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CHICAGO
REUNION REVIEW August
25 – 29, 2013 The 23rd Reunion was held at
the Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown right in the middle of everything that
is Chicago. The hotel was a
good fit for our group with all room suites, complimentary breakfast and
happy hour. We had everything
we needed on the premises. Some
of the reunion group arrived in Chicago early to fit in additional site
seeing and the wonderful dining. Of
course we had to experience the infamous Chicago hotdog too.
The early arrivals joined on Sunday morning for a boat cruise on
Lake Michigan with a brunch. The
food was OK…….but the views, music, dancing and especially the company
were great fun. We returned to
our hotel for the reunion registration and the arrival of the remaining
attendees. Carol Zito,
daughter of Joseph Zito, joined us this year in her Navy dress and helped
with registration so she could meet all of our group.
With cocktails and Chicago style pizza we had a fun welcoming
party. How great to see
everyone again after a year! What we did…………We
offered 4 group activities again this year which allowed additional time
for individuals to enjoy their personal preferences. Chicago
City Bus Tour
– The 4-hour Grand Tour on our first day was a great way to see
the city and get an overall view to see what interested you to go
back to visit on your own. Our
extensive tour led us through the North and South Sides of Chicago
stopping at the Lincoln Park Zoo & Conservatory, a gorgeous church, a
Frank Lloyd Wright house, and a photo stop at the Museum Campus to view
the beautiful Chicago skyline. The
tour was enhanced by our excellent tour guide’s narrative with history,
architecture, information on sites/museums/attractions, and much more.
We certainly got an eyeful of a beautiful and interesting city. Great
Lakes Naval Base
– Almost everyone joined in on this 40 minute bus ride north to the
Great Lakes Naval Base on Lake Michigan.
After a guided tour through the Navy Museum, three Naval personnel
boarded our bus to narrate and answer questions about this historic base
which received its first recruits in 1911 and is now the Navy’s sole
basic training facility. We
ate a deli-buffet lunch at the Port 0’Call and had the opportunity to
shop at the Naval Exchange before our return bus ride to the hotel.
Architecture
River Cruise
– This 1 ½ hour tour along the Chicago River is run by the Chicago
Architecture Foundation and was narrated by a docent passionate about
architecture. We were
enlightened about many types of architecture and buildings with their
history. Some of the tops of
the taller buildings were hidden because, of all days, we had FOG!
But all was good since the fog cooled the day and we were able to
sit topside and outside for the best viewing. The
Banquet
– We met up at the hotel’s Manager’s Happy Hour Reception before our
entire group gathered in the Banquet Event room to dine on a sit-down
dinner. Prayer was given by
Carol Zito and ‘Taps’ was read by Cheryl Carlson.
Then, the party picked up with our band playing 40’s music.
Some danced and some just simply enjoyed the music of their era.
A walker didn’t stop Jack Leonard, who, was dancing in his chair
when he wasn’t dancing on the floor with his daughters.
How wonderful music can be! Our
evening flew by as usual and our goodbyes were said……till next year.
In
Appreciation A big thank you to the
following people who gave their time, energy, and talents to put on your
2013 Reunion: Cheryl Carlson,
Steve Carlson, Kathy Rottmann, Lisa Kirk, Andie Howeth,
Carol Zito, and Kathy Leavitt.
We also thank those who donated monies to help with expenses such
as the Banquet band and the welcome bags. Attendees
of the 2013
Chicago
Reunion This year 8 squadron members
attended and with their guests we were a total of 43.
How wonderful to have the family members and friends that accompany
the squadron members! We had 3
generations present this year! A
special thanks to Carol Zito for joining us and jumping into the mix and
helping out. We adore you!
For those of you who intended to come and could not, we hope to see
you next year. We missed you!
For those of you who did not plan on coming this year, we hope you
will entertain the thought for next year.
We would love to have you join us!
The Banquet
8 Squadron Members
The Wives
Keith Birks and family Carol Zito, Leon Dombrowski,
Bob Sausen and family
Mike & Debby Kirk,
Frank
Lencioni, Casey Kuklinski & family Al Kazmaier and daughters, Bob Kirk and family
Andie Howeth,
Steve
&
Vicki
Theroux,
Jack Leonard
&
daughters
Lucy Leon and family
Scuttlebutt Mel Call
(106) – Many thanks for the newsletter.
The $20 is to pay for the paper &
postage with the hopes they will keep coming.
Beyond expectations, in January 2013 I am still alive at 89 – but
travel is limited so I will not attend.
I was Ben Caldwell’s co-pilot (Crew 4).
Came home from WWII October ’45.
Stayed in the Navy for 23 years so appreciate 106 friends.
I’m diabetic, no longer drive, but still walk 2 miles at least 6
days each week and am so thankful for the 106 newsletters
I get. Please tell Bob Rupkey
I called for a copy of Vet’s Health Benefits Handbook.
They will only send it to you if you are getting Vet’s Health
Benefits. My retirement pay
and Tri Care for life is not considered a health benefit.
Love to all. Again,
many thanks. P.S.
There was talk of reprinting a VPB-106 Squadron Book (Hastings).
If it even is, I would gladly buy one.
Again – Thanks. To
Mel: Thank you for the $20.
Consider your dues paid in full for 2 years.
No need to send in your membership dues form.
And yes, your newsletters will keep coming! M.D.
(Pete) McVay
(106) – In a note from Mary McVay……Pete,
M.D. McVay, died 2 years ago, so no need for more newsletters.
He did enjoy getting them & reading them.
Thank you, Mary McVay Donald
O. Drew
(106) – Maryellen Drew called to notify the squadrons that her husband
died 6/22/12 from Huntington’s Disease.
She would still like to receive the newsletter to keep in touch. Jack
Leonard (102)
– from Jack’s daughter, Kathy……Jack
is moving from his condo in Windham, N.H. to a very charming assisted
living apartment in Fremont, N.H. He
will continue to be in close proximity to his daughters and grandchildren.
The timing of his move fits perfect with the August reunion. Marvin
Theroux
(106) – I think my son, Steve, kept you informed of my shoulder so just a note
to let all of the people that helped me at the time of the accident how
thankful I am to them. It took
me about 4 ½ months to get it back in shape and I started to play (golf)
last January.
I worked at exercising it and got it
back to about 99%. I wish my
golf game would be to 99% that I was when I use to run the golf
tournaments for VPB 106. But I
can be thankful that I am looking down on the grass instead looking up at
it. Thanks for everything you
do for the reunion. Marv
(Marvin was booked to attend the reunion but had to cancel last
minute due to Shingles) John
Motta, AFC 2 (106)
– I went through boot training at Great Lakes in December 1942 - March
1943. We did many military
drills outside in below zero temps. Went
from there to Norman, OK for aviation ordinance schooling.
John Motta Mabel
Baker
(106) – Sorry I won’t be able to come this year.
Family reunion Aug. 24 &
25. I’m sure you’ll have a
great time–Chicago
is a great place to go. Enjoy your time and enjoy Chicago.
Sincerely, Mabel Baker Russell
Hoff
(102) – We were pleased to get the latest Squadron newsletter the other day and
have enjoyed reading it very much. Chicago
will be a good place for the reunion and, for those who are new to the
city, an interesting place to tour. We
are familiar with Chicago, I have cousins who live there, have visited
them several times and I spent six months at Navy Pier during WWII.
Lorlee and I have discussed the possibility of attending but would
find it difficult at this time. We
have a trip planned next month (July)
to visit our son in Washington for his 60th birthday.
That will be our first “expedition out of town” since Christmas
of 2011. We had a trip planned
in April but had to cancel it at the last minute because of a hip problem
Lorlee developed (currently she makes it around with a cane).
There are also several other things that need to be dealt with in
the upcoming few months (like cataract surgery for me).
Did I read recently that “getting old is not for sissies”?
Good for the folks who are planning to be there - and great for
those of you who are making it possible.
As the last member standing of Crew 16, I am sorry we won’t be
coming to represent them. Please
continue sending us the excellent newsletters and we will look forward to
hearing how everything goes at the reunion.
Russ To
Russ: Thanks for keeping us in
the loop and for your Doolittle Raiders enlightenment.
Charles
Haddenham
(102) – Mrs. Ruth Ann Haddenham has called to inform us that her
husband, Charles/Chuck had a heart attack this last September and is in a
nursing home. He is a diabetic
and has had a pacemaker for many years.
Charles first tour of duty was with VB 106, then his second was
with VPB 102. He has attended
many VPB 102 reunions. Ruth
Ann is still recovering from a fractured hip. Louise
Thoman, wife
of Ken Thoman (102) – A huge thank you to Louise for researching and updating
the ‘Taps’ list for the Squadron 102/14 website.
A big job.
Names not previously reported are in this newsletter.
Vi
McCord
– Please contact Lisa Kirk @ (619) 322-9841.
We need a corrected address from you. June
2013 newsletter correction:
On
the website page under ‘Achives’, there was an error on the website
address. It should be http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/
. Sorry for the typo.
We
welcome any and all of your information, stories, etc. Tid
Bits
12/3/17 – 5/3/09
From Russ Hoff…… Regarding the Doolittle Raiders update that you featured in the (June) Newsletter, you might be interested to know that during the 70th Anniversary celebration here in Dayton (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base) one of the B-25 bombers taking part in the fly-over at Wright-Patt also flew over our neighborhood and gracefully dipped its wings. I worked at Wright-Patt (and enjoyed playing poker) with Tung Sheng Liu, one of the “Chinese villagers” you mentioned who helped the Raiders elude capture. After that period, Dr. Liu attended college, received an engineering degree and came to work at WPAFB. As an Honorary Doolittle Raider he attended their reunions for many years.
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) Please consider volunteering. We can always use more people to spread the fun around. 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 Donald O. Drew - died 6/22/12
Emile
Wilfrid Giguere
- died 7/20/07 M.D. (Pete) McVay
- date unknown
VPB 102/14 Travis Massey Bedsole
- died 1/1/11
Payton Wendell Gudka
- died 9/12/12 Robert J. Collins
- died 7/18/07
Carl McDermit
- died 8/8/09 William Faber
- died 1/13/08 Edward W. Pagel
- died 7/15/12
Calvin Fox
- died
5/24/10
Herbert H. Thompson
- died 10/24/09 James O. Gaultney
- died 10/10/11
Royce Timmons
- died 4/18/10 William Joseph Graham
- died 9/10/11
Clint Walker
- died 11/25/10
There
may be more of our members who have passed on of whom we are unaware. MEMBERSHIP DUES In 2011 the membership dues
were suspended unless funds were needed in the future. It is now seven newsletters later and we will again be requiring dues to
cover the costs of the newsletters. Your
dues will be $15 for 2 years
for a printed copy via U.S. mail. If
you would rather receive your copy as an email attachment you must have
Microsoft Word 2010 or newer and there is no charge.
Please indicate your preference below. Option #1 –
printed copy via U.S. mail
($15/2 years) If
you would like to receive your copy of the newsletter via U.S. mail, please
fill out the information below and mail with your $15 dues today to:
Lisa Kirk
4426 Maple Ave.
La Mesa, CA 91941 Name:
_______________________________________________ Address:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Phone #: _______________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________
Check one:
____ squadron member ___________
Squadron #
106 102
14 (circle one)
____ widow of
_______________ Squadron #
106 102
14 (circle one)
_____ relative of _________________
Squadron
# 106
102 14
(circle one)
_____ relationship ________________
_____ friend of __________________ Squadron #
106 102
14 (circle one)
_____ other: please
indicate_____________________________________ Option #2 –
via Email (no charge) If you would like a copy of
the newsletter sent via an email attachment and your computer has Microsoft Word
2010 or newer, please email Lisa Kirk at hollingskirk53@aol.com with the following information: 1.
Name: 2.
Email
address: 3.
Phone
#: 4.
Indicate
whether you are a squadron member and your squadron number or
if you are a widow, relative, friend or other and the name and squadron # of the
member you are affiliated with. *******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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