Spring 2007

<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>VPB-111/VP-21 </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>VAGABOND NEWS</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.VP-21.org</U></FONT><U>, </U>and <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.VPB-111.org</U></FONT></div> <div> <B>John G. Esposito, Editor SPRING 2007 </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>A MESSAGE FROM THE LEFT SEAT:</B> </div> <div> The 2007 reunion is over and it, as could be expected since it was under the able management of Jule Mosley and Bill Kearney, was a complete success. The area is fantastic (Bill Kearney and I even bought time-shares), the events were highly enjoyable, the hotel treated us like honored guests, and a good time was had by all. An added treat was the presentation by Duke Dubuc about the 9/11 victims, which was well attended, extremely informative, and generated much discussion. My personal thanks to Jule, Bill, and Duke. The 2009 reunion will be held at Branson, MO and will be coordinated by Carter Nute and Jim Mattson (obviously I trained them right). We'll be providing you with further information as soon as it's developed. </div> <bR> <div> Anyone who desired pictures from the reunion, and didn't receive them, or would now like to order one, please contact Bob Bass at <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>bobbassphoto@nctv.com</U></FONT> or at his web site at <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.bobbassphoto.com</U></FONT>. </div> <bR> <div> At our business meeting, there was much discussion about the closure of NASB and the status of the Memorial Gardens and the Neptune. There have been some added developments since I returned home. The Maine State Museum has indicated an interest in acquiring space (probably the Chapel) to establish a Naval Aviation Museum. They would take control of the P2 and the P3, and the building. That would facilitate the continued maintenance of the Memorial Gardens by the Harpswell Garden Club. By the way, our members voted a $400 contribution to the Garden Club. </div> <div> It was decided that all members on our email list would receive notification of the newsletters via email, saving us the high cost of postage. This makes it highly important that you keep us informed when you change your email address. </div> <bR> <div> In the last newsletter, I recommended that you all sign up with the Navy - Together We Served website at <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>http://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/index.jsp</U></FONT>. At the time I wrote the article on 2 February 2007 there were 17,000 members (the site was started on 27 October 2006). By the time of our meeting on 9 May, there were 156,369. As of today (25 May) there are over 176,000, and it's growing at about 1,500 per day. Please take a look. I truly believe that it will help us to find missing Blackjacks. </div> <div> I'd be remiss if I failed to mention that Tom Betterton, the midwife at the birth of Irving Glick, was in attendance at the reunion. All of us in VP aviation will be eternally in his debt. And like Irv, Tom doesn't seem to age. </div> <div> Those who attended the reunion will remember Jenny Gilkeson, a friend of Donna's who spent a few days with us and was so helpful in the Ready Room. She was so pleased with the warm reception she received from everyone that she provided a generous contribution to the Association. </div> <div> Fair winds and following seas, </div> <bR> <div> Bill</div> <bR> <div> <B>DONATIONS RECEIVED:</B> </div> <div> The following persons have generously made contributions to our organization since the last issue of the Newsletter:</div> <bR> <div> H. H. Ashton - Charles F. Brinegar - Charles M. Brune - Robert E. Brugger - B. Walter Grazulis - Gary G. Harvey - J. W. Hoar - Carrie D. Huber - William Kearney - Daniel McMoran - James Mueller - Werner F. Mundt - Leonard I. Parent - Les Raye - James G. Sperry - Loyal J. Stephens - William S. Weber - Shealy O. Whigham - Marion Wolen - Bill Locke- Jenny Gilkeson</div> <div> Thanks to each of you for helping to keep our association airborne.</div> <bR> <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(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.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>A MESSAGE FROM THE WEBMASTER:</B> </div> <div> The 2007 reunion was a great success! I tip my hat again to the efforts of Jule Mosley and Bill Kearney for making this reunion a truly memorable event. </div> <bR> <div> Several of our brethren volunteered their 2007 reunion photos for inclusion onto our website. I will be posting them as they are received. If you have reunion photos to share with us, (or any other photos you have which were taken during your active duty with VP-21 or VPB-111), please send them to me via <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>Airmail7@vp-21.org</U></FONT>, or to my postal address listed below. I'll be happy to include them. </div> <bR> <div> I have already posted the photos taken by Bob Bass, the official 2007 reunion photographer. He was kind enough to provide me with a CD of 300+ photos. These include candid shots taken around the hotel and Ready Room, the Savannah tour, the Air Force Museum tour, the Inter-waterway cruise, the banquet, and the banquet portraits. Just go to our website homepage at <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.vp-21.org</U></FONT> or <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.vpb-111.org</U></FONT>, and click on the”` NEW' 2007 Reunion Photos", or go to the Photo Gallery page and click on "2007 Reunion Photos".</div> <bR> <div> As always, I am open to any suggestions and ideas which could improve our website. It is my intention and charter to make this site useful and enjoyable to all our members. Please contact me at my email address: <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>Airmail7@vp-21.org</U></FONT>. </div> <div> Keep 'er trimmed and level, </div> <bR> <div> Frank Balogh Jr. </div> <div> 1749 Burroughs Drive </div> <div> Dayton, OH 45406 </div> <div> 937-278-8057</div> <bR> <div> <B>TAPS:</B> </div> <div> It is with deep regret that I make mention of our following who have recently passed on: </div> <div> Wallace Lightfoot, VP 21, Chairman, Emeritus</div> <div> May he rest in peace. </div> <bR> <div> <B>SICK BAY</B>: </div> <div> No sick, lame, or lazy have been reported this quarter. </div> <div> JUNE EDITION: 2007</div> <bR> <div> <B>VPB-111/VP-21 VETERANS ASSOCIATION</B></div> <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> <div> <I>Directors:</I> </div> <bR> <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 85306 </I></div> <div> Richard S. Webb, Dir/Treasurer, 219 Montoya Dr., Lady Lake, FL 32159-8642 </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 Lake Hardeman 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> <B>The `Vagabond News</B>' 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 same 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> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>