BOMBS AWAY!

 "The Official Newsletter of the W.H.S. Bombers & Friends"

2008

The Official Newsletter of the W.H.S. Bombers

2007 HOMECOMING/PICNIC – RE CAP
It was Friday night post game at Hackey' s. Huge crowd and great fun. Definitely short on space and bartenders. However, the Saturday picnic was great as usual with a hot mid summer type day framing our fundraising picnic. Most importantly we generated the revenue to offer our fifth and upcoming sixth “Bomber Scholarship” to needed W.H.S. students.  Give yourself a hand people….it’s a great party for a great cause.

2008 BOMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT – AUGUST 1^st  CHEVY CHASE
It’s a date! This year’s golf outing promises to be bigger and better than last year. Can’t come? Sponsor a hole or send in a door prize. The slots are filling up so please review the attached entry form.  Organize your foursome and sign up today!

2008 HOMECOMING/BOMBER BLAST PICNIC
“THE BOMBER GAMES”
Testing our medal after forty years. People, what a show we have for you! Friday night October 10^th is an all class reunion party at Chevy Chase. We have a large room with lots of bartenders working. Friends from all W.H.S. classes are encouraged to attend.  We will also have a pre-sign up for the first “Bombers Games” taking place on Saturday October 11^th. The post game party on Friday night will have a small donation. 

THE BOMBER GAMES
“Testing The Medal After Forty Years”
In honor of the Beijing Olympics this summer, the Bombers have elected to fashion our Bomber Blast Picnic in the Bomber Games. It’s still a great party in the woods taking place on Saturday October 11, noon till dark at Dam #1 in Wheeling. Same great fun,  same great people, with this year’s picnic theme being in a track meet format.

Events

1. Golf – Six tries – The closest ball to the pin, win. (men and women event)

2.  Corn hole – Bean Bags (filled with corn) Thrown into the hole on a scoring board. High score wins.

3. Coed 4 person relay – Two guys, two gals…all the same class, moving a baton around our impromptu track.

4.  Death race – We haven’t figured this one out yet, but death race has a nice ring to it!

Come to the picnic and bring your family. When you sign up for events your W.H.S. class year goes up on the toke board. At the end of the day we award the Medals to the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd in each event.  The class scoring the best overall wins the Bomber Games. As with all our picnics, inexpensive food and beverage will be available. Additionally, our fundraising raffle will be bigger and better than ever. Hopefully you’ll plan your day with us. Compete with your class and help us send more W.H.S. kids to college.

Keep up to date on www.whsbombers.com. for all Bomber news quips and gossip.

Sue Krueger reports seeing Jim Frushour alive and well having lunch at her place of employment.

As of 2008 the Bomber Scholarship has been raised to $3500 annually.

Jerry Westhouse broke his other ankle ice racing on a motorcycle – Grow up will ya!

This year is W.H.S. class of 68’s 40^th reunion. They are heavily favored to crush all other classes at the “Bombers Games” competition.

Professor Stewart Oakley (WHS 69) has recently married two women at the same time. They are twins.

2007

-     BOMBS AWAY - August 2007  "The Official Newsletter of the W.H.S. Bombers & Friends"

2007 Winner
Congratulations to Lewis Wrengel, our Fifth Bomber Scholarship Recipient. With some new inside help (thanks to Doug Glaser '66). This year's scholarship award went smoothly and efficiently. The bomber scholarship was even mentioned at this year's award assembly. Thanks to all who helped and best of luck to our Fifth candidate.

Golf Outing
This  year's First Annual Bomber Golf Tournament was a great success . It was at Chevy Chase on Friday, July 13, 2007. The field was loaded (no pun intended) with old friends, teachers and coaches and of course, alumni. The post tournament party was a barn burner and everyone had fun visiting with associates of long ago.  Mark your calendar for next year, even if you don't golf, come for the party. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this event a great one!

Hackney's Friday Night/Bomber Blast, October 5, 2007
We have secured the basement of Hackney's in Wheeling for the post Homecoming Mixer. If we can just get a couple more bartenders, this should be a HOOT! It's a great launch for our picnic. Come spend some time with old friends.

Saturday, October 6, 2007 - Noon Till Dark
Our Sixth Annual "Bomber Blast" picnic is on Saturday, October 6, 2007. Due to Pavilion construction, this year's blast will be across the Dundee Rd from Dam #1 at the Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve location. We will have good signs off Milwaukee Avenue to assist you. Please mark your calendar and do your best to attend this year's picnic in the woods! Bomber Blast #6 will be awesome.

President's Message
Communication has been off a bit this year, due primarily to my retirement. That's it gang I'm gone! No more staff, No more traveling, No more lawyers. Without staff who gets this letter out? Thanks to Monica Sramek (Hersey '70) (again) for bailing me out. Those of you that know me know that I have the motorcycle disease. On June 15th of this year I moved to Sturgis, South Dakota and fulfilled a lifetime dream of opening a vintage motorcycle shop. Friend and classmate Ric Sisi ('69) helped me create an identity and a logo giving birth to "Gypsie Vintage Cycle" of Sturgis, South Dakota. I also have a couple other irons in the fire but point being we all are reaching that wonderful age when the kids leave you alone, no one wants your advice and getting into the movies is discounted...we're Senior Citizens! Funny, I don't feel old. Doesn't matter. In October a whole bunch of good looking 50+ year old guys and babes will be hanging out in the woods drinking beer, telling lies and enjoying the company of old friends.

Coe D. Meyer

President

On Wednesday, October 3 we will have an Operational Meeting at The Sports Page Restaurant & Bar, 1330 E. Rand Rd., Arlington Heights, 60004-4018 (847-392-5332) at 6:00 pm. We will encourage anyone to attend to help plan our picnic.

The 6th Annual Bombers Blast will be Saturday, October 6th
at a brand new location: Dam #2 Grove #1 
(click link for larger map)
from noon until dusk.

2006

Here is a picture of this year's scholarship winner
 

 BOMBS AWAY - Fall 2006

"The Official Newsletter of the W.H.S. Bombers & Friends"

September 2006

YOU'RE CRAZY

If you don't make it to Chevy Chase on Friday night October 13th (Homecoming)! It's the All Alumni post-game party featuring the Fairlanes. Everyone is welcome. No host bar, food, prizes and lots of fun.

YOU'RE NUTS

If you miss the fifth annual "Bomber Blast" picnic on Saturday October 14th at Dam #1 in Wheeling (just off Dundee.) It's an all day gathering with people you probably never wanted to see again! Beer, food, prizes, games and the award of our 2006 scholarship to a very worthy WHS graduate. Bring the family for a fun afternoon in the woods.

YOU'RE NOT WORTH A DAM

If you don't sit down tonight and call 10 old friends whose info only you may have. This weekend is for all classes and all alumni. Why not help us pull off the best party ever. We have discount hotel rooms for the out of towners. Please invest a few minutes of your time I assure you this weekend will pay dividends for years to come. An operations/pre-event meeting will take place at the Chevy Chase Bar on Wednesday October 11th from 7-9 pm. Anyone wishing to help (or simply get a jump on the partying) is more than welcome. Hors d'oeuvres will be served compliments of our most gracious host. Hope you can join us. If we can help you in any way or if you need any specifics you can call:

Coe D. Meyer: 877-469-6693
Monica Traversone: 847-323-2132

- BOMBS AWAY -   June 2006

"The Official Newsletter of the W.H.S. Bombers & Friends"

The Holy Grail, The Rosetta Stone, The Dead Sea Scrolls, The Shroud of Turin and Now...

Ed Pecora's Guitar! 

There is much conjecture and many versions of who the Bombers are and how they came to be.  Factually I think the Bombers were loosely formed and mildly disruptive as early as 1965.  This recently discovered artifact gives direct insight into a rainy afternoon when half the boys in study hall cut class and went to Ed Pecora's house.  Demonstrating blatant disregard for Ed's personal property, we meticulously carved up Ed's guitar.  Listed below are the signatures as can best be deciphered.  This artifact was preserved by Ed all these years and recently conveyed to me for storage and display.

Cory Woods Wins 2006 Bomber Scholarship

It is with great pride that I announce our 2006 scholarship winner, Mr. Cory Woods, W.H.S. Class of 2006.  Cory's essay "High School Struggles" together with his commitment to both his school and his family, has netted him our thanks and support as this years winner.  I hope you all turn out to meet Cory at our annual picnic.  This kid is exactly why we created this association and it is with great pride that I make this announcement.  Special thanks to John Haas, Doug Glaser and John Ribando-our scholarship committee.

5^th Annual Bomber Blast Picnic and All Alumni Post Homecoming Party at Chevy Chase
Be There!  "Cruzin With The Bombers" is this year's theme.

It all starts immediately after the homecoming football game on Friday night October 13, 2006.  No more fighting for space at Hackneys!  This year a full-blown post game party will be held at Chevy Chase.  Live music will be provided by the Fairlanes with ample parking, multiple bars and food for the soul!  It's a great kickoff to the Saturday picnic and fills the bill as a natural meeting place for W.H.S. classes unable to field reunions.  PLEASE mark your calendar for Friday's homecoming game & post game party October 13^th and Saturdays fifth annual Bomber Blast picnic on October 14^th at Dam #1 in Wheeling. 

Low Buck Rooms at Marriott

Only for the Bombers!  The Lincolnshire Marriott is very close to both Chevy Chase and Dam #1.  They are offering greatly discounted rooms in conjunction with our event but you must book by September 21, 2006.  They can be reached at 800-321-2211.  Best of all they're offering shuttle service to Chevy Chase on homecoming game night.  Let's party with the Fairlanes and rock Wheeling just like days of yesteryear!  Any questions please contact Monica Traversone @ 847-323-2132. 

How About a Hand? - Door Prizes! 

No doubt "Cruzin with the Bombers" will be the biggest and best party in a long while.  Importantly however, we must not loose track of our mission-scholarships for kids who don't usually qualify.  To that end, we ask all of you to help us with any and all door prizes and silent auction items you can muster.  Products, services and one of a kind items are welcome.  If you own a business why not sponsor a gift.  Monica has asked that everyone solicit their friends, family and business associates for items we can turn into scholarship cash-Thanks. 

- Presidents Message -

Not that long ago the simple idea to track down all the Bombers was hatched.  In the wink of an eye we have bonded, grown and flourished. We are organized and thanks to John Haas will soon be a registered non-profit corporation in the state of Illinois.  There are kids out there right now who went to college because of us-because of you.  Most importantly we have pulled off four great picnics providing an exceptional forum for classmates to re kindle and old friends to catch up.  Now on the eve of our fifth annual event we have taken the negative post homecoming Hackneys experience (Friday night) and turned it into an all alumni blow out!  What a country!  There's no magic here however...just hard work.  I am proud to be the friend of all you "worker bees" who make this event happen.  Monica, Jay, John, Jerry, Patty, Glen, Gary, Ed, Rick, Tony, Karen, Linda, Lenny, Jim, Doug, Kathy, Sue, and a whole bunch more get the credit for our success to date.  Anyone waiting for a thank you card however should reconsider.  The Bombers are just getting going and there's lots more work on the horizon.  The first and foremost rule in fundraising is personal satisfaction because in most cases your personal satisfaction is your only pay off.  Walk tall my brothers and sisters...you have much to be proud of!

P.S. Please forward this newsletter to all your W.H.S. Friends!

A note to all of our old classmates, friends, and the Bomber's. As many of you have told us there are no words that can ease the pain of our horrible loss. We want you to know that there are no words to describe what we are feel about the support and concern you have given to us.

From Alaska to California, from Florida to New York, and all points in between we've received expressions of your sympathy and a sincere and a sincere desire to ease our pain. Some came to our door personally, which had to be very difficult for them. Some traveled more than four hours to attend Christine's service. Some of you we've known since grade school. Most of you we've only had the opportunity to share time briefly with in over thirty-five years.

Our life and our view of life have changed so much in only a few hours. It would be easy to be bitter and angry about this terrible tragedy that we have fallen victim to, but you have reminded us that although tragedy and heartbreak grab the headlines and our collective attention, they are a very small part of life. You have helped remind us of all the love, the compassion, the sharing, and the charity that the world is really made of.

To say thanks you would be an insult to the warmth and the appreciation that we feel for all you've done. Please know that you've made a big difference.

God Bless You All,
Patty and Glen Follett
Trisha and John Lauer

11/17/2005- Once again THANKS so much to everyone who came to the Bomber Blast and who donated to our cause. This was our fourth year and our third Scholarship given to a Wheeling student. THANK YOU for your continued support for our cause, to bring a scholarship to a Wheeling student. We plan to be around for a long time helping students, and we look forward to your help and donations in the future. As always look for information right here.  The Bombers Blast is open to all classes to come and enjoy, see you in the fall of 2006 at Homecoming Weekend. We look for donations all year long.  To mail in a donation.

DOS FERNANDOS!

It's official-the 2004 Bomber Scholarship has been awarded to Fernando Porras of the WHS Class of '04. As usual our scholarship committee did a great job bringing this about. Thanks to Frushour, Haas, and Ribando for their efforts. This year we plan to have the REAL Fernando at the picnic!


PICNIC IN FULL SWING

On Friday, July 16, 2004, a planning session was held at Bomber Pizza in Arlington Heights. Jobst is doing a fine job on this 2004 edition of the "Bomber Blast". The key to our success at this fundraiser is the help and participation of absolutely everyone! The committee has assigned the following personnel to the positions outlined on page two. This picnic is on Saturday, October 9th from noon until dark at Dam #2. Jay has scored the large pavilion insuring a party, rain or shine. Please mark your calendar, call a friend and make the scene.


MEMBERSHIP WOES-GROWING PAINS

Westhouse bitched us all out (and rightfully so) for not completing the membership questionnaire passed out at our last meeting. The membership committee is wrestling with the criteria and formatting of the Bomber's organization. "Keep It Simple Stupid" is the rule but genuine concerns and questions have been raised on a variety of membership issues. Everyone in attendance at the July 16th meeting submitted questionnaires. Using this collaborative input we hope to convene a meeting this fall to discuss a variety of criteria and develop simple policy that suits our long-term goals. If you have any ideas on membership criteria, please forward them to Jerry Westhouse.


OFFICIAL BOMBERS LOGO

The cover of this rag is embellished with the new and improved version of the Bomber logo. Thanks to Class of '69 stud, Glen Roth, for submitting this great rendition. A vote was taken at the July 16th meeting and all agreed that this would ultimately be our calling card. Glen will receive a free unlimited beer wristband at this year's picnic for his effort.


FINANCIAL REPORT

John Haas presented us with a detailed financial overview of our scholarship account. Thanks to you all and the blow out of 2003, we are in very good shape. Future events may not return, as did our 2003 event so a cautious and conservative approach was agreed upon. Currently we have funding for approximately 62 kegs of beer. You figure it out!


PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

It's July 21st and yet fall is in the air! You could hear the leaves crunch under your feet and watch people's breath as we discussed this year's "Bomber Blast". October in Illinois can go either way, as we all well know. In looking around the table it occurs to me that the fall of our lives is coming upon most of us as well. Talk of grown kids, grand kids, retirement, travel, and health has replaced sex, liquor, fighting, football, and fuck up's as casual conversation. HELP! It's too soon for that sort of thing. I also noticed we drink far less beer (although you couldn't tell at last year's picnic). I look ahead to both falls with baited enthusiasm. Our picnic is starting to rock ‘n' roll with this year's version being a true test or our metal. On the personal front, I've accepted adulthood (reluctantly) and find that life seems a bit less complex, less mysterious, and less stressful at this point. I hope that each of you share my enthusiasm and that you won't let one day of fall slip by without savoring the moment. See you at the Blast!
TENTATIVE PICNIC ASSIGNMENTS

2003

04/13/2003-Bigger & Better Bomber Blast 2003 

The Bigger & Better Bomber Blast of 2003 will top last year's picnic by 4 fold. All classes are invited, even people with ‘no class' can come. The weather well be perfect, food and drink on sale to benefit "The Bombers Scholarship Fund". Location is Dam #1, I know you remember where that's at but just in case it's off Dundee Rd. just east of Milwaukee Av. go south and follow the signs.  The fun starts at 12:00 on August 10, 2003 until dusk or we get kicked out. Games, raffles, fun, food, drink and see your old friends and making new ones. The Bombers are always looking for donations to be raffled off that day.

2002

10/15/2002-

Dear Friends of the "Bombers",
On Behalf of the the "Bombers" we would like to thank everyone who came to the "Bomber Picnic".  Please make plans for Bombers Picnic 2003 on August 10 fun.  I would also like to thank everyone who came out that day and made it a great event and for their generous donations made at the picnic for the "WHS Bomber Scholarship Fund" which was around $500 for the day.  Special thanks goes out to the "Illinois Chapter of the Bombers", Linda Campbell '70, Gary Hedberg '69, Sue Hess Krueger '68 & Gary Krueger '67.  Stay in touch at www.whs69.com. Information on the sales of T-Shirts and CD's will follow shortly.

                                                 On behalf of all the Bombers