Photo By Cpl. Jennifer Farr | Lt. Col. James Quinn, left, the new commanding officer of Marine All-Weather Fighter...... read more read more
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By Cpl. Jenn Eagelman
The Jet Stream Staff
Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 celebrated the squadron's 65th anniversary with a squadron reunion, Nov. 19-21, in concert with a change of command ceremony where Lt. Col. John Farnam relinquished command to Lt. Col. James Quinn as the commanding officer of the squadron.
During the reunion, approximately 30 to 40 former members of the squadron came together to reminisce and enjoy some quality Hawks camaraderie, according to Maj. Noah Marquardt, the assistant operations officer for VMFA(AW)-533.
"We actually had members from every decade that 533 has been in service," Marquardt said. "We even had three members from the original squadron, a pilot, a plane captain and one aviation electrician. [Several] former commanding officers were also in attendance for the change of command."
Those participating in the reunion met on Nov. 19 for squadron tours and a dinner that night where Col. William Carr, the squadron's commanding officer from 1980 to 1982 and a well-known bombardier in the 1960s and 1970s, was the guest speaker.
The morning of Nov. 20 brought golf for those participating in the reunion, with prizes given to individuals for longest drive or closest to the pin, according to Marquardt. That evening concluded with a casual dinner at Panini's in downtown Beaufort.
"Everyone talked about how life was when they were in and how things are now," Marquardt said. "It has been a very special opportunity for former members of the squadron to meet with the current members and talk about some of the differences. Some things change and some stay the same."
The morning of the change of command ceremony, Nov. 21, approximately 20 of those who were here for the reunion visited Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island to watch the recruit graduation, according to Marquardt. During a flight formation that morning, Quinn took the lead from Farnam to symbolize the change in command of the squadron.
Approximately 300 people viewed the change of command ceremony. Six previous commanding officers joined incoming and outgoing commanding officers for the ceremony's pass in review, according to Capt. Edward Feinning, the squadron's administrative officer.
"The drill was absolute perfection," said Capt. Michael Orginsky, the operational risk management officer. "All of the other squadron's sergeants major were highly impressed. It was a cold day but between the former Hawks and all of the friends, families and current personnel attached to VMFA(AW) – 533, we had a big turnout for a great ceremony."
| Date Taken: | 11.30.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.30.2008 19:17 |
| Story ID: | 26981 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 387 |
| Downloads: | 87 |
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