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Airship Chapter 
Lakehurst, NJ
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HISTORY OF NAS LAKEHURST
Link: Navy Lakehurst Historical Society, Inc.

Source:  Aerograph February, 2010

President        Bill Suydam
Vice Pres        Al Parisi
Sec/Treas       Gene Merrill
Reporter          Pam Elliott
Chaplain          Marie Garrity
Sunshine         Ann Bucher

As I remember it, it was a cold December day as the Airship Chapter gathered for the Annual Christmas Luncheon at the Captain's Inn .  Attendees included: Bill and Joan Suydam, Al and Jane Parisi, Gene and Carol Merrill with sister-in-law Mary, Rod and Pam Elliott, Ann Bucher, Toddy McGayhey, Hank and Bobbie Losch, Rich and Naomi Edwards, Charlie and Carol Moffett, Bob and Lucille Wiorek with Helen Oster, and Harry and Pat Whitworth.  President Bill Suydam called the meeting to order, Secretary/Treasurer Gene Merrill presented the previous meeting minutes which were approved, as well as the Treasurer's report on finances. Gene read a note from Airship Chapter members who live afar; Ray and JoAnn Bierly sent Merry Christmas wishes to all, Chuck and Linda Bradley are loving retirement out west, and Marty Bonk sent a marriage announcement to bride, Bea. Return wishes to all from us! Gene reviewed the Barnacle List: Winning Dunning, Marilyn Macomber, Mike Garrity, and Lois Wanzor.  Hope by this writing all are better than before, our prayers are with you and your family.  Dallas 2010 Reunion was discussed and reminder was issued to all to register to have a great big Texas gathering.  The meeting completed, Rich Edwards offered the Blessing.  A fine meal was had.

On to the News of the quarter.

The Wiorek's: Bob had to go to the E.R. for a problem which was taken care of. He also had to have another biopsy of his thyroid because the nodule had gotten larger, turned out to be a cyst and the fluid was removed.  My breathing problems were diagnosed as chronic bronchitis or C.O.P.D. and on medication to get some relief.  Hope this year is a better one for all of us.

The Garrity's: No news data for this edition.  No fun writing sad news, people have problems of their own. So, from our house to yours the Garrity's wish you all a very Happy, Healthy, New Year.

The Whitworth's: We are in Florida for the winter, got out between storms, made a quick departure on the 29th.  We had sunny weather all the way, still lots of traffic south of Florence , bumper to bumper all the way to Brunswick .  Harry is happy to be out of the cold.  Have a good New Year and a healthily one.

The Bierly's: With driving to New Jersey for Thanksgiving and then flying back a week later, we had many opportunities to celebrate.  This has brought much reflection.  Time goes by so quickly especially while raising a family.  So many traditions are set without realizing it.  As we have gotten older and moved away, we make new traditions while still remembering the old. Ray and I have dinner together on Christmas Eve usually ham; Ray’s choice.  He knows I will make potatoes au gratin with ham for Christmas Day and 15 Bean Soup for over the weekend.  It has been our custom to attend an 11:00 P.M. Christmas Eve Service since my senior year in high school.  Our church has moved the service to 7:00 P.M. which we do attend. Spring Bayou is lit with Luminaries, candles set in sand in paper bags that are created by the children of Sunset Hills Elementary School placing them on the walk way in honor or in memory of loved ones.  It has been going on for 24 years and is a beautiful sight.  With all the celebrating, I felt the need to attend an 11:00 P.M. Service even if Ray was too tired to join me.  I went to All Saints Episcopal Church here on a ‘hill’ in Tarpon Springs.  Carols were sung @ 10:30 as we waited to begin.  It was the third service of the evening.  This is a small wooden church that reminds me of mass at the Catholic church in Bethel , Vt. where our tradition began. I so enjoyed being there and the ride around the Bayou @ 12:45A.M. once again.  Each year I choose a Christmas Book for the holiday.  This year I chose Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans. In the Epilogue there is a quote that summed up my Holy Day; “...perhaps after all the songs and poems and stories of the season, Christmas is really no more than that --humanity’s search for the familiar.  Every year we bring out the same songs, partake of the same foods and traditions, and share the things that make us feel that there’s someplace we belong.  And in the end all any of us are looking for is home.”  May the New Year be filled with HOME.  

The Merrill's: We are heading for Hawaii on January 20, 2010 and will return on February 25, 2010 .  Both of us are doing okay and look forward to our trip to Hawaii . The middle of April we are taking an 8 day cruise with our friends Bob & Ruth Murphy who have become our traveling buddies.  Our daughter, Kim, and her husband, Mick and their friends Sara and Doug will also be joining us on this Cruise.  Our best to all our Shipmates for a very Happy & Healthy New Year. May God Bless our Troops and keep them out of harm's way.

The Bonk's: The only news I have is that I have married again to a wonderful woman named Bea on 11/28/2009 and we still live in Georgia !!!!!

The Elliott's: We went on a cruise with daughter Kristie, husband John and granddaughter Amanda and 2 of her friends.  Had a wonderful time.  Arrived home on the 21st to 24" of snow.  Our great neighbor had a path cleaned so we could get to the door.  On the 22nd  as Pam was driving to a credit union meeting, she had a mild heart attack.  Results were she had a heart Cath on the 24th, had her blocked stent cleaned and 2 new ones implanted.  She came home on the 29th.  For Christmas we will be heading to VA and SC the end of January or beginning of February.  All is well now so look forward to being with the families soon.

ALL WISH YOU AND YOURS A GREAT 2010

Source:  Aerograph November 2009 

President: Bill Suydam                
Vice President: Al Parisi              
Secretary/Treasurer: Gene Merrill
Reporter: Pam Elliott                   
Chaplain: Marie Garrity                
Sunshine: Ann Bucher                

The Annual August Picnic was at the Moffett's in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island .  Present were: Al & Jane Parisi, Gene & Carol Merrill, Bill and Joan Suydam,  Rod & Pam Elliott, Norm & Marilyn Macomber, Harry & Pat Whitworth, Hank & Bobbie Losch, Toddy MacGayhey, Lois Wanzor, Charlie & Carol Moffett, and Bob & Lucille Wiorek.  The food and the fellowship were good as well as a nice weather day. President Bill Suydam conducted the meeting; the secretary/treasurer report was presented.

We wish improved health to Ann Bucher, John Migaleddi and Winnie Dunning.  We also send the same to Joan Suydam.  Gene Merrill got a call from Winnie - she is recovering from Breast Cancer and is doing Chemo at the present time.  She is still living in Brick, so if you have some time, drop her card.  She is going to try and come to the get together in December if she can get a ride.  Regards to all from Winnie.  Rich and Naomi Edwards could not join us.  Hope to see ya'll in December. There were some milestones to celebrate: Happy Birthday to Jane Parisi, & Bill Suydam and Happy Anniversary to the Macomber's.

This Fiscal Year, 1 October 2009 , Navy Lakehurst has changed. McGuire-Ft.  Dix-Lakehurst Mega Base has been established.  There is an Air Force Colonel in charge.  The Navy folks in the area are sad to no longer see the name Navy Lakehurst on the entrance sign.  The Blue Angel plane has not been removed so far.  The Air Force will be the base keeper.  NAVAIR will remain a tenant as well as the many other tenants.  Time will tell how this Mega Base will work out.

The Merrill's: This past August the Merrill's attended their son, Michael's retirement after thirty-one years in the Navy.  He was in the Nuke program and went from Seaman to Commander.  They were delighted to attend this special ceremony for him.  We are very proud of our two sons that have served our Country with dignity and pride.  Our other son, Mick is retired after twenty years from the US Coast Guard.

Now it is time for the Merrills to head once again to the New England states, but instead of driving they are cruising on a fourteen day cruise from New Jersey to Quebec with many stops along the way.

After skipping Hawaii last year during January and February they are returning to their Timeshare in Waikiki for five weeks.

The Bierly’s: Jo Ann returned Friday, July 31st, (late afternoon) from N. J. after surprising the grandchildren on their birthdays.  Grant turned 11 on July 19th and Brittany turned 16 on July 30th.  We had a great time together.  I even got to drive them around in Jeff’s Mini

Cooper.  It has been a while since driving a stick shift.  I think I saw my grandchildren more than my children.

Such busy lives!!!!

Ray stayed home to hold down the fort, take care of his dog and volunteer at the hospital.  Really a home body!!! He is doing very well which I think is because he has a new primary care doctor and is volunteering.  He goes to “work” a minimum of three days a week.  He is the Volunteer Services Office Manager and the Auxiliary’s Assistant Treasurer.  Now Ray is also the Gift Shop buyer so he drove to Orlando on Sept. 30th for a state meeting to see what is available to sell in the Gift Shop.  He sure has plunged in.  I did the Sam’s Club pick up on the 30th for the Snack Bar as that is what he does each Wednesday morning.  Who would have thought he would be this active!!

We attended the Hospital Foundation Gala this past Saturday, October 3rd.  Ray wanted to go now that he is on the Auxiliary Board.  We had a slow dance but I was out there for the ‘fast’ ones.  Have a blessed holiday season filled with lots of hope, joy and laughter.

The Wiorek’s: It was good to have Bob out for the Picnic and be with our friends.  Bob does not see well now.  We look forward to the Christmas Lunch in December.

The Whitworth’s: Harry is golfing as much and as often as possible. He is working out at the Base gym at Lakehurst .  He is counting the days for their departure to FL.  He says it is already too cold in Jersey for him.  Pat’s health is improving.  She continues her daily swimming exercise. They will leave for FL the 26th of December.

The Garrity's: Hello to everyone.  It has been an interesting summer here in New Jersey to say the least.  It not only came & went too fast, but it rained all of June & most of July.  We were able to enjoy some summer like weather in August, but September & now October have been beautiful.  Fall weather on the East coast, is God's time of the year.  Such a beautiful landscape he draws.  Not looking forward to the cold weather that will come in the pursuing months, but each season holds its own palette of breath-taking scenes.  The Garritys' are doing okay.  Other than a few setbacks for me, we are still enjoying life & our family which seems to keep growing.  When we look around & see all the terrible things going on in our world around us, we are (really) doing well.  So, from our home to yours we send best wishes & God's blessings to each of you.

The Losch’s: Hank said he had a nice visit when friend Rod Elliott dropped in.  Rod is his "library".  Hank may never get all of Rod’s books read, but he is trying.  Bobbie is busy with the grandkids and soccer games.  She is looking forward to nice days as fall begins.  She had a lovely lunch and visit with friend Ann Bucher.

Toddy MacGayhey: Toddy arranged the NWSA Group’s final monthly church dinner for this year.  It is a nice gathering for about 9 of us including her son Frank and grandson Tommy.  In talking to Frank, he told me he and his mother attended a family funeral lately.  She was the most senior person in her family as well as the MacGayhey family.  She still works in the garden but it is smaller than Mac had.  Frank is hoping to get her up to

Poughkeepsie , NY to visit his father's youngest brother (and only living sibling). Uncle Bob is very sick.  She will especially remember Dad on 24 Oct, his 4th anniversary and several of us will hopefully all visit the cemetery with her.  She will continue to pull weeds, drive to Shop Rite once or twice a week, take care of the dog, have her one cousin and her last remaining tenant visit a few times a week, have another cousin come stay for a couple of days, have people from the church come to visit her, tell me I am too young to retire, bake cookies and pies and do similar things.  She will also miss those monthly dinners and looks forward to May as that starts another year.

The Elliott’s: Rod continues to enjoy the Limo job; even working extra days as needed, weddings, concerts and NYC trips sometimes requires extra drivers.  Pam is busier than ever with Credit Union volunteering; training classes, conventions and board of director meetings.  They went to a Timeshare in Williamsburg for a week, with a stop in VA Beach before and after to spend time with daughter Kathy and Dick and Hannah.  Kristie will be coming up in October to go to CT with us for a few days.  Look forward to seeing family and friends.  We will be cruising in the Western Caribbean a week in December.  Kristie & John, granddaughter Amanda and 2 friends and our traveling friends Carol & Jerry Smith will be joining us.

Happy Holidays including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years from the Airship Chapter

Submitted by Pam Elliott USN Spouse 

Source:  Aerograph February 2009 

President                 Bill Suydam
Vice President              Al Parisi
Secretary/Treas      Gene Merrill
Reporter                    Pam Elliott
Chaplain                Marie Garrity
Sunshine     Ann Bucher

The Annual Christmas Luncheon was at the Captain’s Inn in Forked River .  Present were: Al & Jane Parisi, Gene & Carol Merrill, Rod & Pam Elliott, Norm & Marilyn Macomber, Harry & Pat Whitworth, Hank & Bobbie Losch, Toddy MacGayhey, Ann Bucher, Charlie & Carol Moffett, Rich & Naomi Edwards and Bob & Lucille Wiorek.  The food and the fellowship were good. President Bill Suydam was not able to attend. Vice President Al Parisi conducted the meeting, the secretary/treasurer report, was presented and wishes for improved health were sent to Lois Wanzer, Joan Suydam, and Mike Garrity.

The Merrill's: Instead of our usual escape to Hawaii , we are heading south to Florida with the rest of the Snow Birds this year.  This will give us the chance to visit with our sons and families as well as some Navy buddies and Gene's classmates from Old Town High in Maine .  It seems that Florida is the place to be in the winter particularly if you’re from central Maine .  We wish everyone a Very Happy & Healthy New Year.

The Bierly’s: All is well here.  Ray and I are very busy with the hospital auxiliary here in Tarpon Springs.  It is my hope that we will take a break to attend the reunion in Jacksonville if I can get Ray to break away.

To all: One of the medical staff was mentioning how she is experiencing her mortality: realizing her chronological age. We might all have had those thoughts at one time or another so I offer a poem from Saint Teresa of Avila :

Whatever we face this year, we face together.  So Shine in 2009.  People will wonder what you are up to.  Happy, Healthy, Healing New Year to us all.

The Wiorek’s: We enjoyed seeing everyone at our Christmas luncheon.  Our holidays were great because we were able to spend it with the people we love. . Bobs birthday was on Dec.18th ,our son flew in from CA to help us celebrate.  Our daughter had family and friends over for dinner as a surprise for Bob.  Our son stayed until the day after Christmas so I had everyone over after church and our daughter had us over for a prime rib dinner in the evening.  Bob is having the injection of Avandi into his eye every six weeks now because of the Macular Degeneration, we only hope it continues to slow the loss of his sight.  A happy healthy New Year to everyone.

The Whitworth’s: Christmas and New Years are over and Harry is happy to be in Florida where it does not snow.  He is happy to be warm and in the sunshine. 

The Garrity’s:  We had a busy 2008.  Early October our oldest granddaughter, Aubrey, was married to her long time love, Dean.  They opted to get wed on the island in the Bahamas .  Mike & I were invited all inclusive, but stayed home so our daughter, Debbie could know her precious dog, Bambam would be well cared for as only a grandparent can do.  Aubrey & Dean are both in their 30s' but waited until they could move into a new home which they did.  So proud of them.  Unfortunately, with happiness comes sorrow.  Our oldest daughter, Michele's husband Ray, passed away November 11th from cancer.  But God doesn't close one door but opens another and we have another wedding to look forward to in May.  Our son Mike's oldest daughter, Colleen & Harry, will be getting married after they too, bought a home to move into.  Kids today are far ahead of us old timers with their heads on straight.  But with today’s' economic situation it is scary for sure.  Mike & I wish them much happiness & good health in the year 2009.  We have a graduation to look forward to also.  Kathy’s only son, Steven, will graduate from Southern Regional High School come June.  What a great young man he is.  High honors & just a great kid.  Our Kathy will turn 50 come July.  Wow, where has the time gone?  Young Mike is the only one who is still in his late 40s'.  You know where that puts Mike & me.  I am still busy with my church & love every minute of it.  Mike's health still haunts him, but this has been his fate in life.  I pray that one day he could look at me and say, "Gee, I feel good".  What an answered prayer that would be, not just for me, but certainly for him.  We both enjoyed the holidays that went by much too quickly.  We now look forward to a new year & a wedding as we can continue to enjoy our entire family whom we hold so dear.  May God bless each of you in the new year with health & much happiness.

The Elliott’s: We flew to SC to our daughter Kristie’s in November, Rod for 4 days and Pam for 10 days.  Pam and Kris got a good start on Christmas shopping.  It was such fun to have someone to shop with.  December showed a continued slow down for Rod’s Limo job.  He misses the Wednesday job.  Some weeks he works and some he does not.  All part of the economic issues.  December we left for Christmas in VA with oldest daughter Kathy, Dick and granddaughter Hannah.  Then to SC for Christmas again and New Year s with Kris, John and granddaughter Amanda.  From there we headed to Orlando .  Nice here now with 80+ degree weather.

Healthy, Safe and Happy New Year to all from the Airship Chapter                       Submitted by Pam Elliott