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Fighting Six (VF-6) Reunions
& Gatherings
Reunions Page 2
Eureka Springs, Arkansas Gathering - July
19-20, 1988
While still at Eureka Springs, we agreed to work as hosts for a meeting some where even though Mark
didn't start talking about where until he put out his Second Newsletter on 29 Aug '88. At that time he started
asking for opinions of where it should be and before Christmas, 1988, he put out a flyer to every one asking for
their opinions. Several places in Arkansas were mentioned as possibilities as well as Chicago where we could take
advantage of an opportunity to visit the O'Hare Memorial at the O'Hare air port.
During the summer and fall of 1988 opinions had been pouring in with enthusiasm. Soon after Christmas
'88, it was decided to have the reunion in Chicago in May the next spring Sy, Willie and myself shared the information
we had and gradually started working out what we considered to be the general guide lines for the Spring '89 meeting.
At this stage it was just assumed that it would be nice to visit the O'Hare terminal and see his
memorial and that we would work out those details at the proper time. We also started deciding who would do the
various tasks and work out a tentative agenda. A letter with our proposal was drafted to be sent out to Mark and
old members of the squadron.
Hersch Pahl gravitated toward the job of drafting the schedule of events and preparing some additional
historical records, while Mark continued to make contact with members of the O'Hare family and even contacted the
White House to invite President George H. Bush.
A VF-6 Mini-Gathering
was held Feb 20-21, 1989 at the
Home of Willie and Sue Callan on Beaver Lake near Rogers, AR
Those present as their guests were SY and Gloria Mendenhall, Jim & Mae Nichols, and Herschel
and Bonnie Pahl
Note: John & Mary Jane Stann could not be there; however, they came and visited in the Callan's home
for a week soon after. Hank and Elbess Landry also came for a short visit only later.
While Sy, Willie and myself (Hersch) had been together the previous July 19 at Eureka, Springs, we
had not seen the Nichols since the end of our first cruise 54 years ago.
We were excited about the up coming VF-6 gathering planned for the following May, just 3 months away.
We compared notes and talked about ways to get the word out to more of the guys that had not been located yet.
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Four old pilots meet again after 54 years at the home of Willie
and Sue Callan. R-L: Hersch Pahl, Jim Nichols, Sy Mendenhall, and Willie Callan.
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Reunion group at dinner while visiting the Callans. L-R: Bonnie
Pahl, Jim Nichols, Sue Callan, Hersch Pahl, Willie Callan,Mae Nichols, Sy Mandenhall, and Gloria Mendenhall. Feb
20,1989.
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Reunion group ready to leave the club. L-R:- Willia Callan,
Sy Mendenhall, Mae and Jim Nichols, Bonnie and Hersch Pahl. 21 Feb, 1989.
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At the club near the Mendenhall's home, Feb 20 1989, L-R:-
Sue Callan, Mae Nichols, Gloria Mendenhall, Jim Nichols and Bonnie Pahl.
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Mark's Newsletter # 4 came out on 12 April '89 with last minute news of plans, reservations and who
will be doing various things and who will be in attendance such as Butch's sisters Marilyn and Patsy and a noted
writer, John Lundstom.
"A Gathering of Eagles" Reunion
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May 3,4,5 and 6, 1989
at Mt. Prospect, Illinois
This VF-6 Gathering took place as planned at The Holiday Inn, Mt. Prospect, ILL (near Chicago).
Hersch and Bonnie Pahl arrived a day early to complete on-site arrangements, while the rest of the
attendees (some with their wives) came in during the day on 4 May.
That first night was a sight of organized confusion as everyone was involved in greeting each other
and tying to "guess who" and "remember when" (Some of us had not seen each other in the past
44 years).
The group consisted of mostly VF-6 pilots , two of Butch's sisters, several senior enlisted men and
their wives plus a crewman from the USS Hancock and a well known writer and author, John B. Lundstrom, and two
other friends of the squadron, Marshall Squire and Dick Wertinger.
Sandy Crews, the most senior of the original Butch O'Hare's squadron, functioned as the master of
ceremonies as he made introductions and gave each an opportunity to give a short dissertation on what they had
been doing during the past 40 years or so. Some were brief, some long winded while some let others do the talking
for them.
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As the troops gathered first night of the VF-6 Chicago reunion,
introductions were in order. L-R:- Al Vraciu intoduded to Carol Hobbs with husband Bob looking on. Mark Maxpell
far right and Judge Harvey Odenbrett in background looking on - May 4, 1989.
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Flowers were presented to the Reunion attendees by the Holiday
Inn staff. Looking on from L-R is Hoot Hutt, Willie Callan, Sy Mendenhall, Al Vraciu, and Sandy Crews - May 4,
1989.
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Sandy Crews presides at the first night of the "Gathering
of Eagles" VF-6 Chicago Reunion May 4, '89. Clockwise, Al Vraciu (head), Mrs. Harry Harrison, Bob "Moose"
Merritt, Sandy Crews, Joe Robbins, Dix Loesch, Harry "Stinkey" Harrison, Bob Maxswell (standing) and
Jim Nichols lower right.
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Willie Callan sponsors and nominates Mark Maxwell for honorary
membership in Fighting Squadron Six. May 4, 1989 at the Chicago "Gathering of Eagles" Reunion of VF-6.
L-R:- sitting Joe Robbins, Dix Loesch, Mrs. Harrison with "Stinkey" Harrison in the green suit.
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Mark Maxwell was introduced by Willie Callan. Who took note of the important part Mark had played
in getting the group together. Later he was further honored by formally granting him honorary membership in Fighting
Squadron Six. Everyone agreed that he had done a terrific job and welcomed him for the honor he richly deserved.
Dix Loesch presented Mark with a special gift.
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Willie Callan presents a plaque proclaiming honorary membership
to Mark Maxwell. Sitting L-R:- Dix Loesch and Sandy Crews - May 4, 1989.
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Dix Loesch presents a medal to Mark Maxwell as an award for
the important work he had done in getting the various members of VF-6 together. L-R:- Mark and Dix. May 4, 1989
at Chicago VF-6 reunion.
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Mark Maxwell shows off his membership plaque.
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Mark Maxwell shows off both his plaque and medal.
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'A Gathering of Eagles' Reunion
Continues on Page 3...
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