Navy Patrol Bombing Squadrons 102/14 Association

Summary
Reunion 2000, San Diego
Navy Squadron 102/14 Association  
(Click Photo's to Enlarge)

Once again the Reluctant Dragons of Navy Squadrons 102/14 Association returned to their San Diego lair to relive the days of their "some 50 years ago" youth. With thinner ranks, wider waistlines and slower steps, they fell in for muster 69 strong at the Holiday Inn, San Diego Bayside. Five were attending their first reunion. 44 guests, including spouses, 13 daughters and daughters-in-law, 12 sons and sons-in-law, one grandson and a covey of friends, accompanied the squadron members.

At 0715 Wednesday, 13 September 2000, fifteen brave squadron souls fired the opening gun for Reunion 2000 by heading for the Admiral Baker Golf Course. Registration of guests commenced later that morning and our reunion was officially underway. On Wednesday evening, the reunion festivities began with a poolside Welcome Aboard reception hosted by the hotel.  John Finn (pictured on right), our sole surviving Medal of Honor Recipient; was able to attend the reunion before departing the next morning for Pueblo, CO., where he was to be recognized with other Medal of Honor recipients.

The following morning the duty sections fell in for a fine tour of the city, Coronado, Mt Solidad and La Jolla (pictured on left). Fifty plus years have brought about many changes, one of which is Seaport Village that was the lunch stop. This upscale group of tourist specialty shops and restaurants, at the harbor's edge, was not even a gleam in the developer's eye back in the 1940's. Those who had not seen San Diego since the Camp Kearny days had trouble recognizing anything familiar other than the Santa Fe railroad station, North Island, the Del Coronado Hotel (pictured below) and the old El Cortez Hotel. A free afternoon was followed by a delightful harbor dinner cruise in balmy San Diego evening weather aboard the Spirit of San Diego.

Friday's plan of the day provided morning visits to the San Diego world renowned Zoo or the Aerospace Museum which is one of the finest institutions of its type with a magnificent collection of aircraft covering the period from the beginning of flight to the present time.

Friday afternoon found the crew mustering for the business meeting, which was conducted in the Ready Room by Reunion Coordinator, Bob Kirk. In view of our declining numbers and the natural deterioration of members' health, the subject of future reunions was discussed and the consensus was to continue with a reunion in 2002. This then raised the question of a volunteer to coordinate the next reunion. When, after a considerable period, no one offered to assume that responsibility, Ken Thoman suggested that if the group were willing to return to New England, he and Louise would again take on the task. Jack Leonard offered to assist the Thomans. Understandably, this concluded further discussion of the subject!

At 1700 that evening the crew and guests assembled poolside in their best Polynesian finery for a Luau dinner and an outstanding live Polynesian show complete with a spectacular fire dance. The show featured the group "Pride of Polynesia" and was produced and directed by Susan Seller, a lifelong friend of the Kirk family.

Saturday morning found 86 members, wives and friends mustering for duty aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis CVN-74 followed by lunch at the Mexican Village in Coronado.

A free afternoon was followed by a tour of what was wartime Camp Kearny and is now Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. It would appear that there is one frame building left on the base from WWII days! The crew then assembled at the Officer's Club for Happy Hour, photographs, dinner and dancing to a 15-piece band. The tone for the evening festivities was set by Jack "Twinkle toes" Leonard who treated the revelers to a snappy soft-shoe rendition to the tune of "Bye Bye Blues". 

A somber note was the report by "Ted II" Marshall, that his father, Ted, had fallen in La Jolla and had broken a hip and was in Horton Hospital where remedial surgery would be performed.

The Sunday morning departure breakfast involved a mixture of sadness for those departing the reunion and anticipation for those 39 members and guests who were about to embark on a 7 day post-reunion cruise down the Mexican Riviera from San Pedro to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas and return. The emotions of parting and the future realities we "gray hairs" face enveloped both groups.

We had heroes among us during our "Pacific" days, but the heroes of the reunion were those squadron mates with physical limitations. Their attendance was possible because of the loving support of relatives and friends who attended the reunion with them. With canes, walkers, hearing aids, wheelchairs, Tylenol and their "supporters", these "heroes" went the extra mile to again share the comradeship that was forged some 50 years ago.

This recitation of reunion events would be grossly incomplete if the appreciation of our Association for this fine, well-organized event was not conveyed. The Coordinating Committee, consisting of the Aylwards, Leons, Waltons, Weimers and Van Nostrands, under the "Three E" (experienced, expert and enthusiastic) directions of Nita and Bob Kirk, did an outstanding job arranging an interesting and fun filled reunion in and around the city of San Diego. The hotel accommodations were excellent and our top floor "Ready Room" was spacious and provided an outstanding view of San Diego Harbor and NAS North Island. Thank you Kirks and the committee for your gift of Reunion 2000.

Until 2002, in New England - stay healthy, keep your wings level and your engines turning!

                                      Respectfully submitted, Chuck Maginn  

Subsequently the members of the Association were saddened to hear that Ted Marshall had passed away, in Tucson, on 5 November 2000. Ted, an Executive Officer of VPB-102, was an ardent supporter of our organization and had coordinated a memorable reunion in Tucson in 1990. All who knew him will miss Ted. 

Until 2002, in New England - stay healthy, keep your wings level and your engines turning!

As has been the custom, please send photographs taken at the reunion to Lucy Leon, 2322 Lucerne Drive, San Diego, CA 92106-1216. Please be sure to identify each person.