SCANNERThe official publication of the
7th Bomb Wing B-36 Association
SCANNER
The official publication of the
7th Bomb Wing B-36 Association
VOL XXI NO. 4 OCTOBER 2000
Email address: b36assn7bw@aol.com Web site: http://www.7bwb-36assn.org
HAIL TO THE CHIEF
PREZ SEZ
(FRED KEISCH)
All is well in the B-36 Association. TOM REDWINE, your 1st VP, speaks right up when I forget what it was I was going to talk about during our quarterly meetings, MIKE HOWARD, your 2nd VP, doesn't say anything but goes around with his hand out, (he works for the IRS and says he just wants to shake hands HAH!),
BUGS WARNER, your Treasurer, says we have lots of money, DICK GEORGE, your Sec'y who keeps all the records, says his computer still works, BEN WHITAKER, Recording Sec'y, turns on his tape recorder and tapes all the goings on (Is he also a lawyer?) and then there are all the other guys, BILL M1NELLI, Chaplain, FRANK KLElNWECHTER and EARL PARKER, Historians, AL LEFERINK, Parliamentarian and, finally, your SCANNER Editor, GEORGE SAVAGE. All in all, we have a good time and we usually eat breakfast, too. GLENN LOVEALL usually joins us to tell us he needs more space to store all the stuff BUGS has bought. You guys better show up at the reunion and get all that stuff so GLENN will stop his griping.
If you don't believe all these goings on, feel free to come join us at any of our quarterly meetings and see for yourself We meet at 0800 the 2nd Wednesday of every third month (too confusing for you?) Next meeting will be in January. We meet at the Westside Caf6 on highway 80, 3 or 4 blocks West of State Highway 183 in Ft. Worth. If you plan to attend, best contact one of the above just in case the Westside Cafe has decided to throw us out and we had to find another place.
REINCARNATION
In a while the grass'll grow upon yer rendered mound.
Till some day on yet moldered grave a lonely flower is found.
And, say a hoss should wander by and graze upon this flower,
That once was you, but now's become your vegetative bower.
The posy that the hoss done et with all his other feed,
Makes bone, and fat, and muscle, essential to the steed.
But some is left that he can't use and so it passes through,
And finally lays upon the ground, this thing that once was you.
Then say, by chance, I wanders by and sees this on the ground,
And I ponders, and I wonders at this object that I found.
I thinks of reincarnation of life, and death, and such.
And come away concludin' that you ain't changed all that much.
* WHEN I WAS A KID I COULD ROAST MARSHMELLOWS OVER
MY BIRTHDAY CANDLES, NOW I CAN ROAST A TURKEY. *
THE THREE AGES OF HUMANS ARE UNDERAGE, OVERAGE, AND AVERAGE.
REMEMBER, ONE HALF OF YOUR FRIENDS ARE BELOW AVERAGE
SEC SEZ
(DICK GEORGE)
The website for your association is complete for all practical purposes. Regular input from the members is needed for it to remain current and interactive. I know there are a lot of stories out there in the world of our members who lived them in the air or on the ground which would be of interest to others. Many are unknown and can contribute to the lore of the magnesium monster, as it was affectionately known. Submit them that they may be shared with the rest of the world.
Some of you may have lived in the Capehart Housing areas bordering Highway 183 and between Roaring Springs Road and Westworth Village just off the base proper. Most of the houses along 183 are gone. The area along Roaring Springs across from Shady Oaks Country Club is bare and the property has been transferred to Westworth Village. The golf course has also become the property of Westworth Village. Time marches on.
Plans are continuing to develop for the next reunion in Fort Worth 19-22 April 2001 at the Holiday Inn South. If you lose this SCANNER and can't remember the dates, they are also found on page 2 of your directory. The dates will also be posted on our website. We plan a schedule that is a bit more leisurely so the old folks can take it easier this time. Final info and reservation forms will be included with the SCANNER that will come out in February 2001.
The older you get the more life becomes like a roll of toilet paper - the closer you get to the end of the roll the faster it turns. That is why it seems like yesterday I was dunning you for dues. Well, as "Ronny" used to say, here it comes again. The payment time for 2001 dues is at hand. The number in the upper left corner of your address label show you are paid through December 3l of that year. The rates are $10 for regular members, $5.00 for widows and $100 for a Life Membership (there are now 289 Life Members.) Please mail your check to PO Box 330279, Fort Worth, TX 76163-0279. New membership cards will be issued and mailed with the February 2001 SCANNER.
In the last issue of the SCANNER was an item suggesting our members identify the nearest site where a Casualty Assistance Officer was available to aid in the event of an emergency. Apparently the information was very timely since I am aware of two recent incidents where the data was needed and used locally. DON'T FORGET TO DO THIS. When emergencies happen, the mental strength of the caretaker is stressed and taxed to the point where clear thinking is usually impaired. Having the contact number in your phone/address book now can save a lot of panic during a time when you may be at your lowest.
In the same vein, I have assisted several people who have moved and failed to update their new home address in their DEERS records. Correct home addresses are extremely important, according to DEERS officials, since data information listed in DEERS is frequently used to send out information about health benefits. Use of the Department of Defense's National Mail Order Pharmacy Program by eligible retirees will be denied in cases where the address is in error. You can update DEERS info by: 1) Going to the nearest military personnel office; 2) E-mail changes to addinfo@osd.pentagon.mil; 3) Faxing changes to (831) 655-8317; Mailing changes to DEERS Support Office, ATTN: COA, 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA 93955-6771. For more info, call the DEERS Support Office at 1-800-538-9552; 1-800-334-4162(California only); 1-800-527-5602 (Alaska and Hawaii). Office hours are 9 AM to 3 PM PST.
THOSE HARDEST TO GET ALONG WITH ARE THOSE WHO
DON'T WANT US TO HAVE EVERYTHING OUR OWN WAY
NEW MEMBERS
Daniel W Beranich, George H Blum, Max Cameron, Marvin R. Dupre
Billy J Richison, June Spadachene, Gerald O. Waller
* "There are no bomber crews down in hell" - "Because of damn good crew chiefs". *
MONEY TALKS
(A nickel goes a long way now. You can carry it around for days before finding something it will buy)
1 don't know how our own personal scrooge, BUGS WARNER does it, but our keeper of the cash says we still have $38.460.99 in the Association kitty, even after he has spent $2,025.36 so far buying reunion goodies. And, to listen to him during the quarterly meeting, he is not done yet! You better get yourself to the reunion come 19-22 April and find out what's going on.
We went in the hole only $67.57 last quarter in spite of BUGS and his nefarious carryings on. Maybe the fact that he made us $551.66 in interest last quarter had something to do with it. Sadly, I am painfully aware of the lack of financial enumeration for the benefit of your SCANNER Editor (that's me) in spite of our continuing solvency. I also object to his continual claim that l get paid what I'm worth. He keeps saying that nothing is too good for me, and that's what I'm gonna get, nothing.
REUNION STUFF
(That's 19-22 April 2001, and don't you forget it!)
All the details and reservation forms will be in the next SCANNER, that's the February 2001 issue. At the last Board meeting we discussed menu items. Good old Texas style country flied steak with gravy for the welcome dinner but there will be plenty of salad, veggies and other stuff on the side for those who come from the East or California or otherwise wish to forgo this Texas delicacy. For the banquet, we plan to offer a choice of boneless breast of chicken or roast pork loin (or both) with lots of salad, veggies and other stuff. Now all of you can stay on your diet, no matter what it is. There is one drawback, however. To offer this option we must go buffet style. If anybody wishes to offer other suggestions, send your comments to the address on the first page along with your abject apology for finding fault with anything done by your reunion committee.
* DEAR LORD PLEASE PUT YOUR ARM AROUND MY SHOULDERS.
AND YOUR HAND OVER MY MOUTH, *
B-36 ASSOCIATION WEB SITE
Your Corresponding Secretary, DICK GEORGE (that's the guy who keeps the records and answers the mail as opposed to your Recording Secretary, BEN WHITAKER, who keeps track of what's said during our quarterly meetings for the purpose of, I guess, future litigation), to continue, and DON PYEATT have gotten their heads (and computers) together and have come up with a 7th Bomb Wing B-36 Association website. It's all about recording the goings-on during the B-36 days. Sorta like a continuation of our B-36 book, PEACEMAKER only now everybody can put in their two cents worth and should do so. Actually it is a real fine thing and those two computer nerds mentioned above have done a good job. If you have a computer and can get on line, call it up and see for yourself. The address is on page one. Don't just take my word for it. Here's a couple of emails from people who agree.
From: George Cameron:
Date: Friday, September 29, 2000 10:41 AM
Very good web site. Enjoy it vary much. I was one of the ten pilots that went to Convair for ground school and check out by factory test pilots when we first started getting the B-36. Flew them for the next eleven years. Thanks again.
George Cameron, Col. USAF Retired
From: Ward Turley:
Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 9:42 AM
Don Thank you for a great site. Somehow I managed to sign the guest book twice and couldn't delete the first one. I wish there was a way to get more of the guys to submit their histories. Many of whose names I see in the directory are ones I remember and would like to know more about them,
Thanks again. Ward Turley (492nd RO/ECM)
ACTUAL SIGNS IN ACTUAL BUSINESSES
* TO SAVE TIME, LET'S JUST ASSUME I KNOW EVERYTHING. *
THIS 'N THAT FROM HERE 'N THERE
NEAL YOUNG, life member and formerly from the 98th Bomb Sq, 11th Bomb Wing, got and unexpected birthday surprise this year (15 July). It brought back memories of 36 years ago.
He was living in Killeen, TX at that time and was employed by the Texas Power and Light (TP&L) Company when on August 24, 1964 he arrived at the scene of a car wreck where the body of a 7 year old girl, thrown out of the car she was riding in and run over by another vehicle, lay life-less on the ground.
"When I got there, she was not breathing," Young said as he turned back the clock to the event. "I gave her mouth-to-mouth respiration and she started coming around." An ambulance soon arrived and took the young girl to the hospital. "I checked on her condition the next day and they said she was going to be okay" and that was the last information he ever heard about her. That November he received a "President's Award" From TP&L for his heroic effort.
He soon moved to Temple, TX and eventually to West, TX 30 years ago without ever meeting with or talking with the little girl he saved or her family. Last July, Young got in touch with a former neighbor (Monica DeBolt) of his in Killeen and that eventually led to Young getting a surprise letter in the mail from the girl's mother (Varnell Bridgman) and following that, a letter from the girl (Brenda).
"That was a good birthday card, the best one I could get after all these years. It's just like a gift," he continued. "it's one of the best birthday presents I ever got and it is good to know she is doing fine. Later, he talked with Brenda, who is now 42 years old and the mother of an 18 year old girl.
The two thanked the West, TX man for his quick actions that day almost 36 years ago and Young said they plan to meet within the next two to three weeks. "It just feels good hearing from them," he explained while noting that ironically he had just learned the artificial respiration technique about two weeks prior to the accident at a TP&L safety meeting. Looking back to that meeting and the life-saving moment two weeks later, he said, "I figured the Lord was preparing me to do that (save the girl's life) and I guess He was with me the day of the accident.
Vamell Bridgman (Brenda's mom), in a telephone conversation later said they always wondered what happened to the man who saved their daughter's life. "They told us he wore a yellow helmet and we thought maybe he worked for the gas company or water company", but the Bridgmans were unable to locate Young.
"I know you saved my girl's life," she explained. "I remember someone at the accident scene saying she is dead." She went on the say that in her telephone conversation with Young she was not exactly sure what to say. "I just don't know how to thank a person (who saved your daughter), words don't seem enough." In her letter to Young. Mrs. Bridgman wrote, "I know Brenda would not be alive today if you had not known what to do. There are no words to express my feelings as her mother what this has meant to me. She is a wonderful person. So God left her for a reason, thanks to you. Brenda's letter explained that she has thought about Young for many years. "If it had not been for you, I would not be alive today. You gave life back to me and every day I thank God for you." She wrote.
(Found this way back in my files! Usually, I keep favorable comments right up in front)
Subj: Aloha, Scanner Team and Leadership
Date: 02./12/20008:21:26 PM Central Standard time
From: MANXMAN1
To: B36ASSN7BW
I always enjoy the Scanner and the hazing that goes on even after all these years.
I especially liked the article" Operation Styleshow" by Neil Ketner. I wonder why they didn't land on Isle of Man or Ireland if short of gas.
I plan to come to my 1st Reunion in 2001.
Larry Fargher
Santa Clara, California
* I ALWAYS TRY TO BE MODEST, AND I'M PROUD OF IT. *
MORE THIS 'N THAT
This was written by SSGT CARL D. CAMP and was published in the Biggs AFB paper in 1956.
THE B-36
That Iow pitch throb, that maddening beat, that shakes a man from head
to feet;
That dream of power by countless Joe's, long retired from this world's woes;
Snails and turtles go passed together, as this thing crawls to meet the weather.
It's awful big, like the national debt, it's old and shabby but deadly yet;
From the ground unstuck, groaning and fussin',
Comes SAC's old girl, the B-three dozen.
REPEAT OF A SPECIAl OFFER IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
Those computer-equipped kids and grandkids will enjoy having their own copy of
B-36: Saving the Last Peacemaker on Compact Disk. This is the story of the monumental effort to save and display the last B-36 built. Only $15.00 to our members, postage included. Clip and mail the coupon found on page 6 of the SCANNER to ProWeb Fort Worth, P.O. Box 24242, Fort Worth, TX 76124 with a check or money order only (no credit sales) for $15.00. Regular price is $19.95 + 3.00 S/H.
CIIAPLAIN'S CORNER
(BILL MINELLI)
THE PATH OF HOLINESS
In accepting God, we begin the process of becoming holy, that is, of being like God. To grow in holiness, we should renew our love for God and continue to accept God as our Savior.
Our lives will be a great period of trial. By turning to the Lord in these trials, regardless of our age, we will grow in holiness and the desire to be holy. On the path of holiness we will imitate God more closely. We will be pure, as He is pure. By His grace we will become holy in every aspect of our conduct, and even become worthy of being persecuted for the sake of the gospel.
Finally, we will die a holy death and see the holy God. The purpose of our life is to become holy. We are naturally afraid of the adventure of becoming holy in our twilight years; however, the Lord will give us His grace to want to be holy more than we want anything else in life.
LAST FLIGHT
(WARD TURLEY said it best)
I used to wonder why I mourned for those who passed
before.
1 knew the ones I loved who died had gone to heaven's shore.
So if you're sad that now I've gone, don't be. Laugh with me.
I'm in an Eden without end, and happy as can be.
CLAIRE, wife of COL EDWARD C BARRETT
CMS CLIFFORD A BAUMANN
SGT JOHN L BLUME SR
MSG CLAUDE D (BOB) CURTIS
PATKICIA, widow of MAJ KENNETH M CURTISS
MSG ARTHUR L FISHER
DOROTHY wife of SMS JAMES R FOX
SSGT JAMES B (JIM) HALL JR
LTC JAMES S HONEYCUTT
COL WESLEY D MORRIS
CMS ROBERT A FRIBBLE
MARY, wife of CMS THOMAS B WILKES
NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
DUES: $10/year ($5 for Widow); $100/Life. If you were a member of the 7th or 11th Bomb Wings at Carswell, e-mail us for an application.
b36assn7bw@aol.com
* LIFE'S TOO SHORT TO SPEND IT WORRYING ABOUT HOW SHORT LIFE IS. *
