WINTER 2003 John G. Esposito, Editor
A MESSAGE FROM THE LEFT HAND SEAT:
During the `03 business meeting in Pensacola, there was a lot of discussion regarding the location of our next reunion which is scheduled for the spring of `05. With the newsletter, you have the opportunity to influence that decision. The vote has been narrowed down to three choices (see ballot on next page). If it wasn't, we might be in a position of trying to decide among 1,300 different recommendations.
Selection of the location for the next reunion was put off until this edition of the newsletter in order to give a maximum number of our members the ability to cast their vote. Although the turnout was pretty good in Pensacola, the attendees represented only a small portion of the total membership.
We also discussed the possibility of holding a reunion each year. You get to vote on that, too. Your vote will give us some idea of the numbers that we might expect to attend.
Lastly, we discussed moving the '05 reunion to the Spring in order to get us out of the hurricane season.
Your choice and opinion are important. Please vote!
One more subject. Some BZs are in order.
. John Esposito, who publishes this newsletter each and every quarter. It is the single vehicle that ties us ALL together. It takes a lot of work and John certainly deserves our thanks.
. Frank Balogh Jr., who has developed and maintains our wonderful website. It has already brought many missing squadron mates to the Association. Frank has done a great job of providing us with something for which we, as Blackjacks, can be proud.
. Bob Nelson, who maintains the Squadron email listing which now, contains over 500 names. As often as many of us keep changing our addresses, Bob is kept busy.
. Dick Webb, who has the unenviable task of managing our finances. Since we don't charge dues, keeping us in the black is almost a full time job. (A contribution from each of us would brighten his day).
. Gary Gross, who missed his calling when he was an AZ on active duty. He should have been an AK. He is doing a fantastic job of running our Storeroom.
First, and foremost, to Harry Dunlap and his team for the great reunion which we enjoyed in Pensacola. Harry's efforts were made in the face of a personal family hardship on his part, but in
In spite of this, Harry managed to keep the reunion on course. His steadfast efforts resulted in a good time had by all.
Secondly, to those hard working members of the Board who keep our organization running. Particularly eligible for kudos are:
Ron Lenhoff, who maintains the Squadron Roster. It lists over 1,300 of us , and Ron is continually striving to add to it.
. Fred Schuster, who is continuously building on our Squadron History. He would really appreciate information from every one of us. Whether it is historical in fact regarding the Squadron, or just a sea story, Fred would love to hear from you.
. Ed LaFontaine, who maintains our Squadrons Artifacts. If you have anything of interest (pictures are great) please contact Ed.
I recommend that you visit our website at http://www.vp-21.org/ or http://vpb-111.org and check it for accuracy. Then view Bob's email list, and Ron's roster, and make certain that they reflect the same information. If you find any discrepancies, please notify the person responsible. I hope you had a joyous holiday season, and that the `04 year will be another great year for all of us.
Fly safely,
Bill
'05 REUNION BALLOT:
The following options for the `05 reunion were recently proposed and are in turn being sent to All Hands for your vote. Circle your choice below:
1. Portland, Maine in April, May, or June.
2. Las Vegas, NV in April, May, or June.
3. A cruise in late April (after Easter) May, or June.
Print Name:_________________________________
Signature:___________________________________
Please circle your choice, cut it out, and mail it to our Secretary, Ron Lenhoff at 972 Wedgewood Dr. , Independence, KY 41051-95693, by February 29, 2004.
Please ensure that you sign and print your name on your ballot.
A MESSAGE FROM THE WEBMASTER'S CORNER:
For all of you on-line members. How would you like to have an email address which utilizes either the VP-21, or the VPB-111 domain name? If you make an annual donation to the VPB-111/ VP-21 Veterans Association, of $25.00 or more, you can have an email address of your own design, such as “John\” Smith@VP-21.org”. or AirOps@VPB-111.org “ etc, or Airmail7@VP21.org etc. Virtually, any address is available (except profanity, or other offenses) on a first come, first served basis. The only requirement is that you already have an active email address with some Internet Service Provider. Here's how it will work:
1) You send your donation of $25.00 (or more) to our Treasurer, Dick Webb (his mailing address is on the last page of this newsletter) with your desired VP-21, orVPB-111 address. Also provide your current active email address.
2) The webmaster will check to make sure that someone else is not already using your desired address. If it is, you will be notified and asked to choose another desired address.
3) If your desired address is available, then it will be assigned to you for your exclusive use for one year. The webmaster will then set up a FORWARDING function so that all emails sent to your desired address will automatically be forwarded to your current, active address. That's it. You're done!
4) If you also want to use this address as another identity on your computer (which will let you send email with this new address, as well as receive it), then you will also have to set this up through your email browser's `Email Wizard' - just like you did with your current active address.
Kind regards,
Frank Balogh
TAPS:
It is with great regret that I make mention of our following brethrens'passing:
. W.B. Hazlett. 1949 to 1953. Passed away on 30 November `03. Cancer.
. Roy Hill. Served in VP-21 in the `50s. Was second mech, and the Plane Captain on crew 1.
. Malcom C. Reese, Jr. Served in VP-21 in the 50s. Passed away on July 9, 2002. Leukemia.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their surviving families.
DONATIONS RECEIVED:
3RD QUARTER '03
W. Shafer Bean
Thomas C. Betterton
Bud Cherry
Phillip J. Connell
Gerald W. Connolly
Daniel A. Desco
Peter W. Ferriso
David C. Graham
Robert M. Grayshaw
James T. Girtman
Leon J. Greebaum
Jerry M. Keltner
Wm. J. Klage
Michael S. Lanham
Wm. J. Locke
R.J. McMahon
Robert Nelson
Richard Nicgorski
Charles C. Nute
Robert O'Conner
Buchard Poole
H.J. Rosler
Harry Schuford
Harold J. Vaughn
Richard S. Webb
4th Quarter '03:
Rolland W. Autote
Gary E. Barnett
Robert L. Baumgartner
James L. Berchak
Tom Bergstrom
James J. Besse
Mrs. Valgene Edwards
Gene L. Forgit
Don Gessner
A.M. (Bud) Gill
Wallace W. Graddick
Fred O. Kellar
Edward LaFontaine
Blair R. Laughlin
J. Alfred Lemire
Jerry L. Nowell
Gene N. Osteen
Geri (Hubner) Rabb
Les Raye
Norm Roinestad
Robert S. Schmiedlin
Gerald B. Szmania
Duke Turner
Bruno T. Tyboroski
Robert L. Wolen
Dale Woods
Woodson W. Wright
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 © (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. Treasurer@VPB-111.org
STOREKEEPER /DIRECTOR, GARY GROSS, REPORTS:
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES ARE AVAILABLE FROM SMALL STORES:
NEW!! VPB-111 WWII period Video tape by Marc Ponto, son of VPB-111 copilot Warren Ponto. $12.00 (Expanded description here)
The following items continue to remain on sale:
Khaki hats with your choice: Blackjack, Turtle, or Dumbo patch. $18.00.
Navy blue hat with choice of patch, same price as khaki hat.
White golf shirts: super quality VPB111/VP21 Veterans Association. $25.00.
White ball caps with Black Jack logo. $10.00. Very limited supply!
White ball caps with Flight Wings and VPB111/VP21. $10.00.
Patches: Blackjack, Dumbo, or Turtle. $6.34.
Buttons: Blackjack (OUT OF STOCK), Dumbo or Turtle. $1.84
License Plate. VPB 111/VP21 Veterans Assn.
Blackjack logo. $10.00.
Blackjack lapel pins. $4.00
BOOKS:
The Story of VPB-111 $29.00. Now back in stock.
Low Level Liberators $29.00. Now back in stock.
Black and white print of P2V7 signed and numbered by artist Robert 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,
4595 S. Robert Blake Ave.
Inverness, FL 34452-7820
FEBRUARY EDITION: 2004
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 Merepoint Point Rd., Brunswick, ME 04011
Ron Lenhoff, Director/Secretary, 972 Wedgewood Dr., Independence, KY 41051
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
Robert Nelson, Online Coordinator, Director,49 Woodland Drive, Tequesta FL 33469
Harry Dunlap, 2003 Reunion Coordinator, 5803 Eastshore Dr., Pensacola FL 32505
Gary Gross, Director/Storekeeper, 4595S Robert Blake Ave., Inverness, FL 34452-7820.
Frank Balogh, Web-site/Director1749 Burroughs Dr, Dayton, OH 45406
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.
END