VPB-111/VP-21
VAGABOND NEWS
John G. Esposito, Editor SPRING 2006
A MESSAGE FROM THE LEFT HAND SEAT:
On 13 March, your board met with Jule Mosley, coordinator of the 2007 reunion (and his able assistant Bill Kearney) at the Holiday Inn at Hilton Head Island, SC, location of the VPB-111/VP-21 2007 Reunion. First off, let me say that the Hilton Head area is absolutely ideal for a reunion and the hotel is a real bargain at the $89 rate (plus tax) they're giving us. Jule and Bill are putting together a great program with events that are certain to be enjoyable. The reunion is scheduled for 7-9 May 2007. The hotel will give us the same rates for 5-11 May. They'll be able to take reservations from 1 June 2006 on and all reservations have to be in by 5 April 2007 to receive the special rate.
During the meeting, reports were received from all attending board members. The Treasurer's report shows that we're in excellent financial condition with over $12,000 in the account. The Secretary stressed that postage for our newsletters has increased, as has the cost for the ones that are returned. Dale Woods requested that everyone with on-line capability opt to not receive a printed copy of the newsletter. Instead, when the newsletter is published, a copy is placed on our web site and Dan Dwyer will send you an email advising you that it's there. If all 500 members on our squadron email list agree to do this, we'll save about $800 a year in postage. So please send Dale and Dan a message asking to be taken off the mailing list and added to the email notification list.
Those of you, who attended the 1999 reunion in Brunswick, or the 2005 reunion in Portland, are aware that a memorial plaque dedicated to our deceased squadron members was placed in the Memorial Garden at NAS Brunswick (during the 1999 reunion). What most people don't know is that the Memorial Garden is maintained by the Harpswell Garden Club, and not by the Navy. The Club intends to continue to maintain the Garden even after NASB is closed in 2011. At our meeting, your board voted to provide a $200 contribution to the Harpswell Garden Club to assist them in caring for the Garden.
Because of our web site ( http://www.vpb-111.org/ or http://www.vp-21.org/), ably maintained by Frank Balogh, we've found several lost members. But there are still many more who have not yet been located. Those of you who can reach our site, please go to the roster section ( http://www.vp-21.org/rosters.htm) and take a look at all the names followed by a U (for unknown). If you recognize anyone in this category that you are in contact with, please let us know so we can update the roster and add them to the newsletter mailings.
That's it for now. Hope to see all of you at Hilton Head Island in May 2007.
Bill
FROM THE WEB MASTER:
Frank Balogh is busy working on his roof before the big downpour occurs, so he asked me to address the continued needs for biographical sketches, and to urge all of us to check the “What's New” page frequently so that you may keep up-to-date on the current events and changes which may be occurring.
Frank has added the "Two Turning, Two Burning” ball-cap and the"1958-60 Malta - Sigonella Tour” DVD to the Small Stores page with a note to that effect on the “What's New “ page.
Frank has corrected the Reunion 2007 dates to 7-9 May and added the link to the Holiday Inn Oceanfront.
Good luck with your roof, Frank. Hope that you manage to stay dry.
DONATIONS RECEIVED:
The following people have sent donations to our Association since the last issue of the Newsletter:
William F. Aspinall - Roaland W. Autote - Clarence A. Christe - Daniel A. Desko -
William E. Dettwiler - George W. England - Robert S. Gelles - Don Griffin -
Guy C. Hammersmith - G. A. Harkleroad - H. Clark Island - James R. Johnson -
Harry S. Koch - Donald J. Moon - Leonard Parent - Gordon L. Peterson -
Geralsine (Hubner) Raab - John Sheeeran - George E. Sutton - Howard E. Whalin -
Karl H. Wiegand
Thanks for your help in keeping our Association airborne.
PLEASE NOTE: The VPB-111/VP-21 Veterans Association charges
no dues. Our 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(C) 19, of the Internal Revenue Code as a "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 the Treasurer, Richard S. Webb, 219 Montoya Drive, Lady
Lake, Florida, 32159-8642.
FROM THE RADIO COMPARTMENT:
HELP! As you know, the postal rates were increased this year. Our newsletter has taken the hit on increased costs in many ways. Not only has the initial postage gone up, but also when the unfortunate return occurs (due to moving and not correcting the address, etc.), the cost of the return is $.75 - $1.00 each. Multiply this by 4 issues a year and you can see the cost to the Association rises considerably. If you are one of the members who are on-line and receive the newsletter by snail mail, won't you consider getting the newsletter on-line and saving the Association a few dollars? Just e-mail me at secretary@vp-21.org and indicate your willingness for the on-line option. Thanks for your consideration.
By the way, there are plenty of copies of the complete roster left. This roster contains active members with complete address and phone number, members who are lost and members that have passed on. Just send me $5.00 for costs and I will mail you one.
Thanks,
Dale
TAPS:
James G. Bell. Information taken from the vpnavy web site. Rate - AMMF3/c (known rate in Nov 44). VPB-111 Combat Air Crew # 12. Died - February 11, 2006. Tour of Duty from '43 to `45. Posted on vpnavy web site by Michael R. Bell (son).
Lt.(jg) G. E. ANKENY. Served in VPB-111 in November '44. He was PPC of crew #5.
Henry J. Gabriel. Passed away December 13, 2002. Served in VPB111in November '44. He was an AEM3/c on the Ground Crew.
Nolan L. Tabor, AXC. Passed away 22 January, '06. Cause unknown.
Everett Holland. Served in VP-21 from 1957-1959. Passed away due to natural causes on December 15, 2005.
William F. Floweres, ADC. Served in VP21 from '49 to'55. He was a Plank Owner.
George O. Tubb. Served in VPB111. Left the Navy as LCDR in 1957. Moved from Coronado, CA to El Cajon, CA. He worked as an electrical engineer for General Dynamics and Teledyne Ryan in the San Diego area. He worked on the early Atlas missiles. Later he worked in real estate. He died in 1992 (cancer)
SICK BAY:
Michael Mays. Suffering from Cancer. You can call him and his wife, Gay, at 406-727-0595, or 406-455-5000. Room 619.
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LOST SHEEP FOUND:
The following persons have recently been rounded up, and have been piped back on board:
George Backus, VP-21, 1966-1969, ATN-2, Padre@twcny.rr.com, 1141 Smith Ridge Road, Bridgeport, NY, 13030, 315-633-9887
William P. "Willie P" Moyle, VP-21, 1962-1964, ATAN, PM9146@aol.com, 7161 S. Lewis St., Littleton, CO, 80127. 720-981-5281
Michael Poplawski. 8903 Westerkirk Drive, Austin, Texas, 78750. Served in VP21 from '62 to'65. ATN2
5539 Shelbyville Rd, Indianapolis, In, 46237. Phone: 317-788-7266
Ray Cote. Served in VP21 from '67-'68.
Welcome back to the fold, Guys!
DO WE HAVE YOUR CUURENT EMAIL ADDRESS?
MAY (SPRING) EDITION: 2006
VPB-111/VP-21 VETERANS ASSOCIATION
A non-profit, fraternal, and historical association devoted to the reestablishment of contact with shipmates of the past, to strengthen the camaraderie among its members, to record and preserve the memories and incidents of the Association, to preserve the memory of departed shipmates, and to promote the comfort and welfare of its members and survivors. No dues are assessed!
Directors:
Wallace L. Lightfoot, Chairman Emeritus, 349 McIntosh Ave., Orange Park, FL 32073
William Locke, Chairman, 255 Mere Point Rd., Brunswick, ME 04011
Dale Woods, Secretary, 5480 W. Arrowhead Lake Dr. Glendale, AZ 85308-6290
Richard S. Webb, Dir/Treasurer, 219 Montoya Dr., Lady Lake, FL 32159-8642
John G. Esposito, Editor/Director, 862 Central Ave., Southampton, PA 18966
Edward LaFontaine, Museum Director, 161 Jackson Dr., Frankfort, KY 40601
Fred Schuster, Dir/Historian, 2713Cabin Creek Rd., Edwardsville, IL 62025
Dan Dwyer, Online Coordinator, Director, #6 Sarah Liberty Lane, Scarborough, ME 04074
Robert Nelson, Special Projects, 49 Woodland Drive, Tequesta FL 33469
Harry Dunlap, Director, 5803 Eastshore Dr., Pensacola FL 32505
Ron Novay, Director/Storekeeper, 7775 LakeHardeman Rd., Saulsburry, TN 38067
Frank Balogh, Web-site/Director1749 Burroughs Dr, Dayton, OH 45406
Garry Gross, Director, 8660 East Rosemont Court, Inverness, FL 34450
The `Vagabond News' is the official publication of the Association, and is circulated quarterly in the Winter (January/March), Spring (April/June), Summer (July/September), and Fall (October/December), as a third class bulk-rate mail from Southampton, PA, Post Office (Permit #61). All costs of the publication are supported by voluntary contribution only. To ensure that materials of interest are promptly published, members should submit it prior to the publishing quarter to John G. Esposito, 862 Central Ave., Southampton, PA 18966. All inputs will be published in a timely manner.
VPB-111/VP21 VETERANS ASSOCIATION Nonprofit Org.
5480 W. Arrowhead Lakes Dr. U.S. Postage
Glendale, AZ 85308- 6290 PAID
Permit #61
Southampton, PA 18966
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