Naval Aviation has been around for 100 years, starting with young Lt Theodore Ellyson in 1911 learning to fly those new fangled flying machines…
Just like the venerable 1911 pistol, neither one got off to an auspicious start, but both have done pretty well…
Last night I was able to attend the Centennial Reunion of the Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Forces down in Jacksonville, FL. It was quite the event, held in one of the WWII hangars (still in use) with over 500 people at the dinner. The oldest attendee was AOC (Ret.) Carl Creamer, who was an AO3 in the Black Cats and was later shot down and taken prisoner of war, spending three years in Japanese prison camps. There were also 15 Admirals in attendance, including ADM Harvey, Commander of Fleet Forces; VADM Myers, Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific; and various and sundry others…
It was a great time, seeing old friends (including one of my pilots from the Mayaguez Rescue), and an open bar (which ran out about an hour into the dinner, geez you’d think by NOW they’d know Naval Aviators drink like fishes). There were ‘throwback’ P-3s painted in the old styles parked out side, along with a TBM and a Stearman 🙂
The centerpiece(s) were the new P-8 (based on the 737) and a Navy version of the Global Hawk called BAMS. Here are a few pics.
This TBM was actually flown in for the event, and participated in a fly by on Monday.
And since the term “sundown” is being used for the end of service for the P-3 (after 60 years in 2022) I thought this was pretty appropriate- The P-3 framed by the wing of the 737 on the right, and the BAMS on the left.
And a pic of the nose of 954, the second P-8 off the line at Boeing. Note the bumps, bubbles, antennas and lack of windows- This ain’t your standard airliner anymore…
And we ‘celebrated’ the POW table… See below
Here is the speech that was given to go with the setting-
Those who have served and those currently serving the uniformed services of the United States are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured and may still be enduring the agonies of pain, deprivation and internment.
Before we begin our activities this evening, we will pause to recognize our POW’s and MIA’s.
We call your attention to this small table, which occupies a place of dignity and honor near the head table. It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. They are referred to as POW’s and MIA’s.
We call them comrades.
They are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight, so we join together to pay our humble tribute to them, and bear witness to their continued absence.
This table, set for one, is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors.
The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
The single red rose in the vase, signifies the blood they many have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while awaiting their return.
The yellow ribbon on the vase represents the yellow ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us tonight.
A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate.
The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.
The glass is inverted – they cannot toast with us this night.
The chair is empty – they are not here.
The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.
Let us pray to the supreme commander that all of our comrades will soon be back within our ranks.
Let us remember and never forget their sacrifices.
May god forever watch over them and protect them and their families.
Before we begin our activities this evening, we will pause to recognize our POW’s and MIA’s.
We call your attention to this small table, which occupies a place of dignity and honor near the head table. It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. They are referred to as POW’s and MIA’s.
We call them comrades.
They are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight, so we join together to pay our humble tribute to them, and bear witness to their continued absence.
This table, set for one, is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors.
The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
The single red rose in the vase, signifies the blood they many have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while awaiting their return.
The yellow ribbon on the vase represents the yellow ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us tonight.
A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate.
The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.
The glass is inverted – they cannot toast with us this night.
The chair is empty – they are not here.
The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.
Let us pray to the supreme commander that all of our comrades will soon be back within our ranks.
Let us remember and never forget their sacrifices.
May god forever watch over them and protect them and their families.
For those that have actually stuck around to read all this, HERE is a link to the Naval Aviation Centennial Newsletter…
P-3s continue to be active in every theater of operations in the world, actively participating in Iraq/Afghanistan, Japanese relief efforts, the Libya No-Fly zone (VP-5 engaged Libyan Coast Guard vessel Vittoria after it fired indiscriminately at civilian vessels in the port of Misrata with a Maverick and disabled it, forcing the boat to beach), and maritime patrols throughout the oceans of the world.
As always, a must-read post from you.
When I was a kid in Jacksonville, FL, I remember those P-3s flying over our house all the time heading in and out of the NAS.
Very cool.
Went to Centennial Fly-by in San Diego. There was a retro painted P3C there BUT it had no guts and was not open for walk-thru. I was disappointed to say the least.
Good times!
Very cool! You didn’t happen to run into my uncle did you?
Thanks Jim. Next to theSuper Connie, I think that old Electra had one of the best designs out there in Av land,
Andy- Thanks, it IS the sound of freedom, and it’s nice to actually hear it again 🙂
SoCal- Heard that- they didn’t open em up down here either, but then again all of us flew in them, so we KNOW what they look like!
Paw- It is!!!
DB- Nope, I don’t think he made it, or he was hiding from me 🙂
Ev- Yep, it brought me home time and time again…
Wonderful tribute to our POW/MIA’s. We need to always remember those that make the supreme sacrifice for our freedoms just as much as the ones they left behind.
Keads- Thanks, and they are always remembered in the military… I know most hangars have a POW/MIA table set up somewhere prominent.
Fascinating Post!
Thanks for the report, Jim. I’m happy you were able to be there, and chose to share it with us.
That vacant table speech was indeed an inspiring message; a fitting tribute to those who cannot attend such gatherings. A far less eloquent toast to the ones — military, cops, firefighters, medics — who devoted a chunk of their lives in service to others: To absent friends.
ADM- thanks
JPG- Thanks, and it is a moving memorial, lest we forget… and your toast will be used tomorrow night at the get together.
That table is touching. The speech about is was well crafted and appropriately fitting.
North- It truly is…