Navy Patrol Bombing Squadrons 102/14 Association

Greetings and wishes for a happy and healthy New Year to everyone from everyone! We hope everyone is as well as can be expected and looking forward to each new day

I would like to pause here and remember those we have lost.

Word has come to us that Ted Marshall lost his valiant fight with cancer and the setback of a broken hip sustained while at our San Diego reunion. Ted and Betsy came to be with us despite his illness. Ted was a very active member of our association. He and Betsy hosted our sunny Tucson reunion. They missed only one reunion and that was because of a terrible accident from which Ted recovered by sheer determination. His lifelong, dauntless spirit carried him through many situations and we hope it is still carrying him through. Our thoughts are with Betsy and his family and we express our heartfelt sympathies to them all.

Word has also reached us that Lewis Stoy, Jr. passed away on 11/18. Helen Boatman sent word of the passing of Ralph after a bout with Parkinson 's disease. Also, Pat Smith notified us that we have lost Clint Smith. Condolences from all of us.

Susan Kinsel sent word that Dick's health is not the best. Walt Tracy reported that he has had several "small strokes" and could not join us. Jason Schuch could not attend due to a setback in his health but is doing well again. Fred Pierce noted that he too has joined the pacemaker club.

Our San Diego reunion was great. We thank Bob and Nita Kirk, Fred and Lucy Leon, Dutch and Pearl Weimer, Gerry and Ginny Aylward and Paul Van Nostrand also. (Be sure to read the enclosed literary masterpiece, a tale of our adventures, written by Chuck Maginn.)

It was wonderful to have Lew McBriety (accompanied by son Jeff) with us. At 90+ he still looks and is great. John Finn (another 90+) joined us for the Luau. You made our evening John. Be sure to come to Boston 2 in 2002. Gus Martin made it despite another knee replacement and carotid artery surgery (accompanied by daughter Nancy.) Pauline was scheduled for back surgery so she missed for the 1st time since the 1st reunion at their home back a lifetime ago.) (Operation is now over and a great success.) Jack Leonard did his wonderful tap dance for us while wife Jane and daughter Linda watched apprehensively! 4 widows, Martha Washburn, Miriam Stephens, Joyce Miller and Eileen Keeler, joined us along with various friends and daughters. Welcome girls! The whole Kirk clan was there in support of Mom and Dad.

Approximately 40 guests joined us this time. We were so happy to have them because, without their help, many of our Squadron members could not have joined us. It is so great to see how younger family members realize how important it is for dad or even Gramps to share these times. Thank you all for joining us. It is also very rewarding, for those of us who are determined to keep these reunions going, to see the interest being taken by the younger generation in the events that transpired so long ago. Please keep coming. Your family needs your interest more than ever and so do we. Remember that we do not have a reunion if our Squadron members cannot attend.

Despite our decreased energy, abilities and due to the passage of time, it was wonderful to see the determination, the infectious smiles and the joy that was so evident as these men recognized someone not seen for as much as 50 years. This rekindling of the bonds forged in youth, under circumstances of extreme danger and hardship, is invaluable to each one.

One of the great rewards for those of us who are determined to keep these reunions going is hearing a son say: "After sharing this reunion with you, I finally understand why there is such a bond between you. You shared so much."

We do want to say to all of you who could not attend, we missed you. We talked about you, we asked about you, we hope all is well and you will be able to attend the next one.

In January, Gus Martin sent a note saying that he and Pauline were back home after an extended stay in Houston where Gus received treatments for a rare form of cancer that was found near an eye. He is doing great and looking forward to our 2002 reunion. Keep up the good fight, Gus.

A note from Jim Harle, in merry ole' England, says that he and Betty are doing as well as can be expected. He hopes to attend Boston 2 in '02. San Diego was one flight too many for his "old bones." Barbara Capdevielle is doing well, just not up to long trips.

WELCOME to Roger K. Thomas who found us via our fantastic Website. Roger has retired to Frederick, MD. We hope he will join our festivities and become an active member.

John S. (Sid) Kennedy, author of "The Forgotten Warriors of Kaneohe" advises that a special memorial service is planned for December 5-9, 2001 at Kaneohe in conjunction with the 60th Anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Kaneohe and other military installations on Oahu, T.H. If you are interested in attending, contact Sid at: 17271 Via Carmen, San Lorenzo, CA 94580. The cost is $194 plus transportation and lodging.

Our own Memory Book of Reunion 13 in San Diego should be in your hands by now. If you did not attend but wish to order one, you may do so by sending $25 to the following address: The Dunning Co., P0 Box 759, Theodore, AL. 36590-0759. Bob Kirk was able to add 93 candid photos, taken at various events, to the 4 pages of portraits taken at the main banquet. When ordering, reference the September 13-17, 2000 reunion of Navy Squadron 102/14 Assn. (Job #20-476).

Speaking of books being published, Alan Carey of Round Rock, TX has written "We Flew Alone" about the USN B-24 Squadrons of the Pacific (Feb 1943 to Sept 1944). The 102 are a big part of this book. Soft cover $19.99 and can be ordered through bookstores aSBN:0-7643-1/70-0. Also, a second book, by Alan Carey, called "Above An Angry Sea" will be out in March. This book covers the last 11 months of the war. It includes personal stories, 200 photos, individual squadron records (the record of 102 is well documented in this book) and much, much more. Hard cover $24.95 ISBN: 0-7643-1286-3. This book will be available as above.

A special note for photographers: Send your pictures of the San Diego reunion to Lucy Leon, 2322 Lucerne Dr., San Diego, CA, 92106-1216. She is waiting for them. Be sure to identify everyone.

Website Guest Book Entries:

During April of '99, Roger Cameron Pierce son of Fred Pierce, signed in "I will always cherish this Website. Thanks. Note that my middle name is after Kenneth Cameron Hooper who, I believe, was the pilot or co-pilot.

During Sept. of '00, G. R. PEARSON, Jr. wrote: "The amazing Web!" I was shocked to see this website and Dad's crew picture. Good luck to the Squadron."

During August of '00, Norman Woodward wrote, "William ('Fred) Pierce was a rear gunner in crew 15, VPB-102. Have known Fred since I was a kid in Cooleemee, NC.  He was the reason I joined the Navy in 1963. I am proud of the men who fought for me during that period of history. He is the only surviving member of the old Cooleemee Cools baseball team and I hope he lives forever. Thanks for letting me speak."

During October of '00, James Walter Curylo wrote, "My father, Walter J. Curylo, AD1, was a member of VP-14 on 7 Dec 41, stationed at NAS Kaneohe. My mother was with him on that day and I was born on 15 Dec 41 in the base dispensary.

I found your site and unfortunately have little to contribute as both parents have died. "If any VP-14 members are alive and remember my parents, please contact me."  JWCurylo@altavista.com

Friendship, what would we do without it.       Louise Thoman, Editor