I am finally ready to announce we have a date for our 2025 reunion.
It will be held in Branson MS from Sept 25-28,2025.
As I am sure you are aware the cost of everything has increased and that will include this event as well.
Although the hotel price is $109/night plus tax, which is great. The hotel we had it in before is closed but this one looks good. That price is with a minimum of 10 paid rooms.
it has a bar/restaurant, free parking etc.
here is their website.
https://www.thousandhillsresorthotel.com/en/. DO NMOT book your room until I get the code for the discounted rate.
This year we will start reunion on Thurs and end it with dinner on Sat. ( 3 days instead of 4)
We will have a luncheon and show on the Showboat Branson Belle on Friday.
Sat we will visit the Veterans Museum and College on the Ozarks to include Patriots Park.
The closest airport is Springfield, MS.
more info to follow.
I will email and snailmail the registration forms out next week as well as post them on this website.
Fill it out and mail back to me ASAP
PLEASE email or call me if you are planning on attending ASAP
hope to see ya’ll there. If you want to see and talk to any of your old VP40 shipmates, now would be the time.
We are dropping like flies it seems.

Guy Fisk
(828) 423-2106
gfisk575@gmail.com
ggfisk@vp40.com

my new address is
Guy Fisk
115 Snowy Egret Way
Hendersonville, NC 28792

I just learned from John Hall that Larry Kauble passed away
om Oct 23,2023.
Although Larry was not a member of our group I am sure a l lot of us remember him.
He was an ADR3, worked in the shop I do not think he was in any flight crew. Someone can correct me if I am wrong about that.

I also received notice that Tom Paden passed away in Oct 2024 He was in VP40 in 1966. He also was not in our group but I am
including ANY former VP40 personnel that I get info on them.

I received this today.

I need to report the passing of your shipmate Malcolm F. Swall on 3,2,2025.
Sincerely, Sylvia Bate-Swall, his wife.

Mike was in VP40 as a LTJG from 1955-1958.
You can contact his wife Sylvia @ ggsylvia2@gmail.com

here is his Obit.

Birth: 1932

Death: 2025

Malcolm “Mike” Francis Swall
OBITUARY
Captain Mike sailed off into the sunset one last time. He was born in Oakland, CA but went to grade school in Hawaii. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, his family evacuated to Pasadena, CA. As soon as he could, he joined the Navy with the NavCad pilots’ program, where he got his BS degree and a Commission in the United States Navy. He flew P5 Marlin seaplanes and did two deployments to the South China Sea with squadron VP40 out of San Diego. He then finished 20 years in the reserves, flying P2 Neptunes.

During his time in the reserves, Mike started one of San Diego’s first recycling companies, A1 Paper Company. After retirement, he earned his 100-ton Coast Guard License and started his boat charter business, using his faithful Cavalier 39 sloop, Kiwi.

With an active and engaged mind, Mike and his wife, Sylvia, were co-founders of the non-profit organization Challenged Sailors, providing adaptive sailing opportunities for vets and others with disabilities. Founding and participating in Challenged Sailors enriched Mike’s life amazingly.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Sylvia Bate. He leaves behind three children, Malcolm Thomas (wife Susan), Megan (wife Patricia), and Leah (wife Dr. Kim). He also leaves two stepchildren, Sue and Angela. He enjoyed ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: Chelsea; Jessica (husband Sean) with great-grandson Seamus; Deserre; Nena; Brooke (husband Andrew) with great-grandson Adam; Sage and Michael; Marcelo (wife Jennifer) with great-grandchildren Cameron and Elyse; Jennifer; Manny (wife Katie) with great-granddaughters Betty and twin girls Roxie and Maeve – the last two born into this world on the same day Mike passed out of it.

Mike was predeceased by his parents Malcolm and Frances Swall, brother Don Swall, his first wife Mary Ellen, and numerous fellow Naval Aviators from Squadron VP40.

A celebration of Life will be held on April 5, 2025, from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Southwestern Yacht Club, 2702 Qualtrough St., SD 92106.

I wish all of you and your families a
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY and HEALTHY NEW YEARS.
se ya’ll for our 2024 reunion in Branson, Mo. sept/oct time frame.
more info when available.

Here is link for more info published by VA
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/publications/agent-orange/agent-orange-2023/index.asp

please read and pass it on
Guy

Another successful reunion comes to a close.
We had 30 people attend our 2023 reunion in Nashville, Tn.
9/11-14/2023.
Although I must say our drinking has vastly diminished. (which is probably good for us).
The Grand Ole Opry was great as usual.
At our business meeting we voted on hosting our 2024 reunion in Branson, MS.
We had been there a few years ago and it is a great military reunion town.
I have requested an RFP and I will post the findings and dates when it is decided, probably end of Sept or early Oct, 2024.
I hope everyone made it home OK from the reunion and it was decided to continue as long as we have people attend. We had 2 new P3 people sign up for it but unfortunately 1 couple had to cancel due to health problems. Remember we are now accepting ALL VP squadrons and ( active and inactive).
thanks to all attendees and I look forward to seeing you again in Branson in 2024
Guy Fisk

Our VP40 reunion is a month away and we only have 30 people signed up.
The time is NOW to “get er done”.
or as my grandad used to say “shit or get off the pot”
We still need 15 more room nights to make our minimum. Otherwise they will charge us
$400/day for our Ready Room. (this is something new for us)
So if you are planning on coming, do it now. Also fill out the attached registration form
and return to me ASAP. I have to have final meal count and Grand Old Opry count by 8/11.
Hope to see you all there this year
Guy Fisk
(828)423-2106

The web site is back up and running. Still some repair work to do, but it is working now.
TheVP40 reunion is still on for Sept 11-13 in Nashville, TN.
We are staying at The Inn at Opryland (615)231-8808. Tell them you are with the VP40 reunion for a special rate.
If you plan on attending call me (828)423-2106 or email me ggfisk@vp40.com
I am posting the reservation form here. fill it out mail it to me along with the money
Do Not wait as I have made obligations to the hotel and WE will have to incur costs if we do not make the quota.
thanks and hope to see ya all there
Guy Fisk
LAGING HANDA

2023 reunion registration and meals form

2023 reunion registration and meals form

Fred Malick has had a surgery that was very unexpected.

He went in for a hernia  operation and because of blood clots,

he wok up with his right leg amputated just above the knee.

Please get in touch with him and wish him well.  He was in VP40 from 1964-66

He is a good friend and shipmate.

Guy

Our 2023 Reunion will be in Nashville, TN. Sept 11-13. The hotel is the The INN at Opryland. More info will be posted on this website. It will also be emailed to all our members. SO make sure I have your current email address or you will miss out on all the fun.
If you are interested in attending contact me
Guy Fisk
(828)423-2106
ggfisk@vp40.com