Author: Dave Hawkins

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MSgt (retired) John “Jack” Schmidt

Announcing the passing of Master Sgt (retired) John “Jack” Schmidt. Jack retired from the 193rd in 2000, he was a Graphic Artist in the Audio-Visual section. For those that remember going through the lines during our exercises and training Jack was one of the guys who made all the signs, charts and graphs. He helped make the overhead slides we used to track all the numbers and also helped with the layout of the Scope in the old days before computers.

http://obits.pennlive.com/obituaries/pennlive/obituary.aspx?n=john-j-schmidt&pid=184746626

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Lt Col Robert Martin

Sad to post of the passing of Lt Col Robert “Bob” Martin.

Robert E. Martin, 74, died Sunday, December 18, 2016 at home. He was the husband of Carole L. (Moyer) Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Martin were married for 51 years on August 21, 2016.
Born April 18, 1942 in York, he was the son of the late Robert C. and Mable I. (Plymire) Martin.
Bob retired from federal civil service (Department of Defense) after 35 years of service in January 1999. He is also a retired U.S.A.F. Lt. Colonel by virtue of serving more than 36 years in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. At his retirement from the Air National Guard, he was Commander of the 193rd Mission Support Squadron, based in Middletown. Bob is a member of the NMRA (since 1972), PRRT&HS, Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Friends of the East Broad Top, NMRA, and the York County Heritage Trust.
An accomplished modeler, Bob’s freelance HO scale Central Pennsylvania Railroad (with a slight PRR &WM flavor) is known throughout central Pennsylvania, Maryland, northern Virginia, and West Virginia. The CPRR has been on many model railroad layout tours including PRRT&HS national conventions and NMRA division, region and national conventions. He held open operating sessions on the CPRR every month at his home.
Bob was a 1960 graduate of William Penn Senior High School. He was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, James R. and his wife, Tammy Martin of York; a grandson, Derek Martin of York; and two granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Sarah Martin, both of York. He is also survived by his brother, Ronald and his wife, Hope Martin of Zephyrhills, FL.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Etzweiler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 1111 E. Market St., York, with Chaplain Richard E. Denison officiating. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. A visitation will be held Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association , 610 Community Way, Lancaster, PA 17603.
Arrangements by the Etzweiler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, York. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/york/obituary.aspx?n=robert-martin&pid=183164548
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Connie Aungst Obituary

Col (retired) Constance L. Aungst “Connie” was a flight nurse with the 140th Air Transport Squadron starting in 1965. She was the Chief Flight Nurse during 1968 when the 140th Aero Medical Airlift Group was mobilized to speed seriously sick or wounded service personnel to hospitals around the world during the Vietnam War. Her group flew 510 missions, and airlifted 11,947 patients in seven months. Connie accumulated 4,204 hours of flight time in 16 types of military aircraft. She was one our heroines and was elected to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard Hall of Fame in 2009.
Rest in peace Col Aungst!

Obituary for Connie Aungst

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CMSgt Ralph East, retired

Ralph E. East, 87, of Wernersville, passed away January 29, 2016 in The Reading Hospital. He was the husband of Nancy L. (Moyer) East. Born in West Reading, he was the son of the late Clarence W. and Dorothy G. (Schaeffer) East.Mr. East was a U.S. Air Force veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict. He is the last remaining of the 148th fighter squadron, with the longest continuous service.

Upon retiring in 1988 from his 41-year military career with the U.S. Air Force, he earned the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.

He was a member of Alsace Lutheran Church.

Ralph was an avid traveler, having traveled extensively around the world.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Nancy, is son, Mark S. East, husband of Rebecca, Shillington; three granddaughters: Stephanie B., Erin L. and Kirsten N. East. Other survivors include siblings: Gene A. East, Reading; Roy G. East, Maysville, KY; Ruth A. East, Valrico, FL; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mr. East’s memory to Alsace Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 2201 Kutztown Road, Reading, PA 19605.

Services will be held in Alsace Lutheran Church, 2201 Kutztown Road, Reading, Thursday, February 4, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Richard A. Nelson officiating.

Burial will follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park with military honors. The family will receive relatives and friends 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Bean Funeral Homes, Sinking Spring is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com.

– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/readingeagle/obituary.aspx?n=ralph-east&pid=177551447&fhid=23071#sthash.5c5FahSi.dpuf

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193rd Items for sale

If you are looking for a t-shirt, polo shirt, sweatshirt or hat with the emblem of the 193rd SOW on it look to our friends at Gray Water Ops in New Cumberland. They have an online store with items for sale. Gray Water Ops.

If you are looking for a coin the Current Ops section on base has a selection available. They are also available on line at KnD Coins and More in Middletown. Their site will have photos of our airplanes for sale in the near future.

A share of the proceeds from the sales of these items will benefit the 193rd SOW Association. Support your Association with a purchase from these 193rd veteran owned and operated businesses.