Newsletter: February 2009

Memo To: All Winter Marines

NOTES FROM MEMBERS

Jerry Gutshall passed on at 6:05 on January 24, 2009. Peggy said the family is saddened by their loss. But rejoice that he is with the Lord.

The past few weeks were extremely rugged for him. He fought a good fight. It was time for him to go home. Peggy thanks all of us for our prayers and concern for both of them.

Jim Garls sent a message to us wherein he sends his regards to all. He said that he is still having a walk problem and is continually using his special walker when he goes out doors to move around the property and another walker for inside the house use. In both instances he maintains patience to make sure that no sudden accidents will occur.

Tom Honan sent along a copy of a VMB 613 picture that his wife Joan drew that displays the U.S. Marine Corps emblem in the center of the picture with the American Eagle sitting on top of the Marine Corps emblem and VMB 613 centered on the sides of the emblem. Below the emblem is title of the event, WWII. This picture will be sent to our webmaster for inclusion in our VMB 613 History File, website. Tom sends his regards to all.

Homer Anderson sends greetings and regards to all. He reported that all is well with "us old folks here" on the home front. They are having nice weather and the temperature actually hit in the eighties for a few days.

Joe Yakawich reports that all is well with him and all the family. Their weather has been up and down. He is looking forward for a chance to get some fishing in. His son the U.S. Army Lt Colonel is in the process of being reassigned and will be only 125 miles from Butte. It is two year tour of duty.

And he has been designated as the Professor Military Science for the University of Montana effective the summer of 2009.

Joe says that is the reason he is planning on some great fishing days while his son is in the area.

Bob Polakowski's daughter, Joan, continues to give thought to our 2009 reunion but reported that she still will have to fall back to the year 2010 due to demanding matters that take precedent.

She is still definitely willing to head up the reunion and all her planning from now on will be for that year. She will be very glad to receive any and all e-mails on members recommendations to make the reunion an outstanding event.

Clifford Dotson says hello and regards to all. He remains constantly busy with his technical expertise, being involved in a litigation on a product failure analysis. This could be a possible court testimony matter which is keeping him busy.

Sam Wolfe sends his regards to all. Squadron members who have been in contact with him say that he really remembers a lot of VMB 613 events.

Sam also said that since his discovery of VMB 613 on the NET he has remained in contact with Robert Yanacek to assure that he faithfully remembered a lot of happenings that occurred in the squadron.

Our webmaster received an e-mail from Tim White son of Radio Gunner, Don White and heard that Bob Shocks wife Betty broke her leg and had to have surgery.

Bob Polakowski reported that Helen is doing fine considering what she has been going through. Surgery is set up for January 15 to repair the tear in the artery caused by her attack. The Doctors are very optimistic about the planned operation.

Foster Cummings says hello to all. The weather remains a cold problem in his area of the world and he hopes that they don't get snowed under as the winter months continue. They did receive about 22 inches of snow around the middle of December.

Foster reported that snow hit 29 Palms (DC Clay report) yet the temperature moved back up to almost 60 degrees so it didn't do much to bother life in the area.

He has been in touch with DC Clay and Brooks Kaufman and he heard from Doc Protheroe who has made it to Florida for the winter weather.

In last months letter it was mentioned that our Reserve Funds for special contributions were getting low. I wish to thank the members for remembering this fact. Some members have dropped me notes saying that they had remembered to make their contributions.

TAPS

Emil Pittner, a former VMB 613 pilot who was transferred to VMB 433, died August 2008 at the age of 87. After WW-II he transferred to the U.S. Air Force and retired as a Colonel. After retirement he worked for GE, assigned to their Space Program.

WEB NEWS

Our webmaster, Robert Yanacek, received an e-mail from Cilla Rogers, daughter of Pilot Ted "Jolly" Rogers. Cilla found our website on Christmas Day and enjoyed visiting and learning about some of her fathers exploits during WWII.

She sends her regards to all members. Cilla also indicated that she will keep on the lookout for any photographs or items of interest in her father's collection and will pass them on for inclusion on our website.

Robert also received numerous e-mails from diver, Bill Remick. Bill was the diver who identified our aircraft on the bottom of Kwajalein Lagoon a number of years ago.

Bill mentioned that he received various photographs in the past from Farley Lund and John Gavin. He forwarded these photographs to Robert and they are now part of our website. The photos included shots of the airstrip and flight line on Kwaj and a number which showed the squadron's PBJs being stripped of their engines and other components on Roi at the end of the war.

We received a map of Kwajalein Atoll from a member who was of the opinion that this one was of a superior quality. The member thought that it that it would enhance members scrap books of Kwaj. Hence it is an attachment to this News letter.

Remember that our new fiscal year started in January 2009. If there isn't an (09) 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: (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."