The official publication of the
7th Bomb Wing B-36 Association

VOLXXII NO. 3     AUGUST 2001

I look forward to assuming the office of President of our Association. It is an honor to represent a group of people who have displayed such an outstanding level of performance. This makes my job easier with people around me that are willing to volunteer and do the things that are required to make this our organization better yet. Our upcoming reunion in April will be another fun fest with good times, as it has been in the past. Be there.

MONEY TALKS
(I wish the buck stopped here. I could use a few.)

I have been braggin’ to you all about what a great money guy our treasurer, BUGS WARNER is. In Reunion 2001 he LOST more-than-$9,000 for us by handing out too many freebies. Well, we didn’t want all that free beer and goodies but he’s at it again. In spite of the fact that we have ONLY $35,893.39 in the till (includes $10,582.50 in Life Member escrow which even BUGS can’t touch), for Reunion 2002 he wants to go one price for all -- Welcome Dinner, Banquet and Brunch -- of only $20 for all three meals. Price good for one member and one guest. Extra guests would have to pay regular price, about $50+ but prices not yet confirmed. Just because he has made us over $1,000 in interest so far this year, where did he ever get the reputation that he was good with money? You better come to the next reunion and find out for yourself. Stay tuned for Reunion particulars in future SCANNERS. I bet there’ll even be free beer!!!

Q At the last reunion those present voted to have a mini-reunion in 2002 at the same site and on the same date. Naturally, no one stepped forward to assist with all the arrangements. Gentlemen and ladies, WE NEED YOUR HELP. The same people – with minimal changes – have planned and conducted the events for the past twenty-one years. They are wearing out or dying out. Won’t some of you please step forward and say, "I’ll help?" A majority of our members held positions of responsibility in their younger days; so, we know there is no lack of capability out there. Get it out, dust it off and put it to work. Call any of the officers of the association and they will welcome your assistance.

THE WORLD HAS TOO MANY CRANKS AND NOT ENOUGH SELF STARTERS.

A new directory of members is being developed for publication in August. There will be over 400 changes and keeping them straight is rather difficult to do without errors. If you find any errors, please submit a correction. It would also be appreciated if you would advise of a change of status of anyone listed therein. Contact may have been lost with the individual even though the name is present.

You are reminded that changes were also made to the bylaws affecting future dues. These were contained in the last SCANNER. These new prices do not go into effect until January 1, 2002. So, if paying dues to cover the time frame from now until December 31, 2001, the price will be the same as in the past.

At the reunion, a presentation by an enthusiastic ED MCLAUGHLIN outlined plans for constructing a $70 million plus museum/visitors center at DFW Airport centered around the restored B-36 2827. Promised cooperation and support by the mayors of both Fort Worth and Dallas (a rather new thing for the area) suggested something was really going to happen. As of publication, the future of B-36 2827 is unknown. It is the movers and shakers like the BASS, CARTER, MONCRIEF, RICHARDSON, etc. families that run these two cities and are their major benefactors. It is they who have made significant contributions or endowments to medicine, arts and sciences of the area and for that the cities are grateful. However, they have displayed little interest in contributing to a project honoring the primary industry of north central Texas – aviation. It is hoped that the continuing attention given by the leaders of the B-36 Restoration Team will help to energize their participation.

When the project to save B-36 2827 and keep it in Fort Worth started in 1991, congressmen, mayors, leaders of industry, etc. were present, extending their support and encouraging the project towards completion with many beautiful words. Under the auspices of the Aviation Heritage Museum (AHM), the airplane was beautifully restored in 2½ years by the Restoration Team who expended approximately 50,000 man-hours. The management division of the AHM was to raise money during this same time frame for a facility to house the airplane. Upon completion of the airplane’s restoration, a structure was to be waiting to house the Peacemaker. Lockheed-Martin has been the greatest contributor of all by supporting the restoration projects in their facilities for 10 years. Ross Perot Jr. has dedicated land at Alliance airport for construction of a facility to house the B-36 but nothing has been built.

In the past, most of the potential contributor sources inherited their wealth or got it primarily from oil and cattle. Since AMON CARTER opened the "Bomber Plant" in 1941, aviation has been the major industry and employer in north central Texas. Billions of dollars have poured from the aviation industry into the life and welfare of the area and those employed in that industry. Millions have also gone into the coffers of the city "leaders". While interested in museums, they appear to be only interested in those containing a Renoir, Rembrandt or Cézanne, not one containing a B-36, F-111, F-4U, V-22 or any other aircraft manufactured locally by Bell Helicopter, GD, Lockheed-Martin, Vought Aircraft, etc. or displays by the many aviation parts manufacturers here. Surely their support of an aviation museum is as worthy as current project to underwrite rebuilding of the intersection at Camp Bowie, University Drive and 7^th Street. The latter is being done because it is the entrance to the "Culture Center" of Fort Worth.

If anyone has a few million lying around you are not using, it sure would be of help around here!

INSTEAD OF THE OLD ONES.

In the fall of 1999 COLONEL THOMAS P. HARRISON, 492BSq, took the initiative to have a tree planted in Arlington National Cemetery with an accompanying plaque honoring the B-36ers. We are extremely grateful to TOM for seeing the opportunity to gain perpetual recognition of Peacemaker and our association. The plaque reads as follows:

The Peacemaker

In memory of the outstanding contributions of the aircrews and ground personnel who supported the B-36 Peacemaker nuclear force deterrent of the Strategic Air Command from 1948 to 1958. Their sacrifice, dedication, readiness and vigilance significantly impacted on the successful and peaceful outcome of the Cold War. Peace was their profession; and, they did their job well.

Dedicated by the 7th Bomb Wing B-36 Association

December 1999

A Blue Mountain Atlas (Cedus Atlantica glauca) tree was selected. In a few years this will be one of the more outstanding and beautiful trees at Arlington. Only one other exists in the cemetery. The tree and bronze plaque are located on Grant Drive, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Section 3, adjacent to grave 8843-G.

THE MIRROR

The other day I happened by chance, As I passed by a mirror to give it a glance.
And I wondered who that old man could be, Who, with mouth wide open was looking at me.
His bald head was sprinkled with a little gray fuzz, And he wasn’t at all handsome (like I always was).
He looked like a sack of mismated parts, Put together without aid of instructions or charts.
And while I know that my shoulders don’t slump, This person’s were misshapen in one ugly hump!
Now, if that was my image I can only say, They don’t make mirrors like they did in my day.

JERRY KIMMINAU (address in your directory) asked us a year ago last May to help him find a 7BW patch. I haven’t heard if he ever got one (after 11 years in the 11BW I wonder why anybody would want a 7BW patch) but the request is still in my files. Would somebody please send JERRY a patch so I can get rid of this guilty feeling.

This request is a little more current (June 2001) and I hope that I finally get on the ball and do things right. But, at my age, don’t bet on it. Anyway, THOMAS J. WOLF (Norton@stratuswave.net) sent us the following email"

"I read the accounts of HAROLD BARRY, WILLIAM BLAIR, and the mention of DICK THRASHER, E.A. MELBERG, ELLIS MAXON. If anyone has a crew or aircraft picture of 2658 I would really like to see them. My brother was ALBERT W. (MIKE) WOLF, JR. and was one of the men lost 27 April 1951."

I NEVER ADMIT MY FAULTS BECAUSE IT WOULD TAKE AWAY THE PLEASURES OF THOSE WHO LOVE POINTING THEM OUT.

 

COLD WAR CERTIFICATE

(ALLEN PETERSON got this out of the Minnesota American Legion "Legionnaire." Here’s a chance to get another hero plaque to hang on your wall!!)

Beginning April 5 1999, veterans have been able to apply for a Cold War Certificate from the office of the Secretary of Defense. This certificate recognizes qualifying members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel of DOD and other government agencies who contributed to national security during the Cold War. This time period stretches from the end of WW II, September 2, 1945 to December 16, 1991.

Public Law 105-58 authorizes the award and states:

"During the period of the Cold War, from the end of WW II until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in global military rivalry. This rivalry, potentially the most dangerous military confrontation in the history of mankind has come to a close without a direct superpower military conflict. Military and civilian personnel of the DOD, personnel in the Intelligence community, members of the foreign service, and other officers and employees of the United States faithfully performed their duties during the Cold War.

"The discipline and dedication of those personnel were fundamental to the prevention of a superpower conflict."

To apply for the certificate, copy the following sample letter including all relevant information accompanied by a copy of DD214. PLEASE NOTE: online applications are preferred and responses will take at least 6 months because of the number of requests (http://147.103.18.232).

Sample Letter

Cold War Recognition
4035 Ridge Top Road
Fairfax, Virginia 22030-7445

Please send me a Cold War Recognition Certificate for my service to the United States Government during the authorized period of September 2, 1945, to December 26, 1991.

Enclosed is a copy of source document with my Social Security / Military Service / Foreign Service Number which verifies my serving during the Cold War Era. I understand the enclosed copy of source document will not be returned.

Please send my Cold War Recognition Certificate to the following address:

Your Name
Your address
Your City, State & zip Code

Submission of this request confirms my faithful service to the nation during the Cold War Era. I further certify that my discharge was honorable or general under honorable conditions. If I served as a federal civilian employee, I further certify that the character of my service was honorable.

Sincerely.

Your Name

I DON’T APPROVE OF POLITICAL JOKES. TOO MANY OF THEM GET ELECTED.

 MORE HELP WANTED

Being at expert at maintaining pertinent files, when an email comes in I copy the text and print it out for my "SCANNER Items to be Published" file. I ran across the following item and was real proud until I tried to look up who sent it to me and I had erased the files. (NAH, couldn’t have been me. It must have been one of the computer virus things.) Anyway, here’s the request. If the info comes in I will get it in the next SCANNER:

Raysa’s book "Skyraider" 1982 edition, p. 43, states that B-36’s were flying nonstop from Carswell to Seattle to Hawaii to Southern Calif. and back to Carswell. The Navy wanted very much to humiliate the USAF and the story goes on to say that P2V Neptune Navy radar planes were stationed 500 mi. off the Calif. coast and TBM "Guppie" radar scouts were 200 mi. off shore to spot the incoming 36s.

Do you know of 7^th BW Assoc. crew members who can verify or refute this claim?

It wasn’t me for sure. As I recall, we seldom did anything at 32-34,000 ft. unless it was over an RBS site with lots of traffic and ATC gave us that altitude. As I recall, on a training mission we generally flew around at 25,000 ft. or thereabouts. On a simulated combat mission we stayed low and slow, 5,000 ft or so to get best fuel consumption. Then, for penetration and over the target we were always at 40,000 or above a blowin’ and a goin’. For those who know about this mission, drop us a line. For those who managed to get a copy of "PEACEMAKER History of the B-36 at Carswell AFB, Fort Worth, Texas" – put out by the 7BW B-36 Assoc., I might add -- go look up "Navy Learns a Lesson" on pages 55-56 and get the proper perspective.

B-36 DECAL

SCOTT DEAVER, perennial B-36buff, sent us the decal to the right. He says that there are a bunch of them making the rounds after they were discovered somewhere. The original is in color and has been safely placed with our bunch of memorabilia stuff. Come to Reunion 2002 and see for yourself.

Too bad there wasn’t a Fort Worth version.

GATHERING OF SAC EAGLES 2003

MEYERS JACOBSEN is another B-36 buff but he doesn’t stop there. He has written several books, at least two, I believe, about the B-36. If you are interested, his address is listed later in this bit about SAC. Anyway, MYERS sent us the following and if it rings a bell out there, put it on your calendar:

A joint reunion of former SAC crewmembers, ground personnel and supporters who were involved in the B-36/B-47/B-52 and KC-97/KC-135 are invited to attend "Gathering of SAC Eagles 2003." This unique meeting will be held Tuesday, October 7 through Saturday October 11, 2003 at Castle Air Museum which will have interior aircraft tours including its "star" RB-36H. Headquarters hotel will likely be either in Fresno or nearby, but smaller Modesto. A showing of two SAC-themed films, "Strategic Air Command" filmed in part at Carswell AFB and "A Gathering of Eagles" will be shown at a restored art-deco movie palace. A side trip to Eagle Field, a restored WW II AAF training field for a luncheon, dance and fly-in of period aircraft is planned as well as optional bus trips to Yosemite and Indian casinos. Check out more details on http://www.jacobsensb-36hangar.bigstep.com/ Contact person is MEYERS JACOBSEN, Co-chairman at meyersjacobsen@msn.com or 760-318-1137 or 350 E Palm Canyon Drive #31 Palm Springs CA 92264

GATHERING OF 26 BOMB SQ EAGLES (?) 2001

At the recently concluded REUNON 2001 of the 7BW/B-36 Association, there was a gathering of another type of birds. These birds finally made it to a B-36 reunion all at the same time and made a record of their achievement. A picture of their meeting made its way to the SCANNER files and I have no recourse but to print it and get it out of the files. For your information, and posterity, the group shown is, left to right, AL HARGROVE, TOM WILKES, JIM BROWN AND HORACE GREEN.

I BRAG ABOUT IT.

(BILL MINELLI)

One goes down many roads in life, some filled with uncertainties and grief. You may lose your way because of darkness, uncertain of what lies ahead, and you may not know which way to turn. You may wonder if you will ever reach home again. There are sign posts along the way that will guide you in the right direction. First, you must forget your sorrows and face the problem head on. This will promote space and time for new thoughts, activities and people. You will find your concentration will improve. Soon laughter will replace guilt and memories of loved ones will not be as painful. A warmth will fill your heart, and you will make new friends and find interest in new things. The darkness will suddenly turn to light. One goes down many roads in life, some filled with uncertainties and grief. You may lose your way into light and God will be with you once more in your expanded horizon of life. AMEN.

LAST FLIGHT

As a tree falls, so let it lie.
But man lives forever, man cannot die.
From this Earthly world, you are set free.
Knowing you share eternity.

LORD, grant us the strength and wisdom to TAKE TIME:
To THINK, for it the source of power,
To PLAY, for it is the secret of eternal youth,
To READ, for it is the source of wisdom;
To PRAY, for it is the greatest power on earth.
To be FRIENDLY, for it is the road to happiness,
To LAUGH, for it is the music of the soul,
To GIVE, for it is too short a life to be selfish,
To WORK, for it is the key to success,

To LOVE and BE LOVED, for that is the greatest privilege and blessing given to us by YOU.

EVERY DAY I BEAT MY OWN PREVIOUS RECORD FOR NUMBER OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I HAVE BEEN ALIVE.

I LIE DOWN UNTIL THE FEELING PASSES

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