Troop News, Events and Recently Received Information.
There might even be some Squadron News here too from time to time.
This will be a temporary repository for more recent items of interest pertaining to the Troop and stuff that I really haven't found a place for yet on the Website .
Please email your news items to the Troop webmaster at:    warwagon14 at gmail dot com 

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Crusader Pilot and Plank Holder "Bob" Chambless has unexpectedly passed away.

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Long Knife 26, John Sorensen installed as new President of VHPA

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Our Old Buddy and long time friend of the Troop, Tony Spletstoser had open heart surgury last year. The chest wound hasn't healed and he now has infection in the bone. Tony will be back at Atlanta VA hosp for more surgery soon.
Please let him know he is in our thoughts and prayers : lztiger@earthlink.net


Kim King and Tony at the 2010 Reunion

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Posted 10 Jan 2011
Jim Sulfridge checked in


"Tumbleweed"
I just had to tell someone today a lady thanked me for serving after 39 years.
I just was shocked to say the least.

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Posted August 30, 2010
It is my sad duty to inform the Troop of the passing of Jim Nestor.
Jim was War Wagon 11 during 1968.
He died on August 20, 2010
You may extend sympathies to his Wife, Janet, via email at:
jnjnestor at aol.com

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Posted 16 August, 2010
Troop Alaska Cruise News
Click here for a link to the information page.

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Posted 1 August 2010
Doughboy Steve Kurtz has checked in with a current photo

Then


Now


You can contact Steve at:  dustydog49  at  q.com

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Posted 1 August, 2010
This in from Doughboy Joe Paonessa  (Yeah Joe, we consider you a Doughboy)

"Some of us are talking about an Alaska Cruise next Summer (2011). Maybe June, July or August.
We are getting ideas for time and cost.
If you want to be informed of developements, send me an email and I will include you on the mailing list.
I will also forward your preferences to the group.
We'll do what the majority agrees with."

"This is not a Dance Cruise but we will certainly find time to dance. Anyone that is interested may go. Tell your friends."
Contact Joe at:  joepaonessa  at  hotmail.com
Phone:   three three zero - 882- four 196

Webmaster note: As this cruise begins to get organized, I will install a link to a "Cruise Page".

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Posted 27 July 2010
Tony Spletestoser Celebrates 83 Years Young!
Many of you may remember Tony from around the flight line in Vietnam or perhaps one of the many Troop Reunions he and his Sons have attended.

Greetings from the Geezer. (83 as of 07-02-10) I'm still recovering from my birthday trip to NAS Pensacola. 
My son Nick, the Chaplain, Captain US Army, took me to see my used-to-be airplane. (F4U-1D Corsair)
 It now resides at the Naval Air Museum at Pensacola. The museum staff treated me royally.
Of course they were happy to receive the original Navy Airframe and Engine Log books from the time I had it through the time the US Navy owned it. 
     My deal was, "let me sit in my Bird one more time." 
Since the Bu Navy numbers in my Log books matched the Corsair's Tail number, they were tickled sheetless. 



As you can see, this photo was taken in May 1966.


It was a lot harder to climb into the cockpit this time than I last remember.  They had to find a TALL ladder for me, but I made it.
It was going to happen even if they had to get a forklift. Ha-ha!
  

The aircraft had been repainted to represent the aircraft once used for a WWII War Bond photo Op for
 Pappy  Boyington of the famous VMF 214, Black sheep Squadron.


On the left is my old friend, Pat Ross, former CWO and Cobra Jock with D trp 3/5th Air Cavalry at Dong Tam and Vinh Long, RVN '69-'70.
Between Pat and I are my sons Nick and L'Tony, then the Geezer---me, Then Nick's wife, Deana, and Baby Jo.