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.

<click a patch>

29 January 2010

I missed the last meeting for whatever reason. This time we had a pretty good crowd with a couple of new faces showing up from the past, as you will see. Norm didn't see much worse for the wear. I'll bet it's been 20 years if not more since I've seen him. I don't think I had met Gary, but here he is! He told the Chocolate Cookie Joke. You know, the one where the punch line is: "Those cookies are for after the funeral !" Gary, just click on your picture, then right-click and save the file on you hard drive. That goes for all of the pictures.

<Click> Pictures to enlarge

Norm Bradley

Gary Kuecker

17 April 2009 At least we had seven show up for the lunch meeting at the OPG. Tim Millhouse said he was busy having torn up his house replacing tile and painting walls. Don't know what happened to Jim Grange. Dale says he's going to call him. Lunch was good and so was Mike Crew's stories. As described by Mike Crew: Attached is a Mohawk to Mohawk picture I took on the way to Florida one time. Jack Cole & I are in the Hawk taking the picture. Doug Fults & Ron Whitaker are in the other one. I forget which Hawk would spit smoke rings in flight but I think it was that one. As I recall we over nighted in New Orleans where I had my first & last oysters! Everyone else enjoyed them. I remember when the call "Launch the Hawk" meant the Mohawk & not the Blackhawk! The two things I liked about the Mohawk were you did have an option on getting out and there was NO QUESTION who the Good Guys and who the Bad Guys were!
The "Young" profile !!	The sun shining through his glasses might set the wall on fire !	All the way from Kahuna Land ! (Going back soon)	Our sponsor Dale !	Hello Dave !	Been in the sun much ?
Not in focus !	I got your focus !	Here's the group !	Taken by Al !	Catching flies !

6 February 2009 <click pictures to enlarge> Well here we are, back at the Old Pueblo Grill for the Customs Meeting. Only seven showed up, but it might have been because of other commitments. Regardless, we had a nice lunch and the only sad note was the passing of Herb Reay. Some of the folks attended his funeral Wednesday and said there were a couple who said they couldn't make the lunch this time. Hope to see you all next time ! Herb, we miss you ! Do you see that twinkle ? Look out up there !

Herbert Wilson Reay - 78 Herbert Wilson Reay Arizona native and public servant, passed away on January 31, 2009. He is survived by children, Stephen and Kathy Reay, Sharon and David Penrod and Celine and Tony Santa Cruz; grandchildren, Megan and Sean Reay, Shawnee, Steven and Melinda Valdez and Raymond Santa Cruz and great-granddaughter, Cheyanne Reay Valdez. Mr. Reay is also survived by partner, Marylou Burke and her son, Richard Burke, wife, Sally and their family, Angie, Andre, Amy and Scott and their children, Kyle and Jacob. Services will be held for Mr. Reay Wednesday, February 4, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL, 6910 E. Broadway. Graveside services Thursday, February 5, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Memorial Park Cemetery in Douglas with Border Patrol Honors.
Here we are !			Sarah was waiting for us !
Nice Picture !			Nice Room !
Joe Beaver ! For 28 years, I've heard about him and today I met him !!
Posing nicely !	Fitz was second !	Good to see you !	Jay looks good !	There's Dale !	I been flying !
The only active duty guy to show up !	Hey, Jack !	Thanks for taking it, Dale !	After !	They can't be pilots, they ain't using their hands !

17 October 2008 <click pictures to enlarge> Where'd everybody go? After all, it was a very nice day but only seven showed up. We had a good time of it and the burgers weren't bad either. Of course Herb had the fish. He said he wasn't sure about it, however. Had a new face today, as you will see below. A couple pictures are fuzzy. Jim McCawley
Yes ! I'm having the fish !	In my natural environment !	Jerry looks surprised !	Here's Dale !	Dennis made it	Jim & Jerry !
Tina !	Well, maybe I DO know you !	Fish is good for you !	The group !!	Stay with us, Dennis !	I was there !

11 April 2008 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 ! <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 !

7 March 2008 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 !
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 !

24 January 2008 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.
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 !

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

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.	Mr. Holman	Mike IS young!	Tim Millhouse	Bill & Dale	The Organizer
Yes, it's gone Jack!	Rich Lindback	My man, James!	Herb was here.	Dave is photogenic!	Guy with Camera.
Open eyes, Bill!	The bunch.	No flash.	Flash from mirror.	Got the back.

Photos by: John Slusser Taken on 21 January, 2005.
Mike Crew	I'm happy to be here!	Dale Harper Master at Arms	Jack Cole	Herb Reay	Jim Grange
Bill Eaton	Jerry Young	John Slusser The HAC Rep	Tim Millhouse	Not as serious	What are you having?
Jack looking!	Not him again!	Tim & Fitz!	Nap time?	A good group!	Yes, Bill is still alive!
Jim & John

Larry	Jay	Jack	Jim
Dave	Jerry	Tim	Dale
John S.			Paul
Dennis			John R.
			Norm

Jim Mc	Jay	Jack	Jim G
Jack - not so mean!	Jerry	Tim	Dale
John	Toward Jim		Scott
Pete	Toward Jim		Henry
Other direction	Picture taker

Fitz	Tim	John	Jim
Dale	Jim	Mike	Me
Look up, Pete!	That's better.	Jim was first to leave.
Found the shady spot, right John?		Looks like a cop magnet to me.

13 October 2007 Click the small ones to see the big ones.
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 !
Jack !	Photogenic Mike !	White Hair !	No hair !	Me neither !	Group !
A little close !

Photos taken on 21 October 2004
Herb, smile!	That's better!	Fitz & Dale	Tim	Jerry	Jim
Larry Bingham	Fitz again	Harper	And again!	Story time	Jim & Tim
John & Larry	Lets have another cup.	Tell me more.	There I was...	Cup never empty.

24 January 2014
Well hell, that pisses me off. I just downloaded the pictures and I missed Norm. He hasn't changed a bit, so, I used an old one! I can't believe it's been 16 months since I attended a Dale Harper US Customs Air Ops lunch. There were 11 of us good lookin' old guys there today and we had a good time! You shoulda' been there.

Dave	Gary	Dale	Jack
Jerry	Jim	Peter	Been a while
Tim	Mike	John	Gathering
Lots of Visiting	Playing with MY iPhone	Talk	Hughes Guy
Scott & Gary	More Talk	Yet More Talk	Are They "Old-Timers"?
Unsuccessful Picture Sorry Gary, I could have deleted it. ;-)	Oh yes, this one is much better, no?

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

28 September 2012