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VP-4 Association
Newsletter
December 4, 1999
Newsletter No. 2
Publisher's Corner
It is a pleasure to be a part of the VP-4 Association. I can't
believe it's only been a few weeks and I have gone from no contact with my old shipmates
to having a list of addresses longer than my arm. Many thanks to Steve Andruszkewicz who
found me through Warren Long who lives in Tucson, Arizona.
Bob McKee
EGroup
I encourage everyone who has an e-mail address to register with www.egroup.com. Bob Zafran has worked hard to improve
our ability to communicate with our old friends. Once you are registered you can post
messages to its members via e-mail at vp4ever@egroups.com
and you can also read and post group messages on the Web at http://www.egroups.com/list/vp4ever. I'm
sure Bob Zafran, marklin@redshift.com, will be
happy to provide additional details.
VP-4 Association Web Site
Itıs Here!!!!! Our own VP-4 Association Web site
(http://www.vp4association.com) created and
managed by Chad Derrington, 89-92, is up and going.
We are using a temporary site as we are also working on our own domain name
"VP4Association" and its web location. If you know of any Internet Service
Provider that can give us good rates on our site hosting, let Chad know, his e-mail address is listed below. In the
meantime, visit our site and enter you particulars in the database. All of the information
will be transferred to our permanent site. Remember, web based information (email/phone
number, etc.) may not always be secure.
Bob Zafran and Chad Derrington.
Double Dipper's History
It has been suggested that we should start a series on shipmates that have served more
than one tour with VP-4. Bob Zafran is willing to be the first contributor. His story is
shown below. Bob says there are several who have served more that one tour. I'm sure it
will be enjoyable reading. Therefore, all "Double Dippers" can call, write or
e-mail Bob McKee with their VP-4 history.
VP-4 Association Roster Update
Steve Andruszkewicz is in the process of updating the Association records. He requests
that each of us obtains the latest form from the VPNAVY web site (http://www.vpnavy.com/vp4reunion_roster.html).
Send the completed form to him at the address shown below. He wants to make sure all of
our vital statistics are correct. If you are not on the Internet, contact Steve
Andruszkewicz, at the address listed below, and a form will be sent to you via U.S. Mail.
Steve Andruszkewicz,
The VP-4 Association Volunteers
Hurry! - Hurry! - Hurry! - Only two positions remain open in the VP-4 Association. Don't
miss out on the fun we are going to have making this a great organization. It is important
that all eras of VP-4 are represented so no one is left out. Anyone who wishes to
volunteer for the two open slots can do so by contacting Earl Carpenter (see below).
Chairman: Earl Carpenter, (405) 321-2624, ecarp2@aol.com
Vice Chairman, "Pre-Naha" Group: ________________________
Vice Chairman, "Naha" Group: ___________________________
Vice Chairman, "Post-Naha" Group: Jess Juarez, (813)
647-8646, mtrygumshu@aol.com
Treasurer: Barry Robinson (423) 693-9686 BHRconsult@aol.com
Newsletter Editor: Richard Douglas, (818) 249-8314, rmdover2u@earthlink.com
Newsletter Publisher: Bob McKee, (480) 981-5778, bobmc1@juno.com
Jim Krauss, (708)
499-3571, Jkrauss997@aol.com
Database Manager: Steve Andruszkewicz (909) 591-2329 steveaz@bigfoot.com,
eGroup Manager: Bob Zafran, (408) 972-0269, marklin@redshift.com
VP-4 Web Page webmaster: Chad Derrington, (503) 356-9638, cderring@pcez.com
2001 Reunion Volunteers
Thanks to Bob Kessler for volunteering to help out with the reunion, now only four
positions remain open. I have been told that the past reunions have been a blast. I'm
sorry I was not able to be part of the previous celebrations. By sharing the load this
event can be even better if everyone works together. Don't wait; join the fun, volunteer
today! Contact George Rogers (850) 969-1150, Georgrs@aol.com
Chairman: George Rogers (850) 969-1150, Georgrs@aol.com
Jim Koppari, (850) 995-0281, mnjkopp@pcola.gulf.net
Ed Salter (850)-932-5252, ed-kj4r@juno.com
Sid Spector (941)-360-0344, sidshelly@aol.com
Museum Coordinator: ____________________________________
Hotel Reservations: Bob Kessler, (808) 922-6188, rrkessler@worldnet.att.net
Hotel Food (banquet): ____________________________________
Hospitality Room: _______________________________________
Tours and Transport: _____________________________________
Attention:
The Pensacola Reunion will be held May 18, 19 & 20, 2001 at the Holiday Inn in Gulf
Breeze, FL. Contact George Rogers, Jim Koppari, Ed Salter or Sid Spector for further
information.
Why is the Pensacola reunion being held in May 2001? The committee
considered many constituencies during the decision process. We have had several reunions
in the "West" so thought it was time for the Easterners to have the easier
travel. Pensacola has some of the best beaches in the world and, of course, the Naval
Aviation Museum. Some folks, the USN retired especially, have been in several commands and
thus will probably like a bit of lead-time for planning other reunions. It is rumored that
some of the pre-Naha group may be planning a 2000 reunion and we didn't want to conflict
with that plan. For more information on the pre-Naha reunion contact Dick Pond at DickPond@compuserve.com.
Earl Carpenter
"Life after VP-4" by Bob Zafran
After 30 months in what I was to later learn was the best tour of my 22 year Navy career,
I served under Ltjg. Bob Herman, also of VP-4 fame, as an Instructor in the Airborne
Integrated Display Systems Division at FAETUPAC North Island. Fellow VP-4 "vets"
also serving in "FAETU" were AT's W.L. Long, James Low, and John Davis. VP-4
Vets Snap Bracken, Bob McKee, and Dave Bonnett were also stationed at NORIS and Charlie
Luce my PATRON 4 First Tech. was serving at Ream Field! After 18 months, I made AX1 and
thought about not re-enlisting, but my savvy Division Officer, Bob Herman wisely suggested
that I continue going to evening college and apply for the Officer Candidate Airman
Program. Thirteen months later I received my commission as an Ensign and my Naval Aviation
Observer (NAO) wings! I asked my recruiter for something "special" and was
assigned to "Project Muddy Hill", a classified ARPA/CIA project at the Weapons
Systems Test Division, Pax River. Also assigned to Muddy Hill were two other VP-4 vets,
Dick Borsch, another OCAN Ensign and Bob Tappan, my Plane Captain in PATRON 4's LCDR.
Howard Beesley's Crew 8 (small world!). After a tour flying night-reconnaissance missions
in a specially configured NP-2H in NAM, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia with Muddy Hill, I
attended Naval Postgraduate School, earning my BS degree. I returned to VP-4, now flying
P3A/B birds at Barbers Point and qualified as TACCO and Mission Commander. Also in my
second VP-4 tour with me were VP-4 Naha vets, Chiefs Snap Bracken and Bob Thomas and LCDR.
Ron Johnson. We made a deployment to Naha in 1973, but it wasn't the "old Naha"
of days gone by! I returned to Naval Postgraduate School and earned my MS degree before
joining VP-40 at Moffett Field. Also in PATRON 40 with me were VP-4 vets Lt.'s Sid
Erickson and Jessie Mock! Post VP-40 tours included NAS Moffett Field and OinC Personnel
Support Detachment Moffett, from which I retired in 1980. Snap Bracken was the
COMPATWINGSPAC CMChief while I was at Moffett! After six months working for Motorola
Corporation (I was really tired of still wearing a "uniform"), I earned my
California Teaching Credential using the GI Bill. For the past 17 years I have been
teaching mathematics and science in private and public middle and high schools as well as
courses in community colleges. Along with Steve Andruszkewicz, I coordinated the Las Vegas
80 VP-4 reunion and also coordinated the Reno 98 reunion. I consider my very rewarding
Naval career a continuous sequence of training missions that took a "wet behind the
ears" farm-boy from Ohio, taught him respect, rewarded him for hard work, educated
him well. Then instilled in him camaraderie for his shipmates that one can never learn in
the civilian community! I thank all of my VP-4 comrades and in some cases, their wives,
for my success! It truly is VP4Ever…
VP-4 Shipmate Memorial's
It is with sincere regret that we must report the deaths of the following shipmates.
Cdr. George S. Clute, VP-4 Skipper, Apr 56 to May 57 passed away at the
age of 80. Memorial services were held at 1300, 9/25/99 at the Holy Cross Catholic
Mausoleum, 4470 Hilltop Dr, San Diego. Donations in Skipper Clute's honor can be sent to
the American Cancer Society or to the Pearl Harbors Survivors Society.
Donald Ray Brown, passed away 3/22/98 (VP-4, 56-57)
Raymond A. Comer, passed away 4/21/98 (VP-4, 47-51)
Ernest Fritz, passed away (VP-44, 47-51)
AECS Warren C. Griffin, passed away 8/24/98 (VP-4, 61-64)
Maryanne Hedges, passed away 7/13/99 (wife of Lyle Hedges, VP-4, 62-64)
Carl W. Moses, passed away 9/9/98 (VP-4, 62-64)
Bill V. Whalen, passed away 12/5/98 (VP-4, 57-59)
Hal Woodson, passed away 4/9/99 (VP-4, VP-44, 47-51)
D. E. Grein (VP-4 '58-'59) passed away summer of '95 or '96
Donald F. Reed (VP-4 '57-'59) passed away Feb or March 1987
Charles Brady (VP-4 '59-'61) passed away 10/13/99 from Lou Gehrig's
disease. His wife, Dot, is suffering from Alzheimer's. Donations can be made in Charlie's
name to the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Walter A. Sunberg (VP-4 '55 - 57) passed away 5/24/99. Wally attended
the Reno reunion and was pleased to see and talk to those present. Shirley Sunberg made a
$50.00 donation to the VP-4 Association in Wally's name to help others attend future
reunions. What a lady!
Dorothy Shaw passed away 5/29/99, wife of William Shaw (VP-4, '47-'51)
Tom Sullivan, (VP-4 '58-62) passed away 9/23/99 after a long bout with
cancer. Tom and Dorothy were at the Reno Reunion. Donations in Sully's name may be sent of
the Misilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana, Los Cruses NM 88005
Al & Terri Meyers, who were VP-4 circa 1960, have both passed away.
Frank (Shifty) Schreffler (VP-4 60-62) passed away in January 1998.
Copyright İ 1999-2000 VP-4 Association
Reprinted with Permission
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