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October Newsletter
October Newsletter
Oct 29, 2004
Here is the 7th newsletter for Sept/Oct. I removed all the illustrations so it may be easier to handle. John SEPT/OCT 04 SECRETARY'S NOTES There may be many errors because I am rushed. I hope many, that planned to attend the reunion receive this in time, so they can plan to go. I was supposed to attend the Poetry Reunion in Reno on the Labor Day weekend, I was to give a reading, but I said no. The cost was great and I cannot go to two functions so close together. As it turns out, the hurricane came, so there. My computer got a worm and most of the material I had ready, or planned for this issue, is gone for the time being. It is a sad fact that there are those that get a charge out of making life a bit more miserable for others. I don't have all my reunion plans locked in yet. I hope that others have everything in the bag, so to speak. My daily schedule is busier than it has ever been. In a way I guess I can be thankful. There are many that don't have anything to do, or maybe they have too many bad things. I haven't heard if Al's wife is better. I do know that Jack has Parkinson's, which is not good news. There are others in the same boat. You're in our prayers I lost the notes I had made about my conversation with Col House. I am trying to do my best to try to construct other conversations. My memory being what it is, and with so many things crowding my mind, it is not easy. I am building another web site. I hope to capitalize on my trip to the Arctic Circle, and on the research I spent five years doing. I have the site, but it is pretty much blank at the moment. When I have it operational I will give the web address and other particulars. I trust that everyone had a great summer. It's time to great ready for the fall season. Before you know it, winter will be on its way. Time seems to pass so swiftly. I need a day stretcher. Anyone out there have one? If my budget can stand it, I will purchase a new printer, one that will do graphics without the problems of the current machine. With that I will hope to see many at the reunion. Have a great time in the meanwhile. Your editor ++++++++++++++++ ORGANIZATION CONSISTS OF FORMER, PRESENT AND FUTURE MEMBERS OF: 7TH PURSUIT SQUADRON; 49TH FIGHTER GP PRESIDENT: Kathleen Bush; 2223 Colfax; Flint, MI; VICE PRESIDENT: Eldon Breazier; 1130 North Pine; Kingman, KS 67068-1439 SECY/ TREAS: John Plosila 183 SWAN LAKE DR; MELROSE, FL 32666-3065 (352) 475-5680. e-mail--- jplosila@juno.com; Web Site: www.7fs.cityslide.com; We have a link to the 9th Web Site. 49th News The agenda for the reunion arrived. For those not on the 49th list, registration is $95.00 before Sept 25th , after, $110.00. The Yucca Mtn and Hoover Dam tours are $25.00 each. The Nellis AFB tour, Squadron Breakfast Buffet at the Hotel, and the Banquet at Nellis, is included in the registration. Non registered guests at banquet, $45.00. There are three banquet selections, London Broil, Orange Roughy, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and Veggie Fruit Plate. The Yucca Mtn tour is from 0700 to 1100 on Wed. Oct. 20th . The squadron breakfast is from 0630 to 0800 Thur. 21st, Board of Directors Meeting from 0730 to 0830, and Members Meeting 0830 to 1000 hrs both at the Imperial Palace, Lunch on your own and the Nellis base tour starts at 1300 to 1500 hrs from the hotel. Thursday evening and Friday are free, on your own. The buses for Nellis leave at 1800, the banquet is at 1830 and the Speakers are on at 1900 hrs. CARDS LETTERS AND CALLS Here is Doc's obituary: George E Webster, 93, a retired physician, died Feb. 15 at his home in Carmel Valley. He was born Oct 15th, 1909, in Creston, Iowa, and spent his early years in New Mexico. Dr. Webster graduated from Stanford University Medical School and practiced internal medicine in Santa Rosa and Inglewood. From 1942 to 1945 Dr. Webster served as a flight surgeon with the fifth army air force in the Southwest Pacific Theater. He retired in 1975 and moved to the Carmel valley, where he was active in the garden club of America. He is survived by his daughter, Judy Davis of Berkley. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Dr. Marion Terwilliger Webster, in 1997, and his sister, Dorothy Webster in 1998. At his request, no services were planned. Hope this helps you. Atch. (Thanks Atch, John) ++++++++++++++++++ There was a call from jack Brody. It seems that I goofed. I gave everyone his address in the newsletter but sent his newsletter to his old address He has not received his newsletters for sometime. Sorry about that Jack, I will try to print one daily until you are caught up. Do you remember what was the last edition that you received? He asked about bob Hoffstatter. I called Bob and gave him your phone number. Bob tells me that he has started to use his prostheses. He can now walk across the room by using a walker also. Good, we hope this continues. Bob and I used to attend the reunions together. +++++++++++++++++++++++ There have been a lot of e-mails from our buddy Al Meschino. He hasn't said if there has been an improvement in his wife's condition. We hope she is doing better. ++++++++++++++++++++++ My name is Jerry Whiting. My wife's uncle, Chester Phillips, was in the 7th FS from February to July of '43 before he was transferred with David Allen, Frank Nichols and some others to the 431st FS, 475th FG. He was MIA on 9/8/43 and never returned. We have a bunch of orders, personnel lists, etcetera from when he was in the 7th FS. Also have a V-mail from Major A. White (S2) 49th FG. Also have photo of 7th FS blackboard with all the names of the pilots, dated 5/16/43. Apparently Major White (I'm sure he died many, many years ago, since he said in his V-mail that he was a WWI Vet) and a Lt. Murray were his tent mates, judging from a photo of the tent. Also have a photo of Frank Nichols with his P-40 and probably 30 other photos of people and P-40's. Don't want to give up the originals, but could probably make decent copies of the photos. Would like to find out if (Lt.) G.B. Murray is still alive, among other things and ID the men in the photos. Some of the photos may have been taken after Chet was with the 475th, but I'm convinced most were earlier, due to the P-40's in the background. I'm assuming many of the photos are of his pilot buddies, but can't confirm that. Let me know if you have any interest in this. (I contacted the 475th FG a couple of times, but they apparently had no interest in other orders/photos, since they never responded. Jerry ++++++++++++++++++++ Dear John, I wanted to let you know I fielded the inquiry from Douglas Rome about his gr. Uncle Lt. Hart. I learned from Mr. Rome of his intentions of putting a Memorial marker for his Uncle at the family farm in Wisconsin. I was able to refer him to a person at the Wisconsin Veteran's Administration who assisted me in doing something similar for my Uncle Dave (my grand-father Larry Hansen's brother) who died in a Jap POW camp in the Philippines June 27, 1942. Dave's remains were never identified and is listed still as POW/MIA. Through the Wisconsin Veteran's Administration and the Wood National Cemetery Staff, my family had a long overdue Full Honors Military Funeral for Uncle Dave last October. It was quite something. I cannot tell you how wonderful the Staff at Wood Memorial and the Wisconsin VA were to me. I assume from my experience that Mr. Douglas Rome is in good hands now. Also, I do not know if I mentioned it before but Gordie Burkett and his wife (Pacific Wreck researchers from Australia) found the remains of my grandfather's August 1942 bail out/plane crash earlier this year. There was not much left of the ship, but enough to determine it was Larry's. The cockpit seat was still intact. I have pictures of it someplace I will send to you. I love your newsletters. Thank you for sending them to me. God Bless, Jen ++++++++++++++++++++ I also fielded Mike Hill's inquiry regarding his Father, Lt. F. J. Hill who was shot down 31 January 1945 also in the Philippines. My friend in the Philippines was able to find the crash site and two witnesses of the crash who were former Filipino guerillas. We're almost to the bottom of it right now, but there is a lot of gray areas, missing records, apathy and bureaucracy still to deal with. I will keep you updated if you wish. ++++++++++++++++++++ One day I was cleaning and out my computer area and out pops a card. It was from Jim Konarcik. It was from his great trip to Branson. It had a nice picture of the museum, but I am unable to print it. Sorry. I don't remember responding to this before, if did, sorry for the duplication. ++++++++++++++++++ I called Dorothea Hillmer after the hurricane to see if she was still with us. She is, and she said she did not suffer serious damage. Just debris in her yard. However, she has a medical problem and is moving to an assisted living facility. Her new address is: Mrs. Dorothea Hillmer; Northport Pines; 4950 Pocatella Ave.; Northport; FL 34287 ++++++++++++++++++ Bob Hoffstatter called, he said to say hello to everyone and that he is making progress. We are glad to hear that. Our numbers are getting smaller. ++++++++++++++++++ I lost my call records, so I know I have missed some calls. It seems that I got a worm in my computer and it ceased to operate, so I had to start from the very beginning again. All those of you who called, please call again, or send a note so I can include your message the next time. I don't like to forget anyone. Sorry about that. Last night I almost got another virus in my computer. CONTRIBUTIONS James Keck was the only contributor to our war chest this period. My heart almost fell when I saw cash in an envelope. Thanks a bunch Jim, we sure can use it. For a while I thought the postoffice was going to forget about the yearly fee. But no. A new manager came in and the first thing he noticed was that the yearly fee had not been paid. So we put your money toward that fee Jim. Thanks again Jim. +++++++++++++++ Our war chest is at its lowest point, if anyone out there has a buck or two to spare, send it, please ************************* DIARY (Taken of Web Site) My Stretch in the Service by Lt. L.A.Hansen US Army Air Corps Serial Number 0-421697 2134 North 52nd Street; Milwaukee, Wisconsin Mon 12-1-41 Nothing much doing. Things have been quiet since Stringer and Para went west. Flew one mission today. Wilson says he'll pull 93 about Wed. As she is in for a 100 hr. Check. Found out today that three more of 41E are into the blue. Kaiser in an 047, Jepson in a B18 and Taylor in a B24. I wonder how many that makes. Tue 12-2-41 Had a poor formation today. That guy Brown is out to kill the bunch of us. Climbing at 130 just aint done in a P40. Played golf today with Booth, Ott and Dicke. Score not too good. I'll have to bear down if I want to beat Wilson. Wed 12-3-41 Alert for a general. My ship out and had to fly Burr's. Poor crew chief just couldn't get her going so I sat and watched. Not much fun. Thu 12-4-41 Took off today on Brown's wing, got to 5000 ft and got so sick that I couldn't see. Thought sure I was going to pass out but got her down ok. Must have been that breakfast of pancakes - too heavy I guess. The more I think about the more I think old Para had trouble that way. He was an old boy who should have had no trouble getting out of a spin. It's queer how you think that will never happen to you. Not pride but the mind just won't think about that stuff. Sort of a protective measure I guess - good thing. Fri 12-5-41 One mission left - not much else doing - should have had more instrument time but BC-1 out so still lack 1:15 for my eight hours. Sat 12-6-41 Capt Mac went with us on a wing problem today. Intercept room error made us miss. Good flight - fine formation - air calm at 9500 ft. Capt good man to fly off of. Lands a bit slow. Wish Burr's ship had a flap indicator hate to use full flaps. My ship should be in by Wed at least. Xmas shopping about done. Up to the club - Wish Jeanne were here. Sun 12-7-41 Wow what a day. Went up into the alert room with Duke and about 3:00 heard that the Japs had bombed Pearl Harbor and Wake Island and Hawaii. Went down to the hangar found Maj Weyland, tried to find some of the 43rd. All at La Vinta or El Valla. Ott and me took an alert flight to 10,000 ft and patrolled until dark. Came in for 1st night landing - it wasn't too good but came out all right. Now have 1:30 night time in a P40. Went up again at 6:00 Mon. Mon 12-8-41 Hear that the Phillippines got a going over by 80 to 100 Jap bombers but that they had downed 40 of them. Got a Jap plane carrier too. Nice going. Hear losses over there are bad - hope to gosh Dave is OK. Ma can't stand much of this with her heart. Can't get personal telegrams through Army now so will have to go down tonight if we don't fly. Another alert at 1:30 for the 43rd. I am expecting Germany& Italy to take a crack at us very soon. I guess I won't be getting married for quite some time now. Poor Jeanne she had planned on this so much it hurts to have this happen. Tue 12-9-41 Nothing much doing. Alert calls all day. We get off inside of 5 min. Wed 12-10-41 Went down to hangar at 12:00 Midnight for an alert call. A B18 did not report in. When we got there Dutrach said "let's wind up the windows, we may be back". Famous last words. He's a fine boy. I don't know what I'd do if it weren't for him. Jeanne's birthday. 21 and very lovely. Wish I could see her. Thu 12-11-41 Alert flights - off at 5:30 down at 7:30. It's my first night flying in a P40 and it really keeps me hopping. Fri 12-12-41 Didn't fly this morning. Only the 24th just for about 30 min. Still on alert about 24 hrs a day living in hangar. Sat 12-13-41 Couldn't get started today. Engine wouldn't start. It's OK now. Johnson got a prop because he got into mud and nosed over. Sun 12-14-41 Flew patrol as usual. Lost Ash in a cloud but found him later. Getting used to night formations Puerto Rico boys came in today. They have never fired their guns - have little or no night flying & ground looped two of their ships coming in to Albrook or Howard. Mon 12-15-41 Patrol duty out of rain & mud. Nothing new yet. Hear Japs are taking a beating. Good - it'll do em good. Tue 12-16-41 Up at 5:00 A.M. flew at 6:00 because of mud - Good flight. Ash on whose wing I land - brings them in at 105 with full flaps. Fine thing!!! Wed 12-17-41 Alert flight at 5:45 again. Up for about 2 hours nothing doing. Am getting used to Ash landing so slow but not used to his climbing so slow. Managed to get off at 1:00 today till 5 AM Thurs. Thu 12-18-41 Flight at 5:45 again. On the landing we made a blind approach between the two hills at the edge of the field and got away with it OK. On readiness for a while this afternoon. Things are looking up. Have been finding water in gas tanks. About 8 gals per tank. Liable to kill someone. 12-19-41 Alert flights as usual. That damn Johnson has had me transferred to the 37th Gr at Chorrera. I suppose it's because of the past few incidents that forced me to leave the formation. I don't like it but I guess there's nothing else for me to do. Gilmore got it too. Damn those H.P's. I'll be losing good old Wilson and my 93. Sat 12-20-41 Outcast officer so no flying for me. Saw a poor show and went to bed. Sun 12-21-41 Up to Chorrera. Find I am flying an "E". Seems slow as hell but I guess I'll get used to it. Found out that it should be run at 30- 35" merc instead of 25 to 30 as in the "C". Mon 12-22-41 Landed at Albrook last night and saw another poor show. Up at 4:00 - flying from 6:00 to 8:00. Test fired the six 50 cal. Guns on my ship today. Wow, what it must be like to be on the receiving end of that. Letters tonight to thank people for Xmas presents I"ve received. All of them are swell to get. All can be used. Tue 12-23-41 On alert but no flights as yet. It's 3:10 in the afternoon and believe it or not we were playing jacks. Tomorrow night's Xmas eve and we have off from 1:00 till five the next morning. Hope we get down to Albrook. Wed 12-24-41 No flying yet today. Just getting corns where I sit from lack of something to do. Managed to get into Albrook for Xmas Eve. Went to a show and was in bed by 11:00. Thu 12-25-41 Up at 4:00 to get down to the hangar by 5:00. On alert but slept til 8:30 & flew a patrol til 10:45 & then landed at Chorrera where we spent the rest of Xmas sweating. Fine meal but it just aint right with no snow. I am going to have to land that ship of mine slower than I have been. I almost overran the field today. Wonder how the P39's are going to get in and out of here. Am flying on Ross's wing now in "tail horse" position. Nice place to be. I have been getting queer ideas on how to get home on leave. Have to get rid of them. If Jeanne were here it'd be alright. Wonder how Dave is doing. Fri 12-26-41 On alert til 9:00 today and then again at 1:00 til 7:00 PM. Fine weather - nothing doing. Still nothing doing at 8:00 PM. Off alert at 7:00 and on again at 5:00 in the morning. Am writing letter to my gal. Wish to gosh she was here. Xmas & New Year's just aren't right away from home. Sat 12-27-41 Heard about a raise in pay for the officers that should boost our pay to about 300.00 a month. Sure hope it goes through. We are on alert til 9:00 and then off from 1:00 to 5:00 AM Sunday. It sounds alright from here. I'll take another show I guess. Tomorrow or the next day we are due to have 80 new flying officers & P-39's in here. 25 of them are coming up to Chorrera. Wonder if any are from our old 41-E. Sun 12-28-41 On alert at 5:00 again. Sat on our butts til 9:50 then came on back to Chorrera. We found Cols Gilhesen & Randall waiting for us. They ate Lt Smith out for waiting for the control officer to order us off. That damn Randall should get one good kick in the butt. Poor Smith isn't to blame but that makes little difference to him. Smith gets married on Tuesday. Mon 12-29-41 Still no sign of Smith since he went back to Albrook with Gilhesen and Randall. Hope they don't do anything to hold up his marriage. Still no sign of the P39's that should have been here some time ago. Wonder what's holding them up. This is a very boring day. Tue 12-30-41 Ho zob!!! For a change we got off on a flight today at 8:20. It was just a short job but better than nothing. I think we have a gunnery mission at 1:00 til 2:00 today. Smith gets married today. Sure wish it was Jeanne and I but it'll have to wait til ma sells the Nash. Wed 1-31-41 Well we floated Smith into marriage today. A fine job we did if I do say so. Got down to the hangar & found battery on my ship way down. Went off & got A.K. Hansen's while they got my ship going & then went back to Chorrera. Made a good landing. Find glides best with 3/4 flaps at 130 & still have enough field to land in. Thu 1-1-42 On alert flight at 8:00 til 9:40. Engine rough as a cob. I am going out & run it up after he changes the plugs. Found a letter from Jeanne today. Old Bill Luetzow got it the 27th of Dec. It isn't hard to figure what happened to him. Try to stay under an overcast and above the hills in a fog in a strange ship. "Errare Humanum Est". I'll bet he is laughing at us from up there. Nothing much to do today. Should be off tomorrow so I'll be able to play some pool with Gilmore. REFLECTIONS Many can remember this one, I hope you are one. The photographer for a national magazine was assigned to get photos of a great forest fire. Smoke at the scene was too thick to get any good shots, so he frantically called his home office to hire a plane. "It will be waiting for you at the airport!" he was assured by his editor. As soon as he got to the small, rural airport, sure enough, a plane was warming up near the runway. He jumped in with his equipment and yelled, "Let's go! Let's go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind and soon they were in the air. "Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make three or four low level passes." "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I'm going to take pictures! I'm a photographer, and photographers take pictures!" said the photographer with great exasperation and impatience. After a long pause the pilot said, "You mean you're not the instructor?" ++++++++++++++++++++ When the 7th arrived in Australia we were billeted at Camp Darley. Lt. Robert Morrisey, our commander at that time, did all the leading. I don't remember where we started the march from, nor the reason why, I can only say that after our stay aboard ship it was a painful march to Camp Darley. We had gone about ten miles, and the blisters on my heels were much larger than silver dollars. I finally reached a point where I could march no longer. Needless to say, when I sat down, many others joined the sit- down. This was bad. Now this is where Lt. Morrisey came into the picture. Unknown to many were the skills and understanding of the Lt. and how he wouldsolve this predicament. He knew that if he got me angry enough, I would go on sheer nervous energy. And I did, it was just a little more than a mile when Camp Darley came into sight. We had made it, blisters and all. There were cold showers at the camp, and the sleeping pads were filled with straw. At that point in time it didn't matter, I was dog tired, and my feet hurt so bad it didn't really matter. I just lay down and fell asleep, pain and all. The next day I couldn't get my boots on and the doctor now had another patient. He worked a miracle, and in no time at all, the feet were back in shape. When I asked Lt. Morrisey why he did it, he laughed and said that he knew if he got me angry enough I would march, blisters or not. And it worked. I had now learned how adept Bob was at getting things done. CHAPLAINS COLUMN Rescue Without Risk? The Lord will rescue me from every evil and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Timothy 4:18 My granddaughter Vannessa was a counselor with a student group in New York. She heard what she thought was a scream. It seemed to be coming from the ocean. Being night, and too dark to see, she carefully ran down the steps, across the beach to the water's edge. Because of the pitch darkness, the distant screams a blur, she delayed, but only for a moment. She threw off her shoes, forgetting her own safety, she plunged in to save what turned out to be a drowning girl. Others dove in to help. Vanny said, "I had to do it. Someone was dying!" Because of the courageous young woman, the selfless choice made a big difference, a life was saved. Scared? Though risky, she was the one who could do something. She did. This agonizing condition became more important to her than her own comfort and safety. It's always that way when there's a rescue. A person drowning, trapped in a building fire or the rubble of an earthquake. There's no rescue without risk. This includes the most critical rescue of someone who is dying spiritually because they don't know Jesus. Only He can rescue a person from the death penalty of sin. Jesus knows there's no rescue without risk. In Mark 10:45 it says, He came "to give His life as a ransom for many." Later He said to His followers, "As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you" John 20:21. Jesus was sent to lay down His life so others could live. Now He's sending you and me on the same rescue mission. He died to do whatever it takes to try and bring some people you know to heaven. Jesus left the comfort of heaven, the greatest comfort zone in the universe, just to rescue you and me. You are to leave your comfort zone to rescue someone you care about. Your mission is portrayed in Proverbs 24:11 "Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter." This is a life-or-death business, like on the beach that dark, dangerous night. You won't take the risks unless you realize that if you don't, that person may very well die without hope. Second Thessalonians 1:9 says, "He died so they don't have to die, because they haven't reached for the rescuer. Be the rescuer, they need to hear about Him from you! It's time to build a relationship with a lost person you know. Spend time, or write a letter about Jesus. Pray for opportunities to share life's most important relationship. Share the cross where God poured out His love for all. Don't wait for a professional lifeguard to do it. Like Vannessa on the beach, God has put you in the position to be someone's rescuer. It's life-or-death, you'll know what you have to do. Don't stand on the beach, save a life. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ STORIES In the beginning God covered the earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, combined with an abundance of green, yellow and red vegetables. He did this so that Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives. Then, using God's bountiful gifts, Satan created Dairy Queen and Tim Horton's. And Satan said: "You want hot fudge with that?" And Man said: "Yes!" And Woman said: "I'll have one, too. With sprinkles." And low and behold they gained 10 pounds. And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane, and combined them. And Woman went from size 2 to size 14. So God said: "Try my fresh green garden salad." And Satan presented crumbled Bleu Cheese dressing and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast. God then said: "I have sent you heart-healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep-fried coconut shrimp, butter-dipped lobster chunks, and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man's cholesterol went through the roof. Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with potassium and good nutrition. Then Satan peeled off the healthful skin, sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them in animal fats, adding copious quantities of salt. And Man packed on more pounds. God then brought forth running shoes so that his children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan introduced cable TV with remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering light and started wearing stretchy lycra jogging suits. God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and the 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then Satan said: "You want fries with that?" And Man replied: "Yes! And super size 'em!" And Satan said: "It is good." And Man and Woman went into cardiac arrest. God sighed...and created quadruple by-pass surgery. Satan chuckled and created The HMO ++++++++++++++++++++ An 85 year old couple, having been married almost 60 years, had died in a car crash. They had been in good health the last ten years mainly due to her interest in health food and exercise. When they reached the pearly gates, St. Peter took them to their mansion which was decked out with a beautiful kitchen and master bath suite and Jacuzzi. As they "oohed and aahed" the old man asked St. Peter how much all this was going to cost. "It's free," St. Peter replied, "this is Heaven." Next they went out back to survey the champion- ship golf course that the home backed up to. They would have golfing privileges everyday and each week the course changed to a new one representing the greatest golf courses on earth. The old man asked, "What are the green fees?" St. Peter's reply, "This is heaven, you play for free." Next they went to the club house and saw the lavish buffet lunch with the cuisines of the world laid out. "How much does it cost to eat?" asked the old man. "Don't you understand yet? This is heaven, it's free!" St. Peter replied with some exasperation. "Well, where are the low fat and low cholesterol tables?" the old man asked timidly. St. Peter lectured, "That's the best part. You can eat as much as you like of whatever you like and you never get fat and you never get sick. This is Heaven." With that the old man went into a fit of anger, throwing down his hat and stomping on it, shrieking wildly. St. Peter and the old man's wife both tried to calm him down, asking him what was wrong. The old man looked at his wife and said, "It's all your fault! It's all your fault!" His wife said, "My fault? What are you talking about?" He yelled, "If it weren't for your blasted bran muffins, I could have been here ten years ago!" ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Golf balls and beer A professor stood before his Philosophy 101 class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous - - yes. The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and proceeded to pour the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important thing, your family, your partner, your health, your children, your friends, your favorite passions - - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full." "The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else - - the small stuff." "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. Play another 18. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal." "Take care of the golf balls first - - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented????? The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers." ++++++++++++++++++++++ A blonde was shopping at a Target Store and came across a silver thermos. She was quite fascinated by it, so she picked it up and brought it over to the clerk to ask what it was. The clerk said, "Why, that's a thermos.....it keeps things hot and some things cold." "Wow, said the blonde, "that's amazing....I'm going to buy it!" So she bought the thermos and took it to work the next day. Her boss saw it on her desk. "What's that,' he asked? "Why, that's a thermos.....it keeps hot things hot and cold things cold," she replied. Her boss inquired, "What do you have in it?" The blond replied," Two popsicles, and some coffee!" +++++++++++++++ Why did the blonde resolve to have only 3 children? She heard that 1 out of every 4 children born in the world was Chinese. +++++++++++++++++++++ Did you hear about the near-tragedy at the mall? There was a power outage, and twelve blondes were stuck on the escalators for over four hours. ++++++++++++++++++++ NOTE: In the Chaplains column I decided to put an image, and change the text. It resulted in some goofs in the text. Delete the last line. Two guys are moving about in a supermarket when their carts collide. The first one says to the other, "Sorry about that, I'm looking for my wife and I guess I wasn't watching where I was going. The other guy says, "What a coincidence, I'm looking for my wife too, and I'm getting a little desperate." The first guy says "Well, maybe I can help you. What does your wife look like?" The second guy answers, "She's tall, with red hair, wet blue eyes, long legs, big firm breasts, and a tight butt. What does your wife look like?" To which the first guy replies, "Never mind, let's look for yours." +++++++++++++++++++++ Three dead bodies turn up at the mortuary, all with very big smiles on their faces. The coroner calls the police to tell them what has happened. First body: Frenchman, 60, died of heart failure while making love to his mistress. Hence the enormous smile, Inspector, says the Coroner. Second body: "Scotsman, 25, won a thousand dollars on the lottery, spent it all on whisky. Died of alcohol poisoning, hence the smile." The Inspector asked, "What of the third body?" "Ah," says the coroner, "this is the most unusual one. Billy-Bob the redneck from Arkansas, 30, struck by lightning." "Why is he smiling then?" inquires the Inspector. "Thought he was having his picture taken." MILITARY REPORT During WWII, American industry produced 34,780 long range bombers for the US Army Air Forces, plus many thousands of fighters and other airplanes. Later, during the early years of the cold war era the US Air force accepted 400 B-36s, 200 B-47s, 750 B-52s and 115 B-58s. Since 1992, though, no purchases of bombers have been made or planned. The most recent bombers, 100 B-1s and B-2s were accepted over a decade ago. Inevitably, the bomber fleet has aged and shrank. Currently, the USAF is obliged to make do with 157 bombers, of which only 96 are kept combat ready. USAF leaders loyally contend that these are adequate because today's planes and their weapons are more potent than ever before. While this is true, there is no credible substitute for our axiom for victory from Americas Civil War to "Get there the Firstest! With the Mostest." Unexpected combat loses, or unpredictable structural fatigue failures, or un-imagined technical surprise by an enemy, could leave us without any margin to absorb loses. Furthermore, our planes are now obliged to fly much further. The shut down of foreign bases in recent years has necessitated the longest flights ever flown. The most recent being in 2002 and 2003 to the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. That has translated into a lot of extra wear and tear on the equipment. It would have been greater yet, if Congresses in years past had not funded a large fleet of refueling tankers. That has spared combat loaded planes from having to land en-route to gas up. The almost sure agreement to acquire 100 new Boeing 767 tankers has fallen through, although with some scandal attached. On November 24, 2003, two very high officials were fired for having conspired to improperly obtain that contract for Boeing. Then about a month ago, the Secretary of Defense put the whole deal on hold to investigate it thoroughly. In the meanwhile, suffering from age, almost one third of the 544 KC-135s are in depot maintenance at any one time. While the USA has hesitated, Italy ordered four KC-767 tankers from Boeing, with the first delivery due in 2005. On the positive side, USAF, as of May 2004, has taken delivery of 113 of 180 C-17 transports that were ordered. So far, C-17 reliability and capability has exceeded expectations. Its service both in Afghanistan and Iraq has been beyond admirable. This information is made available to your editor through the generous gift of Col Walter Dorrer. Thanks Walter, I will start using some of your stories in the next edition. Hope you are holding in there. We all hope you had a great summer, and are looking forward to the coming fall and winter. We will miss you at the reunion. John
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