COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE

The

C MPASS
M ISSOURI W ING

P.O. Box 637 St.Charles, MO 63302 St. Charles County Smartt Airport 636-250-4515 Fax 636-250-4515 www.cafmo.org

MISSOURI WING

JULY 2011

E XECUTIVE S TAFF
WING LEADER Col. Patrick Kesler 28 Confederate Way St. Charles, MO 63303 636-928-5687 636-250-4515 Wing wingleader@cafmo.org ADJUTANT / PIO OFFICER Col. Rick Rea 6854 Ardale Drive St. Louis,MO 63123 314-960-4927 col.rickrea@charter.net EXECUTIVE OFFICER Col. Steve Newcombe 708 Kent Drive Wentzville, MO 63385 636-332-6397 FINANCE Col. Steve Gossett 4 Limerick Lane O'Fallon, MO 63366 636-474-9763 314-306-5021 OPERATIONS OFFICER Col.Craig O'Mara 1085 Graywolf Court Fairview Heights, IL 62208 618-632-6113 home 618-558-7211 cell craigo777@juno.com MAINTENANCE OFFICER Col. Pat Fenwick 6 Heather Drive St. Peters, MO 63376 636-441-2856 SAFETY OFFICER Col. Tim Mohr 2301 Ambtose Imperial, MO 63052 314-291-6474 tgm01@sbcglobal.net

TAKEN OUT

OF THE

B-25

IN

COLORADO

Photos by Bob Lawrence

U PCOMING E VENTS
July 7-10 Jul 8-10 July 9 Jul 23-24 July 31 - Aug 4 August 13 August 20-21 Aug 27-28 Sep 10-11 Sept 17 Sept. 17 Sept 24-25 Oct 1 Oct. 8-9 Oct. 29 Red, White & Loud Tour - Rifle, Colorado B-25 Wing Nuts Flying Circus, Tarkio, MO TBM General Meeting (1:30 pm) Moberly, Mo. Aiport Bash B-25 PX Spirit Airport Static Display with B-29 FIFI B-25, L-3, TBM Possible LHFE rides General Meeting (1:30 pm) Kansas City (Downtown) Aviation Expo B-25 Offutt AFB Airshow, Omaha, NE B-25 & TBM PX Guardians of Freedom Airshow, Lincoln, NE B-25 & TBM Grace on Wings Hog Roast (Charity Event) B-25 Indianapolis, IN (Return for Hangar Dance) HANGAR DANCE M31 Airshow, Halls, TN B-25, TBM & PX Jefferson City, MO Open House, History Flight Event B-25 & PX CAF AIRSHO 2011 B-25 & TBM Corvettes & Warbirds 10 am - 3 pm

Matti Toikkanen visiting from Finland. He is a Missouri Wing member.

Saturday - July 9 - General Meeting - 1:30 pm

WING LEADER'S REPORT

Summer has come roaring in and its time to slow down a little and stay hydrated. The temperatures up, the humiditys up, and the activities at the Wing are up. Air Shows, Car Shows, group visitations, LHFE flights, firing up the BBQ grills you name it weve been doing it. This should be an exciting Summer. Check out the schedule and come on out. Speaking of LHFE rides Cols. Matt Conrad, Tom Wagoner Sr., and I flew two five-passenger flights on Saturday, June 18th. The morning weather delayed our proposed 10:00am launch, but as skies cleared and the runway dried, we were able to take 10 extremely happy people on two 30-minute tours of the Mississippi and downtown St. Louis. Kudos go to Col. Bob Moore for his outstanding support in accomplishing all of the scheduling and paperwork associated with these high-profile flights. He has it down to an art and probably went through a case of wine during that two week scheduling fiasco. I dont know what the Wing would do without his superb leadership and administrative skills in regards to the LHFE Program. Thanks Bob! You did a great job with the Hangar Dance for decades and now youve undertaken the most important program at the Wing. Theres a good possibility that the TORA TORA TORA aircraft will be stopping at Smartt for fuel on their way to and from the Dayton, OH Airshow on Thursday and Sunday, July 21st and 24th. TORA Pilot Col. Mike Anderson (one of our TBM pilots) will be confirming and updating me on times and I will pass those on to the members as we get closer. Arigato Gozaimasu for the heads up Mike! Thanks to Mr. Safety, Col. Tim Mohr, the Wing is the proud owner of a 1946 Jeep CJ2 with a rear-mounted 50 cal. We will be able to use it for parades, Hangar Dances, Wing Leader dating, and any events that come up over the next 10 years. At that time, Tim will have the option of buying it back. Thanks Tim. Well put her to good use and promise not to paint her radiator bright orange Guess what? We now have hot water at the Wing. The old water heater was replaced and the mechanics can now do a better job of cleaning up before marching off to home. It takes forever to get anything done around the facilities because of all the County government red tape and I appreciate everyones ability to accept this fact and limit the body blows to me. Of course, now comes the briefing room water damage repair that needs to be done. Im just hoping it will be completed before Winter sets in. We could probably do the repairs ourselves, but there would be no monetary reimbursement and we could get hit hard if we abuse any building codes. We are delaying the painting and remodeling of the office area until after the flood potential recedes, but will be pressing on with the back (by Huberts) restroom and main restroom. Our desire is to make the front one a Ladies and Guest restroom and the back one the primary for the manly troops. Col. Steve Newcombe is the OPR and the man to talk to if you have any recommendations or ideas on how to get fixtures donated. We are installing a urinal in the Mens privy and will make sure the mounting height will allow Pete Casey to be on target without a step stool or 60 psi stream. Check out the new website and some of the great pictures that Col. Bob Lawrence has been shooting. And, check out the schedule to see if there are any Air Shows or upcoming events you want to pursue. I would also like to encourage you to write an article for the COMPASS. Pictures are great too.

You dont have to be a professional just good enough to get an interesting story or happening out to the rest of the gang. Who knows? You might even enjoy a pat on the back for doing so Remember - with your help We can Keep Em Flying and have a great, rewarding time in your life while doing so. Its always great to make new memories especially when they are associated with the memories of that Great Generation. Respectfully submitted, Col. Pat Kesler, Wing Leader

A GREAT TIME

AT THE GATESWORTH As Wing Leader, I sometimes get a good deal handed to me and sometimes one good deal makes up for the myriad of bad deals that come with the position (like trying to write this monthly newsletter). I recently was honored to participate in one of the best deals to come my way in the past few years. Col. Tee Baur asked me if I could do a short presentation on behalf of the Wing to his Mother, Florence N. Baur, and a few of her friends that reside at The Gatesworth located at One McKnight Place in Ladue. Wow! What an outstanding evening! What an amazing place! I entered a quaint dining room and was introduced to a small group of beautiful ladies and seated for one of the best Filet Mignons I have ever eaten. Great conversation and dessert too! After dinner, Tee and I positioned ourselves in one of the theatre rooms where I was privileged to meet many WWII Veterans and spouses along with other very nice family members and people interested in hearing our story. The atmosphere was also amazing and the audience was so kind. I got goose bumps when Tee asked the Veterans and spouses of Veterans to stand and one half of the room stood up. Following the presentation, Tee and I answered many questions many of which had to do with SHOW MEs Memorial Day Fly-over of The Gatesworth, local area golf courses and Jefferson Barracks. Tees Mom is so sweet and I was humbled by all of the great things her friends had to say. It was a great evening and I anticipate there will be one or two coach loads of Gatesworth residents visiting our facilities later this Fall. Thanks a whole bunch for inviting me Tee! Col. Pat Kesler

LATEST NEWS ABOUT LHFE

Another month has passed and the LHFE program is slowly growing here at the Missouri Wing. We had two Saturdays with a total of three full flights this past month. I want to take this time to thank everyone who has helped put this program into operation. The flight crews, ground crews, and everyone at the Wing who have helped in so many ways. Thanks to you all! I do want to give special recognition to a couple of guys who really stepped up and helped. Ed Mickelson must have actually read and remembered my previous articles because he recruited at least two people who have donated their money and have taken rides in Show-me. This really makes my job easier. Thank you Ed! Bill Wehmeier successfully contacted the local Journal newspaper and was able to get them to print a nice article about LHFE resulting in many calls and several people signing up for a flight. Great work, Bill! Tom Wagoner and Bill Wehmeier have both done outstanding jobs as Flight Safety Officers. Their thorough briefings and consideration for the safety and well being of our passengers has been fantastic! Thanks to both of you! I may be stuck in the office taking care of the paperwork but I always talk to our passengers after the flight to find out what was great and what we could improve on. So far, were batting a thousand thanks to all of you. Keep up the good work! Col. Bob Moore, LHFE Coordinator

INDIANAPOLIS AIRSHOW

Yes Matt, you have to give it back.

JUNE MEETING MINUTES

There are no June Meeting Minutes due to the fact there was no June Meeting do to the off-limit status of the briefing room and the Wing Leaders decision to not carry chairs to and from the vacated restaurant which was locked anyway Besides, there were plenty of other activities going on to keep the members active and awake!

ONE-TWO-THREE, ONE-TWO-THREE, ONE-TWO-THREE

This might remind you of the cadence of the Color Guard or the rhythm of the dancers or the tempo of the orchestra, but it is also a reminder how simple it is to order your tickets for the Dance on the internet this year. ONE: go to our website: www.cafmo.org TWO: click on Annual Hangar Dance under The Hangar tab THREE: follow the simple directions and your tickets are mailed to you. Theres no need to send for tickets through snail mail or drive out to Smartt to pick them up when all you have to remember is One-Two-Three, One-Two-Three, One-Two-Three!

JULY SAFETY BRIEF

UNIFORMS

AND COSTUMES One of the highlights of the Dance is watching all the people who come dressed in various military uniforms or apparel of the Big Band Era. This is probably the only local event where you have a chance to dress as someone from the past and even receive an award from a group of judges. Why not plan on joining the fun this year and show up in your favorite outfit?! Visit the Wing website for some photos of past dances and get an idea of who (or what) you might want to be.

Its definitely NOT TOO LATE TO DONATE any items you or a friend may have that could be used in our Silent Auction at the Hangar Dance. Books, models, aprons, gift baskets, vintage items, pictures, crystal, or anything someone would find interesting or unique is what were looking for. You wouldnt believe some of the special stuff Ive seen laying on the auction tables in the B25 Hangar during past Dances! Im sure Col. Bob Moore could tell you some interesting stories about what he has seen being bid on (silently). Many $$$$$$s have been brought in to the Wing because the right someone found that very special piece of memorabilia or perfect thing they thought no longer existed. Dig deep into your closets, basements, footlockers and garages. Make your better half happy when you tell her or him that youre finally relinquishing ownership of that one-of-a-kind tool or cherished memory from high school. You can make their day by finally clearing out those dust-collecting articles that have been just lying there, waiting for new TLC and admiration. Do it! Break the bonds and move on with your life! Let someone else be responsible for care giving to that once prized possession. And guess what? Ill provide a Federal Tax form that you can use to document your thoughtfulness and generosity. Please bring at least one item to the Wing and feel good about what youre doing for mankind. Besides, it will get you interested in looking at what others have brought and you can perhaps find a special item to take the place (and space) of your donated one. Its called perpetual motion Col. Pat Kesler

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO DONATE!!!

Summer is a time for vacations, outings, and travel. Here are a few tips to help make your summer vacation safe and stress free. Have your vehicle checked to be sure it is ready for the trip to avoid issues on the road (tires, oil, coolant, wipers, etc). Set your home to vacation mode. Have a timer on lights to make it appear someone is home. Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your home. Let the local police know you will be on vacation. Shut off water to washing machine to avoid leaks or a ruptured hose. Set cooling up to 85 to save energy but keep home from overheating. Take only what you need. Don't overpack and block the drivers view of windows and mirrors. Don't rush an do everything at the last minute. Plan ahead, make a list. Many accidents occur when the driver is in a hurry. Check the weather along your route to know what to expect and drive according to conditions. Start your trip fully rested. Take frequent breaks on the road, switch drivers. If you are tired, you will not be as alert. Stop for the night if needed. DO NOT multitask when driving! Pull over to read the map, reset the GPS, get a soda, etc. Whether you go hiking, camping, boating, or to a nice resort, keep hydrated, use sunscreen to avoid sunburn, If around water, remember, the water reflects sunlight making it easier to get sunburned. With a little thought and planning you can have a safe and enjoyable summer trip. Don't Learn by Accident Col. Tim Mohr, SO

It was great getting to visit with Matti on his visit to the US.

COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE

MISSOURI WING P.O. Box 637 St. Charles, MO 63302-0637

JULY 2011

Px truck is not only fixed, but has been to Arkansas and back. Thanks to Hubert Looney who delivered the old TBM engine. Thank you Hubert! Duce and a half at hangar. Any questions ask Bob Lawrence. Check it out!

Pat McCluskey (3) Jerry Kelly (5) Dick Hyde (7) Norval Seeley (8) Tee Baur (8) July Hubert Looney (12) Jim Naumann (13) Joe Shea (18) Mike Anderson (21) Jack Seeman (24) Lloyd Wiley (24) Joe Racine (25) Nick Talarico (26) Stephen Lewis (27) Wanda Weaver (29) irthdays! B James Peltekis (29) Rich Ceglinski (30) Lou Tacchi (30) Lennie Kratzer (31) Compass Deadline: August Newsletter - Need info by July 26 September Newsletter - Need info by August 23

JULY 4 WEEKEND PARADES

Thanks to everyone who participated in the wing activities this past holiday weekend. Our participation in two parades turned out to be very successful events and we all had a great time. We will have complete articles and pictures for you to enjoy in next months Compass and on our website.

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