P.O. Box 330279  Fort Worth, TX  76163-0729

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
(TOM REDWINE)

Thanks for allowing me to represent our Association in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Thanks to all the Board members for their excellent cooperation and a job well done.
Thanks for another bright spot in my life's memories.

THANKS FOR FORGETTING
(YOUR EDITOR)

    The May SCANNER gave a listing of all the new Officers and Board Members and their phone numbers. Please forget the one listed for our new 2nd Vice, FRED WENDT. His real phone number is 210-688-3537. I didn't type it wrong. It must have been the computer - or printer.

SEC SEZ
(DICK GEORGE)

Your staff is, for the most part, an element of the walking wounded. DOUG WOOD, Treasurer, is the healthiest one of the bunch. So, if we are a bit slow to answer some of your questions, please be patient. We'll get to it sooner or later. This brings me to the directory. A new directory of members will be issued in the fall. The Foreword of your current directory asks Each person to verify the data in his or her entry as well as other known entries and to forward changes when appropriate." I will accept any changes for the directory as late as 15 September 2003. From that time on, you will just have to live with it as it is currently shown. Sorry but it just has to be that way. The Directory Foreword also solicits your help in locating former members of the 7/11 Bomb Wings who are not listed (live ones that is!) With the dues so low in price ($5.00) I can't see why there are so many failing to renew. There were 106 who failed to renew in 2001 and 66 who failed to renew in 2002. So how about re-upping for ten measly bucks which will carry to for the rest of this year and all of 2004.

IF IGNORANCE IS BLISS, WHY AREN'T MORE PEOPLE HAPPY?

SAVING B-36J 52-2827

The saga of where and how to find a home for B-36 52-2827 continues unabated with two organizations vying for the job. A history of the futile (non-existent) attempts of the Aviation Heritage Association AHA to accomplish this chore has proven it to be incompetent to get the task done. A new organization formed from the B-36 Restoration Team and named the B-36 Peacemaker Museum, Inc. (B36PMI) is being chartered as a tax-exempt organization to do the job right. Much of the history of what AHA has and has not done can be found in the last few Scanners.

Lockheed-Martin has won the Joint Strategic Fighter contract and asked the B-36 be moved from the facilities it has occupied for the last 12 years by March 31, 2003. Outside storage was offered in an area at the north end of the LM area. The deadline was met and the aircraft and components were moved to the LM designated area and covered with tarps. Once again the aircraft is exposed to the elements, varmints, pilfering and etc. More recently the B36PMI was requested to remove the aircraft from LM facilities entirely. A fully enclosed structure with climate control is a must if future generations are to learn of the contributions of the B-36 during the Cold War.

Under the guidance of BG (ret) BILL GUY (President of the B36PMI and one of our new Life Members) things have begun to move. The Commander, NAS JRB Carswell Field (sure hurts me to call it a Field) has offered (subject to Navy approval) approximately 4 acres near the main gate of Carswell Field on which to build the museum. The site is outside the containment area. The original Fort Worth Aviation Heritage Association B-36 Restoration and Display Project Proposal, dated 7 August 1992, stated inter alia that "A group of North Texas aviation enthusiasts, business leaders and civic leaders proposes to develop a world-class aviation museum in the region and to restore B-36J 52-2827 as its first display article and centerpiece." Over 12 years later, this hasn't happened. Unless the AHA and B36PMI join forces toward reaching a goal for housing the aircraft, the aircraft will probably be lost to the home of its birth and moved elsewhere out of the area. Or, it could even fall prey to the Texas weather.

The B36PMI has started raising funds apart from the AHA. The AHA has approximately 1 million dollars with which to start this project but is reluctant to release them. Recently the Fort Worth City Council, the Fort Worth Aviation Advisory Board and the Tarrant County Historical Commission have all passed unanimous resolutions supporting the B-36 display at Carswell. AHA's desire to site the aircraft at DFW was disapproved by all entities. It would be a breach of public trust if funds for this project were not released. Each of you was recently offered the opportunity to help with your gift. Please don't turn down the request for a few dollars.

PREFLIGHT

    Now here's an interesting bit by CURTIS SCOTT which should bring back many memories and, for those not on a flight crew, learn about some of the nitty gritty!

[ WEBMASTER'S NOTE:  Mr. Scott's story has been moved to the MEMBER'S BIOGRAPHY page. ]

MORE B-36

Some time ago, BOB BENNET, came up with an offer of a mahogany B-36 model at a real good price. Sad to say, to date, there have been no models sent to those who requested one. BOB informs me that the first ones delivered to him, from Asia, were of poor quality and did not even resemble a B-36 so he told them to shove it, and the models too.

A bit later he found another source and the other day an outstanding model was delivered to him. He now advises that he has finally gotten a good, reliable source. Stand by for further info from BOB.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN
(YOUR EDITOR)

While looking through my stuff I found this picture which I recently received from I can't remember whom. It is a picture of the founders of the 7th BW B-36 Association taken in 1982. They are (Front row) BILL WEAVER, BILL MINELLI, ANN BUS (SEC'Y TO 7bw Cmdr who took notes and made a copy of them), WAYNE CAUTHEN. (Back Row) FRANK KLEINWECHTER, MAC CARTER, ED BRINKMAN, LEO FORTSON, THURSTON MALLARD, DICK GEORGE, GLENN LOVEALL AND HOWARD LAMPERT. Now if I got the names wrong I'm sorry. That was a long time ago and I wasn't even in the picture.

WOMEN LIKE SILENT MEN. THEY THINK THEY ARE LISTENING.

HELP WANTED

Got the following message the other day. Help if you can.

"I am looking for anyone who knew PAUL GERHART from his flying days at Carswell AFB or any other place. I am his daughter from his first marriage and he unfortunately died before I was able to talk with him about his life. I am trying to put together some sort of rememberance book so any information that I can get would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. My name and address are as follow"

    PEGGY DUNN
    4405 Hwy 30 W #810
    The Dalles, OR 97058
    Smurfsup@earthlink.net

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER (I hope)
(YOUR EDITOR)
    A long time ago (I'm ashamed to tell you how long ago) we received a short note and two GREAT pictures from ALAN WHITE. One picture was of the entire 9th Bomb Sq in front of a B-29 on October 1947 and all the names were listed! The other was a photo of the 9th BS Armament Shop in front of B-36 025 with all the names on it also. Both are in Association archives and available for all to see come reunion time.

ACTUAL WRITINGS ON HOSPITAL CHARTS
1. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night.
2. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.
3. On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it disappeared.
4. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.
5. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.
6. Discharge status: Alive but without my permission.
7. Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year-old male, mentally alert but forgetful.
8. The patient refused autopsy.
9. The patient has no previous history of suicides.
10. Patient has left white blood cells at another hospital.
11. Patient's medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only 40-pound weight gain in the past three days.
12. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.
13. She is numb from her toes down.
14. While in ER, she was examined, X-rated and sent home.
15. The skin was moist and dry.
16. Occasional constant infrequent headaches.
17. Patient was alert and unresponsive.
18. Rectal examination revealed a normal-size thyroid. (Wow that must have hurt)
19. She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life, until she got a divorce.
20. I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical therapy. (and a lube job)
21. Both breasts are equal and reactive to light and accommodation.
22. Examination of genitalia reveals that he is circussized.
23. The lab test indicated abnormal lover function. (Known as the kissyfit test)
24. The patient was to have a bowel resection.However, he took a job as a stockbroker instead. (Who wouldn't?)
25. Skin: somewhat pale but present.
26. The pelvic exam will be done later on the floor.
27. Patient was seen in consultation by Dr. Blank, who felt we should sit on the abdomen, and I agree.
28. Large brown stool ambulating in the hall.
29. Patient has two teenage children but no other abnormalities.

RULES OF LIFE: YOU GOTTA WATCH OUT FOR #1 BUT DON'T STEP IN #2

CHAPLAIN'S CORNER
(BILL MINELLI)

    Time is going by very fast for us old timers. We all are aware that we are in the twilight years of our lives, so let us pay attention to our religious priorities and that is: to live the rest of our lives doing GOD'S work; helping our neighbors; being close to our families so they feel and know how much we love them.

    All these things will be pleasing to GOD, and by doing those things you can be assured that HE will make a place for you in HIS home.

    There, you will be united with all of your family again for all of eternity.

    So let us pray to GOD that HE will, as HE has always promised, give us a helping hand and guide us in the right direction to our eternal home in Heaven when our time comes to join HIM.

    We ask for YOUR blessing through JESUS CHRIST our LORD who lives and reigns with YOU in the HOLY SPIRIT, one GOD forever and ever. Amen.

    Chaplain Bill.

LAST FLIGHT

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND.

    One night I had a dream. I dreamed that I was walking along the beach with the LORD and across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonged to me and the other to the LORD.

    When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed, that many times along the path of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of my life.

    This really bothered me and I questioned LORD about it. "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why in times when I needed YOU the most, YOU should leave me."

    The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child. I love you and I would never, never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Author Unknown

And HE is with us now as we mourn the passing of our loved ones to their eternal life.

MAJ MAURKES ALDIS
PAT widow of COL JOHN N HOFFMAN
LT ARTHUR SAKAS

ED SEZ
(GEORGE SAVAGE)

If you are becoming bored with your everyday activities, here's some advice to relieve your boredom.;

    Learn to wrestle free from an alligator. Try covering the alligator's eyes. This will make it more sedate. If you are attacked, use your fist to punch his eyes and nose. If the alligator gets you in its jaws, you must prevent it from shaking you or rolling over. Try to keep the mouth clamped shut so the gator doesn't begin shaking. This can cause severe tissue trauma.

    How to escape from a python. Remain still. This will minimize constriction strength. Try to control the head and try to unwrap the coils. Start from either end.

    Maybe I can offer future articles on how to deal with a charging bull or how to jump from a building into a dumpster. Or maybe I can convince you to keep paying your dues and come to the next reunion.

IT'S BETTER TO HAVE IT AND NOT NEED IT THAN TO NEED IT AND NOT HAVE IT.

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