I called Red Nelson who says hello to all hands.  He is still bed ridden and remains under the control of his Doctor.  This means he has to move about very slow so as not to disturb his over all system.

Bob Polakowski's daughter, Joan, has been working on the plans for our 2009 Reunion but reported that she will have to fall back to the year 2010 due to demanding matters that take priority. 

She is still definitely willing to head up the reunion and all her planning from now on will be for that year.  She will be very glad to receive any and all e-mails on members recommendations to make the re-union an outstanding event.

Here is a repeat request for info.  George Comer has suddenly become a fast mover and the mail can't keep up with him.  His address in Grandin, FL was suddenly changed to Oak Kill, WV 25901 but the letter with that address was returned to Grandin, FL.  If any member has a new address for George Comer please send it to us.

This is still a repeat from last months news letter.  I would appreciate it if members could pull a memory check on Warren D. Ritter and see if they can recall where he moved or relocated to.  He was living in the Manor House, Assisted Living, in Wilmington, N.C. and his last letter was returned, NOT DELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED.

Received a letter from Charlie Cosbey who sends his best to all and many wishes for good health for all the members.

He mentioned that he had been in the hospital three different times in September being treated for diverticulosis.  They finally let him out after determining that he was on the road to recovery.  He hopes that the MD's were correct in this matter.

He mentioned that he did have a computer but it would not work properly for him when he endeavored to write this letter to us but he managed to get it to perform for him.

This past month our webmaster received an e mail from Brooke Ligon telling of a conversation she had recently with VMB 613 member, Sam Wolfe.  Sam was an aircraft crew chief and he recently discovered that VMB 613 had an Internet Presence.  Robert Yanacek called Sam and spoke with him for over an hour. 

Sam lives in Maryland and was a wealth of information regarding our aircraft and various squadron activities.  He was Wayne Youngren's crew chief.  Sam mentioned that Wayne Youngren's aircraft was MB-12 and was named "Fireball".  Sam indicated that at the end of the War, one PBJ was totally stripped of all armament, the paint was removed from all surfaces leaving the aircraft in a natural aluminum finish. 

Sam noted that missing from the squadron's history was the post-war move of the engineering, ordnance and electronic maintenance facilities from the lagoon side of the taxi strip into Quonset huts further to the north and on the ocean side of the runway.  He added that it was essentially done in one very hot afternoon with plenty of beer available.  This event gave rise to Lieutenant Colonel Nevil's supposed remark, "Give this squadron enough to drink and they can do anything."

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HEALTH NEWS

Sandy Hudspeth remains in the hospital where they are taking good care of him.

He is looking good, good color continues to come back and he does feel a lot better.  He endeavors to get more physical activity to help regain his strength but at the same time he realizes that he can't over due this effort so he rations his physical activities.

Sandy endeavors to get some of the required exercise using a wheel chair but has to make sure that he doesn't get too involved doing so.  Too much exercise can turn him back to extra hours regaining his strength by getting bed rest.

The medical staff continue to give him required medical tests to assure that his overall system is performing properly.

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TAPS

Received a notice from JD Garls who read about the passing of Herb Siegert at the age of 84 on September 26, 2008 in his home.

A memorial service was held at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 29 in the First United Methodist Church.  Visitation was held for one hour until time of service in the church. 

Herb served in the US Marines during World War II.  He was a graduate of the University of Illinois receiving a degree in engineer.  While at the University he played on the Winning Rose Bowl team of 1947, later Captaining the team.  He also played professional football for three years for the Washington Red Skins.

He was the former owner of Siegert-Lees Insurance in Pana, and member of First United Methodist Church, Pana Rotary Club, Pana Lodge No 226 AF & AM; Christian Shrine Club, Ansar Shine, Pana Sportsman's Club and Pana Country Club.

Herb had been a Pony League Coach and was active in community projects and fund raisers.  He was one of the first members of Pana Industrial Development Corporation, which encouraged industry in Pana.  He was also a member of several boards, including 45 years on the Board of First National Bank, serving as Chairman fo 20 years.

Surviving are his wife, five daughters and families, a brother and sister and their families (eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews).

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