a special edition to honor our service men ... - 1945 european theater, battle of the bulge father...

Bloomsburg Municipal Airport

NEWSLETTER November 2017

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BJ Teichman, Airport Coordinator - TOB Dave Ruckle, Pilot N13 [email protected] [email protected]

IF you know of someone who would like to receive our monthly newsletter, please have them email me at [email protected]. I will be happy to include them.

____________________________________________________

A SPECIAL EDITION TO HONOR

OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN

A day to remember and people to thank

Hostilities of World War I, The Great War, formerly ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the

11th month of 1918 when Armistice between the Allies of World War I and Germany was signed

at Compiegne, France. Each year thereafter the United States marked November 11th as a day to

remember the end of the war to end all wars. On June 4, 1926 Congress adopted a resolution

requesting President Calvin Coolidge to issue a proclamation calling for the observance of

November 11th with appropriate ceremonies such as parades and speeches. Then on May 13,

1938, a Congressional Act made the 11th of November an official, legal national holiday: “a day

dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and officially known as

Armistice Day.

In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama had the idea to

expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who fought and died in World War

I. Weeks led a delegation to General Dwight Eisenhower, who supported the idea. From 1947

until his death in 1985, Weeks led the celebration in his home state. Then, on May 26, 1954,

eight and a half years after Weeks presented his idea to General Eisenhower, President

Eisenhower signed a bill into law making Armistice Day a holiday to honor all military veterans;

persons who served in all branches of the United States Armed Forces. Congress then amended

the bill just a few days later June 1, 1954, replacing Armistice with Veterans and it has been

known as Veterans Day ever since.

mailto:[email protected]





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The National Veterans Award was also created in 1954. The first recipient was Congressman Ed

Rees from Kansas who presented the bill to President Eisenhower, making Veterans Day a

federal holiday.

President Ronald Reagan also honored Raymond Weeks in 1982 with the Presidential

Citizenship Medal for being a major force in establishing the national holiday. Weeks became

known as the Father of Veterans Day.

Whereas Veterans Day celebrates the service of all US military veterans, Memorial Day,

celebrated in May, is a US public holiday that honors those who died while in military service.

In addition, we specifically honor those currently serving in the US military on Armed Forces

Day which also occurs in the month of May.

Did you know that although originally scheduled to be celebrated on November 11th every year,

the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed in 1971 moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday of

October from 1971 through 1977? But, in 1978, it was moved back to November 11th. If that

date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then organizations that formally observe the holiday will

normally close on the Friday prior or Monday following those weekend days respectively.

With 18.8 million veterans in the United States today, it’s no wonder there are more than 50

different veteran organizations. Here’s a short list of examples: the American Legion, Veterans

of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, Marine Corp League, Disabled American

Veterans, Catholic War Veterans, Air Force Association, United States Submarine Veterans of

WWII, Veterans for Peace, and Wounded Warriors Project. If the total number of veterans was

ranked by state populations, it would be number five, right behind New York with 19,745,000.

With so many veterans, it’s also no wonder you see so many in public proudly displaying their

affiliation and affection in a variety of ways for the various branches of the service. Hey, if you

haven’t already, try this. The next time you’re in the grocery store, at a shopping mall, the

doctor’s office or simply walking down the street, look for a veteran; you’ll see them. Then stick

out your hand, shake theirs and while looking them in the eye, simply say, “Thank you for your

service.” An amazing feeling will overcome both of you. It’s called appreciation.

And that, my friends, is what Veterans Day is all about.

Submitted by: Dave Ruckle



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Our Veterans – Clyde Yohey and Doug Halye

On Left: Clyde Yohey, Private US Army

World War II Intel, & Recon

Pacific Theater, 1942- 1945

Father of John Yohey, Pilot at N13

John Yohey, above, Rt. Foreground

On Right:

Doug Halye, Sr. Master Sergeant, USAF

Weapon Systems Specialist, C-5 Flight Engineer.

1981 – 2004

A & P at Columbia Aircraft Services

N13



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Our Veterans

Above and Left:

Robert L.Sharrow, Platoon Sergeant, US Army

World War II, Battle of the Bulge

106th Golden Lions Div. 424th Infantry

2nd Battalion, Company E, 1942- 1945

Father of Dick and Roland Sharrow

Grandfather of Ryan Sharrow.

(For Years Robert’s service flag flew at N13)

Later, to be retired, and presented by David Ruckle to his grandson Ryan Sharrow.



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Our Veterans - The Sharrow Family

On Left and Below:

Roland Sharrow, E-3 US Coast Guard

“Semper Paratus: Always Ready

Search and Rescue, 1967 - 1973

Sandy Hook, NJ.

First and Oldest Coast Guard Station

Driver for Columbia Aircraft Services.

Above, Dick Sharrow, son of Robert Sharrow, long time pilot and flight instructor at N13.



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Our Veterans – The Williams Family

Stanley “Stan” Williams, Sergeant,

US Army – 1954-1956

9th Field Artillery Unity, 94th Ordinance Div.

Camp Drake, Tokyo, Japan

Father of Ty Williams pilot N13

With bride, “Jackie”

(L) Stan, Above Ty – Our Chefs – Thank you for

the many breakfasts you have prepared at N13



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Our Veterans – John Klinger

John Klinger, Specialist, US Army 1987 - 1992

101st Airborne, Infantry, Alpha Co.

2nd/502 Div. Fort Campbell, KY

Operation Desert Storm

8th Infantry Division Baumhoulder, West Germany

Pilot at N13



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Our Veterans – L.David Truskowsky

L. David Truskowsky – 1991-1997

Pennsylvania Army National Guard

Specialist E4

44 E Machinist, Company 104

Aviation at Fort Indian Town Gap

Pilot N13 –Bloom Flying Club Member



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Our Veterans John Lewallen & Richard Long

(L) – John Lewallen, - 1999 - 2005

Petty Officer 1st Class,

US Navy Nuclear Submarine Service

Groton, Connecticut

USS Virginia and USS Wyoming

Powered Para-Glider – pilot at N13

Below: Sgt. Richard Long

Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003

1st Tank bn Delta Company

Organized Ground Radio Repair

Richard is Aaron Hartley’s friend, flying club member



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Our Veterans – The Mazzitti Family

(RT) – Massimo Mazzitti,

With bride, Roberta

Staff Sgt. WWII

1941 - 1945

European Theater,

Battle of the Bulge

Father of Chris

Mazzitti - below

Chris with his two planes above based at N13



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Our Veterans

(RT) – Marley “Bob” Miller, Jr.

Corporal US Army Battery A 704/

AAA Gun Battalion

1951 - 1953

Father of Vanessa Ruckle, co-pilot for Dave Ruckle

(L) David S. Ruckle, Corporal US Marine

Corp, WW II 1943 – 1946 Pacific Theater,

TSgt. USAF 1948-1966. Reserves 1966 –

1976 Father of Dave Ruckle, Pilot N13

Below Vanessa & Dave Ruckle



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Our Veterans

The Staib Family

On Right, John Staib, Army, Heavy Equipment Mechanic

John and Mike Staib are brothers of

CFII, Rob Staib.

Below: Retired Gunnery Sergeant

Mike Staib,

Marine Corps. 1981 - 2002

Below Rob Staib, CFII, signs another solo

shirt 😊



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Our Veterans – Roger Broadt

Roger Broadt, Corporal, US Army

Army Support Command, South Korea

Korean Conflict, 23-1/2 months of service.

Father of Dan Broadt, and Grandfather of Josh Broadt, pilots at N13



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Our Veterans – Broadt Family & Denny Stahl

The Broadt’s,

From Left

Josh,

Dan

Roger,

Korean War Veteran.

Above, Denny Stahl, Petty Officer, (PO3), Culinary Specialist, US Navy Atlantic Submarine Fleet. Served 4 years.

(L) One of the many times Denny has helped with our Fly-Ins.



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Our Veterans – Sharretts – Sibole Family

(L) Edward D. Sharretts,

Colonel USAF Reserve (Army

Air Corps Training Officer –

WWII): Winifred Sharretts,

nee McBride, both from

Berwick, PA.

(Rt.) John Sibole, Captain, USAF

(fighter pilot – 1970’s), Cynthia Sibole,

nee Sharretts, from Bloomsburg.

John, above, currently FAASTeam Program Manager, FSDO Harrisburg Office.



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Our Veterans – The Murdoch Family

W. Crawford Murdoch, Jr.

As a Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps

in 1942, Lt. Murdoch served in the

China, Burma and India Theaters in

World War II as a Radar Officer with

the Flying Tigers. Recalled to active

duty with the USAF during the Korean

War, Major Murdoch served stateside

and overseas assignments throughout

the world. His last duty assignment

before retiring in 1968, at the rank of

Lieutenant Colonel, was as

commander of the Sparrevohn AFS,

719 ACW Sqd., Alaskan Air Command.

Above, BJ’s Uncle Crawf, and on left is Crawf III, BJ’s cousin.

(L) William C. Murdoch III,

1973 - Enlisted USAF. Attended Basic Training and Security

Specialist School at Lackland AFB, TX.

Ellsworth AFB, SD, (SAC), 44th Security Police Sqd. (SPS).

Aircraft security

Ubon Royal Thai AFB, 8th SPS. Base perimeter security

Korat Royal Thai AFB, 388th SPS. Base perimeter security

Whiteman AFB, MO, (SAC), 351st SPS. Aircraft security duties, nuclear weapons storage

facility supervisor, quick reaction force supervisor.

Honorably discharged in Jan.,1976 at the rank of Sergeant (E-4).



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Our Veterans – Mike Murdoch

Above: Retirement Ceremony for Lt. Col. Mike Murdoch

Graduated Air Force Academy in Jun 1975, retired in 1996 as a Lt. Col.

• Pilot training at Vance AFB, OK.

• Flew 5 aircraft: o Majority of flight time spent in C-130’s as an aircraft commander, instructor and

check airman.

• Performed Staff, and flying positions in the United States and Ramstein, Germany.

• Last tour spent commanding the Air Force’s C-130 Instructor School at Little Rock, Ar.

Mike and Steve Murdoch are BJ’s twin cousins.



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Our Veterans – Steve Murdoch

"Steve Murdoch, USAF,

Lt. Colonel

Lt. Col. Murdoch served

over 20 years in the

USAF, both as a pilot and

staff officer. A

Command Pilot with over

4,000 flying hours,

Steve flew various

aircraft and missions to

include:

• KC-135 pilot at Fairchild AFB, Washington where he flew air refueling missions

throughout the United States, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Europe, and Australia.

• T-37 instructor/evaluator pilot for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard

AFB, Texas. Steve taught student pilots from NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

countries on basic flying and evaluated both student and instructor pilots.

• FB-111 instructor/evaluator pilot at Plattsburgh AFB, New York where he was part of

Strategic Air Command's (SAC) strategic and conventional bomber force. After flying, Lt

Col Murdoch served two staff tours, one at Headquarters, SAC (HQ SAC) at Offutt

AFB, Nebraska and one at Headquarters, Air Combat Command (HQ ACC) at Langley

AFB, Virginia. At HQ SAC, he was part of the USAF Base Realignment and Closure effort

and while at HQ ACC, he worked on the B-2 stealth bomber program.



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Our Veterans – Colleen Cato & William Meyers

Collen Cato, Sgt., E-5

1992 – 1996 (Army) Diesel Mechanic

– repaired 2 ½ tons, 5 tons, hummv’s and cucv’s.

1997 – 2004 (National Guard) Logistics & Supply –

Dispatched vehicles, tracked inventory, ordered parts and

materials as needed for my unit.

2013 – 2017

(National Guard) Logistics & Supply - Dispatched

vehicles, tracked inventory, ordered parts and

materials as needed for my unit.

Currently, Collen works in our Finance

Department, processes payroll, AR / AP.

William A. Meyers (photo not available)

U.S. Navy 1943 - 1946

Honorably discharged at the conclusion of WWII

Rank - Radioman First Class

Served aboard the USS Wasatch and the USS Teton in the Pacific Theater

Father of Anne Thomas, wife of Jeff Thomas, N13 Pilot



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Our Veterans – Gordon P. Fritz

(L) and Below Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. 58th Air Service Squadron WWII – Served in Africa, Italy, Germany.

Below, BJ with Peyton. Gordon is BJ’s uncle.

Below (RT), Gordon Fritz, with wife, Cleota Fritz nee Lizardi.

From Bloomsburg



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As Dave and I complete this special edition of our monthly newsletter we wish to thank all of our

active and retired servicemen and women, here and abroad, who bravely engage in their

respective daily duties so that we may enjoy our freedom. For those who were not featured in

this newsletter, due to deadline requirements, we hope to feature you or your loved one next

year. Our heartfelt thanks to all who proudly serve our country and represent the United States

of America. Words are inadequate to fully express our gratitude. (Please don’t forget the quiz

on pages 22 and 23 respectively. It is a special Veterans Day quiz.

On the Horizon / Save the Date: Nov. 18

Fly-In / Drive – In / Walk-In Breakfast for donation

Where: Bloomsburg Municipal Airport

When: Saturday Nov 18th

What: Pre Thanksgiving Breakfast 😊

Time: 8:00 to 12:00 Community Welcome!!!

*********************************************************************

Where: Bloomsburg Municipal Airport

When: Saturday 16 December, 2017

What Safety Seminar, Electronics in the Cockpit

Who: John Sibole, FAASTeam Program Mgr.

Bob Frederick, Coorporate Pilot

Details to follow on this seminar, just please save the date!



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Monthly pilot quiz for Veterans Day Edition Submitted by Dave Ruckle

1. What are the mottos for each branch of the Armed Forces? a. Marine Corp (USMC) b. Air Force (USAF) c. Navy (USN) d. Army (USA) e. Coast Guard (USCG)

2. When was each of the branches of the Armed Forces established?

a. Coast Guard b. Army c. Navy d. Air Force e. Marine Corp

3. What are the official colors for each service branch?

a. Navy b. Air Force c. Army d. Coast Guard e. Marines

4. What are the names of each branches official march song?

a. Air Force b. Coast Guard c. Navy d. Marines e. Army

5. What are the mascots for each branch of the military?

a. Army b. Navy c. Air Force d. Coast Guard e. Marines

Bonus Question: What are the nick names for a Marine?

Answers for this month’s quiz:

1. a. Marines: Semper fi – “Always Faithful” b. Air Force “Aim High…Fly-Fight-Win” c. Navy: Semper Fortis – “Always Courageous” (official) Non sibi sed patriae – “Not for self but for country” (unofficial)

d. Army: “This we’ll Defend” e. Coast Guard: Semper Paratus – “Always Ready”



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2. a. Coast Guard: August 4, 1790

January 15, 1915 – Modern Coast Guard Began

Combining Light House Service & Life Saving Services

b. Army: June 14, 1775

c. Navy: October 13, 1775

d. Air Force: September 18, 1947

e. Marines: November 10, 1775

3. a. Navy: Blue & Gold

b. Air Force: Ultramarine Blue & Golden Yellow

c. Army: Black & Gold

d. Coast Guard: White, Blue & Red

e. Marines: Scarlet & Gold

4. a. Air Force: “The US Air Force”

b. Coast Guard: “Semper Paratus”

c. Navy: “Anchors Away”

d. Marines: “The Marines Hymn”

e. Army: “The Army Goes Rolling Along”

5. a. Army: Mules – There have been a total of 17.

The current corp. includes: Jack, Stryker and Paladin

b. Navy: “Bill” the Goat

c. Air Force: The Falcon

d. Coast Guard: The Kodiak Bear

e. Marines: English Bulldog named PFC Chesty the XIV

** Quick note: Many Battalions, Companies, Divisions, Units etc. have

their own individual mascots and nicknames.

6. A Marine will proudly answer to any of these nicknames: Jarhead, Devil

Dog or Leatherneck. I’m even proud of the nickname my Dad, a Marine, gave

me as a kid –“Shed”. It was short for…..Aw, I think I’ll let you figure it out

a special edition to honor our service men ... - 1945 european theater, battle of the bulge father...

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