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MARINE BOMBING SQUADRON SIX-THIRTEEN ASSOCIATION 45 Verano Loop Santa Fe, NM 87508-3151 (505) 466-6549
1 April 2004 Memo To: The Marine Patriots All of you know that the reunion will be held from 5 May through 8 May 2004. The Committee and myself will be on hand to welcome all members as they arrive. If you are flying in please call Beach Boy Trolley 1-850-494-2270 from your home and let them know the Air Line and what time your flight will be arriving so that they can be on hand to pick you up. Remember the fare is $10.00 per person. (Note: Try 1-888-462-1026 first this should be there “800" number”) Remember to call the Reunion Reservations Desk at NAS Pensacola and place your reservations for the year 2004 VMB 613 Reunion. Members have already started to make reservations so please continue the march. Telephone number for Reservations is 1-850-456-8676. REUNION 2004 - MEETING OF OLD FRIENDS
REMINDER: Since the Air Station is an active duty Naval Base all squadron military retirees should remember to bring along their Military I.D. cards to show to the S.P.’s at the Main Gate when they enter. I will submit a listing of all non-military personnel to the Station Police Chief so that it can be used to allow quick processing of other reunion attendees. WEB NEWS Here is some good news on VMB 613, Robert Yanacek, who is our webmaster has informed me that members can pull up the VMB 613 website at any time from now on. Although he is still editing his effort will not be interrupted. The address is http://www.vmb-613.com. One can also pull up GOOGLE and ask for VMB 613. Members who are on the squadron e-mail list have already received the above address. Members who are not on e-mail list and do have a computer available shouldn’t have any problems in pulling down the address. If one doesn’t have a personal computer go the local public library and ask the librarian how to pull down the address, also ask how to use the mouse and the pointer and you are on the way to a few hours of history. Several members have already e-mailed me to say what a great job Robert Yanacek has done. They know that it was a task that took a lot time. To list all the squadron members (570 names) and the flight crews was a major effort in itself. Some members said that they spent well over an hour and will have to back for more reading. Robert is presently working on converting about 20 Aircraft Action Reports to special files so that they can be put onto the website. Robert told me that he is only about 33% completed so we will have an outstanding file for review by ALL HANDS and their family members when he completes his effort. In addition he was reviewing some web data to see who was visiting the squadron’s web site and we had numerous visits from Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy and the U.S. Military. Now even the world has access to VMB 613's story. Here is how VMB 613 looks in the following search engines: Google: Number 1 for VMB 613 Yahoo: Number for VMB 613 Excite: Number 77 for VMB 613 AltaVista: Not yet listed for VMB 613 Google: Number 11 for Marine bombing Squadron Six-Thirteen Yahoo: Number 9 for Marine Bombing Squadron Six-Thirteen Excite: Not yet listed for Marine bombing Squadron Six-Thirteen AltaVista: Not yet listed for Marine Bombing Squadron Six-Thirteen Google: Number 1 for Marine Bombing Squadron six-Thirteen Yahoo: Number 1 for Marine Bombing Squadron Six-Thirteen Excite: Not yet listed for Marine Bombing Squadron Six Thirteen AltaVista: Not yet listed for Marine Bombing Squadron Six Thirteen Google: Number 7 for PBJ-1H Yahoo: Number 6 for PBJ-1H Excite: Not yet listed for PBJ-1H Alta-Vista: Not yet listed for PBJ-1H NOTES FROM MEMBERS Heard from Foster Cummings who says hello and regards to all. He went onto say that they had some excitement in his neighborhood. Doris happened to look out the front window and saw that the street in their area was covered with State Police Cars and local Police Department cars. They went outdoors to see what was going on and the State Police came over and asked them if they heard any noises in the neighborhood during the prior evening. They hadn’t and inquired what was going on. Across the street from their house is a MA National Guard Motor Transport Facility AKA Camp Curtis Guild. They were told that during the prior evening individuals managed get into the fenced area break a chain and locks holding a gate shut, open the gate and make off with two HUMVEES. The two HUMVEES had been fully loaded with gasoline having just been serviced by the day crew. Prior to breaking out of the area one of the HUMVEES struck a deuce and one half on a bumper. The investigation revealed that military vehicles of this type do not have ignition keys so it is merely a matter of turning a switch to get them into an operating mode. Then local TV crews and reporters showed up. Doris made the local news programs when she was interviewed as the TV star of the day. Foster asked the photographers and TV men to take a picture of the American flag in front of his house and the Marine Corps colors which they did. They also mentioned in one of the stories that a retired Marine who lived close by was not aware of any incidents occurring during prior evening. In talking to the State Police Foster inquired as to why the Guard Shack personnel didn’t respond to the incident since there was some noise on that side of the road. He was told that the Guard Shack is only manned during day time working hours. The HUMVEES were found later in the day in the woods of a town ten miles north of the National Guard location. Received a sad message from Allan “Doc” Protheroe who had some sad 613 family news. Bob and Helene Palokowski lost their son Paul who lived next door to them. Paul was a fine young man, 42 years old, who died suddenly and unexpectedly. Their family wanted Doc to let our very close 613 family know of this sad news. Heard from Bob Grice who says hello and regards to all. He mentioned that they sold their place on the lake and moved to Ludington, MI. The address is on the Roster Addendum section at the bottom of the news letter. He had to arrive back home from his southern excursion a little earlier this year than usual to have some rotor cuff surgery. All is coming along OK he reported. Stan Richardson says hello and regards to all. He hopes to see all at the Reunion. Their area started to receive some nice weather which they all appreciated. This has made it necessary to stop procrastinating and break out the rake and start to rake up the leaves. His estimate is that he will be able to fill up a ten ton truck. Heard from Tracie and Margaret Bell who send their best to all. In taking to Tracie he said that they were still busy moving items from the beach home to the new residence. It takes time he said but they hope to complete the task real soon. His son pulled down the VMB 613 webpage and was very surprised to see where his Dad was stationed during WWII and read of the various flights that the squadron went on. Jim and Mary Jane Lewis returned home from Texas and are now getting ready to to go the Reunion. They send their best to all. They had a great time in Texas taking in all entertainment from memories of Elvis Presley to some country music via Branson. Now that they are back in MN they realize that they did miss a lot of snow storms and are now being surrounded by various animals and birds plus insects coming out of hiding. Jack Schwertfagfer says hello and regards to all. He has had to slow down his pace due to a severe fall. He was going up a walk way to a local shop when he tripped over an obstacle and went flying through the air. With the help of a local shop owner and another person he was able to get up. Although he didn’t suffer any broken bones his body was badly bruised and this has caused him to be very careful in attempting to do any physical exercise. He hopes that things will improve so that he can get out to play golf. Heard from Chuck Cannato who says that he has decided to retire again. After eleven years on the golf course and with his many physical problems all healed up properly he thught it was time to retire so that he and Lee could take a few short trips around the state. They also made a decision along with their children to move back to New York or Connecticut soon. As a result he is in the process of packing and getting rid of a lot of junk. A VERY TOUGH JOB. He wishes all his buddies a great time at the reunion. The location of the reunion is great he says and the weather super. Lester Robinson sends his best to all. Things are continuing well with him. George Bartlett received an e mail from Larry D. Kelley who owns the B-25 Panchito. Larry told George that he had met a former member of VMB 613 at the Punta Gorda Florida air show last weekend. His name was Leonard Delvecchio. I called the telephone number that Larry Kelley sent along left a message and Leonard called back. Leonard asked about several members, names that he remembered and I was able to give him some data on them. He remembered Carmine Nasta getting in touch with him several years ago and was wondering if he was still on the Fire Department. His name and address are listed under the Roster Addendum section of this newsletter. Leonard said to say hello and regards to all and he will see us at the reunion. Carmine Nasta was in touch with us and sends his best to all. He has mailed me some pictures of Kwaj that his son obtained and I will have a set at the reunion for all to see. These pictures are primarily of the squadron living area with some shots of air crews and the various athletic teams. Carmine also said that he has been in touch with Gene Hansen. All is well with him but he still has minor problems in walking. Recently he received an award from the Baltimore Orioles who recognized him as the most outstanding temporary employee. He has been working for them ushering at baseball games for over twenty five years. Carmine played baseball for the Cherry Point Base Team in 1951 and 1952, Korean War era, and was pleasantly surprised when he heard from several of them a few weeks ago. He said it makes you realize that once a Marine always a Marine. Joe Yakawich sent his regards to all. He was forced to pass on the reunion this year. His son is being promoted to Lt Colonel in the U.S. Army and he had to attend that function. He will be pinning on his sons silver leaves at a ceremony at Fort Hood, TX. Joe did make a contribution to our Raffle. There will be a marker on the display table which will denote a Yakawich Western Oil Painting. Joe will ship the oil painting to the winner. This will be another of his famous westerns which are well thought of by visitors to Montana. Some of the members have mentioned reading the book Fly Boys written by James Bradley and their fantastic opinion of it. A neighbor brought it over to me and I started with the last chapter and now have progressed to the first chapter. I have to agree with the members who have read it, it is an outstanding book. If you get a chance endeavor to read it. Remember that our new fiscal year started in January 2004. If there isn't an (04) 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. Note: (03) denotes 2003, (04) denotes 2004. 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.
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. We have a limited number of Red VMB 613 caps, the cost is $10.00 each and are being sold on a first-order, first-serve basis. These memorabilia items can be ordered from Charlie Knapp. Please continue the notes or letters all of which help to make the monthly letter more interesting. This is all for now. Stay healthy. Semper Fi,
Charlie ROSTER CHANGES For security reasons, changes to the roster are not available on-line. Please contact Charlie Knapp for address information. VMB 613 E-MAIL DIRECTORY LISTING 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." |
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