They both withstood the trip just fine even though it took them 10 hours each way, with flight time and making connections.  They flew from State College to Cincinnati, then Salt Lake City, then Boise.

Willis Roose sends his regards to all.  He read with interest in the last news letter of John Peterson's experience having his sister visit him at the pier where the troop transport the George W. Julian was tied up.  He added that there was a little more activity associated with the matter, they had to get to the Naval Hospital where John's sister the Lt J.G. Nurse was stationed.  This required them to make the detailed local vehicle arrangements for the personnel movement.  This was done very successfully as evidenced by the Lt's presence on the pier.  There was some minor interruptions as noted below.

Willis also mentioned that Jake Hodges had an appendicitis attack and had to undergo a blood test, results of which were reviewed by Dr. Scott who directed Willis and Waxie to get the patient to the hospital fast.  This was accomplished and then Willis and Waxie were able to get the Lt JG Nurse to the Pier.   A few weeks later after we were settled on Kwaj Jake arrived from the hospital, complete with scar and without an appendix!!

Received a call from Chuck Cannato and he sends his best to all.  We discussed several VMB 613 activities from the distant past and the current status of members that Chuck has been in contact with.  Chuck said that they have settled down after their move from Cape Cod back to their familiar area in Connecticut.

I called Nick Bozic to say hello and find out if he has been able to get out and run the 440 or some other such activity.  Unfortunately he said that he is still working from a walker and occasionally a cane.  Nick sent his regards to all and hopes that all are able to get up and out doors occasionally particularly if the weather holds up.

We mentioned several members whose names were still in our active memory files and most of them have been heard from over the past few months.

Carmine Nasta sends his regards to all.  He had just relocated to an Assisted Living Home when we spoke.  He had been there for two or three days. This move was required because he had fallen, broke some ribs, injured his head, also his left arm which now has a cast on it. In addition he has hip problems which necessitates his using a walker to get around.  In effect he needs assistance quite a bit of time.

He said that Edith had to have a pace maker installed to give her help to get around.  She experienced several problems associated with her heart and this has given her the required aid to move about. 

We received a pleasant surprise in the mail.  Will N. Semple the son of S/Sgt William S. Semple sent along a letter in which he mentioned the passing of his Dad on July 21, 1996.  He mentioned that his Dad talked a lot about having served in the Marine Corps.  Will was endeavoring to get in touch with Charles Cannato who was a friend of his Dad's. 

I am pretty sure that he was able to get together with Charles Cannato via telephone, now I have to get Charles Cannato's correct e-mail address.

Frank Kos sends his regards to all.  He mentioned that he joined VMB 613 at Newport, and his first flight was in Hawaii.  His crew went out for cannon firing practice which included the loading of the cannon.  He had never loaded or been instructed on the procedure of cannon loading so he was a little confused as to procedure.  When he was given the command to load he made a decision and put the pointed end of the shell into the breech and it worked.

IN MEMORIAM

We received word from a friend of the squadron that Joseph G. Choma passed away in April  2001.  In addition to being a Marine Veteran of WWII he also served on active duty during the Korean War.  Joseph retired after working forty years as General Manager for the Ford Agency in Sheffield Lake, Ohio.