Newsletter: May 2007

Memo To: All The Survivors Of The Pacific

NOTES FROM MEMBERS

Received a message from Frank Noland who sends his regards to all. He did some mental research on Fox Hole Barnett. He remembers when he left us on Kwajalein when his Guadalcanal Malaria returned.

In later years Bill Hudson, who succeeded him as Engineering Chief, reported that he had two or three hardware stores in upstate New York. Although Frank isn't positive he thinks that this area was around Scarsdale, N.Y. He also had

relatives in the Los Angles area whom he visited while attending school at North American Aviation in Inglewood, CA.

I made a few checks on the INTERNET but couldn't make any connections with the family.

John Gavin says hello and regards to all. All continues well with him. He receives the Kwajalein Calendar every year and this year he sent along a picture of two young children walking under some native vegetation, large trees. Nothing like we had when we were there many years ago. I will get the picture enlarged and put it with this letter for all to see.

Wayne and Freda Noble called to say hello and regards to all. They have moved to a Senior Citizen Complex which they say is wonderful. They also have a new postal address as follows:

Wayne Noble

4260 Village Dr No. 211

Kissimmee, FL 34736

(Tel. 407-846-1254)

Heard from Doc Protheroe who sent along a picture of himself standing in front of the Pacific Prowler, a B-25 that does a lot of flying in the Pacific. I will have a little more data on this once I am able to get the computer to print his message.

Doc also said that they are heading back to Hilton Head, leaving Florida on April 3.

Carmine Nasta called and sent his regards to all. He said that he all he has been seeing on his TV news coverage is the tornadoes in New Mexico. Hopefully he said "I hope that they aren't too close to you."

The action with the tornadoes was over a 100 miles from Santa Fe, depending on where the measurements took place. This is the worst attack of tornadoes in history the areas that were damaged reported. The weather organizations must have changed their method of recording because they had over ten tornadoes in a couple of hours. Normally it would have taken ten years to received that many.

Various state organizations are trying to find all the available techniques to obtain federal dollars to help in trying to get rid of the debris and then from there what is available for the property owners who lost everything.

Jim and Buzz Packard send their regards to all.

Herb and Sue Haroldson say hello and regards to all.

Charlie Ringler sends regards to all. He hopes that all remain in good health.

Jim Milhousen says hello and good health to all. He reported that he has been kind of busy. He had the aortic valve replaced in his heart, in addition to that he had 12 weeks of physical therapy.

He had to complete 36 sessions to get a diploma and he only missed a month of bowling. He still bowls but limits it to two days a week.

RL Marx reported in and said that he had made it to Arizona for a few weeks. Hopefully he will get some stick time in on a B-17 which his son is flying down. When his car arrives in Arizona he will be able to make a few trips around the southwest.

When his car did arrive he went on a Southwest Trip in to California and while driving around he remembered that a 613'er did live around there. After a little thinking and checking with a telephone book or two he remembered the name of his friend. It was DC Clay. He called DC who told him to stay where he was and he would pick him up.

Dc showed quite quickly and took RL on a tour of the 29 Palms area which included the US Marine Corps Base which was in the area. They had a great time reminiscing and RL said that the area was really outstanding.

He mentioned that a friend of his belongs to an organization that is rebuilding a B25H model aircraft. They have been able to get two brand new engines for installation.

They will be offering rides at Fairs for $365.00 a person. RL was unable to get together for a ride but his friend is going to arrange for him to get a ride and also allow him to explain to th public what the duties of the flight personnel were while on combat flights.

His medical problem with his arm still continues but is gradually improving.

He sends his best to all and hopes that all is well with all hands.

Bob Polakowski sends his regards to all. He has heard from Jim Packard whom he said sounded great. He and Buzz are considering a trip to Italy.

Bob also heard from RL Marx whom he said sounded good. He had an opportunity to talk to Hoss Cummings whom he said is doing fine.

He also heard from DC Clay who is doing great. DC mentioned that the dust storm really kicked up the sand in their area.

He also heard from Doc Protheroe who reported that they had been back from Florida for a week or so.

Bob said that he and Helene are going to take a trip out West around the Seattle, WA and plan to visit with friends they haven't seen for quite some time.

In his home area of Wisconsin they had a blizzard which left them with three inches of snow rather than the five feet that was anticipated.

When they return from their trip he will take his golf clubs which have been at the ready for quite some time and go out and hit a few golf balls.

Heard from John Peterson who sends regards to all. He said that a sign you are getting old is when you stop giving advice and start throwing out your old books.

He sent me a book to forward to Mary Vanek, Frank Vanek's daughter (which I have done). She may have it he said. He thought that he had thrown it out years ago.

John keeps busy going to the grand kids baseball games. They play on two different teams and both are catchers. With Easter coming up they are going to let him hide his own Easter eggs due to his old age.

He reported that Jane has her good days but her traveling is still limited.

Received a nice message from Willis Roose and he mentioned how Chuck Cannato used to go to Sick Bay for Shots and Waxie Prankard used to use various techniques to help Chuck overcome his fear of the needle.

He also mentioned that he remembered that Chuck Cannato was quite a competitive boxer.

He remembered Frank Vanek as being an outstanding soft ball catcher. He caught for the Nevil's Devils, who had three pitchers:

(1) Ted Murzyn, from the Chicago area who had pitched for the Zollner Pistons. He threw a "sling - Shot!"

(2) Another one was a tall, slender, Blond fellow, a few years older and had pitched for Bendix!! He threw a "wind mill"

(3) Ralph McClain, from Illinois or W. Virginia who was more of a "trick pitcher"

Frank Vanek had terrible chronic in-grown toe nails on each of his big toes. They required constant care.

The common technique of stuffing cotton "below" was entirely ineffective. So periodically Waxie, would squirt on the Ethyl Chloride and Willis himself would "whittle". Waxie and Willis kept him agile, mobile and hostile.

Willie said this was enough for this go round, his pen must have developed diarrhea!!

TAPS

Mary Jane Lewis sent a message thanking us for the memorial to the American Heart Association in Jim's name. She said that he would be pleased.

Received word from the Geslain family that Robert G. Geslain had passed away on July 13, 2006. Robert Geslain was assigned to the Materiel Group within the Quartermaster Section of the Squadron.

HEALTH REPORT

Received an update on Stan Richardson from Peach Richardson. She said that he is still about the same as we mentioned last month being limited by his breathing problem which limits his time to stay up and move about. Other wise he is alert and seems to be content. Stan is still physically limited to how far he can walk and really has to watch it. They endeavor to get him up for a long walk which he starts out to do, but then he tires out and has to seek refuge in resting up.

He would like to be able to walk for a longer period but his system won't let him. He continues to feel stronger and endeavors to try physical activity such as walking by himself (again paying close attention to the walking distance).

A guide remains in contact to assure that he doesn't lose his balance etc.

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

John Aymen is back in the Nursing Center. He hadn't been feeling too well which meant he needed some detailed physical analysis performed on his system. The Doctors have been reviewing all his medications and are in the process of making changes. He is hoping that they can find the proper formulation so that he can get more of his energy back.

Don't forget our "MYSTERY PICTURE." I am still waiting to hear from a few more members who are reviewing the picture. Several members did respond to my most recent special mailing and they reported that they couldn't recognize the location of where the picture might have been taken. They also said that they checked their own albums but couldn't establish any connection to the picture.

Could this picture have been taken in Hawaii? I ask this of pilots because the Squadron War Diary refers to the fact that all pilots received additional training in survival and resisting interrogation while they were at Hawaii.

Please check your memory banks and see if they fit in with the picture.

I did receive a short note from one of the members who found another envelope of notes and some pictures and have been informed that members are still searching their files to see if they can locate any information on the picture.

Thomas Stone Mystery Photograph

WEB NEWS

The VMB 613 web page continues to be reviewed by many individuals interest in Marine aviation. They send along their positive comments wishing us continued activity.

Remember that our new fiscal year started in January 2007. If there isn't an (07) 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: (06) denotes 2006, (07) denotes 2007. 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 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.

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."