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It was a big day in the history of the PBY Memorial Association Sept. 23 when it celebrated it's 10th anniversary at the CPO Club. At left, Adolph and Dolores Meisch are just two of the 250 association members. At right, Capt. Gerral David, Commanding Officer, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, speaks to the crowd about the PBY Catalina's history which dates back to 1942 when it first came to the Seaplane Base in Oak Harbor. The association recently moved into it's new home, Building 12, which is one of the first structures built on the base. Comments at the celebration were also made by Win Stites, president of the association, and Jim Slowik, mayor of Oak Harbor. Whidbey News Times Old timers would be very pleased By EILEEN BROWN Whidbey News Times Columnist Oct 03 2008 How could one forget the intrepid aviators EVERLY COX and GENE GUTHRIE? ED SPROMBERG, the tallest PBY crewman I’d ever seen, was always at a meeting, and I saw examples of strong marriages in couples who were seldom apart, among them MAC and LORRAINE BAILEY and DOC and CELESTE STRADER. He brought a different perspective to the group, and I hope former POW CAPT. ROGER LERSETH knew how much we respected and admired him. These are but eight of the early members of the PBY Memorial Foundation who are now deceased. Watching JIM RINEY’S 10th anniversary film, we felt a tear well up when their faces flashed on the screen in the CPO Club ballroom. They donated money, time, artifacts, uniforms and historical narratives of their experiences flying propeller aircraft in World War II. They would be thrilled to know that a historical center devoted to naval aviation and aircraft specific to NAS Whidbey Island is about to open in Building 12. History buff and Naval aviator, Commanding Officer CAPT. GERRAL DAVID, pointed out that the collection’s preservation for posterity is happening on his watch. The crowd laughed as he dared anyone to try to get rid of it when he leaves. The PBYers love David and he admires their tenacity. I was a great time to appreciate how much we need each other. I remember sitting across the kitchen table from DONNA and WIN STITES about 10 years ago. They almost didn’t come to a weekend air show where a PBY was supposed to be on display. There were no rooms in town, so they stayed with me. They were parched when they arrived from sweltering Yakima. After breakfast the next morning, they spent the entire day at NAS Whidbey hanging around the PBY Catalina. Before they headed back, I suggested inviting other PBY veterans to come to lunch at the CPO Club on Sept. 28, 1998. The announcement in Crosswind drew 14 people. That’s how it all began. I vaguely recall asking Win long ago when he thought we’d have a place of our own. Without hesitation, he said, “About 10 years.” He was right. view pictures of the 10th anniversary celebration. ..................... NAS Whidbey Island Northwest Navigator PBY Foundation embarks on new partnership with air station By Tony Popp NAS Public Affairs reporter Thursday, October 2, 2008 It was 10 years ago that the PBY Memorial Foundation was established in an effort to bring a Catalina seaplane back to Oak Harbor and preserve its history. Ironically, just two days after NAS Whidbey Island celebrated its 66th birthday, the PBY Memorial Foundation marked its 10th anniversary Sept. 23 with a luncheon celebration at the CPO Club. Among the crowd of 100 people were guest speaker base NAS Whidbey Commanding Officer, Capt. Gerral David, Oak Harbor Mayor Jim Slowik and PBY president Win Stites, who once flew with Catalina squadron VP-91 from NAS Whidbey Island in 1945. “The first PBY landed here in December 1942 when Lieutenant J.A. Morrison brought in the first Catalina, but had to land about five miles out until a log boat could clear Crescent Harbor,” said David. “This event may define the beginnings of naval history at this air station, but it’s important to realize that the mission of the base hasn’t really changed since the 1940s.” David added that today’s men and women are still committed to protecting America’s freedoms and defending the Constitution. Stites was recognized as the man who got the whole PBY endeavor rolling in Oak Harbor. David read an excerpt from a 1998 “Crosswind,” predecessor to the Northwest Navigator, that read: “Stites is a man with a mission. He believes that the PBY Catalina deserves a place of honor, something befitting an airplane with an illustrious record of contributions to the success of major WWII naval battles by locating enemy flotillas.” Stites felt Oak Harbor was the ideal spot for a Catalina historic monument, where PBY’s climbed the ramps to the old Seaplane Base. The ramps can still be seen today jutting out into Crescent Harbor at the Navy Exchange parking lot. The PBY Foundation once set up shop in downtown Oak Harbor at the old gas station on Pioneer Way. The doors closed in December 2007 due to future development of that property. As a result, the PBY group asked NAS Whidbey Island to help find a suitable location. Coming full circle, the PBY Foundation display is now in Building 12, the original base administration building where Sailors stood on the steps to commission the base on Sept. 21, 1942. At the luncheon, Stites thanked the many volunteers who helped make the move in just three days. Among them were a VQ-1 crew headed by Senior Chief Craig Olson, chief selectees, Navy and city fire fighters and the Whidbey Cruisers. “It’s only right that we’re embarking on a partnership to establish a place where everyone can come to learn about the PBY and the legacy of the base,” said David. The command plans to expand the display areas in the two-story building to incorporate all base historical documents, pictures and memorabilia. And when the foundation does find a PBY aircraft, it will go on static display in the grass area near the old Laundromat which is earmarked for demolition, thus giving everyone a perfect view of the aircraft from the Maui Gate. David told the audience he’s continuing to work on base access issues to make the display available to the general public without compromising force protection. “I offer my congratulations to you all as you celebrate your tenth anniversary,” David said in closing. “We thank you for your dedication to carry on the rich legacy of the people, the aircraft and the mission of not only the PBY Catalina but the whole Naval Station Whidbey Island.” Currently the display is open on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in building 12. The foundation hopes to open the doors on Saturdays as well, depending on more volunteer help. The display is for young and old alike, with aircraft models of every aircraft ever flown from NAS Whidbey, a Catalina engine, vintage aircrew clothing, photos, PBY wing and more. The display will eventually cover WWII, the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and from 1975 to present. Visitors can now visit an expanded PBY Catalina display on Fridays at Building 12. Future exhibits will feature NAS Whidbey's role in WWII, the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and action seen from 1975 to the present page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

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