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NEW MEETING
TIMES
Beginning in January Membership meetings will be held on
the 2nd Saturday at 2:00 pm at the hangar. Open Board
meetings are to follow the membership meetings or will be
scheduled as circumstances require them for actions. The
new Board members are:
Ramiro ‘SPEEDY’ Gonzales for a 3 year term.
Jim Ridgway for a 2 year term.
Warren Roberts for a 1 year term.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
As we enter the new year, sign up for one of the volunteer
teams or individual assignments. This is going to be a good
year as we move into the final phases of some of the
projects. You can be a vital part of this exciting year.
B DeLay photo
GOOD TIMES
AND GOOD FOOD AT THE CHRISTMAS DINNER IN DECEMBER
Everyone had a great time at the Christmas dinner where
Member of the year and Community Leader award were
announced. Many other members were recognized for their
contributions during the past year. Don’t miss out on next
years dinner.
HISTORIC
TRADER JON’S CLOSES
WWII
Japanese Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tony”
photo by B. DeLay |
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In 2000 Martin ‘Trader Jon’ Weisman passed away thus
ending a long career at owner of the famous watering hole in
Pensacola, Florida. Martin was a paratrooper in WWII and
arrived in Pensacola in 1953 to open the bar that would
become a part of thousands of naval aviators lives.
The last time I was there it was like walking through a
museum because the walls and ceilings were jam packed with
signed photos and memorabilia from members of the Blue
Angels, astronauts, aces, movie stars, politicians all of
whom were testimony to Martin’s place. It also represented
many generations.
Some of the stars included John Wayne, Bob Hope, Elizabeth
Taylor as well as Prince Andrew.
No matter who you talked to of the aviators that had trained
at NAS Pensacola, they had stories of the camraderi at
Trader Jons.
Those were the days when the officers would be there
socializing with the lower ranks after all of the serious
work of the day. They all joined in on the bath tub races
down the center of the main street as the aviator spilled
out of the bar.
However things change and so has our culture about drinking.
I is no longer the accepted behavior. It is now totally
discouraged After a few months of various attempts at saving
the place, a recently retired Helo driver stepped up to
preserve the legend and keep the doors open.
Heckemeyer and his wife purchased the bar and the contents
for $464,000 and then put another $150,000 into it.
Then after only 3 years Mr. Heckemeyer has finally had to
close the doors. It has been a complete financial
failure.
Heckemeyer put everything into saving the bar but in the end
he lost it all and even his wife.
Eventually a law firm stepped in to purchase the 10,000
pieces o memorabilia and are donating I to the Naval
Aviation Museum. The Blue Angels materials are going to the
National Flight Academy which is to be housed in a new
addition to the museum. Trader Jon’s is now just a good
memory for me and many others.
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