These are all the guestbook messages for 2005. Thank you to all who left messages, memories, and thanks.
I'm just beginning to fly a Grumman, and the site I found so much interesting. I live in Costa Rica.
That is great, my father Harry A. Koss worked for Grumman for many years. He passed away in 87 and I sure miss him. I looking around at all this because I want to invest in Grumman's stock, any info would be greatly helpful. Thank you for the memorial!!!!!! Love You Dad, Vicky
May 16, 2005 marks the 30th anniversary of my father's death. His name is Raymond Peter Larsen, Phd and he worked for Grumman Bethpage as a research scientist until his untimely death in 1975. If ANYONE knew him, worked with him or would otherwise be willing to share information with me about him, I am his only son, who was 3 years old at the time he was killed and I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. My direct e-mail address is: agentlarsen@cox.net (I'm in real estate). My mother is Mrs. Karen Larsen and my sister is Kim. We lived at 1 May Hill Lane in Dix Hills at the time. The two other gentlemen in the car with my father who also perished were a Mr. Alexander Bogan and Mr. Lewis Carpenter. I believe Mr. Bogan also worked for Grumman. A Mr. Dick Oman, also a Grumman employee, was quoted in a Newsday article about this tragedy on 5/16/75 and A Mr. Dick Kopp, my father's supervisor, was also quoted in the same article.
Unlike many of the people who have posted comments on the site about how great Grumman was to families, I do not share such memories. Perhaps I was too young. Anyway, I can promise anyone who writes me absolute confidentiality and eternal gratitude. PLEASE e-mail me at: agentlarsen@cox.net.
To anyone else whose life was affected by this tragedy, now that I am able, please allow me to offer my absolute deepest sympathies to you as well. Many lives were changed that fateful night.
May God bless those who passed and those who remain.
Thank you, Grumman Memorial Park for giving me an opportunity to post a much
needed message.
Brett Raymond Larsen
Having worked from February 1963 to September 1994 on the LM, F-14-A, Shuttle proposal, E-F111-A, Gulfstream III, X-29A, E-2C/C-2A, Classified programs, F-14D and then new developments (AX, AFX, JAST), I am proud to be a Grummanite from the old iron works.
Great Web site. My dad, Joe Kridel, worked on the A-6 at Calverton until 1988, when he retired.
Well, I never thought that I would still be working for Grumman after all these years, now on my 24th yr. as a young boy from Long Island and 3 members of my family who used to work for Grumman I am still with this great company and hope one day to retire with them, thanks for the memories.
My father James Fitzpatrick worked for GAC at Bethpage, L.I. for 38 years. He started at Plant 2 in 1949 and retired from Plant 14 in 1987. He passed away July 11, 2004 at the age of 81 and is laid to rest close by to the Grumman Park at Calverton National Cemetery.
I have fond memories of my years growing up as the daughter of a Grummanite. Who can forget the Grumman picnics, where upon entering we would roll down the car windows and the candy was tossed in. Or when my brother was born in 1960 and Dad took me to Plant 2 to pass out cigars, his fellow coworkers were so kind to me. There were the bus rides to Shea Stadium on Grumman Nights to see the Mets in the late 1960's and watching the Blue Angels fly in formation over Bethpage. So many wonderful memories.
I am currently compiling information to have Dad's name added to the Walk of Honor. Dad was a very quiet , honest, likeable man and rarely spoke of his work. He was an Electronic Technician in Research and Development. I know he briefly worked on the LEM, also the Gulfstream II, the Ben Franklin Submarine in West Palm Beach, Florida and played a major part in designing the electronics and hydraulics on the prototype of the F-14 Tomcat and worked on the "Iron Bird" that was housed in Plant 14. He was also present for the maiden flight of the F-14. Dad was in on the ground floor of the developing of that wonderful aircraft.
If there is anyone that knew my Dad and would be willing to help me fill in the blanks or just share a memory, I ask you to please contact me through this site. Anything at all would be ever so appreciated.
The Grumman Park is truly a wonderful memorial to the hard work and dedication of all the men and women that worked for Grumman. Where would the world be today if not for the amazing foresight of GAC. I love you Daddy - Kathy
Thank you for a great site so that I can learn about my father-in-laws awesome and very lucky past of testing the F-14 Tomcat. Keep up the good work what I have seen of the actual park is beautiful. Love the effects on the Tomcat. A MUST SEE IF EVER IN LONG ISLAND.
After nearly 35 years in Grumman, (1960-1995), I will soon be leaving Long Island to fully enjoy my retirement. I will certainly miss the Grumman Park and the memories it brings as I review the names on the bricks. Hope to see many new ones added when we return to visit friends. A great park, full of great memories and the ghosts of many great people.
This park is a great tribute to those who worked on some of the finest aircraft and spacecraft built. My father (Stephen Petrokiewicz) passed away on January 12 2005.Thanks to this park his name will live on. He was proud of his work at Grumman and was very happy to see this park come to life.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who knew of my Great Uncle Russell L. Johnson who retired from Grumman in Long Island after 38 years of service. He lived in W. Sayville with wife Dolly prior to his death in August of 1986. Thank you greatly for any tidbits from past newsletters, etc.
I have never appreciated until I became an adult the fact that I grew up in the same neighborhood that Chuck Sewell was living until he passed away in 1986. When I was just a boy I remember collecting old newspapers from his home in support of a paper drive for the Boy Scouts. Chuck Sewell as I remember was always glad to see my arrival as he helped me with the monthly collection of papers which he held and I assume collected to help support the drive.
My proudest memory was when he had invited myself and a friend to see him on TV for the unveiling of the X-29 by the Vice president of the United States. I remember the Vice president stating " that his excitement was not that of the un-veiling of the X-29 but that of meeting one of the greatest pilots "Chuck Sewell".
My memories of Mr. Sewell will remain with me always. Myself being part of the military in both the Marine Corps and the Army for so many years is hoping that in Chuck Sewell's eyes, that I did the right thing and that my service is honoring his and many other great men like himself for the service and the sacrifices they endured for this great nation.
Sincerely,
SSG Stephen J Cho
I am planning to visit the Grumman memorial park, republic airport...my 6 yr old son is fascinated with airplanes. My father was MSGT Eugene Duval, USAF scab West Hampton Beach , retired and went to work at Grumman, lunar module team .
I grew up with red alerts, blue angels air shows, ufo's,...memories....still probably an air force brat. So, our family is now learning about airplanes, see you there, Jean Duval Wallace.
Me and My family are From Guatemala, Central America, We visit together the Grumman Memorial Park in Calverton, NY. Go Ahead Grumman Team and Do everything looking in the Future.
My father, Harold Oliver, retired in 1972 and relocated from Smithtown to Hammondsport, NY. He and my mother, Dorothy, had visited me and my family in the Finger Lakes and loved the area. We did not know at the time that Hammondsport is the birth place of naval aviation and the home of Glenn Curtiss. Dad was an engineer who worked on everything from the Gulfstream to the Tomcat and probably things I never knew about. Reading the previous entries about children growing up in the "Grumman" tradition brings back many memories. One stands out about the Christmas turkey, we were always told that the higher up in the organization that you were, the smaller the turkey. Dad was an engineer that was proud of the card that he received for taking a welding course so that he could understand why the "shop boys" told him that something could not be done "that way". When he passed away my sister and I were sorting out his papers and I found that welding card. He was always proud of his ties with Grumman. As a sidebar, a local citizens group is trying to create a memorial park for Glenn Curtiss, please go to www.hammondsportpark.org or www.glencurtissmemorialpark.com (Links no longer valid).
I'm writing on behalf of my father, John Tashie who worked for Grumman from August 10 1953 to August 31, 1990. Unfortunately he passed away November 11, 2002 in Bradenton Florida. At my Mom's request we transferred his remains from the National Cemetery in Florida to the Calverton National Cemetery. Prior to entering the cemetery today for Dad's interment I stopped into Grumman Memorial Park today and can't begin to explain how emotional it was for me. I worked for Grumman during the summer in my college years so was happy to see the guard booth and of course the F14. As a kid I went to a few Grumman family picnics, and as a teenager I mowed the lawns and painted picnic tables in Calverton. I was treated to many a take off and landings of the F14s and I doubt a week goes by that I don't think about my experiences there. My father was a dedicated Grummanite thru and thru. He loved his job and his company.
If you have any memories of my Dad I'd love to hear them. I can be reached at gtashie@optonline.net. Thank you.
I had just returned from a few tours of duty aboard the USS Vesuvius (AE-15) and was "forced" to find a job by my parents who didn't want me to be a free-loader. I borrowed a suit and pair of shoes and applied at Calverton. I was hired on the spot and became a material coordinator in 1967.
I was sent to Bethpage to watch a film on Grumman aircraft in the fleet and saw myself on the fantail of my ship as we unrepped bombs to a carrier. I spent 4 wonderful years at Grumman and watched the ill fated first flight of the F14. But my heart swelled with pride when I saw "Top Gun" and realized I had been a part of the Grumman history.
What a wonderful company and marvelous memories.
Roger Paul Korth
My son and I just visited the Memorial Park and saw the walk of honor brick we had donated for Gerald (Jerry) Kennedy. The grounds are beautiful and the F-14 display is truly a overwhelming sight. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to all involved in creating this magnificent park.
I was employed there for 13 years before moving to California. I love my job and the people I worked with. So many good memories. I'm happy my son sent me your web sight. I was a keypunch operator and worked my way to Supervisor. Thanks for the memories.
Marge Healy
As a past employee from the ILS/Publications division, I'd like to say how thrilled I was to find out such a site existed. I'll have to bring my kids out there to see the museum.
Thanks
I am the daughter of Charles F. Becker, Great River, New York. He worked there over 30 years ago. He's long passed away but I was hoping someone could give me some insight of what kind of man he was. I was young when he passed away so I don't know anything about him. My mother also passed away when I was young so I cant get any info from her either. He worked at that Grumman for over 25 years because I have the gold and sapphire pins for each milestone reached. Please email me w/any info. Thanks.
Since the Grumman Memorial Park is dedicated to immortalizing the Grumman legacy in the U.S. and many of those who have signed the guestbook are either retired Grumman employees or children of Grumman employees, I wanted to let you know about a new magazine called "Grumman Amphibians." It is a quarterly publication devoted to the histories of the Duck, Goose, Widgeon, Mallard and Albatross, as well as the people who flew and maintained them. For more information, please visit www.grummanamphibians.com.
Thank you,
Derek
I finally found my way out to the Calverton Site today. Very impressive. Very touching. We brought my Pop, Elliott Seagraves out to view his brick in the walk. He was very happy. He retired in 1977 after 31 years, and has Perm Number 3016. I worked for Grumman from 1984-1993 in Plant 5. My Perm Number is 162395. I joined Northrop Grumman in 1997, and got my "G" inspection stamp back. They offered me the Northrop Bird on a stamp, but I refused. I told them they could have my G stamp back when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers. The old Grumman spirit still lives, and it was absolutely true about it being a family. I have many fond memories of how the company took care of us. I have vivid memories of Dad walking in at Christmas with the Grumman Turkey and a Bonus Check. The Turkey was token perhaps, but was a tradition that went by the wayside. I enjoyed my own Grumman turkeys for some years. Each of us was involved in several neat projects in our careers. Sometimes on the same aircraft, but 3 decades apart. For instance, we were re-engining the S-2 Tracker for Taiwan, and I brought home a certificate I received for first flight. He says wait a minute, and drags out a scrap book and shows me a clipping from the Plane News in 1952, showing first flight of the S-2. I still have the clipping.
Working at Grumman was one of the best things I can look back at my life. We
worked hard and had a lot of fun. I was one of the first women hired in the
early 70's in Calverton. The guys had to stop changing on the floor ha they were
not used to a woman around. It was a godsend my husband was in a very bad
accident and I had three small children if it weren't for Grumman, I don't know
what I do. It was the Grumman family I worked in cockpit in the fuel tanks up on
the wings of the EF-111. We did it all and loved it installing the glass
in the cockpit was one of my jobs working with the pilots, sweaty dirty smelling
of hydraulic fuel and loved it. Sounds strange to a lot of people. Grumman was
the best. All I can say is thank you go ahead make my day ha
Was glad to see this site brings back lots of memories. I was the programmer
on the ARS & C system which was tracking all of the parts for the planes. I
still keep in touch with a few of my friends back then. Miss them all and miss
Long Island at times. Now living in Pennsylvania. I would like to go out and
visit the memorial park. Anyone who would wish to contact me from the ILS
department would love to hear from you. wanserd@misericordia.edu
Stumbled across this site by accident but was very moved not by the memorial but by the emotions evoked by reading the name of former friends and more. In particular was one "red-haired little girl" who worked at the "bra complex" in Syosset. Lost touch out of necessity years ago. Keep up the good work.
Very interesting and a very good site.. I stumbled upon it while searching for a photo of C1A 136792.. I worked at Calverton in the 60s and was the plane captain on this plane.. It was C1A #45 It was sidelined during assembly and had 2 tails installed. It became the test (airframe) platform for the W2F.. The test radome used to be behind the noise check hanger.. If anyone can help me get a photo of this plane please email me.. They were taking color pictures of it the day F111 #1 crashed killing Dixie Darnell the chief test pilot.. In fact the F111 crashed almost in front of where I had the C1A parked for the photo shoot...
Again thanks for the memories, and any help in finding a photo will be appreciated.... Gary Curlew
Great site. Grumman was a large and important part of Long Island's history, and should always be remembered for it's role in shaping aviation. My father worked at Grumman during WWII, helping in building the TBF and Hellcat aircraft, so vital in their role in achieving victory over our enemies.
I grew up in Hicksville, during the late 1940's to early 1960's, fairly close to Grumman's Bethpage facilities, and was always fascinated looking skyward, whenever a Grumman aircraft flew overhead. Since many family members and friends worked at Grumman, I was always pretty up to date, with the latest Grumman news. As a fan of aviation, those were very interesting days, which I will always fondly remember.
Good luck, and keep up the great work.
Regards, Al
I began my career with Grumman in 1973. My father John Hervan was with the company since 1956 and retired in 84. I was RIFed in 93. I now work for NYSDOT in Riverhead and drive past Calverton daily. I sure do miss those days. The Memorial Park has been wonderful! Thank you.
Am still around, having retired in November 1990. Spend my Winters in Florida and the Summers in Whitestone, Queens. Since our chapter of the Retirees club dissolved, have not had much contact with other Retirees except of the newsletters. Still have very fond memories of Grumman and of the care that I still receive from it.