Welcome to the first official Ramey blog post!  Be advised that blogging is something new to this Rameyite and so expect some bumps along the way.  It is my hope that in time this blog will prove to be a valuable tool in keeping members and followers of Ramey informed of some of the latest happenings and future events.  For our paid membership and supporters of Ramey, you can still expect our excellent newsletter, “View From the Tower” to arrive in your mailbox as it always does every quarter, and if you are not a member, then you are missing out on a wonderful publication, and should visit our website www.rameyafb.net  on how you too can become a member and supporter of the Ramey AFB Historical Association.

Welcome aboard and hope you enjoy the ride!

Lori and Charlie Mischke

If you visit the Ramey site, you see there is a slideshow running on the home page.  Because I’m still living in awe of digital technology and don’t understand most of it, you see there are no names or titles on the pictures.  So out of respect for those who dug into their shoebox of pictures, this post is for you.

If someone will please turn up the volume as Barbara Streisand sings, “Memories” here we go…

President of Ramey AFB, Chris Talkington

Our famous thespian and former president, Ted Raymond

Ramey Member, Mike Rafter

And because he will not turn off the Golf Channel and does not want his picture posted, my better half, Fred Mischke

Bob Matheson shared this presentation.  The pictures and graphics are incredible and too good not to post to this blog for everyone to enjoy.

Stratofortress

Thanks for sharing Bob!

I could not have lived with myself if I had passed up on this opportunity. The B-17, a flying museum, literally right in my own backyard. Honestly, a few years ago I would have passed on this and not have thought too much about it. But because of Ramey, I have discovered a new love and appreciation for military history. So I was thrilled to be able to see first hand a plane that holds incredible memories to so many. I was moved at just how many came out to see the B-17. Parents came out with their young children on a

Saturday afternoon when they could have gone to the lake, or to the mall, but instead chose to come out and see this plane.  They wanted their children to see something special and to talk with the pilots who actually served and flew the B-17 during World War II.

It was a great afternoon for me.  I came away from this experience smarter, but also with same sadness, because after crawling through a B-17, and looking around in the plane, I was able to see for just a brief moment what it must have been like for those courageous young men who served our country and for so many who made the ultimate sacrifice.

A B-17 pilot back once again in the cockpit. He loved it

Trying to make my way through the plane. I was amazed at how little space there was

The Navigator’s Seat

Honestly, I can’t say for certain, but I think this was the nose of the plane

People waiting to go through the B-17

Forgive me because I’m sure there is a proper name for this, but I’m going to call it the tail section

Sentimental Journey and Betty Grable

It was hot and the sun was getting to me, but here is my Betty Grable impression

Hurricane Earl paid a visit to Puerto Rico.   Fortunately the damage was not too severe and was kept mostly to the east end of the island.   Here is some footage taken from YouTube.

I received an email from our Ramey friend, Gerry Giles, who lives in Puerto Rico that he and Miriam weathered out the storm. There was wind damage with tree branches and limbs down, and they’ve been without power for 3 days, which is never pleasant, but all in all doing fine.

Doug Kurkoski has posted some wonderful pictures of Ramey on Flickr.  Doug shared with me the following:

“I was stationed at Ramey as a SSGT in the Base Budget Office in 1972-73.Some of the photos are ones that I took myself, but many of them are from a slideshow that the First Sergeant (MSGT Dick Drake) of the CAMS (Aircraft Maintenance Squadron) used to orient newcomers to the base. He gave them to me as souvenirs when I left as the base was closing in 1973. If I turn up any more photos, I will post them as well.  My purpose in posting these photos on Flickr was to make them available to anyone who might be interested, and your setting up a link to them will be very helpful in doing just that. So far I have received 440 hits on that set of photos, so I know that there definitely are people out there who are interested.”

I’m certain anyone viewing this post will appreciate these photos.  The photos are bright, colorful and labeled.  For anyone who served at Ramey, these photos will be a trip down memory lane.

Thank you Doug for keeping the memories of Ramey alive.

Ramey AFB Puerto Rico

On my daily morning stroll of the Internet I found this video.  I’ve already watched it 6 times this morning, and chances are good I’ll be watching it 6 more times later today.  Needless to say the footage is excellent.  This video was shot and posted to YouTube by Hector A. Rivera