Spring 2004

<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=150 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="056d4c00dkelyh.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> <A HREF="id51.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SMALL STORES"><U>Small Stores</U></A></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> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="VP21 VPB111 VETERANS ASSOCIATION"><U><B>HOME</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>VPB-111/VP-21</I></div> <div> <I>VAGABOND NEWS</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>John G. Esposito, Editor               SPRING                    2004                 </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>MAY EDITION: 2004</B></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>A MESSAGE FROM THE LEFT HAND SEAT:</B></div> <div> Although the US Postal Service made the conduct of a reunion survey difficult (some newsletters weren't delivered for a month), we've concluded that the overwhelming majority of our members who took time to respond want to come to Maine.  Since we had snow yesterday (5 April), and are expecting more by the end of the week.  I can't say that I quite understand that.</div> <bR> <div> The 2005 reunion will be held at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland on Monday through Wednesday, May 23 - 25 (depart Thursday the 26th). Although the Holiday Inn is one of the nicest hotels in Portland, they offered us an excellent rate of $75 a night.  This is compared to $139 and $119 a night by the two other hotels.</div> <bR> <div> Reservations have been made for 125 rooms.  The rate for single, or double occupancy will be $75 plus 7% tax.  Triple occupancy will be $85, quad occupancy will be $95.  A few suites are available for $75 per room ($150, or $225 per day, depending on size).  Anyone interested can inquire when making reservations.  Anyone wishing to arrive up to two days earlier, or depart up to two days later will receive the same rates.</div> <bR> <div> A large Ready Room will be available and we CAN provide our own adult beverages there.  It will be available to us for the entire three days. Because the State of Maine's laws prohibit non-employees from carrying drinks in public places, beverages cannot be carried between individual rooms and the Ready Room or from the Ready Room to individual rooms.  Both the hotel management and the Association expect your total cooperation.</div> <bR> <div> Wheel chair access rooms are available.  Inquire when making reservations.  The rooms are equipped for the hearing impaired.  They have cable and also web TV for those who need to check their mail.</div> <bR> <div> The hotel has a very nice indoor pool and a workout room available at no extra cost to residents.  Parking in the hotel garage is free to residents.  Anyone arriving by plane, train, or bus (and not renting a car) will receive free shuttle service to and from the hotel. </div> <bR> <div> The hotel has a very nice lounge and dining room, and the individual rooms are excellent, many with a beautiful view of the Portland Harbor (first come-first served).    </div> <bR> <div> Anyone who would be willing to assist with the planning and running of the reunion, from setting up events to checking people in, please give me a call at 207-725-6522.  Any help will be appreciated.</div> <bR> <div> More to follow.</div> <bR> <div> Bill</div> <bR> <div> <B>REUNIUON MEETING PLANNED:</B></div> <div> Your Board of Directors will be holding the 2004 Business Meeting at the Portland Holiday Inn by the Bay at 0900 hrs on Sunday, June 13, 2004. All Association members are cordially invited to attend.   If you intend to stay at the hotel, inform them that you are attending the VP-21 Reunion meeting.  The reunion room rate of $75 per night will be provided.  If you run into any problems, ask the desk to contact Mr. Victor Murray at Ext. 2160.</div> <bR> <div> The hotel's phone number is 207-775-2311, or 800-345-5070.  Fax is 207-772-4017.</div> <bR> <div> They've blocked 10 rooms. Reservations MUST be made by 12 May.  After that, the room rate will go to $178 per day.  </div> <bR> <div> Bill Locke will work up an agenda and forward to the</div> <div> Board for their approval.  If anyone has anything they </div> <div> want discussed at the meeting, please advise Bill accordingly</div> <bR> <div> <B>A MESSAGE FROM THE WEBMASTER'S CORNER:</B></div> <div> For all of you on-line members, how would you like to have an email address that 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 <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:JohnSmith@VP-21.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:JohnSmith@VP-21.org"><U><U>JohnSmith@VP-21.org</U></U></A></FONT>, or <U>AirOps@VPB-111.org</U> etc, or, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:Airmail7@VP21.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:Airmail7@VP21.org"><U><U>Airmail7@VP21.org</U></U></A></FONT>, etc.  Virtually, any address is available on 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:</div> <bR> <div> You need to 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 <I>desired</I> VP-21, or VPB-111 address.  Also, provide your current <I>active email address.</I></div> <div> <I> </I></div> <div> The webmaster will then check to make sure that no one else is already using your desired address. If it is being used elsewhere, you will be notified accordingly and asked to choose another <I>desired</I> address.     </div> <bR> <div> If your <I>desired </I>address <U>is </U>available, then it will be assigned to you for your exclusive use for one year.  The webmaster will then set up a FORWORDING function so that all emails sent to your <I>desired </I>address will automatically be forwarded to you current active address.  That's it.  You're done!</div> <bR> <div> If you also want to use this address as another identity on your computer (which will let you <U>send </U>email with this new address, as well as receive it), then you will also have to set up this through your own email browser's `Email Wizard'- just like you did with your own current <I>active </I>address.</div> <bR> <div> If you have any questions, send them to me at the <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:Webmaster@VP-21.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:Webmaster@VP-21.org"><U><U>Webmaster@VP-21.org</U></U></A></FONT>.</div> <div> Frank Balogh, Jr.</div> <bR> <div> <B>STOREKEEPER /DIRECTOR, GARY GROSS, REPORTS:</B></div> <div> The following articles are available from small stores:</div> <div> The following items continue to remain on sale:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Khaki hats with your choice: Blackjack, Turtle, or Dumbo patch. $18.00.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Navy blue hat with choice of patch, same price as khaki hat. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">White golf shirts: super quality VPB111/VP21 Veterans Association. $25.00.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">White ball caps with Flight Wings and VPB111/VP21. $10.00.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Patches: Blackjack, Dumbo, or Turtle.  $6.34.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Buttons: BlackJack, Dumbo or Turtle. $1.84</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">License Plate. VPB 111/VP21 Veterans Assn. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Blackjack logo. $10.00.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Cloisonne Lapel/Hat  pins. $4.00 </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Black and white print of P2V7 signed and numbered by artist Robert Howath. $10.00</div> <bR> <div> Books:</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">VIDEO!!! VPB-111 WWII period video tape by Marc Ponto, son of co-pilot Warren Ponto. Cost is $12. Expanded description appears on our 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>www.VP-21.org</U></U></A></FONT>.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <U>The Story of VPB-111 </U>  $29.00. Now back in stock.</div> <div> <U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Low Level Liberators</U>  $29.00. Now back in stock.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Customized coffee mugs with Black Jack Logo and your name, rate or flight wings. $25.00. </div> <div>  </div> <div> All prices include postage.</div> <div> Contact Storekeeper:</div> <div> Gary Gross, </div> <div> 4595 S. Robert Blake Ave. </div> <div> Inverness, FL 34452-7820</div> <div> E-mail address: storekeeper@vp21.org</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>TAPS:</B></div> <div> It is with great regret that I make mention of the passing of our following brethren:</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Arvis Robertson, AKC.  Passed away 15 August 2001 from COPD (Cronic Obstructive Pulmunary Disease).  He was in VP 21 in the late `50s.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Charles Myron Gibson.  Passed away on 20 September, 2003 in Sonora, CA. He was a plank owner in VPB-111.  He served in both the Atlantic North Africa and Pacific theaters from February 1943 until </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">February 1946.  Chuck's widow resides in Sonora.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Bill Hatchett of Clinton, MI.  Passed away  November 12, 2003.</div> <bR> <div> Our thoughts and prayers go with them and their survivors.</div> <bR> <div> <B>DONATIONS RECEIVED:</B></div> <div> The following people have  graciously made donations to our association since the last edition of the Newsletter:</div> <div> Richard F. Bates</div> <div> John L. Bayne</div> <div> W. Shafer Bean</div> <div> Walter E. Callaway</div> <div> Daniel Carew</div> <div> Robert E. Donahue</div> <div> Julian A. Franklin</div> <div> Raymond H. Gaus</div> <div> G.A. Harkleroad</div> <div> Otto S. Haughland</div> <div> Dorothy A. Horvath</div> <div> D.K. Johnson</div> <div> Richard J. Kosul</div> <div> Ronald Lenhoff</div> <div> William Locke</div> <div> John E. McGowan</div> <div> C.L. McNamar</div> <div> Robert E. Nelson</div> <div> Neil E. Norris</div> <div> Leonard Parent</div> <div> William J. Reiner</div> <div> Wayne E. Sanders</div> <div> George E. Sutton</div> <div> Howard E. Whalen</div> <div> Dale E. Woods</div> <bR> <div> Your generosity is much appreciated.  Thanx for helping to keep our association airborne.</div> <div> <B>PLEASE NOTE The</B> VPB-111,VP-21 Veterans Association charges no dues. Our operations are totally supported by generous contributions of our membership, and by proceeds from sales of our squadron's articles.  The Association comes under Section 501c (19) of the Internal Revenue Code as “not for profit” organization. As such, contributions are legitimate tax deductions.  Please make your checks payable to the `VPB-111/VP-21 Veterans Association', and forward them to our Treasurer Richard S. Webb whose address appears on the back cover of this newsletter. He can also be reached at <U>Treasurer@VPB-111.org. </U></div> <bR> <div> <B>RON LENHOFF REPORTS:</B></div> <div> During the past two weeks Ron's answering machine has been losing calls. He requests that if he has not returned your calls which you might have placed during this time period, that you please try calling him again. This time please refrain from using the answering machine except for leaving return telephone numbers. Even then, it is considered to be iffy!  Ron is presently having difficulty trying to locate the problem.  He is, however, in the process of looking for a new answering machine.</div> <bR> <div> <B>READING, PA WWII AIRSHOW IS ON AGAIN: </B></div> <div> The annual WWII Air Show is scheduled for June 4, 5, and 6th of this year.  This is truly a magnificent event and is sure to be enjoyed by all who attend.  For a good many of us, I'm sure that the highlight of this show would be a P2V7 which saw service with VP-21 in the late `60s. A group of us are planning on attending, and we will gather under the wing of the P2V-7 at about 12 noon on Saturday, June 5 in search of any fellow airmates that may be attending. If you can possibly make it, we would enjoy sharing this experience with you. You can gather additional information about this air show by surfing the web.</div> <bR> <div> <B>CHANGE IN THE DIRECTOR'S LINE-UP:</B></div> <div> After over eight years of dedicated service and hard work, Bob Nelson has decided to step down from his position as Online Director.  In doing so, Bob has passed the baton on to Dan Dwyer who has agreed to assume this post.  Dan's email address is: <U>ddwyer1@maine.rr.com</U> Thanx, Bob, for all the good things you have done for us, and good luck to you, Dan, in helping to keep our association in tact.</div> <bR> <div> Bob, however, will continue to remain on the Board to assume other challenges as they arrive. </div> <div>  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>VPB-111/VP-21 VETERANS ASSOCIATION</B></I></div> <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>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>Ron Lenhoff, Director/Secretary, 972 Wedgewood Dr., Independence, KY  41051</I></div> <div> <I>Richard S. Webb, Dir/Treasurer, 219 Montoya Dr., Lady Lake, FL  32159-8642</I></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, (To be determined), 49 Woodland Drive, Tequesta FL 33469</I></div> <div> <I>Harry Dunlap, 2003 Reunion Coordinator, 5803 Eastshore Dr., Pensacola FL 32505 </I></div> <div> <I>Gary Gross, Director/Storekeeper, 4595S Robert Blake Ave., Inverness, FL  34452-7820.  </I></div> <div> <I>Frank Balogh, Web-site/Director1749 Burroughs Dr, Dayton, OH 45406</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The </I><I><B>`Vagabond</B></I><I> </I><I><B>News' </B></I><I>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>972 Wedgewood Dr.                                   U.S. Postage</B></div> <div> <B>Independence, KY 41051                                   PAID</B></div> <div> <B>                                             Permit #61</B></div> <div> <B>Address Service Requested  9/03                              Southampton, PA</B></div> <div>                                              <B>18966</B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>