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| Volume 7, Issue 2 | June 2003 | |
| Inside This Issue | Airmen of the Year | Board Election | | The Prez Sez - President's Columns | A Look Back | | Memorial Day Honor Roll | Story of Taps | Col Fred H Petersen | | Spring Golf Tourney | 300th Save | Family Day | | 129th AHA Jackets Available! | Are You Missing in Action? | |
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129th RQW Outstanding Airmen of the Year
Airman of the Year SSgt Timothy J Capps Optometry Technician Journeyman, 129th Medical Squadron
NCO of the Year SSgt Yvonne E. Minor Public Health Technician, 129th Medical Squadron Senior NCO of the Year SMSgt Todd F. Hern
Security Forces Craftsman, 129th Security Forces First Sergeant of the Year MSgt Christopher R. Hartman First Sergeant, 129th Support Group Congratulations! Each of these young people has been given a complimentary 1 year membership in the 129th AHA. Old Timers Luncheon & Board Election Wednesday, March 12, 2003 The 2002 Annual Meeting of the 129th Alumni and Heritage Association was held in conjunction with the Annual Old Timers Luncheon on March 12, 2003, at the Alameda Elks Lodge, 2255 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda. The membership has re-elected CCMS Ed Boddington, LTC Cindy Kepple, and SMSgt Don Delucchi as board members. Congratulations….and keep up the great work! The luncheon was attended by a 135 guests and the now traditional raffle raised $308 for the scholarship fund. Way to go, gang! Thanks to the generous support of the 129th AHA membership, the Association awarded four scholarships to members of the unit, and two scholarships to dependents. The recipients of the 2003 scholarships are: · TSgt Maria Myakovsky · SrA Raeann Cordova · SrA Luke Fitzgerald · SrA Jessica Vasconcellos · Gonzalo Solis · Steven L. Kepple, Jr. Congratulations! The President's Column The March Oldtimers’ Lunch was the Association’s most successful with 135 members and guests in attendance. The Association awarded $300 scholarships to four Wing individuals and two Wing member’s dependents. Major Dennis Davoren, a Beale AFB U-2 pilot provided an interesting view on U2 activities in Afghanistan and pre-war Iraq. The Association presented Certificates of Appreciation to Lt Col Chuck Fuller for Scholarship Program support and to TSgt Judy Brooks for her service as the 129th RQW Board liaison. The annual raffle netted the Scholarship Program $308. The Citigroup Foundation, formerly California Fed Bank, provided the Association with a $500 scholarship program grant. The Foundation makes grants in the name of CitiBank employees for volunteer program participation. Lynda Fawcett, the Association Newsletter editor, is a Citigroup employee. The Board recently learned that Col Fred Petersen passed away last October. The Newsletter contains a background piece The February Newsletter announced the Board’s intention to post a list of dues delinquent members. If your name appears on the list please mail a $10 check for the 2003 dues. Members who are two years in arrears are subject to expulsion effective July 1, 2003. CMSgt Jim Badgrow has assumed the duties of Association webmaster. Jim would like to start an Association members exchange page and is soliciting submissions for web page use. Jim would welcome any web page suggestions. www.129AHA.org The Wing has been credited with save 300. The 129th’s first credited save occurred during a 1977 Red Flag exercise. In conjunction with Family Day, Saturday, July 12, the Wing will celebrate the achievement. Information on Family Day Activities is provided in the Newsletter. Col Ed Lewis, the Wing’s Operation Group Commander, has been appointed ANG Assistant to the Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command. Ed will assume the position June 1. A farewell dinner is scheduled for Saturday evening, June 7. Dinner details can be found in the Newsletter. NASA will sponsor the Moffett Air Show the September 13-14 weekend. Ken Moore will chair the Associations participation. Ken will be looking for volunteers to staff the beverage booths. Last year’s Air Show raised $1,200 for the Association Scholarship Program. I just learned that Col Tommy Williams’ father passed away recently. On behalf of the Board and the Association membership, we extend our sympathy to Col and Mrs. Williams on their loss. The family has been sent a card expressing the Association’s condolences. I look forward to seeing you at Family Day. Jay Wing Save Number One Before save 300 there was save number one. The Wing’s first save occurred during a 1977 Red Flag exercise. A Unit HC-130 and HH-3 were participating in a Search and Rescue Exercise. A Myrtle Beach A-7, performing the Viet Nam-era Sandy roll, crashed with the pilot ejecting just prior to impact. Range control dispatched the HC-130 King to the site followed shortly by the HH-3. After the PJs stabilized the pilot (who was the unit squadron commander), the HH-3 transported the pilot to Nellis AFB, escorted by the HC-130. The HC-130 aircraft commander was Lt Col Geary Tiffany and the HH-3 aircraft commander is believed to have been Lt Col Les Spencer.
Memorial Day Honor Roll Day is done. Gone the sun From the lakes, From the hills, From the sky. All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh.
STORY OF "TAPS" Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it were a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the memorial service. The request was turned down because the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody we now know as "Taps"… used at military funerals… was born. The words are: Day is done... Gone the sun... From the lakes... From the hills… From the sky… All is well... Safely rest... God is nigh. Fading light... Dims the sight... And a star... Gems the sky… Gleaming bright... From afar... Drawing nigh... Falls the night. Thanks and praise... For our days... ‘Neath the sun... ‘Neath the stars… ‘Neath the sky... As we go... This we know... God is nigh. Col Fred H. Petersen Col Petersen is survived by his wife of 55 years, Evelyn; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Lane McVae and grandchildren Bridget, Jillian, and Bryan, all of Maryland; daughter Janet Petersen of Shingle Springs; and sister Carrie M. Norton of Alameda. Services were held October 28, 2002. Final resting place is Oakmont Memorial Park, Lafayette, California. Spring Golf Tourney Four Man Scramble - Coordinated by The 129th Alumni and Heritage Association is not hosting the spring golf tournament this year. However, the Tennessee Ernie Ford Air Force Association Chapter 361 is once again hosting a charity golf tournament and barbeque at Moffett Field Golf Course. The scramble format tournament is scheduled for Friday, June 13. Sign in will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Several special contests, including low gross, longest drive, straightest drive, and closest to pin, are planned. Entry fees are based on rank. If you wish to play, please complete and mail the entry form on page 5 by June 8. Past Due Memberships The Board has directed that beginning with this issue of the Old Timers Noozze, dues delinquent members will be listed. Dues were payable by March 15, 2003. After that date they became delinquent. Please correct this situation and send your $10 dues for 2003 as soon as possible. A membership form is available in this publication.
Aldape,
Roberto
DuClair, Jim
Gonsalves, Gilbert Moffett Crew Credited with 300th Save
Congratulations on a job well done! 129th RQW Family Day J O J O J O J Saturday, July 12, 2003 Moffett Federal Air Field
Unit Formation & Awards Ceremony - 0900 The New Hangar The Wing will celebrate the 300th Save & Present Awards & & & & Picnic, Fun, Food, Etc. - 1200 F Chase Park E Adults (everyone 9 years & older) - $5.00 Kids (3 to 8) - $3.00 R b $ w R Make checks payable to: Rescue Member Foundation p h f Call Lt Douglas Madrid for Reservations ( Commercial: 650-603-9268 ( DSN: 359-9268 | { | { | Food, fun, and games for all!! New to the Gang Our Newest Members
Welcome! Do you know someone who has been affiliated with the 129th RQW or its predecessor organizations - and is not a member of the Association? Let's get them signed up! Customized with your name and rank! After much searching we have found a new source of MembersOnly jackets - so we are once again taking orders for 129th AHA jackets. Order forms will be available at the Old Timers Luncheon. Want to own a really distinctive jacket to show your affiliation with the 129th AHA? Order your navy blue, MembersOnly, summer-weight poplin jacket today. The left breast has the current wing patch and the original troop carrier group patch (now worn by the Rescue Squadron), with 129 AHA embroidered below. The right breast sports the Air Force Patch with your name embroidered below. Jackets are available for $70 ($35 deposit per jacket required). Order your jacket from Don Delucchi at: (925) 689-2683 or online at Nonononi@aol.com Have you moved recently - or not so recently? Do we have your correct mail and e-mail addresses & phone number? Please let us know when you move. The newsletter is mailed out with a request for address correction. The post office does not forward the newsletter to you. They return it to us - and charge us 37¢. Then we update your file, put your newsletter in an envelope, put a 37¢ stamp on the packet, and mail it out to you. Total additional cost to the association is nearly $1.00 per returned newsletter. Please take a moment to remember the 129th AHA when you notify your correspondents of your new address. A member information form is included in every issue. Col. John L.
Ruppel, Jr. (Ret.) E-mail: J-L.RUPPEL@WORLDNET.ATT.NET | Membership Information Form | Back to Inside this Issue | |
A
rescue crew from the 129th Rescue Wing has been credited with the
Wing’s 300th save. In mid-April a group of fishermen chartered a
vessel for a fishing vacation off the coast of Cabo San Lucas. A
middle-aged gentleman with a history of cardiac problems began having
symptoms of a possible heart attack. Since the boat was approximately 400
miles off-shore, the 129th RQW was dispatched. Upon arrival at
the boat, poor weather mandated the 3 PJs do a free-fall into the water and
then board the vessel. Two bundles of medical supplies were dropped as
well. The PJs hooked the patient up to a 12-lead EKG and transmitted via a
satellite-fax feed to Maj Tom Gross (the Doc) at his home. It was
determined the medics would stay with the patient, while the C-130 returned
to Moffett. The next day, the Coast Guard sent an H-60 helicopter to
transfer the medics and the patient on-shore to La Paz, Mexico. Once in La
Paz, the Coast Guard transferred all on board to a C-130 for a flight to San
Diego. The patient was transported to medical facilities in San Diego and
is recovering. The PJs flew to Moffett with the Coasties, who then returned
to their home base at McClellan in Sacramento.
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