VMF 232 Reunion 03

Reno, Nevada

September 11 - September 14, 2003

Pilots of Marine Fighter Squadron 232, year group 1956-1957, convened in Reno, Nevada for the purpose of correcting mistaken memories of flight transgressions.  Mission accomplished!

Twenty of these intrepid aviators were present; fifteen escorted their ladies, engaged in merriment and convoluted confabulation.  Nothing had changed save a few waistlines.  

Every small picture can be enlarged.  Click on the small image to view the large one then click on the "Back" button to return to this page.

Day One began with a 12:30 tee off at Plumas Pines Golf Resort, courtesy of Russ Bowring.  After an injury free round attendees met at the lovely home of Russ and Rory to partake of goodies brought from far and near.  Moose Franklin tended the grill while the ladies prepared the fixings.  Typical of the dishes was this one.

All the guys attending managed to get together in the same airspace for this shot.

Then our ladies decided to join in.

Day Two was the beginning for those not golfing.  An APM was called by Skipper Anglin and his First Mate, Yasuko.  After posing for this picture the festivities began.

Don Waunch and Bill  Burgess still persist in their beliefs that they had the most holes in the banner.

Hard to believe that these three were Hot Pilots in their time; but they were!

The ladies preferred being seated.  Naturally we deferred to their wishes.

We all found it difficult to believe that Carmen had so much hair after all these years.  He refused to tell us his secret!  Bob Leslie ran a close second.

Skipper Anglin still commands the attention of his pilots.  Needless to say, they completed a perfect Division Take-off after this briefing.

How these warriors managed to survive all these years is a mystery.  The Fighter Pilot Spirit still burned brightly in every single one.

After quenching our thirst we all took off for Harrah's Club.  Rory had arranged a Buffet fit for Fighter Pilots along with a floor show afterwards.  The entire evening was great but the Floor Show performance of our very own Fran Scott made us all proud.  Most folks in the audience thought she was one of the paid performers who simply pretended to be with our group.  Here is Fran with Dotty showing us her stuff!

Day Three, Saturday, began early for most of us eager young pilots.  Many of the wives lingered back not anxious to endure the noise of the mighty engines of the air racers.  If there was ever a definition of a perfect day, this was it weather wise.  CAVU!  This was the 40th anniversary of the Reno Air Races and what a performance it was.  The races were interspersed with aerobatic performances and even these gals strutting their stuff.  You could get a flash without much prodding but unfortunately they had passed us by before we realized what was going on.

As you can see from this picture of part of our group, the Red Devils were conspicuous in their white VMF 232 caps.  As was the case on Friday evening, Rory and Russ had arranged for choice seats at the races.  Front row, center!

This F8F Bearcat put up a good fight in the unlimited race but its engine was standard horsepower so couldn't match the F51s.  A Marine pilot, Howard Pardue, was at the controls.

The aerobatic performances were perhaps the most fun to watch.  This guy is a National Champion and really put on a show.

There was plenty of time to explore the pit area.  This special admission was part of our paid package for the day.  Two of our ladies just had to have their picture taken by this beauty.

Dago Red won the Unlimited category for the fifth consecutive time while establishing a new record.  Earlier in the week he had flown the same circuit at 500 mph, a record thought not to ever be attained.

The Thunderbirds performed with their usual precision; this shot captured it nicely don't you think?

There was so much to see; there was a section of military aircraft and civilian aircraft that wasn't in the show but simply on display for all to see.  On the ground and in the air you saw everything from the oldest to newest.  No air show would be complete without a biplane and wing walker and this team didn't let us down.

We all managed to rendezvous back at the Peppermill Hotel where the Bowrings had arranged for cocktails and dinner in The VMF 232 Ready Room.  Mind you, this wasn't the Ready Room as we remember it but real class.  Starting with the Skippers table, walk around the room with me.

The program began by honoring Rory Bowring with the title, Mrs. VMF 232.  Rory performed over and above the call of duty at every turn.  The entire event went on without a hitch and was first class all the way.  There was no way we could express our appreciation fittingly but Rory appreciated our attempt to do so.  Ain't she a beauty!!!

Next up was Russ.  Eric Bowring, his son, is serving a second tour "over there", this time as a squadron commander.  Russ' inspiring message moved us all.  Thank you Russ for sharing and thank you Eric for your service to our great country.

Paul Anglin, Skipper's son, gave his father praises that every one of us would love to hear from our own sons.  Paul was an F18 Marine jock and saw action in the Iraqi conflict a decade ago so he could speak from the fighter pilot experiences with authority.  Emmett had to have been one proud father.

Skipper followed up with a few choice words that made all of us proud to have served with him.

Not to be left behind, Lieutenants Burns and Jones led the group in the VMF 232 Song; "The Fighting Farmers."

Finally we got together for a group shot of the 20 VMF 232 members present.

And, a shot of the 13 present who attended our wedding on June 1, 1957.  Al Brewster, my Best Man, has hung in there with us all these years.

We all departed back to our respective Home Bases on Sunday morning sad to see this one end but with plans for another in Hawaii in 2005.  Dennis Fitzgerald has offered to head up this next one.  Thank you Dennis for helping us all leave on a high note!