 VP-1 Reunions
2000's
REUNIONs: "...The VP-1 POPs (P-3 Orion Pioneers) is a group of Navy veterans, and their Families, who served in VP-1 during and immediately after its transition from the SP2H Neptune to the P-3B Orion between the years 1969 and 1974. This will be our 9th Reunion; the first was in Bellingham, WA in '97 and our last in JAX in '13. We've been in every corner of the lower 48, middle of the country, Mid-South, deep-South and now heading for the Mid-West. Our Reunion, Mid-West Pac 2015 will meet at the Hope Hotel & Richard C. Holbrooke Conference Center at Fairborn, Ohio October 15-18, 2015. For more information you may go to our website: http://vp1pops.com or contact Carson Hunt at ccae@zoominternet.net or Reisse Perin at reisse@rlpcpa.com..." Contributed by Carson Hunt at ccae@zoominternet.net [24APR2015]
REUNIONs: "...VP-1 1956-1957 Atomic Veterans Reunion to be held September 17th - 19th, 2012. Please contact me for further information..." Contributed by AJ Cozart, Jr. ajacksonj@frontier.com [07MAY2012]
Date: September 17th - 19th, 2012
Location: Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, Washington
Hotel Info: Navy Gateway Inn & Suites (1-877-628-9233) - Group Name: Atomic Vets, 1956-1957
Shuttle Info: Airport shuttle available from SeaTac Airport to Whidbey Island - (1-877-679-4003)
Organizer Information:
AJ Cozart: 919-471-1284 - ajacksonj@frontier.com
Bill Love: 415-897-0550 - 69luvbug@verizon.com
Ellis Fowler: 864-968-1221 - ellisfowl@bellsouth.net
REUNIONs: "...The 7th Bi-Annual VP-1 Reunion Circa 1965-1970 + or - will be held at Heaven's Hideaway on Friday, Saturday and Sunder August 24, 25 and 26, 2012..." Contributed by MERRIOTT, AX2 J. B. "John" johnmerriott@gmail.com [09FEB2012]
REUNIONs: "...The VP-1 POPs (P-3 Orion Pioneers) are having a Reunion in San Antonio, Texas at the downtown La Quinte near the Alamo on October 13th through 16th, 2011. Contact person is: Fredric Fink (281-395-5734) or via E-Mail. Further information is available on: Reunion 2011 Texas Roundup!..." Contributed by AWC Fredric Fink, Retired ffink1@comcast.net [29MAY2011]
REUNIONs:   "...A Long Awaited Reunion for Navy Vets - Wednesday, Sep 30th @ 7:42pm CDT..." WebSite: OzarksFirst http://ozarksfirst.com/ [01OCT2009]
(Branson, Mo) -- Imagine catching up with a friend you haven't seen for fifty years. Wednesday a group of Navy veterans and old friends met in Branson to do just that. Most of the men first met as teens in the 50's. They served in the Navy's VP-1. This week, they traveled from across the country to catch-up.
The men were based on Kwajalein Island in the South Pacific
"We were 18 and bulletproof," said Ellis Fowler, a Navy veteran. "[Our mission] was classified still up until I think the 80's"
"We've all thought of each other, I think, through the years," said another veteran, Leo Waddell.
The group ran patrols and tests for the Navy. While the government experimented with hydrogen bombs.
"To keep the Russian submarines and Japanese fishing boats out of the area," said Waddell. "[We] tracked the radioactive clouds with our crews."
After their time together, the men went their separate ways.
"I worked for IBM for 30 years," said Fowler.
More than 50 years later, the group started to contact each other.
"We started hunting for people and got all the names that we could," Waddell said.
And as if time had never passed, the group picked up where the photos had tappered off.
"They look a little different, but their spirit is still there," said Fowler.
"Just like yesterday," said Waddell.
After three days of telling stories and catching up the men, once again, said their goodbyes, with the hope that the next gap isn't as long as the first.
The group hopes to meet again in another year or two. Some of the veterans designed a patch. They put it on hats and shirts for the group to wear. They are also working on putting together a book of pictures and bios.
REUNIONs: "...My father, Leo Waddell, served with VP-1 from 1955 to 1958 and is planning a Reunion for his group and any others that want to attend. If you are interested, please contact me. Thanks..." Contributed by Wes Waddell wes@weswaddell.com [30JUL2009]
REUNIONs: "...VP-1 P-3 Orion Pioneers - October 4-8, 2007..." Contributed by Captain Bill Johnson, Retired billpatty@charter.net [14FEB2004]
SEE:  VP-1 P-3 Orion Pioneers Summary Page [Last Updated 08AUG2006]
REUNIONs: "...PB2Y Flying Boat Squadrons (VE-1, VP/VPB-1, VP-2, VPB-4, VP/VPB-13, VP/VPB-15, VP-23, VP-24, VP-71, VP/VPB-100, VP-102, VPB-104, VPB-200, FAW-2, FAW-3, FAW-14, VR-2 and VR-8) are having a Reunion. October 26-29, 2006 in Tucson, Arizona. Please contact Jeff Eden jeden@teamshoppremiums.com or (480)-767-1175 for further information..." Contributed by Bob Cooley robtcool@aol.com [05JUL2006]
REUNIONs: "...VP-1 P-3 Orion Pioneers - September 2005..." Contributed by Captain Bill Johnson, Retired billpatty@charter.net [14FEB2004]
SEE: VP-1 P-3 Orion Pioneers Summary Page [Last Updated 14FEB2004]
REUNIONs: "...There is a Reunion scheduled for VP-1 P2V Aircraft September 3rd through the 6th in Whidbey Island, WA. If interested contact Homer Hawkins, P.O. Box 228, Okemah, OK 74859-0228, Ph# 1-405-944-5839. It is hosted by Richard (Slim) Hayden. Reservations can be made at the Coachman Inn Oak Harbor, WA. 1-800-635-0043. Transportation from SEATAC to Oak Harbor is $52 round trip for military, retirees and dependents...ADRC Eugene Hilvers, Retired navycpo1@woh.rr.com..." [08MAR2003]
REUNIONs: "...VP-1 1969-1974 P-3 Orion Pioneers (POP'S for short) next Reunion is scheduled for 12-14 September 2003 in Memphis, Tenn. Anyone wanting to volenteer their assistance contact Grumpy Taylor at ldeploy@worldnet.att.net..." Contributed by Jack Bachhofer bachhoferj@aol.com [29SEP2001]
SEE: VP-1 P-3 Orion Pioneers Summary Page [Last Updated 29SEP2001]
REUNIONs: "...The VP-1 Reunion for circa 1977 thru 1984, to be held at Holiday Inn Sunspree Hotel in Virginia Beach, July 18 thru 22, 2001. We now have over 100 squadron mate email addresses on our lisitng. Reservations to be made directly with the hotel by anyone intending to attend. The hotel web site is http://www.vabeach.com/sunspree/. We are planning a golf outing Friday morning, the 20th. Also, a sit down dinner at the hotel, the evening of the 20th. We would like to hear from more squadron mates. Please pass the word. During July's year's Reunion, we can discuss how best to try to create a more "formal" group, for any future meetings...Frank M. Caprio fcaprio@babc.com..." [22APR2001]
REUNIONs: "...VP-1 1969-1974 P-3 Orion Pioneers (POP'S for short) met in Pensacola in May 2000 for the second tri-annual Reunion. What a fantastic BS session!!! We had four past CO's present and groups of old Shipmates. The down side to all of this is that everyone couldnt make it to P-Cola. The good side is, the Third Tri-Annual Reunion is now in the planning stages for around April of 2003 in Memphis, Tenn. Metalsmith Chief Willie Williams set everything up for P-Cola (a super effort) and now Michael (GRUMPY) Taylor AMCS is setting things up for Memphis. Grumpy is getting assistance from AME Jim McNinch. What a team!! For any other info e-mail me at bachhoferj@aol.com, Grumpy at ldeploy@worldnet.att.net (LDEPLOY starts w/ "L") McNinch at jmcninch@aetn.org. For lots of info on becoming a member of the VP-1 POP's family give Don Grove (Master Chief) at fogydong@gmail.com and look at our site P-3 Orion Pioneers. With membership receive a list of over 350 names and addresses (home and e-mail) of Shipmates from the 1969 thru 1974 era. See all of you in Memphis 2003...Jack Bachhofer bachhoferj@aol.com..." [09MAR2001]
SEE: VP-1 P-3 Orion Pioneers Summary Page [Last Updated 29MAR2001]
REUNIONs: "...VP-1 Reunion for Circa 1978 through 1984 (plus or minus). Weekend of July 18 through July 22, 2001. Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, Virginia Beach. Please contact Frank Caprio at fcaprio@babc.com. There is no "Block" of rooms. The hotel does not have a group registered as "VP-1." Anyone interested should make their own reservations. Hotel WebSite: http://WWW.VABEACH.COM/SUNSPREE...Frank Caprio fcaprio@babc.com..." [09JAN2001]
REUNIONs: "...Reunion for VP-1 alums, circa 1977-1985. We are planning a Reunion for the weekend of July 21, 2001, in the Norfolk, VA beach area. Please e-mail Frank Caprio fcaprio@babc.com if you are interested in participating. We have over 40 folks in contact with each other on an email list. The list includes Chip Landon, Jon Holzapfel, Tom Morrissey, Joe Sikes, Rob Mulloy, Dave Gates, Mike "Spike" Eysaman, Steve "Sweats" Walsh, Frank Heckler, Bob Sinibaldi, Ed Trainer, Dew McDermaid, Mark Kirk and many others. Details for the Reunion (Hotel, etc.) are still in the works...Frank Caprio fcaprio@babc.com..." [12AUG2000]
REUNIONs: "...P2V Neptunes, Patrol Squadron One (VP-1) Reunion October 6-8, 2000, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Contact: Homer Hawkins, P.O. Box 228, Okemah, OK 74859-0228, Ph # 405-944-5839 OR Clyde Grossoehme, 9339 Admiral Lowell Pl NE, Albuquerque, NM 97111-1263, 505-797-9785, E-Mail Gro9339abq@aol.com..." Contributed by Eugene Hilvers, ADRC USN (ret) navycpo1@siscom.net [13NOV99]
REUNIONs: "...VP-1 had one Reunion in Whidbey Island in 1997, and is planing another one in the spring of 2000. I look forward to seeing everyone in Florida this spring..." Contributed by David Quayle ATR-2 djquayle@citescape.com [11OCT99]
1990's
REUNIONs: "...17SEP99---VP-1 52nd Anniversary Reunion (17-19 September 1999), San Diego, CA...Contact: HOMER HAWKINS, P.O. BOX 228, OKEMAH, OK 74859-0228, (405)944-5839. All hands from P2 & P-3 eras...this reunion is for all hands, retired, inactive, and active shipmates. There will be some plank owners there plus some old timers and new sailors of VP-1..." Contributed by Eugene Hilvers navycpo1@siscom.net [Updated 26JUN99 | 13JUN99]
REUNIONs: "...VP-1 has a Reunion setting up for May 2000 in Pensacola Fla; this is for Squadron years 1969 thru 1974..." Contributed by Jack Bachhofer bachhoferJ@aol.com [26APR99]
REUNIONs: "...JUL97--Looking for shipmates with VP1 from 69-74. Having a reunion July 5-6, 1997 at Bellingham, WA. Please email Rich Hunt RRRNwestcr@aol.com or Paul Morasch "Shark" akula67@aol.com or shark94@worldnet.att.net. Contact us so we can send you more info about the reunion and order a roster of over 300 shipmates located so far."
 "...At present we have located over 350 people of the 69-74 era and are up to 125 that will be showing for our functions during the 4th of july weekend...thank the other members for the efforts and contributions that have pulled this togather to work...thanks to Sharkies wife Carolyn Morash who has hours of net and landline time confirming and finding these shipmates THANK YOU CAROLYN...Rich Hunt RRRNwestcr@aol.com
"...VP-1 P-3 ORION PIONEERS (VP-1 POPs): After the highly successful reunion of folks who were assigned to VP-1 in 1969 through 1974 (inclusive), held at Bellingham, Washington in July of 1997, it was decided to form a more permanent organization in order to foster comradeship among those who were members of Patrol Squadron ONE when the the squadron transitioned from the P2V-7 to the P3B aircraft, and to facilitate organizing future reunions. Anyone who was in VP-1 during the time frame 1969-74 is eligible for membership in the VP-1 P-3 Orion Pioneers (VP-1 POPs for short). We began sending a periodic newsletter to members in late 1997. We are planning another reunion, to be held sometime in the year 2000, of all who were assigned to the squadron anytime during 1968 through 1974. The specific date & location of this upcoming reunion will be decided in the spring of 1999. For more information, or to join VP-1 POPs, contact Don Grove, AFCM, USN, Ret., 2024 Briarwood Dr., Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Phone: 360/679-6161. E-mail: fogydong@gmail.com..." Contributed by Don Grove, AFCM, USN, Ret Secretary & Treasurer, VP-1 P-3 Orion Pioneers fogydong@gmail.com [05NOV98]
REUNIONs: "...JUL97--VP-1 (Navy Patrol Squadron ONE). A reunion for those assigned to the squadron between 1969 through 1973 (inclusive) will be held in Bellingham, Washington the weekend of 4 - 6 July, 1997. All "Golden Eagle" members, their spouses, and/or widows, from the early P3 Orion years will be welcomed with open arms. This time frame covers the transition from SP2H to P3 aircraft, the home port change from Whidbey Island to Barbers Point, the last deployment to Sangley Point on Manila Bay due to its closure in 1971, and the end of operations from NAF Cam Ranh Bay in South Viet Nam. Point of contact is Richard Hunt, P O Box 342, Bellingham, WA 98227-0342, Phone - 360/398-1696, E- - rrrnwestcr@aol.com. Contact By: Any and All Methods Ad Number: 5443" http://www.the-seeker.com/military.htm
"VP-1 Summary Page"
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