Memo To: All The New Years Day Football Fans
HAPPY NEW YEARS!
Bob Polakowski called to inform us that we should be
hearing from our contact for the reunion. This
individual a former WWII Marine has been instrumental in
helping Marine organizations get oriented with the
motels in our planned reunion area.
This person is a member of a WWII Marine Unit who has
been handling arrangements for his own squadron, and is
aware of the information that we need to know regarding
administrative matters and other important things.
He has told us that a two bedroom goes for $59.00.
Another advantage of the location is that there is a lot
to see without having to do much traveling.
Some members have already started to alert us as to
their ability to attend.
Received a nice letter from X. Ray Hickey of N.E.
Washington State. He reported that the year 2007
has not been a good year in all ways.
His wife, Betty, passed away this past October after
about ten months of care by Hospice of Spokane.
Their assistance during this period of illness was
really outstanding he reported.
On his own health Ray reported that he had his second
knee joint replaced in March 2006 and his knees no
longer give him problems anymore. His running is
limited but his walking remains although at a slower
pace. With his walking ability he is still able to
get outside and cut wood for his winter burning.
He uses about six cords every winter and finished this
winters quota. He said that for someone 88 years
of age he did real good.
His local Marine Corps League although down in numbers
did enjoy a Marine Corps Birthday party. He was
the oldest Marine in attendance.
They received their first snow of the season so it
caused him to put the snow tires on his pick up.
With a temperature of about 20 degrees he didn't work
too fast but spent some time in the house trying to say
warm.
His next schedule work was putting the snow plow on his
tractor so that he could keep his private road plowed
during the coming winter months.
He sends his regards to all and wished all
"A Very Happy
Holiday Season."
John (Chico) and Raquel Duarte send a Merry Xmas To One
and All.
John Robinson sends his regards to all. All
remains well in Troup, TX, he reported.
Bill Barber says hello and greetings to all.
Ned Carmichael reported that he and Betty are in good health
and live a very full life. They have been to Hawaii to
attend a family reunion where saw all 22 of Ned's family,
including five great grand children. He said "what a
blast".
They send their best to all.
Marie Timinskas sent us a joyous Christmas Season message.
Willis Roose sends his regards to all. He was happy to
hear that we had heard of the whereabouts of Arthur F.
Parker (a VMB 613 Corpsman) and will endeavor to contact him
when they visit his area. This trip is planned for a
week or two following Ground Hog Day.
Willis sent along a page full of events that he and his
family participated in during the year 2007. There
were twenty activities that all the Roose family members
participated in during the year 2007.
Willis said that he hasn't mastered the E Mail system yet
and still uses the reliable SNAIL MAIL system.
Heard from Doc Protheroe who sends his best to all. He
and Jane have made it to Florida and are getting adjusted to
the weather patterns.
Jim Garls reports that all is well in Pekin and although his
mobility is limited, he feels fine. Not that he is
sick though, he has a very sore left knee and a troublesome
right hip that make walking very difficult and dictate the
use of a walker.
Alice Bernard sends her regards to all. She enjoys
getting the monthly newsletter. She is feeling quite
well and continues to live in an Assisted Living home which
is a little different than her own home, but it does give
her an opportunity to relax a little.
HEALTH
REPORT
I spoke to James "Red" Nelson who says HI TO
EVERYBODY. Although now living at home he continues to
have walking problems. The pain has decreased
somewhat which indicates that the rehab treatments which
include special exercises are doing some good.
Major areas to improve continue to be his left leg,
ankle, foot, and arm which are still partially
paralyzed.
He sounded outstanding considering his health problem.
Received an update on Stan Richardson from Peach
Richardson. Although the major infection that gave
him problems has been eliminated from his system he is
still bothered by pulmonary proboscis problems
though.
Stan is still endeavoring to stay ahead of the main
health problem that has been bothering him, taking
special medication. There hasn't been any major change
in his health condition but Stan continues to improve
his breathing routine to overcome his shortness of
breath and is continuing to get more of his strength
back. Other wise he continues to be alert and
seems to be content.
Stan is still physically limited to how far he can walk
and really has to watch it because he doesn't have the
strength to get up and move about in the manner that he
likes to.
He would like to be able to walk for long periods but
his system won't let him. He continues to feel
stronger and endeavors to try physical activity which he
is unable to do for an extended period. He also
takes daily treatment to improve his systems
breathing.
He is still enthused over his two Marine Corps caps that he
has plus some other Marine Corps items. They change
the appearance of his hospital room. Plus he has a
choice of choosing one Marine Corps cap over the other for
daily wear.
Another Marine comes in and they share stories on the Corps
which makes the world go a little faster.
Stan continues to remain alert through all this though.
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
WEB NEWS
Our website continues to attract relatives and friends of VMB
613. Hopefully many more relatives and friends will
contact us to determine if we have information regarding their
relatives and friends.
In one of our previous letters we mentioned hearing from
Alexander Mislow's daughter Lorraine. In her latest letter to us
she said that she would like to hear from any member who
remembers her Dad. She was very young when he passed away
and she would like to know all she can about him.
A picture of VMB 613's Radar Group appeared on the Internet. It
was a link to a blog by Maxwell Cobbey's daughter-in-law.
The picture will appear later in this letter and will have
Maxwell shown encircled for identification.
A blown up picture plus the picture that appeared on the
Internet are shown for picture comparison.
Some of you members may remember that Tyrone Power served in the
Marine Corps during WWII. He visited VMB 613 at Cherry
Point and met with our Adjutant, Arthur Navarre. They were
in the same series of OCS Classes at Quantico, being
commissioned on the same date.
After that visit, Lt Col Nevil's took him on a tour of the VMB
613 flight line area. Charlie Tavalire and I were in the
process of moving a 4-foot by 6-foot high shelf unit between
buildings and we had to cross a semi-paved walk carrying the
shelf. Charlie yelled put it down and run, which we did.
Walking up the walk (which was located between two rows of
buildings) was Lt Col Nevil's and Lt Tyrone Power.
By Charlie and I putting down the shelf unit, we blocked them
from coming up to the Flight Line using the short route, so they
had to turn around, walk back to the paved road and walk up to a
street and turn right onto a paved road entrance leading to our
Flight Line.
The next time I saw Tyrone Power was at Kwajalein. Tyrone
was a multi-engine pilot and had just landed with a plane load
of wounded service men. He went to the VMB 613 area and
found out where Lt Navarre was and they had a short meeting, and
then Lt Col Nevil's took him on a tour of our squadron area and
facilities.
His picture will appear later in this newsletter. For
computer active personnel, type in
http://www.militarymuseum.org/Tower.html and you will be
able to pull down a copy of Tyrone Power in uniform.
Our webmaster heard from Lenny Delvecchio who reported that he
enjoyed viewing the website. It brought back a lot of memories
he said. He is going to endeavor to make an entry in the
Guest Book (Log Book) the next time he goes on line.
Our website continues to be of interest on the Internet by
virtue of the fact that we have had over 4.5 million hits since
is was made available in January 2004.
On 10 November our webmaster, Robert Yanacek, attended the e
Marine Corps birthday celebration on the Outer Banks and
reported that it was a swell time with about 30 Marines present.
Robert wore his VMB 613 polo shirt in honor of his Dad and all
members of VMB 613. Apparently his shirt brought him some good
luck as he was fortunate enough to win the drawing for the
grand-prize at this event - a numbered print by a local artist and
Iwo Jima veteran - Tom Fentress. Robert said that he was
thrilled about finally winning something, especially such a nice
piece of art work as another reminder of "The Greatest Generation".
While going through some photos provided by Terry Manning, son of
pilot Jerry Manning, Robert came across three photos taken during
some type of VMB-613 formation. The photos were taken by Dave
Snider, probably at Cherry Point or Newport.
The Marines are dressed in Khakis and in one photo Terry
Hungerford's dog Foxhole can be seen walking alongside the
formation. Robert was hoping a member could identify the
location and event.
If I can get improved copies of the pictures made they will be shown
with this letter other wise in the next letter.
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.
