"White Lightnin'"

WHO ARE THESE GUYS AND

WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY NOW?

(For more squadron party pics click here)

Enlarge to see the "Tattoo of the year."

Is this anyone we know?

Bios received and posted as of 25 May, 2007

VP-17 bio update form

(Please use the link above to see what to include in your bio update)

Alfords

Andersens

Bakkens

Blakes

Buckinghams

Bustamantes

Carters

Chengs

Colletts

Crandalls

Crolls

Davidsons

Davis

Dresels

Evans

Fields

Graus

Hackathorns

Hansens

Heffner/Hayden

Hemmers

Hymans

Johnsons

Ketchums

Lamberts

Lauermanns

Learys

Macdonalds

Maleys

McGonigles

McGroartys

McWhorters

Mooneys

O'Briens

Pananen

Pendletons

Rasfelds

Rays

Reeds

Rowbottoms

Rohrs

Sangers

Schragers

Schrecks

Schulzs

Slobodnyaks

Spauldings

Strauss

Thauts

Trotters

Tucks

Vincents

Wises

Photos are thumbnails. Click on each for a larger image.

VP-17 bio update form

Ed & Debbie Alford (1970-74)

Recently married in Hawaii

(L) Ed and his really big train set

 (R) Ed's shadow crossing Hurricane Bridge

Since VP-17 (AO-2, Crew 10)

1974/75 AO B School  Millington, Tenn

1975/77 VA-42  Oceana,Va (Rating-AO1)

1978/82 VC-10  GITMO (frustrated with AO rating[kept making selection board but they were rating about 5% of eligible 1st class] I decided to make a rate change

1982/84 DS-A and DS-C School  Mare Island,Ca  (Rating DS1)

1984/86  FACSFACVACAPES Oceana,Va

1986/88  OCEANOGRAPHIC Unit 2, USNS Dutton - (Pretty gravy duty- 2end highest enlisted on ship. Had my own stateroom.  We cruised entirely around the world.  Duties similar to an AGI...classified yada, yada, yada.  Highlight was last year grrr taking out frustrations on officers in my career. Bingo. I was the Commanding Officer's sponsor in crossing the equator ceremony.  He won the slimmest WOG contest. He got one whack on the ass from every human being on the ship with a saturated 18 inch piece of fire hose.  The next day I was called into his stateroom - - UH-OH.  He said "Close the door Petty Officer Alford, I want you to see something."  He turned around and dropped his trousers. He was black and blue from the middle of his back to the middle of the rear of his thighs. He became a really close friend and took the initiation like a true sport.   We shared many a brewski. 

1988 --- Retired from Navy.  Reality check - - -You can't retire on those peanuts.

1989 – present.   Wanting to stay happily married I left my wife in JAX and moved to Alaska (the last frontier). Started out working for a computer company. They paid for lodging/meals/travel/rent a car. Flew around state working on computers. Pay was not enough and they disallowed ANY overtime. Started working as a brakeman for the Alaska Railroad in May -89. Promoted to Conductor/ Engineer 1991. A couple winters working outside @ -50 below zero I decided I had enough as a conductor. I have remained an engineer ever since. I would rather be warm than be the boss. 

Railroading is pretty neat. My longest train has been 8,000 foot long. Heaviest one about 10,000 tons. I was one of the first engineers qualified to run DP power. That is where we have engines on the front and also engines on the rear of the train controlled by the front. A lot of power when you throttle up 5 locomotives with 4,000hp each. I work passenger trains/freight trains/coal trains/dirt trains/and fuel tank train. See lots of wildlife. Bears/Caribou/Wolverines/Moose/wolves etc. Divorced my Navy baggage in 1991. Remarried to a lady I met in Alaska in 2005. ( Debbie) We were married in Hawaii on the big island. Hawaii is pretty much Alaska's vacationland. We were supposed to go to Fiji in January but received an e-mail from the resort saying there was a little government uprising. That was all it took to talk me out of it. So now we are going to Florida instead. 

By the way, Moose are much better than sheep. I chase them onto the bridges and when their legs drop into the trestles  you just jump on and make them scream for you to stop!

Ed Alford, AO-2  retired.

Contact: 1601 turpin street, Anchorage,AK  99504; Phone: (907)332-0162;  Cell (907) 242-1692;

email -  edward.alford@acsalaska.net

(Note: At work my train is out of cell phone area much of the time, but it usually shows missed calls.)

George & Pat Andersen (1972-75)

Heather, George & Pat today

SQUADRON DUTIES: PAO, Airframes Branch, Line Division Officer, NATOPS

   Upon leaving VP-17 in June of 1975, I got orders to VT-28 in Corpus Christi, TX as a flight instructor in the S-2.  After instructing for about a year, I was invited to be a part of the new King Air (T-44) program which was to replace the S-2 as the Navy’s advanced instrument trainer.  After going through Beechcraft’s King Air school, in Witchita, I returned to Corpus Christi to help write the NATOPS manual and began instructing in the T-44.

    My next set of orders, as is common for most VP types, would have included some amount of time on a ship, and since our daughter, Heather, was born while in Corpus Christi, Pat and I decided to give civilian life a try.  I was hired by United Airlines 2 months later, and we moved to Chicago, where I was based at O’Hare airport. During that time I also joined the Naval Reserves and did my weekend drills at Glenview Naval Air Station in Illinois.  After a year in Chicago, we decided to move to Minneapolis and I continued to commute to Chicago to work and drill with VP-60.  Once settled in Minneapolis, I became a farmer on my days off, working some land in southwestern Minnesota.  We’ve now been married for 37 years, I have been flying for United for 29 years, and retired from the Reserves in 1992 with 22+ years.  I’m currently a captain on the Boeing 777, primarily flying Asia routes, and getting close to retiring!  Our daughter Heather is a Physician Assistant for Minnesota Gastroenterologists in Minneapolis and is marrying an 8^th grade science teacher in August.  Pat is a health educator for Park Nicollet Medical Foundation, and sings with the ‘GraceNotes Trio’ throughout Minnesota.  Life is good!

Contact: 16837 Interlachen Court, Lakeville, MN 55044; Tel: (952) 432-8151; E-mail: gandersen@charter.net

David "Doc" & Kathy Bakken (1971-74)

Dave and Kathy

We left Hawaii in April 1974 and landed in Decorah, Iowa.  Been here ever since. David went into Family Practice, worked 24-7, delivered about a thousand babies, and bought an old Victorian house, where Kathy raised the six (yeah, six!) kids.

Kathy worked as one of our local hospital pharmacists.  Besides working and rearing progeny in that time we ran marathons, and took up long distance bicycling.  Kathy did a 5000-mile trip across the US in 1995 with David & assorted kids hopping on and off route as work & school schedule permitted. 

David retired from private practice in 2000 and we both rode across the US from Anacortes to Virginia Beach. We also have logged lots of bike kilometers in Europe:  Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands,  France, Germany, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, and even rode up L’Alp D’Huez the week before Lance last year.  And, of course, RAGBRAI when we’re in Iowa late July.

David has returned from retirement in his second life as an ER Physician in the local hospital, working shifts when we are in town and not off on a trip or visiting our new 6-month old twin grand daughters. Our children are located in Alaska, California, Wisconsin and Minnesota so we have plenty of travels.  David still is hooked on aviation. He has his old 182-J (1976) but restricts flying to VFR so the long trips are limited.  Last year he got his Float Plane rating in Moose Pass, Alaska along with some mountain flying experience, and the year before did some motorized gliding over the Black Forest, Germany.  He continues to do Airmen Medical Certification Exams for the FAA part time.

We are REALLY looking forward to reunioning with VP-17ers and hearing about all the undetected crime from old squadron mates.

Contact: 301 Grove Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101; Tel: (563) 382- 2230; C-(563) 380-0199; W-(563) 387-3124; e-mail: dbakken@oneota.net

NOTE: Be sure to visit the VP-17 Bulletin Board for two great newspaper articles about Dave & Kathy's son Hans, an Army neurosurgeon recently back from Iraq. Hans was the first to operate on ABC news anchor Bob Woodruff. Click here to read about Hans:

Dick & Karen Blake (1970-73)         

Antarctica, Christmas 2003    

July 73 reported to Training Squadron Two in Milton, Florida for duty as a flight instructor and maintenance test pilot in the T-28 B&C aircraft.

 In October of 1976, after teaching students from Iran, Italy, med school, and all over the US how to fly airplanes, reported to USS Lexington CVT-16 in Pensacola, Florida for duty as Maintenance Officer and COD Pilot in the C1A aircraft.

In October of 1978, reported to Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island for duty under instruction until graduation in June of 1979.

(Right. Naval War College classmates Dick Blake, Joe Sikes and Gerry Spaulding during a 1979 backyard cookout in Newport, RI. )  

Following  Naval War College and reversal of detailer’s promise of VP Jax to the only thing open is Barbers Point, returned to the Pensacola area and duty with VT-3 at Milton in the T-34C aircraft.  During this tour with VT-3 as Operations Officer, began a Masters Degree in Educational Training and Management at University of West Florida and retired on 29 Feb 1984.

 Next, NARF Pensacola as an Electronics Engineer on 20 May 1985, completed the UWF Masters degree, and fulfilled the duties of H-53 Program Manager until BRAC decisions moved the job to Cherry Point, North Carolina. Having two schools in Pensacola prevented moving, so chose to transfer to Corry Station in January of 1995 and have served as a TRASPEC (Training Specialist - a sand crab name for the old guy; nobody knows what they do) to the present time.

Shortly after we got to Pensacola the first time, Karen went to school and gained certification as a Montessori teacher.  She worked with one school for a couple of years (we bought stock in the school), then decided to strike out on her own and rented a building and started a school. This eventually evolved into building a new school and hiring teachers and teaching 6week olds to 6 yr olds for almost twenty years. I used my Florida teaching certification and helped teach the first few years, but decided on Treasurer when we went out on our own. Karen is in the process of finalizing the sale of the school now and she is very happy subbing for the county. Plenty of work when you want it and who knows, you might just be busy. Like maybe for a few weeks.

We do travel quite a bit, try to hit Maine almost every year, I go to my high school reunion every June in Iowa. I drove our 3 grandsons out to Iowa to see their grandmothers in the summer of 2001. Karen decided to stay home for that one. We had 4 radios all on different stations, all the pop you want to drink and chips till you puke, a pee bottle, and free farts. What more could you ask for?

We went to Alaska on a cruise summer of 2002, then to Antarctica last Christmas/New Years vacation. We leave tomorrow, 24 July 04, for a cruise through Canada and plan one this Christmas to Panama Canal and Caribbean. Scandinavia and Russia are in the plans for 30 June 2005. Outside of that, everything is pretty boring.

Contact:  5275 Durango Circle, Pensacola FL 32504; Tel: (850) 478-0437 (1500-0500 and weekends), (850) 452-6940 (M-F 0545-1500).

Bill & Pam Buckingham (1972-75)

Big Bucks admire wee Buckerette, granddaughter Lila

In February 1975, I separated from active duty after my VP-17 tour. I joined the VP reserves in May of 1975, while chasing my dream job of becoming an airline pilot.

When it became evident that even three moon landings would not get anyone hired during the recession that year, I stayed home and was “Mr. Mom” for a year. My wife, Judi, returned to her nursing career and our son Greg and I connected on a different level.

In 1976, I began a string of civilian full-time aviation positions as follows:

             FAA Air Traffic Controller

             FAA Airspace System Inspection Pilot

             Braniff Airways Pilot

             FAA Air Carrier Safety Inspector

             Northwest Airlines Pilot

             Netjets Aviation Pilot

In 1977, Judi and I went our separate ways. I met my wife, Pam, in 1982 and we married in 1984. We each brought a child to our marriage, Anna and Greg. Pam and I had a son, Evan, in 1985. He was the common thread for all of us and brought the family closer together.

Last year, Pam and I became grandparents for the first time. We are looking forward to many years of happiness in that capacity. Life once again changed and for the better.

We truly hope everyone will enjoy many years of health and contentment.

Aloha!

Contact: 1108 Overlook LN, Carver, MN 55315; Tel: (952) 368-0062; E-mail: buckmel@embarqmail.com

Armando "Moses" & Marissa Bustamante (1971-75)

                                                              Sept 1973                Aug 2006

While in VP-17, I worked in Power Plants and flew as a 2nd Mech on Crews 2 and 10. Most everyone knew me as Moses.

I left for Colorado, my home, in October 1975 and started a business with my brother. The business name is United Wood Products, Inc. Our web site will give you an idea what I've been doing for 30 years.

My wife Marissa and I have been married for 34 wonderful years and have four children -- three girls and one boy. Our girls are in real estate and my son works with me. After working for a pharmaceutical company for 16 years, Marissa quit so we could adopt two of our eleven grand-children. Our hobbies are hunting, fishing, dancing, bowling and travel. We look forward to seeing my shipmates at the reunion in Colorado Springs. God bless.

Contact: 805 Shallot Cir, Lafayette, CO 80026; Tel: 303-579-6310; E-mail: armandomoses@ aol.com. 

John B & Susie Carter (1971-74)

Happy, happy days

Well, it finally happened. I found the perfect person, Susie, to tie me down for the rest of my life. She's a feisty redhead, southern woman, whom you will meet Friday night. Came with the whole package, too! We were married almost four years ago and I now have a wife, two girls 21 and 19. The oldest is a senior at Davidson College and the youngest is a sophomore at Agnes Scott College. Also, have two dogs, two cats, and a fish.

Susie is the Director of Development at Agnes Scott College and got her undergraduate degree from Sweet Briar, her law degree from Wake Forest and even has me going to the Episcopal Cathedral. I guess I needed that after my three years in VP17. Billy Bob has told her all the old stories and even acted out a few, so nothing will scare her now. She
knows the truth.

As for me, after VP-17, I spent two years with Naval Recruiting Command in Bethesda, MD.  Moved to Atlanta and got into the executive search business. Started my own company in 1978 and partnered with Billy Bob in 1980. Sold the company in 1983 and started working for the Georgia Tech Alumni Association as Executive Director

I changed jobs again in 1999. The Georgia Tech Foundation now has yours truly leading the charge. Quite a different job than alumni director, but it's fun and I still have the opportunity to interact with the Tech students.

Still enjoy fishing, model trains, snow skiing, and traveling. That's about it for now. We look forward to welcoming everyone in our home Friday night.   John B.

Contact: 406 Spring House Cove, Atlanta, Georgia 30307; Tel: 404-378-4746; Professional contact: President and COO, Georgia Tech Foundation, Inc., 760 Spring Street Suite 400, Atlanta, Georgia 30308; Direct Line 404-894-0772; e-mail:  john.carter@gtf.gatech.edu

 

Ben & Maggie Cheng (1973-76)

The Chengs

After the Cubi Deployment in December 1976, I separated from the Navy, went home to Philadelphia for a month and then went to San Francisco where I started working for  General Electric as a sales trainee in the Medical Systems Division.  I took a full-line sales territory in 1978, got married to my wife, Maggie, and we have been in Southern California ever since.

After 15 years with GE selling X-ray, CT, and MRI equipment, I spent 6 years with Cordis J&J selling angioplasty balloons and stents, then on to Baxter Healthcare for 4 years selling tissue heart valves and finally to my present employer, Philips Medical Systems, as a Corporate Business Manager for X-ray, CT, and MRI.   Maggie is an Administrative Assistant at a local college. Our 24 year old son, Chris, graduated from UCLA and is relocating to Washington DC for a job in international business consulting and our 18 year old daughter, Allison, will be starting college in the Fall.

I attended our first reunion in 1998 and had a blast.  This time I am bringing Maggie to see the sights and sounds of Pensacola and to meet all of the fine acquaintances I worked with during my tour with VP-17.  I look forward to seeing you all in September. (2004 entry)

Sept 2008 update. I retired in June, after 31 yrs of selling X-ray, CT, and MRI systems.  I, along with Maggie and our two children, are doing fine.

Contact:  Ben Cheng  teamchengb@yahoo.com

Chuck & Patty Collett (1971-74)

Master Chief Chuck and crew

From VP-17 to AIMD Barbers Point QA and airframes division Oct. 1974.Barbers Pt. had 5 P-3 Flight Engineer billets and we were available to fly with VP Squadrons as needed (Navy Davy was here).

After AIMD tour over to VP-4 Natops. Picked up Chief and Skipper made me the Schedules CPO (finally got to pick my own gedunk flights). Made another PI deployment, and we picked up the Guam det. After returning to Barbers they had a renovation of the hangar and moved us into the area by AIMD. That was a big mess for a while.

Left VP-4 and Barbers after 10 years and on to NAS Point Mugu, CA. Served as AIMD Airframes Division Officer for the next 3 years making Senior Chief along the way (Navy Davy was here also). Towards end of tour Detailer said that they needed prior qualified P-3 Flight Engineers in the fleet, so back to Barbers Point and VPU-2.(would not let me go back to Engineer school and draw all that Pre Diem). Checked in June 1984 and was told by skipper that I would be the Senior Chief of the Command and relief Flight Engineer. I was ready for West Pac! (Had money in my pocket and love in my heart.) Did talk my way into several Far East, and PI trips where I met the woman of my dreams. This Squadron was a real change from the days of VP-4/Special Projects.

After VPU-2 over to VP-6 and deployed within 30 days after checking in. Worked in the training Dept (now I know why those guys were always on the golf course). Left VP-6 and had my twilight tour to VRC-50, picked up Master Chief and served as CMC until retirement Sept 1991 after 30 years. Was there during Mt. Pinatubo eruption and was the worst nightmare you could ever dream about.

After retirement returned to Pearl, Mississippi, after only visiting 3 times within 30 years. Got “tired” of drinking beer, fishing and playing golf after a year so went to work for Birmingham Steel Corp. Jackson, MS plant in the Quality Control Division as a lab Technician. Worked the Tensile lab, and Chemical lab. Worked 12-hour shifts 14 days a month. Great job, money and plenty of time off. Called it quits in 2002 after 2 hip replacements. Moved to Pensacola in Oct, 2002. Just finished new home and have a boat, so its back to drinking beer, fishing and golf.  Stop by any time, the door is open and the beer (San Mugu) is always cold.

Contact: 5075 Terra Lake Cir, Pensacola, FL 32507; Tel: (Hm (850) 497-9891, cell (850) 712-0725; e-mail chuckcoll@earthlink.net

Ken & Emily Crandall (1972-75)

 Left, Crash's official photo taken before marrying Emily. At right, relaxing with sons Ben and Jeff.

 Click here for whackier pics.

After VP-17 I reported for duty at VA-128, NAS Whidbey Island, WA, to fly the TC4C (G159) on training missions for student Bombardier/Navigators. I left active duty in 1977and reported to VP-94 at NAS New Orleans for reserve duty where I was teamed up with Ted Morrison, Bill Buckingham, and Bill Overend. Our crew became known as "Pigs in Space." 

In the Spring of 1978 I was hired by Trans International Airlines to fly right seat on the L188. I left there to accept a job with Braniff International in September of that year. After two years of bliss, I was furloughed. One year later (Sep '80) I got on with Orion Air (UPS contractor) flying B727s.  Approximately one year later the major airlines started hiring again and I managed to get on with Northwest Airlines in the Spring of '83, where I am still employed and scheduled to retire in Feb '06. I am currently based in Detroit, flying left seat on the Airbus 330 to various cities in Europe.

Emily Cheryl has been very supportive through my checkered flying career. She went back to teaching after our second son was born in 1980 and is still substitute teaching up here in Minnesota. We expect the upcoming winter to be our last up north and we hope to resettle in the Pensacola area in the next year.

Our two sons are grown and out of the nest but still close by. Jeff, who earned degrees in Audio Engineering and Audio Production, is a struggling musician. But he's happy and making progress in his career. Ben will graduate from the U of M in December with a degree in Sports Management and will intern as a coaches’ assistant with the varsity basketball team.        

See you at the reunion!

Contact:  3640 WOODLAND TRAIL, EAGAN, MN  55123; Tel: (651) 335-9860; e-mail:  kenemilyc@aol.com  

Larry & Parky Croll (1972-74)

Larry and "Croll's Cruds"

Flashback/placeholders -- awaiting current photo

After VP-17 I went to COMNAVAIRPAC at NAS North Island in Coronado, CA.  This was my 5th tour since I received my wings and my first shore duty tour.  There were several VP-17 people at North Island with the VS RAG, so several of us still got to spend time together.  From AIRPAC I went to VQ-1 in Guam.  I got married before going to Guam to a very nice lady.  It only took a Navy Junior (3rd generation), who had lived outside of the U.S. more than I had, to put up with my various bad habits.  From VQ-1 we went to CINCUSNAVEUR in London England.  If you want a shock leave Guam in Nov. to go live in the UK!  Two things: First this proves to one and all that the Navy is much better than any other service.  The Navy European headquarters is in the west end of London in Eisenhower's old headquarters building, not out in the sticks some place.  Second, while the UK was and is very expensive, a great time was had by all for almost three years.  From there it was on to NS Rota Spain for two years; where (please sit down at this point) I set up the Family Service Center to help the about 10,000 Americans in the Rota area.  After a little over eight years out of the states, we returned to PMTC at Point Mugu CA, where I was a range pilot.  We had more culture shock returning to the U.S. than any of the places we had been during the eight years. During this time, I was called back to D.C. for a short project, to help setup the Navy's goals for it's future people programs.

At this point it was time to take stock of things. I was still flying, but I was running out of ways to continue doing that and my knee was finally giving up the ghost. You may remember sporting events in VP-17 and my large knee brace. So after 23 years I retired in 1985. I had been a kid with a big red wagon and flown on all my tours except the one in London. I had also avoided Washington D. C.  After trying to get me to go there three times they quit asking. My four squadron tours, with their WESTPAC flying, are a special memory.

Still needing to make a living, we went to Seattle WA. where I worked for Boeing for the next 14 years; all on military aircraft programs. We again got to live in England for about 18 months during this time. Our long-term goal had been to retire in Coronado.  So in 1999, my wife found me a job with Ryan/Northrup in San Diego and I retired from Boeing. While she built our retirement home I spent the next three years with Ryan on the Global Hawk UAV program.  This made me a great believer in UAV's.  In the fall of 2002 I said enough is enough and called it quits. 

Contact: 507 Pomona Ave, Coronado, CA. 92118; e-mail:  ccroll@san.rr.com "

Gary & Eva Davidson (1958-60, 71-74)

See more Davidson photos here and Gary's "no shitter" here

Left VP-17 for AIMD Barbers Point airframes division. I made Chief and was very relieved to hear that my crew, the "Follow Us" Crew 1, would not be able to be at my initiation as they were on Midway Island. As it turned out, Gerry burnt some turbine blades to make it to my initiation! Who the H- - -was the MO??

Left Barbers Point in 1977 for C-130 FE school at Little Rock AFB. Onto Pt. Mugu, CA. to join VXE-6 and flew as ski equipped Herc engineer for Deep Freeze 77, 78 and 79. I see from his bio that Dick Blake and his wife had a memorable "cruise" to Antarctica. I wonder if they could see our Herc that taxied into a crevasse field from their heated state room...(I'd bet Dick's Midol can needs corrosion control by now)

Left VXE-6 for VX-4 in 1980-1983, got some fighter behind me as we did the F-18 IOT&E along with 7 F-14s doing fighter weapons eval. Now a Senior Chief, I had CARRIER written all over me as I was destined for maintenance chief of the first F-18 squadron out of NAS Lemoore. Then the Aircrew detailer called me, they had a severe shortage of P3 Flight Engineers which sent me to VP-23 as a Master Chief and deployed to Sig. almost immediately after checking in. Left VP-23 with 5000 P-3 hours in 86 for VP-8 as Command Master Chief. Was the runner up for Patrol Wing Atlantic Force Master Chief, retired in 1989 at Brunswick Maine with 31 years.

Laid off work for 6 months, Eva was working at the Navy Exchange managing a small mini-mart so I was home to do what I wanted to do, worked on small RV, house and all of that. Then one night at Sizzlers steak house in Brunswick, a fellow CPO asked if I was working yet. Nope. He said I need to talk with his boss, a GS 13 at SUPSHIP Bath. Ships!!  Well, I hired on as QA of the combat systems electronic cooling water systems on new construction Aegis ships and rode all of the builders trials on CG and DDG class ships. This went on for 5 years and now I am going on my tenth year as senior engineer with Northrop Grumman supporting NAVSEA here at Port Hueneme, CA. Eva accompanies me on nearly all of my trips and we will enjoy this for one more year.

Two daughters and 4 grand kids are still in Maine, two daughters and 3 grandkids here in California and we have our 40 foot diesel pusher. (In the above photo, Gary and Eva are in front with daughter Deb between them. In second row are daughters Patty, Vicky and Julie with son-in-law Stan sort of in the middle.)  
 
So sad that we cannot make the reunion this year due to business travel during that time frame.

Where is Snake? Where is Henry C. Phillips? Al Reich?

Contact: 2648 Bolker Way, Port Hueneme, CA. 93041; Tel. (805) 984-0452; e-mail: garydavid@earthlink.net 
 

Steve & Pat Davis (1972-77)

[Photo to be provided]

After many years as SS-1 on crew seven, left VP-17 and my first marriage and traveled far to VP-4 for two more years of sea duty. Went home on leave and met and later married Pat, my present wife of 25 years.

Left VP-4 in 1979 and continued on sea duty but now on the east coast in VP-23. Two deployments to Iceland later, it was shore duty in FASO Brunswick for three years. Then over to Sig for three years of overseas shore duty at the ASWOC (where I picked up Chief) before returning to Brunswick for two more years with VP-23. Finally, retirement after 28 years.

Spent seven years managing CUMBERLAND FARMS followed by seven more with the Post Office. Retired again and moved to Florida. Dodged all four of the hurricanes with no damage so I guess we are doing well.   Steve “Up Doppler” & Pat Davis

Contact: 5461 Sir Churchill Dr., Leesburg, FL 34748-2311; Tel: (352) 326-5180; e-mail: scifier99@comcast.net.

Jon & Cathy Dresel (1972-75)

Christmas 2006

As it turned out, I ended up remaining within the VP community for over 14 years.  After leaving the squadron in Jul 75, I received orders to VP-31 and became a P-3B ground and flight instructor.  During this time, I was also the Training Syllabus Director for the new P-3B Mod aircraft that, among other things, enabled the TACCO to tactically maneuver the aircraft via the autopilot and a rotary switch at the TACCO station.  Subsequently, in conjunction with the USN Personnel Exchange Program (PEP), I relieved Joe Sikes at No. 5 Squadron, RNZAF Base Whenuapai (near Auckland, New Zealand) for a 26-month tour flying with the Kiwis.  This tour proved to be a memorable experience for the entire family and I remain grateful for the opportunity.  Not much ASW action but logged numerous hours aboard all five RNZAF P-3Bs conducting surveillance and SAR missions in the South Pacific.  Eventually had to leave NZ and return to the real world at Moffett Field where I joined the COMPATWINGSPAC staff.  After about a year, I became a COMPATWING TEN plank holder when it was commissioned and was the ASWOC Director until I transferred to VP-9 across the field.  As Training Officer and Ops Officer, was lucky enough to complete six-month deployments at both Diego Garcia and Adak.  However, some people had it worse: the McWhorters were actually stationed at Adak. Had Thanksgiving dinner with them in 1985.

Following my VP sojourns, I was assigned to the small cadre of navy folks at the newly commissioned joint U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs (Annette and I divorced in 1986.).  It was an interesting tour…worked beneath 1,700 feet of granite within the Cheyenne Mountain Complex (NORAD) as the navy Space Defense Operations Center Commander and also administered Space Surveillance Center personnel that were responsible for monitoring over 6,000 man-made space objects and junk (including screwdrivers dropped by the Soviet astronauts).  Met my wife, Cathy, during this period and we were married just prior to departing for U.S. Naval Forces, Europe (CINCUSNAVEUR) in London.  Serving as the Conventional Ordnance Logistics Officer during Desert Storm, this assignment proved to be the most personally rewarding tour of my career; plus, it afforded the opportunity to see some of Europe.  For my final tour, I used my space operations subspecialty code to obtain a job managing (black world) space projects for the Navy Space Systems Activity in Los Angeles.  I retired in 1994 and we returned to Colorado Springs.

Having always been interested in business and thinking I might have missed a great life with large corporations, I went back to school and earned a couple masters degrees.  I initially worked for Allied Signal Aerospace (later became Honeywell) as a Life Cycle Cost Analyst supporting the worldwide Air Force Satellite Control Network.  Then I joined Boeing in St. Louis as a Systems Engineer/Cost Analyst for the F/A-18E/F and subsequently transferred to NAS Patuxent River, MD, to become the Affordabilty Manager for the Bell-Boeing V-22 (tilt rotor, vertical takeoff aircraft) program.  After almost ten years, I realized that, although lucrative, I didn’t really enjoy working for large companies all that much.  Consequently, I answered a local advertisement in the paper submitted by Dennis Hackathorn and started working for RBC, Inc., which is a small defense contractor at Pax River that supports primarily the P-3 weapons program.  As a Senior Analyst, I supported the P-3 AIP (ASW Improvement Program) and P-3C Aircraft-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) integration projects.  The last project I supported was a sonochute-launched UAV that is capable of incorporating various sensor payloads. 

I retired in 2006 and we live on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, AR (please, no Clinton jokes).  Since I spent a total of about 11 years at Moffett Field, guess this was home to my kids, Trevor and Jennifer, and they both returned to the Bay area after finishing college.  Trevor remains single and works in Redwood City as a commercial casualty insurance broker and Jennifer is currently a homemaker living in Temecula with her husband and my two grandchildren, Nicholas and Grace. 

Contact:  116 Jennison Square, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71913; Tel:  (501) 520-0839; e-mail:  j.c.dresel@sbcglobal.net

Rex & Andy Evans (1972-74)

Andy & Rex at 2007 Reunion reception dinner

 When I left VP-17 I was transferred to NAS Beeville, Texas. While in Beeville, I had trouble with an old knee injury and eventually had to have surgery at NAS Corpus Christi hospital. After surgery, my knee was never the same so they offered me a medical discharge, which I took in Sept of 1977.

When I left the Navy I ended up back in Los Angeles working as an Ice Skating Rink manager. After 4 years of that, I moved to Austin, Texas where I met my wife Andra (Andy). We just celebrated our 28^th wedding anniversary last June. We live in a small suburb of Austin called Pflugerville (please don’t try to pronounce it, you’ll hurt yourself). I am currently working for Child Protective Services in Austin with 6 years until retirement, and my wife works for the Texas Highway Department with 4 years until retirement.

We have two children, David, 20, is a Marine who just returned from a year in Okinawa, Japan, and is now stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Tyler is 12 years old and is very heavy into scouting, and video games. 

Contact:  17101 Northavens Cove, Pflugerville, Texas 78660;  Tel: (H) 512-990-2572 (W) 512-438-5646; e-mail: evansre@earthlink.net

Jim & Judy Fields (197_-7_)

Jim and youngest grand-daughter. That's Jim on the left.

(Initial contact. Bio update to follow.)

I'm attaching a recent photo of our youngest grand-daughter sitting on my lap at a church party.  As you can see, I don't need any help going white on top or face.  Friday night (10 Dec), our son Brian is getting married for the first time at age 38 in Knoxville, TN area.  I'll have a few more to send you next week.  I will dig through my archives to see what I can come up with from 30 years ago.  Will send you a bio soon.  Busy week this week with travel, etc.

Take care, Jim

Contact: 1657 Jaye Dr., Gardendale, AL 35071; Tel: (205) 608-3788; Cell: (205) 447-1237; e-mail: jfields1657@charter.net.

Kurt & Terri Grau (1973-76)

Kurt & Terri lovin' the water

After 3 years on Crew 7, I left VP-17 in the middle of the '76 Cubi deployment for duty at CPW-11 at NAS Jacksonville, Fl. In 1978, I got my obligatory "shore duty divorce" from Sherri. Shortly thereafter, through a strange twist of fate (it was my turn to date the next "wave" that checked in to the Wing), I started dating, and later married, Terri. We celebrate our 25th anniversary in October, so apparently, we made the right choice!!

In 1980, my tour at the Wing was coming to an end and Norfolk was in my immediate future. Since my wife was still on active duty stationed at Jax, and our 1st child was on the way, I got out of the active duty Navy and joined the TAR program and was assigned to NARU Jax as an instructor. Terri's enlistment ended the next year so we were, once again, free to "travel the world".

In 1984, I was transferred to NAR Pax River, Md. to teach the reserve ASWOC school, which they promptly closed down 10 months later. I was then off to FCTCLant Dam Neck in Virginia Beach to do the same thing along side my RegNav counterparts. 2 years later, it was on to NAS Willow Grove, Pa where we took our ASWOC training program on the road, alternating between NAS San Diego and NAS Jax.

In 1991, as I was nearing retirement, the detailer was kind enough to offer me orders to VP-62 back at NAS Jax, which I jumped on. After 2 years there, it was time to retire (finally!!!), so in Feb 1993, I did just that.

After retirement, I held several enjoyable jobs (read that as LOW paying), then finally gave in to fiscal concerns and accepted a job with the Postal Service as a carrier,  where I have been disgruntled ever since. I'm looking forward to retiring again in about 3 years. This working stuff really cuts into my recreational time!!

Terri has been a civil service employee for 20 years and a drilling Naval Reservist for a little over 19 years. So, between those 2 jobs I am hoping she can support me once I re-retire.

I spend most of my free time fishing or hunting....or fishing.....or hunting.....and plan to do even more of those things when my postal career comes to an end.

My oldest daughter, April,  was born in Hawaii about a week before we left for the Cubi deployment in '76. She is married now and living in GA and has given us 4 grandchildren (twin boys, plus another boy and a girl). Terri and I have 2 children from our marriage. Eric, our son, is currently in the Coast Guard stationed in Virginia Beach. He's been married for almost 2 years, and they plan to wait until his wife finishes her degree at Old Dominion University before expanding their family. Our youngest, Wendi, is married and living here in Jax and has given us 2 more grandchildren (a boy and a girl). With 6 grandkids, I've found that being a grandparent is a lot more fun than being a parent!! 

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion, and my wife's curious to see if all the stories are really true!!

Contact: 1086 Meadows Drive, Orange Park, Fl 32065; Home Ph (904)276-5312, Cell Ph (904)476-5258;  e-mail  kurtjg@bellsouth.net

Denny & Stephanie Hackathorn (197_-7_)

(L) The Hackathorns at home.

  (R) "W" posing with popular cardboard cutouts of the Hackathorns in D.C.

Good to hear from you!  Hope you are doing well.  I retired in 1993 and went to work for RBC, Inc supporting the Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) Program Office (PMA-290).  MSA supports all T/M/S of the P-3, S-3s, and the replacement for the P-3, the Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA).
I'm the program manager for RBC's omnibus support contract to PMA-290.

Stephanie and I live in the Lexington Park area.  I had the good fortune to make contact with Jon Dresel and hired him in Feb 03.  He is doing a super job for us and PMA-290.  I'm attaching a couple of pictures so you can see what we look like now.  The picture with President Bush was taken at the
White House.

Denny

Contact: 17587 Whitestone Dr., Tall Timbers, MD 20690; Tel: (301) 994-9673; e-mail: hackathd@rbcinc.com.

Phil & Ann Hansen (1972-75)

The Hansens cooling their heels

We left VP-17 in December of 1975 and headed for Chicago because Ann's relatives lived there and the Reserves at Glenview were there. Hooked up with VP-60 in January of 1976 and stayed until May 1986. I got hired by North Central Airlines in May 1977 and was based at ORD (O'Hare). Thus started the odyssey of an airline career. We merged with Southern Airways in 1978 to form Republic and absorbed Hughes Air West in 1981 or so. I started out flying Convair 580's and after 18 months started flying DC-9s for the next 18 years.

    Everything was fine until about 1983 when the industry fell on the first of many hard times. First we took pay cuts and then had base closures and more pay cuts and then benefit cuts but somehow Republic managed to survive. By this time I was commuting to MSP (Minneapolis-St. Paul) because they had closed our base at ORD and Ann was in law school. MSP was my home before the Navy so we planned on moving there anyway. Ann graduated from school in 1985 and we did move in 1987 where we built a house in Chaska, MN on Hazeltine National Golf Course where we still live.

    In 1986 Northwest Airlines bought Republic Airlines so I was reunited with Crash, Buckingham and Hunter Morrison. Of course the 1990's brought more airline turbulence and Northwest wasn't immune with pay cuts and benefit cuts but did survive. In 1996 I started flying the Airbus 320 and then last June transitioned to the Airbus 330 flying mostly to Europe.. Have flown with Crash a few times but not Buckingham or Dave Norris. The turbulence in the industry is still with us but so far I've stayed with the same company for 28 years (kinda) and will retire in 25 months and 3 trips (but whose counting). Ann finished law school and is still practicing family law in Chaska as a sole practitioner.

    Both  our boys, Geoff and Greg, who were born in Hawaii, have become adults. That in itself is most amazing. Geoff is 32 and married with 2 boys of his own and one on the way in July. He has become an investment advisor in our town and also lives in Chaska. Greg who is 28 followed in his mothers' footsteps and became a lawyer, practices in New York city and lives on the upper east side in a 5-story walkup ( I meet him on ground level when we're in town) with his fiancé. He will marry in the fall.

    Two years ago we bought a condo in Key West, Fla. We love it down there and spend about 2 months a year there now but plan to be there for at least 6 months (for tax purposes) when we retire.  Come any time. 

Phil Hansen

Contact:  Cell (on all the time):  612-386-1711;  prhpilot@earthlink.net

Marta Heffner (circa 1970-73) & Kelley Hayden

More Marta photos here

I can say only that each chapter of my life since leaving VP-17 has involved one of more of you guys--so that means you really are my surrogate family!! 

When Ted (Morrison) and I left VP-17 in 1972 or 3 (I can't remember which; maybe Ted is better with dates), we moved to Corpus Christi, TX (VT-28). We were there about two years at which time we divorced (and I have to thank Pat Higgins Phillips, who made me realize that life was precious and not to be squandered, and Katy and Pat Maley who were there then to wish me safe journey as I ventured out as a single woman into the world). I moved back to my hometown in Oregon. Ted's bio will have to give you his side of the family tree from that point on!

I started back to school to finish my degree as soon as possible so I could support myself.  Sally Dete and Sue Blase and Linda Crosser (VP-22) were nurses and I always admired them and the fact that they could always get jobs so I figured that's what I would do. Well, it took another year to get into nursing school as there was a glut of applicants in those days and my name was put into a lottery for an admission slot but I didn't get picked
from the "hat" so I went in and asked what degree could I get ASAP and with the credits I held, I could get a BS in Criminology so I did.  This was in 1976.  My mother said nursing would still be more flexible so I reapplied for nursing and ended up heading for Portland, Oregon and finishing with a BS in nursing in 1979 from OHSU.

I had been engaged to a man from my hometown during the interval but that did not work out (again, I headed to my VP-17 family for R and R; this time Nonie and Doug McWorter and Jane and Jon Rowbottom cheered me up!) and with chin up, I returned to Portland where I met my next husband, Jim (Majusiak) as he was finishing school in Portland as well. We moved to Iowa City in 1980 so he could do his residency and I began my nursing career.  We spent the next 22 years there and I must say I really did enjoy the Midwest.

The one thing I realized after leaving the Navy life, however, was that I enjoyed change. But we didn't move as Jim enjoyed his position.  I adjusted by changing jobs and roles every few years. I started a home health agency, taught nursing, did research and looking back, it allowed me to have lots of experiences and meet all kinds of great people with each new job. Whenever I would get bored with a job, I'd go back to school and it was convenient since the University of Iowa had lots of good programs. I got a Masters in Education in 1989 and then went back and finished my Masters in Nursing in 1991. By that time, I was in the Neurology Department and by 1998 I realized I wanted to become a nurse practitioner before I turned 50!  So, I commuted to the University of Missouri in Columbia and was certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 1999.

I was hired by the Neurology Department at Iowa as their first nurse practitioner and I saw clinic patients every day for two years. Then on the 4th of July 2001, Jim and I headed for his 30th High School reunion in South Dakota.  Here is where it starts to sound like a soap opera but yes, he really did walk off with his old high school girlfriend and I got on the phone to my old VP-17 family who again, came to my rescue!!  Thanks to Judy McGroarty, who answered her phone at the first ring and Katy and Pat Maley who allowed me to come visit when I needed a place to escape!  Then wonder of wonders, I got a job offer out of the blue to come to Reno, Nevada to help them start a Neurosciences Institute.  And, then, best of all, Katy and Pat Maley told me to call Pat's cousin Kelley who was living in Iowa City and was SINGLE!  Aren't they the best!!  So I accepted the job, finally got time to call Pat's cousin Kelley and the rest is history!  Kelley (Hayden) is the best thing that has ever happened to me!  We were married in November 2002!  He is coming with me to the reunion so I can "introduce" him to the "family"!  So everyone be nice!!!  I will miss those of you who won't be at the reunion and I can't wait to see those of you who can make it.  And here is to many more chapters in all of our life stories.  And come visit anytime in Reno/Tahoe.

Bye, Marta

Contact: Marta Heffner, 1681 Foster Drive Reno, NV 89509; Tel: ( 775) 323-0161; e-mail: martaheffner@hotmail.com 

John & Doris Hemmer (1973-76)

Placeholder photo of John back in the day

After leaving VP-17, I went to Moffett, screened for a miscellaneous command (VC-8), but decided I did not want to go to Puerto Rico, so I retired and went to law school instead. It's been a great career, capped off with a black robe and gavel. I turned 72 last year (2006) and am trying to retire, but old clients keep calling so I keep my hand in the local court system.

Note from Webmaster: John and Doris had planned to attend the 2007 reunion in Colorado Springs, but have had to cancel on advice of Doris's doctor for health reasons. Best wishes to John and Doris and hope to see them at the next reunion.

Contact: P.O. Box 766, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270; Tel: (760) 333-2752.   

Harold & Patsy Hyman (1973-76)

The happy Hymans

While Patsy and I were in Hawaii with VP-17, we were assigned housing at the Camp Stover base housing at the south end of Wheeler AFB. Our son Coby was born at the Tripler Army Medical Center In June 1974. Following our tour with VP-17, I spent one more year in the Navy as a T-28 instructor at Corpus Christi.

In June 1977, we moved back to the Texas panhandle to be nearer to our families. I initially went to work as a power-plant engineer for Southwestern Public Service Company in Lubbock, Texas.  However the desire to fly and the opportunity to do so allowed me to transfer into the company's aviation department in 1980 and to resume an aviation career. Twenty-four years and two corporate mergers later, I am now the Director of Aviation for Xcel Energy. Patsy and I live in Woodbury, Minnesota and I fly a Learjet 45 out of the downtown St. Paul airport. During those 24 years, we spent 14 years in Amarillo, 3 in Denver, and now we are into our 4th year in Minnesota.  Did I mention that the winters are a little tough in Minnesota!

Patsy successfully ran her own CPA practice in Amarillo, Texas for many years. She now works primarily during tax season and feels that her time is otherwise better spent improving her golf and tennis games. She has even recruited me into trying to become a golfer, but I think it is hopeless.

Our son Coby is a tax attorney working for a bond investment firm in Dallas, Texas. At age 30, he is single and sort of looking.

Our experiences and memories of our years in the Navy and particularly the three years in VP-17 are some of our fondest. We eagerly look forward to seeing old friends in Pensacola this fall.

Contact: 2508 Eagle Valley Dr, Woodbury, MN 55129; Tel: (651) 578-2466; E-mail: pahd70@highstream.net

Ron & Teresa Johnson (1975-78) 

"Newlyweds" Ron & Teresa

While in VP-17 I served as Assistant Personnel, Assistant Tactics and Maintenance Material Control. After I finished my tour with VP-17, I left the navy and went to work for Congoleum Corp. in San Francisco and Portland for three years. I then took a position in sales for a trucking company in Kansas for one year.  During part of this time I was in VP-67, a reserve squadron in Memphis, TN. I went back to active duty in 1982, and remained in the Navy until I retired in 1994.  During those years I was stationed in Keflavik, Iceland (twice), Norfolk, VA, USS Coral Sea (CV-43), and Dahlgren, VA (twice). 

After I retired in 1994, I returned to Denver, CO where my parents still lived. I went to work for a non-profit organization for the developmentally disabled for two years. I became a broker’s assistant, working for two brokers for three years.  I now take care of family business and do some tax work on the side.

In 2003, I had the good luck to marry Teresa whom I had met when I was stationed in Dahlgren, VA.  We have been married for over three years.

Contact: 8753 Fairview Oaks Lane, Lone Tree, CO  80124; Tel: (303) 790-7081; E-Mail: rjohn1024@aol.com

Bill & Janice Ketchum (1971-74)

Photos of the boss under a rug???

We left Hawaii and went to Columbia, SC. I was assigned as C.O. of Navy Recruiting District, Columbia, which covered all of S.C., eastern Georgia and western North Carolina. It was a fine area to live and work. Recruiting was in a new phase with the "all volunteer force" so it was a great place to be, especially at that time and in that area. We had a wonderful three years living in Columbia, SC. I became an over-achiever while I was there being selected for Capt. We left Columbia in 1977 and reported to Millington, TN (near Memphis) where I was assigned as Chief of Staff for indoctrination training. This was a great job with a lot of headaches. The three Boot Camps provided the biggest challenge as we were training more than 100,000 recruits a year. I probably spent 60 to 70% of my time on the road during this time. It was very rewarding to see a group of young folks come in for training and then observe the difference in these same people just 8 weeks later. Amazing!!!

Again, I became an over-achiever and was selected for a major command. I had a list of about 5 commands to choose from and after many conversations we chose and were assigned to Lajes in the Azores. As it turned out this was an outstanding choice and we LOVED it there. I was back in the VP world again. It was a very challenging time and personally rewarding. Like Columbia, as well as other places, it was a great place to live and work. Due to a strange quirk my two year assignment became a three year tour and we could not have been happier. I guess it took me three years to do two years work and they recognized it.

When our tour ended at Lajes we had 28 years service and we thought we would go out of the Navy on a real "high". I was offered several good jobs that I did not want to do so stuck with the retirement plan. Finally, I got a call and was offered a choice of one of nine ROTC positions as Professor of Naval Science. We choose Ole Miss. This turned out to be a great choice. We came to Oxford, MS in 1983 and retired from the Navy just 6 weeks short of 31 years in July of 1986. I was ready to go back to my beloved Arkansas and build our final home on our beautiful lot on Greers Ferry Lake. Janice loved Oxford, as did I, and she wanted to stay here. After much discussion we decided to "compromise" so we STAYED HERE and we both still love it.

Upon retirement from the Navy we purchased an old timey Ice House. We made, packaged, and delivered ice to about 30 counties in northern MS. It was a fun job and I worked too hard but loved it. However, an opportunity arose that was just too good to not accept so we sold the Company in about a year. I sat for several months discovering that I was not quite ready to just sit. We bought a Sanitation and Recycling business in Heber Springs, AR. This is where the lake lot I mentioned earlier is located so I had a "PLAN". This business just took off and our oldest son, Kendrick, came and joined me in the business. I would go back and forth from AR to MS each weekend and I must report that my "PLAN" didn't work out. After about 6 years or so I left the business and returned full time to Oxford. I was now ready for retirement.

We still live in Oxford and are very happy and healthy.

Contact: 100 Glen Eagle Rd Oxford, MS 38655;  Tel: 662-234-0784; e-mail:  ketch1@bellsouth.net

For more on Ketch, recommend checking out the feature "What he say?" -- Webmaster

Ed & Saundra Lambert (1969-71)

(1) Ed to Jack Quin in '71: "I swear I didn't do it."

               (2) Ed and Saundra in 1996.

                                                      (3) Ed the golf hustler in 2006.

I arrived at Barber's Point in 1969 just before the Squadron returned from deployment (Dave Sheffield had just been there a few days and my wife Mary and I stayed with Sue and Dave before we eventually got housing at 5807 Fulmar Ave). I was the Squadron's first 'real' AIO. Before that a junior Tacco had it as a collateral duty. My immediate superior was Phil ('uptight') Harvey and my OPs boss was Andy 'I can't believe I got passed over' Dulik.

 
During my two-year tour I served under three CO's: Bob May, Jack Quin and Harley Stuntz (...). What a great time that was! We had all the usual dets at Guam, Midway (goonies - Filipino stewards telling us that frozen TV dinners were really sirloin steaks with mashed potatoes! - hooking the big one with Dan Dudah off one of the WWII piers), Adak (looong nights), Kodiak (great King Crab and salmon fishing) while chasing transiting Yankees or trying to Alpha-3 an errant AGI. Only got one deployment with the Squadron (lucky me) to the Philippines. Most of the time, however, Gary 'Nitnoy' Strawn and I spent it in U-tapao. Crews would routinely come in to fly Market Time, buy Princess Rings and - drink. I was the duty Nitnoy Lounge OIC and would catch grief from each PPC/crew if I hadn't stocked the Nitnoy with their favorite adult beverage. Before long I knew what to have when they arrived: Kent Link - scotch; Jungle Jim Thompson - any f***ing thing; Bill Tuck - coke in the AM/beer after noon; Lump (Al) Lawson - anything the CO was drinking; Joe Sikes - Bud; Joe 'shit the ragman' Rasfeld - didn't matter; Dan Baldwin - G&T; Jack Quin - scotch; Harley Stuntz - too nervous to drink; Jim McGroarty – he didn't give a shit either; Phil Eely - red wine; Dr. Steve Parvin - Black Label; Al 'straight arrow' Kramer - just water, thanks; etc., etc.

We were also the first P-3 Squadron to go down to the Cocos Islands. My first trip was with Bob Rohr's crew. Next time was with Chuck Brune -what a great place....Brits, Aussies, beerball and broads. Paradise.

I could've easily stayed with the squadron for another two years but was transferred to PACFLT as a FOSIC Watch Officer and became the command briefer for the CINC. Left Hawaii in July '73 to come back East, deciding not to stay on active duty. Affiliated with the Intelligence Reserve group at NAS South Weymouth and spent time under different commands such as FICEURLANT, CNO and NSA. Also spent a couple of years as the AI for VP-92 (Bermuda, Azores). Had three commands, ending my 29 year career as CO of the NCIS in Newport, R.I. I retired in 1997 as a Captain and am still waiting to get old enough to begin collecting my retirement!

Real World - Started out in banking as a commercial lending officer for real estate. After a couple of years, I joined a real estate development company and spent successive years in commercial development for regional companies in the Boston area. In the mid 1980s, my wife Mary and I were divorced and a few years later I started my own real estate development and consulting company. In 1990 I remarried. Saundra and I have a great time together and have a 'Brady Bunch'(3kids mine/2 kids hers) family. They're all grown now. Two are married, three single and we have three grand kids.

In 1994 a friend who was GM of a radio group for Cape Cod, the Islands and Southeastern New England asked me if I could fill in as a guest host for the talk radio program. Well, 12 years later (while still in the real estate development business) I continue to do morning drive talk radio. Call me Ed "Limbaugh" or "G. Gordon" Lambert! So, when you're in the area, tune in to WXTK 95.1FM from 7-10AM and call and give me some shit!

I look forward to coming to the reunion in '07 in Colorado. Our daughter, Meg and her husband live in Boulder so we can kill two with one. It would be terrific to catch up with all of you - even if we've never met!

And, by the way. I'll eat my piss-cutter if Bill Tuck is really the course champ at his home course. Maybe if its pitch and putt. Banana Ball Tuck?! No friggin' way.

Contact: 14 Shirley Point Road, Centerville, MA 02632; H: 508-362-9373  edsaun@yahoo.com W: 508-778-9464 ed@capecodagg.com ; On-air tel: 1-888-WXTK-951

Mike & Patricia Lauermann (1972-75, 1981-84)

1973 placeholder photo. See Mike in a more lucid

moment in the group photo at the top of this page.

Question: Does Mike still have a brass plaque from

Taiwan that reads, "If you ain't a pilot, you ain't shit"?

·           Left 17 in Jan 75.

·           VT-27 - Feb 75 to Jul 77 – T-28 Instructor, TPA, Form, Night Flying, Admin Officer.

·           Schools and Ship - Aug 77 to Feb 80 – USS Midway, Homeport Yokosuka, Japan, CIC/NTDS Officer, Asst Ops Officer, TAO, C-1 Pilot (83 traps), Instructor Pilot.

·           VT-31 - Feb 80 to Sep 81 – Training Officer, P3 Instructor.

·           Married Patricia Murphy, Lt Navy Nurse Corp.

·           VP-17 - Sep 81 to Mar 84 – Maintenance Office, Instructor Pilot (You can’t go back, ask Bullet and Squirt).

·           CINCPACFLT - Mar 84 to Aug 85 – Nuc Weps Officer.

·           FAA - Sep 85 to Sep 89 – Navy Reimbursable.

·           NAVAIR - Sep 89 to Jan 94 – T-45 APMTS.