Newsletter: May 2008

Memo To: To All Those Who Served With Honor

Bob Polakowski reported that 35 squadron members and family members had informed him that they would be attending the reunion and based upon contact with other members it is possible that a total of approximately 45 could be in attendance.

Several members have called me and informed me that they were actively looking into the possibility of attending and would be contacting the appropriate persons regarding rooms.

Bob also indicated that we could be still 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 $64.00 (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 that the Group Number for VMB 613 Reservations is 1197.

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 8th&I Headquarters, and attendees will see the Marine Corps Band and Silent Drill Team.

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

Bob telephoned the other day to say that the Motel is doing everything possible to get room space for members who are endeavoring to make the reunion. Space has become available at other motels not too far from the Main Hotel and when ever a room does become available at the Reunion Motel the Staff endeavors to contact a squadron member to make them aware of the opportunity for a room.

NOTES FROM MEMBERS

Heard from John Kennedy who says hello and regards to all members. They are waiting for the real Florida weather to return to their area of the country.

Joe Yakawich sent along a few lines to let all of us know that all is well with him and the family. He says Hi to the gang and hopes that all are OK.

He reported that he had just completed a painting of a 48 inch Display of a Consolidated B-24D Liberator aircraft. Now that this one is complete his is starting on a painting of a 36 inch DC-3 Military Transport plane.

He sent along pictures, drawings and parts lists to show what was required if one wanted to be non original and make one from a kit as opposed to using their own mentality to measure, cut and glue etc.

Heard from Jim and Buzz Packard who send their regards to all hands. All continues well with them and with the weather almost on schedule for better days they are getting outside more often.

Doc and Jane Protheroe planned to leave Florida for home around the 27^th of March. They send their best regards to all.

Their weather has been real windy and cold during the month of March and they are hoping that the weather will warm up just a little. If this happens it will allow the fishermen to go out and endeavor to catch some winter fish.

Heard from Red Nelson's daughter Sharon, who reported that all is well with the folks, Jim (Red) and Evelyn and they are getting ready to move into a new mobile home which will be on Sharon's property so they will be close by to them at all times. They have a new address which is:

2503 Maurice Road

Odessa, TX 79763

Mike Brennan says hello and best regards to D.C. Clay and Chico and all the rest of the outfit. He reported that the winter of 2008 has been tough on him. They have had snow since the start of January and this has made it difficult for him to get out and walk. He has started into Yoga to see if their relaxation and breathing techniques will help to relieve the affects of the stroke he had on his whole right side.

He said he doesn't want to complain about their weather after seeing what the rest of the country has been suffering from, in the way of fire, floods, tornadoes, drought and everything else.

Ed Alling sends his greetings to all. Everything is going OK with him and he hopes that this is the same for all members.

Chuck Cannato sends his regards to the “Olde Crew” and for all to "stay healthy."

Received a message from Joe Waldowski who sends his best to all. He gave a report on matters that have slowed he and Dottie down a little.

On January 2 Dot had her right knee replaced and had to spend two weeks in the hospital for themo-therapy three times a week. Now that she is at home and following the doctor's orders doing home themo-therapy and other related medical items.

They remain active in their Senior group and endeavor to bowl once a week - of course Dot can't bowl but she can watch and cheer.

Since neither of them are at a 100% operating efficiency level they limit their trips to the Casino's or a show.

Bob Akerman sends his regards to all. All remains well with them. He asked if I remembered what year a big tropical storm hit Majuro and washed away a policeman who was directing traffic and a bunch of houses at an intersection. I went to the Internet and endeavored to find reference to such a tropical storm but haven't been able to find an exact date. I will continue to check the various references going back to a period of 12-15 years ago and see if a tropical storm name surfaces on the matter.

Heard from Bob Grice who reported that all was well with him and he sends his regards to all. He asked me to check my memory regarding whether there was an island in our Kwaj area that personnel could use for R&R. I said that there was such an island but I couldn't remember for sure which side of the lagoon it was on that was used for R&R purposes by squadron personnel.

In checking with our webmaster, he said that the island was Bennett Island in the vicinity of Kwaj and it was used by our squadron personnel for R&R purposes.

Heard from Bob Brueggestrass who says hello to all. He reported that he underwent a procedure to place a pacemaker in his body. This was done based upon the opinions of several Texas Tech cardiologists. They attributed his extremely low pulse rate as a detriment to his health and well being and as nothing else seemed to work this was considered the best approach to correct the medical problem.

He was discharged from the hospital and is at home and sleeping with numerous constraints and starting feel well. He has regained enough strength to handle communications via e-mail.

Vern Beggs sends his regards to all. He reported that Al Varner and Marlys stopped by for a short visit and that he mentioned the VMB 613 website to them. Vern mentioned the quality of it and the Varner's are going to visit it when they get home to South Bend.

Vern also sent long some “Island Memories”, a write up on Ponape from the May 1982 issue of Travel Holiday Magazine and a copy of Chuck Cherry's advertisement of the Marine Bombing Squadron VMB 613 40th Anniversary Aircrew Revolver.

These will also appear with this News Letter.

WEB NEWS

Our webmaster sent along a map of the KWAJALEIN (CARILLON) ATOLL which shows among other islands, Bennett Island. This is one of the islands where some R&R activities took place.

THE PLANE THAT ENDED WORLD WAR II

Beautiful restoration of one of the most historic aircraft of all time. The Enola Gay has lead a somewhat checkered life. It was dismantled in 1966 finally put under cover and security at the Smithsonian's Paul Garber Facility. Until that time it sat at various storage sites savaged by souvenir hunters, animals, and the weather. About 300,000 man-hours have gone into remedying that neglectful situation, plus researching and undoing a bunch of modifications made to this B-29 after Tinian.

Now completely reassembled and proudly displayed at the new Udvar-Hazy Museum at Dulles International Airport, Enola is externally complete. Compared to today's jumbo aircraft it seems kind of small. A variety of avionics and some panel restoration will continue over the next few years even though the public will not be allowed inside this aircraft.

But happily the National Air & Space Museum is planning an interactive virtual touch to the interior to be from the web. Take a look...

Enola Gay

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."