497th FIS BX |
As far back as I can remember, I have been influenced by photos and stories my father
('Newt') accumulated during the time he served with the USAF 497th FIS at
Geiger Field and Torrejon Air Base. Having shared some of those stories with friends of mine in years past, one of them recently asked me to confirm where my father had been based. Since he too, served in the military, one of his hobbies is collecting various military memorabilia and documents. After confirming that Geiger Field was my father's first duty station, he recalled purchasing a handbook having to do with that particular base. He was fortunately able to locate it and relinquish it into my care. |
The handbook was actually a post World War II guide that was given to each personnel
upon arrival at Geiger Field. It included a detailed history of the base,
names of on-site buildings and a map of their location, things to do in Spokane,
code of conduct, etc, and everything a new arrival should know! One
of the more unique things about the handbook is the sixty or more historic photos,
which I feel certain, would be recognizable to those of you based there. I have some experience with graphics design, so my original task was to take this worn unique piece of history and reproduce it back to its original state. The entire handbook was re-typeset, even to the extent of using the same character styles originally used. Just for grins, I even included some of the mistakes that were made in the original copy. All of the photos were reprocessed to repair torn pages, remove water stains, and enhance the overall photo for clarity. Maps were redrawn by hand due to the originals being damaged beyond repair. In all, it took over 100 hours to complete. I worked on this project unbeknownst to my father as my plans were to present him with a finished copy prior to the 497th FIS Reunion which was soon to take place in Kansas City, MO. After thinking about it, I decided that even though the original booklet had been published years prior to the arrival of the 497th FIS at Geiger Field, it would be a nice piece of memorabilia that each of the squadron members would like to have for their own. When my plan was disclosed to the reunion coordinator, I was requested to personally attend the reunion and present each attendee a copy. It was indeed a great pleasure to meet those of you that I have only known by name. A copy of this booklet is available through the 497th BX. Due to printing and shipping the cost per is $10 per book. Copies of the booklet may be purchased by contacting wmnewton@suddenlink.net Derek Newton Son of Marion E. "Newt" Newton |
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Great Special on Patches!!!!! But one of each size for $10.00 (offer does not include 2 of the large patches) (We began offering this low price at the reunion in San Antonio and the guys were really buying them. Use them on jackets, shirts, tees, caps etc.) Be sure to include shipping. Contact Newt at newt497th@suddenlink.net or @ 233 Spur Drive, Victoria, TX 77904 or call 361-578-5452 for ordering your patches since they are in Victoria. 497th INSIGNIA PATCHES Custom squadron patches are now available in two sizes. The small one is a 3 inch of the 497th F.I.S. insignia. The larger one is designed with a rocker displaying the F-86D at top left and the F-102 at top right. Cost is $5.00 for the small and $8.00 for the large. When ordering please include $1.00 for shipping up to four patches. All proceeds will go into the general expense fund. Contact Jim Moore via email at jmoore9771@sbcglobal.net or 104 Casa Grande Drive, Red Bluff, CA 96080; Phone:530-527-5836. Jim is also the contact person for submitting yearly membership dues. |
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497th FIS Custom Mailing Labels Show your squadron pride by having your own custom mailing labels with the 497th insignia printed in color. 1. Available in 3 different text styles (1 style per order) 2. 90 easy peel labels per order 3. Mailed directly to you in a safe photo mailer See samples and text styles available at the 497th reunion $14 per order Ordering information available on the 497th website BX If you do not have a computer available to you, please contact “Newt” at 361-578-5452 |
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This is the book about the USAF 497th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. A hundred and thirty pages, history of the squadron, biographies of many of the members and hundreds of pictures. This, the fourth edition, is in memory of Col. Warren A. Bennett, the squadron commander from 1955-1960. The price is $23.00 + $5.00 for shipping Please send check for $28.00 to, David Paup 10701 SE 293rd St. Auburn, WA. 98092 253-939-2414 |