The Patrol Squadron Two Assn 2016 Reunion, Oak Harbor, WA

The 2016 Oak Harbor reunion is now part of our history. Judging from the many positive comments received by our committee members it was enjoyed by all. We had originally planned for the week after Labor Day. Early on, we considered the weather factor, and moved the date to the week before Labor Day to give us the best possibility of good weather. It turned out to be the right decision as the weekend after Labor Day was a bit cool. The only clash we had with the weather was on the last Deception Pass tour boat ride which good naturedly, got a bit wet. The bus we chartered, however, was on hand near the dock with a heated bus when they arrived back at the dock, and whisked them away to the Best Western, arriving earlier that planned. Otherwise, the weather was spectacular.

To recap the activities, we had a base tour of NAS Whidbey where we were able to tour the new multi-million dollar P-8 training facility, plus a tour of the Patrol Squadron flight line where we climbed on board a P-3 Orion escorted by current crew members. After a wonderful lunch at the Officers Club and an excellent talk by Commodore Mietus from the Wing, we proceeded to Oak Harbor to visit the Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial on it's 10th anniversary and revisit old squadron mates remembered there.  It was then onto the PBY museum. The PBY museum includes a partially restored PBY which we were able  to climb aboard and look around. You think the P2V was cramped, try on a PBY. Saturday included an option to visit WWI Fort Casey and the Admiralty Head Lighthouse, then board the ferry to Port Townsend across the Sound for lunch and then back to visit Coupeville with optional wine tasting before returning to the Best Western. The second option was a bus ride to Paine Field to visit the Flying Heritage Collection of vintage aircraft, tanks and vehicles, have lunch, and then take the Boeing 747/787 Dreamliner factory tour. Simply amazing. Sunday included a worship service conducted by our own Chaplain Doug Millar. Then we were off for a catered picnic at Bowman Bay and boat tours of the Deception Pass waters where we all learned a little about the history of the area and it's abundant wildlife. Of course Sunday night was the gala banquet which was held at the Elks Club. The local NJROTC unit posted the colors for us and a young (13 year old) girl was invited to sing our national anthem. She did a marvelous job and the attendees at the banquet joined in with her for the final chorus. Entertainment by a marvelous local group, ‘The Shifty Sailors’, was enjoyed by all, with the evening concluding with dancing to music provided by a DJ who played just the right music. All in all, we think a great time was had by all.

Our honoree for this reunion was Doug Donohue who through years of effort and commitment has provided the VP-2 Association with what is probably one of the best web sites of any military organization and kept the Association's accounts in order. Doug was honored at the association board meeting and at the VP-2 Association business meeting. On behalf of everyone in the association we extend again our gratitude for Doug's efforts and monumental accomplishments. Thank you Doug.

The turn out for the reunion was much better than we had anticipated with 170 attending the Sunday evening banquet. We had several individuals or couples who were attending their very first reunion. Many said upon departing, "See you in San Diego".  So if you didn't attend this one, we think you missed a good one.

And now on to the 2018 reunion which was voted to be held in the San Diego area. We are still waiting for someone to step up and volunteer to take the helm. It's not too soon to start the planning.

Your 2016 Reunion committee; NIck/Linda Niccum, Dave/Connie Bowen, Bob/Pat Wolfe, Frank Orr (Consultant)

Images: From Dino Vlahakis – Sets 01,02,03. (pdf files)

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