VQ-1 Celebratres Its History
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS100529-07
5/29/2010
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tucker M. Yates, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest
OAK HARBOR, Wash (NNS) -- Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1 held a ceremony to celebrate their heritage at the Officers Club on Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island May 27.
The event commemorated the final flight of PR-21, an EC-121M Super Constellation airborne early warning aircraft, which belonged to VQ-1, when it was shot down in the Sea of Japan April 15, 1969.
Don Robert House, from Ringwood, Ill., who previously served in the Navy, assigned to Patrol Squadron 16, commissioned a project to build a to scale model of the aircraft in an effort to preserve its heritage.
"One of my dreams was that I wanted to do something that would bring the legacy of service, not only of Naval air, but the whole U.S. Navy and what it means to the United States of America," said House.
"It's a tremendous honor for me to be here today as we recognize the sacrifice of the VQ-1 shipmates of PR-21," said Capt. Garner Morgan, commodore of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10.
House described how he made his dream a reality, starting in 1994. From suggesting the model to his nephew, master modeler Robert K. House, from Rio Rancho, N.M., to contacting the company Heller SA in France for a 1:72 scale model of the aircraft, as far as he knows the only one in existence. Upon receipt, Robert House then decorated the model to enhance the detail over the next ten years to produce the nearly exact replica that was presented to the squadron.
"Mr. House on behalf of Fleet Air Reconnaissance 1 and the entire VQ community, past and present, we want to thank you so much for everything you've done to make this possible for us. You've obviously given us something that will be a treasured piece of our legacy for many years," said Cmdr. Cory Howes, VQ-1 commanding officer.
Howes presented House with an appreciation plaque and a lithograph, signed by the majority of VQ-1's officers and aircrew, of the EP-3E Aries II aircraft in recognition of his contribution.
Multiple former members of the patrol and reconnaissance community from that era were in attendance to represent the history of the community according to Morgan, the majority of which were formerly assigned to VQ-1.
"The crew of PR-21 is just like us in every respect; to put it simple, they're our shipmates. Of course, I never had the pleasure to meet Lt. Cmdr. Jim Overstreet and I never had the pleasure to meet Lt. Dennis Gleason, but I feel like I know them just the same and I feel like I know the 29 other souls onboard PR-21," said Morgan in regards to the continued similarities in the fleet air reconnaissance mission and the mindset of the Sailors that fulfill those missions.
Family members of the fallen air crew were present at the event, including Cmdr. Joe Overstreet, the future operations and force protection officer assigned to commander, Carrier Strike Group 7, from Hattiesburg, Miss., son of Lt. Cmdr. James Overstreet, the mission commander and pilot, and Susan Harrison, from Tampa, Fla., daughter of Lt. Dennis Gleason.
"For me it's very special because I really only have the opportunity to speak to my mom about my father, Dennis Gleason; his parents before they died, his family members and so, when I'm here, it gives me the opportunity to see my father and to hear about him through men that worked with him and knew him as a friend. They didn't have to love him because he was a family member, but chose to love him because of who he was," said Harrison.
"I very much appreciate the gesture by Mr. House. It's good to know that this will be a reminder right at the heart of the squadron 40 years later and I imagine my daughter or maybe even my grandchildren still being able to see this [in the future]; it's very satisfying," said Overstreet. "This is very special to us, very much appreciated by all the families."
"My dad was never found and there's no place for me to go and honor him. This is special to me because he may not be listed anywhere on a tomb, but now that I know that his memory is envisioned in this plane, this model, and VQ-1's strong history; that gives me peace," said Harrison.
"We appreciate the Wing and VQ-1 recognizing the significance of this and taking the time out from their very busy schedule to put on this ceremony," said Overstreet.
A moment of silence for the departed was observed and a bell was rung for each of the fallen 30 Sailors and one Marine, nine officers and 22 enlisted, during the event.
"On Monday we celebrate Memorial Day, a day honoring and remembering those who have gone before us to defend our country and our way of life. It's pivotal that we gather here today as members of the maritime patrol community, past and present, to remember the sacrifice of PR-21 more than 40 years ago; but let's not stop there," said Moran. "Let's take this opportunity to reflect on the importance of what we do, renew our conviction to our mission and do the best we can for the legacy that was PR-21."
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