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Update on pack member John Wesley, who under went open heart surgery last month. He is doing great and and is looking forward to getting together with us as soon as he can. He sent us this update:
Craig and RR Gang,
Thank you so much for your support with both prayers and personal concerns thru my most unexpected trial.
Everything is healing very well and surprisingly quickly. My big concern is that my feet are still too swollen to wear shoes, limiting my physical activity. But that’s getting better.
I’m so happy to have wonderful friends like you.
Thanks again and appreciate the card, too!
Love,
John Wesley
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Movie Alert - The Last Full measure -
Opening Jan. 24
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Here is the overview of the movie that is long overdue. There is also a display case at the National museum of the US Air Force that covers William H. Pitsenbarger. He is a write up on that mission and movie:
THE LAST FULL MEASURE tells the true story of Vietnam War hero William H. Pitsenbarger (Jeremy Irvine), a U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen (also known as a PJ) medic who personally saved over sixty men. During a rescue mission on April 11, 1966, he was offered the chance to escape on the last helicopter out of a combat zone heavily under fire, but he stayed behind to save and defend the lives of his fellow soldiers of the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division, before making the ultimate sacrifice in the bloodiest battle of the war. Thirty-two years later, respected Pentagon staffer Scott Huffman (Sebastien Stan) on a career fast-track is tasked with investigating a Congressional Medal of Honor request for Pitsenbarger made by his best friend and PJ mission partner (William Hurt) and his parents (Christopher Plummer & Diane Ladd). Huffman seeks out the testimony of Army veterans who witnessed Pitsenbarger’s extraordinary valor, including Takoda (Samuel L. Jackson), Burr (Peter Fonda) and Mott (Ed Harris). But as Huffman learns more about Pitsenbarger’s courageous acts, he uncovers a high-level conspiracy behind the decades-long denial of the medal, prompting him to put his own career on the line to seek justice for the fallen airman.
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Aviation Heritage Park Update - Summer 2019
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Here is the latest update from Aviation Heritage Park. In addition, they are currently looking at choosing a contractor to move forward with designing the museum building itself. Once they have a contractor, the RIver Rats will then get involved to start designing our area of the museum. More updates as we get them. Current overall funding is just about $500,000.
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What Airplane Flew the Most Combat Sorties in S.E.A.?
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Keith Ferris
We all know who Keith Ferris is as he is one of the top aviation artists of all time. Here is a good video video of him presented “Lightning at Sea,” his third and final painting of the F-35 Lightning II, to Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, commander, Naval Air Forces, at Pensacola, Florida, on May 12, 2016. Learn how Ferris makes his dreams of flight come true ... on canvas.
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Christmases In the Dungeons of North Vietnam
by Ted Ballard
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As we relax from this past Christmas, I wanted everyone to read about the experience of POWs during Christmases when they were held captive. It was written by Ted Ballard. I got this story from pack member Nolan Schmidt, Col USAF (ret). Here's what Nolan had to say:
Pontiff: Use it in the "Spark" any way you wish. I can't verify the accuracy of the article, though -- It is as I have received it. FYI I am a life member of the River Rats, had three tours in SEA (C-130s mid '60s as a nav // A-26s out of NKP in 1969 // and F-4s out of Holloman (Black Sheep) and Takhli in 1972. 100+ in each aircraft and a dozen or so in Pack 6 in 72. I get your Spark regularly and appreciate being on your list, but I live in Carmel, IN, North of Indy, so getting to your meetings at my age is a little awkward. Thank you for all that you do to keep alive the spirit of the RRVFPA. We appreciate your work so very much. Oh, by the way, after my third SEA tour they sent me to AFMPC to work in rated assignments and I was a participant in Project Homecoming, so I was allotted my seven ex-POWs to reblue. I've worked with that group and yes, it was an honor. Nolan (aka Smitty)
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So This Is How Retired B-52 Crews Relax
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Hope everyone had a great holidays. Now it's back to the ol' grindstone. Looking at dates for the next TC and will update everyone with a Snap Vector when we get it.
As always, if you have something that is of interest to the pack, send it my way and I will get it out to the group so we keep everyone involved with what we are up to.
If you have anything else, please forward them to me at kentuckianarr@gmail.com and I will get them in the next Spark.
Check 6/12!
Pontiff
Craig Pope
cp7716@gmail.com
502-548-2654
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CHALLENGE COINS & DVDS
Click the photo links below to find out more information or to order any Challenge coins or 50th Anniversary DVDs.
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