Newsletter: August 2008

Memo To: All the Summer Leisure Types

NOTES FROM MEMBERS

Sandy Hudspeth is still endeavoring to regain his former physical health routine. He has left the Nursing Home and returned to the hospital where they can more readily observe his reactions to some required medical tests to assure that he is starting to improve physically.

His color has come back and he is feeling much better in the hospital where they have given him various tests and put him on a special diet. His heart rate is good and he has lost some weight which is a good medical aid for his system.

This is a repeat from last months news letter. I would appreciate it if members could pull a memory check on Warren D. Ritter and see if they can recall where he moved or relocated to. He was living in the Manor House, Assisted Living, in Wilmington, N.C. and his last letter was returned, NOT DELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED.

Carmine Nasta says hello to all. He has heard from Bob Chrisman who is in the process of getting ready to do some traveling and may see Carmine while on the trip.

George Deal sends his greetings to all. Things are progressing well for him and he is happy that the warmer weather is on the way, hopefully with limited tropical storms.

Willie Roose says that things are great in the Hoosier State and sends regards to all.

He is endeavoring to overcome problems associated with forty plus years of smoking which means that he is on Oxygen 24 hours a day. Although he stopped smoking in 1982 he still has to combat the delayed action of the smoking problem.

He said that he was sorry to hear of the demise of Al Zachwieja. It brought back a memory. Al won Sam Sommer's Concertina in a poker game and then taught himself to play, quite well also, said Willie.

Cal Russell says hello to all. He mentioned how much he enjoyed attending the reunion in Quantico stating that it was quite a celebration. He enjoyed the Marine Museum, the Marine Corps Drill Team, and the Marine Corps Band in Washington, DC. He emphasized that the picnic was also outstanding.

Ted Adkins sends his regards to all.

Foster Cummings sends his regards to all. He hopes that the weather in their home town area will soon improve. So far it has allowed an excessive mount of rain to fall coupled with a lot of extremely hot days.

He has been going through this unusual weather routine a little too often this year, as a result he hasn't been able to get out to cut the lawn, hence he is getting a hay field around his home.

His hometown had their 4th of July Parade with fireworks in the evening. This is a carry over 4th of July celebration for several years and has become an accepted regular activity for the residents on an annual basis.

Jim Garls says hello to all. He reported that he is still being bothered by a painful hip which has entailed Emergency Room treatments, taking special pills to relieve pain and the like. This has limited his movement to almost a crawl but he manages to move about.

Lester Robinson says hello and regards to all.

William "Bil"” Barber sends his best regards to all.

TAPS

John Gavin Passed away on 4 July 2008. Following the Mass of Christian Burial Internment followed at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

Howard W. Smith passed away on 13 July 2008. His son Gregory D. Smith passed the report onto us. His Dad received military honors with three Marines, and one Marine playing taps. One Marine put three spent cartridges in the flag and gave it to Mrs. Smith.

WEB NEWS

Our webmaster reported a very quiet and uneventful month. Out site continues to arouse the interest of many visitors.

Robert did speak with Dave Arant of VMB-433. Dave was a pilot with VMB-433 and for a short period of time was a member of VMB-613. Dave joined VMB-613 while the majority of the squadron was at Boca Chica. Dave contacted Robert to see if he could get some assistance on updating the website for VMB-433. Robert agreed to assist him and has put together a rather nice website for them.

Those who are interested can view it at http://www.vmb433.com

With VMB-433's website up and looking good, it attracted the attention of a number of other members from other VMBs who asked if Robert could put something on the Internet about their respective squadrons. Robert agreed to do so, time permitting. Within the last week he has put together six more web sites. Now six more PBJ squadrons have a basic website on the Internet-joining the ranks of VMB-613 and VMB-433.

Robert also created a home page that lists and provides links to all the PBJ squadrons. This page can be found at http://www.vmbmarines.com

Remember that our new fiscal year started in January 2008. If there isn't an (08) 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. Many thanks to those members who have already paid their dues.

Note: (07) denotes 2007, (08) denotes 2008, (09) denotes 2009. 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.

USMC Heat Transfer Kit. Has 6 large insignias and 6 small insignias. Can use on caps, T shirts or any other cloth item. These kits are $3.95 each.

We still have the small VMB 613 number plate for the rear window at $5.00 each. These now can be ordered with either a WHITE or RED background.

The regular size VMB 613 license plate complete with mounting hardware is now available on special order for $20.00.

We are out of stock on the Red VMB 613 caps. Efforts are in process to find a qualified organization to supply us with a restock of the caps.

Here is a VMB 613 Special from McGrogan's Patch Design. A cloth patch five inches in diameter which is the standard WWII size. This is the VMB 613 squadron logo patch in color. The cost to VMB 613 members is $3.50 per patch. Order direct from the following address:

Please continue the notes or letters all of which help to make the monthly letter more interesting.

For security reasons, changes to the roster are not available on-line. Please contact Charlie Knapp for address information.

A directory of e-mail addresses for members is available on-line in a password protected area of the site. Please contact our webmaster to obtain your password.

Note: Please check your address on the listing and let me know of any required corrections. Some messages have been returned with a comment "unknown address."