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A
PERSONAL STORY…… Ditching
of 1st PB4Y-2 By
Hal Fisher, AOM2C, Squadron 106, Crew 8 On
October 24, 1944, Crew #8 went on a navigational training flight from San
Diego, north to Boulder Dam, west to California, and south to Camp Kearny
in San Diego. Going south to
San Diego we hit an electrical and rain storm.
All navigation equipment and radio went out.
We did not know our location but we were in the Gulf of Lower
California off Mexico. We were
about out of fuel when Lt. Leik put the plane down about 3 hours before
midnight on October 24th. Lt.
Don Clemens was able to get a seven man life raft out of the plane which
saved many lives. We took
turns floating in life jackets and in the life raft.
I will always remember this birthday.
After midnight, they were singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me.
October 25th was my big 19th birthday. *Additional
information……Calm seas and some moonlight were factors in the
successful ditching. There
were 13 on board; 11 crewmen
and 2 women Marines (Bams) who were catching a ride to San Diego.
They spent 16 ½ hours in and on the water before they landed on an
island. Finding no food or
water, 5 crewmen set out in the life raft in search of food and water.
A day and a half later, with the aid of a signal mirror, they
succeeded in attracting the attention of a Mexican fishing boat which
picked them up and returned to the island for the others.
A Coast Guard plane from San Diego flew down and brought the
rescued party back to San Diego on October 29th, 1944. **An experience told by the first person is so much more interesting
than from a third person in an article or a book.
Scuttlebutt Lorry
Hoblin,
widow of Hob Hoblin (squadron ?) – I
think you guys are doing an amazing job with the newsletter.
I am going to try to come to the next reunion even if most of my
friends are deceased. There is
a wonderful spirit there and you all should be congratulated.
My husband Hob Hoblin and I had many a happy time at the reunions.
Best, best wishes to you. David
‘Hal’ Fisher
(106) – Myself & Todd Mabry of
Portland, OR are the only two left in Crew 8. Eva
Antell, widow of Russell Antell
(102/106) – Glad to send dues, and
appreciate all you do to keep us old widows informed.
Russ (Ace) has been gone 5 ½ years and I still miss my “old
man”. He was one in a
million and so enjoyed the reunions. Please
excuse printing as I have had 4 strokes and heart operation.
Right side partially paralyzed.
89 yrs and still trucking along.
Ha! Alice
Perkowski,
widow of Lou Perkowski (squadron ?) –Declining further newsletters,
Alice wrote: Sorry, most of Lou’s and my “buddies” are up in the “Wild Blue
Yonder!” God Bless you all!! Helen
Meyer,
wife of Bernhard Meyer III (106) – My
husband is Bernhard Meyer III. Been
to many reunions over the years. Loved
everyone. We drove and visited
every state in the U.S. I know
how much work they are. I have
done many for my high school reunions.
All my husband’s friends from the Navy are passed over.
Sending some money for the reunion.
We are not coming, sorry to say.
Would love to receive the newsletter. Barbara
Dresner,
widow of Allan Dresner (102a) – Allan
died 12 years ago. He had his
last glider flight at 84 and had the best of the day. Mabel
Baker,
widow of Sherman Baker (squadron ?) – Received
the (April 2014) newsletter today. I
enjoy the news very much. You
have chosen a great place to go. Sorry
I won’t be able to come. I
don’t travel much anymore, but appreciate the newsletter.
Wish you the best! Mark
Kelly,
son of George Durwood Kelly (106) – I
really enjoyed reading the last newsletter
although it is sad hearing of the latest squadron members who have
passed away. Mr. Howie &
Mr. Leon were ones I remember seeing @ the many reunion’s I attended
with my dad, George Durwood Kelly, since 1971(?) in Colorado Springs.
Even though he died 2/2010, it still brings back fond memories of
all the squadron reunions we attended together.
I even brought my, yet-to-be, bride to the Pensacola reunion in
1982. She loved it!
Then as our 4 children came along, each got to attend at least one
reunion…to be witness to a Great Generation’s Comraderie!...up
close & personal. Thank
you for your continuing the traditions. Kathy
Leavitt,
daughter of John F. Leonard (102) – It
is with profound sadness that I must let you & the other Squadron
members know that our dad, Jack Leonard passed away yesterday, June 30,
2014. As recently as last
Wednesday, my dad was optimistically looking forward to the possibility of
making the trip to San Antonio in Oct. The
102 Squadron members were a huge part of my dad’s life. These men of VPB
102 were there with my father as he soared from childhood into manhood in
service to this country…and what incredible feats they accomplished! Such
strong, committed men, went on to be wonderful husbands, fathers,
grandfathers, & great-grandfathers (some even great-great
grandfathers). We know we are very fortunate daughters to have had Jack
Leonard as our dad. We
welcome any and all of your information, stories, etc. Tid
Bits There
are just over 1 million out of 16 million WWII veterans left alive.
The reunions are more sparsely attended and take on even more
importance - yearly reminders of the passing of the Greatest Generation.
These men became a band of brothers as they spent a year or more
together through hell or high water. It’s
a matter of camaraderie. Their
time during the war was the greatest formative experience of their lives.
The veterans’ children (and grandchildren) join them at their
reunions; wives and children
keep coming after their husbands and fathers are gone.
The squadron reunions are very important to our WWII veterans.
If you are a member of Squadrons 106, 102, or 14, you might want to
reach out to someone to accompany you to the next reunion.
If you are a relative or friend
of one of these squadron members, you should consider accompanying them to
this year’s reunion. They will
greatly appreciate it and you will not regret it.
San
Antonio 24th Reunion Information Sunday,
October 26 –
Thursday, October 30, 2014 The
Hotel Embassy Suites San Antonio
Riverwalk 125 E. Houston St. Room reservations:
Use our group code “NAV”
* (800) 362-2779 or www.embassysuitesriverwalk.com
This is Hilton’s central reservation #
*
(210)
424-6204
Call Belinda if you are extending your stay or if you have
issues with the 800 #
Note:
If
Belinda does not answer her phone, your call automatically rolls over to
the 800 number.
$159
nightly for a standard 2-room suite with 1 or 2 people/add $20 each for
the 3rd and 4th persons
You may upgrade to a 1)
Riverview or Corner Suite @ $179, 2)
2 bedroom, 2 bath suite @ $259
Group rate offered 3 days pre/post, upon availability (not
in our blocked rooms, reserve early!)
72 hour cancellation policy Deadline for room reservations is 9/28/14 Check in 3pm/check out 12 noon Valet parking $27/day with in and out privileges Complimentary hot breakfast Manager’s Reception is 5:30-7:30 pm nightly with
complimentary drinks and snacks The following members have already made their hotel
reservations and will be attending the reunion.
Keith Birks and guests
R.D. Carroll and guests
Bob Kirk and guests
Casey Kuklinski and guests
Lucy Leon and guest
Bob Sausen and guests Reunion
Schedule Sunday
3 pm
Hotel check-in
4-8 pm
Reunion registration and gathering in Ready Room
5:30-7:30 pm
Manager’s Reception Monday
9 am-1 pm
Riverboat Cruise/Downtown Double Decker Bus Tour Tuesday
8:30 am-4:30 pm Texas
Hill Country Tour Wednesday
8:30 am-12:30 pm San
Antonio City Tour
4-4:30 pm
Business Meeting
6-10 pm
Banquet Thursday
12 noon
Hotel check out
San
Antonio 24th Reunion Activities River
Boat Cruise & Downtown Double Decker Bus Tour
– A two-hour narrated cruise will take us along the Riverwalk area, pass
through locks, and continue onward to the Museum Reach.
For the second half of this tour, we will board a double-decker bus
passing by all the attractions located in
the downtown area. This tour
will show you all the sites that you can visit on your own. Included:
Hotel pick up/drop at, snacks and water.
3 ½ to 4 hours. $40
The
Texas White House, LBJ Ranch
Pacific
War Museum, Fredericksburg Texas Hill Country Tour – We will journey an hour north by motor coach
to the Hill Country. First
stop is the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, Texas where we will tour our 36th
president’s Texas White House and the working farm.
Second stop is the 1846 German settlement town of Fredericksburg
with free time to enjoy lunch and visit the Pacific War Museum, shop, or
take in the historic district. Included:
Hotel pick up/drop, snacks and water, LBJ Ranch.
Lunch and Pacific War Museum NOT included.
8 hours. $65
San Antonio Bus Tour – This guided tour will take us to two of the
five missions in San Antonio. Mission
Conception was founded in 1731 and still holds Sunday services.
Mission San Jose is the largest of the missions and is almost fully
restored. Next we will head to
Brackenridge Park to see the Japanese Sunken Gardens created in an
abandoned quarry in the early 1900’s.
Included:
Hotel pick up/drop, missions, garden, snacks and water.
4 hours. $40 Banquet – Our last gathering will be held in our hotel
with a sit down dinner. No-host
bar. $60
REGISTRATION FORM Navy
Squadrons 106/102/14 Association (
)
I am unable to attend the Reunion. Please
send in scuttlebutt or any changes to Lisa Kirk. ( )
I am attending the Reunion.
Please read this form
carefully, complete all pertinent information, and keep a copy for
yourself.
Make checks payable to:
Navy Squadrons 106/102/14
Assoc.
Mail registration &
check to: Lisa
Kirk * 4426 Maple Ave * La Mesa, CA 91941
Deadline
for your registration is Friday, September 12, 2014. Name____________________________________________________
Total # of people registering for _____
first
last
first
last
first
last
first
last
*Check here (
) if you have any special needs.
Indicate by circling or writing in.
Wheelchair only, wheelchair transferable, food ______________________, other ___________ *Check
here ( ) if you have had
a change of address, phone number, or email.
Send corrections on a separate piece
of paper attached to this registration form.
*I plan to arrive by:
( ) Air
( ) Car
( )
Train (
) Bus *I plan to rent a car:
( )
Yes (
) No **Hotel
parking is $27 per day
cost
# of persons
extended total
1) Registration fee –
required for each attendee……..……... $20
X ________
= $______________
4) Texas
Hill Country Tour………………………..………...
$65
X ________
= $______________ - Tax, gratuity and transportation are included in
the above costs. - All the above are private tours for our group. -
Your timely registrations will help me a lot!!! If
you have NOT made your hotel reservation, please
do so now.
YOU’RE
VOLUNTEERS Cheryl
Carlson (Reunion)
Lisa
Kirk (Reunion/Newsletter/Funds)
Bob
Kirk (102 Website) 2804 N. Augusta Dr.
4426 Maple Ave.
4371 Logrono Dr.
Wadsworth, IL 60083
La Mesa, CA 91941
San Diego, CA
92115 phone: (847) 293-9097
phone: (619) 462-7229
phone:
(619) 582-6485 email:
crb4433@aol.com
email: hollingskirk53@aol.com
email:
bobkirk@aol.com Kathy
Rottmann (Reunion)
Suzanne
Ghosn (Reunion/Welcome Bags)
Carol Zito
(Mailing list) phone:
(224) 304-3685
phone: (619) 857-5816
phone:
(516) 375-2054 email:
crzyrdhd49@gmail.com
email: ysghosn@sbcglobal.net
email: czit0@allstate.com
Susan Hayes (106 Website) Steve Theroux (Reunion Research) Terry Dell (102 Webmaster)
susanhayes@optonline.net The
volunteers intend to represent the squadron members in the best way
possible.
Memoriam With sincere regrets we wish to report that since our last
newsletter we have received information that the following shipmates have
passed away. The great bond these
men had that tied them together with their squadron members can never be
broken. They served their country,
their squadron and their families in the highest tradition of the Navy.
May they rest in peace. VB/VPB/VP 106 Otto F.
Licht
- died 2/5/14 VPB 102/14 John F. Leonard
- died 6/30/14 There
may be more of our members who have passed on *******AS ALWAYS YOUR NEWS,
COMMENTS, UPDATES, ETC. ARE WELCOME******* If you do not want any further newsletters please avoid the guess work by the volunteers and reply to
this request. Send your name and
address Mail to: Lisa Kirk 4426 Maple Ave.
La Mesa, CA 91941
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