Newsletter

Nov.-Dec, 2008 - #129

Nov.-Dec, 2008 Alumni Newsletter

Highlights!

It was after the hurricanes and tropical storms that I began to write this newsletter, and in contemplating things to be thankful for other than daily blessing, I realized that I was and am so thankful that we did not get much, if any, effects from any of those storms. I know that many of you did, especially those of you in FL who really took a beating from the rains of Fay. I can't imagine 20, or even worse, 33 inches of rain! It is a shame that some of it could not have fallen here. I looked at Galveston to see what had happened there, and it looked like Katrina, though the scope of it wasn't quite so extensive. I believe that over 50 people died and many are still missing, as far as I know. Just can't understand why people insist on staying in a place like that when they have been warned over and over again. There had been some false alarms, that's for sure, but when you see what Katrina did...well, why would you stay. Things aren't as important as lives, so stay safe, folks. Florida Picnic is November 15th at Juniper Springs Recreation Center off of FL 40 between Ocala and FL 19. Great place and usually very comfortable at this time of year. We do have reservations in Lake City, plan to be at the picnic, and then go to my cousins in Port St. Lucie. I'm looking forward to getting away, that is if the man and I can ever get over this crud!! (We did.)He had it, then I had it and thought it was gone, and now I seem to have it again. Terrible cough and even laryngitis one morning. Change in the weather, I think. Please, if this newsletter isn't the best, don't fire me. We just got pages 7-10 copied when my computer died. The guy that fixed it saved everything, but the two most important documents won't come up--the Nov/Dec newsletter and my dues roster. Thankfully, Beth has a copy of the roster; Jerry Ziegler re-sent me two of the things I needed, and I had hard copies of 3 others. My Mail bag entries are gone, though. Sorry. That's what happens when you copy directly from email to your document. If you don't have a hard copy, you are lost. Also, if you sent me any changes in the last two months, send them again if they are not listed in the roster on page 2. So be sorry for me, love me, but don't leave me. November 4th is election day. Time to turn the rascals out and get a new batch of rascals!! Be sure to vote, because if you don't, you can't complain. Choose according to your beliefs; choose wisely; but be sure you choose. Remember that many people have worked hard over the years two ensure your right to vote. However, if you don't like anyone on the ballot, you can write in my name for president if you wish!!!!! IMPORTANT: Because of the economic situation, Santo Adams wants an idea on who might be going to the reunion in Phoenix next Oct.. He is going ahead with arrangements, but still wants your input. Email him: santoadams@hotmail.com or let me know and I will relay the information to him. If we hang in there with the economy, it has to get better . * ALUMNI WEB SITE Our photographer and DVD maker is now our website guru!
From Ralph Papa: "Just to let you know that I'm in progress with taking over the VP8 Alumni website on my server. When you go to www.vp8alumni.org ...., you'll be getting to the new pages." Try it!!!!

New Members
Dave Murphy, P.O. Box 734, Princeton, ME 04668 In VP8 5/75 -9/78 Navy Retired
Russell V. Mowery(Nancy), 22 Oliver Hazard Perry Rd., Portsmouth, RI 02871 401-683-1390 russmowery@cox.net
In VP-8 3/74-3/76 XO, CO
New Contacts
R. C. Nolan, 602 Cedar Point Dr., Weems, VA
Changes and/or Other Additions
Bob & Charlotte Pierce, 7127-1 Almendro Terrace, Fort Myers, FL 33907 239-362-3756
Seems like there was another change in email, so if you sent one in the last couple months, please resend.
Binnacle List
After a summer of recurrent back pain, J.J. Stowe finally had back surgery and is recovering nicely.

TAPS has already been added to the list on the website.

o Reunion 2008 DVD..... (To order, send check for $22 to Ralph Papa at 8393 Grand Messina Circle, Boynton Beach, FL 33472; Gauranteed satisfaction or your money back)

o Mail Call
o A Thought For ALl Of Us
o Girls In My Circle
o New Benefits Handbook Available
o VP-8 Officers From The COC Program
o Online ID Card Appointments Are Easy To Make
o Drop Outs
o Preventing Identify Theft
o Heads Up
o Special Requests
o Just For Laughs
o Time To Make Fun OF The Government
o And More!

New Alumni RostersAvaliable!

Order your new rosters today. $10.50 mailed. Great bargain.

Make checks payable to VP-8 Alumni Association.

The new roster is loose leaf, so as you get changes from each newsletter. I suggest that you put a piece of notebook paper in the roster section and keep up with the changes as they come out--until a new roster is published.

The new roster is very different as it is divided into Sections.

SECTION ONE contains TAPS, the origin of the association, a list of reunions, the actual roster with an index, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and a map showing how many people we have listed from each state.

SECTION TWO contains the history of VP-8 along with lists of Commanding Officers.

SECTION THREE contains other interesting and important documents.

When I send your roster out, I will include a new sheet with changes that have occurred since it was printed (August).

Order yours today. You won't be disappointed.

(The rosters cost $7 if picked up as some did at the reunion. The extra $3.50 is to defray the cost of envelope and mailing at the cheapest rate.)