Saturday, November 21, 2009

Messages For Others To Read

Post messages for others to read.

38 comments:

  1. J.P.

    Received your post card today..... WOW, great web site, sure was great to go back down memory lane. You can take me off you list of the lost..... I'm alive and well in Helena Alabama. I retired form the Air Force in 1988 from the Design Center at Gunter. Tom (Harold) Speakman, Jose (Rod) Rodriguez and I were there on the Security Police Automated System development team. From there I went to work for Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and I just retired from my second career there in the IT industry. The last I heard, Tom Speakman was living up near prattville, and Larry Ludwick was working for the Post Office in Montgomery. If Mark Guest is half the investigator he use to be, he should be able to find these to guys. Mark, if your reading this, check the steam room at the base gym, Larry might still be going there... ha ha. J.P., I'm going to get down to my basement and dig through my old photos and see what I can add to the site. Ret. Msgt. JOhn H. Crokin

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    Replies
    1. John,
      I found Ludwig using the White Pages. Gave him a call and he said he was doing good. Looks like you had a great career. I retired at Lackland in 90 and moved back to Maryland.

      Keith DeWitt.

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  2. John,

    Great to hear that you found the site (and that my postcard found you).

    I haven't been able to locate Sgt Speakman nor Sgt Rodriguez, but I'll focus on Prattville.

    Glad to hear that Sgt Ludwick is still around.

    Thanks for the compliment on the site. It's great to see so many former SPs connecting with folks they've lost track of.

    Later,

    J.P.

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  3. Hi J.P.
    George Ingols called and told me about this web site. What a great idea and site. Thanx for the many memories! Please list me on the list of found SP's. I retired from AF on 1 May 94. Worked for awhile as one of Auburn University's finest. I now reside in Phenix City, AL and work as an armorer in the Fort Benning Dept of Emergency Services.

    Jimmy Hall

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  4. Jimmy,

    Thanks for the compliments.

    I've located about 30 SPs so far, and more are being found each week.

    I also got your earlier e-mails.

    J.P.

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  5. Just found the site and think it's great. As others have stated, I've been found from the lost. This is Danny Avant now living in rural NE Alabama and have been fully retired since 2001. 3800 SPS was awfully good to a lot of us. May God bless all.

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  6. J.P.
    I recieved your post card yesterday, got on the site and wanted to thank you. I'll have to check it out more tonight because from what I've seen it's brought back a lot of memories. If any of ya'll get bored, my email address is: harleyrkc1450@yahoo.com. I hope to see more of those 'old photos' soon. Hope all of ya'll are enjoying Christmas.

    Thanks Again
    Bob Mothershed

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  7. You can take me off the lost page. I got your post card today. What memories. An excellent webpage. I have some photos from Gunter Desert Storm team if they can be uploaded.

    Charles "Dave" Catholdi (SrA)

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  8. Sgt Avant ~ Great to see that you found the web site, and that you posted a profile. I'm in the process of sending you an e-mail as I type this. Great to see your posting! ~ J.P. Brown

    Bob ~ We never worked together, but I'll send you an e-mail as well, just as soon as I finish writing to Sgt Avant. I understand that you were at Maxwell in the 1980s. I'm slowly, but surely, filling in the 1980s and 1990s, with more and more SPs each week. ~J.P.

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  9. Dave ~ Thanks for the great photos that you sent. I now have them posted, and I have you listed in the "Found" list. ~J.P.

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  10. MSgt Crokin!! Your still around! Man thats great! I was just thinking about the old "A" Flight. I still have the famous (or infamous) "Hole in one" plaque that you guys gave me when me and Potter departed for Turkey.
    So many great people here, and I am really happy to hear from each, MSgt Avant, Jimmy Hall, Hope all is well with you.

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  11. MSgt (Retired) David L McCraryJanuary 9, 2010 at 7:35 PM

    Just found the site the other day from my wife on Facebook, have really enjoyed checking it out and seeing the pictures. Miss the 42SFS alot and all the people.

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  12. Thanks JP for your efforts....I'm appreciative of my time at MAFB and the associations made there that helped me throughout my civilian and ALANG careers. I occasionally see former members of the Squadron and for those not already profiled, I'll advise them of the site. Should there be a reunion and there be interest in golf, I'll be glad to assist in planning a golf event for participants.

    Gene Cody

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  13. I received your card from my father who lives in St. George UT. He and I have the same name.
    Thanks for searching me out. I had no idea the old squadron had a website. And a great site it is. You have done a great job and service.
    I served as commander of some of the finest men and women in the AF from June 1981 to March 1985. I, also, became the Chief of Police and Director of Security for AU when it became a MAJCOM in July 1983. We had a lot of fun trying to play with the Big Boys and Girls. We fielded a Peacekeepeer Challenge Team that did pretty well. Don't remember, but I know the team took away some awards. I think Jimmy Hale was the team leader. Tom Kovach was on the team too.
    Lieutenant General Cleveland, AU Commander, was a frequent attendee at our Friday afternoon Oyster Shuck.
    I would like to know if Mark Guest ever caught "Jimmy" the Principle? He knows who I mean.
    Ask August if he remembers Col Johnson, August, and me nearly walking out of a Montgomery City lunch because the speaker was making racial comments. The lunch was honoring 2 SP's and 2 MPD officers. One of our honorees was a black female. Can't remember her name. I think Brockman or Crokin was the Flight Chief who organized the Police escort of a Medal of Honor recipient from the Bell Street Gate to Base Ops. The old warrior was brought to tears by the kindness.
    No one in the 3800SPS assigned will forget the day Pres. Reagan visited Maxwell. That was the day we almost killed the stupid Major. Us, the OSI, or the Secret Service.
    Does anyone remember the ice storm when the 3800 SPS almost, but not quite, saved the Base Commander from being fired and sent to Alaska. The BC delayed letting people go home and when he finally made the decision the roads were like an ice rink. Chiefs Vaughn and Speakman had emptied the squadron out and positioned them at strategic intersections to try to keep the traffic controlled. Early on we had to close the Day St. Gate. That was when the General rolled by looking like he could spit nails. Within 2 weeks the BC was on a short tour to Alaska.
    I wonder if the gate house being replaced at Day St. is the one we put there in 1983. It was built by Norshield, a Montgomery company. they did and still do a lot of work for prisons and embassies. It had a toilet that could incinerate the waste. It was also bullet resistant. We saved the base about $39K in our suggestion. I've rambled enough. They were great times. I had a lot of fun. I hope you did too.
    I retired from the AF in 1992 as a Lieutenat Colonel. I am serving as the Security Manager for Metro Wastewater in Denver. They needed Security after 911, and I was it. It has been exciting building a security structure from the ground up.
    My wife Elizabeth and I live in Westminster CO. We are about 2 years away from our second retirement.
    I was happy to see the names of Mark Guest, August Brockman, Col. Charley Beck (he always was an over achiever:), John Crokin, Tom Kovach, George Ingols, Larry Wiles, among others on the site. Other names are familiar, but the years have dimmed my memory.
    The last time I saw Chief Speakman he was the Chief at Kunsan. I conducted an ABGD exercise there in 1989 or 90. I would check Wetumpka. He had a home there.
    Regards to all,
    Leonard Carson

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  14. Jimmy, the Obscene Caller to the little girls at the Maxwell Elemetary School was caught and arrested. He was the Assistant Principal at the school. A Montgomery Police Youth Aid Div. Detective told me about the arrest and conviction. The case involved SPOI,Postal Inspectors and MPD RE: George Ingols

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  15. Hi Gene,
    You were our desk sergeant. And I ran into you again when I worked for AUPD. J.P.'s web site is truly awesome. "WARRRRRRRR EAGLE" !!

    Jimmy Hall, TSgt, USAF RET
    hallgun2@aol.com

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  16. Sometimes there is justice in this ole' world. Thanks for the information George.
    LRC

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  17. Note: The following messages were posted to "Help Us Locate Others". I have recreated them here, with some minor edits. ~J.P.

    Michael Burns said...
    Michael L Burns here. Spent 12 years in Germany, 18 months in South Dakota, and 4 years in Hawaii after leaving Maxwell. Retired in 1995 and currently make Texas my home with the woman I met and married while stationed at Maxwell. We've been married for 33 years - soon to be 34. This site is great and I will be contributing photos soon. Hello to all my old firends - I've thought about and missed you over the years.

    Michael Burns

    J.P.'s Reply
    Mike and Norma ~ Great to see that y'all have located this site (I understand that Ron Fellion was contacted by Norma via Facebook). ~J.P.

    Ron ~ Thanks for passing this site on to Mike and Norma. ~J.P.

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  18. My name is Brad Webster. I was at Maxwell from 1989-1994. Anyone who knows me please feel free to contact me. E-mail is patriotusafsp@yahoo.com or look for me on facebook. Eve if you don't remember me I would love some pics from that time. Contact me anyway.

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  19. J.P.
    Again, it's wonderful that you have been able to do this. You are still the guru. Seeing the names brings back a flood of memories. To all of you who were at Maxwell while I was there from 76-80, during some of point my life I've often thought of you and wondered how you were all doing. Because of Guru J.P., this has become a reality. I hope and pray that all of you are doing great and enjoying life. If any of you would like to contact me, my email address is Elittl8120@msn.com. I'm also on facebook. Again, It's wonderful to see your names here.

    Ervin Littleton

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  20. Brad - Thanks for your pictures. I posted your info under the "Profiles". ~J.P.

    Ervin - Thanks for the compliments. I likewise posted your info under the "Profiles". ~J.P.

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  21. Note: The following messages were posted on 1/13/2010 in the "Where Are You?" section. They have been edited and moved here. ~J.P.


    Gerald D. Ward said...
    Hey, JP! you are a long way from Murfreesboro. How did you wind up in AZ? I'm alive and fairly well. When I left Maxwell in '78, I came back to Fayetteville, Arkansas. In 1979 I joined the 188th Fighter Wing, AR ANG and stayed there until I retired in 1997 at MSGT (E-7). While there, I was activated for base expanded security during the first Gulf War. We were supposed to go to Kuwait or Prince Sultan AB in Al Karge, Saudi Arabia until they realized that our F-16's only had 30mm cannons instead of 40mm so they sent the unit out of Syracuse, NY. I finally made it to the Middle East in 1997 just before I retired for a rotation. Currently I am working for Wal-Mart in the Asset Protection Division. Love the sound of a reunion. Read some of the names of "Missing SP's. Wow what a blast from the past! I will do what I can to find some of them or if you have anything else I can let me know.


    J.P.'s reply...

    Howdy Jerry,

    Great to see that one of my letters found you, and that you found this site. There are 1,000s of "Gerald Ward"s, but I finally dug up a letter from you from 1981 with your middle initial ("D"), so that's how I located you.

    Dave Abbott, Ron Fellion, Don and Arleen Giesey, Jimmy Hall, myself, and others have been searching for you.

    ~J.P.

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  22. Hi J.P.
    Saw the UFO clip. It was quite the experience! That is to say the experience AFTER the sighting!
    I wouldnt want to go thru that again!
    Hope all is well for you and all who may see this
    message.
    God Bless,
    Jimmy Hall

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  23. Lt Col Carson,

    I don't know if you remember me or not, however, I have fond memories of you when I was stricken with cancer in 1983. You and the team at the 3800 SPS rallied around me, supported and encouraged me through the tough times. You all were great. I recently retired from the AF on 1 Oct 09. I was blessed to retire as a Chief and subsequently came back on board with the AF as a civil servant. I stay in touch with Andy Miller frequently and he's doing great. Please drop me a line some time. My e-mail address is: tim garland48@yahoo.com.

    Thanks
    Tim Garland

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  24. Tim,
    I have often wondered how you were getting on. The 3800 SPS was the most cohesive unit I was ever in. But we were just the cheer section. You were fightin' the fight. God surely blessed you in many ways. Enjoy your retirement. Say hi to Andy.

    Len Carson

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  25. HI EVERYONE,I JUST DISCOVERED THIS SITE TODAY,10-21-10. I WAS STATIONED AT MAXWELL 1983-1985 AND HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES AT 3800 SPS. I REMEMBER ALOT OF THE SP ON THIS WEBSITE. I WORKED 'C' FLIGHT BUT SPENT THE MAJORITY OF MY TIME AS LE STAFF NCO WITH GEORGE INGOLS. JAMES HALE (K-9 SECTION)AND I WORKED PART TIME AT THE K&F CONVIENCE STORE OUTSIDE THE DAY ST. GATE. I LEFT MAFB AND WENT TO SEMBACH AB FRG, THEN TO RANDOLPH AFB TX WHERE I TOOK THE EARLY RETIREMENT OFFERED AFTER DESERT STORM. I RETURNED TO MY HOME IN TUSCALOOSA ALABAMA AND VISIT MAXWELL PERIODICALLY, IT HAS DEFINITELY CHANGED. I AM COMPUTER ILLITERATE BUT HAVE SOME PICTURES AT 3800 SPS DURING 1983-1985 THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEND TO THE WEBSITE GOT TO GET THE KIDS TO HELP ME DO THIS. ONE OF THE PHOTOS WAS TAKEN BY THE BASE NEWSPAPER OF ME AND AUGUST BROCKMAN WRESTLING A COW THAT HAD MANAGED TO GET ON THE FLIGHTLINE, THATS ONE OF THE FUNNIER PHOTOS. WOULD LIKE TO HERE FROM ANY OF YOU, I CAN BE REACHED AT MONTGOMERY1980@HOTMAIL.COM. RET/TSGT MIKE MONTGOMERY.

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  26. Roy "Tim" Laughrun, Maxwell AFB 3800 SPS 1981 - 1982. MWD Handler worked Patrol/Drug Dog "Wolf". Going down the list of names, remembering a few, worked for TSgt Brockman, I believe Guest was a SSgt then, he and I used to go around at night searching vehicles for drugs, worked with Charlie Beck, Steve Donohue, Kennelmaster Larry Eaton, Kovach, Rick Bobo, Chief Vaughn (who helped me get to Lackland as an MTI where I served for 5 years), and one of my best friends Frankie Steelman (lost touch with him around 1986, and just recently while trying to relocate him was very saddened to hear that he had passed away. I left the Air Force in 1992, returned to Burnsville, North Carolina (about 40 miles north of Asheville)and have worked for the North Carolina Dept. of Correction for the last 18 years. We drove by Maxwell about 2 months ago on our way to New Orleans and I thought it would be nice to go on base and see how things have changed, but no retirement, no ID card.
    Email: laughruns@juno.com
    I am on Facebook as Tim Laughrun

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  27. Wow! I was assigned to the 3800 SPS from 1984-1986. I remember working on all the gates and ride along programs with Montgomery P.D. I remember most all the names on this site. I wish I could have been at the renunion. I might be able to dig out some pictures to post. I remember my best friend Scott Peterson who later went on to KI Sawyer AFB but can't find him. I am still trying to find him. Our squadron was very interesting . I remember the K-9 handlers and all the staff. I remember dorm life with the SP's and the Medical Squadron all in the same dorms. It was crazy. My first duty station was here. In 1986, I went to Korea, ended up at Bergstrom in 1987-1990, then went to Kadena AFB, Okinawa. Look forward to hearing more from fellow SP's. I can be reached at quickdraw_m@yahoo.com.

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  28. I remember the fun hurricane evacuees that came to Maxwell during my tour there. The winds were so high at the main gate, I couldn't believe it. I thought I would blow away. I couldn't go see my parents and other relatives who evacuated from Florida due to the emergency shelter setup at the gym. Boy, what a year. I also remember the days of driving the Sp vehicle around, guarding prisoners, and those other fun duties. I enjoyed Maxwell. I have heard that I wouldn't recognize it. Someone who was at Altus AFB in OK told me when she had had a recent stay at Maxwell. I also remember the gate where the peanut plant was that I smelled all night long on that gate during midnights. It was a nasty smell.

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  29. I remember working for a female supervisor who was a dog handler. I can't remember her name.
    I got to dig out my pictures from storage. Maybe, I can post them.

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  30. WOW, I was just reading over some of the comments and remembering some of the names..... I was at Maxwell from 84-88 before I left for Tyndall. I too remember the smell of the peanut plant at the Bell St gate, it was hard to bear at times. The only folks that I had been touch with recently are Jeff Creswell and Karl Prohaska, both are doing well. I left the AF in 94 and pursued a career in the fire service of which I just retired from.
    Reading this site brought back some good memories thanks for sharing this. I will look for some old photos and post when I can

    Jeff Williams

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    1. Hello:

      I was a SP with the 3800th SPS from 1982 to 1984. Then in mid 1984 I had a PCS to Korea and then I returned back to Maxwell in 1985. I remember a lot of the names posted here on the website. Tim Garland is a real trooper and from what I can recall a man of integrity and honor. I was stationed with CMSgt John Boyles at Maxwell and some years later John was my sponsor at Izmir Turkey. I ran to CMSgt Vaughn when I was stationed at Travis AFB and I was stationed with CMSgt Todd at Suwon AB Korea. My heart almost dropped out of my chest when I heard that he was in fatal car accident. I use to stay in continual contact with Greg Stonewall, but I have not spoken with him in a long time now. When I was stationed at OSI HQ, Andrews AFB in the late 90s I ran into Gerald Smith and Colleen. I have to mentioned that Andy "BoBo" Miller and CMSgt Vaughn, and CMSgt Todd were my role models for what I wanted to look like in my Air Force SP uniform. MSgt Briggs and MSgt Thompson were also great role models for us young airman. Last, but certainly not least, then SSgt Beck who is now Col Beck was my second supervisor in the Air Force. I vividly remember when Col Beck returned from OTS with his "butter bars" on his shoulders. Col Beck was a great supervisor and inspiration to me. I have so many great memories of Maxwell AFB and the 3800th SPS: especially working on the gates as a gate guard and honor guard details. It was an honor to serve with such great Americans.

      James O. Austin

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  31. Jeff,

    Please say hello to Karl Prohaska for me. His name popped into my mind about two weeks ago.

    -------------

    James,

    I remember you. I used to have a photo of you "lookin' STRAC" in a mortar emplacement at Bold Eagle during our deployment in October of 1983. (Alas, the ex-wife got the bookshelf that held a lot of my photos....)


    Tom Kovach
    Mount Juliet, TN
    (near Nashville)

    -----

    PS: For the past seven years, I've lived in the town where Frank Steelman grew up. I met his parents for coffee one day and told them some "inside" stories about Frank. They enjoyed it.

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  32. ATTN: James O. Austin

    Howdy James - This is J.P. Brown, and I administer this site. If you wish, please send an e-mail to us, and I'll add you the "Found" list. ~ J.P.

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  33. I never cared for FB but finally signed on so as not to be left behind. As a result I reconnected with some long lost Maxwell/Gunter respected SP friends such as John Heaton, Terry Roman, Danny Jenkins, and Rick Lambing. I also learned of the sad news about the passing of Dr. Richard (Rick) L. Port former SP at Gunter from 1974. I'm still around and working a great job after retirement.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Hi Jerry, I just found this site a few days ago and signed in under the profile section. Sofar I have found Danny Jenkins, and see that John Heaton is here also. Does the Gunter/Maxwell SP have a FB Page? I was at GAFS from 1974-1981. It will be great to see some of you folks again.

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  34. Greetings,

    My name is Kenneth R. Barber Jr., my fiance happened upon this site looking for information in support of my VA Claim - I was stationed at Maxwell/Gunter from 1989-1994. I was part of a deployment to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from Dec 91 - Apr 92. My military records show that an EPR was not completed in Dec 91 due to a deployment. The next entry is my re-enlistment paperwork after April of 1992. I can be reached via email at Atti2de3@hotmail.com or on Facebook. - Any help would be greatly appreciated. - Thank you.

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