Jim Hood contacted us and wanted to share his memories of the High school at NASFL:

"During the 50's the influx of new residents forced the retired-NAS to be converted into a public school. If you lived in the area - I lived near Oakland Park Blvd and North Ocean Drive. (In fact I was the paper boy for North Beach) I had to travel to the Gateway area to be transported on to NAS Junior High. Over the years I have met a number of Lauderdale folks who lived back there in that era. Few, if any, remember Naval Air as a school. It was particular in that there was no heat and in those days A/C.  We had frequent cold days.  We all went into the library and stood shoulder to shoulder next to a fire burning stove. Thinking back on cold days, and cancelling school was a hoot.  Imagine cold days in South Florida! Having to travel round trip from North Ocean Blvd and Oakland Park Blvd was a real pain in those days too.  Down A1A to Sunrise to Federal Hwy, across the old bridge which was usually open (no tunnel in those days).  Over to a new school; Strannahan HS, then, finally to NASJH."

Thank you Jim, for sharing your experience! Hope to see you someday!

The original Avenger Newspaper started during WWII for the personnel at the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale. It stopped printing after the war ended. The Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association began a print newsletter for its members in 1995. 

Click here to see our first digital edition of The Avenger

The NASFL Museum was able to accommodate 6 volunteer workers on the Goodyear Blimp “Spirit of Innovation” on June 16. They all had a great time overlooking the landforms along Pompano, Lighthouse Point, Deerfield Beach and Boca Raton. Pilot Corky Belanger, a second generation Blimp Pilot, was very informative and entertaining. Thanks Donna, Doug and to all the crew at the Pompano Blimp Base for making this such a memorable flight!  You guys are the best! 

Although it was a hazy and cloudless day because of wildfires on the Everglades, we still got to enjoy the spectacular views.  The special thing is that each day the Blimp goes on a flight, it is a unique experience because it depends on the weather. We got several cancellations due to the fire and wind before we were able to embark on this journey.  Thank you Donna... it truly must be hard to do the scheduling! We were so grateful to be re-scheduled!  Even though it was hazy, it was FANTASTIC!   We hope to have more images on our next newsletter.  We are also going to try to create a Video of the experience. We will post the link here when it is done.

Photography Copyright © 2011 by Minerva Bloom
Goodyear Blimp Logo & Offices Copyright © 2011 Goodyear Blimp

We got an e-mail from Mr. Ralph Flaherty who remembers the gunner of FT-36 Flight 19, Sergeant Howell ("Whitey") Thompson.

"Just came across this site. I am now 84 and remember my days at NAS FT Lauderdale. I joined the navy at age 17 in 1944 as an aircrewman. after AOM school in Norman OK. I went to gunnery school at the Emory Riddle bldg on 27th Ave in Miami. It was there that I met "Whitey" (Howell) Thompson a marine who had just come back from the fleet. He and the rest of the marine group were there for a refresher course. Anyhow we finished gunnery school in August 1945, just as the war had ended. We were in the last course to go through operational training at the base in Ft. Lauderdale.

On the day that Whitey was lost on Flight 19, I had just come back from a morning flight and Whitey was getting on line to wait for his flight. I remember it well:  it was a very lousy day, real bumpy, and the reason I was still at the plane when Whitey arrived, is that I had thrown up right behind the pilot where I was standing during the flight. I remember a very angry pilot who ordered me to clean up the mess and make sure there was no smell when he got back. Obviously, I got out of there, so I did not have to go on the next flight with him. So much for my story.

I was probably the last one to talk to him before they left.  The next morning after the disappearance of Flight 19,  I was on the first search flight out of Fort Lauderdale.  I just want to end by saying we were all just kids and though Whitey was the only one of the marine group that I knew, he was really quite a guy. Although he did not talk about the war I heard from others that he was on the USS Franklin when she got hit and he was trapped for 4hrs below deck while she was burning. I can't verify that fact, but that's what I remember."

The historic NASFL Museum is a 501c3 organization. Your help will be greatly appreciated as day by day, we are tackling the task of making the Museum fully operational to be enjoyed and analyzed not just by researchers but for the general public. There remains much work to be done so we can get our Certificate of Occupancy.

We have many wonderful, faithful volunteers, who kindly donate their time, expertise or influence. There are many opportunities to volunteer, as we can use all sorts of individuals with varied skills in the areas of history, curators, exhibit maintenance, administrative/clerical assistance, computers, general repairs, cataloging, construction, landscaping, etc. Whether you are a college student, a retired senior or a working adult with the desire to give back to your community, we have opportunities for you! Must be at least 18 years old. Volunteers needed year round, Monday - Sunday. Flexible schedule.

LIST OF THINGS NEEDED AT THE MUSEUM:

• Restore the Guard House to original condition with proper signs. We have the lumber, but we need workers for the restoration.
  
• Remodeling of two restrooms for handicap accessibility.
  
• Moving of two exhibit torpedoes from the back to the front of the building for better viewing.
  
• Remodeling of windows & inside window treatments.
  
• Hurricane preparedness: Tree branch trimming.
  
• New security alarm system.

If you would like to volunteer or donate materials, please contact the Museum at: (954) 359-4400
Or e-mail us: nasft.lauderdalemuseum@netscape.com

Main Exhibit Room Carpet Installation:

The old carpet has all been removed, the floors are being repaired, and beautiful new carpet donated by the Airport is being installed by our volunteer members: Mike McGee, John Bloom, Rob Taylor, Karl Bork, John Casey and our youngest member Richard Jones, who served two tours of duty in Iraq; one aboard the USS George Washington Aircraft Carrier, and the other as a soldier in the U.S. Army.


Helping with the work were also U.S Navy VTU 0808G members: MAC Patrick Bowden, CAPT. Scott Hahn, HM2 Richard McGowan, CAPT. Stephen Schaffer. Also member Rob Taylor is being generous in donating materials and his expertise for carpet installation. And thank you to Ray Rivera for helping in the maintenance of the Museum.

NASFL Museum President Allan McElhiney presented a plaque to member Paul Bradley (Sgt. Paul Bradley USA WWII ), in recognition for his many years of outstanding dedication and contribution to military history.

From left to right: Allan McElhiney, Bob Morris, the honoree Paul Bradley with his wife Barbara Bradley, and Capt. Pete Husta.

Newest Drawing from Architect Paul Bradley

Mr. Bradley brought with him his newest drawing for the Museum. This one is of a Martin B-26 Marauder. It will be proudly displayed at the Museum along with his other works.

From left to right: Allan McElhiney, Paul Bradley with his daughter Pat, and holding the drawing is Bob Morris.

We want to hear from you! If you would like to share, please send us your story, your memories, or pictures. We will include them in our Blog as well as in both our print and e-mail "The Avenger" Newsletters.

Our presence in the World Wide Web is expanding, as more and more people find us: Shavonne L. Nembhard is a student at Barry University, doing a research paper on the History of South Florida with Professor Brasom. Because her brother is in the Navy, she decided to research if there were some historical places in Florida about the Navy, and she found the NASFL Museum's website at the top of her search query. She came to visit with her son Brandon and became our newest members. Brandon was also interested in becoming a volunteer for the summer. Welcome Shavonne & Brandon!

NASFL Museum members, Mr. David & Gloria Epstein, celebrating their 67th wedding Anniversary.
Congratulations David & Gloria!!

NASFLHA Members: Lt. David White & John Casey at the Museum's May 14 Luncheon, Lauderdale Yacht Club.

SURVIVOR OUTREACH SERVICES:
Our Fallen Warriors have paid the ultimate sacrifice. The Army has a commitment to their Families.
Families deserve our respect, gratitude and the very best we can provide.
The purpose of SOS is to deliver on that commitment:

• By providing access to support, information and services
• Closest location to where the Survivor resides
• When and for as long as they desire

SOS offers support through:

• Benefits Coordinators. No one is ever fully prepared to lose a loved one, which is why we have Benefits Coordinators. Benefit Coordinators are located at the Casualty Assistance Center and are there to assist and guide you as you make the many decisions necessary following the death of a Soldier. Benefits Coordinators help identify your specific benefits and entitlements and ensure you receive what is legally yours. They assist you in completing paperwork and navigating the various agencies Survivors encounter. Benefits Coordinators remain current on changes in the law and have a wealth of information available to support you during this very difficult time.
  
  
• Financial Counselors. In times of emotional distress, figuring out what to do about finances can create a heavy burden. Survivor Outreach Services Financial Counselors provide professional financial information and services in areas such as investing, estate planning, tax issues and basic budgeting. Our Financial Counselors will be there when you need them, for as long as you need them. They are committed to assisting you in creating your financial security and ensuring you receive the necessary information to make sound financial decisions.
  
  
• Support Coordinators. The Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordinator provides long term support to you and is your link to the Army Family for as long as your desire. Wondering what direction to go in now? Your local Support Coordinator is happy to sit down with you as you journey through this transition by providing direct services as well as information, referrals and recommendations. They can also connect you with support groups, bereavement and financial counselors, as well as help you request copies of documents obtain answers to questions and direct you to additional Survivor resources.

If you are in need of these services, please contact Mrs. Madhya (Maddie) Husta at Survivor Outreach Services
or visit the website: www.MyArmyOneSource.com

News from the NASFL Museum's Luncheon at the Lauderdale Yacht Club

An original drawing of a Martin B-26 Marauder was shown by Architect Paul Bradley. It will be donated to the Museum when it is completed. An honorary plaque was given to Mr. Bradley in recognition of his support throughout the years.

We had great speakers! Pete & Maddie Husta
Captain Pete Husta is currently the Fourth Fleet Liaison Officer to the Headquarters Staff of the U.S. Southern Command and Maddie, his wife is the Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator at SOUTHCOM. (Please read their bios below and visit their respective websites).

Captain Peter Husta is the son of a WWII Pacific Campaign veteran and native of Wilton, Connecticut. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1979 and from Webster University in 1987. Following graduation from the Academy, he proceeded directly to sea, serving in operations, deck and engineering billets in USS Mount Baker (AE-34), USS Klakring (FFG-42), USS Samuel Eliot Morison (FFG-13) and in USS Flatley (FFG-21). He is the plank owner Main Propulsion Assistant in Klakring and served as the Reserve Engineer and as Executive Officer in Morison and as the Reserve Unit Commanding Officer in Flatley.

Ashore, Captain Husta served at the Fleet & Mine Warfare Training Center, Navy Reserve Command Headquarters and in Mobile Inshore Warfare Unit’s. (MIUW) 209 and 212. He commanded MIUW 209 and subsequently went on to command MIUW 212. He is the first officer to ever command this type of unit in back-to-back assignments. Captain Husta has also served as a Special Assistant to the Commander Armed Forces South in Naples Italy. Returning permanently to the Active Duty rolls, Captain Husta subsequently served in Honduras as the Navy Section Chief and then as the Navy Mission Chief in Colombia. Following five years in Central and South America, he was selected to serve as the Navy Element Commander and subsequently, the Chief of Staff of the Joint Task Force in Guantanamo, Cuba. He is currently the Fourth Fleet Liaison Officer to the Headquarters Staff of the U.S. Southern Command. Captain Husta has served in Navy, Joint, NATO and Combined commands and operations and is authorized to wear the Defense Superior Service Medal (2 awards), the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal and several other personal, Unit and Service awards. He is also authorized to wear the Honduran Medalla de Merito Clase Dos, the Colombian Surface Fleet, Aviation Division and Submarine Fleet Service Commendations and was awarded the Sociedad de Almirante Padilla. Captain Husta was married to the former Madhya Acosta Castillo in the ancient Mayan ruins at Copan, Honduras.

Madhya (Maddie) Husta grew up in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. As a senior in Tegucigalpa High School, she earned an exchange scholarship and spent a year as an exchange student in Monterey, California, only a few blocks away from the Defense Language Institute. Upon her return to Honduras, she studied undergrad and graduate level psychology becoming a licensed practitioner at the National Psychiatry Hospital. Later in her career, she explored Educational Psychology working in the private school system teaching bilingual students in grade school and high school. Maddie is a Navy wife, married to Captain Pete Husta, the Fourth Fleet Liaison Officer at SOUTHCOM.

Maddie has been working in this AOR for several years, serving in Honduras, Colombia and Cuba. Before coming to Miami she came from the Naval Station at Guantánamo Bay, where she supported families of all military branches stationed at the Naval Station. Her work in Guantanamo included the Fleet and Family Support Center as the Life Skills Educator in charge of teaching anger and stress management, parenting, couple’s communication, and loss and grief. On her following duties she was the Cuban Community Assistance Program Manager running the only elder care program in the Department of Defense. In this capacity, she managed a 24/7 service running three Assisted Living Facilities and providing general advocacy for the 44 Cuban families residing aboard the Naval Station. These families are those who chose to remain employed aboard the Naval Station following the 1959 Castro led revolution. Maddie is now the Survivor Outreach Services coordinator at Southcom serving as the liaison and advocating for the families of our Fallen Heroes.

You can reach Mrs. Madhya Husta, Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator for South Florida at:

9301 NW 33rd St.
Doral, FL 33172-1202
Phone Office: 305-437-2178
e-mail: Madhya.Husta@hq.southcom.mil

Website: www.MyArmyOneSource.com