 VP-47 Reunions
2000's
REUNIONs: "...The VP-47 67th Anniversary Reunion will be held at San Jose, CA October 7th through 11th, 2015 (during Fleet Week). Please contact Gary McDowell elctricman8something@yahoo.com (408-607-5280) or visit http://www.vp-47reunions.com/ for further information..." Contributed by SHERMAN, Maurice lazymho@sbcglobal.net [02DEC2014]
REUNIONs: "...The VP-47 64th Anniversary Reunion will be held at NAS Pensacola, Florida on April 11th thru April 14th, 2012 hosted by Johnny Jackson. Please contact Jim "Soupy" Campbell blandjcampbell@aol.com (360-979-2170) or visit http://www.vp-47reunions.com/ for further information..." Contributed by SHERMAN, Maurice lazymho@sbcglobal.net [10APR2011]
REUNIONs:   Gene Tenold "...NAS Whidbey Site of VP-47 Reunion By MC2 Tucker Yates - NPASE Det. NW - Thursday, June 24, 2010..." WebSite: Northwest Navigator http://www.northwestnavigator.com/ [25JUN2010]
Photograph Caption: MC2 Tucker Yates 0 Gene Tenold, son of former Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 Sailor, retired Lt. Cmdr. Gene Tenold and retired Chief Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator George Love, formerly of the Golden Swordsmen of VP-47, view a photo of a P5M Marlin taking off in the newly-dedicated Simard Hall on the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Seaplane Base during a VP-47 reunion tour of the PBYMF and NAS Whidbey Island Command Display, June 18.
Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 held a reunion at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island June 17-19.
The group was comprised of former VP-47 Golden Swordsmen, their friends and family members. The event was hosted and coordinated by Oak Harbor City Council member retired Chief Aviation Electrician's Mate Jim Campbell, who served with VP-47 from 1957 to 1960.
"I see less and less [familiar faces] each time I come back; I'm 82 now. We keep dropping by the wayside for some reason, and I think there's only eight of us here today who were in the squadron at the same time. When you get up in age, it's important to keep in touch with what you knew and what you did and what you loved," said retired Lt. Cmdr. Joe Emmett, of Grand Coulee, Wash.
More than 100 peoiple in attendance for the reunion enjoyed barbecue at the Rocky Point military recreation area.
The second day of the reunion included windshield tours of the installation along with visits to VP-40 and the newly dedicated Simard Hall on the NAS Whidbey Island Seaplane Base which houses the base command display and the historic PBY Memorial Foundation.
"They're like the founding fathers of the of the VP Navy; they started it all, and I think it'd be a crime not to allow them to come back and see their roots and see how things have developed and evolved," said Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Wilcox, an aircraft division officer assigned to VP-40, from Leesburg, Fla.
"The tactics and the aircraft don't seem to have changed a great deal with the squadrons, but the sensors are a lot different than when I worked with them," said Emmett, who was assigned to VP 47 from 1964 to 1965 and has participated in two reunions.
In conclusion, a dinner was held at the chief petty officers' club. In attendance were current VP-47 Commanding Officer Cmdr. George Landis, III, and the VP-47 Command Senior Chief (AW) Ray DeMarco, who both traveled from Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and NAS Whidbey Island Commanding Officer Capt. Gerral David, who served as the executive and commanding officer for the squadron from 2001 and 2003.
"This squadron's been built by many members, and each and every one has contributed something. It's nice to meet the guys that laid the groundwork for where we're at right now," said DeMarco.
Landis also explained the ‘legacy T-shirt' and VPB-27 patch that is issued to each Sailor in his squadron upon check-in that recognizes the past, present and future members of the squadron, which is worn each Friday, in recognition of the squadron's heritage.
"We do this in honor of you and your legacy and all those who have come before us," said Landis. "That adds to our motivation and our drive in our squadron."
"The same pride, professionalism and patriotism from your generation is there in the eyes and the fire of the 18- and 19-year-old Sailors checking into my squadron. The answer to why I am here is pretty simple; our legacy is the motivation that drives our future," said Landis.
"I've been in a lot of (VP) squadrons and the thing that impresses me the most about VP-47 is how much they cherish their legacy and how much they use that legacy to motivate their Sailors," said Landis. "I'm here to thank you for what you did and what you're doing; both in serving your country, supporting the men and women who are out there fighting every day on active duty, but also the motivation that you currently give our Sailors by what you've done."
"I'm honored to serve in the legacy that you've created. It is our honor and privilege to continue that legacy today and to pass it on to those who come after us," said David.
The next reunion is expected in spring of 2012 in Pensacola, Fla.
© 2010 Sound Publishing, Inc.
REUNIONs: "...61st Anniversery Reunion will be held at Oak Harbor Harbor, Whidbey Is., WA, June 16th through June 20th, 2010..." Contributed by Maurice Sherman administrator@vp-47reunions.com [Updated 12AUG2009]
SEE:  VP-47 Reunion Association WebSite [Updated 12AUG2009]
1990's
REUNIONs: "22SEP99...The squadrons of Navy Patrol Wing Four, which was based in the Aleutians in WW II, will be holding a Reunion at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, starting 22 September 1999. Attached to PatWing Four were PBY squadrons VP-41, VP-42, VP-43, VP-45, VP-61, and VP-62. PV squadrons were VPB-131, VPB-135, VPB-136, and VPB-139. VPB-120 and VPB-122 were PB4Y-2 squadrons that saw duty late in the war. OS2U squadrons VS-48, VS-49, VS-56, and VS-70 did inshore patrol and rescue work. Anyone who was a member of PatWing 4 who is interested in attending the reunion should contact "Ole" Haugen (VP-43) for registration forms. His e-mail address is: j.o.haugen@juno.com. His regular address is 10404 W Sierra Dawn Drive, Sun City, AZ 85351..." Contributed by Robert R. Larson, VP-41/VPB-136 r2larson@greatnorthern.net [31MAY99]
REUNIONs: "...VP-47 Golden Anniversary Reunion. Where: Hyatt Arlington, Arlington VA...When: 5-8 Nov 98...Contact: Ron Narmi JWKNarmi@AOL.COM. Events planned for each day including simulating flights with hands, ASW alert memories, low flyer horror stories and ship rigging short cuts(also city tours, Navy football game(Rutgers), dinners and carousing)..." Contributed by Ken Wiecking wiecking@oceanic.com [28MAY98]
 "...The VP-47 reunion ended this last Sunday...the reunion was HIGHLY successful, with some 173 people showing up. The event was attended by the Squadron CO and his CMC. RADM Norb Ryan addressed the group ..." Contributed by Ron Narmi, RADM USN Ret., Chairman RNARMI@aol.com [12NOV98]
"...I have been in close contact with RADM Ron Narmi and Charlie Switzer in attempting to locate all VP-47 Squadron members for the Reunion in November in Washington, DC. Please contact me, Charlie or Ron Narmi for information. (You will find Charlie's address elsewhere in the above entries. He also references Ron's email address for your further edification.) Looking forward to seeing many of you at the Reunion. If any of you are ever in Manteo (the Outer Banks of North Carolina), then give me a call. My phone Number is 252-473-2126 and my address is 110 Puddle Lane, Manteo, NC 27954-9595..." Contributed by OVERMAN, William J. Jr. "Jack" fourbranch@earthlink.net [05AUG98]
"...As Chairman [VP-47 Reunion Association], I want to hear about any suggestions you have or any special need. Also, please get your Christmas card list out and call your old buddys and let them know about the reunion. Let me know their address and I will send them the info...Ron Narmi RNARMI@AOL.COM..." [12AUG98]
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