As of yesterday 7/14/2014
our web sitevar link = documentvar link = document.getElementById('link2736');link.onclick = function(){document.location = link.getAttribute('href');} .getElementById('link2736');link.onclick = function(){document.location = link.getAttribute('href');} www.vp40.com
has received 50,026 page views since it began 2 years ago.
that is very impressive as I am not advertising it outside of military sites.
We are now averaging over 175 views a day. Keep up the good work!!!!
Please send me more info to post on it. This site is for you and the info you want to share among our fellow members, family, and friends.
thanks
Guy Fisk
LAGING HANDA

I will be snailmailing out the 2014 summer newsletter to those members that do not have a valid email address registered in our database this month. For those that do have an email I will be emailing you out the newsletter this month. I will also post the newsletter on this web site.
Just a reminder to check the 2014 Reunion tab on here as it is updated each week, with news items about the reunion, as well as a list of attendees. Also just a gentle reminder , if you have NOT made your reservations for the reunion (either at the hotel OR to me) please do not wait. WE will have some guests and events you will not want to miss. So far we have 130 members and guests committed to attend. We have room for more, so lets keep beating the bushes. Recently I have talked to Dave Seltzer and Alvin Dinnsen (thanks to Jim Thayer), both of who are joinivar link = document.getElementById('link2736');link.onclick = functionvar link = document.getElementById('link2736');link.onclick = function(){document.location = link.getAttribute('href');} (){document.location = link.getAttribute('href');} ng our group and hope to attend the reunion as well.

Stay healthy and I will see you in Pensacola in October.
Guy Fisk
Laging Handa

Independence Day July 4th
On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the “land of the free and the home of the brave” so they can begin their American Dream.

The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. Through the Internet we are learning about and communicating with people of different nations, with different languages and different races throughout the world. Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations.

We invite allvar link = document.getElementById('link2736');link.onclick = function(){document.location = link.getAttribute('href');} nations to celebrate with Americans online this Fourth of July.

Happy Birthday, America!

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th

“The Star Spangled Banner”

The Defense of Fort McHenry
by Francis Scott Key
20 September 1814

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and thevar link = document.getElementById('link2736');link.onclick = function(){document.location = link.getAttribute('href');} home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

WELCOME ABOARD RONNIE BOZEMAN.
Ron was in VP40 from 1965-June 1967var link = document.getElementById('link2736');link.onclick = function(){document.location = link.getAttribute('href');} . He was in crew 10 and a AX3.

I am pleased to welcome our newvar link = document.getElementById('link2736');link.onclick = function(){document.location = link.getAttribute('href');} est member to our group
DAN YANCEY
Dan was in VP40 fromvar link = document.getElementById('link2736');link.onclick = function(){document.location = link.getAttribute('href');} 1963-1966 and was an AE3 with crew 8.
WELCOME ABOARD Dan

I am sorry to annouvar link = document.getElementById('link2736');link.onclick = function(){document.location = link.getAttribute('href');} nce that DAN HOFF passedvar link = document.getElementById('link2736');link.onclick = function(){document.location = link.getAttribute('href');} away April 24, 2014. He had a long bout of cancer and he lost.
He as in VP40 from 1965-1967 and was an AT1.

We have a NEWvar link = document.getElementById('link2736');link.onclick = function(){document.location = link.getAttribute('href');} MEMBER invar link = document.getElementById('link2736');link.onclick = function(){document.location = link.getAttribute('href');} our group.
BRYCE BILLINGS is our newest member. Brice was in VP40 from 1964 to 1967. He was a LT and was in crew 7 & crew 12.
WELCOME ABOARD Brice. If folks want to welcome him his email address is [email protected]

Welcome a new member to our group
DON YANCEY joined our group.
He was in VP40 from 10/1963 – 8/1966.
He flew in crew 8 and was an AE3.
If you want to welcome him aboard, his email address is [email protected]. He currently lives in Texas.

I have posted a Word document that provides information on Veterans Benefits and how to file/ask for them. Accordingly, there are many sites that explain how to obtain books, military/medical records, information and how to appeal a denied claim with the VA. Please pass this information on to every Veteran you know. Nearly 100% of this information is free and available for all veterans, the only catch is: you have to ask for it, because they won’t tell you about a specific benefit unless you ask for it.
You need to know what questions to ask so the right doors open for you and then be ready to have an advocate who is willing to work with and for you, stay in the process, and press for your rights and your best interests.
It can be found on the WELCOME SHIPMATES/Misc Info page on this web site.
Print this list out and keep it. I will update it as needed.
Guy Fisk

I just received this OBIT today.
In Memory of
Walter Ray Smith
October 29, 1935 – March 4, 2014
Obituary

Walter “Ray” Smith, 78 of Milton, FL passed away on March 4th, 2014 after a brief illness.
Ray was born in Adrian, GA on October 29, 1935. He joined the Navy in 1959 and served for 28 years.
It was during his time in Lemore, California that he met his soon to be wife, LauraLee. She and Ray married and had three children, Delila, Stephanie and Walter.
Ray retired from the Navy in 1982 and made Pensacola home. He later worked at NADEP for several years until his final retirement in 1994.
He graduated with a Management degree from Troy State University. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge and the
Old Antartica Explorers.
After his retirement, Ray enjoyed visiting the town and the family that he loved so much in Georgia. He also enjoyed spending time working
with his antique cars and gardening as well as spending time with family and friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife, LauraLee Smith and his grandson, Michael Lee Hancock, Jr.
He is survived by his son, Walter R. Smith Jr. of Pensacola; his daughter, Stephanie Smith of Milton and daughter and son-in-law,
Delila and Mike Hancock of Milton. He is also survived by grandchildren, Amber Smith, Haley Hancock and Heath Hancock;
as well as a great-granddaughter, Leiana Hawkins; and special friend, Kathryn Thomas. Also surviving Mr. Smith are his sisters,
Louise Connell and Elaine Hooker, and numerous other relatives and friends.
Services will be held on Friday, March 7 at Bayview Fisher-Pou on Scenic Highway. Visitation will begin at 9 am with graveside services
following at 10 am. Pallbearers will be Mike Hancock, Heath Hancock, Lewis Martin, Wayne Cohron, Ralph Vedder and Art Hooker.
The family would like to offer a special thanks to Dr. Nashed , Michelle with Peoples Home Health and to Covenant Hospice for the loving
care they showed for our dad in his final months of life.
BAYVIEW FISHER-POU CHAPEL, 3351 Scenic Highway is entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences may be offered at www.bayviewfisher-pouchapel.com.