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VMB-613 Squadron Insignia

Marine Bombing Squadron Six-Thirteen

 

MARINE BOMBING SQUADRON SIX-THIRTEEN ASSOCIATION

45 Verano Loop

Santa Fe, NM 87508-3151

(505) 466-6549

Front View of PBJ

8 January 2007

Memo To: All The Arm Chair Quarter Backs

NOTES FROM MEMBERS

Received a weather report from Jim Garls.  I had sent him an e mail after hearing a weather report that part of Illinois was taking a beating from a snow storm which also knocked out electric power in several areas.

Jim reported that they had received a heavy snow in his home town of Pekin which created a lot of problems with cars moving.  The town was still working on the side streets when he was writing, but the main roads were passable.

He had over one and one half feet of heavy snow between his house and garage but was only able to open up a few feet of space with his shovel.  He received help from his niece and then a neighbor came to his rescue with a husky snow blower and cleared more space.  This was followed by more help from another niece who also had a snow blower and made it possible for him to open his garage door to get his car out if he had an emergency.

The snow was heavy enough to damage some of his plastic covered shelters in the back yard but he said that he will have to wait for the snow to melt before he can determine how if any damage was done to the shelter frames.

He was going to stay inside the house to get warm. Since he did have some walking space around the property and hope that the snow doesn't return to refill any cleared spaces he could now relax until the next snow fall.

Jack Schwertfager says hello and regards to all.  He reported that all was well with them and no storm problems.

George McDearmon sends his best to all.  They are continuing in their efforts to get reorganized in the new home.  The unpacking and decorating tasks take priority over everything at the present time.

Chico Duarte sends his regards to all.  He said that he still isn't fully recovered from the problems with his spine/back but the pain has let up some-what.  This has allowed him to return to his early A.M. job but he now starts at 6:00 A.M. rather than 4 A.M. 

With these new hours he doesn't do any heavy lifting but just sits in a special swivel chair to the rear of the counter which allows him to greet customers and handle sales transactions with limited effort.

He also gave a weather report which indicated that winter is in the area with cold temperatures and dry atmosphere.  Hopefully the snow won't arrive for a while and if it does arrive it won't be hit with too many inches.

Carmine Nasta says hello and regards to all.  He hasn't been doing too much of anything just trying to go outside when the weather is almost warm.  Winter is trying to creep in on Staten Island and he doesn't want to get caught outside if at all possible.

Carmine has been having some medical checks made just to make sure that nothing will pop up to stop him from shoveling snow this winter.

They have to keep their eyes open for possible hand bag thieves.  All of a sudden these thieves have started to penetrate neighbor hoods where in the past they stayed away from.  Carmine said that they have been fortunate with only minor confrontations but still they had to do some G2 to locate a few items that disappeared during a couple of problem periods on the street.

John Peterson sends his regards to all.  He reported that the area did receive a lot of rain, strong wind, and high tide periods.  Along with this most of his area lost electrical power for hours to days.

Foster Cummings sends greetings to all.  So far the only problem area with him is the weather.  Severe cold weather with threat of snow from the weather forecasters.

He has been in touch with Doc Protheroe who has made it back to Florida for a few months and all remains well with he and Jane.

Foster also heard from Joe McDonald and Rita who are once again home resting after attending Foster's Marine Corps Birthday Celebration.  They both enjoyed the event.

Jim “Red” Nelson says hello to all and Merry Xmas.  He has been busy performing required maintenance around the property and hopes that the weather doesn't get out of hand while he he so engrossed.

RL Marx says hello to all.  He is still fighting his attack of Carpal Tunnel syndrome which is still sore.  He has been using two different pain killers, one is a plain pain killer and the other is a nerve pain killer, both of which should be giving some assistance.  So far the assistance has been limited.

Alice received a surprise call from their Hostess/Sponsor  of the Kwajalein Reunion of 1994.  When Alice told them that they had just returned from a Reunion at Chattanooga she was surprised and said she would have gone their to meet with them had she known of the event.  She knows the area quite well.

RL has spoken to Buzz Packard who reported that all is well with them.  They did have an attack of the flu but overcame it.  All else continues well with them.

Dianne Hindy sent along a newspaper article regarding the picture of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising that was found on an interior window of an old El Toro ground equipment maintenance building.  This picture and an article describing how it  was located and saved is included with this newsletter.

Dianne also included a newspaper picture of the  Veterans Day weekend display of 350 American flags paralleling the road on the Sand Diego Freeway just outside of Camp Pendleton.  This will also be included with this newsletter.

An e mail was received from Daniel Maglaras the son of Charles Maglaras our Squadron Barber who recently heard of our WEB page.  He said that he has a copy of the picture that appears on the WEB page.  Charles passed away in 1996.  Several of our members endeavored to locate him up in the New England area years ago but didn't have any success. 

Daniel mentioned that his father was a tail gunner but Barbering appeared to be his main occupation both at Kwaj and before that, Cherry Point.

He said that he had some pictures of his Dad taken with Fred Hargraves and a cook by the name of Kovack.  His son asked what crew he was with so this will be researched, but if anyone can remember let me know.  Also I am going to research the cook by the name of Kovack.  It maybe a mispelling but again if anyone remembers let me know.

Daniel said that he would be spending a lot of time on the WEB site he is of the opinion that it is really outstanding.


HEALTH REPORT

Received an update on Stan Richardson who continues in rehab due to his health problems.  The latest update is that he is doing pretty good, remains in real good spirits and is holding his own.

He continues to feel stronger and endeavors to try physical activity such as walking by himself. A guide remains in contact to assure that he doesn't lose his balance etc.

I am sure that he would like to hear from you folks, his address is as follows:

Stan Richardson

Westchester Gardens Rehabilitation & Care Center

Clearwater, Florida 33761

1-727-789-5143

Mary Jane Lewis reported that Jim is back in the Care Center and being watched and cared for by the Staff.  His system is reacting very slowly to the efforts to get him up and moving about.  Different health problems associated with the hip operation come to the surface which causes him to remain weak and very, very immobile.  He is eating well which is very promising for aiding his body in its efforts to get him up and running.  Hopefully more positive reports will be forthcoming on his recovery.

I was able to get in touch with John Aymen and he reported that he reached the recovery point wherein he was able to be released from the Nursing Center to his home.  This was about a week ago which would have been around the 3rd of December.

He said he is starting to feel pretty good but still requires some assistance from medical aides, such as Nurses and therapists, in performing or trying to perform certain physical functions.

Hopefully he will be able to get the proper movements returned to his physical system so that he can do a lot more of the physical activities on his own.

John sends his regards to all.


Don't forget our "MYSTERY PICTURE."  I am still waiting to hear from a few more members who are reviewing the picture.  Several members did respond to my most recent special mailing and they reported that they couldn't recognize the location of where the picture might have been taken.  They also said that they checked their own albums but couldn't establish any connection to the picture.

Could this picture have been taken in Hawaii?  I ask this of pilots because the Squadron War Diary refers to the fact that all pilots received additional training in survival and resisting interrogation while they were at Hawaii.

Please check your memory banks and see if they fit in with the picture.

I have been informed that members are still searching their files to see if they can locate any information on the picture.

Thomas Stone Mystery Photograph


WEB NEWS

Our Webmaster and Historian received a request regarding if it is possible to obtain pictures of Recruit Platoons from the WWII era.  He has forwarded the following information:

If you went to boot camp at Parris Island, SC, Platoon Photos dating back to 1939 are available through Recruit Photo by calling 843-228-1555.

There wasn't any information relative to cost so don't be surprised if they bring up the matter of payment.

If you went to boot camp at San Diego, CA, please visit the Marine Corps Community Service website: http://www.mcrdmuseumhistoricalsociety.org/histsoc/histsoc-photos.htm

Our Webmaster has been continuing to upgrade the quality of our website to give it a more professional appearance.  This upgrade program is still in process and all members will be able to notice the change in appearance.

The format of the entire website has been redesigned to give it a more professional appearance.  This was accomplished with the initial assistance of a group of web developers in New Zealand who offered their help.  Using their concept on the page layout a rather laborious process of re-doing each page of the website was accomplished by using a new template.  Although this process is not yet complete, over 85 percent has been completed.  The remaining effort  should be completed within a few more weeks.

These changes will make the website more friendly to all browser platforms.  Our website is now one of the best web sites throughout the world as it now conforms to the standards of the World Wide Consortium (W3C) for Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).


Remember that our new fiscal year started in January 2007.  If there isn't an (07) or higher two digit number appearing after your name on the mailing label on your envelope you should mail a check to us made out to VMB 613 in the amount of $20.00 for payment of dues.

Note: (06) denotes 2006, (07) denotes 2007.  Many thanks to the members who have already sent in their dues checks.


SQUADRON MEMORABILIA

THE LIMITED EDITION COLLECTORS ITEM, the squadron logo hat pin is still available for VMB 613 members and friends.  This pin is an inch in diameter and comes in a pewter finish or gold plated with a hand painted finish.  The colors are similar to the colored logo that was mailed out several months ago. Marine Corps Scarlet Red background, Gold Wings, Black Cannon and Maces.  Plus it is made in America.

Pewter finish logo hat pin - $4.50

Hand painted finish logo hat pin - $5.50

A new item is the license plate frame.  It is a composition material (special plastic) with a red background and gold lettering. The top of the frame has U.S. MARINES and the bottom VMB 613 WWII.  The cost is $5.00 INCLUDING PACKING AND SHIPPING.

USMC Heat Transfer Kit.  Has 6 large insignias and 6 small insignias.  Can use on caps, T shirts or any other cloth item.  These kits are $3.95 each.     

We still have the small VMB 613 number plate for the rear window at $5.00 each.  These now can be ordered with either a WHITE or RED background. 

The regular size VMB 613 license plate complete with mounting hardware is now available on special order for $20.00.

We have a limited number of Red VMB 613 caps, the cost is $10.00 each and are being sold on a first-order, first-serve basis.

These memorabilia items can be ordered from Charlie Knapp.

Here is a VMB 613 Special from McGrogan's Patch Design.  A cloth patch five inches in diameter which is the standard WWII size.  This is the VMB 613 squadron logo patch in color.  The cost to VMB 613 members is $3.50 per patch.  Order direct from the following address:

      McGrogran's Patch Design

PO Box 2254

Hayden, ID 83835

Website: http://www.mcgrogans.com

Please continue the notes or letters all of which help to make the monthly letter more interesting. 

This is all for now.  Stay healthy.

Semper Fi,

Signature of Charles Knapp

Charlie 


ROSTER CHANGES

For security reasons, changes to the roster are not available on-line.  Please contact Charlie Knapp for address information.


VMB 613 E-MAIL DIRECTORY LISTING

A directory of e-mail addresses for members is available on-line in a password protected area of the site.  Please contact our webmaster to obtain your password. 

Note: Please check your address on the listing and let me know of any required corrections.  Some messages have been returned with a comment "unknown address."

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