Navy Patrol Bombing Squadrons 102/14 Association

Boston 2 in 2002

The Fourteenth Gathering of The Dragons

It was a warm and sunny September 12th in the Charles River valley when the Dragons of 14/102 began to report aboard NAS (temporarily) Westin/Waltham. Because of the diligent work of the Thomans and heavy support by Bob Kirk, all was in readiness for Reunion 14. Information packets were prepared containing name tags, schedules, a copy of the Retrospective, a pictorial review of those war years and present day. We were ready for a weekend of sharing, remembering and enjoying time with the people who have become one big family over the years of gatherings.

Scheduled activities commenced the very first evening with a warm and comfortable Welcome Cocktail Reception. 28 squadron mates joined in along with 31 wives and guests, moving from table to table renewing friendships, rejuvenating memories and just plain reminiscing. Worthy of note here was the fact that so many squadron mates and auxilians were accompanied by adult children and several with their own spouses.

Friday morning (Friday the 13th, by the way) found the crew boarding 2 “Liberty Buses” headed for a most interesting trip to the historic mill city of Lowell, Mass. Our objective was the National Historic Site including a visit to the restored, operating Boott Cotton Mill; a trolley ride through the streets of Lowell and a boat ride on the canals that fed the water to run the mills. Lowell’s strength for operation of these mills was the nearby Merrimack River with its 32 ft drop that provided the water power. Lunch was in another mill beautifully restored by enterprising entrepreneurs.

Our business meeting was held upon return to the Westin. 28 members assembled to discuss a reunion for 2004. After much discussion, the sentiment held to hold at least one more reunion, although there was not a volunteer to host Reunion 15. After several long pauses, it was announced that a man with the Pere Marquette Hotel, in Peoria, IL was willing to furnish a selective reunion package at no administration costs to the association. A vote was immediately solicited and, without further discussion, approximately 90 percent of the members voted in favor of accepting the offer. Because the vote was obviously in favor, a negative vote was not requested. Bob Kirk volunteered to coordinate Reunion 15. The meeting ended with agreement to transfer any remaining Association funds to the Naval Aviation Museum when and if our Association is decommissioned.

Bob has now reported, after completing his on-sight investigation, that the offer appears favorable and he is willing to coordinate the event in 2004, in Peoria. 

Many thanks to Bob for agreeing to serve his 3rd tour of duty. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his long service to our Association. Without him we would not stilt be gathering. 

Saturday, the 14th, saw our “Liberty Buses” full of adventurers headed north to Perkins Cove, Ogunquit, Maine for a tour of the coastline aboard 2 lobster boats of The Finestkind. Once aboard, the “crew” observed and learned the finer points of the art of catching those delicious crustaceans called “bugs” by the lobstermen and lobsters by us landlubbers! It was a glorious day to be a sea...

Each evening was delightfully unscheduled to permit friends to spend quiet times together.

On Sunday morning, the 15th, again, our “Liberty Bus” took the hardy ones on a short day’s tour of Salem and Marblehead where they visited one of the historic mansions and saw the famous “Spirit of ‘76” painting. Lunch was at Borders in Salem. The group was back at NAS Westin/Waltham with adequate time to rest (translation-nap) before getting gussied up for the evening’s festivities — our cocktail party and banquet held in the hotel.

This culminating event was spectacular in itself. The colors, including our own Navy flag, were piped to a spot of honor by the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drums whose members joined us for dinner. Dancing went on all evening to the music of a great orchestra. After desert, the Fifes and Drums performed for us then retired the colors.

The music and dancing continued until 11 PM with more than half of our members still gyrating or listening. The last song was God Bless America. Everyone held the flags from the table decorations, formed a circle, holding hands, waving flags, singing robustly. Emotions bubbled over, tears flowed. An emotional finale for a great reunion of friends from a time when goals were high and emotions were too.

Monday morning breakfast was the usual bittersweet event as friends bid each other farewell and extended wishes and fond but realistic hopes “for the next time.”

“Hope springs eternal” that there will always be a next time.

Co-authored by Chuck Maginn and The Thomans

If you really enjoy your new Retrospective and feel that you would like to contribute to help with the cost of printing and mailing, please feel free to send your contribution ($5.00 would be nice) to: The Thomans, 86 Driftwood Lane, Trumbull, CT 06611-1861. We’ll be happy to add these monies to the Squadron treasury, to help with any expenses Bob Kirk will have preparing for Peoria.