Summer 2006

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="057285a1erlcgo.png"> <div> <B>VP-21 & VPB-111 Veterans Association</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="056d2c00dkelyh.png"> <div> <A HREF="id102.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Whats New"><U>Whats New?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="VP21 VPB111 VETERANS ASSOCIATION"><U>Home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="gibraltar_straits.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar"><U>Calendar</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mission"><U>Mission</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Association Officers Board Of Directors"><U>Association Officers</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="rosters.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Rosters"><U>Rosters</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://vp-21.org/history" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://vp-21.org/history"><U> History</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newsletter"><U>Newsletter</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://vp-21.org/biographies" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://vp-21.org/biographies"><U>Biographies/ Profiles</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photo Gallery"><U>Photo Gallery</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Museum"><U>Museum</U></A></div> <div> Small Stores</div> <div> <A HREF="http://pub16.bravenet.com/guestbook/show.php?usernum=1314220711" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://pub16.bravenet.com/guestbook/show"><U>GuestBook</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Reunion 2009"><U>Reunion Page</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Departed Shipmates"><U>Departed Shipmates</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://pub16.bravenet.com/forum/show.php?usernum=1314220711&cpv=1" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://pub16.bravenet.com/forum/show.php"><U>Message Board</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://pub16.bravenet.com/chat/show.php?usernum=1314220711&cpv=1http://images.bravenet.com/brpics/chatnow.gifhttp://www.bravenet.com/http://images.bravenet.com/brpics/chatbutt.gif" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://pub16.bravenet.com/chat/show.php?"><U>ScuttleBut Quarters</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links"><U>Other Links</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lost Found"><U>Lost&Found</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I><B>VPB-111/VP-21 </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>VAGABOND NEWS</B></I></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.VP-21.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.VP-21.org"><U><U>www.VP-21.org</U></U></A></FONT><U>, </U>and <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.VPB-111.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.VPB-111.org"><U><U>www.VPB-111.org</U></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> John G. Esposito, Editor               JULY (SUMMER) EDITION: 2006</div> <bR> <div>              </div> <div> <B>A MESSAGE FROM THE LEFT HAND SEAT:</B> </div> <div> It may seem a little early, but I suggest that you start to think about making your reservations at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront on Hilton Head Island for the May 2007 reunion. The reunion will be held from 7 through 9 May 2007 but the hotel has given us a rate of $89 per night (plus tax, of course) for the period of 4 through 11 May for those who may want to take an extended vacation at this wonderful location.  If you think you might want to stay for an even longer period, I suggest that you contact Ms. Peggy Romeo directly at (843) 785-5126 Ext: 120. She's a very nice lady and may be able to extend the special rate for a longer period if it's done early enough. In any case, the deadline for making reservations at the reduced rate is 5 April.</div> <div>  </div> <div> As you know from reading our quarterly newsletter, we have lost many of our brothers lately. If you become aware of the death of one of us, please contact me and provide me with the name and address of the next of kin.  The Association has developed a very respectful and appropriate sympathy card and I will provide one to the family as soon as I'm notified.  I will also notify our roster keepers so their lists can be updated, and our Editor so the information can be included in the next newsletter.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Some of your squadron mates put a lot of themselves into the successful running of this organization. I think it's again time to applaud them for their efforts in making the VPB-111/VP-21 Veterans Association the finest of its kind, anywhere.  As Treasurer, Dick Webb keeps us solvent. Our Secretary, Dale Woods, ably manages our ever-changing roster of over 1300 members, and Dan Dwyer, our On-line Coordinator, maintains our even more rapidly changing email roster.  If you haven't looked at our web site at <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.vpb-111.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.vpb-111.org"><U><U>www.vpb-111.org</U></U></A></FONT> or <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.vp-21.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.vp-21.org"><U><U>www.vp-21.org</U></U></A></FONT> lately, I suggest you do so. Our Web Master, Frank Balogh has done a fantastic job. John Esposito, Editor of the Vagabond News, labors to get the newsletter to you four times a year - no easy task.  Our Storekeeper, Ron Novay maintains our extensive supplies. Ed Lafontaine maintains the Squadron's many artifacts and Fred Schuster maintains our extensive history files. They, along with our Directors Without Portfolio, Harry Dunlap, Bob Nelson, and Ron Lenhoff, who continue to provide assistance and advice when needed, deserve a word of thanks from all of us for their efforts.</div> <div>  </div> <div> I hope you all enjoy a wonderful summer and I look forward to seeing you in May.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Bill</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>FROM THE WEB MASTER: </B> </div> <div> If anyone has better solutions to the described problem, please let me know:</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>"Check your SPAM filters and BLOCKERS!</B></div> <div>  </div> <div> More and more I have been experiencing problems with my emails not getting through to their intended addressees. I suspect many of you may be having the same problem, though you may not realize it. They don't bounce - I just don't get a reply when I fully expect one. What I've found is that most of us have incorporated filters and blockers to avoid bogging down our computers with SPAM, and these devices may block perfectly innocent emails unless properly instructed. When we reply to, or address our email browsers to a third party address (the address of a sender who didn't send to us directly, ex: "reply all") our sending address may not be on that sender's "approved" list and is therefore blocked or filtered out. </div> <div>  </div> <div> Remedies:</div> <div>  </div> <div> 1. If you've given your email address to someone verbally, instruct them to add it to their address book and/or adjust their blocker/ filter to accept or approve it. You may have to do the same by adjusting your own blocker/ filter to accept their address.</div> <div> 2. Check your blocker/ filter's "blocked list" occasionally to make sure you're not rejecting an acceptable sender address. Usually, the addresses you have stored in your email address book, or in any of your email folders will be "approved".</div> <div>  </div> <div> Frank</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  </div> <div> <B>'07 REUNION UPDATE:</B></div> <div> Some background information: At the last reunion it was decided that the '07 reunion would be in Savannah, GA. We were limited to four hotels that could accommodate us based on the average number of nights plus taxes. Since Hilton Head Island, SC is only 45 minutes away and the cost was more in-line with the amount we've paid in the past, it was changed. The hotel is on the ocean, with sandy beach, pool, Tiki bar and restaurant. Warm during the day with cool breezes at night. </div> <div> The reunion is planned for Hilton Head Island, SC., May 7-9, 2007, at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront.  Hotel accommodations are available from May 4th- May 11th at the rate of $89 plus tax. </div> <div> You may make reservations by calling the hotel at (843) 785-5126, ext 120.  Be sure to mention the <U>VP</U> <U>21/ VPB111 Reunion</U> in order to get the $89 rate.</div> <div> Planned events include:</div> <div> Monday, May 7th.  Trip to Savannah, GA's riverfront area and the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum. Time will be provided for shopping and lunch and a short tour of Savannah's historic district.  Cost is $45 per person, including admission to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. We'll be back in time for dinner. There are several excellent restaurants on or near the waterfront, such as, The Lady and Sons of TV fame, Boar's Head, and the Pirate's House of  Treasure Island fame.</div> <div> Tuesday, May 8th.  Dolphin Luncheon Cruise on the Palmetto Star. The cruise will be of Calabogie Sound. The cost is $53 per person and good weather is guaranteed. Return to the hotel about 2:00 or 3:00 PM.</div> <div> Wednesday, May 9th.   Membership meeting will be held in the AM. Golf is available at Hilton Head National with $43 green fee (contact Bill Kearney at  (757) 498 4389 if interested).</div> <div> In the evening is the banquet. The menu planned is Prime Rib (medium rare only), Chicken Cordon Bleu or Crab Stuffed Flounder. The cost is about $36 per person, including tax and gratuity. A cash bar will be available. Entertainment will be by Bobby Ryder an acclaimed local entertainer that does a medley of Frank Sinatra's and some of the other "rat-pack" members' songs.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Shopping is abundant within walking distance to the hotel at malls along the main route to the hotel. For those planning to drive, I-95 to US 278, just north of the Georgia/South Carolina line, take the Cross Island expressway (US 278 by-pass). There is a $1 toll, but worth it. For those flying in, routing is available through Charlotte to Hilton Head or into Savannah.  There is no transportation service provided by the hotel so, come one, come all. Bring your sun blocker (and mosquito repellant just as a precaution). Our ready room will be set-up on the ground level just off the check-in desk and near the pool and Tiki bar. More will be published in the fall newsletter, but remember that the latest Reunion news can always be found on our website <A HREF="http://www.vp-21.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.vp-21.org/"><U><U>www.vp-21.org</U></U></A>. </div> <div> For those interested in deep-sea fishing, contact Jule Mosley at ( 912) 537-8692.</div> <div>  Bill Kearney</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>DONATIONS RECEIVED:</B></div> <div> The following people have sent donations to our Association since the last issue of the Newsletter:</div> <bR> <div> Philip G. Asher - Robert H. Brenn - Charles F. Brinegar - Charles M. Brune -- </div> <div> Eldon W. Edens - B. Walter Grazulis - William J. Klage - Harry W. Matthias --</div> <div> Donald W. Noltner -George E. Rushe -Shealy O. Whigham -Dale E. Woods</div> <div> Charles E. Ferrell and Les Raye</div> <bR> <div> Thanks for your help in keeping our Association airborne</div> <div> .</div> <div> <B>PLEASE NOTE</B>: 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© 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” </div> <div> and forward them to the <B>Treasurer, Richard S. Webb, 219 Montoya Drive, Lady</B></div> <div> <B>Lake, Florida, 32159-8642</B>.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>FROM THE RADIO COMPARTMENT:</B></div> <div> In the last newsletter I asked for help from those of you with internet capability to get your newsletter on-line.  I want to say thanks to those that responded to save mailing costs.  I did find out that there more of you with e-mail addresses that are unknown to the association.</div> <bR> <div> I still have rosters available for $5.00 too.</div> <bR> <div> Thanks,</div> <bR> <div> Dale Woods</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>VPB-111/VP-21 Email Roster</B></div> <div> At this time we have four hundred and fifty nine (459) members of the association who have active Email addresses on file with the association.  IF you are not on the roster and would like to be, or if you've recently changed your Email address OR service provider and need to update your information on the roster, please send an Email to Dan Dwyer at <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:DDwyer1@Maine.RR.Com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:DDwyer1@Maine.RR.Com"><U><U>DDwyer1@Maine.RR.Com</U></U></A></FONT>.  In your email to Dan, please be sure to include in the text of your Email, your name, city, state, and years in the squadron as well as your current Email address.  By return Email Dan will send you a copy of the entire roster so that you might use it to contact your squadron mates.</div> <bR> <div> Thanks,</div> <bR> <div> Dan Dwyer</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>TAPS:</B></div> <div> William Flood. AT2, 1956 - 1958. He passed away at least 10 yrs ago.  Cause of death was believed to be heart related.</div> <div> Otis Robbins, AO2. No details available.</div> <div>  Plane Capt. Walter Ingram, April. `04 - Lung cancer.*</div> <div> 1st Radio, John McGowan    Oct. `05 - Cancer (thought, lung).*</div> <div>               *Flew on Ed LaFontaine's crew.</div> <div> Michael Mays.  Passed away at his home on 11 June 06.   </div> <div> Captain James, Robert “Bob” Sheets of Topsham, ME. .Served in VP21 in the late `60s as a Maintenance Officer. He passed away on 22 May `06 from pulmonary fibrosis.. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="304" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 68 WIDTH="300"><div> <B>SICK BAY: </B></div> <div> Norm Roinstad's wife is seriously ill. Your prayers will be appreciated.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>LOST SHEEP FOUND:</B></div> <div> The following persons have recently been rounded up, and have been piped back on board:</div> <div> F.D.Evans (Doug)</div> <div> 2692 Mount Zion Road</div> <div> Jonesboro GA 30236</div> <div> Phone: (770 )968-1781<U> </U></div> <div> Mike Kelly, ATN3.</div> <div> 31 Ships View Terrace Apt 31</div> <div> Bourne, MA 02532-3628</div> <div> Served in VP21 from '64 to '68. Flew as a Radioman on LH 9.</div> <div>  Richard Stuart, ABGAN</div> <div> VP21 from '57 to `59</div> <div> 6824 S. Tamarron Way</div> <div> Chandler, AZ  85249</div> <div> Phone: (480) 883-8907</div> <div> Bill Harris, ATAN</div> <div> VP21 from '57 to `59</div> <div> 2275 West 25th St, 175</div> <div> San Padro, CA  90732</div> <div> (315) 470-4595</div> <div> John Wakefield, AE3.</div> <div> Served in VP-21 from '67 to `69</div> <div> 406 Spring View Dr.</div> <div> Franklin, TN</div> <bR> <div> Welcome back to the fold, Guys!</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>MILITARY WORDS OF WISDOM:</B></div> <div> "The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire." </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> JULY (SUMMER) EDITION: 2006</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>VPB-111/VP-21 VETERANS ASSOCIATION</B></div> <bR> <div> 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!</div> <bR> <div> <I>Directors:</I></div> <div> <I>Wallace L. Lightfoot, Chairman Emeritus, 349 McIntosh Ave., Orange Park, FL 32073</I></div> <div> <I>William Locke, Chairman, 255 Mere Point Rd., Brunswick, ME 04011</I></div> <div> <I>Dale Woods, Secretary, 5480 W. Arrowhead Lake Dr. Glendale, AZ 85308-6290 </I></div> <div> <B>Richard S. Webb, Dir/Treasurer, 219 Montoya Dr., Lady Lake, FL  32159-8642</B></div> <div> <I>John G. Esposito, Editor/Director, 862 Central Ave., Southampton, PA  18966</I></div> <div> <I>Edward LaFontaine, Museum Director, 161 Jackson Dr., Frankfort, KY  40601</I></div> <div> <I>Fred Schuster, Dir/Historian, 2713Cabin Creek Rd., Edwardsville, IL 62025</I></div> <div> <I>Dan Dwyer, Online Coordinator, Director, #6 Sarah Liberty Lane, Scarborough, ME 04074 </I></div> <div> <I>Robert Nelson, Special Projects, 49 Woodland Drive, Tequesta FL 33469</I></div> <div> <I>Harry Dunlap, Director, 5803 Eastshore Dr., Pensacola FL 32505 </I></div> <div> <I>Ron Novay, Director/Storekeeper, 7775 LakeHardeman Rd., Saulsburry, TN 38067   </I></div> <div> <I>Frank Balogh, Web-site/Director1749 Burroughs Dr, Dayton, OH 45406</I></div> <div> <I>Garry Gross, Director, 8660 East Rosemont Court, Inverness, FL 34450</I></div> <bR> <div> 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.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>