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DONORS -
WE THANK YOU
Donations
for Newsletter/Reunion expenses may be mailed to either
Pauline or Ted with checks made payable to CAFS
REUNION FUND.
Remember,
it only takes $5.00 per year to keep you on the active
mailing list.
Robbie Robertson
Archie Fairbrother
Lloyd & Judy Egers
Johnny & Russie Johnson
Twyla Cloyd
Billy Yarber
Steve Molnar
Richard Farrington
Joe & Jean Notaro
Charlie Croan
Clark E. Smith
Melvin Webster
Charles & Norma Darr
Larry & Janet Whitten
James Arrington
Joseph Mitchell
Helen Stitham
Jack Lynch
++++++++++++++++
CAFS
PEOPLE FOUND
Lawrence S. McClenaghan
3061 Cedar Trace
Tarpon Springs FL 34689
1960 -1962
John H. VanCleef
504 Fairview Ave
Frederick MD 21701
Phone 301-662-3123
1960's
Francis "Frank"
Hillman Sr
2432 -143 Berryville Pike
Winchester VA 22603
Tom Segerson
112 Dawes Rd
Dover-Foxcroft ME 04426
CAFS Nov 54 - Apr 55
&Jan 69 -Sep 74
+++++++++++++++
UPDATED
USPO & E-MAIL ADDRESSES
Anthony DiBlasi
23 Bellaire Dr
Cabot AR 72023-2872
Carl E. Smith
2946 S.W. 30th St
Cape Coral FL 33914
Archie Fairbrother
2907 Bennoch Rd
Alton ME 04468-4201
Ted Bell
P.O. Box 778
Wrightstown NJ 08562
Jack & Nancy Reynolds
551 Blackstream Rd
Hermon ME 04401
Pete & Ross Caristi
RR 8 Box 5596
Bangor ME 04401
Phone 207-848-0988
Hal & Gail Thomas
403 Breedlove Rd
Nashville NC 27856
252-7297
halandgail@coastalnet.com
Robert Head Jr
Lan_King@juno.com
Scotty Rushing
srushing@stic.net
Homer Rodecape
1224 Osgood Rd
Colorado Springs CO 80915
hrodecape@aol.com
George Crooks
gcrooks@juno.com
Larry D. Whitten
17 Country Pl, Mill Landing
Millsboro DE 19966
flokboss@dmv.com
Norman & Betty Rust
286 Bisbeetown Rd
Waterford ME 04088
nbr@aol.com
+++++++++++++++++++++
E-MAIL
NOTES -- PLUS SOME FOLKS SURFED IN AND SIGNED THE
GUESTBOOK
"What a surprise.... on a whim I type Charleston AFS
into Google and look what it comes up with. I worked the
power plant there in 1976 - 1977."
Benny Burdine
bemeeb@aol.com
Anchorage, Alaska
"It's a great (web) site. Nice job. I wish more
people from 1968 -1971 would check in."
Jerry Regan
RacerJ03@aol.com
Stamford, Connecticutt
"I was a "291.." stationed at Charleston
(beginning) in 1958 for about 15 months. Don't remember
much about my stay there. Would it be possible to find
out who else was there at about the same time?"
Byron J. Wood
jimmywood2@home.com
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
++++++++++++++
More from Jerry Regan:
"I was stationed at CAFS from August 1968 - February
1970 and again from February 1971-December 1971. I worked
in Operations as a height finder operator. I've always
loved the area and almost settled down there and in my
stay made many friends. I remember just about everything
on that site and at times I miss it. I was very sad to
read that it had closed down but it will always be a
happy memory. By the way, has anyone seen SSGT
Joe Guyotte?"
Jerry Regan
Stamford, Connecticut
++++++++++++++
From a friend:
"I own a small deburring shop that does work on the
Hawk, Patriot, Aegis Program etc. Hope our work keeps the
system ok. Proud to be part of the team even if only in a
small way."
Joyce E. Marble
stargazer32a@aol.com
Massachusetts
+++++++++++++++
5/14/01
"We took a hike this last weekend up and around the
old platforms. It was quite interesting to walk the
grounds. Most of the buildings on top of the hill were in
good structural shape, but a lot of debris, etc.
everywhere."
Chuck McMahan
cmcmahan@att.net
(location not given)
"Ok, I didn't read the
instructions and that's the reason for this second entry.
I was stationed at CAFS 1960 to 1962, hung around with Ron
Carty, Ralph Burtt, Art Weeks, Bill Becker, and
"Oaks". We had a hell of a knuckle
ball pitcher, I think his name was Perry.
I remember Wilson from the mess hall, Sgt
Gillespie and Williams in the
motor pool, Bill Babbash, John Clements, Archie
Fairbrother, Ron Fowle, Mel Boring, and my many
meetings with Major Marvin after
wrecking cars, several (police interventions) and etc.
ALL fond memories!!!! There was Norm Potvin,
Turcotte, Danny Houle who married the dentist's
daughter, Houghie, Larry Whitten, and
the list goes on and on.
Great trout fishing and deer hunting.
Many trips to the gap filler in Topsfield, almost burned
it down several times! I crossed paths again with Ralph
Burtt in the late 60's working for New York
Telephone. Saw Dan Houle (then divorced
from the dentist's daughter) in early 70's while
attending IBS seminar. Am putting the 2002 reunion on my
agenda. Sorry to hear the site closed down!"
Larry (Mac) McClenaghan
LarryM82@excite.com
Tarpon Springs, Florida
++++++++++++++
"Was stationed at Charleston from July 62 to August
65. Retired after 21 plus years hometown Lewiston. Been
in Orlando since August 65. Like the winters but summers
too hot.
Worked in Ops & lived in D/F on Morton Ave Trailer
park. Am Ham Radio Operator and have been since 1978. Am
in contact with Merland Clark in East
Corinth. He worked with the T2 and BUIC.
One of these yrs will make the reunion. Any hams from the
radar site? Call is WR4B, am, on 20 mtrs on 14.327 every
nite at 1700 hrs."
Joe LaPointe
WR4B@QSL.NET
Orlando, Florida
++++++++++++++
"Never stationed at CAFS, but it looks like it would
have been a good assignment. I was at Kalispell, Roanoke
Rapids, and Diluth while in ADC. "
Dave Auvil
Timingdva@aol.com
Melbourne, Florida
LETTERS
- NOTES - LETTERS
We heard from Ted and Becky Robinson
at the beginning of the summer:
"I'm doing ok. Becky recuperating from her shoulder
operation. Everything is in a mess here because of
complete remodeling and addition of a dining room,
office, mudroom, and enlargement of kitchen! Having a
hard time keeping track of food, dishes, and even my
coffee!"
++++++++++++++
"Please accept the enclosed check to support the
Charleston Air Force Station (Reunion) and pass on my
sincere thanks to the people that set up the website and
maintain it. There is no need to mail the newsletter to
my home as I can read it on the Web.
The website brings back a flood of fond memories and was
a totally unexpected find for me. I hope to see many more
names from the early sixties. The website is also listed
in classmates.com, after signing up in your graduating
high school there is an option to list military service.
You can list all posts you were stationed at.
Thanks again for all the effort."
Larry (Mac) McClenaghan
Tarpon Springs, Florida
++++++++++++++
"Here's the address for John VanCleef.
He dropped by and we had a nice visit. He was stationed
at Charleston in the 60's."
Charles & Norma Darr
Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
++++++++++++++
"As always, enjoyed the newsletter! It also reminded
us that it's time to send some moolah to help out, so
check enclosed.
Jim and I moved to Manheim, Penna, bought an old home and
are fixing it up... I keep reminding Jim that he's
"having fun" as he lugs paint, tools and
ladders! Now we're close to family and friends which is
nice.
The Pechacek's and Molnar's
paid us a visit and saw things in the "before"
mode. Hope they'll be back to see the "after"
too.
Hope this note finds you in good health and happy. With
it comes out everlasting thanks for all you've done to
enrich the lives of all of us who think of CAFS and the
great folks who passed thru those gates thru the years.
Jan & Jim Silvius
Nifty-Fifties
Manheim, Pennsylvania
++++++++++++++
"Sorry to hear about Doc!
Don't worry about the newsletter being late as I hadn't
sent any money for quite a while! Please find enclosed a
little bit from Melvin Webster and
myself. (Mel gave me money months ago!). Sorry I couldn't
make it for the reunion last year. Carl L. Smth sent
me pictures of the reunion and Dover-Foxcroft. He also
sent me a picture of the site (from outside the gate, of
course). I told you I'm not much of a writer but this is
one thing I wanted to take care of. Winter was a little
tough here also, but we have learned over the years to
take care of it (or live with it!). I'm handicapped and
only missed getting out one time in the morning because
my friend hadn't plowed the driveway.
Thanks,
P.S.
Carl L. Smith told me he had not received his newsletter
since he moved to Florida but he pops it up on the
internet anyway. Will write his address down when I go
out in the morning.
P.P.S.
Wish we could get more input from people that were at the
site during 65 - 66. Even find Bill Rayfield
? Used to hang around with him.
P.P.P.S.
Didn't mean to jack you about snow in Maine! (Wind on the
hill was worse than anything I had experienced.) Set
record in Erie this year for snow (168" + ) 40 miles
north of me. (Lake effect?.) Carl Smith's address
included.
Hope this finds you all in good health and spirits.
Clark E. Smith
Melvin Webster
Meadville, Pennsylvania
++++++++++++++++
"Enclosed find xx bucks to cover the mailing
costs for the Charleston AFS newsletter and for all your
hard work. All of us enjoyed our Charleston Hill time.
Greatly appreciate the labor and effort. Many
thanks"
Jack Lynch
Brooklyn, New York
++++++++++++++++
"It's
never too late to hear news from "home". I get
the "Observer" still, although two weeks after
it's published. We enjoy the newsletter whenever they
come."
John & Russie Johnson
Panama City, Florida
26TH AIR
DIVISON REUNION
For any of you who may have been members of this division
or know former members, there is a reunion coming up the
weekend of October 12 - 14 in Bangor, Maine. Your contact
is reunion secretary Charles Doran at 937-236-0081 or
5258 Pitcairn Rd, Huber Heights, Ohio 45424 or crdoran@aol.com. In
Maine you may get information from Glennis Pratt Cline at
207-827-1483 or 1102 Cardville Rd, Greenbush, Maine
04418, who was stationed at Roslyn Air Force Station,
Long Island, from Aug 1954 to June 1959.
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"Thanks
for your letter and a copy of the special order moving
guys from Dow AFB to Charleston. ...I would not be on
this special order. Probably was on orders about that
time to ship over to Japan/Korea (FEACOM). I remember
being home on leave from approximately the first week of
December 1951, to right after Christmas and having to
report to Camp Stoneman(?), California, just before New
Year's Eve. I did recognize some name on that special
order:
1. TSgt
Carlo Rescigno - nice guy from New York, used to
cut my hair on base.
2. Cpl
Frank Stevens - if I got this right, he married
a girl from Bangor and I was his best man or in the
wedding party. He was from Iowa, I think.
3. Sgt
Metatall - he was the supply Sergeant who spoke
with a heavy accent, soft spoken. I think he was from
Arkansas.Some names not on the order that I remember:
1. Don
Remley - was my buddy , we were always together.
He was from Covington, Kentucky. We shipped overseas
together but never saw or heard from him again after we
got separated in Korea. I remember we hitchhiked to some
town approximately 60 miles away to see Ralph
Flanagan band playing somewhere in town. We were
in uniform and got to speak to Ralph Flanagan briefly.
2. A
guy by the name of Palmer, I don't
remember his first name. I think he was from Maine.
3. A
guy by the name of Holder, I don't
remember his first name but he was from Oregon.
4. I
see the name Chambers on this order.
There was a black guy from California who was in our
barracks and who introduced me to "jazz" music,
I still like that kind of music today. He worked in
Crypto, a secret area of the radar shack.
5. Joe
Imbrescia from Beaver, Pennsylvania.
6.
The name Shackley is vaguely familiar.
Enclosed is a small donation to the cause. Hope to make
the 2002 Reunion. Thanks again for the information.
Afterthought:
Is it possible to get a copy of current mailing lists?
Also... What is TOPSHAM? Will try to
relate more stories to send you."
Joseph R. Notaro
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
++++++++++++++++
CURRENT
MAILING LISTS ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.
$2.50 COVERS PHTOCOPY SERVICE, ENVELOPE & POSTAGE
WHAT IS TOPSHAM?
THAT'S BEST ANSWERED BY WOODY!
++++++++++++++++
"Enjoyed
the newsletter. It was very informative and it gave me a
moment to reflect. I was very sorry to find out that Dr
Stitham had passed. He did not deliver any of my
children, but he sure did provide some much-needed
medical attention. I have retired from my civilian job
and am self-employed in my own telecommunications
business. There was an article in a previous newsletter
about Maurice Yonkin. He was at the
hilltop when I was there. I enclose a small donation to
offset the expense of mailing and preparing the
newsletter. Keep up the good work. Sincerely,"
James A. Arrington
Ellenwood, Georgia
++++++++++++++++
"To
the Reunion Committee of Charleston AFS: "Thanks for
the latest news of the membership. It was the second best
piece of news we've had this year. The first was that the
snow had gone'
Here's
a check to help with expenses. Looking forward to the
next reunion. Yours truly,"
Joseph & Jean Mitchell
59 - 62
Martville, New York
++++++++++++++++
"Received
my first CAFS newsletter today and was very pleased to
get it. I hope I get some responses from some of my
former hill mates because of the letter of mine that you
printed in the newsletter.
I have been in touch with a few of the folks I was
stationed at CAFS with via the internet. Some remember me
and some don't. Forty years can do a lot of things to
one's memory. A couple of your neighbors remembered me
and we do correspond via e-mail. Junior Clark
and John Clements are who I am speaking
of. John sent me a few pictures, one of him at an Air
Force function and another of him with a huge cucumber he
had grown a few years ago. I would know him anywhere. He
hasn't changed much.
In the newsletter you mentioned the weather in Maine was
in part the reason for the slowness of getting the letter
ready. I know what you are talking about and I don't miss
that part at all. I remember the really wicked snow
storms and cold weather. Here in Delaware we have a
little snow and a few cold days, but all in all, a much
milder winter than center Maine. Today (April 30th) is
almost 80 degrees and sunny.
I am enclosing a check to help defray the costs of the
newsletter. I really appreciate the time and effort you
all put into it. I look forward to the next reunion as I
plan on being there. I would like to visit with some of
the guys I was stationed with.
Thanks again for your efforts. Hope to see you at the
reunion."
Larry D. Whitten
Millsboro, Delaware
++++++++++++++
[Maybe Larry can tell us next time how
come his e-mail address is "flokboss"]
++++++++++++++
Anyone who attended the 1997 CAFS Reunion and met John
Cloyd will never forget him! He was so enthused
over getting to see friends he had not set eyes on since
the 50's, that his enthusiasm was so contagious that it
bubbled over to engulf the rest of us! Recently a letter
was received from his wife, Twyla:
" I want to thank you for sending the Charleston Air
Force Station Newsletter. My husband, John Cloyd
and I had a chance to attend the reunion in 1997. I
enjoyed meeting so many of the people that were so
important to him and his history. I would like to have
you use the enclosed check for your mailings. I think I
am ready to be taken off the mailing list. Again, I thank
you for being so faithful in keeping me on the list. I
have really appreciated it. Sincerely,"
Twyla Cloyd
Portland, Oregon
++++++++++++++
" May 1, sunny and warm 77 degrees. Thank you for
the CAFS newsletter April 2001. We truly enjoyed all the
news, etc. I am enclosing another check for the cause and
pray you continue a "swell job by all". My
family all OK. In fact my daughter will be on TV - beast
cancer survivor - American Cancer Society. All rest OK
too. We love you all.
Sorry about Joe Mizda's misfortune... I will pray for
all."
Billy R Yarber (alias Smook)
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
++++++++++++++
"Reunion 2000 was fun, glad we attended. A big
thank you to the reunion committee, the t-shirts were a
great idea, and of course thanks to the newsletter crew.
We have not received any newsletters since December 1999.
If you have any extra copies, I'd appreciate it. Looking
forward to the next reunion. Keep up the good work.
Newsletter donation enclosed. Thanks again."
Steve & Phyllis Molnar
Alamogordo, New Mexico
++++++++++++++
"Thank you for doing such a great job keeping all
the 765ers connected. What memories Pat and I have of my
time "on the hill". We were newlyweds at the
time, and our daughter Cathy was born at Dow AFB hospital
just before I transferred out in December of '54. We
rented an upstairs apartment from Bert and Alice
Blaisdell in East Corinth. Perhaps some other
765 alumni may have rented the same apartment. Bert and
Alice were nice people.
Keep up the good work. Please know that all you good
people are appreciated! Enclosed is a small
donation for the newsletter expenses. Best wishes to
all."
Dick Farrington
Medway, Maine
P.S. HELLO, HARVEY PECHACEK
++++++++++++++
"Procrastination
is a helluva country to be in, but anyway am getting in a
contribution to the cause .
++++++++++++++
Mind! We had a couple of days of sun, was that summer
'01?"
Archie Fairbrother
Alton, Maine
++++++++++++++
"Have
been going to send a few $$ to help with the newsletter,
but it seems to have been on the back burner for a while.
You
are doing a great job with the newsletter. Keep up the
good work. Although I don't know many of the ole troops,
It's still great to hear about them and what they are
doing now and where they are living. As you know, I was
only at CAFS for 18 months and worked behind the
"Green Door" so didn't meet that many.
Last
year at the Berryville, VA Moose Enrollment, we enrolled
a man from Maine and that was stationed at CAFS about
1970, I think. His name and address is Francis
(Frank) Hillman Sr, 2432-143 Berryville Pike,
Winchester, VA 22603. I haven't seen
Frank since that night but am sure he would like to hear
about our reunions. If all goes well we'll see ya all in
2002. Thanks again for the great
newsletter."
Robbie Robertson
Winchester, Virginia
++++++++++++++
Atop The Hill
by Cpl Arn Shein
(Note: In the last newsletter this
article was more than slightly scrambled by a
"mysterious force". Only after all the
envelopes were sealed we realized the problem. Oh, the
wonders of the technical age!)
February 28, 1952,
Piscataquis
Observer
In the
near future, a bloodmobile will tour throughout the
county. We of the 765th, along with you of Piscataquis
County, have been asked to pledge a pint of our blood now
so that valuable time may not be lost when the
bloodmobile arrives.
It is entirely possible that the
men with whom we have been, and are now associating with
now -- men who quite probably have become friendly with
you people of Piscataquis County -- will soon find
themselves in Korea with an urgent need for the very
blood we are asked to give now!
Realizing this, no less than 50 of Charleston Hill's
personnel have pledged a pint of blood as of this
writing.
We hope that when the bloodmobile
arrives, all of us "Atop The Hill" will meet
all of you on the bottom of the hill.
--------------------------
How to get from the bottom of the
hill to "Atop The Hill"? That's the problem
which each officer and airman, who live off the base, was
faced with during last week's tremendous snowstorm!
Anticipating that the going might
be a little rough, most of the 765th AC&W Squadron
personnel got up at the crack of dawn to make the tredge
to Charleston Hill. The going, however proved to be much
more than "a little rough" as strong backs and
sturdy shovels attempted to clear away some of ol' man
Winter's debris.
After several carloads of men in
blue were marooned between Dover-Foxcroft and the point
of destination, it was unanimously agreed that the snow
in Piscataquis County makes for a beautiful sight --
"but can't it be spread out a little"!
The storm once again brought out
the hospitality of the townsfolk. Two couples -- Mr.
and Mrs. Davis and Mr. and Mrs. Noyes
-- found themselves nearest to the mass marooning on
Route 15 and the couples graciously provided food and
shelter until help arrived. A hearty message of
"thanks" is sent to from the hill to the
Davises and the Noyeses.
Before we forget, congratulations
to Dover-Foxcroft's TSgt and Mrs. Irving Cohen who
celebrated their 3rd wedding anniversary last Friday.
Be seein' ya at the same corner,
next week!
[Contributed by Bill
Larrabee, alias, Woodstove Willie who tends to the
weather throughout the year at Sebec Lake.]
REUNION
2002
GET READY !
TIME PASSES QUICKLY !
IT'S THE WEEKEND OF
JULY 19, 20, + 21, 2002
IN BANGOR,
MAINE
As everyone says, "Time flies ..." and Reunion
2002 will be here before you know it. Some people have
sent in ideas for the reunion and we appreciate your
thoughts. We'd like to hear more from you in the next few
months so we can consider your suggestions while we do
our planning. Use one of our e-mail addresses listed here
or mail to one of us.
For anyone who has not been in Bangor for a number of
years (or even a couple years), you will see a great
change in the Dow AFB landscape. Lots of new construction
going on daily.
ON THE HILL in Charleston, the State of maine has been
working on the Northern Maine Regional Juvenille
Detention Facility, part of which you may have seen if
you toured around after your 2000 Reunion.The full
facility which is scheduled to be opened by November 1st
will be known as Mountain View Youth Development Center
instead of the previous name chosen. It is a $25 million
project and is expected to be the premier juvenile
facility in the country. This project site takes in the
area where both relocatable and permanent base housing
existed.
A BLAST FROM
THE PAST
A "Welcome to 765th ACWS" produced under Major
William E. Schwartz, Commander by Capt. John P. Rice Jr
and A1C Melbourne H. Pridgen about 1954 - 55 gave housing
conditions at Charleston AFS: "There are no present
facilities for family housing at the station. However
contracts have been let to have nine on base units by
September 1956. Housing in the immediate vicinity is
plentiful and extremely reasonable. In Charleston, East
Corinth, and Dover-Foxcroft, a five room furnished
apartment rents for approximately $45.00 monthly.This
does not include utilities. Rents in Bangor are much
higher."
These nine units of "permanent" family housing
were demolished just a short time ago (1999?) to clear
the way for the Youth Detention Center.
THE WISDOM OF AGE
I am an old, old man,
and have had many troubles ..
But most of them never happened.
2002
REUNION COMMITTEE
Joe Mizda
66 Fourth St, Bangor ME 04401
E-mail jcm-mstpba@juno.com
(Keeper of the Mailing List)
Ted Robinson
557 Stetson Rd, Exeter ME 04435
(Keeper of the Funds)
Peter Caristi
195 Garland St, Bangor ME
04401
E-mail carisl95@aol.com
(Reunion Emcee)
Woody Breedlove
211 Maple St, Bangor ME 04401
E-mail woodyb@mint.net
(E-mail Watch & Meeting Place)
Pauline Sodermark
449 Tate Rd, Corinth ME 04427
(Keeper of the Newsletter)
Volunteers: Greg Hildreth, Dick
Cynewski, Margaret McKinney, Becky Robinson, Chuck
Thompson, Marcia Hatch
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