Navy Patrol Bombing Squadrons 102/14 Association

Greetings after a happy reunion of the wonderful family of friends that has evolved from experiences shared so many years ago and the many gatherings over the years. The tales were just as exciting as ever, if not more-so from the many years of telling. The people as warm and wonderful as ever. Be sure to read Chuck Maginn’s summary of our gathering and excursions. He tells a good tale

PEORIA, ILLINOIS IN 2004

At the Reunion Business Meeting, Bob Kirk presented an offer from a hotel in Peoria. It was accepted and because there were no volunteers to take on the chore, he agreed to take on the responsibility of arranging and hosting Reunion 15. After a personal inspection of the site and discussion with the gentleman who offered the

Pere Marquette hotel and Peoria, as a great reunion site, Bob will go forward with the arrangements. Be sure to read his report on Peoria 2004.

We all owe Bob a huge debt of gratitude for his dogged efforts at finding us all many years ago and for keeping us together over these many years.

NEWS ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS,
GATHERED SINCE THE LAST NEW TALE SPINS:

Barbara Capdevielle (Minnick) married in August. Her address is now #209 in the same building. Husband John could not join us and we missed meeting him. We are all happy for her. She and daughter Cathie traveled to Boston. We were so happy to have them with us. George and Helen Cates “brought” daughter Patricia and husband Asa Kinnaman with them. Others attending were the Aylwards, Desemones, Dimmitts, Dores, Neil Elliott and son Robert, the Foxes, and Halvorsens. The Kazmaiers, Kirks, SyI Lambrecht, Lenc Lencioni, the Leons, Jack Leonard, Gordon MacDonald. The Maginns joined us, but had to leave due to the fact that Chuck developed pneumonia. He’s fine now. Also Speedy and Pauline Martin with daughter Susan Garland and her husband Carey. Speedy and Pauline, who started this wonderful chain of gatherings, have never missed one despite all the physical setbacks. What a wonderful record! Thanks for heading us on this course so many years ago.

The Metiers, Joyce Miller and daughter Joan plus her friend Jane, Dan Murphy, Ambrose Pall, the Penleys, Robersons with daughter Judy Greene and sister Miriam Bell were also with us. The Sachs, Jason Schuch and Lorraine Becker, Miriam Stephens, Gil Stewart with son John and wife Nancy. Of course the Thomans both attended seeing that they were hosts

John Thomas brought son Marc. John developed heart attack symptoms on the last night. Guess we were too much for him. He’s back in Idaho, doing fine. The Herb Thompsons came, Martha Washburn brought along daughters Ginny Hopcroft and Sue Bradstreet and last but, by no means least — just the end of the alphabet - was Chuck Whelan and friend Barbara Peters.

Now, for those we heard from who could not attend and some of the reasons:

Bill Alcorn who has had some health problems, Ed Barnier who is living with Alzheimer's, Robert Beckstrom who was scheduled for lung cancer surgery.

Blackie Blackwell is suffering Parkinson’s, Frank Burton has lost sight in one eye and the other damaged from Macular Degeneration.. Don Butler could not make it, but has been in touch with the granddaughter of Howard Nopper. Dick Charlton could not attend because of Doris’s health. She is not improving as they had hoped.

Don Close is fighting prostate cancer that has metastasized. Leslie Cole’s heart is not the best. He informs us that his wife Helen passed away in November of 2001. Dolores Vaught (Don - who died in ‘95) passed away some time in the middle of August, 2002.