• Rear Admiral Bill Hayden, USN, (Ret.)
• Captain Ron Moreau, USN, (Ret.)

• Captain Jerry Houston, USN, (RET.)

• Captain John R. “Jack” Dewenter, USN, (Ret.)
• Rear Admiral Edward “Ned” Hogan, USN, (Ret.)
• Rear Admiral Bill Harris, USN, (Ret.)
• Rear Admiral L. Richard “Moose” Myers, USN (Ret.)
• Colonel John H. Glenn, USMC, (Ret.)
• Rear Admiral Samuel “Sam” Hubbard, USN, (Ret.)

• Rhoda Bos, Wife of Captain Roger Bos, deceased

BINNACLE LIST:
 
Dick Macke sent several updates on Ron Hays’ condition (two are paraphrased here):  I went by today to wish Ron a Merry Christmas. He was very talkative and still had the great smile, but his memory is not good. He was moving well in his wheelchair and wanted to go outside so I wheeled him around for about 20 minutes outside the VA Center. He really enjoys visitors! 
 
Visited him again today (3 January). He said the Christmas at the Veteran’s Home was outstanding. Jane and Jackie have been in every day according to the staff, but Ron doesn’t always remember. He recognized me immediately and did know my name. I took him for a stroll outside (told him he was eating too much because he was heavy to push around). He seems about the same but still lapses off on occasion. Sense of humor and smile are still there and sparkling.
 
“Duster” Rud got word from the daughter of Jack B. Davis that Jack is in the hospital with complications from colon cancer. He has undergone three recent operations and is unaware of his surroundings. She recommends any contact be through Jack’s wife, Jane, at davisold@earthlink.net.
 
Don Boecker is Ed Waller’s wingman, and he passed on that Ed has moved from his home in St. Michaels, MD. Ed’s new address is:
 
Heart Fields, Room 1117
700 Port Street Building 100
Easton, MD 21601-8184
Phone 410-770-7022
 
 Duke Hernandez continues his gallant fight with Parkinson’s. Surgery originally scheduled in December to help alleviate some of the effects of Parkinson’s has been moved to February, and his recovery should not interfere with his and Sherry’s attendance at the Annual Reunion in San Diego. Duke and Sherry send their best to all the Golden Eagles for 2017.
 
WEST FLIGHT:
 
On 20 October, RADM Ned Hogan made his last takeoff.
 
A mini-reunion luncheon was held at the Coronado Yacht Club with over 70 in attendance.
 
The Reunion planning committee met to update the status of action items for the 27-30 April 2017 event to be held at the Westgate Hotel in downtown San Diego.
 
We welcomed newly-selected Golden Eagle, Captain Jim Hickerson, to the Golden Eagle West Flight.
 
On 18 November, a memorial service was held for RADM Bill Harris. Approximately 20 Golden Eagle West members attended this wonderful celebration of his life.
 
On 6 December, five members of the Reunion Planning Committee and our event planner met with the Westgate Hotel Staff. The meeting included finalizing the menus for the banquet and the reception. The entire 19th floor, which includes three large suites, will be utilized as the Golden Eagle Ready Room.
 
On 12 December, a Celebration of Life and burial service was held for RADM Richard “Moose” Myers. The Chief Pilot, Bill Knutson, was a speaker, and several Golden Eagle West members were in attendance.
 
CENTRAL FLIGHT:
 
Ras organized and led a mini-reunion at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. The venue was excellent. There were ten Golden Eagles and wives and one mother-in law in attendance. We had two wonderful dinners, one foursome played golf at the Air Force base, there were tours of Biloxi, ample shopping, and lively nightly discussion at the Beau Rivage bar. No reports on large winnings or losses on the casino tables. All in all, it was an outstanding mini-reunion.
 
NORTHEAST FLIGHT:
 
Colonel John Glenn made his Last Take Off on 8 December. His funeral/burial in Arlington is scheduled for April. Per liaison with the family and the Arlington Funeral Director, we will provide Honorary Pallbearers for that ceremony. Like the effort put forth for Rear Admiral/Senator Jerry Denton, we have no limitation on the numbers of Golden Eagles that can participate, nor is that duty reserved for Northeast Flight members. However, we must coordinate the names through the Northeast Flight Leader.
 
We continue to work on the 2018 Reunion. Planning efforts will be merged in a “mini-reunion” luncheon at Lansdowne Resort in late February or early March. End state is to produce “howgozit” and granularity on our 2018 reunion plan that will be presented to all Golden Eagles at the reunion in San Diego in April.
 
Arlington ceremonies – none this quarter. We had Northeast Flight representation at Captain Jack Dewenter’s memorial service in Richmond.
 
Our wingmen are fully engaged with their emeritus flight members.
 
SOUTHEAST FLIGHT:
 
During the last week of October, a Southeast mini-reunion was held at the Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock, NC. Following an “Early Bird Dinner” for 18 at Twig’s Restaurant in Blowing Rock on Sunday night, twenty-five Golden Eagles with spouses and friends attended the welcome aboard party at the Vangysel’s mountain home in Banner Elk on Monday evening. Under clear skies and with cool breezes, a grand dinner was hosted by Bev and Gary Vangysel and Bonnie and Tamer Amos. Outstanding food, plentiful high-quality drinks, numerous tales of aviation daring, no injuries, and bus service to and from the event made the evening a huge success.  Golf, touring, and shopping were the order of the day on Tuesday, followed by a membership business meeting in the late afternoon. Cocktails in the Divide Bar and a banquet dinner in the Garden Room completed our reunion, and everyone departed the next morning. Great camaraderie contributed to a very successful reunion.
 
On November 3rd, a memorial service was held in Richmond to celebrate the LTO of Jack Dewenter. His wife, Dale, was lovely and gracious and very pleased that Bad Fred and a number of Golden Eagles were in attendance and served as Honorary Pallbearers.
 
Semper Fidelis,
 
Howard DeCastro - Pilot