Updated 24 Oct. 2015
"You love a lot of things if you live around them. But there isn't any woman and there isn't any horse, not any before nor after, that is as lovely as a great airplane. And men who love them are faithful to them even though they leave them for others. Man has one virginity to lose in fighters, and if it is a lovely airplane he loses it to, there is where his heart will forever be."
To ensure we continue the long tradition of annual get-togethers and to renew the bonds which tie those who associated with that magnificent Fighter aircraft, we have formed the F-8 CRUSADER ASSOCIATION INC. This will be a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to provide a real time organization to keep track of and communicate with those in our Crusader family.
A non-profit association provides some advantages which will help in the future as our numbers naturally diminish and will more clearly outline some ongoing and necessary administrative functions. We are not in competition with Tailhook and will continue to support them in every way possible. Further, there should be little or no cost to members.
LACB-28 REPORT
99 Gators,
Our 28th Last Annual Crusader Ball and reunion is now in the history books and for all who attended, it was certainly one to remember. For four wonderful days in San Diego we renewed old friendships, reconnected with people who shaped our young lives and laughed till it hurt. Many people saw old squadron-mates for the first time in over 40 years. It felt great to be together again and our pride in being F-8 pilots showed.
On Thursday night there were numerous squadron reunion dinners as attendees began to arrive. Later that evening the hospitality suite was hopping as we all enjoyed the top floor Penthouse suite and the stunning views of San Diego at night.
On Friday we took 250 people in chartered buses to MCAS Miramar to our own private flight line chalet to watch the Miramar Air Show performances including our own Blue Angels. We returned to the hotel for a happy hour and reception around the pool for over 320 people.
On Saturday we spread out to enjoy the many activities San Diego has to offer including touring the Midway and playing golf at ADM Baker, and on Saturday night we had 350 Crusader pilots and their guests for the banquet dinner. As we highlighted the accomplishments of the Crusader and the incredible pilots who were present, we also honored the Martin-Baker Company – one of our generous sponsors – by asking all Crusader drivers who had ejected from the Crusader to come forward for a photo. In all, 33 pilots came up for a photo which is being framed and sent to Martin-Baker. The photo is on the website at www.f8crusader.org and we ask that you go have a look at it to help identify a few of the lucky drivers who are standing there because of Martin Baker.
Throughout the weekend, we relaxed in the Penthouse suite and enjoyed the perfect October weather, the beautiful San Diego views and great conversation with lots of old friends. Your reunion committee is grateful to all of you for your strong support of the weekend's activities, the ready room, the raffle and the Crusader items we made available for sale. This strong support makes everything possible. It was a great time and we certainly hope to see you again at the next LACB event in 2017.
Here are a few key debrief items from the weekend:
Photos of the reunion are now up on the website at www.f8crusader.org. If you didn’t make this reunion, you can see many of your old buddies there and resolve now to attend the next one.
If you need more Crusader and LACB-28 items we've got them. We have ball caps (red or Navy blue) and the beautiful etched dinner wine glasses and F-8 Crusader challenge coins for sale. Just contact us at LACBgear@gmail.com and either Mike Waldron or I will make arrangements to get them to you.
If you were a raffle winner and did not get your prize - a very nice bottle of Fighter Pilot Red, let me know and we will figure out a way to get that to you. The winning numbers were announced at the banquet, but six bottles were not claimed. If you still have your winning raffle ticket that will be a big help as I sort through the hundreds of winners I am sure to hear from. If you’re not sure if you won, but still have your raffle ticket, just ask.
It was a special weekend to remember. San Diego couldn't have put on a more beautiful show for us. The hotel was great and is certainly a contender for the next reunion in 2017. Your reunion committee is proud of the effort and the results. It’s very satisfying to put on one of these events and to see so many of your friends have such a good time. If you would like to work on the next reunion, consider this an invitation to join us or even be the guy who runs it all. Jump in here and help.
All the best regards to everyone,
Rich Redditt
Turtle
==========================================================
For the last two LACB’s we’ve said, “how can it get any better than this?”
Well it can, and it did!
I’m already looking forward to LACB-29 in May of 2017. Negotiations are already underway with the Mission Bay Hyatt to do it again.
Turtle has said what a great time we had in his recap summary. What he didn’t do was pat himself on the back. I can’t say enough about how he and his crew put the last two reunions together. As Turtle put it, he had a “Dream Team”, each a self-starter, taking their piece and running it to a successful conclusion.
By Name: Bob Pearl, Mike Waldron, Skip Leonard, Dave Cowles, Chuck Schroeder, John Holm, Jim Ozbirn and of course, our Event Coordinator, Mary Buonaguidi.
In my mind, they all are in the LACB Planning Hall of Fame. Thank them if you get a chance. E-mail sure makes it easy.
Dream Teams can’t last forever, the members start suffering from burnout…except Mary. She thrives on her business and as far as I can see, we will be her business as long as we continue having LACB’s.
As these magnificently attended reunions suggest, 180 pilots plus guests for this one, about the same for the last, San Diego appears to be the heart and soul of the Crusader community, especially the “youthful” members. I consider anyone who was one of my FRP’s a youth; you know who you are.
Yes, I am coming to the part you are all waiting for: the solicitation! We need more of you to come out and help the cause of this special event in our lives. Please contact Turtle or myself by telephone or email. Let us know how you can help this noble effort.
And while I’m on a roll, consider joining the Association Board of Directors. We are always looking for a few good men. Call me.
One more thing: Go to the www.f8crusader.org website. Take a look around and see how nice it is, how easy it is to find information, look at the pictures, especially the photos of the LACB-28 reunion. A special thanks to Dave Cowles for providing his time and expertise in putting the website into such a friendly format.
Until the next time, fair winds and following seas, fly the ball and right for line-up,
Joe Phaneuf (aka Brillo)
President
Our 28th Last Annual Crusader Ball and reunion is now in the history books and for all who attended, it was certainly one to remember. For four wonderful days in San Diego we renewed old friendships, reconnected with people who shaped our young lives and laughed till it hurt. Many people saw old squadron-mates for the first time in over 40 years. It felt great to be together again and our pride in being F-8 pilots showed.
On Thursday night there were numerous squadron reunion dinners as attendees began to arrive. Later that evening the hospitality suite was hopping as we all enjoyed the top floor Penthouse suite and the stunning views of San Diego at night.
On Friday we took 250 people in chartered buses to MCAS Miramar to our own private flight line chalet to watch the Miramar Air Show performances including our own Blue Angels. We returned to the hotel for a happy hour and reception around the pool for over 320 people.
On Saturday we spread out to enjoy the many activities San Diego has to offer including touring the Midway and playing golf at ADM Baker, and on Saturday night we had 350 Crusader pilots and their guests for the banquet dinner. As we highlighted the accomplishments of the Crusader and the incredible pilots who were present, we also honored the Martin-Baker Company – one of our generous sponsors – by asking all Crusader drivers who had ejected from the Crusader to come forward for a photo. In all, 33 pilots came up for a photo which is being framed and sent to Martin-Baker. The photo is on the website at www.f8crusader.org and we ask that you go have a look at it to help identify a few of the lucky drivers who are standing there because of Martin Baker.
Throughout the weekend, we relaxed in the Penthouse suite and enjoyed the perfect October weather, the beautiful San Diego views and great conversation with lots of old friends. Your reunion committee is grateful to all of you for your strong support of the weekend's activities, the ready room, the raffle and the Crusader items we made available for sale. This strong support makes everything possible. It was a great time and we certainly hope to see you again at the next LACB event in 2017.
Here are a few key debrief items from the weekend:
Photos of the reunion are now up on the website at www.f8crusader.org. If you didn’t make this reunion, you can see many of your old buddies there and resolve now to attend the next one.
If you need more Crusader and LACB-28 items we've got them. We have ball caps (red or Navy blue) and the beautiful etched dinner wine glasses and F-8 Crusader challenge coins for sale. Just contact us at LACBgear@gmail.com and either Mike Waldron or I will make arrangements to get them to you.
If you were a raffle winner and did not get your prize - a very nice bottle of Fighter Pilot Red, let me know and we will figure out a way to get that to you. The winning numbers were announced at the banquet, but six bottles were not claimed. If you still have your winning raffle ticket that will be a big help as I sort through the hundreds of winners I am sure to hear from. If you’re not sure if you won, but still have your raffle ticket, just ask.
It was a special weekend to remember. San Diego couldn't have put on a more beautiful show for us. The hotel was great and is certainly a contender for the next reunion in 2017. Your reunion committee is proud of the effort and the results. It’s very satisfying to put on one of these events and to see so many of your friends have such a good time. If you would like to work on the next reunion, consider this an invitation to join us or even be the guy who runs it all. Jump in here and help.
All the best regards to everyone,
Rich Redditt
Turtle
==========================================================
For the last two LACB’s we’ve said, “how can it get any better than this?”
Well it can, and it did!
I’m already looking forward to LACB-29 in May of 2017. Negotiations are already underway with the Mission Bay Hyatt to do it again.
Turtle has said what a great time we had in his recap summary. What he didn’t do was pat himself on the back. I can’t say enough about how he and his crew put the last two reunions together. As Turtle put it, he had a “Dream Team”, each a self-starter, taking their piece and running it to a successful conclusion.
By Name: Bob Pearl, Mike Waldron, Skip Leonard, Dave Cowles, Chuck Schroeder, John Holm, Jim Ozbirn and of course, our Event Coordinator, Mary Buonaguidi.
In my mind, they all are in the LACB Planning Hall of Fame. Thank them if you get a chance. E-mail sure makes it easy.
Dream Teams can’t last forever, the members start suffering from burnout…except Mary. She thrives on her business and as far as I can see, we will be her business as long as we continue having LACB’s.
As these magnificently attended reunions suggest, 180 pilots plus guests for this one, about the same for the last, San Diego appears to be the heart and soul of the Crusader community, especially the “youthful” members. I consider anyone who was one of my FRP’s a youth; you know who you are.
Yes, I am coming to the part you are all waiting for: the solicitation! We need more of you to come out and help the cause of this special event in our lives. Please contact Turtle or myself by telephone or email. Let us know how you can help this noble effort.
And while I’m on a roll, consider joining the Association Board of Directors. We are always looking for a few good men. Call me.
One more thing: Go to the www.f8crusader.org website. Take a look around and see how nice it is, how easy it is to find information, look at the pictures, especially the photos of the LACB-28 reunion. A special thanks to Dave Cowles for providing his time and expertise in putting the website into such a friendly format.
Until the next time, fair winds and following seas, fly the ball and right for line-up,
Joe Phaneuf (aka Brillo)
President
CRUSADER ASSOCIATION DIRECTORS FOR 2014-2015
REVISED 6-1-2014
PRESIDENT: Joe Phaneuf, joe@hpcareer.net
9622 Basket Ring Rd. , Columbia, Md. 21045
Cell- 443-803-3439, Home- 410-715-2268, Fax- 720-247-1816
Board- Sep 2007, Pres- May 2011
VICE-PRES: John Allen , froose8@cox.net
1225 Plantation Lakes Circle, Chesapeake, Va. 23320
Home- 757-479-1168
Board- May 2011
SECRETARY: Dennis Duffy, duffydc@sbcglobal.net
128 Timberline Dr. N
Colleyville, Tx. 76034
817-485-4096
Board- Aug 2014, Chaired LACB-24
TREASURER: Bob Pearl, bobandgaypearl@att.net
5155-B Renaissance Ave. , San Diego, Ca. 92122
Cell- 858-337-1318, Home- 858-587-8144
Board- May 2008, Chaired 3 LACB’s
VOTING MEMBERS:
Ken Langford (Marine Rep), liveoakken@ainternet.biz
311 Pebble Beach Drive, Portland, Tx. 78374
Cell- 361-533-2992, Home- 361-643-8878
Board- May 2011
Dave Benson, (Navy Rep), davidbenson61@comcast.net
61 North Hickory Ave. , Tracy, Ca. 95376
Cell- 203-209-1433, Home- 209-832-0910
Board- Sep 2012
Voting Member: Vacant
NON-VOTING MEMBERS:
Dave Morris, dkmorris1@cox.net
23 Ivy Home Road, Hampton, Va. 23669
Home- 757-726-0192, Fax- 757-726-0195
Board- May 2008
Richard (hotdog) Brown, hotdogf8@verizon.net
11132 Rich Meadows Dr. Great Falls, Va. 22066
Cell- 703-915-4318, Home-703-444-3259, Fax- 703-444-4880
Board- May 2008
Chuck Klusmann, candek@bellsouth.net
615 Bayshore Drive, # 807, Pensacola, Fl. 32507
Cell- 850-723-0804, Home- 850-492-5806
Pres-May 2008, Board- 2005
John Holm, solobadger1@gmail.com
4515 Benhurst Ave. , San Diego, Ca. 92122
Cell- 619-886-4314, Home- 858-458-0640
Board- May 2008, V/P- May 2011
Jerry Unruh, junruh1@cox.net
1 Pueblo Drive, Pensacola, Fl. 32507
Cell- 850-377-1771, Home/Fax- 850-492-1770
Board- May 2008
Jim Shardy, jshardy1939@att.net
2500 State Highway 121, apt 224
Cell- 817-455-8855
Board- Oct 2009
SERVICE MEMBERS:
Bull Durham, durham@vt.edu
314 Sunset Blvd., Blacksburg, Va. 24060
Cell- 540-552-4680
Board- Jan 2011
F-8 CRUSADER WEB SITE:
Dave Johnson, f8@cloudnet.com, djohnson@cloudnet.com
5979 17th SE, St. Cloud, Mn. 56304
Cell- 320-249-2545, Home- 320-253-5364, Office- 320-255-9778
Board- Aug 1996
MEDIA REP: Michaela Conley, Michaela@hpcareer.net
9622 Basket Ring Rd., Columbia, Md. 21045
Cell- 410-715-2268
Board- May 2011
ROSTER MANAGER:
Bill Wright, wrightw@roadrunner.com
642 Windmill Ranch Rd., Encinitas, Ca. 92024
Cell- 760-828-2042, Home- 760-753-2378, Fax- 760-753-2737
Board- Dec 2001
