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

XXV NO. 1     FEB 2004

Email address: b36asn7bw@aol.com Web site: www.7bwb-36assn.org

Your Editor, GEORGE SAVAGE

The most interesting event of late was the January meeting of the Officers and Board Members of your organization. The most interesting happening during this event was that we all had breakfast (we met in a local eatery, "Home Cookin’ Café" just up the road on old Highway 80.) There were no arguments and no disagreements and your Treasurer, DOUG WOOD, told us we still have $21,734.03 in our treasury. DICK GEORGE, will have something to say about finances later. He will also discuss some changes to the Big Shots who run the works.

We did discuss Reunion 2005 and full details will appear in later SCANNERS. About the only thing that looks in concrete is the reunion will be in late April, 2005, exact dates to be determined when we see what else is going on in Ft. Worth and when the hotel (Holiday Inn South or Green Oaks Motel) does not have a conflicting event. If anybody has special interest in a bus trip somewhere or a tourist trap we have not visited in Ft. Worth, let us know. Otherwise, be happy when you get here – and most of all, be sure you get here.

(Not much, at your age)

    There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meaning than any other two-letter word, and that is "UP." 

• It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we waken in the morning, why do we wake UP? 
• At a meeting, why does a topic come UP?  Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report? 
• We call UP our friends, we use it to brighten UP a room,  polish UP the silver, we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car. 
• At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.
• Listen UP folks, how can we go UP a street to get UPtown?

• To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special.
• And this is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.
• We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP. To be knowledgeable of the proper uses of UP, look UP the word in the dictionary. In a desk size dictionary, UP takes UP almost 1/4th the page and definitions add UP to about thirty. 
• If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more. 
• When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP.
• When it rains, it wets UP the earth. When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.

    One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP, so I'll shut UP.

If all went well (finally), a new directory will be enclosed with this newsletter. I will say there were some technical problems in the production that accounted for the delay and hope you will believe that excuse. Part of it was that and part of it was my procrastination in getting it done. In any case I will take the blame for the delay as well as for the errors that may occur in it. If there are any (which I doubt), please point them out to me. But, be gentle. We went ahead and sent the directory those with a 2003 on the label (that means delinquent, 112 of you) because we are good guys. But, send in five bucks for your dues and help pay for the directory. We were being kind hearted by sending it so how about you doing the same by sending in your dues!

With the dues so low in price ($5.00) I can’t see why there are so many failing to renew. There has been a very disappointing remittance this year. Our records reflect that 112 who paid in 2003 have decided not to re-up. Additionally, 30 have died. Many of these were Life Members and their widows continue to retain their membership. Our total dues paying membership has shrunk to 581, including 339 Life Members. That is a far cry from the 800+ that used to attend our reunions. Age has caught up with many of us and maybe traveling to a reunion is not physically possible any more. But keeping up with your compadres through the medium of the Scanner is well worth the measly five bucks you are requested to pay each year. So, how about it, guys? Go break into the vault, get a five-dollar bill from your cache, and send it to us. We are fast running out of dinero and will have to put this old outfit out to pasture sooner than the programmed date of 2010 unless you come through with some coin. Remember, the number at the top left of the address label shows you paid through that year. Anything less than 2004 shows you to be delinquent.

Most of you are aware of the death of our long time and devoted Treasurer Paul A. "Bugs" Warner last October. He had been ill for some time and requested he be replaced as Treasurer at our last reunion. Not willing to lose his expertise, he was elected by the members at the reunion business meeting to become our 2^nd Vice President, a job less taxing than the one he held for almost twenty years. He held the VP job for only six and one half months before his demise. It then became the task of the board of officers to re-fill the position. Linc Conn, recently elected to the Board of Directors, was moved to the position of VP and Warren Arthur was called out of retirement to fill the vacancy on the BOD. All position changes are in accordance with our bylaws and will be reflected on the first page of the new directory.

(Still Trying, More DICK GEORGE)

The saga of where and how to find a home for B-36J 522827 continues unabated with two organizations vying for the job. I know that was the opening sentence in this paragraph when last I wrote and it continues to be true. The fine dedicated men who have worked and sweated over restoration of this bird for the last 13 years continue to be thwarted in their efforts to find a final resting place for this magnificent aircraft.

The Aviation Heritage Association, charged with building a museum with the B-36 as a centerpiece has yet to turn the first spade of dirt. Their board of directors, chaired by Mr. Melvin Haas, is filled with esteemed personnel from the local area up to and including Mr. Ross Perot Jr. Mr. Perot offered 13 acres at the new Alliance Airport as a site for the museum. When the foot-dragging continued with no action on the part of AHA, the offer of land was withdrawn.

Before 9-11, it appeared some money might be available to use for the facility at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Post 9-11 the money disappeared and an unsuitable site in an isolated area of DFW in the City of Grapevine section of DFW was selected. It is unknown where all the money from the annual AHA air shows has gone. It is understood approximately 1.4 million is all that can be shown for the 13 years of money raising. While the profits are supposed to belong to the city, no one in the city hexarchy has tried to force AHA to get on with the task

.As I pointed out recently, a new organization formed from the B-36 Restoration Team and named the B-36 Peacemaker Museum, Inc. (B36PMI) is attempting to get the job done before all the experts get too old to put it back together and the airplane ends up on the scrap pile, an apparent goal of the AHA president. B36PMI wishes to site the museum in Fort Worth at a developing city airport on the south edge of town - Spink Airport.

Currently, an agreement has been made between the two organizations for a study by outside experts to decide the best place to site a new museum. Each group will have representation on the study group. But, in typical AHA fashion, AHA is dragging its feet on getting started. The city originally said it would pay for the study. When AHA said it would, B36PMI agreed to do likewise. Now, AHA has asked for a delay until it has its board meeting. Their board normally meets in December with limited participation. So, where do we stand now? Who knows?

Suspect is described as the son of a Barcelona ex-nun and a German father.  He was a former flutist, and he worked occasionally as a farmer.

     The Israeli police are looking for a man named Joseph, wanted for looting in the port city of Haifa.  In short, he is "a Haifa-lootin', flutin Teuton, son-of-a-nun from Barcelona, a part-time plowboy, talk about your plowboy, part-time plowboy Joe"

Here’s some emails asking for some info. If anyone has the answers, pass it on.

From: Paul Jankowski

To: b-36@cowtown.net

Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2004 1:20 AM

Subject: Major Joseph L Lemming

I was searching through my father’s pictures and found a picture of what I think was one of his commanding officers in WWII. My father was in a few different areas with the B-29. The negative (I have to develop it yet)has a picture of a man sitting at his desk. The name plate says Major Jos. L Lemming. I searched google and found this link to a crash of a B-36 in Forth Worth. http://www.cowtown.net/proweb/lakecrash.htm
The Major was one of the crew bodies that was pulled out of the plane in the lake. I was wondering if anyone knows how to contact his family, if he had any. The negative will be a great picture. Paul Jankowski
Paul@jankowskis.com

From: Michael Matzen  To: CEO@b-36peacemakermuseum.org

Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 12:07 AM Subject: B-36 web site

My dad was a navigator / bombardier ( fresh out of high school) on the B-36. He told me about the time when the airplanes were damaged by the tornado in Carswell AFB. The pilot his plane was Frank Kappeler, a Dolittle Raider. Awesome web site, I'll tell my dad. Do you know of any B-36 reunions ?  Mike Matzen, 9002 Park Ridge Dr. W., University Place, Washington, 98467 Email: scuddrunner@earthlink.net (Scanner sent)

Mr. Lew Harkins, 3829 County Rd. #73, Randolph, Alabama 36792, phone (205) 688-4110 called. (email: LJharkins@aol.com)   He is a former B-36 type at Carswell. Please contact him with info on the B-36 Association, he was in the 11th BW and would like to attend the next reunion.  He did not know the association existed. (Nov & Feb SCANNER mailed to him. It has the info he wants. Any old friends, send him a note.)

Act Naturally Found Missing Resident Alien Safe Sex

Advanced Basic Genuine Imitation Airline Food Good Grief

Same Difference Almost Exactly Government Organization Legally Drunk

Sanitary Landfill Alone Together British Fashion Silent Screams

Living Dead Small Crowd Business Ethics Soft Rock

Butt Head Military Intelligence Software Documentation New Classic

California Culture Sweet Sorrow Child Proof  "Now, then…"

Synthetic Natural Gas Christian Scientists Passive Aggression Taped Live

Clearly Misunderstood Temporary Tax Increase Toronto Life Peace Force

Computer Jock Plastic Glasses Terribly Pleased Tight Slacks

Computer Security Political Science Definite Maybe Pretty Ugly

12 Ounce Pound Cake Diet Ice Cream Working Vacation Rap Music

Exact Estimate Religious Intolerance Microsoft Works

It is always a pleasure to get a note from one of our members. The following note is especially poignant because the writer is listed in Last Flight in this issue.

Dear Dick (George, our Corresponding Sec’y)

I just received the latest Scanner. Always a pleasure to get it. I stop whatever I am doing and take time to catch up on the news about our old gang. As you may recall, I spent almost 7 full years at Carswell (1949-1955) and enjoyed every minute of it. My 49 year old son was born in the base hospital. We are all getting on in years but finding more time to spend with our families, dear friends and fondest memories. The Scanner and the time all of you are taking to keep our B-36/Carswell camaraderie alive and well is more than commendable. Thank you all for doing it. Best wishes to everyone for the Holidays and New Year.

Ed (MGN EDWARD RATKOVICH)

We keep getting these nice notes. It’s hard to stay humble!

I really enjoy the "SCANNER." Keep up the good work. Thanks.

Gene (Eugene Spangler)

We even got a Christmas and Happy New Year letter from Archie and Donna Barber. Best wishes to both of you from all of us!!

Harry George sent us a copy of the "6^th Bomb Group Assn, Tinian Island" newsletter. It reports that they are having a reunion 29 April – 1 May 2004. I guess Harry sent us a copy because he is one of the reunion hosts. We will keep that in mind for future reunion planning! He’s also the historian for the Association and his picture appears in every issue!!

I just got my SCANNER of Aug 2002 (It takes a while to get in print). I see where me and 32 other guys became Life Members.

Now I guess not everyone got "Peacemaker" History of the B-36 so on page 154 the life of HOWARD M. "TINKER" OWENS is revealed by me. It goes like this:

Sgt HOWARD M OWENS was born August 27, 1925 in a small town about 50 miles N.E. or Rutland, Vermont called Granville. His family moved to NY State to another small town called Fultonville when he was only five years old.

Turning 18 in August 1943 he was drafted into the service reporting to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina in October. He spent 17 weeks in Basic Training on the 105 Howitzer and the 6x6 truck. Upon completion of Basic and a Delay Enroute furlough, he reported to Ft. Ord in California for overseas duty. On arriving in Aitape, New Guinea in June 1944 after 21 days aboard a Liberty ship with about 4,000 other GI’s.

He joined the Service Battery of the 148^th Field Artillery Battalion and fought through the rest of the New Guinea Campaign, plus Leyte and Luzon to free Manila, Philippines.

HOWARD, or "TINKER", as he likes to be called, then went to the Tateyama Seaplane Base in Japan on Tokyo Bay on occupation duty. Leaving Japan on December 25, 1945 he returned to the states at Fort Lewis, Washington on January 6, 1946. He was sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey for discharge on January 19, 1046

After almost a year, he re-enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was sent to the 436^th Bomb Squadron, 7^th Bomb Group at Fort Worth Army Air Field in Fort Worth, Texas. After school in Keesler Field, MS and Chanute Field, Illinois, he worked on B-29s and later the new B-36. Sgt Owens served under then Lt. Col. Harry E. Goldsworthy, his Squadron Commander, who later went on the retire as a Three Star General.

After one tour of duty, Howard left the service, got married, had seven boys and spent 36 years hauling new cars to various dealerships in the Northeast and Central United States.

After retiring in January 1987, he moved to Summer Field, Florida where he lives now, alone and happy. He was married twice.

He sometimes wonders what would have been had he spent the thirty-six years in the Strategic Air Command on the B-36 and, later, the B-52.

At this writing we are still engaged with the enemy in Iraq, and probably will be for some time; and the sad thing about it, is that we are loosing our fighting men on a daily basis; of course this isn’t something new to our country when we are fighting for our freedom and the wonderful way of life that we have in this country.

We have lost many souls in other wars that we were engaged in, and they were lost for the same reason; that is, to protect our freedom, our way of life we hold dear and our choice to serve our GOD in our own way. We know that these brave soldiers gave of their lives, knowing that their sacrifices were for their families, friends and for the safety for all that live in this wonderful country. For them, this was worth dying for, and we pray that GOD will take them to HIS home in heaven and give them all the love and peace they deserve.

Yes, we must take care to defend ourselves from contagious evil around the world but; we should also promote the good, sustain it, give witness to it, defend it and multiply it. We must take responsibility for the fact that the world is suffering from evil because of our luke warmness; so let us be strong to bring an end to all evil by prayer and resolve for the betterment of all mankind.

LORD hear our petitions through JESUS, who lives and reigns with YOU, one GOD forever and ever.

AMEN

(Please report the passing of any member, spouse or widow to our organization.)

A million times we’ve needed you, A million times we’ve cried.
If love alone could’ve saved you, you never would have died.
In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place no one else will ever fill.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone.
Part of us went with you the day GOD took you home.

MAJ MAURICE S ALVIS LTC FRANK W FUCICH SMS RICHARD S HELPPER

A2C SHIELD H LANE JR A1C JAMES F NELSON JR SSG JOHN F NOEL

MGN EDWARD RATKOVICH 1LT ARTHUR SAKAS LTC CHARLES E SIMPSON

TSG LONNIE E WOOTEN

LILLIE widow of COL WILLIAM H JONES

JOSEPHINE widow of COL WELLS F ZERDECKI