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March Newsletter
June 17, 2004
March Newsletter
Apr 11, 2004 -- Secretary's Notes (Editorial)
In the last issue I ended in the middle of Santa
and his gifts. Well! Santa finally said bye-bye
and then it was on to the feast. My cousin's
wife's sister arrived, she had received an
award, had a beautiful corsage, a beautiful girl
to say the least. This disturbance only lasted
for a few moments and it was off to the table
and all the eats. They went through a special
effort to make sure I was presented with all
the foods found in a truly Finnish Christmas.
After all the eating there was a toast and
shortly we had to leave all this celebrating to
get a little shut eye. The rest is from my diary
After all the Christmas fun was over, I packed
my stuff and it was off to the arctic circle. I
took a bus, there was no other transportation
from this point. It was a cold day, I dragged
my luggage through the snow and finally
made it to the bus. I was worried about buying
my ticket, I am not fluent in the language, but
it went well and I was off. There was one stop
where I had to change buses. The depot was
closed when we got there so I waited in the
cold. I finally got bus and it was off to the
most northern town, where I had to get to the
airport to meet my daughter who would arrive
by plane. She arrived along with hundreds of
people who were ready for skiing. We got her
stuff, took a taxi to our cabin near Sala, which
is on the Russian border. We made it, hooray!
It is Monday December 29, 2003, a cloudy
day and cold. I awoke at 6 am but did not get
out of bed because everyone else was still
asleep. We had our oatmeal and such and
donned our skiing gear. It was off to see if we
could make it to Reindeer Village. It was a
tough trip for this old duffer. I fell on one hill
but was able to get up on my own. There was
a wide assortment of cards and gifts at
Reindeer Village so we had a great time.
There was the time schedule for the reindeer
rides and other attractions. I had a hot
chocolate and a ginger snap in the shape if a
reindeer. It was good after the long trek. Then
I toured the museum to see what animals and
birds were there. I found a variety of reindeer
and elk as well. There was one lone
wolverine, and one river otter. A Golden
Eagle had the remains of a rabbit in its claws.
There was a neat arrangement of birds, flora
and fauna. A bob cat and wolves rounded out
the animal kingdom. (To be cont'd)
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 information for the 2004 reunion has
arrived. It has been set for Tuesday October
19th through Sunday 24th in Los Vegas. The
early date is for those interested in the Yucca
Mountain tour, which takes place, starting in
the early morning of the 20th of October. The
regular registration begins on Wednesday 20,
in the afternoon.
Thursday begins with the Squadron breakfast,
the Board meeting and General meeting. No
time given for the Nellis AFB tour, nor the
evening show. There is always gambling and
the Vegas strip. Friday is a free day with the
banquet and speakers at Nellis AFB in the
evening. Saturday is the Hoover Dam tour in
the morning and free time with dinner or a
show on your own. Sunday is the travel day.
Mark your calendars, mor information later.
+++++++++++++++++++
In one of our past editions I told about Bob
Warren's plane being recovered and flown.
There was news about that in the flyer. Keith
and Joy sent a note about it. Bob sent the
magazine and a separate picture of the plane
to me some time back. Thanks again Bob.
++++++++++++++++
The flyer also gave some changes in the
directory. Two e-mail changes were 7th ,
Oliver Atchison, olliverap@hiwaay.net and B.
Aschenbrener baschenbrener@yahoo.com
++++++++++++++++
They remind us that they are still looking for
someone to host the 2005 reunion.
CARDS LETTERS AND CALLS
The Protect and Avenge history book that
Kathleen Bush promised to send, arrived.
Thanks a bunch Kathleen. I will follow your
instructions, hope you received out card.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
As usual, there were a lot of messages from
Al Meschino. He always provides us with tons
of stories. We may include some in this
edition, space permitting. Thanks a bunch Al.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please put Ruth Holleman in your prayers.
Ben told me that she was not in good shape.
Sorry about.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
A call to Bob Hoffstater did not yield results.
Last week however, the was an e-mail, cant
give an explanation. He must have been ill.
We thank you for your message, we were
worried. When we don't hear from an old
soldier, we do get worried.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
The was a note from Jack Brody, thanks Jack
we always like to hear from you. My phone
calls to you have not be successful. We like to
be assured that all our members are still here
and in shape.
++++++++++++++++++++++
The was a note from Bill Hamilton also. The
last time I saw Bill was at the reunion. Bill
manages to stay in shape, hope to see you at
the next one Bill. Thanks for your note.
++++++++++++++++++++++
I placed a few calls, mostly to see these
members were ill. The first to George Churilla
a dear friend as well as a member. George was
a member of the Comm group so we were a
close knit group. We have lost most of our
members, but a few are still kicking about.
+++++++++++++++++++++
I called Mrs. Duncan Myers because she may
have information for a person on our bulletin
board. However, I was notified that the
number has been disconnected.
++++++++++++++++++++++
There were a number of messages from Super
Dave. I have tried to respond, not always
promptly. A vote of thanks from all our 7th
members. Dave is the Web Master for our
web site. He has done a beautiful job, and we
do appreciate his efforts. I have even had
compliments from my relatives in Finland.
They say it is a beautiful site.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
There were many messages from Australia. It
seems that our history is important to them
also, even though it may be for different
reasons. We are addressing their questions and
trying to supply answers. I mailed the
information about Lt. Sanford this week, and
plan to send the history of A. T. House soon.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have forgotten to check with Al Meschino if
there has been further progress on the Milden
Mathre story or history. In a past edition I
mentioned that Al had been in touch with the
daughter of Milden. I have forgotten to ask Al
if he has received a picture from them. I was
told that I have used the wrong photo for
Milden. I am anxious to correct my error. I
will send the photo the book publishers also.
If my photo is incorrect, their's is also. We
want to be as correct as possible, these photos
are used in other history books. Al if you have
new photos, please let me know.
CONTRIBUTIONS
The men hold this month's honors. First, a big
thank you to Bill Hamilton, he decided to do a
fattening job on our war chest. We thank Bill
and Nita, they sure have been faithful to our
group. Bill served as President for many years
A vote of thanks to Jack Brody for also
fattening our war chest. Jack has also been a
regular contributor. We appreciate your efforts
Jack. We will try to use it wisely. We have
managed to pay our way as we continue in our
17th year of publication. I rely heavily on the
input of our membership, and more so on the
contributions. They say that it is the money
that greases the wheels. We can be proud that
we have held together, and that we have
enjoyed a strong camaraderie. A big thank to
the many friends that have contributed so
much, they have truly helped.
REFLECTIONS
This reflection does not appear in total. It does
honor our generation They're not getting any
younger and there are fewer every day--
America's World War II generation. They may
seem like any other group of old people,
mostly retirees now, just old men and women
on porches, in nursing homes, parents and
grandparents-- but they're not. When they
were young, they saved the world.
Remarkable how completely ordinary it
seems. No other generation in world history
can make that claim.
Not the founders of the revolution, the ancient
Greeks and Romans, nor the baby boomers--
not even the early Christians. Past generations
had great struggles; other times had great
challenges; but at best here and there were
saviors of a town or country, vanguards of
unfulfilled promises, dreamers of visions.
America's World War II generation did not, as
a group, achieve heroism of an individual like
Joan of Arc, nor is there evidence that their
"souls were touched by fire," as Oliver
Wendell Holmes Jr. described the experience
of the Civil War when he had grown old.
But isn't it fitting that victory in the most
intense, deadly important struggle in human
history should seem sort of ordinary to those
who won it and those who benefitted?
America's World War II generation saved the
world because it had to be done, and no one
else was available to do it. It isn't that
America's Vietnam generation, for example,
both pro and con, couldn't or wouldn't have
saved the world, they didn't get the chance.
It isn't that the Russians, who actually broke
the Wehrmach, or the Chinese, who held
Japan's best troops in a death grip, or the
British or French or any of the rest of the
World's people, didn't win the war.
But they didn't save the world from an
unspeakable global evil. That was the
American's-- when, as Winston Churchill
said, the "new world came to rescue the old."
+++++++++++++++++++++++
You know you're too old for trick or treat
when your mustache tickles your mask.
DIARY (continued)
JANUARY 2nd
The mountains were really something to
behold today! Several of the men took a trip
up the peak behind our camp and came back
completely exhausted! It took them the whole
day to make the trip. Perhaps this should
deter me, but I am more anxious than ever to
undertake it. My wish was granted today-our
planes hit the Nips and knocked down either 5
or 8 of them. We lost one ourselves-a Capt.
Sohn from headquarters, took one of our ships
on the mission. I understand we only received
credit for four as the other was given to his
credit. Capt. DeHaven shot down two and
Capt. Myers got the same number. Had
another practice session of Golf, then visited
Smitty, Thompson and Rein for about an hour.
I have been discussing the mission with Lynch
and Hanson the last half-hour I finally
received a Christmas box from Mother
containing a bottle of stuffed olives and
candy. Boy! They indeed tasted good! I must
close now and write several letters before the
lights go out.
JANUARY 3rd
This has been a bad day-rain and heavy clouds
interfering with the bombing offensives. I
have felt rather tired today, hence did not do
much but sit about and read some manuals.
We had a movie this evening, "They Came To
Blow Up America," and I was quite bored
with it. I can't understand why they constantly
show us this type of picture unless Hollywood
is not making anything else these days. We
are all so weary of living with death each day
yet have to attend a picture such as this one if
we are to have any entertainment.
JANUARY 4th
The skies cleared today and activities were
resumed. We were not so fortunate in the
Squadron today as plane No. 26 came in to
land and piled up on a tractor. 1st. Lieut.
Allen had to run out into the field along side
the runway to avoid being hit. I spent the
morning cleaning pistols and almost had a bad
accident. While cleaning one .45, I replaced
the clip and pulled the slide back to see if it
was operating properly and forgot that I was
automatically forcing a shell into the chamber.
I then absent-mindedly leveled the gun off
with a tree just inside the jungle within the
sights, and pulled the trigger! Whoom! It's a
good thing I did not have it pointed out into
the camp area or there might have been one
less soldier in the area this evening. Had two
Airmail letters from Edna today, as well as a
grand Christmas box filled with cigarettes,
candy, peanuts and magazines. I have just
finished a letter of appreciation to her, and
shall retire with very tender thoughts of her
this evening.
JANUARY 5th
Grassey and I finally finished our work of
setting up a gas proof uniform for each man in
the Squadron today. It was quite a job as we
were unable to get sizes to fit all the men. We
have to hold another Gas Mask inspection
tomorrow, so that means we will be busy for
several more days. Church services were held
again this evening and I attended, then
stopped in Special Service and picked up
several magazines to entertain me for the
remainder of the evening. Things are so quiet
here that the fellows are again getting restless,
so I presume we will be moving up again
before long. Had a card from Aron Lumpe
today. Much to my surprise he is still in the
States-at Will Rogers Field. Some men are
very lucky these days! I felt certain that he
would be somewhere overseas now.
JANUARY 6th
Awakened to another beautiful morning. The
sky was crimson above the mountains as the
sun struggled over the horizon. To add zest to
this start, we had fresh fried eggs for breakfast
and they indeed tasted fit for a king! Grassey
and I hustled to work immediately after we
had eaten to accommodate the men who
wished to have their gas masks inspected
before they went out to the line to work. As
usual, the inspection kept us very busy
throughout the entire day. The "Brain Trust"
sitting behind the desks down in Australia
have directed that every man carry a tube of
Protective Ointment, a small piece of G.I.
Soap and a rag in his Gas Mask Carrier. The
result is just as we anticipated the tube of
ointment has been crushed in a great many
cases and the Gas Masks ruined as a result.
It's about time these fellows got wise to them-
selves! We were paid a few hours ago, then
had a movie. Everyone had to rush over to the
theater in order to get a seat as so many other
men besides those in our own outfit attend. I
just got there in time to secure a fair seat. The
picture was excellent, "Yankee Doodle
Dandy," starring Jimmy Cagney. I actually
liked him better in this picture than any I have
seen in the past. Of course the story is also
responsible for the success of a picture, and
this is a very good one.
JANUARY 7th
Beautiful weather again today, and I must
confess I felt somewhat irked on being con-
fined so closely. I finished repairing masks
and canisters, then cleaned a few guns. By this
time the men had come in from the line and
supper was ready. I then walked down to the
Orderly Room and found three letters in my
mailbox. A number of planes on patrol
entertained us after supper with some fancy
flying. When my neck finally tired, I visited
Special Service and practiced my Golf stroke
for perhaps a half hour. The remainder of the
evening has been spent talking with the boys
and writing letters. Not a particularly exciting
day but a satisfying one. No. 16 took off this
morning-got about 25 feet off the ground and
hit an air pocket---crashed, of course. We saw
"You Can't Escape Forever" this evening. It
was a good picture but many of the men did
not enjoy it as it was a little heavy for them
JANUARY 8th
Rain, rain and more rain today! As I am
inclined to be susceptible to these sudden
changes in weather, I did not overexert my-
self. Our planes were on the alert this after-
noon and took off about 3 p.m. when the skies
cleared for about a half hour. The strip was
very soft though and no.25 plane tore up part
of the adjoining field in an attempt to take off.
We have really been losing a large number of
planes lately that's the way it goes!
Fortunately, there were a lot of magazines in
the Orderly Room this afternoon so I availed
myself of a Collier's and a copy of Life to
pass the dreary evening. No mail arrived this
evening and this always adds to a miserable
feeling in the midst of such weather.
JANUARY 9th
An uneventful day to report this evening. Our
P-40's as well as a Squadron of P-47's strafed
Jap barges near Madang today. We lost
another ship, which crash-landed on the metal
strip. An enemy projectile had punctured the
hydraulic system and the landing gear would
not drop to the proper position for a landing.
The greatest news was the announcement that
some of the men are going home soon.
Naturally they are quite ex cited about it-some
of them are doing a little premature celebra-
ting with activated spirits at the present time.
JANUARY 10th
Our bombers made another very heavy raid on
the enemy positions to the North again today.
We can no longer hear the big guns firing up
the valley, so things must actually be going
our way by this time. A little mail dribbled in
today. I had a letter from Edna and a package
from Mabel and Russ. It contained candy,
nuts, cards, writing paper and a small sewing
kit-a very appropriate gift assortment for a
man so far from home. I just finished answer-
ing Edna's letter and shall retire, as the lights
will be going out soon.
JANUARY 12th
This has been a terribly hot day and a hard one
for the whole Squadron. We have had to
inventory all of our equipment again and turn
in an itemized report. It sounds as though
plans are already being formulated for a move.
It will suit me fine! I have just returned from
the theater-saw "We've Never Been Licked"
another war picture of course, but it was pretty
good and passed several more bore-some
hours time. Hanson, Lynch, Sokol, and myself
have been sitting here the past few minutes
discussing the picture and the actors. As
might be expected, there is quite a difference
of opinion. Lights will be going out in a few
more minutes, jot a letter to Edna and retire.
CHAPLAINS COLUMN
Preparing the Battlefield.
The Air Force described Operation Iraqi
Freedom, as "preparing the battlefield." The
relentless bombing of enemy forces amazed us
how quickly the Coalition ground forces were
able to move through areas that had been
defended by some of Saddam Hussein's best
divisions. As the military says, they were
"degraded" by the relentless bombing. When
the ground forces acted, the battle had largely
been decided by those pilots who had
"prepared the battlefield."
Those who prepare the battlefield and soften
up the enemy, in many ways are the ones who
decide the outcome. In military battles as well
as spiritual battles. Our General in heaven
makes it very clear what weapon goes ahead
and makes victory possible.
James 5:16, simply says, "The prayer of a
righteous man is powerful and effective." No
matter how you translate it, God is making it
clear that praying for a person or a situation is
ultimately decisive. That's why the Apostle
Paul pleaded with the Christians in Rome to
"join me in my struggle by praying to God for
me" (Romans 15:30).
Military officials stress how preparation is
effective because of the precise targeting they
employ. Targeting our prayers, aiming them
at specific targets can make a strategic
difference. When Paul asked people to join
him in his battle by praying, he asked them to
pray that he would be "rescued from the
unbelievers in Judea and that my service may
be acceptable." Right there we have two great
targets for our praying: rescue from our
enemies and a favorable response.
Here's another target for our prayer "bombs" -
"Pray that God may open a door for our
message. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly"
(Colossians 4:3-4). Pray for an open door for
opportunities to talk about Jesus, and for a
way to explain Jesus clearly. Great prayers.
Powerful prayers. Ephesians 6 commands us
to take our stand against the devil's schemes.
Also "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with
all kinds of prayers and requests." Praying
literally defies what Satan is trying to do. In
Jesus' words, "ties up the strong man" so we
can take back stolen goods ( Luke 11:21-22).
Let's never say, about a situation or a person,
"Well, I guess all I can do is pray." Targeted
prayer prepares the battlefield, expels the
enemy, changes hearts, removes obstacles,
releases the needed resources, and empowers
the troops. Many victories have eluded us
because we depended on other weapons to
win. Planning, promoting, persuading, and
politicking are all powerless without the
battlefield being prepared by prayer.
Please pray desperately, defiantly against
God's enemies. Pray decisively. Great
spiritual victories are actually pre-won, before
our "ground forces" ever go in by someone
who has already fought the battle, who has
already won the battle, in the Throne Room of
Almighty God!
STORIES
Don't be so busy adding up your troubles
that you forget to count your blessings.
The smallest deed done is greater than the
best of intentions.
Love is a language that can be heard by the
deaf and seen by the blind.
A house is made of wooden beams.
A home is made of love and dreams.
To be a good friend open your ears and heart
more often than your mouth.
People don't care how much you know
until they know how much you care.
--------------------------------------------------------
Simple vs. Real
A simple friend has never seen you cry.
A real friend has shoulders soggy from your
tears.
A simple friend doesn't know your parents'
first names.
A real friend has their phone numbers in his
address book.
A simple friend brings a bottle of wine to your
party.
A real friend comes early to help you cook
and stays late to help you clean.
A simple friend hates it when you call after he
has gone to bed.
A real friend asks you why you took so long to
call.
A simple friend seeks to talk with you about
your problems.
A real friend seeks to help you with your
problems.
A simple friend wonders about your romantic
history.
A real friend could blackmail you with it.
A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a
guest.
A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps
himself.
A simple friend thinks the friendship is over
when you have an argument.
A real friend knows that it's not a friendship
until after you've had a fight.
A simple friend expects you to always be
there for them.
A real friend expects to always be there for
you!
A simple friend will read and throw this letter
away.
A real friend will send it back to you until
he's sure it's been received.
+++++++++++++++++++
1. If you're too open-minded, your brains will
fall out.
2. Don't worry about what people think; they
don't do it very often.
3. Going to a church doesn't make you a
Christian any more than standing in a garage
makes you a car.
4. It isn't the jeans that make your butt look
fat.
5. Artificial intelligence is no match for
natural stupidity.
6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room
with a glance.
7. Not one shred of evidence supports the
notion that life is serious.
8. It is easier to get forgiveness than approval.
9. For every action, there is an equal and
opposite government program.
10. If you look like your passport picture, you
probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the
speed of checks.
12. A conscience is what hurts when all your
other parts feel good.
13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway. (Just
remember how lucky you were to get a free
trip around the sun.)
14. Men are from earth. Women are from
earth. Deal with it.
15. No man has ever been shot while doing
the dishes.
16. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind
and narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going
than coming.
19. Junk is something you've kept for years
and throw away three weeks before you need
it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than
you counted on.
21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables
you to recognize a mistake when you make it
again.
22. By the time you can make the ends meet,
they move the ends.
23. Thou shall not weigh more than thy
refrigerator.
24. Someone who thinks logically provides a
nice contrast to the real world.
25. If you must choose between two evils,
chose the one that you've never tried before.
+++++++++++++++++++
"Hard drive" -- Trying to climb a steep,
muddy hill with 3 flat tires and pulling a
trailer load of fertilizer.
"Keyboard" ---- Place to hang your truck keys.
"Window" ------ Place in the truck to hang
your guns.
"Floppy" ------ When you run out of Polygrip.
"Modem"-------- How you got rid of your
dandelions.
"ROM" --------- Delicious when you mix it
with coca cola.
"Byte" -------- First word in a kiss-off phrase.
"Reboot" ------ What you do when the first
pair gets covered with barnyard stuff.
"Network" ----- Activity meant to provide bait
for your trot line.
"Mouse" ------- Fuzzy, soft thing you stuff in
your beer bottle in order to get a free case.
"LAN" -------- To borrow as in, "Hey Delbert!
LAN me yore truck."
"Cursor" ------ What some guys do when they
are mad at their wife and/or girlfriend.
"bit" --------- A wager as in, "I bit you can't
spit that watermelon seed across the porch
longways."
"digital control" -- What yore fingers do on
the TV remote.
"packet" ------ What you do to a suitcase or
Wal-Mart bag before a trip.
Three natural blondes died and found
themselves standing before St. Peter.
He told them that before they could enter the
Kingdom, they had to tell him what Easter
was. The first blonde said, "Easter is a holiday
where they have a big feast and we give
thanks and eat turkey." St. Peter said,
"Noooooo," and he banished her to hell.
The second blonde said, "Easter is when we
celebrate Jesus' birth and exchange gifts." St.
Peter said, "Noooooo," and he banished her to
hell.
The third blonde said, she knew what Easter
is, and St. Peter said, "So, tell me." She said,
"Easter is a Christian holiday that coincides
with the Jewish festival of Passover. Jesus
was having Passover feast with His disciples
when he was betrayed by Judas, and the
Romans arrested him. The Romans hung Him
on the cross and eventually He died. Then
they buried Him in a tomb behind a very large
boulder. St. Peter said, "Verrrrrry good." Then
the blonde continued, "Now every year the
Jews roll the boulder back and Jesus comes
out. If he sees his shadow, we have six more
weeks of basketball."
St. Peter fainted.
++++++++++++++++++++
Message taken by a husband for his wife from
her doctor: "Doctor called and said that Pabst
Beer is normal."
+++++++++++++++++++++
A woman from New York was getting her
affairs in order. She prepared her will and
made her final arraignments.
As part of these arraignments she met with her
rabbi to talk about what type of funeral service
she wanted, etc. She told her rabbi she had
two final requests. First, she wanted to be
cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes
scattered over Bloomindales. "Bloomindales!"
the rabbi said. "Why Bloomindales?"
"That way, I know my daughters will visit me
twice a week."
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