SPRING GATHERING?
There has been conversation re a spring gathering and Amelia Island was mentioned by several of you. Now is the time to determine if we are serious about this.
I have had conversations with Jack Helan, (former USMC) current manager of Amelia Islands Plantation. For 12 and 13 March he quoted us an excellent base rate of $120/night (normally $208) for a double at the plantation hotel. This would be Wednesday & Thursday. With tax and service charges the bottom line on the room would be closer to $145 per night. We will have to get specific pricing for different dates. Rates will depend upon availability.
Facilities: Amelia is a full service resort with typical resort type things. Here is an excerpt from their letter:
Everybody loves Amelia because there is something for everyone to enjoy here. Your attendees can choose from 54 holes of championship golf, 23 Har-tru tennis courts shaded by the Live Oak canopy, racquet ball, 24 swimming pools and a full service health & fitness center. Our unique recreational activities include tranquil kayaking, nature excursions guided by our professional naturalists, hiking and biking trails, exploring our Sunken Forest, deep-sea and backwater fishing, sailing, beachcombing, shelling and horseback riding on the beach.
The newest addition to the resort is The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation. The spa offers 25 treatment rooms and features a full menu of pampering and therapeutic treatments that are soothing, stimulating and rejuvenating. This world class facility is nestled among moss-draped oaks and tranquil lagoons with a signature treatment room that features a Watsu pool on its own private island. Within the Shopping Village of Amelia you will find an upscale clothing boutique, an art gallery, a jeweler, a home accessories store, a holiday shop and a nostalgic coffee and dessert bar.
Guests can enjoy a variety of culinary delights from any of our eight restaurants and lounges.
Web Site: Check out at: http://www.aipfl.com/index.htm
Air Information: 29 miles away, Jacksonville International Airport is serviced by all major carriers including American, Continental, Delta, USAirways, United, Southwest and Northwest. Each-way transfer is available via Amelia Island Plantation Transportation at a rate of $36 per passenger.
Action: Please contact me asap and let me know the following:
1. Are you interested in this trip?
YES NO 2. How many nights would you want to stay?
2 3 3. On what date would you like to arrive/depart?
4. Would you attend with or without spouse?
WITH SOLO
SF, Tom
MOFAK WEBSITE
For those who have not yet found it, be sure to check out the excellent personal site of Donald Edward Cathcart (Mofak). We believe you will enjoy it. It may inspire you to create something similar for posterity. Go to: http://mofak.com/
RED NOSE REVIEW
Dave Swaney, Editor-in-Chief, reports mailing 422 copies of the RNR on Saturday, 11 January 2003. Your copy will be in your mailbox soon. All historical, amusing and/or informative contributions should be send to Dave for publication. They would be greatly appreciated. You may contact him at: DaveSwaney@aol.com
NAVCADS
AVCAD/NAVCAD/MARCAD Reunion 2004 planning is underway. A target date of early November 2004 is set for the next reunion at Pensacola. In order to be listed in the roster and also receive further information write:
AVCAD/NAVCAD Reunion Coordinator
Jodi Daron
P. O. Box 2488
Pensacola, FL 32513
Be sure to include your full current address and your service dates/locales as a Cadet.
TAPS
We are saddened to report the death of two warriors. Generals Jay Hubbard and Joe Foss.
General Hubbard died at approximately 7:00 AM on Monday, 30 December 2002. As many of you know he was in the South Coast Medical Center in Laguna, CA. His family was with him. He will be cremated and a Memorial Service will be held later this month at MCAS Miramar. Major Jay Hubbard was Commanding Officer of VMF-235 from March 1956 to October 1956.
General Foss died in Scottsdale the afternoon of 1 January 2003, attended by family and friends. No firm funeral arrangements have been made but Arlington or South Dakota are possibilities. A memorial service in Scottsdale is anticipated later.
We will post information on services when it becomes available (see below).
Joe and Jay Hubbard both went up to be pallbearers for Marion Carl when he died. All three will be sorely missed.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Buck Peck passed along the following information:
Jay's Memorial Service will be held at the MCAS Miramar Base Chapel at 1:00 PM on Friday, January 24th, 2003. (For those without a valid DOD ID Card, you should tell the sentry that you are attending Jay's Service and show a picture ID of every adult in the car).
A Reception will follow at 2:00 PM in MCAS Miramar Officers Club. The family has asked that we "spread the word." So (appreciative of the fact there will be duplications), I'm asking that you send this to those on your list who may not be on mine and blame me for the spam! Only one exception: Paul Speer will inform the Golden Eagles.
You need to know that the Super Bowl will be held in San Diego on January 26th, so those flying in should plan to leave Saturday or (at the latest) Sunday morning to get the best rates.
I know this will be a sad occasion, but Jay would want us to have a good time - let's try hard to accommodate him!
Warm regards and Semper Fidelis, Bob Butcher
MORE
...Jay approached everything in his life with enthusiasm, vigor and a sense of "I can do that", and he did it. BGEN Hubbard enlisted in the USMC as a private in August 1940, was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in 1942 and saw action as an Infantry Lt. with the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion (Bougainville) and the 4th Marine Regiment (Emirau, Guam and Okinawa) during World War II. After the war he entered flight training and received his Naval Aviator wings in August l947. There followed a long and illustrious career in Marine aviation. Jay saw action in Korea flying the F4U Corsair (89 missions) and in Vietnam flying the A4C/E Skyhawks (81 missions). Jay himself said it was a privilege for him to command two record setting Marine Jet Fighter Squadrons: VMF-235 with FJ-2's in Atsugi, Japan (1955-56) and VMF-232 with FJ-4's in Kaneohe, Hawaii (1956-58). BGEN Hubbard would later serve as Commanding General, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing (1970-72). Jay Hubbard was a true American hero as attested to by his combat awards from the Silver Star to the Purple Heart, an exceptional leader who had five aviation commands and a devoted husband and father. January 10, 2003 would have been he and Dorla's 60th wedding anniversary. He touched all of our lives in a positive way. He even admitted to have checked out in five helo types.
Brigadier General Jay W. Hubbard, USMC will be missed.
My respects to all, Pilot, Paul Speer
NEW YELLOWSHEET ARTICLE
GUNNERY AND BANANA WARS, a excellent article by a 235er Matthew (Buck) Peck ,appears in the current issue of the Yellow Sheet. Don't miss it. One more reason to be an active member of MCAA. The tale is also posted on the MCAA website. Click here and go to "Yellow Sheet"
NEW PHOTOS
Take a look at the new photos on the Snapshot Page. See below for more Crusader photographs.
CRUSADER PHOTOS
Wings folded landing captured on film courtsey of George Lord. Shipboard Crusader photos just added: Click here.
NORFOLK GATHERING
NOTE TO VMSB-235 REAL OLDTIMERS:
RECEIVED 29 SEP 02 from Pete Killie
Dear Sir; I am a former Marine who is doing research for an article on VMSB-235. I would like to contact anyone who has any information on the original VMSB-235 squadron patch that was made in Australia circa early 1944. In addition I would like to contact anyone who knew or has information about Lt. John C. (Jack) Hayde (pilot) and/or Staff Sergeant Aubrey C. Taylor (gunner). I would appreciate any help. Regards and Semper Fidelis, Pete Killie, Ridgefield Detachment, Marine Corps League (203)798-6678 Reply by email to: Pete @ Kille2044@cs.com
FUTURE MCAA SYMPOSIUMS SITES
Planning for future sites of our MCAA symposium was discussed at length at the general membership meeting in Norfolk. As it now stands a permanent rotation is planned between three cities: New Bern, Pensacola, and San Diego. Consideration is being given to a fourth location in 2006. At this time Orlando and Reno are possible choices.
This topic generated more comments at the meeting than all other topics combined. New Bern was not a favorite choice. Several asked why we could not visit more attractive and larger cities. The response was: too expensive and no marine support. Cost being important because it was felt the young members couldn't afford it or would choose not to spend the dollars in a more expensive city. Many members, including your president, do not agree with this analysis. Many of us believe that going to larger and more interesting cities will generate more attendance not less.
If you have an opinion in this debate, please contact Dan or J.P. at MCAA and pass along your thoughts. They want the input.
Contact them at: 703-630-1903 or toll free 800-280-3001, Fax: 703-630-2713, email: mcaa@flymcaa.org
The website is http://www.flymcaa.org
MCAA 2003 NEW BERN
If you like to make long range plans go to the Links Page and check out the information on Cherry Point, New Bern and The Sheraton Grand. Make your reservations now and get a choice room. For those of you who made the last MCAA New Bern trip, note that the hotel has significantly expanded and upgraded its accommodations.
SPRING BREAK GATHERING?
The very successful Squadron-235 Pensacola Mini-2002 gathering was discussed at the Squadron's annual meeting, held in Norfolk in conjunction with MCAA 2002. This January get-together was enjoyed by over 30 squadron members and their guest. The question is: do we want to do it again and if so when and where.
Most all agreed the date should be moved from January to a slightly warmer month. Maybe March or April. Several sites were mentioned including San Antonio, Memphis, Orlando, Phoenix, Amelia Island, Key West and a cruise ship.
If you and/or your spouse are interested in a spring break, contact us with your thoughts on the subject.
DUES UPDATE
We are in the process of updating the site rosters to reflect the current dues status of each squadron member. Check the roster to see if you are current. If you aren't send $10 for your 2002 dues to: James E. Strawn, 4633 Bruce Road, Chester, VA 23831. Please contact us re any errors in your data.
NEWLY FOUND SQUADRON MEMBERS
Several former 235 members have contacted us in the past three to four weeks. We have not as yet been able to respond to each but shall do so in the near future. Meanwhile, welcome aboard and send Jim ten bucks. see above paragraph.
SITE DIRECTORY
Please note the Site Directory page. Viewers new to our site may find it usefull in navagating the territory.