VMF 232 Reunion 05
Honolulu, Hawaii
September 9 - September 11, 2005
Old but spirited pilots of Marine Fighter Squadron 232, year group 1955-1956, and their spouses, rendezvoused at Hale Fitzgerald at 1730 on Friday, September 9. In attendance were seventeen intrepid aviators and twelve wives; some whose marriages dated back more than 50 years . In addition, our faithful admin officer, Mario Paccioretti, and his lovely wife of 63 years, and special guest Brigadier General Jerry Hagen and his wife were there.
Every small picture can be enlarged. Click on any small image to view the large one then click on the "Back" button to return to this page. Names etc. are included with the larger pictures.
Dennis Fitzgerald purchased the home in 1960. Since then, he and Susan have turned the place into the envy of Honolulu. They were most generous in not only hosting the reunion but treating us to this memorable evening.
Gathered beside the swimming pool, we engaged in reminiscing and satisfying our palates with delicious goodies and liquid refreshments.
The Fitzgeralds ensured we would feel we were in Hawaii by having this trio entertain us. We're getting in the mood!
Contrast these pictures I took from the Pali in 1957 with these taken from Hale Fitzgerald. It is difficult to believe the changes.
As the sun faded in the distance, Bill Burgess and Punkin set the example and we all managed to huddle together for a group shot. The colors are real!
Musical entertainment continued as we indulged in a Fitzgerald Lu'au.
Thoughtful of Fitz to order the full moon, just for us.
Dinner concluded; the camaraderie continued.
At 0800 on Saturday morning all able bodied reunioners mustered at the Hale Koa Hotel on Waikiki Beach to begin a bus journey to some of the hot spots on the island. Bill and Punkin Burgess were in charge and Ted was our able bus driver.
Al Brewster is briefing Bill B., Tommy T. and Irv J. for the upcoming launch to the USS Arizona Memorial. That's the Hendersons in the foreground and Bowrings in the rear.
Inside are inscribed the names of 1,177 men who went down with the ship on December 7, 1941. Patch and Julie stand in front of the USMC names.
These pictures were taken on our boat ride back from the memorial by this proud sailor. She sure must be good; take a look at her ribbons.
Departing shots of the Memorial with the Battleship Missouri in the background. Ted, the bus driver is briefing us for our trip over to the Missouri.
What a colorful group all decked out in our VMF-232 shirts. Bill and Punkin had them made just for us. There's more about the Battleship Missouri; click the picture to see.
At left is the entrance to Ford Island where Missouri is docked. Nearby was the Norwegian Crown Line "Pride of America" that O.V. and Fran Scott, Bob and Carol Leslie, and Larry and Dotty Brown cruised on the week before the reunion. Dotty B. stands in front of OTooles Pub where Bill and Punkin B. treated us all to lunch. What generosity!!
Inside we enjoyed a delicious buffet.
That evening, Al talked Bob, Larry and Dotty into joining him and Suzie on a Royal Sunset Dinner Cruise. It was aboard the twin hulled Navatek I.
Diamond Head, Waikiki and hula dancers performing on our dinner cruise.
Sunday afternoon we motored across the island with Bob Schultz to our old home base, Marine Corps Air Station (now an Air Facility,) Kaneohe, Territory of Hawaii. The picture at left is from their Internet site. Dotty and I stand on top of Kansas Tower from which many of the following pictures were taken.
At left is a picture of the station hangar. It is the one responsible for the often troublesome turbulence at the approach end of the runway.
More picture of the base from Kansas tower and close ups of the base commander's home and the Bachelor Officer's Quarters; my home back in '55, '56 and '57.
Our group assembled at the main gate to fill out security forms before proceeding to Hangar Number 3 (old VMF 232 hangar) for briefings arranged by Dennis Fitzgerald.
Our Ready Room never looked like this! And I never recall women being allowed there. Now they even have a ladies rest room!
Wouldn't it be great to have a then and now shot of this same group. In case you are interested, most of the guys are pictured in the 232 Yearbook Photos in the left frame. After these pictures were taken the gals just had to go by and take a look in the P.X. We guys patiently waited; don't we always?
The Officer's Club; what fond memories it evoked.
Dennis arranged for the Club to open, just for our party.
What a fantastic meal we enjoyed. Names and details are just a click away.
An aerial view of the Hale Koa Hotel (from their web site.) We stayed there for three nights. On these very grounds, on February 9, 1957, I met Dotty.
Words cannot adequately convey the appreciation we have for Dennis and Susan who so graciously hosted this reunion. Thank you Dennis and Susan, Bill and Punkin, Irv and Ronda, and Russ and Rory, for your hard work that made the reunion such a success. Your generosity has set new standards!
We all returned home, happy for a wonderful reunion and anticipating another in San Diego in 2007. Neal Henderson has offered to head up the next one. Thank you Neal for enabling all of us to leave on such a high note!
Posted on the Internet on 9/26/05, revised 10/3/05.