Guestbook for tuku.com
| Name: | Brad Shaffer |
| Email: | brad{at}topshelfmarine.com |
| Where are you from: | Boca Raton, FL |
| Comments: | Hi Folks, we're building a house down on Sandy Point on San Sal. I just wanted to pass on my accolades for a great and informative site. The pix are great! A lot has changed and a lot has stayed pretty much the same. If there's a way to post some pix...I sure have them. Thx!! |
| November 3, 2008 14:29:23 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Steve Wooden |
| Email: | shwooden2003{at}yahoo.com |
| Where are you from: | Sarasota Fla |
| Comments: | I was stationed on San Sal during part of the year 1962. I was rushed down there to work as Weather Equipment Tech at the Pan Am operated weather station to replace a guy who was fired for riding his cycle or scooter on base(because he broke his leg). Left late 62 to return to U of F. Went back to Cape early 1963 and spent another 20 years. |
| October 3, 2008 14:08:27 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | |
| Email: | |
| Where are you from: | |
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| August 1, 2008 02:31:43 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Rick Sherlock |
| Email: | sherlockr{at}msn.com |
| Where are you from: | Cocoa Beach, FL |
| Comments: | Enjoyed your site. Speedy Collier, John McDonald told stories of SanSal on the Redstone. Ed Pye from Tel-4 also spoke of being there. |
| June 9, 2008 17:36:42 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Stan Faust |
| Email: | stanfaust{at}yahoo.com |
| Where are you from: | Now in Northern VA |
| Comments: | I just read some of the guest enteries. I remember that our Col. Caliendo (sic) went to the San Salvador site and was never heard of again. I had some good duty at Vandenberg as I remember. I went to college at night a Allan Hancock, rode motorcyles adn flew airplanes at the base Aeroclub. Life was simple then for me before I got involved with teh wrong kind of women who apparently liked to divorce their men after marriage:-) I am now most happy that the ex-wives have someon else to support their many wants and my children are out of college and on their own, because now I can afford to save for my own retirement:-) I just did a job interview with some guys working on our Missile Defense System and it appears that my experience with the GE Mod II/III and the Atlas might just pay off:-) Would you believe they are using L-Band sysgtems just like the old GE Mod II/III did! Later, Stan |
| May 8, 2008 17:37:15 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Stan Faust |
| Email: | stanfaust{at}yahoo.com |
| Where are you from: | My Mother and then I traveled Around:-) |
| Comments: | I was part of an Atlas Launch Crew at Vandenberg AFB from 1963 through 1966. I was trained on the GE MOD I, II and III systems at Keesler AFB and then maintained and operated teh II and III models at Vandenberg. We used the systems on the Atlas-D. The Mod II was used on Space Launches and the III was used on Ballistic shots down range as I try to remember. I was part of the 576th SMS (Sac Missile Squaderon) using the Mod III on the coffin sites and the gantry launches and then part of the 6995th ATW for the Space shots. It had a pulse RADAR system and a Doppler RADAR system adn a command and the Command and control part I think was on the Pulse system. More Later if I remember, Stan |
| May 8, 2008 17:24:40 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Rob Froman |
| Email: | hiway006{at}yahoo.com |
| Where are you from: | Seattle,Wa |
| Comments: | I came across the site while surfing for anything on my favorite island vacation. I have been visiting San Sal since 2000, now when I go again in March, I will think about all of you who were there before I was even born! I'm proud! |
| February 26, 2008 20:44:06 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Paul Fee |
| Email: | n6ycc{at}yahoo.com |
| Where are you from: | Lompoc & Titusville |
| Comments: | What a cool website! I was one of the folks at the tail end of the Mod III contract, and had the honor of turning out the lights on all the great years that you folks illuminated. Lots of great GERTS memories! Paul Fee - Titusville, FL |
| February 10, 2008 01:24:10 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Steve Wooden |
| Email: | shwooden{at}verizon.net |
| Where are you from: | Sarasota Florida |
| Comments: | Was at Sal during 1962. I have some pix, one of supply plane landing on airstrip,another of me in front of Carterville apt.Riding Rock. |
| October 30, 2007 14:15:43 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Phill Reichert |
| Email: | phill023{at}centurytel.net |
| Where are you from: | Dover Arkansas |
| Comments: | Was on San Sal in 1961 for about 6 months before going to the tracking ships |
| June 15, 2007 22:02:47 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Walter Hollowell |
| Email: | walderburg{at}aol.com |
| Where are you from: | Titusville Florida |
| Comments: | I knew lot's of these folks. I worked fro GE at Mod III from Sept 60 to Nov 77. Great website. |
| April 1, 2007 19:22:42 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Joel Conte |
| Email: | josh1343{at}comcast.net |
| Where are you from: | Punta Gorda, Florida |
| Comments: | 1966 Cape Mission Control. 1967 one trip with USNS Twin Falls. 1967-1968 USNS Coastal Sentry. 1968-1972 Ascension Island. Retired for 10 years. 1982-2000 Kennedy Space Center. Retired again 2000. |
| April 1, 2007 13:25:20 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Dave Stark |
| Email: | tellypicker{at}wcc.net |
| Where are you from: | San Angelo, Texas |
| Comments: | BC 4 camera Team 1966 Ascension Island 1967-1969 Trinidad 1969-1971 Ascension Island 1971-1972 RCA Computer Service (Domestic) 1972-1988 (Bought By GE) GE Computer Service 1988-1994 (Retired) San Angelo, Texas (Day To Day) |
| April 1, 2007 04:31:29 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Bill bailey |
| Email: | bbailey54{at}cox.net |
| Where are you from: | Crestview, FL |
| Comments: | RCA radar troop 1959/61. Knew a couple GE guys--Bob Hankal and his buddy (name)? I think they tried running a resturant at the old Coast Guard station down toward Sebastion Inlet after coming up-range. Drank some Ron Superior with them. |
| March 13, 2007 04:13:12 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Leon A. Lacy |
| Email: | Dilacy{at}aol.com |
| Where are you from: | Rockledge Florida |
| Comments: | Hired on the MTP 5 Dec 1965. Spent 3 years on Grand Turk then off to Mahe Seychelles for 9 years. Back to Eleuthera for 2 years. Stations kept closing on me and finally went to the Cape in 1979. Been there ever since. I've met a lot of people on and off the range in my travels and have loved every minute of it. |
| January 14, 2007 02:09:29 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Stephanie S. Hostetter |
| Email: | paintedmsed{at}yahoo.com |
| Where are you from: | Cape |
| Comments: | If anyone has any pictures of my Dad please send them along to me, Please. Lost most of the family pictures in 2 housefires! |
| January 6, 2007 04:55:18 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | Stephanie S Hostetter |
| Email: | paintedmsed{at}yahoo.com |
| Where are you from: | Now, Memphis- Tn |
| Comments: | My Dad, John M. Hostetter, ran with the GE range rats. Apparently Mom & I were along for the ride. Dad is busy with Moms' medical problem so I'm checking in for him. I was born at the Cape (1959)but remember Mom telling me about San Salvador. |
| January 6, 2007 04:32:46 (GMT Time) |
| Name: | John L. Gladden |
| Email: | JGLADDEN2@cfl.rr.com |
| Where are you from: | Cape Canaveral, FL |
| Comments: | I worked for Pan Am from 1961 to 1977 at Patrick AFB, Cocoa Beach and five down range stations. I traveled the range TDY and visited eight of the stations at one time or another. |
| April 6, 2006 16:51:08 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Michael M Gardino |
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Served on the FS Ships 1837 Worked I Test Equipment all
over the range. Worked on just about every station we had in the Alantic. I
now do volunteer at the Museum at the |
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Name: |
Larry Brunetti |
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Where are |
Eagle, ID |
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Comments: |
I've found a number of "trashers" disrupting this guestbook. I am frequently cleaning out the stuff and hope that it may stop soon. Thanks for your patience, RR Larry |
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Name: |
Art Hensley |
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Comments: |
Stated on the MTP in 1961 at Mayaguez Station 9 1961-1962
Eleuthera Station 4 1962-1962 Patrick Station 0 1962-1966 Cape |
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| Name: | Douglas S. Rogers |
| Email: | stahlhammer.dsr@verizon.net |
| Where are you from: | Auburn, Maine |
| Comments: | Hi Larry, Found your great site (a true labor of love)via Joe Frasketis, spacecovers.com. I began my 'range-rat' days as a Navy Postal Clerk at San Salvador Island, Bahamas 61-63. Immediately after discharge at JAX, I hired on with Pan-Am (supply) and returned to San Sal (63-65). No one at Sal could provide ANY information to me as to the GE site. There was material still located at the main building in 63/64, in fact I helped crate and ship some of the waveguides back the Cape. I have always wanted to know what went on at the site - now I do, thanks to your efforts. One of my many 'treasures' from Sal is a large, in color, Corps. of Eng. (AFETR use)topo map, which details the G.E. site quite nicely. Copies of the site area mentioned is available, gratis, upon request to any interested GE troop. I revisited (vacation)Sal in 7l and 92. I also was stationed on Ascension with Pan-Am 66-7l and revisited (vacation) in 97. Hope to revisit Sal and Ascension before I push up dasies. You |
| December 20, 2005 22:23:38 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Larry Brunetti |
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Where are |
Eagle, ID |
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Comments: |
Bill, any and all of your pictures would be appreciated! If you wish, I can scan them for you. Thanks, RR Larry |
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Name: |
Bill Roberts |
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Comments: |
Hello: Yes, I was one of the original rats and do have a
file of many 35mm slides of various locations and people on the island form
1957059. I'll admit I haven't looked at them in some time but will have to
look them up and see if they can be converted to photographs that may be of
interest. It is great to know that the "Rats" are keeping in touch.
Sorry I missed the reunion in |
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Name: |
Larry Brunetti |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Eagle, ID |
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Comments: |
Matt, It WAS a long time ago ;-) Thanks for joining us with your message. There will be an update with some pictures in the coming week. RR Larry |
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Matt Bogdan |
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Seems like a long time ago. Was at San Sal 1957-1959 in the data section. |
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Name: |
Darlene West (Cullen) |
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Name: |
Larry Brunetti |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Eagle, ID |
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Rick, too bad we missed your band. That would have been outstanding. As it was, we did have Joe and Perry! RR Larry |
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Name: |
Richard "Dick" weaver |
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Roster Info: My Tour was late 1957 to mid 1959, Rate Tech
and trumpet player in the band that played weekends at the Reef Club and |
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Name: |
John Sewell |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Aboard ship |
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Comments: |
Worked Timber Hitch 61-62, Rose Knot 62-66 |
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Ron Shannon |
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Passed through |
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Name: |
Allard (Al) Coir |
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Comments: |
Larry: The site is getting better and better. I like how you reconstructed the "Coir Tour." I especially enjoyed Frank Conner's story. He was an unforgettable character. Always practicing quick draw with a coin or washer. His lessons on instinctive shooting with a BB gun were sensational. He could throw a washer in the air and hit it with a BB. I really remember the loss of Don Diehl in the scuba diving accident as he was one of my roommates. It fell to me to inventory his personal items. I know more details about the accident than Frank, because Don used to talk to us about his adventures. Well the whole site brings back memories. Thanks again for the great work. |
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James Ellington |
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U R Getting better every day. Look's great. Regards, James |
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Name: |
Bill Klein aka Tiny |
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Comments: |
Just visiting for the first time, looking forward to walking down memory lane. I was on San Sal from May '57 to January '59 and have told at least as many lies about as anyone. Bill |
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Name: |
Larry Brunetti |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Eagle, ID |
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Comments: |
Al, thanks for the message. In the Track trailer, we always called it "SIM" or "SIMULATOR". I will add Exercise to the description(s). Ken O'Keefe, lead, also calls it Exercise, not Simulator. You are in good company. RR Larry |
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Name: |
Allard (Al) Coir |
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Comments: |
Larry: In all of your outline you forgot to mention
Exercise. Jerry Golick, Doug Powell and I all were in that section starting
in January 1958. I also have a good number of digatized photos which you can
have. Most are TIFs about 12.5mb in size. I can convert them to JPG for you.
I have a number of web sites see |
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Name: |
Allard (Al) Coir |
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Comments: |
Been there, did that. San Sal Installation team, (Exercise) .Mod I deactication at the cape and then on to to Hancock Field to deinstall the MOD I system. & then to Pt Argulo Naval base in CA to install the syetem as GERSIS. |
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Name: |
Larry Brunetti |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Eagle, ID |
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Comments: |
Joe, welcome. Thanks for the comments. I will put a link to your site on RangeRats. Please do the same for us. Thanks again, RR Larry |
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Joe Frasketi, Jr. |
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Frank Adelsperger |
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Comments: |
Brings back a lot of good memories and people. Thanks for the site. |
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Bill Diesch |
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Comments: |
Great job Larry. I was totally shocked the day Sid Balikian called me out of the blue to tell me that he lived about 10 miles up the road from me. That got me connected with Stevie and everything that has transpired since. It's great seeing all the pictures, both from when we were there and current ones of all the people that we knew so amy years ago. Thanks so much for all the great memories. RR Bill Diesch |
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Name: |
David Henderson |
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Comments: |
Larry The call from Stevie was sort of a shock, a welcome shock. Since I probably had the shortest tenure of anyone who was on San Sal, I would enjoy seeing some of them again. I will dig through my slides and send some you might want to use. |
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Name: |
F. Dale Davis |
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Email: |
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Summer- Indiana, Winter-Florida |
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Comments: |
I was at Sal from 1958-1960. Worked in Track and Data Record. |
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Frank Conner |
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Comments: |
I worked on the installation of the Mod I system at Sal,
and was known on the Range as Guns Conner, due to an unfortunate incident at
the Starlite Motel at The Cape, and because I practiced my quickdraw and
hipshooting regularly at the Navy base. I welded together and installed much
of the infamous waveguide, and was the ACO (aircraft controller) and later
the GCO (guidance console operator), and I almost blew up the Eisenhower Talking
Missile in Dec 58 while Gen Bernard Schriever and Charles Lindbergh looked
on, because my impact-predictor board said that bird wasn't going to land
anywhere, and Chris Kraft hadn't let me in on the secret (the RSO knew).
Although I no longer remember all of the players of that era (1957 - 59), I
would be happy to write up my own memories of The Cape and |
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Name: |
Robert B. Lord |
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Email: |
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GA now, 43 years in FL |
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Carter Cay Range Rat and |
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Name: |
Larry Brunetti |
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Eagle, |
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Scotty Lonie and R.J. Grasser are RangeRats, although not from GE at San Sal. Thanks for the messages. RR Larry |
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Name: |
Scotty Lonie |
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Comments: |
The range is still here! But alas many of the stations you
may have known have been closed down. We on |
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Name: |
R. J. Grasser |
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Comments: |
After USAF at Patrick, joined RCA/MTP in 1964 at GTK, transfered to Mahe in Jan 1966, then to PTA until 1969, when I left the Range. There are quite a few ex-range rats on the web including Mo Calvert, Chauncey Dunn, Wayne Witham, etc. I have emails for most of them. |
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Name: |
Larry Brunetti |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Eagle, ID |
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Comments: |
Carole, Brian and Bernard: Welcome to the RangeRats web site. And another big thanks to Stevie Wonder! We're looking forward to the pictures and audio. |
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Name: |
Brian Gladstone |
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Email: |
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California |
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Comments: |
My father, Ed Gladstone, worked for GE on their Guided Missle program in about 1960. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1989, but I'm sure he would have been thrilled to see this website and get in touch with the people he knew. (I was born in 1963 after he left GE to get an MBA). My brothers and I have some photos of him on the Island. I'm not sure if anyone else is in the photos. All of the pictures look like the ones you currently have up, posing on motorcycle (not his) wearing Bermuda shorts and baseball hat. I have one of him standing in front of the "GE Guided Missle Program" sign. In the 1980s, he recorded his memories of his stay on San Salvador on an audio cassette, and I'm sure he mentioned some of you. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail if you have any memories of my father that you can share. I will try to supply the pictures I have, and perhaps the recording of my father talking about his experience there. P.S. If any of you still have the small Zippo lighte |
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March 10, 2005 23:53:19 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Carole Gladstone (widow of Edgar Gladstone) |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Stamford, Ct. |
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Comments: |
Stevie Wilt "found" me this morning. My husband worked both at San Salvador and Vandenberg AFB for GE. My sons have photos and have promised to scan them & forward them to you. Hope you all recognize someone (or thing)! Good luck & we are glad you found "us"! |
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March 10, 2005 23:44:30 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Bernard Borenstein |
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Email: |
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Calabasas Calif |
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Comments: |
Interesting. I spent 18 months there and the only name I knew was Gil Jujan. After the Island I went to Convair in San Diego then installed the system in Vandenberg AFB and the across the street we installed the same system for the Navy. I stayed after completion as the tech rep. Then GE had me heading for Turkey and at JFK I changed my mind and went home to Calif to get married. Worked for Continenal Airlines as a mechanic, supervisor, Q.C retire from ther in 86 and went to the FAA. Retired there in 2002. I have been in the area but not the same Island. |
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March 10, 2005 05:32:31 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Stevie (Hankal) Wilt |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Palm Bay , FL |
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Comments: |
WOW - this is the icing on the cake! It will complete the effort of finding you RRs. |
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March 9, 2005 20:20:18 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Larry Brunetti |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Eagle, ID |
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Comments: |
Thanks Joyce. I received the poem and the Bahamas info. I will put both up on the site. We had a great time in Bremerton, too bad more couldn't have joined us. RR Larry |
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March 9, 2005 15:24:47 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Kenny O'Keefe |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Bellevue, WA |
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Comments: |
Great work Larry, you really got us off to a nice start. The mini-reunion in Bremerton was a big success with the six of us. Hope to see the group again soon, as well as some of the other RR's. |
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March 9, 2005 03:37:03 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Dave Mason |
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Email: |
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Valparaiso, FL |
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Comments: |
Larry, Thanks a bunch. I look at this web site every day or so to check on the "haps". When I find some pictures from San Sal I will email you a copy. Capt Dave |
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March 5, 2005 02:09:23 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Larry Brunetti |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Eagle, ID |
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Comments: |
Thank you for your kind comments. There is much still to be done, and I will continue; along with the Book, the Reunion and continuing communication. Thanks again, RR Larry |
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March 4, 2005 20:05:15 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Sue Lawrie |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Albuquerque, NM |
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Comments: |
Larry, this is obviously a labor of love. You have done a really exceptional and beautiful job here. Many Thanks. |
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March 4, 2005 14:56:03 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Gil Lujan |
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Email: |
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Florence , OR |
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Comments: |
Excellent,excellent job Larry. Every section is FIRST CLASS. |
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March 4, 2005 03:31:10 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Sid Balikian |
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Email: |
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Longmont, Colorado |
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Comments: |
Well done! You've done a great job putting it all together. I was expecting just pictures but you've pulled it all together and made it very informative and interesting. |
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March 4, 2005 00:29:07 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Larry Brunetti |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Eagle, ID |
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Comments: |
Thanks Lowell. I'll send him a picture and verify. RR Larry |
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March 3, 2005 19:54:39 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Lowell Busching |
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Email: |
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Where are |
North Dakota. |
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Comments: |
You are doing a great job on the site so far Larry. So far I have found only a few "errors" that may be disputed by others, so I will send them to you later in a private email for your "research". One I will quickly add is on the picture of the motorgang. I believe the missing name is Tom Newton. Check with him. |
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March 3, 2005 17:53:35 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Larry Brunetti |
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Email: |
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Eagle, ID |
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Comments: |
A final check to see if it works. RR Larry |
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March 3, 2005 06:04:26 (GMT Time) |
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Name: |
Larry Brunetti |
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Email: |
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Where are |
Eagle, ID |
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Comments: |
Welcome to the RangeRat Guestbook! If you have gotten this far, please leave a message so I can verify if it works for you. Thanks, RR Larry |
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March 3, 2005 06:00:18 (GMT Time) |