HEADLINE:
VETERANS OF U.S. CUSTOMS AIR-OPS MEET

On occasion, retired (and the occasional active)
members of the local U.S. Customs Air Operations
Branch here in Tucson get together for lunch at
various locations in the city. Dale Harper, a retired
Air Officer, has been responsible for gathering
"The Eagles" and others every two or three months
for camaraderie, story telling and a little repast.

Of course, it's not possible for these folks to talk
without using their hands since a majority of them
are pilots. Yet, to the causal observer, they are a
pretty normal acting bunch. Although they are a
little older now, they still tell some pretty good war
stories worth remembering. But, who can remember
the stories from meeting to meeting? Therefore,
it's possible for the stories to improve as time unfolds
and nobody is the wiser. It's a lot of fun for all.

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It was a good day for a Customs Lunch. There was a lost dog that tried to crash the party,
however, Jim Grange gave it back to the owner before we went inside ! I missed getting
the picture. One improvement over the last meeting is that they discontinued the "catfish",
and that's a good thing, let me tell you ! Most of us had a burger with the exception of
Herb, he had fish ! Nobody's gonna' tell Herb what to eat !

There were three new faces at the luncheon. Well, they were new to me, but it turns out that I
had seen Ken Badyl on TV and Sam Millacci back in the mid 80s. Don't remember if I had
ever met Jay Sayrahder. Anyway, we had a good time, as usual. Here are their shining faces !

If you look at the very bottom of the page, you'll find pictures from over three years ago !
You can see just how old everybody's getting !! Some of us look younger...yeah, right !

11 April 2008

<Click> Pictures to enlarge

Ken Badyl		Sam Millacci
Jay Sayrahder		If I misspelled anybody's name let me know !

Al didn't go to
Hawaii yet !

Hey Jim !

Yeah, the dog
was visiting !

Here's Herb !

Ken in the
background !

It's been a while !

Jay !

Again, no shades !

You want a beer ?

The group !!

Here ya' go !

Another view !

Jim took this !

Look at them
"Blue Eyes" !

It was like this ....

OK, I'm smiling !

So am I !

Thanks for the
invite, Dale !

That didn't take long ! We had a meeting in less than a year and with Jim Grange's help,
we met for lunch at the Elk's Lodge on Pantano. There were a couple of faces we hadn't
seen for a while including some old guy with a cane ! We had a pretty good time of it and
the deal was topped off by a presentation of citrus to whomever by Herb Reay ! It looked
a little like they were looking at a body in that big trunk, but it turned out to be oranges.

Once again, thanks to Dale Harper. I always enjoy these meetings !

7 March 2008

Dang, that's Skip
with the cane !

Hey Jim !

Herb looks on !

Dale !

Peter works today !

Here's a pair !

Fitz !

Aloha !

How ya' been ?

Hi, Jack !!

Always the wise
guy, huh Skip ?

Tell us another !

OK! I will !

Well, Fitz thought
it was funny !

Was I there ?

Chemical, Biological.
....uhh ?

More stories !

That's wasn't me !

What's IN here ?

Oh ! Oranges !

Take more,
says Herb !

We had a super nice meeting at the Old Pueblo Grill today and there were significantly
more there than the five that attended last October. Anyway, I think there were several
nice pictures...if Jerry Young could only keep his eyes open !! I guess it would help if
Jack Cole could keep his doggonned fingers out of the picture and I think that Fitz had
his noggin in one too!!!

Thanks to Dale Harper for setting it up. I heard a rumor that the meeting place may change
and may involve the Elks ... you know, hold your thumbs to your ears and wiggle your fingers.
We'll see what Dale comes up with.

24 January 2008

Good picture Jack !

Lookin' down !

Not too bad Jim !

Fitz !

The cameraman !

Tim looking pious !

Our leader !

The increasing
group !

Herb is praying !

What did I
tell you ?

Hey Souza !

Closed again !

Dennis looks good !

See that head
in the way, Tim ?

Let's injun wrestle !

Mike made it down !

Answer that
phone John !

A couple more !

See my finger,
see my thumb...

At last !

Photogenic Mike !

Dennis too !

Swapping tales !

Herb, does your
hair hurt ?

Almost got John !

Ah ! A good one !

And a good time
was had by all !

It's been nearly a year since I made a Customs luncheon. There were only five of us
this time. However, we had a pretty good time of it and we were asking about all
of you who didn't make it, especially if you said you WOULD !!!!

As you can see, you missed the good scenery !

13 October 2007
Click the small ones to see the big ones.

Jack !

Photogenic Mike !

White Hair !

No hair !

Me neither !

Group !

A little close !

Pictures from a pretty "good" group at the Old Pueblo Grill

The "good" is relative. They look like old farts to me....

Thanks Dale. I had a good time ! - John

16 December 2006
Click the small ones to see the big ones.

Good one of Mike

Dale...is that AL?

What do you mean,
you take a bad
picture, Jim ?

Look down there !
It's CRODDY !

Here's Herb !
Looking like
himself.

Another good one.

The brick layer

Dang John !
Your eyes are
closed !

Tim, send me
your e-mail address.

Not much out of
Dave today.

The big Kahuna, all
the way from
Hawaii !!

I told you, Dave.
You're photogenic.

Don't push that
button !!!!.

Jack, is that a
RED shirt?.

OK, I'll smile !

Jerry the Young
one.

Talking a bit more.

That was funny!

I'll have what
they're having !.

At least he's
smiling. Did you
know he and Shirley
have been married
50 YEARS ?

Good to see you
again, Tim..
Oh, by the way...
Close your mouth ;-)

John Underwood
& wife Karen
John says he
wishes he had
been there.

Sorry I couldn't make the luncheon on 7 October 2006 - John

Pictures were taken by Tim Millhouse with his new camera.
Click the small ones to see the big ones.

Dave, Dale & Herb

Kunz & Grange

Peter

Joe Beaver

Jerry

I can't believe it's been so long since I attended a luncheon, either that or I'm growing a little senile.
Nah, not me! Anyway, there were nine attending at the Clubhouse at Star Pass and it was a pleasant
meeting. I guess the only one who had changed a little was Jim Grange...he's sporting a beard. Just
a bit if gray in it, that's for sure.

As you all know, Bill Eaton passed away recently and of course, he'll be missed. I have taken
several pictures of Bill at the meetings and in every one he had his eyes closed, except this one.
So, I think Bill was in his element when I took it. I guess I'll remember him from this one.

I'll never forget a trip to Puerto Rico in 86 or 87, and Bill came along with us in the P-3. The base
commander was so impressed with our operation that he opened the Class 6 to all of us. Bill took
advantage as well as the rest of us. You should of heard the bottles clinking around on the flight back.

Yeah, I know. You ain't suppose to do that....too late now!

Pictures from 4 March 2006 - THANKS for the invite, Dale!
Click the small ones to see the big ones.

Hey Ron!.

Tim & Peter chat

What Doug does best!

What Herb does best!

Salt & Pepper

War stories

Ole' Blue Eyes

Our host, Dale !

There I was....

I remember that...

More chatting..

Doug looks good

Formal dinner

Yeah, I was here too.

Fuzzy

Last picture.

Well, what a great group this time!

You can see that there are few new ones taken today, 30 April 2005, and you can see that they
haven't changed much. You can see one who still has dark hair so you know that he must still
be on active duty. There was a surprise visit from Scott Eshelman, who has changed a bit (gray
and glasses) since the last time I saw him. As well, we were honored by the presence of an old
pilot who told the best (well...they were the loudest) war stories .. and that would be Doug Fults.

Hadn't seen Ron Whitaker nor Skip Hjerpe for a long time. Nor, had I seen Dave Kunz in ages.
All in all, it was a good meeting. I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoy taking them and
posting them on this site. Thanks for inviting me Dale Harper !

If you are Customs and would like to receive a note each time this
page changes, drop me an e-mail: jslusser@wd7f.com

Click the small ones to see the big ones...then hit the "back" button

Skip Hjerpe

Jerry & Dale

Dave Kunz - Open
your eyes !

Ron Whitaker

Herb looks down.

And now the
stories begin !

Jim looks like Jim

Skip looks mean !

Hjerpe ain't a
photographer.

Doug Fults

Hey Dave !

Dark haired one.

John Redden

Peter Hermes

Herb looks up.

Scott Eshelman

Tim M.

Order something.

Over there.

I told you, glasses...

Dave, looks the same.

Hey Dale !

Push the button !

Watch that
reflection !

Do you remember ?.

Goodby !

No flash.

Tell me more !

Good stories

Ron is my neighbor.

I'm not napping !

Used car salesman !

Photos Below Taken on 3 March, 2005 Click on the small ones to see the big ones

If I didn't know better, I'd say that this is a bunch of old folks...with the exception of Herb or
Bill. They didn't look much different from the last time, so it's OK.
Keep in mind that I can't make the pictures come out any better than you are. - John Slusser

Young looks young.