What Old Guys Do...

[Catmando]

Aside from "Rule," they sometimes do reunions.

After 37 years, finally, a real 1st reunion for us.

Some have remained close friends, some see each other occasionally, and some haven't seen each other for nearly four decades. But all share a very rare and special bond – inclusive of all - the later Admiral, Skippers, and the forever JOs - especially everyone having been in harm's way, together.

I am told that old farts at reunions suddenly revert to their former younger and outrageous selves, leaving their wives and other ignorant and unknowing guests shaking their heads incredulously at this previously unknown and bizarre to them, behavior. That others do not know, is only because, "you had to have been there...." Had they been, they easily could jump into the instantly renewed revelry.

I'm looking forward to seeing some extraordinary guys I haven't seen in decades next week – a few former POWs, one subsequent Flag Officer, guys that bailed out of the Nav early, and guys with some amazing experiences and stories (actually, everybody had some amazing stories ) ... all served proudly and fought courageously, and we all share a lot of history and memories. We will also honor and remember 10 VF-151 Vigilantes who are no longer with us.

So if you see a motley crew of limping ancient mariners and former fighter crews at MCAS Miramar next Friday the 27th, or aboard our old home, the USS Midway on Saturday, smile, wave, and say "hi".

We all share an elite and proud profession. I hope many of you all will enjoy your squadron reunion in 2050, as we will next week.

Linky

 

[Fog]

I flew w/ Jay Beltz & Bob Neil in the reserves. Great men both. I don't blame Beltz for not wearing that yellow hat - 'bout the ugliest thing I ever saw.

 

[rondebmar]

THE REUNION ​

by Rachel Firth ​

Autumn leaves rustling, together to the appointed
place, the old warriors come. ​

Pilgrims, drifting across the land they fought to
preserve. ​

Where they meet is not important anymore. ​

Greetings echo across a lobby. ​

Hands reach out and arms draw buddies close. ​

Embraces, that as young men they were too
uncomfortable to give, too shy to accept so lovingly. ​

But deep within these Indian Summer days, they
have reached a greater understanding of life and love. ​

The shells holding their souls are weaker now,
but hearts and minds grow vigorous, remembering. ​

On the table someone spreads old photographs,
a test of recollection. ​

And friendly laughter echoes at shocks of hair gone
gray or white, or merely gone. ​

The rugged slender bodies lost forever. ​

Yet they no longer need to prove their strength. ​

Some are now sustained by one of "medicine's miracles,"
and even in this fact, they manage to find humor. ​

The women, all those that waited, all those who
loved them, have watched the changes take place. ​

Now, they observe and listen, and smile at each other,
as glad to be together as the men. ​

Talk turns to war and planes and foreign lands. ​

Stories are told and told again, reweaving the
threadbare fabricate of the past. ​

Mending one more time the banner of their youth. ​

They hear the vibrations, feel the shudder of metal
as engines whine and whirl, and planes-tanks-jeeps
come to life. ​

These birds with fractured wings can be seen beyond
the mist of clouds, and they are in the air again, chasing
the wind, feeling the exhilaration of flight close to the heavens. ​

Dead comrades, hearing their names spoken, wanting to
share in this time, if only in spirit, move silently among them. ​

Their presence is felt and smiles appear beneath misty eyes. ​

Each, in his own way may wonder who will be absent in another year. ​

The room grows quiet for a time. ​

Suddenly an ember flames to life. Another memory burns. ​

The talk may turn to other wars and other men, and of futility. ​

So, this is how it goes. The past is so much the present. ​

In their ceremonies, the allegiances, the speeches and the
prayers, one cannot help but hear the deep eternal love of
country and comrades they will forever share. ​

Finally, it is time to leave. ​

Much too soon to set aside this little piece of yesterday,
but the past cannot be held too long, for it is fragile. ​

They say "Farewell"..." See you another year, God willing." ​

Each keeps a little of the others with him forever.​

 

[Catmando]

I flew w/ Jay Beltz & Bob Neil in the reserves. Great men both. I don't blame Beltz for not wearing that yellow hat - 'bout the ugliest thing I ever saw.

Those hats were fugly! Most only worn once ... for the squadron photo, then shitcanned!

However one guy coming to the reunion wanted us to all get yellow hats again.
(There's one in every squadron, isn't there? )

 

[BusyBee604]

Reunion!

Aside from "Rule," they sometimes do reunions.

Question: Does your reunion include VFA-151 of today, or is it just for the Pfantum era? My Squadron (VA-146, '65-'68) had a reunion at Lemoore in '98. It was hosted by the "new generation" VFA-146, and what a great job they did. I couldn't get over the fact that they all (JOs to CO/XO) treated us like some kind of heroes, couldn't get enough of our "war stories" etc. Aside from the normal reunion stuffs, they put on a flight demo including a 4-plane FMLP period on 32L with all attendees including wives etc. on the LSO platform. Demonstrating a waveoff, the LSO showed my wife how to transmit "waveoff, waveoff" & press the flashing red light pickle. Sooo funny as the pilot was shocked at the female Voice (before they had female Sqdn Pilots/LSOs).

They arranged for each of us who wanted to, two passes in the F/A-18 NCLT (Night Carrier Landing Trainer). I stupidly volunteered (some 30 years after my last night trap). Wow, it was soooo real. Made two bolters, but didn't hit the spud locker. I guess was white as a sheet w/ sweat streaming when I crawled out! Couldn't get used to the Hornet cat shot. Totally "hands off", they even heve hand holds so the pilot can't screw up the computer! Launch hands off in the A-4 and you'd have been history.

My wife bravely took a shot at a short Day/VFR local flight with the XO coaching her with his head over the canopy rail. She ran off the runway before liftoff and went clanging through the bushes & fields w/ bells ringing and red lights flashing. All of us watching the monitors were roaring. The Squadron Pilots referred to it as the "Over the river & through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go" flight, too funny!

Three of my four VA-146 COs attended, of which 2 were ret. Flag (the other was KIA in '66).

Ron's Poem said it all, brought tears to these old eyes. If I never make another reunion, I will always have that one...but hey CAT, If I can, I plan on making the 2050 edition (even though I'll be 116 yrs old!) lol

Enjoy yor Reunion Cat, you'll never forget it.:icon_smil
BzB

 

[Catmando]

Question: Does your reunion include VFA-151 of today, or is it just for the Pfantum era? My Squadron (VA-146, '65-'68) had a reunion at Lemoore in '98. It was hosted by the "new generation" VFA-146, and what a great job they did. I couldn't get over the fact that they all (JOs to CO/XO) treated us like some kind of heroes, couldn't get enough of our "war stories" etc. Aside from the normal reunion stuffs, they put on a flight demo including a 4-plane FMLP period on 32L with all attendees including wives etc. on the LSO platform. Demonstrating a waveoff, the LSO showed my wife how to transmit "waveoff, waveoff" & press the flashing red light pickle. Sooo funny as the pilot was shocked at the female Voice (before they had female Sqdn Pilots/LSOs).

They arranged for each of us who wanted to, two passes in the F/A-18 NCLT (Night Carrier Landing Trainer). I stupidly volunteered (some 30 years after my last night trap). Wow, it was soooo real. Made two bolters, but didn't hit the spud locker. I guess was white as a sheet w/ sweat streaming when I crawled out! Couldn't get used to the Hornet cat shot. Totally "hands off", they even heve hand holds so the pilot can't screw up the computer! Launch hands off in the A-4 and you'd have been history.

My wife bravely took a shot at a short Day/VFR local flight with the XO coaching her with his head over the canopy rail. She ran off the runway before liftoff and went clanging through the bushes & fields w/ bells ringing and red lights flashing. All of us watching the monitors were roaring. The Squadron Pilots referred to it as the "Over the river & through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go" flight, too funny!

Three of my four VA-146 COs attended, of which 2 were ret. Flag (the other was KIA in '66).

Ron's Poem said it all, brought tears to these old eyes. If I never make another reunion, I will always have that one...but hey CAT, If I can, I plan on making the 2050 edition (even though I'll be 116 yrs old!) lol

Enjoy yor Reunion Cat, you'll never forget it.:icon_smil
BzB

I envy your reunion.

Rightly or wrongly, we decided early on to severely limit our reunion to only flight and maintenance officers of our combat cruises of 1971 and '72-73. We did expand it a slight bit to include a few photo-recon guys we escorted, a few Brand X Mig-killers, a Spook, and some late arrivals that made the trip to homeport in Yokosuka. It was a difficult decision to exclude our many fine enlisted personnel of the period, as well as those who fighter/attack crews who still carry on the proud tradition today in VFA-151.

Our reunion is in San Diego, so any liaison with Lemoore based VFA-151 would be difficult. But I understand a Marine F/A-18 squadron at MCAS Miramar is giving us a tour of the old hangar that we occupied in 1971.

While we expect no special treatment, our reunion committee chairman was surprised today to hear the Marine F/A- 18 squadron skipper plans an AOM for us. (Apparently, they are eager to hear our lies. )

Yes, Ron's Poem hit me hard. I had never heard it before, and I would like to know its history and the poet. I think we will incorporate it at our banquet. There will be tears from it, I'm afraid.

Thanks for the well wishes, bruddah!
v/r
Cat

 

[BlkPny]

OK, here's what happens at these reunions.

Squadron members drift in, and get a drink. They begin to recognize old friends. You are surprised at how old they got. You didn't. As the evening wears on, and the drinks flow;

1. "That" night got darker.
2. The weather got worse.
3. The ground fire got heavier.
4. The ceiling got lower.
5. You got braver.
6. Those Tom Selleck mustaches looked good.
7. That young lady in Hong Kong liked you for your personality.
8. All that stuff you bought in Hong Kong was a good investment.
9. Everyone believes everyone else's sea stories.

Enjoy your reunion with the best and truest friends you'll ever have. You guys certainly earned it.

 

[Catmando]

NOW and THEN

VF-151 aboard USS Midway, both in 1972, and yesterday, August 28, 2010.
We have lost 9, but almost all made it to the reunion (although not all are in this photo).

 

[Catmando]

Although we contacted all, only one local San Diego TV station gave our VF-151/USS Midway reunion a little love. They got three of our old F-4B guys who were at our 37 year, 1st reunion ... allowing them to tell some mild lies.

Initially scheduled for only 3 minutes, they gave our guys over 10 minutes airtime! KUSI TV is good media, and military friendly! Support them.

Video link for your entertainment.

 

[A4sForever]

Although we contacted all, only one local San Diego TV station gave our VF-151/USS Midway reunion a little love. They got three of our old F-4B guys who were at our 37 year, 1st reunion ... allowing them to tell some mild lies.

Actually --- what a GREAT news piece !!! Hat's off to station KUSI ... both reporters were excellent. Same for the fighter-pukes they interviewed ... well, kinda.

I'll bet the O-Boat is the one tryin' to claim the mantle of 'longest cruise'?? I think they used to beat their chest(s) about that ... but they only 'tied' us ... a tie for second ... and close don't count, 'cept in horseshoes.

Of course, I was originally 'supposed' to go to VA-115 and the Midway ... so we would have probably sunk.

 

[Catmando]

Actually --- what a GREAT news piece !!! Hat's off to station KUSI ... both reporters were excellent. Same for the fighter-pukes they interviewed ... well, kinda.

I'll bet the O-Boat is the one tryin' to claim the mantle of 'longest cruise'?? I think they used to beat their chest(s) about that ... but they only 'tied' us ... a tie for second ... and close don't count, 'cept in horseshoes.

Of course, I was originally 'supposed' to go to VA-115 and the Midway ... so we would have probably sunk.

A4s: As much as I hate to admit it - especially for an earlier attack weenie - you are an extraordinarly intelligent, perceptive, and on target driver. . How that happens is well beyond my militariy mind. But it is definitely all good!

Send a thanks to KUSI Schedular: JJONES@KUSI.COM

for the story: [url]http://www.kusi.com/news/local/Vietnam-pilots-reunite--101822408.html
[/URL]
and: http://www.kusi.com/

The more they get, the better they report on our proud professions.
Good local station. They treat us well; let's let them know we appreciate it!
Overwhelm them in kindness: http://www.kusi.com/news/local/Vietnam-pilots-reunite--101822408.html
in comments.
All for now.

Cat

 

[BusyBee604]

Memories!

CatMan, proud to say that I was the DivO/DH of the "redshirt" AOs & GMs that stored, assembled, & delivered all your bombs, rockets & missiles to the flight deck on MIDWAY's '71 & '72 cruises. In my spare time, I flew mail, parts & people on/off in MIDWAY's own C-1A "Schoolboy Triple Nuts".

It was a couple of long, tough cruises...but we were a good team and CVA-41/CVW-5 did OK! (PUC '72).:icon_zbee
BzB

 

[Catmando]

A tip of the hat, hand salute, and a sincere thank you to the CO, officers, men and women of the Marine Black Knights squadron, VMFA-314 at MCAS Miramar.

They opened up their squadron to us old time Naval Aviators – to our old squadron hangar and spaces of 38 years ago. They are a class act! And I am proud and confident of them to defend our freedom. An impressive group. BZ!

Wiki link

 

[Catmando]

Our 'after action' VF-151 "Officers of the Vietnam Era Reunion" reports keep coming in. Here is just a sampling of what our shared brotherhood means to us in the autumn of our years; and hopefully will mean to you, if not now, then someday:

Photo Recon guy: " You had to be there. Only a long book can describe what went on this weekend and what it all means. I feel sorry for those who chose not to come because they missed a truly life enriching time. I have made and maintained friendships to varying degrees with some of the attendees over the years, but that is not significant. What is that I know that I can count on every person in that room with my life and everyone in that room can count on me with their life - forever. Top that, industry. And I was not even in your squadron!"

F-4B pilot: "Forty years ago, I attended a speech at the Miramar O Club by a famous air force fighter pilot by the name of Brigadier General Robin Olds. He began his talk by saying he was honored to be in a room full of fighter pilots. I don't remember a thing he said after that, but I sure remembered that remark. Saturday night I knew exactly what he meant. Thanks for being "in the room." I was truly honored to be in the company of my former squadron mates."

F-4B RIO and former Hanoi Hilton POW: " What a fine weekend. Many thanks to the organizers and attendees who made the San Diego gathering both possible and memorable. Seeing you all and Midway for the first time in almost four decades brought back many memories -- some of the very best reminiscences of our lives. Back in the day, I youthfully supposed that my future jobs would somehow be a continuation of the highs of VF-151. While I was to have many subsequent interesting adventures, the sense of mission, camaraderie, professionalism, and high octane fun was never quite replicated...and to think, they paid us. We were fortunate to have seized the moment, played our part and emerged better for the experience. As was so aptly noted during the Miramar F-18 visit, today’s carrier aviators stand on our shoulders, just as we stood on the shoulders of the WW II generation and, while technology may change, the same fighter crew spirit lives. That’s a reassuring and remarkably proud legacy -- in the rare category of things which cannot be bought for money, but must be earned the old fashioned way, forged through hard work and tempered by fire. It was a privilege to be on your wing again. Much obliged to each of you, your families and friends. Go well.
​

These were only a few of the many responses for our 1st reunion in nearly 4 decades. I have withheld the names for privacy. But they all are uncommon men, and obviously we still share an uncommon bond. Ours transcends most (but not all, in deference to wife and kids ) lifetime events and emotions. We are blessed.

For all who read their comments, you should realize that they, and we, all share the same brotherhood. We, who served long ago, are most proud of you!

Carry on.

 

[JAYBELTZ]

Utube kusi broadcast from reunion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUHM0z1v8Ec
Bubba