Memo To: All The Santa Claus Participants

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

Foster Cummings says hello to all.  He had his annual Marine Corps celebration at his home on the 5th of November with approximately 25 plus attending, several of them Marines, Joe McDonald and Rita were there as were John and Doris Siergewicz representing VMB 613. 

On the 8th of November, Foster attended the Semper Fi U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Celebration in Boston.  The Commandant of the Marine Corps was the guest speaker and there were approximately 3500 Marines in attendance.

Foster has been in contact with Lester Robinson and said that all is well with him.  Lester is a baseball player of great renown and Foster said that they exchanged quips about the various major league baseball teams and which one was superior to the other.

Foster had an opportunity to see some of The VMB 613 webpages and noticed a picture of Bernie Dowd in the Radio Man's compartment (or interior of plane) the person in the background was identified as Foster but he couldn't recall the picture and wasn't sure if it was him.  I printed the picture but couldn't recall who gave me the negative so if any one else sees the picture try to determine who the Marine in the back ground is.

Jim and Mary Jane Lewis say Merry Christmas to all.  They have been busy with local events keeping them mentally and physically alert.  In addition planning for the Christmas celebrations take up a lot of their spare time.

Ed Alling sends his seasons greetings.  He is very enthused over the VMB 613 website and said that he has sent a message to Robert Yanacek extolling his efforts in establishing a great site.

John Aymen says hello and regards to all.  He is continuing to feel better all the time but still has some problems walking without the use of a cane or walker.  Hence he takes his time while walking and limits the walking to short distances.  This way he can maintain his balance while trying to learn how to walk again.  He is still in the process of taking chemo treatments and has to undergo testing for other potential problems.

Harlan Jason says hello and regards to all.  He continues to keep his physical problems under control but realizes that he will never run the 220 for quite some time.  We spent time reminiscing about the closing hours at Kwaj and the various assignments that squadron personnel were given to close down the squadron.  His memories were very interesting and humorous.  He remembered when our utilities, shoes and socks just about disintegrated and no replacements were available until the Sea Bees came up with a great re-supply.  These lasted until the Corps was able to divert USMC personnel clothing to our unit.  When he was assigned to detail at the QM section after the close of hostilities he became involved in the repacking of Marine Corps utilities, socks and shoes for trans-shipment to other organizations.  He often wondered who ended up wearing them.

He also repacked several dozen Thompson sub machine guns and to this day he wonders whether they ended up in Kwajalein Lagoon or some other elite body of water. 

Bob Polakowski sends his Christmas Greetings to all.  He said that Foster Cummings had sent him a lot of Marine Corps material to read and it is really great to receive it and read it.  He knows a few Marines who are not on any list to receive up to date Marine Corps information so he shares it with them, and it makes them very enthusiastic to read it.  They re-read several times just to make sure that they didn't miss anything.

Gerry and Peg Gutshall let us know a short while ago that they were going to sell their home and move and it happened.  They sold their house within three hours of listing which meant that they really had to scramble to find a new place to live and they found a two bedroom apartment where they are now ensconced.  They went on a Caribbean Cruise last spring to celebrate her 80^th birthday.  It was a better ship than the G.W. Julian and they enjoyed the change of scenery.  Gerry has had two eye operations to have cataracts removed and is doing well.  He has stayed on his regimented six day a week routine at the Health Club.  Peg reported that she had a slow heart rate and low blood pressure and this past August had a pacemaker installed which regulated her entire system and she is now feeling fine.

Jim "Red" Nelson called to say hello and regards to all.  He commented that the weather has been great and he hopes it continues for awhile longer.  All continues well with him as long as he doesn't try to do too much physical work.

Stan and Peach Richardson sent their regards to all.  They have been on the road visiting and are now back at home.  Stan has been having breathing problems and as a result he has to be on "02" oxygen most of the time, which really means all of the time.  At their senior quarters he has become an avid bridge player which keeps his mind working at a rapid speed at all times.

Mike Jacus says hello and regards to all.  He has been busy around the house catching up on required maintenance which hasn't let him get too far away.  One of his main efforts has been the review of photos from VMB 613 Ordnance section and endeavoring to put names with faces.  Constant reviewing and the thinking of events on the flight line and in the Ordnance Compound does help in arriving at the identity of the members.  These will be on the website in the near future for all to see.

Received an email via a friend of Howard W. Smith who said that he was in VMB 613.  He was inquiring about a reunion of the squadron.  I sent him an e mail of our reunion questionnaire and requested that he complete it and return it.  I checked the roster in our webpage and it listed a Howard W. Smith as an Armorer, Aircraft.  He signed the e-mail as Howard W. Smith, SGT USMC Retired.  Hope that this brings back memories to members of the Ordnance Department.

For several years I have had a repository for pieces of our lost aircraft over Ponape and working with Fred Staren we endeavored to locate personnel to forward selected items to them.  Recently, I sent a mechanical aircraft accessory part to Susan (Stone) Clare.  She responded that "the airplane piece you sent - what a gift".  Thank you very much.  Like you I'm not sure what to do with it, but I know I'm glad that kept it all those years.  I'm glad to have it.  Now what - wonder what a metal sculptor or artist might create around it or with it?  It could become a piece within a piece or such - to display.  What a treasure.

Received word from a Marine (Eric Sperger) who has been researching VMB squadrons as a hobby that the following book is available:

Bound for Action in WWII by John Hughes.  Cost $13.00 including shipping.  Request your copy at:

John O. Hughes Radar/Gunner VMB 614