My Perdido

“Marine One” Presidential Helicopter

Dedication at the National Naval Aviation Museum

  
 “Marine One”, a VH-3A Sea King helicopter that flew in the HMX-1 Executive Flight Detachment transporting the President of the United States, was recently placed on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum.  The public is invited to attend the dedication of “Marine One” at 10 a.m., Thursday, September 22 inside the Museum’s new Hangar Bay One.

With its distinctive green and white paint scheme, the latter color on top of the aircraft applied originally to early model helicopters to make the occupants cooler in the days before air-conditioned compartments, the helicopters that fly as “Marine One” are among the most famous aircraft in the entire world.

Restored inside and out by Sabreliner Corporation, the museum’s VH-3A looks like it could have just landed on the South Lawn of the White House, its interior including seats embroidered with the familiar seal of the President of the United States. When first delivered, however, the museum’s aircraft was painted in U.S. Army markings with both Army and Marine Corps crews sharing the duty of transporting the Commander-in-Chief.  In 1966, the latter service formed an Executive Flight Detachment within the Marines’ first helicopter squadron, HMX-1, at Quantico, Virginia. The museum’s VH-3A was assigned to the squadron that same year, but not until January 1972 did it join the Executive Flight Detachment, where it operated until 1975. This coincided with the service of Presidents Richard M. Nixon and Gerald R. Ford, a period including such momentous events as Watergate, cease-fire in Vietnam, and the last missions to the moon.

After it left service transporting the President of the United States, the museum’s aircraft continued service as a VIP transport, its last flights occurring in Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 2 in 2003.

 

 

Pensacola's Native Paths Cultural Heritage and Resource Center

The Perdido Bay Tribe is currently working on a new development: their Native Paths Cultural Heritage and Resource Center. They were given 800 acres of beautiful property with an existing structure at the edge of Jones Swamp Preserve in Southwest Pensacola. The location will serve as their tribal headquarters, a library and media center, an art gallery with Creek artifact exhibits and a nature preserve for outdoor recreational activities.

Born deep in the forests of South Georgia, Bobby Thomas Johns “Bearheart” was raised with roots deeply embedded in Muscogee Creek Indian culture. Chief Bearheart accepted a job in Pensacola in the late 70s where he pursued his passion – teaching others about his Creek heritage. Chief Bearheart established the Perdido Bay Tribe of Southeastern Lower Muscogee Creek Indians, Inc., in 1994, a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to community service and sharing of Southeastern Creek Indian cultural heritage through art and education.

The property will also be protected and maintained by the Perdido Bay Tribe for low-impact recreational use. Visitors can go hiking and horseback riding along the preserve trails and watch nature closely as the swampland sanctuary is abounding with a variety of lively and striking species. Owl boxes and a butterfly garden were installed on the land to attract and shelter surrounding nature. Day camps for children, soil and water projects and classes to teach Native American arts-and-crafts will be offered. Stay tuned for more information on the Perdido Bay Tribe’s grand opening of their new center in the near future.

Tribute to Hero-Rosamond Johnson

Lump-in-the-Throat Kind of Celebration of a Hero's Life

In a very moving ceremony about 50 people joined in celebrating the life and unselfish deeds of the man for whom Johnson's Beach on Perdido Key is named, Rosamond Johnson.  He is a hero, a local youngster really, who at 17 years old died saving his his fellow soldiers at the 48th Parallel in the oft times forgotten Korean War. The proof of our collective poor memories of our Korean veterans is in a Google search of his name that I will leave for my readers to explore.  It is disappointing to see the results of this search.

For reference  you should know that after joining the military when he was just 15 years old, Pvt. Rosamond Johnson, Jr. was killed on July 26, 1950 at the age of 17 during the Korean "Conflict".  Having carried two wounded men to safety under enemy fire, he was killed going back to save a third, becoming the first Escambia County, FL resident to die in the war. Johnson posthumously received the Purple Heart on Aug. 21, 1950, and veteran groups continue their efforts to this day to seek additional military honors for him.  In fact  one of the inspirational speakers at the uplifting gathering yesterday, Mr. Honor Bell who is a Viet Nam veteran, advocated the awarding of the Medal of Honor for Pvt. Johnson.  The Honorable Gene Valentino, Escambia County Commissioner, supported the idea and vowed to solicit the help of state and U.S. political leaders to champion the tribute to this incredible young man.

 
   

The tribute was hosted by the Perdido Key Area Chamber with Eugene Franklin leading the program and Mayor Ashton Hayward the key note speaker.  Amongst the family members in attendance was Mrs. Alice Johnson, Rosamond's mother, who still resides in the family home in the historic Belmont/Devilliers area of Pensacola.

 

Celebration of an American Hero

PERDIDO KEY CELEBRATES THE LATE ROSAMOND JOHNSON, JR.,

KOREAN WAR HERO

WITH CEREMONY AT JOHNSON’S BEACH

 The life of Private Rosamond Johnson, an African American hero and the first Escambia County resident to die in the Korean War, will be commemorated this Saturday,  May 7^th at Johnson’s Beach in Perdido Key

 Perdido Key, Fla. (May 2, 2011) — The Perdido Key Chamber will host a celebration in honor of African-American War Hero Private Rosamond Johnson Saturday, May 7^th beginning at 9 a.m. at the Star Pavilion on Johnson’s Beach in Perdido Key. Keynote speaker and Pensacola mayor Ashton Hayward will speak in commemoration of Private Johnson’s heroism during the Korean War. The celebration is open to the public and there is no charge to attend.

After joining the military when he was just 15 years old, Private Rosamond Johnson, Jr. was killed on July 26, 1950 at the age of 17 during the Korean Conflict. Having carried two wounded men to safety under enemy fire, he was killed going back to save a third, becoming the first Escambia County resident to die in the conflict. Johnson posthumously received the Purple Heart on August 21, 1950, and veteran groups continue their efforts to this day to seek additional military honors for him.

Segregation was a common practice in our area during the Korean War era, and it extended to the local beaches. Among the few beaches open to African-Americans during that time was Rosamond Johnson Beach on Perdido Key, now a part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

A permanent monument in Johnson's honor was erected at Johnson Beach on June 10, 1996. Guest speaker, retired Army Maj. Gen. Mike Ferguson of Pensacola and the Veterans of Under Aged Military Service, said the real heroes of the war—those who make the ultimate sacrifice—can never receive enough recognition. "There is no medal that signifies hero. You couldn't invent a medal to signify hero," he said.

The contributions and experiences of African-Americans in Pensacola are a bigger part of our history than many suspect. Theirs is a remarkable tale of contributions and successes in the face of constant struggles and overwhelming obstacles. To help commemorate the life of Rosamond Johnson and to celebrate the event, Local artist Sonja Griffin Evans, owner of Gumbo Gallery in historic Belmont and Devilliers near downtown Pensacola, created a commemorative painting to honor Private Rosamond Johnson.

Awesome WebSite For Naval Aviation Anniversary

Celebrates the 100 Year Aniversary of Naval Aviation

If you have any interest in aviation, history, the Navy, Pensacola or the inventiveness and resilience of man there is a web site (Celebrate Flight )  worthy of your time.  It is a wealth of information about the National Naval Aviation Museum recent news events, testimonials, photos and videos all centered on the centennial anniversary of Naval Aviation to be celebrated in May.  See the resources page for even more web sites of interest.

Veterans' Day- My Tribute to Peter King, Frank Semon and Bob Weavil

 

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.
 

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
 

It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
 

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.
 

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

 

It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

 
 

It is the VETERAN,
who salutes the Flag,
who serves under the Flag,

 
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD,
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT
   SHINE UPON THEM.

Seared in my memory is an afternoon at the Normandy cemetery in a sea of white crosses and markers and Bob Weavil standing amid that scene. Fifty years before he fought with many of the souls interred in this hallowed ground.  Veterans' Day will be forever framed in that image.  Thank you Dad, Frank,  Bob, my fellow veterans who have gone before and those who live on and my brothers and sisters going in harms way today. 

Happy Fourth from Perdido Key

With thanks to Cheryl Casey Photography

May our kids and grandkids understand the true meaning of the day

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must,
like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." ~ Thomas Paine

 

A Pause to Remember-Beaches on June 6th

World War II is a Fading Memory- D-Day 66 years later

In the midst of our tossed thoughts today as we look at the beach, one perspective may be missing, a victim of the distance called time.  Sixty-six years ago thousands died or were wounded on the beaches of Normandy.  It was the most amazing invasion ever attempted.  I have been watching the news this morning and so far I have not heard it mentioned.  The best memorial published incredibly is in the comics section of my Sunday paper in Peanuts.  I remember, I ask you to pause and remember too.  Our soldiers and sailors and Marines looked at the beaches with fear and anxiety too.  I will be reminded all day that my fear pales by comparison and I will give thanks.

Bob Weavil, my wife Caroline's father, was  on English soil in the staging area preparing to go in on the second wave on June 7th.  He may have felt lucky to go second but in the coming months he would see combat in the 3 most dangerous, famous battles of the first American/British offensives.  He would fight with the 101st Airborne Division along the Normandy coast, in Operartion Market Garden in the Netherlands and the Battle of the Bulge. He survived but was evacuated after sustaining life threatening frostbite.

Here is an account I read on the internet.  It is a first hand description we will unfortunately hear fewer and fewer times as "our boys" pass away and the memories fade. 

Arthur Seltzer is still processing it 66 years later and “will be until the end.”

He recalls his Higgins landing craft splashing across the waves toward the Normandy beaches on D-Day, then jumping – with comrades – into water over his head.

“It was a mess, a bloody, gory mess,” said Seltzer, 86, of Cherry Hill. “You saw sights you never want to see again.”

Bodies were tossed by waves dyed red with blood. Bullets whizzed by and pinged against metal obstacles. And comrades lay in the sand with horrible gaping wounds, some with legs and arms blown off.

Sunday, for the first time since that June 6, Seltzer is set to walk the sands of Omaha Beach, a scene of sheer terror when he was 20, now a solemn place of remembrance.

When I look out over the beach today my mind will not be on oil sheen and tarballs.  On D-Day I will say thanks to Bob Weavil, and Frank Semon who would fight later in Europe, and Peter King who was preparing to fight his way across the Pacific.  God be with them.

 

Museum Symposium Near Perdido Key

One of the true treasures that resides just minutes from the sugar white sands of Perdido Key, aboard the Naval Air Station Pensacola, is the National Naval Aviation Musuem.  If you have never visited, even a beautiful sunny day is worth giving up for a day at this world class museum dedicated to all things Navy Air.  There are incredible displays of hundreds of aircraft, wonderful interactive media, and even an Imax theatre.  

Here is a Google map for your convenience with directions to the museum form Perdido Key.

One of the special events every year is the Symposium that takes place over three days.  Here are some details and links to this year's lineup.

The 24th Annual Naval Aviation Symposium will take place May 12-14, 2010

Since 1987, the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation has hosted its Naval Aviation Symposium each May in Pensacola. The Symposium series average nearly 3,000 guests annually, including active and retired flag and general officers and executives from the aerospace industry, as well as young naval officers, sailors and Marines undergoing aviation training in Pensacola. Activities include presentations and panel discussions, a golf tournament, luncheon, and a closing reception and banquet, as well as performances by the New Orleans Navy Band.
 
The goal of the symposium series is to help preserve the rich history and proud heritage of Naval Aviation by highlighting historical events in which U.S. Naval Aviation has played a major role. In past years, symposia subjects have included: the Battle of Midway; the Battle of Coral Sea; American Aces; Medal of Honor recipients; POWs; the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle programs; Flying Tigers and Black Sheep Squadrons; the Korean and Vietnam Wars; Operation Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom; Blue Angels and others.

The Foundation’s distinguished guest speakers have included former President Bush, Governor Jeb Bush, Senators John Warner, Jake Garn, Connie Mack and John McCain, Secretaries of the Navy Lehman, Webb, Garrett, Danzig and Winter, Under Secretaries of the Navy Hultin and Pirie, Chiefs of Naval Operations Boorda and Johnson, the Vice Chiefs of Naval Operations, Admirals Fallon and Mullen, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Jones and the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Nyland.

Click here to view the current schedule of events.

In Celebration- The Name Behind Johnson Beach

An American Story,  A Native Son

Most anyone who has visited Perdido Key knows of the pristine beauty and wonderful facilities available at Johnson Beach but do know "the rest of the story."  Here is information released by the Perdido Chamber of Commerce in preparation for a very special celebration on May 1st, thsi Saturday at 9 AM.

Private Rosamond Johnson, Jr. was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida.  At the age of 15 he enlisted in the US Army and served courageously in the Korean War where he died in action at only 17.

Not only did this young man serve our country and die for it, he died having rescued two soldiers and attempting to save the third.

The National Seashore at Perdido Key is duly named for Rosamond Johnson, Jr. who was the first Escambia County resident to die in that war.  The area having been a favored recreational area set aside for the "sole use and enjoyment of colored citizens" in the 1950's became part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore in the 1970's and retains the name.
 
Mrs. Alice Johnson, Rosamond's mother, still resides in the family home in the historic Belmont/Devilliers area of Pensacola.  His 6 siblings, all living, are also valued members of the Pensacola community.

You have an an Invitation to Attend
Celebration of Rosamond Johnson Beach Dedication
Saturday, May 1, 2010  9AM
Johnson Beach National Seashore Pavillion

Sponsored by

Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce
Florida Black Chamber
Perdido Key Rotary
Gumbo Gallery
Davenport Properties, Inc.

For more information about the history of Johnson Beach and the Gulf Islands National Seashore click here for the web site: