Newsletter: January 2008

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.

NOTES FROM MEMBERS

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.

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."