Spring 2002 John G. Esposito, Editor
VPB-111/VP-21 "VAGABOND NEWS"
SPRING 2002 Newsletter
The off year meeting of your Board will be held, in accordance with the tradition, at the site of the next reunion. In this case, it will be Pensacola, FL. on 8 August at the Holiday Inn Express, 6501 Pensacola Blvd., (Hwy. 29S).
Although this is a Board meeting, as compared to the membership meeting conducted as part of each reunion, please don't consider the meeting closed. All members of the VPB-111/VP-21 Veterans Association are cordially invited to attend.
As always, I should state, that the e-mail roster, just as with the squadron printed roster, is to be used only for contacting squadron mates for personal reasons, or for Association business. Neither list may be used for any commercial purposes, nor spam members with political, or religious concepts, or other mass-mailings. Here's an associated thought. "For those of you who have had their names added to the mail roster, please contact sudabay whenever your e-mall address changes. Also, If you move, please let our secretary, Ron Lenhoff, know right away. The cost or return mail is killing us.
In the last newsletter, we mentioned the Blackjack mugs that are being offered. In order to hold down the initial cost of producing the die of the Blackjack insignia, we need at least 35 orders. When payment is received for these four, we'll then be only four shy of our 35 mug goal. These are really nice mugs well worth the $25 price. That price includes the 10 oz "Shaving mug" type with a gold band",the squadron insignia, and your choices of rate/tank insignia, wings, and your name, and of course shipping to your residence. Because each mug will be uniquely decorated in accordance with the buyer's" selection, it's"obvious why advance payment is required. If we don't receive the minimum of 35 orders, the contract will have to be canceled, and everyone's money will be returned. So, if you are interested and want additional information, I suggest that you contact Gary Gross at . If you have already decided to place an order, send your check and mug decoration desires to him.
* Harry Dunlap reports: For reservations at the Holiday Inn Express call: 1-800 - holiday. Tell them it's for the above referenced Holiday Inn at the above address. Be sure to mention the “VP reunion committee”. As a last resort, call 1-800-426-7200. The room rate is $55.00 plus 11.5% tax. Twelve rooms have been blocked out until July 12. No guarantee. After that, they will be released. If eight rooms are blocked, the meeting room will be free, otherwise the charge of the room will be $75.00. If reservations are made and then canceled, cancellations must be made by July 31st. Otherwise, one day's room rate will be charged. There will be a FULL continental breakfast.
There is a Blue Angels practice scheduled for 0830 on the 8th. Bleacher seating is available if enough interest is shown. Please advise so that arrangements can be made.
Thought is being given to an `off site' banquet at the Naval Aviation Museum in the evening. Food for thought.
I'm sure I left some questions unanswered, so fire away.
No arrangement have been finalized for the '03 reunion to date. I wanted to wait until after the off year meet. Too many possibilities.
Hope everyone is happy with the arrangement.
TAPS:
It is with great regret that I make mention of the following loss to our association:
Richard H. Eidemiller of 442 Countryside Dr., Ephrata, PA. Passed away November 10, 2000. Cause of death was cancer. He served with us from 1957 to 1960.
Commander William Couch of 5472 Easy St., Milton, FL. Passed away in April of '01.
Norman Bedlington. Passed away in 1998. Cause of death was heart failure.
Our thoughts and prayers go with them, and their families.
WELCOME (BACK) ABOARD:
It is with great pleasure that I would like to pipe back aboard the following members:
Bob Kurant, 14885 State Rout #520, Genmount, OH 44628 Phone # 330-378-3822,
< upsco@valkyrie.net. > Bob served with us from '68 to '69. He was an AX2. Great to hear from him.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
Charles R. Robertson has relocated
FROM: `PO Box 697, Goldenrod, FL 32733',
TO: 9781 Lake George Drive, Orlando, FL 32817
DIRECTOR/TREASURER DICK WEBB REPORTS:
DONATIONS RECEIVED:
The following list of people have made a donation to the association since the last issue of the Newsletter:
Merrill Churchill, Robert Baumgartner, D.F. (Bud) Becker, Delbert F. Bennett, Robert H. Brenn, Kenneth K. Diemer, Carroll E. Dubuc, William J. Fitzgerald, Henry J. Gabriel, Leon J. Greenbaum, Don Griffin, Gary D. Gross, Benjamin T. Hacker, Carrie D. Huber, Fred D. Keller, William J. Klage, Donald J. Moon, John M. Persel, George A. Standfill, Eugene T. Sullivan, Richard S. Webb, Robert L. Wolen.
Thank you for helping to keep our association airborne. Your generosity is much appreciated.
Please note: There are a few additional donations, which have been, received subsequent submitting same to the Newsletter. The respective donors will of course be mentioned in the Summer Newsletter.
Also, I have a few copies of the Memory Booklet of the reunion in Virginia Beach. If anyone would like a copy, please drop me a line and I will send it out immediately.
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR:
Once again, I would like to make mention of the fact that there has been a change in the Service Address. The new address is that of Ron Lenhoff. The reason for this change is so that all mailed returns can go directly to Ron. This will provide for making adjustments to the mailing roster in a more timely manner, as well as, eliminating superfluous mailing costs. As always, you can mail all newsletter inputs directly to me at my address which appears on the back page.
Additionally, I would like to extend personal thanks to Dick Webb, and those who assisted him in arranging for the '01 reunion book. It was a super job, and will make for a fine squadron keepsake. I'm sure all of you who have received this publication will join with me in a hearty “well done” to Dick, and his staff.
I continue to look forward to hearing from you.
PLEASE NOTE: The VPB-111/VP-21 Veterans Association charges no dues. Its operations are totally supported by the generous contributions of our membership, and by the sale of our squadron products. The Association comes under Section 501 © (19) of the Internal Revenue Code as “not for profit” organization. As such, contributions are legitimate tax deductions. Please make your contribution checks payable to the `VPB-111/VP-21 Veterans Association', and forward them to Treasurer, Richard S. Webb, 219 Montoya Drive, Lady Lake, FL, 32159-8642.
STOREKEEPER /DIRECTOR GARY GROSS REPORTS:
The following items continue to remain on sale:
Khaki hats with your choice Blackjack, Turtle, or Dumbo patch. $18.00.
White golf shirts: super quality VPB111/VP21 Veterans Association. $25.00.
White ball caps with VP21 logo. $10.00.
White ball caps with Flight Wings and VPB111/VP21. $10.00.
Patches: Blackjack, Dumbo, or Turtle. $6.34.
Buttons: Blackjack, Dumbo or Turtle. $1.84
Books:
The Story of VPB111 Out of print.
Low Level Liberators $29.00. Only 1 copy left.
Black and white print of P2V7 signed and numbered by artist David Howath. $10.00
NEW ITEM: Customized coffee mugs (as described on page #1 of this issue) $25.00. Please print your name as you wish it to appear and your choice of rate, or flight wings.
All prices include postage.
Contact Storekeeper:
Gary Gross
4595S. Robert Blake Ave.
Inverness, FL 34452-7820