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Hickam AFB Hawaii, Vietnam Era (1964-1966)
This is page one in a series of 4 pages.
Click here for page 2.
Click here for page 3.
Click here for page 4.
Some of us are on facebook nowadays (06/06/2010).
The picture above was a gift from the Boys before my Air Force discharge in 1967. Some guys did not like me, hence the urinal setting.
06//06/2010 William Melchior....... I provided the beads. Thanks for the smile this morning.
06/06/2010 Dave Bernier .......John, What a classic..!! Lots of items to examine in there. I noticed we didn't bother to scrub the urinal before we set up the shot. Go figure..!! Can't remember the name of the dude in the center... but I remember he was a just a bit strange.
William Melchior ....... After the service he became an insurance salesman in Michigan. I remember hime wearing earphones that were not connected to anything.
06/06/2010 John Browne ....... He arrived when I was seriously FIGMO (Only weeks to go) His name was Kiel and he was going to get an operation to fix his protruding jaw! I never heard how it turned out! I never did get the significance of the Hitler Moustache, but maybe someone like Gerardi thought that was a good idea. Thanks for the response guys!!! You have cheered up this depressed Old Man!!!!!!!!!!!!
John Browne walking. Doug Clark on bicycle 1966...Chuck Barba and Bill Melchoir and Steve Schramm on the right.
ALOHA!
-----Original Message-----
From: dobernier@comcast.net
Sent: Dec 16, 2009 11:23 AM
To: ki6ky@ix.netcom.com
Subject: CQ KI6KY...
I'm searching for and old Air Force friend... John Browne, with whom I worked at the Hickam AFB Photo Lab in the mid '60s. Is it possible I have reached the correct e-mail address?
Dave Bernier
From: "John K. Browne"
To: dobernier@comcast.net
Subject: Re: CQ KI6KY...
Date: Dec 16, 2009 12:43 PM
It is I sir!!!
WOW!!!! SHIT DAVE!!! How the heck are you??? Steve Schramm recently died from cancer!!!
WE ARE ALL LOOKING FOR YOU!!! I will forward this to Leo and I am sure he will forward it to the other remaining guys.
Go to www.ky-filters.com/hawaii65.htm to see our little webpage.
JB/KY
To: "John K. Browne"
Subject: Re: CQ KI6KY...
Date: Dec 17, 2009 9:54 AM
This is truly AMAZING...!!!!
I'm just fine John... and how the hell are you..??
I have been looking for you, Steve, Bill "bunch" Melchior and
"Uncle" Leo on and off for years. At times I thought I found some leads, but, either I didn't dig into them deep enough or they terminated in a dead end. Then, yesterday, while cruising the net and pulling searches on such things as "6486 ABW", "Hickam Base Photo Lab", "1965 Hickam AFB History", etc, I hit on your site, (http://www.ky-filters.com/hawaii65.htm), and "Bingo"... all of a sudden I'm starring at a picture of myself and group of old buddies from 45 years ago...!!! Unbelievable..!! The flood of memories in the last 24 hours has been incredible. The only downer of this re-association is the news about Steve. When I read it on your site, my emotions pretty much got the best of me. Steve was the "best man" at my second (and still current) wedding in 1976... 33 years ago. I had lost touch with him over the years, but always had it in mind to hunt him down again. Damn it..! Like many things, I put it off too long. It was crushing news. On a lighter note, I am enjoying the compilation of photos and comments on your webpage. Great memories..!! I have a bunch of pictures (imagine that..!!) that I could dig out and share with you and others. Don't know if you're still posting to the site, but I would be happy to contribute. BTW, the picture of you and your kids is terrific... very nice family... and you're looking pretty good yourself..! As for me, I look the same now as I did in those pics on your webpage.... RIGHT...!!! Quick bio update... (edited for security reasons) Ride a Harley on weekends..! Anxious to return to California (San Diego) sometime soon after my second retirement..! Last, but not least, just received my Medicare Card..! Well John, I better wrap this up for now, but let me know what you have been up to, and who you have kept track of. Would love to touch base with Leo, Bill, Doug, and any of the others that are still on the radar screen. Best regards and Happy Holidays my friend
Dave
Steve Schramm Best Man at Dave Bernier's Wedding in 1976
08/11/07
I happened to stumble across your website while searching for WW2 photos of Hickam. I really enjoyed your website. I was stationed at Hickam from Feb 1958 to Feb 1961 as a member of the 1502nd Flightline Maintenance Sqd., as a recip. engine mechanic on 97's, 121's, 118's, and 124's. The gentleman who returnned after many years had me laughing with his comments about the base. I returnned in June 2002 with my wife, and also with a mindset of '58-'61 in wanting to show her Hickam. It was a very big mistake. I wrote the base commander explaining who I was and wanting to get back on the base. They assigned us a 27 year old Capt. whose heart was certainly not into being a tour guide. The only thing familiar at the main gates was the curved white wall !. Everyone had a sidearm on, I was not allowed to take any pictures. When I mentioned Area 61 where our wooden barracks were, he had no idea what I was talking about. The northern half of the flightline is gone, now base housing. The old terminal is gone. 2 golf courses, cement barracks, enlisted mans club, a BX the size of a Sears, restaurants, gyms, library and on and on. A friend of mine who had been there just before we were there said "they took our airbase and made it into a country club". The base appears to have been expanded. I dont know where your barracks were but ours is long gone. Going back after 40+ years was sure an eye opener,. I liked it better when I was there. I'm a WW2 buff and Hickam and Pearl Harbor sure fit in. Our old squadron is having our 1st reunion in late Sept. in Branson, MO. Thank you for letting me take up some of your time. Continue the great work.
Brent Bachman
Brent,
Thanks for the email. When I moved to Hickam in 1964, I lived in the same old WWII baracks in Area 61. That's where a lot of those old pictures of Lonnie Picket, etc., were taken. Somewhere around 1965, they built us a large new cement (stucco) barracks just Mauka of Hale Makai (the headquarters building). The golf course was constructed during my time at Hickam, also. It used to be the base dump or landfill. I'm glad that you like the web page! I am going to take the liberty of putting your email on the webpage pretty soon, if you don't mind. I'm also glad that you enjoyed ex-airman Melchior's recent "undercover" adventures on Hickam AFB. It doesn't seem like ole Melchior has changed much after all these years.
Best regards,
John Browne
Nov 21, 2008 9:08 AM JOHN...... HOPE I HAVE THE RIGHT E-MAIL ADDRESS. I WS ON THE WEBSITE, APPRECIATE YOU INCLUDING MY EARLIER E-MAIL ON THE SITE FOR OTHERS TO SEE. IT WAS GREAT TO GET BACK ON THE BASE (LEGALLY), BUT ALL THE CHANGES ARE SOME WHAT DISTURBING. JUST DOESN'T SEEN THE SAME, AND OF COURSE IT'S NOT. YOU MENTIONED THE GOLF COURSE AND IT BEING A DUMP/LANDFILL AT LONE TIME, I ASSUME YOUR TALKING ABOUT THE ONE ON THE OCEAN AND NOT THE ONE THAT WAS NEXT TO AREA 61. LOVE THE PICTURE OF PICKETT IN HIS ROOM, SEEING THE PLAYBOY CENTERFOLDS REMINDS ME OF A LOT OF THE GUYS I KNEW WHO DID THE SAME THING. GOOD TO SEE YOU GUYS GOT TOGETHER. WE HAD A REUNION (FIRST EVCER) IN SEPT '07 IN BRANSON, MO. 7 OF US AND OUR WIVES. WE HAD A GREAT TIME AND BRANSONS A GREAT PLACE FOR A MILITARY REUNION. WE STAYED AT THE RADISSON AND THEY GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO HELP MILITARY VETS. MADE IT A DAY AFFAIR AND THE SCHEDULE THAT WAS SET WAS SHOT TO HELL IN THE FIRST 5 MINUTES. GOT INTO "WAR STORIES" AND A HELLUVA LOT OF LAUGHTER. THE WIVES FINALLY BELIEVE ALL THE STORIES WE TOLD THEM OVER THE YEARS. GREAT TO SEE THE GUYS YOU WORKED WITH FOR 3 YEARS AFTER A 40+ YEARS ABSENCE. IT REALLY UPSET ME NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE PICTURES WHEN I GOT BACK ON THE BASE. I GOT HOME AND DOWNLOADED ALL KINDS OF PICTURES AND INFO OFF THE INTERNET. SEEMS KIND OF BASSACKWARDS !. JUST WANT TO UPDATE A LITTLE AND SAY HOWDY. HOPE ALL IS WELL.
Michael Warden Named To Lead Strategic Communication At CU-Boulder
Nov. 27, 2006
University of Colorado at Boulder Chancellor G.P. “Bud” Peterson today named Michael Warden associate vice chancellor for strategic communications for CU-Boulder effective Jan. 1. Warden currently serves as assistant vice chancellor for public affairs for the University of Texas system and has been with UT since 2001 following a long career in the U.S. Air Force. In the newly created associate vice chancellor post, Warden will direct all internal and external communications for the CU-Boulder campus. He will report jointly to Peterson and to CU-Boulder Senior Vice Chancellor Ric Porreca. “Michael is a proven leader who brings a unique combination of higher education and government communications experience at an executive level,” said Peterson. “He will be a marvelous resource in our effort to enhance internal and external communications, and help us to reach out to new audiences with new communication strategies and approaches.” Peterson said Warden will be charged with developing a marketing and branding strategy for the campus, coordinating the overall communication plan for CU-Boulder and managing the University Communications department, which consists of the offices of community relations, internal communications, news services, publications and creative services, and web communications. “This is one of the most exciting opportunities in all of American higher education,” said Warden. “The University of Colorado, as one of the nation's elite research universities, has wonderful stories to tell and I'm looking forward to leading that effort. This is also a wonderful opportunity to work with a truly visionary chancellor, a world-class faculty and staff, some of the best students in the nation and an energetic group of alumni and stakeholders.” Warden was selected for the position from 130 applicants in a national search. He served first as executive director and then assistant vice chancellor for public affairs since joining the UT System in 2001. He also is a member of the faculty at UT-Austin. Prior to coming to the UT System, he was a member of the faculty of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he taught courses in corporate communications and public affairs. Warden retired as a colonel in 1997 after a 22-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he held a variety of assignments including service in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force in Washington, D.C., and as director of public affairs at the headquarters of Air Force Materiel Command in Dayton, Ohio.
Congratulations to Michael and to Patty and Leo, his proud Mom and Dad.
John Browne (January 2007)
Ckick here to hear a "Mommas and Poppas" tune, about John Browne that one of his Ham Radio friends made up about him in 2007.
Lonnie Picket in 1962.............................................Lonnie Picket many years later.
Sgt. Barbara Snyder busting Lonnie Picket and Ron Segers
Subject:
Back after 30+ Years
From:
BillMelchior
Date:
Sun, 1 Oct 2006 17:52:55 EDT To:
DOUG CLARK
CC:
I just returned from a business trip to Honolulu. The 5 hour flight to Phoenix and the 6 hour flight to Hawaii was a back breaker. While there you just had to know I was going to try something fun or get into trouble. I decided while there to try and get onto the base. Yes, I know that you can contact your Senator or a political big wig, but you know me, I gotta try it my way. First off they do not have air police at the front gate. they are now using a private security service. That was a big opening since you know they are not paying over 6.00 per hour for those folks. After being stopped at the gate and directed to the visitor's office I explained SLOWLY to the guy at the desk that MSGT Leo Warden was my sponsor and he wanted to me to meet him so we could discuss ways to make the base newspaper more exciting. No, I did not have a passport nor copies of my DD 214 or birth certificate to show citizenship. After he called the Information office attempting to call Sgt. Warden he gave up and told me to contact the good Sgt and return with a visitor's pass or a sponsorship number to be provided by Sgt. Warden. As I was pulling out of the parking lot I threw my car rental tag up on the dash. Avis gives you this cardboard summary of your rental agreement when you rent from them. As I pulled out of the side office the rental guard waived me right through the front gate. Holy Crap I was on and in. I got very nervous each and every time I saw an Air Police car and was convinced that they were looking for me. Here is the front of the Pacific Headquarters building.
The Front of the Building Base Command
Here is the new Base Command Headquarters. The road has been relocated and it appears that the Photo lab has been relocated.
The whole roadway system has been redone as well. They have all new hangers that come right next to the roadway. I was pulling over to show that it looks like they parked the fighter jets right next to the road but I was nervous because an Air police car was right behind me. They drive Ford Taurus Rather than pickup trucks now. I tried to get into MAC Terminal but I saw two Police right by the front door just hanging around and my Rental card on the dash looked a lot smaller when one of them looked my way. My old barracks is gone and a Gym has been built in its place. I did see the Mess hall, its still there. When I tried to drive around I just kept getting caught in residential areas and got turned around. I really wanted to spend more time but I thought better of it and got out while I had the chance. I had to ask joggers for directions and one lady officer actually read the Avis card while she gave me directions. I swore that she got on her cell as I drove away. I'll send interiors of Pacific headquarters in another email later. I can hear Schramm now, "Holy Shit, he did it again"
Bill and Rosemary Melchior in year 2000
CHARLIE WELLS where are you now????
CLICK ON GENE'S PICTURE TO VISIT HIS WEBSITE!
From: Gene Pardee gene@egp-photo.com To: dobernier@comcast.net, ki6ky@ix.netcom.com
Subject: Possamus Facere
Date: Feb 2, 2010 12:34 AM
Hi Dave & John, I don't know if I spelled that correctly on the subject line. I got a hit that I didn't expect when I Googled "Hickam AFB Photo Lab"! You may recall my 6'7" self when I arrived in 1967 as you guys were getting ready to leave. I'm so sorry to learn of the loss of Steve Schramm. I paid him a short visit at a color lab in Redwood City after I got out in 1970. I was on my way back to Long Beach after interviewing for a job at Rapid Color in San Francisco. I remember Leo Warden, Bill Melchoir, "ACE" (can't remember name), you two and a lot of others that came after you. Remember Lou Ahlers that asked Leo if he could go home because he could only crap there, not at the Photo Lab? Charlie Wells and I rented a house together in Kaimuki (near 4th and Wailai) until he married local girl. Best regards, Gene Gene Pardee PHOTOGRAPHIC Olympia, Washington Office (360) 918-8038 Toll Free Voice or Fax (800) 959-3780 www.EGP-Photo.com Member – Professional Photographers of America Photo Marketing Association International Photo Imaging Education Association National Association of Naval Photographers (USAF Veteran)
Frank Kiss in 1965
Steve Schramm in 1966 (I think Steve and I were trying out a new Nikon lense).
Arlie Johnson 1965
01/30/03
Guys;
CAN SCHRAMM PLAN A GET TOGETHER WHILE MELCHOIR IS IN TOWN? THE 18TH WOULD BE FINE IF IT IS WORKABLE. WHERE WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE FOR ME & DOUG TO STAY THAT WOULD BE CONVENIENT.
UNCLE (LEO)
Bill..Leo.....2003.....Steve..Doug
The four of us picked it up as if we'd been seeing each other every day for the past 35-years. Old friends are the best friends -- and we sure qualify for that.
Your Pal, Steve
Absolutely the greatest to see you guys again after all these years. I feel so excited, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your company. We could all go back to Hawaii and start today in the Old Photo Lab.
Your Eternal Friend, Steve
I'm terribly sorry to report that STEVE SCHRAMM PASSED AWAY DECEMBER 31ST., 2008 from complications of cancer. He was a very special guy and I learned a lot from him in our short time together.
John Browne
Bill, Steve, Leo and Doug
John Browne and children at daughter Melody's college graduation in May of 2003.
Click here for original scientific research by John Browne!!
John Browne's alter ego "KI6KY" also is presently active producing Blankheads.com an amateur radio webpage.
Click on the picture to read John H. Browne's WWII flight diary.
Irene Howard and Frank Kiss 1964
CLICK HERE FOR MORE!
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