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.

The reunion dates are May 14, 15, 16, 17 and leave on the 18th.  It will be held at the Crossroads Inn in Quantico VA.  Rooms are $69.00 (no tax), and have refrigerators, microwaves and coffee makers.  There is an outside swimming pool.  

To make Reservations at the Inn, call: Jackie Holder, Mgr - 1-800-965-9511, and mention that this is a VMB 613 Reservation and the Group Number for VMB 613 Reservations is Group No. 119 

You fly into Reagan International Airport and there are shuttles to the Inn.

Many plans are still being formed but we will have buses to take us to special events.  On Thursday we'll visit monuments, Friday H&I Headquarters, and attendees will see the Marine Corps Band and Silent Drill Team.

Some members have already started to alert us as to their ability to attend.

To maintain contact with Bob and let him know you are coming here is his address and telephone number:

Robert Polakowski

118 N Wilson

Kimberly, WI 54136

920-788-2988

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NOTES FROM MEMBERS

John Gavin says hello and regards to all. He was endeavoring to determine if we had heard from one of our members whom he hadn't heard anything about for quite some time.  I am in the process of making contact with that member and should have an answer for John in the near future.

Jim Garls sends his best to all.  He reported that the Pekin, IL area continues to stay in the cold belt - well below zero temperatures.

Jim also sent along a newspaper column on one of VMB 613's athletes.  This is Herb Siegert who graduated from the University of Illinois and played on their  football team, playing in the 1947 Rose Bowl and then had a three year career with the NFL's Washington Redskins.  Read the newspaper column for more details on Herb.

Dave Arant called our webmaster and reported that he recently had a severe bout with pneumonia, but he has fully recovered.  He also mentioned that VMB 433 had a reunion in Quantico this past Autumn which he attended and he really enjoyed seeing the Museum of the Marine Corps.

Our webmaster received a log book entry from John J. Spaulding son of Lt John A. Spaulding.  He reported that his Dad John A. Spaulding is 87 and in great health.  His Dad who now lives in Toms River, N.J. has told him many stories abut his experience in the Pacific.  He would enjoy talking to any one from VMB 613.

Received a message from Sandy Hudspeth who reported that he had been suffering with a heart problem for the past year.  He finally spent 6 hours in the heart of a Florida Hospital while they decided what to do.

The problem was that Sandy's heart had developed a beat of its own.  It was necessary for the hospital heart specialists to try various medical procedures and they were able to stop the heart and restart it in a consistent manner.  He now has a regular heart beat, no skipping or double beats.

It took several hours and a lot of work on the part of the doctors.  Sandy said that he has never felt better. 

He thanks all of you for your prayers and well wishing!

Received an e mail from Vincent Cannato the son of Charlie Cannato who has reported that his Dad, Charles, no longer has an e-mail address so adjust your files.  To contact Charles by e-mail you can use his son's e-mail address which is in the e-mail directory on our website.  His son will print any e-mails received and deliver them to Charles.  His snail mail address has not changed and remains:

Charlie Cannato

926A Heritage Village

Southbury, Conn 06488

Vincent said his father is doing well and he is sure he sends his regards to  you all.

Our webmaster also received a message from a Marine who is the son of Donald McCune Sr. Who was a member of VMB 613 as a 1st Lieutenant in Air Intelligence.  His father's telephone number is 814-445-8939 and he would love to hear from anyone in the unit. 

He just turned 92 years of age and is in good health and remembers the past in much better detail than even the present.  Unfortunately, he has some trouble traveling now, but the VMB 613 reunions were always top on his list over the years as a destination.  I again want to thank the author of this WEB SITE and say I am of those who served in the war.

Bob Brueggestrass says hello to all and reported that they are still surviving on the High Plains of Texas.  He has even learned to say Llano Estacado.

Cal Russell says hello to all and that things are still going well in Florida.

Heard from Tom Honan who sends best regards to all 613'ers.  He said that he and Joan are enjoying good health and no major problems.

Nick Dudo sends his regards to all VMB 613 members .  He said that he is still going along with a bad back and all the other little things that keep acting up.

Nick Bozic says hello and regards to all.  He reported that since his stroke he has problems moving around so he has become an expert walker with the help of a Walker and a Wheel Chair.  He can't take two steps without using one of them.

In effect he is grounded, he can longer drive his automobile so allows his grandsons to use it for their local transportation needs.

He reported that this year his area has really been hit with unusual winter weather.  Unusual strong snow storms with extremely cold weather, and very strong winds which have blown trees over, as well as, telephone poles.  At the time we were talking they were expecting major storm to hit their area which would included snow and ice.

Heard from Joe Yakawich who reported that he is hanging in there.  He said that it was very wintry up in Montana.  He also sent his best to all.

Joe Jr, Lt Col US Army, is now back in the states and his current assignment is teaching at Fort Leavenworth College.

Joe said that since he is officially retired he confines his activity to art work and has already been noted as the Artist of the Year in his area.  This award has already caused an increased demand for his paintings.

One of his sons has a store and Joe's oil paintings and model airplanes have a place of honor in the store for all to observe.  The paintings on one of the  walls make the store look like a museum. 

When the weather gets warmer he is planning to visit with his son in Florida probably around the 1st of March.  If I wrote down the data properly he has 22 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

In last month's letter I mentioned that Lloyd McDaniel was at Parris Island at the same time when Tyrone Power was going through Boot Camp.  The Parris Island was in error it should have been reported that Lloyd McDaniel was at San Diego Boot Camp.

Heard from "Red" Nelson who says HI TO EVERYBODY.  He said that he is improving daily and feeling better.  He continues with his rehab routine.  This has limited movements but has to be done.  He uses a walker daily but a health worker has to follow him so he won't fall and injure any part of his body.

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. His condition remains about the same but he is sleeping more.  When he is awake he watches TV. The major infection that gave him problems has been eliminated from his system.  However, it has been determined that he has to be treated for pulmonary fibrosis which has affected his lungs.       

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.