Spring 2009

<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> <div> <I>VAGABOND NEWS</I></div> <div> <U>www.VP-21.org, and www.VPB-111.org</U></div> <div> <B>John G. Esposito, Editor                         SPRING 2009</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>A MESSAGE FROM THE LEFT SEAT:</B></div> <div> The 2009 VPB-111/VP-21 Reunion has come and gone. Although not as well attended as some of our previous reunions, nevertheless, it was a marked success.  The important thing is that all attendees had a wonderful time. The hotel was great, the food was great, the tours were great, the shows were great,  and spending time with our shipmates - priceless. Carter Nute and Jim Mattson did a wonderful job of organizing and running a memorable reunion. A big surprise was finding out that Carter, providing the evening's entertainment, had such a fine sense of humor. I think it was unkind of Jim to imply that flying with me made it essential that Carter develop a fine sense of humor.</div> <bR> <div> There have been some changes in your Association's Board of Directors. Due to poor health, Dale Woods has had to relinquish his duties as Secretary. Frank Balogh has agreed to take on the responsibility for our roster until a new secretary can be identified. As you all know, Frank already manages our web- site, so if any of you out there with some knowledge of Microsoft Excel are willing to step forward, please contact me ASAP.  Dale will stay on as a Director. Carter Nute has taken on the job of Storekeeper. We'll get our web- site updated as soon as possible. Ron Novay will stay on as a Director.  The rest of your Board will remain the same for the time being, but Ed La Fontaine is looking for a replacement in managing the museum. Anyone interested, please contact me. John Esposito asked for a backup for Editor of the Newsletter.  Dick Herbein was kind enough to step forward. Dick will be a Director.</div> <bR> <div> The assembled membership approved several recommendations. One is to again make a contribution, this time of $1000, to the Harpswell Garden Club for support of the Memorial Garden at NASB.  The second was to use some of our funds to reduce the cost to our members attending the next reunion. How much will be determined by the Board which will consider the amount in our account at the time and the number attending.  The Board is also looking into the possibility of establishing a scholarship fund for the grandchildren of our members who intend to matriculate to college. Sulo Kangas will present a written recommendation to the Board.  Dick Webb recommended, and it was approved, that he invest the Association's funds in a CD or money market fund rather than leaving them in a no interest checking account.</div> <bR> <div> Last, but certainly not least, Tiny Ledford has graciously volunteered to coordinate the 2011 Reunion which will be held in Charleston, SC.</div> <bR> <div> To those of you who were not able to make the reunion, I'm truly sorry. You missed a memorable time. I'll freely admit that Branson wasn't my first choice when we selected it back in 2007, but I had a really wonderful time and am glad I attended. Again, I want to thank Carter and Jim for all their hard work. I hope that more of you will make it to Charleston in 2011.</div> <bR> <div> Bill</div> <bR> <div> <B>FROM THE ON-LINE CO-ORDINATOR: </B></div> <div> Since the last newsletter, we have received first time inputs for the Email Roster from the following shipmates. Please join us in welcoming them aboard.</div> <bR> <div> Leonard Page, </div> <div> `58 -`60</div> <div> San Francisco, CA     </div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:lennypage@sbcglobal.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:lennypage@sbcglobal.net"><U>lennypage@sbcglobal.net</U></A></div> <bR> <div> Richard Peterson, `52-`55     </div> <div> Surprise, AZ </div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:randvsurprise@Q.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:randvsurprise@Q.com"><U>randvsurprise@Q.com</U></A></div> <bR> <div> Robert Shientop, `42-`52 </div> <div> Delray Beach, FL     </div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:keysshine@aol.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:keysshine@aol.com"><U>keysshine@aol.com</U></A></div> <bR> <div> Currently, we have 472 of our total 1,186 membership registered as having email addresses which they have consented to have published on the email roster.  If you have a new or changed email address, please be sure to contact Dan Dwyer at <FONT SIZE="3" 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> with your current email address information.</div> <div> Finding “lost” members of the squadron remains as one of our top priorities.  To that end, please take the time to look at the email roster and provide updated email addresses for any of those “missing in action” and send any current information that you might have to Dan at the address above.  Too, there are many former squadron members for whom we have never had any contact information.  For example: we have never had contact information for LT James Suiter, or LT Harold “Gus” Rich, with whom I served, and there have to be many remaining who are unknown to the organization.  If you have any information on any former shipmates that are unaware of the existence of the organization, please send it along to any board member and then advise the missing shipmate of the website (<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="HTTP://www.VP-21.ORG" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HTTP://www.VP-21.ORG"><U><U>HTTP://www.VP-21.ORG</U></U></A></FONT>) where they can register with us.</div> <bR> <div> Thanks,</div> <div> Dan</div> <div>  </div> <div> DONATIONS RECEIVED:</div> <div> The following named persons have generously made contributions to our organization since the last issue of the Newsletter:</div> <bR> <div> Albert D. Acker</div> <div> Les Raye</div> <div> John Sheeran</div> <div> William S. Weber</div> <div> Howard E. Whalen</div> <div>  </div> <div> Thanks to each of you for helping to keep our association airborne.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Dick Webb</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> <div> TAPS:</div> <div> It is with deep regret that I make mention of the passing of our following shipmates:</div> <div> Robert A.Wattier of Bee Branch, AZ passed away 2 October, 2008. No other details available.</div> <bR> <div> <B>FROM THE RADIO COMPARTMENT:</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>ANNOUNCEMENT: </B></div> <div> It gives me great pleasure to welcome aboard Dick Herein to our Board of Directors. Dick has graciously volunteered to back me up as Newsletter Editor. As you know, it is very important that our newsletter be completed and delivered in a timely manner. I'm sure that I speak for all us when I wish Dick much success in this position.  </div> <bR> <div> Thanks a million, Dick.    </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>JUNE 2009</B></div> <div> <B>VPB-111/VP-21 VETERANS ASSOCIATION</B></div> <bR> <div> <I>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!</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Directors:</I></div> <div> <I>Balogh, Frank  Web-site/Director1749 Burroughs Dr, Dayton, OH 45406</I></div> <div> <I>Dunlap, Harry,Director, 5803 Eastshore Dr., Pensacola FL 32505</I></div> <div> <I>Dwyer,Dan Online Coordinator, Director, #6 Sarah Liberty Lane, Scarborough, ME 04074</I></div> <div> <I>Esposito John G., Editor/Director, 862 Central Ave., Southampton, PA  18966</I></div> <div> <I>Gross, Garry Director, 8660 East Rosemont Court, Inverness, FL 34450</I></div> <div> <I>Herbein, Richard, Back-up Editor/Director, 736Springshire, Drive, Telford, PA 18969</I></div> <div> <I>La Fontaine, Edward,  Museum Director, 161 Jackson Dr., Frankfort, KY  40601</I></div> <div> <I>Locke, William Chairman, 255 Mere Point Rd., Brunswick, ME 04011</I></div> <div> <I>     62025</I></div> <div> <I>Nelson Robert, Special Projects, 49 Woodland Drive, Tequesta FL 33469</I></div> <div> <I>Novay ,Ron Director/Storekeeper, 7775 Lake Hardeman Rd., Saulsburry, TN 38067</I></div> <div> <I>Webb, Richard S., Dir/Treasurer, 219 Montoya Dr., Lady Lake, FL  32159-8642</I></div> <div> <I>Woods, Dale, Secretary, 5480 W. Arrowhead Lake Dr. Glendale, AZ 85306</I></div> <div> <I>Schuster, Fred, Dir/Historian, 2713Cabin Creek Rd., Edwardsville, IL, Robert </I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>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 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.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>VPB-111/VP21 VETERANS ASSOCIATION               Nonprofit Org.</B></div> <div> <B>5480 W. Arrowhead Lakes Dr.                         U.S. Postage</B></div> <div> <B>Glendale, AZ  85308                                   PAID Permit #61</B></div> <div> <B>Return Service Requested     Southampton, PA</B></div> <div> <B>18966</B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>