I am sorry to pass this out.

Dick Pennington died on Sunday 7/18/21.

he had heart problems for awhile and finally it beat him. Dick was in my crew for awhile. I last had lunch with him and Bob Kinner a couple of years ago. 

RIP my friend and crewmate.

Harold R. “Richard” Pennington, 79, of Eaton, OH, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 18, 2021 at Reid Hospice in Richmond, with his family by his side. Born November 22, 1941 in Wharton, West Virginia, he is preceded in death by parents Todd Waller and Pearl (Hampton) Waller. Richard served with the US Navy during the Vietnam War from1961 – 1966. His military training was as an airplane mechanic, but he also flew as a crew member of a Martin P5M Marlin. After being discharged from the Navy, he worked as a machinist for Standard Register in Dayton for well over 30 years. After leaving Standard Register, he continued working several other jobs, finally retiring in 2006. A member of Bolivar Masonic Lodge # 82 F & AM of Eaton, he was a participant in Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, Scottish Rite and Jerusalem Commandry # 75 York Rite. He would put out a yearly vegetable garden and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

On August 18, 1972, Richard married his sweetheart Donna F. Flory. Together they spent nearly 49 years as husband and wife. That marriage brought two sons Thomas Pennington of Hilliard, OH and Chris Pennington and wife Katie of Miamisburg; he was Papaw to Sandy and Tyler Pennington; a brother to Carolyn Waller Wright of Parkersburg, West Virginia, Toby Waller and wife Glenna of Williams Mountain, West Virginia and Marilyn Doss of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; and a special friend to Charlie and Ginny Thackrey of Camden and Bob and Joy Kinner of Middletown.

Friends may call on the family from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Friday, July 23, 2021 at the Preble Memory Gardens Funeral Center at Preble Memory Gardens – 3377 US Rt. 35 E. – West Alexandria, OH. Masonic funeral rites will be held at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow at Preble Memory Gardens Cemetery with military honors rendered by members of the US Navy. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Reid Hospice – 1100 Reid Pkwy – Suite 125 – Richmond, IN 47374-1157.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Harold Richard Pennington, please visit our floral store.

I am VERY sorry to announce that Roland passed away on

Friday July 9,2021. His nephew contacted me. I will post his Obit here when I receive it.

https://redstate.com/alexparker/2021/07/09/report-navy-says-sailors-can-use-whichever-locker-room-suits-their-gender-identity-n408686

I was informed today that Gary (INU) Shepard passed away.

Athough he was not a member of this group, a lot of people knew him in VP40 and elsewhere in his Naval career.

Here is his Obit

Obituary

Garland (Gary) R Shepard
1944-2021
Cameron, MO- Garland (Gary) R Shepard was born February 2, 1944. Gary graduated from Smithville High School, Smithville, MO in 1961. He then attended William Jewell College in Liberty, MO for two years before joining the Navy.
While in the Navy Garland served his country with distinction. One incident during his time of service occurred on October 26, 1978. The Navy P-3C Ocean Surveillance and Anti- Submarine plane Gary was serving on ditched in the open sea between Alaska and Russia near the Aleutian Trench. Out of the 15 servicemen on the aircraft, 10 survived and were picked up by a Russian trawler. After nine days, Master Chief Garland Shepard and the other surviving servicemen were returned home.
Upon retirement from the Navy, Garland lived in Cameron, MO and worked in the computer industry in Leavenworth, KS for 25 years. He was an avid stamp collector. He was a member of the German Philatelic Society and the St. Joseph stamp club.
Garland passed away Friday, January 15, 2021 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital in St. Joseph, MO after a long battle with cancer.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Willard (Dub) and Mary Justice. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia “Pat” (Violett) Shepard, of Cameron, MO; his children Crystal (Patrick) Shepard of Columbia, MO, Michael David Shepard and wife Stephanie of Republic, MO; 2 grandchildren, Simeon Willard Lester Shepard and Gwen Donna Ellen Shepard of Republic, MO.
Services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Poland-Thompson Chapel. Cameron, MO.
For online condolences, visit www.polandthompson.com
Arrangements under the direction of Poland-Thompson Funeral Home, Cameron, MO.

I wish you all a Happy

AND Healthy 2021

Guy Fisk

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy 2021.

Hope to see you all at our VP40 reunion SOMETIME in 2021.

Stay safe and Laging Handa

Guy Fisk

I must report that we are no further along with our next reunion than we were in Sept. Everything is still on hold for now. I was hoping to have our next reunion in late Feb or March 2021 to replace our cancelled reunion. However it is looking like that will NOT happen. If this Covid 19 does not disappear OR the vaccine is not available soon I will make the commitment to have our next reunion in Oct 2021. It will be at the same hotel (if possible) in Florida. I will make the decision in early Jan 2021.

Until then everyone please stay safe, stay healthy, and have a Great holiday season.

I must remind everyone that have not paid their dues for 2020 or 2019 (and that is the vast majority of you) please send them to me.

Guy Fisk

575 Sandy Flat Mountain Road

Fletcher, NC 28732

I was informed by George Perkins that Jerry Stevick passed away recently. He had been sick for quite awhile.

Jerry was in VP40 from 1962-1965. He was a LT and PPC of crew 9

I am pleased to announce a new member to our group.

ERNIE FILLIPUCCI

Ernie was in VP40 from 1969-1972. He was an AO1 and flew as an ordnanceman in crew 5.

WELCOME ABOARD Ernie.

Please give a HOWDY to Ernie.

I posted Hal’s Obit today. check it out on the Dep/Arr Tab comment section