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I thought I'd let you know how my search for former 92nd members has gone. Soon after you posted my pictures I received several notes from people who were at Bentwaters during that period. They were also at Wheelus or Italy and the pictures brought back some memories, but no word from the specific group I was trying to reach.

I was a little disappointed, weeks were turning into months and no contact, obviously they didn't have computers. Three of us who were in regular contact decided to launch a postcard / phone call search to locate our old crewchief buddies.

By August we had assembled a group of 10 and seven of us were scheduled to attend this years Phantom Convention at Holloman AFB, hosted by the German Air Force who still fly F4's.

I planned on sending you a picture of us sitting on the wing of a Phantom to go with the one taken 33 years earlier. The events of Sept.11th resulted in the Convention being cancelled. Although we were disappointed we understood the Military had other priorities, maybe next year I'll get that photo for you.

Then the Successes started. First I heard from Jim Taylor, who I was assigned to train as my replacement in the 92nd. Then I heard from Jim Knickle, Mike VonDerHaar and Ed Duevel, found 4 people in as many weeks, an early Christmas gift!

 

Peter J. Lechman ramrod(a)astound.net 
November 20, 2001

Al "George" Washington awashington(a)rkkengineers.com  found my e-mail link on your web site a couple of years ago... I didn't know this until he told me at the October 2001 reunion... So, another success story for ya!!! :-)

 

Larry Pegg l.pegg(a)worldnet.att.net 
Sunday, October 21, 2001

I & the others of your site have found another of our old outfit the 78th. His name is CONNIE MANOS, I think he signed in on the TANSEYS page but said he was looking both sites over and found my stuff on your site. I want to thank you once again LINN, its beyond explanation, the opportunity to communicate with someone you worked very closely with and shared your life with for a short period of you life 39years ago to suddenly appear and you resume that relationship, the memories, the fun times, Its like a BLAST FROM THE PAST and you sir have made a lot of that possible.

 

Paul Low p.low(a)worldnet.att.net 
November 04, 2001
Subject: Re: Wattisham

Linn, These are two people who have contacted me because of your site.
The 'good looking girl' who ran the PX at Wattisham was Barbara Baldry, now Barbara Hawkins. britagt(a)qwest.net .
The person I bought my '32 Morris from was Sam Tummino. Sam.Tummino(a)p-com.com 

Paul C. Low

It IS a small world - here's a lovely little exchange of emails...

-----Original Message-----

From: Brad Nelson kj0w(a)intcon.net 
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2001 7:30 PM
To: Linn Barringer
Subject: WWW Form Submission

Below is the result of your feedback form.
It was submitted by Brad Nelson (kj0w(a)intcon.net) on Monday, August 20, 2001 at 19:29:36
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Linn,
I am trying to contact a British friend I had that lived in the village of Eyke between Bentwaters and Woodbridge. His name is Bill Jennings and lived in the White House in Eyke. I would really appreciate checking to see if he is still there and if so is he on the internet?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
Brad

 

----- Linn's reply Message -----

From: "Linn Barringer"
To: "Brad Nelson" kj0w(a)intcon.net
cc: Eric Kersey eric.kersey(a)ntlworld.com 
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 5:08 AM

Brad,
Good news and bad news about Bill Jennings.
I looked up in the phone book and found W H F Jennings. I called the number and spoke to him but he was rather confused. He's obviously quite old - he said he was 82. But this was definitely 'your' Bill Jennings.

A few minutes later, using the wizardry of BT's 'callback' facility, I received a call back from a friend of Bill's, who visits to keep an eye on Bill, makes him a cup of tea and has a chat. Bill apparently had a stroke a while back and lost most of his memory. He can only remember about 3 or 4 people. But Bill does remembers enough to tell me that he knows he knew hundreds of airmen but he also knows that he can't remember any names!. I hope you can understand that! (And I have to say it's not only stroke victims who suffer this phenomenon! :-)

Anyway, the man who phoned back was also someone you probably know from your time at Bentwaters. BT Man Eric Kersey who came onto the base. Eric is also a radio user - call sign G4LBU - and I've copied this reply to Eric's email address eric.kersey(a)ntlworld.com.

When I told Eric about an email from an American, he said "Was it from Brad?"  So, I think we can call this another (quick) success for www.bentwaters.org.uk!

From my little contact with Bill and Eric, I think the best way to keep in touch with Bill would be through Eric's email. Eric can let you know if that's inappropriate.

Regards
Linn Barringer

---- Brad's reply Message -----
21 August 2001

Linn,
Thank you so very much for taking the time to contact Bill for me. It has been quite a while since I was there at Woodbridge in 1985. Sorry to here that bill had a stroke. Hopefully we will be traveling to England for I brought a bride back from there and her mother is in a rest home with very similar situation as Bill's that she doesn't recognize people much anymore.
Well thanks again Linn for looking up Bill for me and I will e-mail Eric.
Brad

Why a small world?
Because Bill Jennings is the father of Pat Jennings, who has done building and maintenance work on my house!
Linn Barringer

August 3, 2001
Robert Hutchings hutch05(a)attglobal.net 
1951-1954
A/2C 81st Maintenance Sqdn
Bentwaters
Address Now: 39 Hillside Road, Poughquag, NY 12570 845-724-5072

Thanks to The RAF BW web site, I connected with Art McMichael (BW Fireman). He mentioned that he had seen a notice in veterans magazines that there was a fellow named Harold Applegate that was trying to reach anyone who served with the 81st Maint. Sqdn during the years of 51-54. I reached him by e-mail, and since then we have been able to connect with several of our fellow maintenance crew.
These include Carol Watson, Howard Gibert & Jim Burton.
I have not seen any of these guys in 47 years.
Several of us will be getting together at the 20TH & 81ST Tactical Fighter Wings 2001 Annual Reunion being held in September, at Ocala, Florida. I want you to know that I visit RAF Bentwaters web site frequently, and it seems that every time you have made many additions. It is a web site to be proud of. Well done guys.

 

Ray Winn Ramwin2(a)aol.com 
June 30, 2001
Subject: couplahits

Hi Linn, just a few words to let you know that your B/W site is working well. I got a hit about a month ago from an ex-81 MMS dude who had a copy of our LP. He had seen your site and wanted to nostalgiate*. It was great. Then last night I got a click from Duane Booth, an ex-Tunie (member of Tunetwisters). He's the one in the picture at top left that looks like a cross between a Bulldog and a treestump with hair. He and wife Nancy are in Nebraska raising horses.
It was really great hearing from them after 20- plus years, and without trying to sound corny, we would never have met again without your site.
Thanks again, and I'll stay in touch. Ray Winn.

*shades of sporades (see below):

As I might have mentioned before,  I count the ten years I spent there some of the best years of my life,  with some really great memories.  The only regret I have is not really taking enough time to explore and appreciate the local area.  Woodbridge Town is a lovely and fascinating place but I was always in a big rush  chasing my own little sporades.  That is such a handy non-word.  I just spoke to Erato and she grudgingly extended my poetic license so I could use it one more time.  Well Iguess I have just about digressed myself out of here.
Ray Winn

 

Kesterson, Richard L, SSgt 86 MXS/LGMS
Richard.Kesterson(a)ramstein.af.mil 
Wednesday, June 13, 2001 10:25 PM
To:  Glenn Martin gmartin370@gmail.com 

Subject: Hello
Hello SSGT Martin, at least that's what I remember you as. I am SSGT Kesterson (aka airmen Kesterson as you knew me ). I thought I would check out the web and see what I could come up with on Bentwaters and holy s**t was I surprised to see you. I won't talk your ear off if you remember me or don't email me back at this address or my home one richlori(a)interquest.de.
Take care.

 

Brian Boulton brian.boulton(a)btinternet.com 
Thursday, July 05, 2001 11:21 PM
Airman David Caley

Dear Linn,
Reference my request dated October 1999, for information on the present location of Airman David Caley who served at the Bentwaters Base hospital in 1955 - 1956.

I am delighted to advise you that David has been in contact with me having been passed on the message by a friend. He is in good health and currently resident in a small remote town west of Seattle, Washington.

Many thanks for providing such an excellent service which  enables people to get in touch again after all these years. Please note my new-mail address. Best wishes. Brian Boulton

 

Larry Pegg l.pegg(a)worldnet.att.net 
Sunday, May 20, 2001 5:19 PM
Another contact

I did as you suggested and got on the DEBENHAM site, I had a e-mail or two from a Mr. TONY HUTT, he in turn contacted BARRY TURNER, the son of my old landlord in DEBENHAM, Mr TURNER is still living and is 90 years old now, BARRY still runs the hardware store in DEBENHAM and he says he remembers me well and wants me to call him when we get back to the area, I think we will do that in the year 2002.

LINN I want to thank you again for all your good works with your web site, I have found several old friends and new ones thru your site;  a guy that was in the 79th when I was there, even tho we did not know each other we most probably bumped into each other at the mess hall, px, gas station, or the RENDEZVOUS.

I met with BUSTER REED, BO WAFFORD and his wife MINNIE three weeks ago in ARDMORE OKOLAHOMA for a weekend.  Last week I had DNINER with BILL LAMBDIN and his wife CAROL in ATHENS TEN. I have received e-mail from the ex wife of sgt DICK HOLT - all from my notes to you being posted on your site. I have been truly blessed to be able to recall and share old times with old friends and now several new ones. 
REGARDS  LARRY

 

Ron Burrell ronburrell(a)comcast.net  
24 March 2001 19:23

Now if there is anyone out there that still doesn't believe that Linn Barringer's and Jim and Maureen Tansey's web sites don't work, just look at this email.  I have not seen Jerry Richardson since the early 1960's and I send him a pic.  Bingo! Got him!  He can even remember that old junker of a Hillman Husky that I drove.  Airman didn't have a lot of money back in those days.  Most of my parts came from the wrecking yard at Hollesley Bay.  Boy those were the days.  Cheers Ron

Yeah, you've got me pegged, that's me alright.
I'm having trouble placing you, my memory's not what it used to be, did you used to run with Perry Haywood?
I do remember working on the Hillman.
Do you know the others in the picture?
Jerry

 

Larry Pegg l.pegg(a)worldnet.att.net 
24 March 2001 16:00

LINN: I have made contact with three more troops I knew because of your site and digging in to old memories to try to help HELEN MADER.
THANKS AGAIN,
REGARDS LARRY

(see below)

 

This one is not so much a "found" but one of "making good progress" but it was so nice, I thought I'd share it with you all...

"From: Helen Mader 
To: Ron Burrell ; Linn Barringer ; Larry Pegg 
Monday, March 19, 2001 4:41 PM
Subject: NEWSFLASH!

Hello All,
I have just replied to an e-mail from Richard Spatafora. He knew of my dad and kindly told me what a great guy he was. Before that e-mail, I was on the phone with Clair Couturier in Oregon and he gave me Charles Hamilton's address and phone number in California. Mr. Couturier worked for my dad for awhile and Mr. Hamilton was his line chief.  Mr Couturier is not online right now. They are both well. 
I don't know how to describe how I feel. It's just so...well, I just don't have words. When Mr. Hamilton realized who I was, there was a long silence. I think he was crying and that's when I started crying. 
I will continue to look for old buddies. I want to thank all of you for your help. Mr. Pegg, you are the one who gave me Mr Couturier's name.
Mr. Barringer, it all started with your site.
Mr. Burrell, you have been very supportive and sent me so many links...and been so funny.
I hope you will all stay with me for the duration of all this and that we can continue to stay in touch even when I've found all I can. I consider you friends in a way even though we have not met in person. 
Sincerely,
Helen :-))"

 

Larry Pegg pegg(a)worldnet.att.net 
Monday, March 19, 2001 5:38 PM

I found BILL LAMBDIN on your web site, I first e-mailed him telling him that I found his name on your site, he called me on the phone and we chatted for some time, I really could not see his face in my minds eye but knew of all the events we discussed.
He was assigned to the flight line at the 78th at WOODBRIDGE, his first trip to my maint. hangar was not a pleasant one for him, he was assigned to remove inspection panels, one panel had seized screws that he could not remove, instead of asking for trained help he got a center punch and hammer and started beating on the screw head.
Yup you guessed it, the punch slipped and he punched a hole in the panel. I must have really chewed his you know what as he remembered it well.
Anyway it led us to a meeting in KNOXVILLE TN. on the 12th of MAR. We spent hours that eve over diner and we revisited many old memories of our time spent at WOODBRIDGE. It was a very pleasant reunion and we are planning to get together with others and attend the 78th reunion at SHAW AFB in OCT.
LAMBDIN and I did not take pictures this time but I promise you I will next time and will send them to you

I have found two other folks on your web site.  My wife and I are going to meet a couple of old troops of 40 years ago for a weekend in APRIL, we were all at WOODBRIDGE in the 1960s. I have been e-mailing MIKE PARIS and then there is a SGT REED. REED I did not know but I knew his outfit and others in it even tho we were there at the same time. I have a planned meeting with BUSTER REED, BO WAFFORD and myself (LARRY PEGG) the 28th of APRIL in OKLAHOMA, I will get you some photos, promise.

LARRY

 

Roy Allen aldringhamhouse@aol.com 
Monday, February 19
Aldringham House - FOUND

Dear Linn,

Through your web site, I have a new friend Chuck Dalldorf, who lived at Aldringham House near Aldeburgh, which I am now renovating.

I would be most grateful if any others who lived there could contact me at aldringhamhouse@aol.com as I am trying to compile a complete history of the place. Dates, location of apartment, any memories or, best of all, pictorial evidence would be marvelous.
Thanks for your help so far.
Regards Roy Allen

 

I have just been browsing through your Bentwaters 60s pages and noticed that Jim Clark put a search out for Thomas Bareford (Virginia) in June 1998.
My father is Thomas Bareford and he lived in Richmond Viginia and was based at Bentwaters at that time. I have a post office box number for him so if Jim Clark is still looking for him ask him to E-Mail me and I would be delighted to pass on the relevant information.
Kind regards
Tomisha

Jim Clark imclark(a)mts.net 
Wednesday, February 28, 2001 4:54 AM

...  Talked to Tom tonight for a bit.....he is back in Virginia.  I told him about the site...he said he doesn't get online much but was somewhat familiar with AOL.
Say hi to everyone! Jim Clark

 

Larry W LaForest YooperI(a)aol.com 
Monday, February 05, 2001 9:44 PM
Bentwaters

I just found out about the site a week or two ago from a Gordon Rodgers and immediately thereafter I located Gerald Kirk Kirkpatrick whom I knew in Bentwaters.  The three of us will carry on the "search" for others.

Thanks

 

Thursday, February 1, 2001 at 00:58:45
John Harden johnharden99(a)yahoo.com 
Bentwaters
1988-1993
SGT and SSGT for 81 Supply Squadron
Address: 724 Sequoia Trail, Patrick AFB, Florida 32925

Just looking through your search pages and found Terry Priddy and Nate Niemi. Was friends with Terry and supervisor of Nate. Will contact them through their email.

 

This one is pre-2001 but I just found it after mis-filing it!

My name is Brad Moore, and I was stationed at Bentwaters/Woodbridge from 1988 to 1992. I e-mailed you some captions for your pictures of your 1998 tour of Bentwaters last year. I was stationed at RAF Mildenhall at the time I e-mailed you. I am now stationed back in the states at Whiteman AFB. Could you change my e-mail address to: moore1(a)hardrockers.com 

I have had a couple of people who were stationed with me find me because of my address being posted on your site, and I hope to find some more. The site is great, I am impressed with all the information you have gathered. I had a chance to go to the bases before I left in October. I was able to get on Bentwaters and look around, I saw more of the base then than when I was stationed there.

Well, thanks for your time, and keep up the good work.

Brad

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