LEADER'S WORDS

By Ron Dietes, Squadron Leader

Another year has passed and we of the Yellow Rose Squadron can take pride in a successful year. I personally want to thank each and every one of you that gave your time, talent, and money for a great and fun year. We had a few maintenance problems in 2006 and unfortunately for us, could not have happened at a worst time. But thanks to Beth Jenkins and the Devil Dog crew, we did not miss a committed air show. Then again, you have to remember we are flying a 63 year old aircraft. Things are going to happen. Hopefully, the maintenance team can be a step ahead and be prepared with a spare part waiting on a shelf. One thing that occurred during the past year, is some of our trustworthy suppliers have gone out of business. Folks! That is not good. What that means is we will undoubtedly have to pay a higher price for the same part. But at least we are still able to obtain the parts. Let's hope that finding parts continues for a long time.

The two overhauled engines are still in Galveston. They are being stored inside out of the weather and all we need to do is give them a couple days notice and we can pick them up for the trip to the engine test facility. We were planning to take the engines to a test facility in Denton TX, but due to logistical problems, that did not happen. I will try to explain what transpired and how we intend to remedy the problem. A couple of our members have contacts in the trucking industry and have offered to assist with the transportation of the engines. It appears that we have resolved the left engine stutter issue by replacing the number 7 cylinder. That fact has lessened our haste to get the engines to the tester. By the way, those of you that attended the Christmas Party know that I announced our engine benefactors to the group. They are David Stevenson and Bill Sugarek. Once again, Bill and David the Squadron thanks you for your generosity in our time of need. So, if you see either of these gentlemen, please shake their hand and offer your personal thanks.

The Christmas Party was a huge success and thanks to those of you that came to Fredericksburg to attend our year end celebration and to Tim Black for making the arrangements. We had German food this year and it was excellent. Although the fly day was rained out, the lunch in San Marcos was great and I want to thank Greg Cuny for preparing the meat loaf. It was excellent. Also thanks to those that brought side dishes for us to share.

Our Doolittle committees are gearing up for a very busy up coming three months. Yes, folks! We have only three months before the Doolittle Reunion. We still do not have any financial sponsors and I am asking you once again, to pass your thoughts and possible contact ideas to Jerry Taylor. We are now to the point of needing money to start the radio, newspaper and TV advertising and we need cash or sponsors to do that. The ABC Event Planner is assisting us with suggestions, but we must do the follow up. Once again I am asking you to attend the Doolittle meetings. That way you hear what we are doing and can help out. The committee heads do not have all the answers and I am certain, there are things we have overlooked. This is a monumental task and it is going to take all of us working together if we are going to have chance of success. Remember those 80 men were true heroes. We want to make the San Antonio Reunion the best reunion they have ever attended. So please try to attend our next Doolittle Meeting. It will be held right after our normal Squadron Meeting on Tuesday Jan. 9th around 7pm.

Congratulations to our newly elected staff members, Dave Howard our new Operations Officer and Pat Moore our new Adjutant. Please give them your assistance and support. Don't forget Jim Liles as our Maintenance Officer. He must like getting greasy as it is his second term in this position. Thanks also to Grant Lannon for his term as Operations Officer. This is my second term as Squadron Leader and I just wanted to thank the squadron for your confidence in me. I will try to continue the positive strides we have made and make each of you pro.ud.to be a member of the Yellow Rose Squadron.

MAINTENANCE MATTERS

Compiled by Jerry Taylor from data submitted by Jim Liles and Ron Dietes

The annual inspection is underway! Several items that need to be addressed in addition to the normal inspection are the replacement of the #3 cylinder on the right engine, repairs to the control lock system, removal and repair to the right inboard oil cooler, and the sending unit for the right auxiliary fuel cells. There is no way to express thanks to those who have helped on the work so far, but a special thanks to Ron Dietes, Jim Liles, Greg Young, Ray Clausen, Jack Reeves, Cowden Ward, Mike Francis, and Dave Howard who helped on December 27. The inspection is expected to be completed in early March.

Yellow Rose Travel and Events

Both reports by Grant Lannon

FLY DAY December 9

It was a washout this year with low ceilings and rain. We got the U-11A, the Yellow Rose and Zac Armstrong's 172 to Fredericksburg during good weather on the 8th, which included a six ship formation over Sattler to open their Christmas parade. The Rose flew as a single ship with the five ship single engine formation in front of or behind the Rose, depending on the pass. All reports are that that the crowd down below loved it. The Rose went on to Fredericksburg. On Sunday, all aircraft except Zac's instrument capable 172 were left behind and the crowd drove to the CENTEX hanger for the Christmas party pot-luck dinner and commiserating on the weather. We all had a good time visiting, eating Craig's meatloaf, and comparing notes on plans for the holidays.

CAMO SANTA December 14

Greg Young drove Tim Black, Jim Liles and myself to Fredericksburg to get the Rose on Thursday, the 14th of December. After giving a paid ride to an impressive group of Warbird fans there, we flew to Kerrville for the "Camo Santa" event. Greg followed in his car, which we used to get around Kerrville. The event is a dinner with Santa (dressed in camouflage) presenting gifts for the kids of military members as a show of appreciation for what they do. This includes military members who are overseas—some kids come with their grandparents. Dinner is provided free by Rudy's Barbeque. After dark, Santa (in camouflage) got into the cockpit and stood between our seats. We had taken the escape hatch out above us so he stuck his head out the top of the fuselage. We started engines and taxied into the lights with the kids standing outside after they had been told Santa had just landed. They went wild as we shut down the engines. Dick Cole, Jimmy Doolittle's copilot, was there also and was interviewed by the newspapers. We made the front page of the local paper and the people who sponsored the event were very pleased. The four of us stayed in our free hotel rooms after hitting the local American Legion and anothei;,popular resort bar. We flew home the next day after the morning scud had lifted. The following article appeared in the "Kerrville Daily Times" on December 15, 2006.

CAMO CLAUS HAS COME TO TOWN

By Alison Beshur

Scores of children cheered as a B-25 Bomber rolled down a rariway at the Kerrville airport with Santa Claus peering out of the plane's cockpit. Wearing a camouflage suit, Santa Claus waved and belted out a "woohoo" as cameras flashed and dozens of adults and children clapped. Inside a nearby hangar at Kerrville airport, there were visible signs for the celebration. A sailor was decked out in his "service dress blues," several soldiers wore "Army combat uniforms" and stuffed Santa Claus dolls clad in camo decorated tables. This was a party for families of the U.S. troops. Just before Santa Claus arrived, Leslie Klein, vice president of Ranch Radio, gave two reasons for the celebration. "Reason No. 1, to say thank you," said Klein, who also serves as general manager of KRNH-Radio 92.3 FM in the Hill Country, the organizers of the tribute. "Reason No. 2, for you kids to be proud of your parents." About 50 area families with ties to current and former military servicemen and women attended the event. Organizers collected enough gifts from the community to provide each of the more than 114 children with two gifts. "The reason we're in this great country is because of our military and everything they do for us," said Mary Nowlin, an administrative assistant with the radio Country, Closs said this event helped him feel welcome. "It's great, especially that my kids can appreciate it, too. They sacrifice as much as we do," Closs said holding his daughter. "I just think it's a wonderful thing." Kiva Green brought her family. The father of two of her children — Zach and Sierra Jeffries — arrived in Colorado Thursday after a year-long tour in Iraq. Both children closed their mouths and nodded their heads up and down when asked if they were enjoying the event. A question about missing their father garnered the same silent response. "They don't get to see their dad very often," Green said. "They don't really express their feelings. I know they miss him." In August, he returns to Iraq for another year of service, she said. The bash included several special guests, including Richard Cole, 91, who co-piloted a B-25 in Doolittle's Raid over Japan on April 18, 1942. The risky mission was the first U.S. attack following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. "It's a great idea, a real worth-while deal," Cole said, glancing up at the B-25 Yellow Rose that Santa Claus rolled in on. "It brings back memories."