Memo To: All The Flag Day Celebrants
NOTES FROM MEMBERS
Gil Peavey sends his regards to all. He said that
with the warm weather supposedly on the way he will be
keeping a sharp eye on the progress of the Pine Trees in
his area of Maine during their growing season.
Mary Jane Lewis sends her regards to all. She sent
along an article from the Star Tribune depicting
medical errors made at the Minneapolis Veterans Home.
Harlan Jason a member of VMB 613 spent the last year of
his life at that Veterans Home. He said that he
was as happy as you could hope for during his
last year of life at the Veterans Home.
Harlan was one of three Veterans who passed away within
a week in which investigators concluded that the
Veterans home broke state rules with medical errors that
accompanied each death.
In respect to Harlan's passing the Health Department
investigation reported that the Minneapolis Veterans
Home "failed to properly monitor" Jason's hypoglycemia
and "failed to contact the physician" when Jason's
health worsened; failed to provide adequate and proper
nursing care" and did not try to resuscitate or call 911
as Jason had requested in his health care directive.
The Health Departments reports on the other two veterans
were almost similar, significant medication errors which
jeopardized resident health and safety.
Despite the deaths of the three veterans, families
forgave the errors made by the Veterans Home personnel.
They said that the care was mostly good but are of the
opinion that the Veterans Home should have told them
about the medical errors.
Mary Jane gave a weather report which indicated that
Spring hasn't really arrived in her neighborhood yet.
Ice remains in the ponds and lakes along with sub zero
temperatures.
For excitement Mary Jane goes to various casinos for a
dining out evening and also to try to win some money.
Doc Protheroe sent me an e mail a few weeks ago and I
just relocated it. It is possible that I sent this info
along but it is mentioned here in case I forgot to.
He received an e mail message from Will Semple whose
father Bill was on Doc's crew.
Will's sister had not so long ago Googled her father and
the only thing that popped up was their aircrew
photo which they had never seen before. Will then
followed the photo to our Web Site and he was thrilled
to the squadron's history. All of this to the
thanks of Robert Yanacek.
Although Will's father was in Doc's Crew they didn't fly
together as a Crew too often. Over the years Doc
tried to contact Bill but didn't have any success.
Doc didn't know too much about Bill's Marine Corps
experience and thought it was similar to several of the
613'ers but it wasn't.
Bill joined the Corps in 1939 or 1940 and was at Pearl
Harbor on December 7, 1941 and took Gunnery training in
Hawaii aboard PBY's. Bill also was in the process
of entering Marine Corps pilot training but failed due
to eye sight, that was when he took his gunnery
training. Doc thought at first he had joined the
squadron over seas but he was in the crew picture taken
at Newport, Ark.
Bill was apparently very successful going to college in
Houston and then staring an Architectural firm in
Houston. Eventually he taught at a few
universities including Houston, Montana State and Penn
State.
Bob Polakowski called to say hello and regards to all.
He heard from June Werz who brought up the thought of
VMB 613 holding a Reunion in the Quantico area.
The Marine Corps has a Marine Center there now which
contains Marine Corps history and would be a great area
for all to see and let it bring back memories.
Bob said that he would be keeping his eyes open when
looking in the various Marine Corps publications
regarding the area.
He also said that there are reunion organizations that
assist in getting reservations at motels in the area.
Carmine Nasta called to let us know that Edith had been
operated on for an aneurism on 27 April. At the
time of his calling she was under heavy sedation and was
in intensive care.
Edith has since been on a slow recovery which involves
getting her system adjusted to eating and regaining the
proper breathing routine. She is starting to
feel somewhat better but it appears that she will have
to put some time in a nursing home to regain full
systems mobility.
Jack Willadson sends his regards to all. He said
that he was still limping around and that his brother
had passed away.
Jack has been a farmer of alfalfa crops and also a
cattle raiser in Wyoming for years. One of the
secrets for this type of activity is having water
rights. At the present time he is having to stay
extra alert due to outsiders coming into the state and
endeavoring to get their hands on water rights that do
not belong to them. He is anticipating a lengthy
legal session over these water rights as they pertain to
his property.
Ralph McClain says hello and regards to all.
Dave Vogel the son of Marvin Vogel of VMB 613 wrote to
our Web Master to let him know that he was web surfing
and cane across the site for VMB-613.
His Dad was in 613, Marvin Vogel, and Dave sent him a
couple of pictures of the site and some information that
Robert Yanacek put together for him.
He sent his Dad the pictures and he was very surprised
to see them and some of the Marines he served with.
Marvin is doing well, is now 84, and living in Las
Vegas, Nevada. His address is as follows:
Marvin Vogel
4846 Zorano Circle
Las Vegas, Nevado 89147
Tel: 702-220-6022
Dave said thanks again for the many great memories of the
greatest generation.
Received an update on Stan Richardson from Peach Richardson.
Stan had an attack of pneumonia which he has overcome and is
starting to get some of his strength back. Other wise
he continues to be alert and seems to be content. Stan
is still physically limited to how far he can walk and
really has to watch it because he doesn't have the strength
to get up and move about in the manner that he likes to.
He would like to be able to walk for long periods but his
system won't let him. He continues to feel stronger
and endeavors to try physical activity which he is unable to
do.
Stan continues to remain alert through all this though.
I am sure that he would like to hear from you folks, his
address is as follows:
Stan Richardson
Westchester Gardens Rehabilitation & Care Center
Clearwater, Florida 33761
1-727-789-5143
John Aymen started to feel very uncomfortable in the Nursing
Center and asked to go home. He is home but still
under medical control of the Nursing Center. He has
problems eating but is able to consume some energy output
food. At home he enjoys sitting on the front porch and
watch the world go by. His medication has been changed
which also helps his overall mental outlook.
Warren Ritter has recently returned from the hospital where
he underwent some serious heart operations. He has
relocated to a Senior Citizens Home and his new address is
as follows:
Warren Ritter
2746 So 17th St Apt 216
Wilmington, NC 28412
