SCANNER VOLXXIV NO 1

I want you to know that I have been diagnosed with AAADD -Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. This is how it goers: I decide to wash the car, start down the hall and notice the newspaper on the table. OK, I'm going to wash the car --
BUT FIRST I'm going to read the newspaper. After that, I notice the mail on the table. OK, I'll just put the newspaper in the recycle stack -
BUT FIRST I'll look through the pile of mail and see if there are any bills to be paid. Yes, now where is the checkbook? Oops, there's an empty glass from yesterday on the coffee table. I'm going to look for that checkbook -
BUT FIRST I need to put the glass in the sink. I head for the kitchen, look out the window, notice my flowers need a drink. I put the glass in the sink and there's the TV remote on the kitchen counter. What's it doing there? I'll just put it away -
BUT FIRST I need to water the flowers. I head for the door and …. AAAGH! I stepped on the cat. Cats want to be fed . Okay, I'll put the remote away and water the plants -
BUT FIRST I need to feed the cat.
END OF THE DAY: The car is not washed, newspapers are still on the floor, glass is still in the sink, bills are not paid, checkbook is still lost and the cat ate the remote control. And when I try to figure out how come nothing got done today, I'm baffled because I KNOW I WAS BUSY ALL DAY!! I realize this condition is serious and I'm gonna get help -
BUT FIRST what I meant to tell you -WE ARE HAVING A REUNION ON APRIL 3 THRU 6 AT HOLIDAY INN SOUTH. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

Our next reunion is near at hand - April 3-6, 2003, the 12th time we have met in conference with the warriors with whom we served at Carswell AFB. A finer group of men and women of whom I know not. Through a very trying period of potential world conflict, your strength and diligence helped keep peace on this old planet and allowed our sons and daughters to live in a freedom not known elsewhere. You should all be honored for the 'damn good job' you did and the peace in our time.

Now, after a few accolades, I'll get to business. A lot of you think all I do is spread a bunch of numbers around. T'is true, to some degree; but, let's leave the money number tossing to our distinguished treasurer, Bugs Warner. Yet, I get depressed when I see the low number paying and/or not paying their dues. In 2001 there were 738 dues payers, a drop from 853 in 2000, down 115. For 2002 all dues amounts were lowered. What happened? The 2002 dues payers dropped to 605, or 133 from 2001. In other words, despite lowering the dues and subsidizing reunion functions from the association's treasurer, we lost 248 active members in a two-year period. We added some to the Last Flight list but certainly not 248. At present, annual expenses exceed our annual income. I know five or ten dollars a year is not going to break any of you up in housekeeping. Five to ten dollars is also subsidizing each meal at the reunion... That is so much even George Savage had to agree to attend all functions. He can no longer plead poverty. So, get your dues in and I will say no more. And, George will be happy.

I am still wondering if saving this bird is ever going to occur. Mr. Bill R. Plumlee and his restoration team are constantly in conflict with the Aviation Heritage Association (AHA) Board of Officers over a location. In an attempt to remove some of the pressure from Mr. Plumlee, another of our members - Mr. Neil Anderson - has taken on head of the restoration team duties. Your association has also written a letter to the Fort Worth City Council expressing its position the JRB location be selected over the DFW site.

The AHA is trying to have the aircraft located at DFW International Airport while the B-36J Restoration Team prefers a site left of the main gate at the NAS Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base Carswell Field (Yep, that's the name of it now if you didn't already know). Here at Carswell the bird would be in a totally enclosed structure and protected from the elements. At DFW it would be housed in a tent-type structure shaped like a hangar, open at both ends and mostly open on the sides. Further, the components would be taken to the DFW site and would lie in an open field for up to two years while the structure was being built. For those of us who worked on the restoration, we found all types of mess from varmints throughout the bird. Without security at DFW, vandalism would soon put the aircraft in the same sorry state it was in 1992.

A major stumbling block at DFW is assembly of the aircraft. The restoration group contains those four or five men who know HOW to put it back together. The average age is 78 for the B-36J Restoration Team. There is a forty-five plus minute drive to DFW on very active freeways. Mr. Mel Haas, Director of the AHA, has offered to provide a bus. You can image the reaction of the volunteers to such an offer. Present storage facilities must be vacated by March 31.

A petition is circulating objecting to the DFW location. Members of the B-36J Restoration Team will not go to DFW to restore the aircraft nor help move it there. They have agreed to move it outside the Lockheed-Martin Plant fence where it is presently housed and no further. The team WILL move and reassemble the aircraft at the Carswell site.

The Aviation Heritage Association is attempting to raise money through the sale of commemorative bricks for $100.00 each. Their promotion contains the statement they are supported by the 7th Bomb Wing B-36 Association. In action taken by the association's Board of Officers, the position of the 7th Bomb Wing B-36 Association is that we DO NOT support any action to relocate B-36J 2827 to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Locating the aircraft on land adjacent to the NASFWJRB IS supported.

MEYERS JACOBSEN, one of us B-36ers, is Co-Chairman of an upcoming joint reunion, GATHERING OF SAC EAGLES 2003. This reunion is a gathering of all SAC personnel who have flown SAC aircraft starting with, I guess, B-29/50, B-36/47/52, KC-97/135 and various other types. It will be held at the Castle Air Museum and Double Tree Modesto October 7 thru 12th. The sponsors are hoping for at least 1,200 attendees. Check out details at http://www.jacobsensb-36hangar.bigstep.com/. He can also be contacted at the address in the B-36 Assn directory and at meyersjacobsen@email.msn.com.

· Gen LeMay quote, "Fighters are fun - Bombers are important."
· SAC operated a number of T-39A Sabreliners before their transfer to MAC. They wore the SAC shield.
· In 1957, SAC disposed of its fighter fleet of Republic F-84F's, transferring them to TAC.
· SAC's first jet fighter was the Lockheed P-80, "Shooting Star".
· SAC had 800 KC-97 Stratofreighter tankers in 36 SAC squadrons.

HEAVEN
is where:

The police are British.
The cooks are French.
The mechanics are German.
The lovers are Italian.
And all is organized by the Swiss.

HELL
is where:

The police are German.
The cooks are British.
The mechanics are French.
The lovers are Swiss.
And all is organized by the Italians.

BOB BENNETT, one of us B-36ers, has worked up a good deal for any of you who would like to have a nice big mahogany B-36 model. He has had several takers of his offer which was in the previous SCANNER. Come reunion he will bring those ordered by locals to the reunion and he will be available to show the B-36 for any others who may be interested. He is doing this out of the goodness of his heart because he won't make a penny for all his efforts. He is a good guy and doesn't get paid for being good, he is good for nothing.

FRANK KLEINWECHTER brought an interesting piece to the January Staff Meeting of the Assn. It was the latest issue of the magazine "WINGS." The magazine had a multi-page section all about the making of the motion picture "STATEGIC AIR COMMAND" at Carswell. There were many great pictures and maybe some of you were in them (I wasn't and was real disappointed but maybe that's why the picture didn't win an OSCAR.)

Our Keeper of the Cash, BUGS WARNER, says we are still solvent with $29,317.65 to the good. You may think that we are rolling in dough but maybe a few thoughts can put it in perspective. Remember, we have reduced the annual dues to $5 per year because we saw no need to maintain a big bundle of cash for our twilight years. Previously, with a reunion every two years, we did accumulate a bunch of bucks we could blow on B-36ers at reunion time.

Here's a few FISCAL FACTS that says we will do all right but will be broke when, according to our Constitution, we close up shop, 1 July 2010.

$3,750 Yearly income (750? Life & regular @ $5)
$29,000 Total Assets
$8,000 Reunion subsidy (Beer, Band, BBQ)
$2,050 Yearly cost to Print & Mail Scanner
$850 Print Directory (Mailed with Scanner)
$250 Non-Profit mail privilege
$700 Storage of memorabilia ($500+ misc.)
$3,850 Total Annual expenses
3.6 Number of biennial reunions possible
2009 Reunion: we run out of money.

As we are gearing up for war again, comes to mind the things we all went through when we were faced with the same situation that all young service men today are going through. We can sympathize with them and their families. I know their Mothers and Wives are being stretched to their emotional limits, but like our Mothers and Wives before, they will stand tall and dig deep in their reserves to weather the storm of separation and loneliness from their loved ones going to battle.
We pray to our HEAVENLY FATHER to protect these fine young men and women in uniform from harms way. After all, they are fighting for peace for all mankind and for human rights for everyone on this planet. With GOD's help this will all come about. GOD bless each and everyone of them on their mission for peace in the world. Amen

As TIME marches on, it takes many of our friends and loved ones with it. We can take solace, however, in the fact that we will meet again during our ultimate and eternal reunion. Until then, we say "SO LONG" to:

LTC DOUGLAS C EVANS
CMS WILLIAM E HOFER
JOYCE wife of LTC ROBERT L McKAIG
CMS WILLIAM J McPHEE
FERN widow of SMS JAMES E PARE
SMS DALE H SIMMONS
LTC ROBERT A WILLIAMS

TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
But so was yesterday and look how you messed that up.

All former personnel assigned to Carswell AFB TX during 1948-1958 when the base was equipped with the B-36 Peacemaker are invited to join our association.

THURSDAY 3 APRIL
REGISTRATION                1000-1800 (Select seating for Banquet)
SOCIAL HOUR                 1800-1900 (FREE Beer!! Pay-As-You-Go Bar)
WELCOME DINNER        1900-2100

FRIDAY 4 APRIL
MEMORY ROOM         0800-0900 (FREE Coffee & Rolls)
LATE REGISTRATION 1000-1400
MENS LUNCH (Desert Storm Club) 1200-1400 (FREE beer!!)
   Bus departs Hotel        1100
LADIES LUNCH               1100-1300

SATURDAY 5 APRIL
(FREE coffee & rolls in Memory Room 0800-0900)
MEMORIAL SERVICE 0900-0930
BUSINESS MEETING 0930 (Following Memorial Service)
SOCIAL HOUR 1700-1900 (FREE beer!! Pay-As-You-Go bar)
BANQUET (And Dancing)1900-2200

SUNDAY 6 APRIL
BRUNCH 0800-1000
NOTE: All activity in Hotel except Men's Lunch

No registration fee for Life Members and those members whose dues are current (number 2003 or greater on first line of address label.) All others - $10.00 each. Fee includes dues for 2003 and 2004.

The planners of this reunion have their necks way out with attendance estimates. They are plenty old as it is so don't make them any older sweating out numbers for suppliers. Please send in your reservations (with check, of course) so they arrive well before April first, which is April Fools' day so, no foolin'.

Hotel reservations should be made directly with Holiday Inn South. Address and phone numbers are on the reservation form.

Parking at Holiday Inn is FREE. Overnight parking of RV's is permitted for overnight guests ONLY.

Coat and tie for men and "after five" for ladies at Saturday Banquet. All other events, "Texas Casual".

BUGS WARNER bought us a bunch of B-36 hats. He will have them for sale for five bucks and he has talked GEORGE STEGER into running the store!!

As in the past, seating reservations for the Banquet MUST be made at registration. WARREN ARTHUR will have all the info during registration. Names, not a dash or vertical line, must be placed in spaces. Also, table number must be placed next to your name on the roster of attendees. That way people can decide who to sit with - or stay away from.

You will note that there are two price lists for the events. The first is for a member and spouse (or guest). The second is for additional guests. This may look complicated so you old people, read it twice.

Transportation from DFW to the hotel can be arranged with "SUPER SHUTTLE" by giving them a call from the free phone located in the baggage pick up area. They will come by and pick you up. The fee is $24 per person one way. Call from hotel for return trip.

ENTERPRISE rent-a-car will provide a compact for $18.97 per day. Be advised that because of taxes, airport charges, etc, of 26% the total will be about $24 per day. There is a shuttle at the baggage pick up area that will take you to their lot. Call 1-800-736-8222 for reservations.

Click the links below for a map to Holiday Inn South and for driving directions. NOTE: The map incorrectly shows Holiday Inn to the west of I-35. It is one block EAST of I-35.

I BOUGHT A BOOK ON OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER.
IT'S GREAT!! I'VE ALREADY READ IT 57 TIMES.

NAME TAGS TO READ:___________________________________________________UNIT_________

ADDRESS:_____________________________________________________________________________

REGISTRATION FEE: Life & Current Member ("2003" or greater on address label)___FREE_______

Member & Spouse or one guest:
Welcome Dinneer                            $15    X   _______ = _______________
Men's Lunch                                       8    X _______ = _______________
Ladies Lunch                                      8    X _______ = _______________
Banquet                                           15    X _______ = _______________
Brunch                                              8    X _______ = _______________

Additional Guests
Welcome Dinner                              $20    X _______ = _______________
Men's Lunch                                     10    X   _______ = _______________
Ladies Lunch                                    10    X _______ = ________________
Banquet                                            23 X _______ = ________________
Brunch                                             12    X _______ = _______________
                                                        TOTAL      ______________

Will arrive on (date)_________(via) Airline___ Auto___ Buggy___ Foot___ I live here, stupid___(Check one)

HOLIDAY INN FORT WORTH SOUTH
100 Alta Mesa East Blvd, Ft. Worth, TX 76134
Ph: 817-293-3088 1-800-HOLIDAY (Mention 7BW B-36 Assn)

TYPE ROOM                     #ROOMS    RATE (To hold room beyond 6PM it must be guaranteed by Credit Card
Single King bed 1-2 persons         ____       $70         Credit Card type ___________
Double 2 double beds 1-2 persons ____      $70          Credit Card #______________
                                                                              Expiration Date____________

PHONE #________________ ARRIVAL DATE__________DEP DATE__________
NOTE: Make phone reservations or fill out and mail card to hotel NLT 15 March 2003

THE 7TH BOMB WING B-36 ASSOCIATION
Requests the Pleasure of Your Company
At Our
12TH REUNION
To Be Held at Holiday Inn South, Ft. Worth, TX
APRIL 3 - 6 2003
Details Inside

RETURN TO HOME	REFLECTIONS
SCANNER	PHOTO GALLERY
HISTORY	2001 REUNION REPORT
MEMBER BIOGRAPHIES	LAST FLIGHT