NAVY SQUADRON 102/14
Reunion No. 12 - NOV. 1998
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
As all hands are aware, the 102/14 Twelfth Reunion commenced on
3 November 1998 at the Holiday Inn, Pensacola. It was a fine affair,
expertly coordinated by the experienced pros Bob and Kitty Dimmitt
who coordinated Reunion Seven, also at Pensacola, back in 1988.
Our 1st evening was highlighted by a pool side Luau. Although the
weather was not typical of Florida or Polynesia either for that
matter, the spirits, both personal and fermenti, warmed the evening.
All those hugs, greeting friends, also helped. The next 4 days of
activities included visits to Ft Walton's Gulfarium and lunch at
The Officer's Club at Hurlburt Air Force Base.
Our 2nd day included the golf tournament, an exciting flight with
the Blue Angels through the "Magic of Flight" I-Max show at the
greatly expanded Naval Air Museum. Our day concluded with buffet
dinner under the "stars" of aviation - the planes that made the
aviation wing of the Navy the force what it is today.
Friday was spent at the awesome Blue Angels Homecoming Show and our
traditional "dress up" closing dinner held at the Lighthouse Point
CPO Club.
Saturday morning found us all saying our good-bye's once more. It
was a happy parting at a delightful breakfast at the hotel. The
Aloha's and the "See you in San Diego 2000" were expressed and sealed
with hugs, kisses and firm handshakes.
Our 12th reunion was like those before it in so many ways, but
different in others. We would be remiss if we did not make special
mention of those men who came despite the need for canes, wheelchairs
and walkers. Despite their limited mobility, they made the effort,
joined shipmates and once again relived those days, long ago, when
such limitations were not even in our vocabulary.
We salute you "Brave Spirits" - you made us feel proud. We also
salute the family members who saw to it that they did not miss a
single event.
There were 80 members in attendance, 9 guests and 3 auxiliary.
1st timers were Richard Dellenbach, Perry Holder and Roy Phillips. Welcome aboard and hope you will become regulars like so many of us.
Another pleasant occurrence was the attendance of so many members of
the families and friends of mates:
Some of them were - the daughter of Blackie Blackwell, Patty
Songster; Joyce Miller's daughter, Joan Matteson and friend Jane
McMann.
Also attending were Lorraine and Maureen Becker, companions to Jason Schuch. Jim and Lynne Kacewicz were there with dad John. Terry Dell, son of Amby Dell, joined us also.
Friends of members like Alta Looney and Patricia Fielding. The
attendance of 3 widows, Delphine Dell, Joyce Miller and Miriam
Stephens was a nice reminder that the friendships that have grown
out of our reunions do survive the loss of a spouse. Their presence
was most welcome and we hope they will be joined by others in San
Diego.
The Business Meeting
On Friday generated the following recognition and decisions:
1 Recognition of Bob Kirk's very substantial efforts in
keeping the organization going, maintaining the squadron roster, the
creation of a squadron e-mail list and most substantially, the
website at: https://members.tripod.com/~vpb_l02/
2 Acknowledging the generosity of Terry Dell in creating and
posting the website.
3 Recognition of Louise Thoman's Herculean effort in creating
the squadron's Chronicle which was published this year. Approval was
given for her to continue her efforts at coordinating the history of
the squadrons and the expenses such research may incur.
4 The decision was made to exempt Widows of squadron members
from paying Association Membership dues if they choose to continue
their affiliation.
It was also recognized that not all members are up to date
in paying their dues of $15 every two years. Reunion organizations do
not run on rainwater. The mailings that keep you posted on the
happenings of the organization, the status of your buddies, take a
big chunk of cash; so - if you have not ponied up that small sum,
please do so. Send it to Bob Kirk at 4371 Logrono Dr., San Diego,
CA 92115-5623 before you forget it.
5 Approved contributions will be made only if the treasury
shows a surplus over $4,000. This amount is considered necessary to
insure sufficient operating funds for the planning and scheduling of
reunions plus the cost of printings and mailings deemed necessary by
the host couple and the Tale Spins which is published each 6 months.
6 After Diggs Walton's suggestion that the next reunion be a
cruise out of San Pedro was voted down, Bob Dimmit "announced" that
the next reunion should be in San Diego because there were several
resident members there to run it. Subsequent to the close of the
reunion, Bob Kirk advised that he, Jerry Aylward, Fred Leon, Paul
Van Nostrand, Diggs Walton and Dutch Weimer would be the team that
would coordinate the Y2K reunion in San Diego.
A reunion such as this can not be adequately described in words, but
must be experienced to be appreciated fully. Our heartfelt thanks go
to Bob & Kitty for rising to the occasion so that our reunion
organization could continue to exist.
See you at San Diego 2000.
Chuck Maginn, Reviewer
Excerpts from the VP Navy website
BIT OF HISTORY: "00XXX37-Patrol Wing FIVE was established in 1937.
The Wing consisted of only two Patrol Squadrons, VP-14 and VP-15 and
flew the PBY "Catalina" aircraft.
http://flightdeck.airlant.navy.mil/chcpw5.htm
"My Dad was in WW 2, AVM/M IstC Peter Hollosi, Jr. He served
aboard the U.S.S. Lexington and the U.S.S. Wright. He was assigned
to VP-14 NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (was there 7 Dec.1941), VP-12
(Black Cats), and VPB-2 NAS Banana River, Florida. I would sincerely
appreciate any info on missions, R & R, etc. I never got tired of his
war stories. Thank you...Peter M. Hollosi Email: PHollosi@aol.com..."
(04APR98)
"...I'm very excited to see these memories and information saved
and presented for viewing. My father, Albert LeRoy Dodson (A.L.
Dodson), served with VP-14 April of 41 thru April of 43 ( survived
the Jap attack of NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii ) and latter he was CO
of VP-4, I believe it was June of 51 thru June of 53. Joe Dodson,
Son of Albert LeRoy Dodson (A.L. Dodson)...Joe Dodson
LaC1HocFan@aol.com..."(05APR98)
Shipmates! Douglas Peter Hart c/o his daughter Mary Hart Maggay
maggay@yahoo.com "... My father, Douglas Peter Hart, was with Patrol
Squadron Fourteen ( VP-14 )and at Kaneohe Bay during the Japanese
attack on December 7, 1941. He tells of firing a machine gun on the
ground and later that day, when sent out on patrol, was fired at by
"our own guys" while trying to land. He recently had a stroke, but
is doing well in Carlsbad, California and would love to hear from you.
...." (06AUG98)
.I am looking for information on the PBY-5 Buno 2360, of VP-14
was stationed at NAS Kaneohe Bay, It is reported to have survived the
attack on pearl on 26 Aug 1942 it was temp, assigned to VP-71 , then
returned to VP-14, 15 JUN 1942. On 26 AUG 1942, it was burned by its
crew to avoid the japs from getting her. I would like to know if any
one knows the entire story of this plane'?" Chuck Bones
JARHEAD12Y@aol.com |
