VPNAVY VP-8 Reunion
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

ReunionVP-48 ReunionsReunion

2000's

ReunionsREUNIONs: "...VP-48 will be having their Squadron Reunion September 30th through October 4th, 2015 in San Antonio, TX. Further information available on http://www.vp48.org/..." Contributed by ANDERSON, AX2 Lee "Andy" vp48sugarfox1@gmail.com [23FEB2015]


ReunionsREUNIONs: "...A reminder that the 2013 VP-48 Reunion will be held at the San Diego Holiday Inn Bayside on October 16-20, 2013. The rooms rates have been locked in at $109.00 per night. A VP-48 Memorial Service will be held at the Mt. Soeldad Veterans Memorial, http://www.soledadmemorial.com/. Many other activities are in the planning stages as well. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this event. See our WebSite for additional information: http://www.vp48.org..." Contributed by ANDERSON, AX2 Lee (Andy) vp48sugarfox1@gmail.com [08JAN2013]


ReunionsREUNIONs: "...The VP-48 Reunion will be held in Norfolk, VA. September 21-25, 2011. The VP-48 Reunion Association currently has over 500 members who served in VP-48 from the early 1950's through the late 1970's. All who served in VP-48 during this time are invited to attend. Registration information can be found on the VP-48 web site: http://www.vp48.org..." Contributed by ANDERSON, AX2 Lee (Andy) vp48sugarfox1@gmail.com [26FEB2011]


ReunionsREUNIONs: "...VP-48 Reunion will be in Branson, MO, September 23-27, 2009, for "All Hands" serving in the Squadron from the 1950's through the 1970's. Contact information is available on the VP-48 web site http://www.vp48.org. Lee Anderson vp48sugarfox1@gmail.com ..." [31AUG2009]


ReunionsREUNIONs: "...VP-48's, Circa 1950's through 1970's, Bi-Annual Reunion will be held September 27-30, 2007 in San Diego, CA. 2007. For more information go to http://www.vp48.org and view the Newsletter...Lee Anderson vp48sugarfox1@gmail.com [19JAN2007]

UPDATE "...A band of brothers reunites in San Diego - Record Courier Staff Reports - October 14, 2007..." WebSite: The Record Courier http://www.recordcourier.com/ article/ 20071014/ Community/ 110140034 [15OCT2007]

Have you ever seen a flying boat? This large gray and white airplane with pontoons hanging from the wings was an anti-submarine patrol aircraft during the Vietnam War. The men who manned it were in Squadron VP-48 and their job was to conduct surveillance in the South China Sea from 1962 to 1967. The VP-48 is the Navy's designation for "heavier than air" and the 48 designates patrol squadron 48. My husband was in that squadron and we recently went to San Diego to reunite with this "band of brothers."

Every two years this group of men gather together to remember those days when they were young Navy sailors with an important job to do for their country. The numbers lessen each reunion as the sailors from 40 years ago have become gray-haired elderly men, but that doesn't matter now as it's the memories that count. On one of the days we toured the excellent International Aerospace Hall of Fame where rare artifacts and reproductions of early flying machines were displayed - but the P5M seaplane, also known as the flying boat, was not there.

There were many very exciting airplanes all around us: the Wright brothers' 1901 glider, the Fokker and Sopwith Pup, the Mustang, Warhawk, Spitfire, Hellcat, Wildcat and today's Blackbird and Sea Dart. We also got to see the museum's replica of the Spirit of St. Louis - the only flying replica in the world. There was a WWII Flying Tiger, but no flying boats. They came about 20 years later during the Vietnam conflict. We heard there was one still left and it's exhibited in Jackson, Fla., and it might be the last remaining P5M seaplane in existence.

San Diego's Air and Space Museum displays the Mercury and Gemini spacecraft and also Boeing's GPS-12 satellite. When you walk in the door of the museum you'll see the actual scorched Apollo 9 command module, "Gumdrop" and there's a spacesuit identical to the one astronaut Neil Armstrong was wearing when he first set foot on the moon back in 1969. It reminded me of the time my husband and I were traveling around Scotland in a rental car and we spent a night along the River Teviot in an ancient castle called Branxholme. It was once the home of Sir Walter Scott and Lady Margaret Douglas, but when we stayed there it was owned by Neil Armstrong. Our little room was dark and dank and the bed was only five feet long. I was haunted all night by a crazy woman with whiskey on her breath. We later learned that many people believed the castle to be haunted. After one sleepless night of strange sounds and smells, I was a believer too.

After three wonderful days at the reunion, the final banquet of VP-48 was held at the Admiral Kidd Club at the Point Loma Naval Station. We sang the national anthem and there was a presentation of colors and then a candle was lit for each deceased sailor as his name was read. This close-knit band of brothers will continue to remember their many friends from those years on the flying boat. We thank them, and all of the Armed Forces who have defended our United States of America

Tidbit: October is National Fire Prevention Month. Remember to plan the escape route from your house in the event of fire - plan it and practice it regularly.

-- Linda Monohan may be reached at 782-5802.


ReunionsREUNIONs: "...VP-48 Reunion, Circa 1950's through 1970's, in San Diego, October 13-16, 2005. Reunion info on the VP-48 web page, http://www.vp48.org...Lee Anderson vp48sugarfox1@gmail.com [07JAN2004]


ReunionsREUNIONs: "...The early VP-48 folks already have Reunions - what about coordinating a P-3 only Reunion every 5 years at Moffett Field, California? I am happy to work on that effort to plan and coordinate it all..." Contributed by MARCHETTI, AT1 James "Jim" tazmarchetti@yahoo.com [07JAN2004]


ReunionsREUNIONs: "...The 2003 VP-48 Reunion has been scheduled for October 9, 2003 thru October 12, 2003 in Pensacola, FL. Reservations begin April 15, 2003. For more information contact Arnold Fox at aafx1@alltel.net or Jim Chambers at jimc1@direcway.com...Lee Anderson vp48sugarfox1@gmail.com ..." [12APR2003]


ReunionsREUNIONs: "...Representing VP-48 (1984-1987), I participated in a mini-Reunion at the Kennedy Space Center on November 23, 2002. I met several other former Boomers who were there to watch the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour. On board was VP-48 alumnus, CDR John Herrington, now a NASA astronaut and FLIGHT ENGINEER! Also viewing the launch were prior Boomers John Pedersen, Dave Atala, Jeff Gebhart, Chris Verbil and Joe Oswald. God Speed, John Herrington!...PIERCE, Doug dhpierce1@cox.net..." [27NOV2002]


ReunionsREUNIONs: "...A montage of the NAS Trinidad Reunion (FASRON-105, VPMS-8, VP-34, VP-48, and VP-208) Group Memphis Reunion 9/26-9/29, 2002 and a picture of VP-34 attendees..." Contributed by Nick Farnett njf5@comcast.net [22NOV2002]
VP-56 Roster Picture ThumbnailCamera
VP-56 Roster Picture ThumbnailCamera
VP-56 Roster Picture ThumbnailCamera


ReunionsREUNIONs: "...The next VP-48 Reunion is tentatively scheduled for October 18 through 21, 2001 in San Diego, CA. Please visit the VP-48 WebPage at: http://www.vp48.org/ for complete information. Our current Roster is made up of mostly P5M Sailors from the 1960's...ANDERSON, AX2 Lee (Andy) vp48sugarfox1@gmail.com ..." [17MAR2001]

UPDATE "...We had 130 people present... including 3 past Commanding Officers, and one Exec. Good food, weather and fun was had by all...ANDERSON, AX2 Lee (Andy) vp48sugarfox1@gmail.com ..." [21OCT2001]


1990's

ReunionsREUNIONs: "...A reunion is in the making for October of 2000 in Las Vegas, NV. for the people from VP 48 that were with the squadron from the early 60s until 1966 when the squadron transitioned from the P5M to the P-3. Contact Charley Hahn at Chashan@earthlink.net for information..." Contributed by Rick Johnson ADC USN Retired Kachina5@aol.com..." [Updated 11AUG99 | 01JUN99]


ReunionsREUNIONs: "...The 1998 Trinidad Reunion in Tampa was a great success thanks to our host Phil and Cindy Haas. The VPB-208 and related NAS Trinidad, British West Indies units will have their 1999 Reunion in Trinidad this year on 29 September to 3 October. The 15th of January was the deadline for making reservations. In 2000 we will have our Reunion in Branson, Missouri...Franklin D. Barrett barrett@ozarkisp.net..." [16JAN99]


ReunionsREUNIONs: "...The Pilots of VP-48 from 1953 to 1955 are having a Reunion on NAS Whidbey Island, Washington this week starting on Sept. 10. If any of you folks out there were a part of the squadron during those dates send in your hellos and I'll be glad to pass them on to the guys.We meet about every 2 or 3 years and have between 40 and 50, including wives show up...James S. Bleecker bleecker@ix.netcom.com..." [07SEP98]

UPDATE "...We had 26 0f our pilots show up along with wives. Had a great time on NAS Whidbey Island, Washington for 3 days...James S. Bleecker bleecker@ix.netcom.com..." [23SEP98]


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