (again
paying close attention to the walking distance). A
guide remains in contact to assure that he doesn't lose
his balance etc.
I am sure that he would like to hear from you folks, his
address is as follows:
Stan Richardson
Westchester Gardens Rehabilitation & Care Center
Clearwater, Florida 33761
1-727-789-5143
Don't
forget our
"MYSTERY
PICTURE."
I am still waiting to hear from a few more members who are reviewing
the picture. Several members did respond to my most recent
special mailing and they reported that they couldn't recognize the
location of where the picture might have been taken. They also
said that they checked their own albums but couldn't establish any
connection to the picture.
Could this picture have been taken in Hawaii? I ask this of
pilots because the Squadron War Diary refers to the fact that all
pilots received additional training in survival and resisting
interrogation while they were at Hawaii.
Please check your memory banks and see if they fit in with the
picture.
I did receive a short note from one of the members who found another
envelope of notes and some pictures and have been informed that
members are still searching their files to see if they can locate
any information on the picture.
WEB NEWS
Our webmaster Robert Yanacek received an e mail from Frank
Vanek's daughter, Mary Vanek. If members who new her Dad
want to send her any messages get in touch with Robert and he
will forward them onto her.
Mary enjoyed reviewing the VMB 613 Website and she now has two
more pictures of her Dad.
Frank passed away in 1958. He was living in Amarillo, TX
stationed at the nearby Air Base. She didn't get the
opportunity to ask questions due to age etc.
She does remember hearing that her Dad was a Private First Class and
his ball team the Trojans won the Baseball tournament in 1945.
She said that her Dad was on the Pit Crew of a car at Le Mans in
France in the early fifties. Any thing that members can pass
onto her regarding her Dad would be appreciated.
Our webmaster also heard from a son and a granddaughter of VMB-613
members. They made the below entries in our on-line squadron
log-book. Feel free to write to them should you be moved to do
so.
Name: Jennifer Brady
From: New Jersey
E-Mail:
badyjc3@hotmail.com
Thank you so much for the wealth of information you provide on this
sit e. My grandfather, Edmund Zitkus, was a photographer for
the 613, and it's wonderful to finally put faces to the names and
places that I've heard much about. I think it's very important
for younger generations to learn about the experiences and
sacrifices of the servicemen who fought during such a fascinating
and turbulent time in history. Your website definitely helps
complete the stories I vaguely remember hearing about as a child.
Thanks again.
Name: Donald J. Taft
From: Wisconsin
E-mail:
taftvideo@sbcglobal.net
My dad was a member of the 613. I was thinking about him after
watching Flags of our Fathers and felt compelled to search out the
613. I grew up in a Marine home and was fortunate enough to
not have to serve. I am passing the Marine values my father
taught me on to my two boys and never allowing the sacrifice of all
Marines to be forgotten. May God continue to bless this, the
greatest country on earth.
Remember that our new fiscal year started in January 2007.
If
there isn't
an (07) or higher two digit number appearing after your name on the
mailing label on your envelope you should mail a check to us made
out to VMB 613 in the amount of $20.00 for payment of dues.
Note: (06) denotes 2006, (07) denotes 2007. Many thanks to the
members who have already sent in their dues checks.
SQUADRON MEMORABILIA
THE LIMITED EDITION COLLECTORS ITEM,
the squadron logo hat pin is still available for VMB 613 members
and friends. This pin is an inch in diameter and comes in a
pewter finish or gold plated with a hand painted finish. The
colors are similar to the colored logo that was mailed out
several months ago. Marine Corps Scarlet Red background, Gold
Wings, Black Cannon and Maces. Plus it is made in America.
|
Pewter finish logo hat pin - $4.50 |
Hand painted finish logo hat pin - $5.50 |
A
new item is the license plate frame. It is a
composition material (special plastic) with a red background and
gold lettering. The top of the frame has U.S. MARINES and
the bottom VMB 613 WWII. The cost is $5.00 INCLUDING
PACKING AND SHIPPING.
