VPNAVY VP-5 Newsletter
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Newsletter VP-1 P-3 Orion Pioneers Newsletter

Contributed by Don Grove fogydong@gmail.com
Secretary & Treasurer

The beginning of this group was launched in 1996 when Rich Hunt, a retired Navy AW, hosted a cookout/picnic for ex-VP-1 folks of the early P-3 era at his place in Bellingham, Washington. He knew there were many guys living in his neck-of-the-woods (Northwest Washington) that had been with VP-1 at NAS Whidbey Island when they transitioned to P-3s in 1969. After extensive research & lots of phone calls he got a bunch together at his place on a Saturday. A good time was had by all - reminiscing & swapping sea stories. It was then decided to expand the search for shipmates of the early P-3 era (the first 5 years, 1969 through 1974) for another get-together the following year. By the time of the July 1997 reunion in Bellingham we had located over 350 ex-shipmates (officer & enlisted) & had over 150 people (including wives and/or significant others) attend the get-together. All the wize heads at this reunion concurred that we should hold future reunions periodically, about every three years. So, planning for a year 2000 reunion was commenced.

The VP-1 P-3 Orion Pioneers (VP-1 POPs) group was organized in late 1997 after that very successful reunion. Membership is $10 and is open to anyone who was attached to VP-1 (including widows) between 1969 and 1974, inclusive.

The purpose of the organization is to maintain contact amongst those who served in the squadron during that period, and to facilitate organizing periodic reunions of shipmates from the era. Collection of the membership fee of $10 was begun in early 1998. No further funds after the initial $10 membership fee have been solicited (although numerous shipmates have donated money to the cause). The VP-1 POPs financial status will determine when membership dues need to be collected again. Currently the group is financially healthy, and there presently is no plan to collect additional dues in 1999.


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