Summer 2002 John G. Esposito, Editor
A MESSAGE FROM THE LEFT HAND SEAT:
The 'off-year' VPB-111/VP-21 Veterans' Association board meeting. It was held on 8 August in Pensacola, FL, site of our '03 reunion. Because of a family situation, I was unable to attend. Otherwise, the meeting was well attended by both the board members and association members who live in the local area. John Esposito, our Vagabond Newsletter editor, was kind enough to provide me with his notes of the meeting, which I will now pass on to you.
I should first note that the attendees got front row seats at Sherman Field for a practice session of the `Blues'.
The target dates for the '03 reunion are 5-7 November.
Location of the hotel/motel is still under consideration.
The committee members are composed of the following:
Harry Dunlap, Tony Marcantonio, Doug Vance, Steve Kaiser, and Jack Horesfild.
Now that the committee has been constituted, planning for the reunion will go forward. Several ideas were discussed during this meeting, and will be given further consideration for feasibility by the committee. One idea was a one-day fishing trip. More information will be forthcoming as it develops.
Other discussions included:
- the possible elimination of one of the four issues of the Newsletter. This was due to lack of input from our members. However, it was decided to retain the four issues per year and to continue to solicit membership inputs accordingly. We all have stories to tell. Why not tell yours to all of us via our newsletter?
- future reunion sites. It was proposed (by John Esposito) that a list of possible sites be posted in this edition of the newsletter. Persons interested in expressing their future preferences should contact John Esposito accordingly. Be sure to include you name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. All input preferences will be tallied and decisions shall be made therein.
As always, we continue to try to locate missing squadron members. Please check your rosters. If you know of a shipmate whose name doesn't appear on the roster, let us know and we'll see that he's added.
Also, as always, we're more than happy to accept contributions in support of the newsletter. Printing and mailing costs keep going up. All contributions should go to our treasurer, Dick Webb.
TAPS:
It is with great regret that I make mention of the following loss to our association:
. Levi J. Frisue. Passed away 5 Nov 00 from cancer. Interned Arlington National Cemetery 21Nov 02.
. David Hanlon. Passed away 10 July 02 from numerous health complications and a severe stroke.
. Art Swanson. Served with VPB111 `The Snoopers'. Passed away 21 OCT 02 of Parkinson's Disease.
. Alex Winward. Served with VPB-111 in '43 to '45. Passed away 24 May 02 of cancer.
.Vincent Woychowski. Passed away 15 May 02.
. Lyle Hanson. Served with VP21 in Brunswick from `61-'64. Died of heart attack 2 Aug 02.
. Walter `Red' Watson, ATC. Passed away 12 Aug 02. Served in VP 21 '66-'67. Flew on CAC 5/13.
. Jack Standfill. Passed away 19 Aug 02. Lung cancer. Interested persons may contact his spouse, Pearl, at 1866 Forest Court, Milpitas, CA 95035.
. Bill Clark. Passed away December '01. Massive heart attack. Served with VP21 from `49-'51.
. Jack Kendrick Noble. Passed away Jan '01.
. Charlie Long. Passed away 7 April 02. Acute Leukemia
Our thoughts and prayers go with them and their families.
WELCOME (BACK) ABOARD:
. Steve Thompson, 426 Hafkin Ave., Apt #10, Dayton, OH 45420. Phone # 937-243-7968
. Tony Camanelli, 97 Central Park East, Berlin, MD 21811. 410-208-9573
AX3. Served with VP 21 from `63-'65.
DIRECTOR/TREASURER, DICK WEBB, REPORTS ON RECENT DONATIONS:
The following list of people have made a donation to the association since the last issue of the newsletter:
Carl R. Ahee, B. Charles Blair, Charles F. Brinegar, Joseph B. Candullo, Daniel Ferreira, Richard P. Field, Raymond Gaus, Charles M. Gibson, Herbein, Warren C. Massey, Robert E. Nelson, John S. Walker, Dale E. Woods
Thank you for helping to keep our association airborne. Your generosity is much appreciated.
Dick Webb
Next roster update will be out on 1 October 02. This will give me time to get the `newbies' from this edition of the newsletter entered. If you're on-line and not receiving the on-line roster, send an e-mail to SUDABAY@aol.com. with your name, place of residence, and the years that you were in the squadron.
We've got 300 of your `Airmates' looking for you!
Mailing Roster Adjustments: Once again, I would like to make mention of the fact that there has been a change in the Service Address. The new address is that of Ron Lenhoff. The reason for this change is so that all mailed returns can go directly to Ron. This will provide for making adjustments to the mailing roster in a more timely manner, as well as, eliminating superfluous mailing costs. As always, you can mail all newsletter inputs directly to me at my address that appears on the back page.
Call for Board of Directors Back-up: In order for our association to function normally in the unforeseen event that one of our board members suddenly becomes incapacitated, we are seeking `back-up' persons to support these respective positions. If you feel that you would like to assist us on any of these position that are referenced on the back cover of this newsletter, contact the respective person at the address shown. We would like very much to have you stand by to become a member of our team. This readiness on your part is considered to be vital to the future success of our association.
Proposed Sites for Future Reunions:
One of the topics of discussion at the recent business meeting held in Pensacola was the site of future reunions. The following sites were selected and are hereby being proposed to our membership for selection on their part. You are asked to select the site preference of your choice by dropping me a post card. Simply state your name and site preference. Our Board of Directors will be glad to plan and entertain your preferences accordingly.
SITE OPTIONS OFFERED:
. Cruise to Bahamas
. Cruise to Bermuda
. Las Vegas, NV
. Brunswick, ME
. Memphis, TN
. Corpus Christi, TX
. Jacksonville, FL
. Charleston, SC
. Washington, DC
. Other (Your personal preference)
Let's hear from you!
PLEASE NOTE: The VPB-111/VP-21 Veterans Association charges no dues. Its operations are totally supported by the generous contributions of our membership, and by the sale of our squadron products. The Association comes under Section 501 © (19) of the Internal Revenue Code as “not for profit” organization. As such, contributions are legitimate tax deductions. Please make your contribution checks payable to the `VPB-111/VP-21 Veterans Association', and forward them to Treasurer, Richard S. Webb, 219 Montoya Drive, Lady Lake, FL, 32159-8642.
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES ARE AVAILABLE FROM SMALL STORES:
The following items continue to remain on sale:
Khaki hats with your choice Blackjack, Turtle, or Dumbo patch. $18.00.
White golf shirts: super quality VPB111/VP21 Veterans Association. $25.00.
White ball caps with VP21 logo. $10.00.
White ball caps with Flight Wings and VPB111/VP21. $10.00.
Patches: Blackjack, Dumbo, or Turtle. $6.34.
Buttons: Blackjack, Dumbo or Turtle. $1.84
Books:
The Story of VPB111 Contact Gary for cost.
Low Level Liberators $29.00. Only 1 copy left.
Black and white print of P2V7 signed and numbered by artist David Howath. $10.00
NEW ITEM: Customized coffee mugs $25.00. Please print your name as you wish it to appear and your choice of rate, or flight wings.
All prices include postage.
Contact Storekeeper:
Gary Gross
4595S. Robert Blake Ave.
Inverness, FL 34452-7820
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