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.