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Maj. Vernon Hoehn

My grandfather is dying from Parkinson’s Disease this week. It has taken hold of him and prevents him from swallowing at this point. This is his life according to the military:

Army Air Corps (US Air Force Reserves)

9.14.1942 – After passing examinations at Chanute Field, Illinois he was accepted as Army Air Corps Reservist

2.24.1942 – Called to active service and pilot training – European Theatre of War

3.1945 – Left New York City

3.13.1945 – Shipwrecked in the Atlantic Ocean on the way to the Azores

5.5.1945 – Deopham Green AFB, England and 431st Bomb Group

6.25.1945 – Left Deopham Green and weathered in Glasgow, Scotland

1.27.1945 – Left Scotland

10.23.1945 – Inactive Status

1950 – Active Reserves at Atterberry AFB, Indiana. (renamed Bakalar AFB) – Member of the 71st Sq. 434 T.C. Group

10.28.1962 – Active Duty Cuban Missil Crisis

11.28.1962 – Relieved of Active Duty

9.1964 – Applied for 20 year retirement status. Erroneously told he was 23 days short.

2.1966 0 Signed up for 3 years Active Reserve to help pay for college

5.13.1968 – Active Duty Rickenbacker AFB in Columbus, OH

12.12.1968 – Left for Viet Nam via San Francisco, Tacoma, Anchorage, Attu Island, Guam

1.20.1969 – NTrang, Viet Nam

6.8.1969 – Relieved of Active Duty

5.1970 – Inactive Status

6.13.1981 – Retirement from Air Force Reserves at age 60

His life according to me:

Took his grand daughter up in his plane at age 7 and let her fly it as co-pilot. Many more flying lessons would be had in the next years.

Never let me win a foot race. But he made me faster.

Always was there with a camera and video when his grand daughter was skating. Recorded every skating competition he attended.

Put in a swimming pool when I said I wished we had one.

Fixed my cars on several occasions when they broke down due to my driving like a maniac. He never complained and showed me how to change an alternator.

Always wanted to see me and always had a smile and positive attitude.

Loved my grandmother.

There are many more things… it’s just reflection. He was a great man. Served his country for almost his entire life. Served his family even more. I will always look back and smile. I wish I could tell him these things, but I know he knows. He just can’t hear now.

Goodbye Granddad. You were so good to everyone in your life.

granddad

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Saints Win!

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iPhone snap of Holga back

• 1. Holga w/Polaroid Back. I don’t leave home without it!
• 2. And that means – 10 packs of Type 85 Pos/Neg
• 3. Sodium Sulfite (hmm… airport security… wonders to myself)
• 4. Polaroid Bucket
• 5. 2 Nikon FM
• 6. Nikkor 50mm
• 7. Nikkor 105
• 8. Red Filter, Orange Filter, Yellow Filter
• 9. 20 BW Kodak Tri-X 35mm 400 Speed
• 10. Rollei
• 11. 20 BW Ilford Delta 120 400 Speed
• 12. 20 BW Kodak Tri-X 120 400 Speed
• 13. The last stash of Kodak Portra
• 14. My last roll of Kodak Color Infrared
• 15. Film Cooler for Infrared Film
• 16. Diana Camera
• 17. Pano Holga Camera
• 18. 4×4 silver/white reflector
• 19. Polaroid film protectors

I’m debating on taking my Speed Graphic 4×5. I know I’ll want it at some point but the terrain is going to be rugged and traveling light seems like that will give me the most freedom. Not only would I have to tote the 4×5 around but boxes of Type 55 too. So it’s not sounding too adventurous at the moment. Thinking about renting something while I’m there for a day so …

• 20. i545 Polaroid Back
• 21. 1 box of Polaroid Type 55

Yeah – I kind of have to shoot 4×5 – at least one day. Even though it will be insanely cumbersome, it will probably be worth it.

• 22. Video Camera

I have a few days yet, trying to think of more crap I can fit into a carryon seems exhausting. If only I just needed clothing.

For those wondering what the prize is going to be… I’ve decided to give whoever guesses where I am 2 movies I made to music of my photography mailed to you.

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