VFP-62 Time Capsule History, Burial, Search and Recovery
Page 1
Updated February 2, 2013
VFP-62 Time Capsule Before Burial - contributed by Capt. Mo Hayes
(L)Jim Jelsma of VT group who did the clearing for us; (R) Greg Engler
Cecil Field July 20, 2011 - Photo: Bob Buehn.
INTRODUCTION: In January 1968, VFP-62 was disestablished.
Squadron members decided to collect various memorabilia and bury it in a "Time Capsule" behind the Officer's Recreation Facility at Cecil Field FL.
Time Capsule Burial Ceremony
Captain William B. Ecker's recollection of it is reproduced below.
Excerpt from the book (Published by Osprey Publishing U.K.--2012):
Blue Moon Over Cuba: Aerial Reconnaissance during the Cuban Missile Crisis
by Capt. William B. Ecker, USN (ret.) and Kenneth V. Jack
Light Photographic Squadron 62 was disestabilished in January 1968. All tangible evidence of the existence of the squadron, that is awards, insignia, signs, plaques, and pictures was placed into "coffins." After an evening of "mourning the death" (diestablishment) of the squadron, a trail of approximately one hundred persons escorted the "remains" to the grave site. The funeral began on the stroke of midnight and with each of the mourners carrying a lighted torch (and with some carrying a pretty good load of other spirits as well) the procession wound its way to the "grave." The grave is located in the rear of the ORF (no longer called the Officers Club but the Officers Recreation Facility) at NAS Cecil Field. It was intended to be a time-capsule but as far as I knew, no opening date has been set.---Capt. William B. Ecker USN (ret.)
Personal Memories of the VFP-62 Time Capsule
We invited present and past squadron members including past C.O.s and others
in the photo community from far and wide.
Several guys who served in NavAir regarding reconnaissance and other photo
related matters came down from D.C. I do not remember their names, but they
were influential and widely known photo personnel.
Capt. Mo Hayes (Last VFP-62 CO)
[Webmaster's Note: (2/2/13) I received this lovely note that gives more meaning to this effort.]
"My father was Lt. Commander Durward L. Cecil, who retired in July of 1969. One of the pictures in the first photograph looks like it may be him. My Mother, Peggy Lathem Cecil, says it probably is. My father passed away suddenly in June of 2010 at age 82. He would have loved to have seen this.
Thanks for the continued memories of my Father's 25 years in the U.S. Navy. (he was a Fighter Pilot). Cecil Field was named, of course, after my family (not Dad, but other Cecil relatives and Dad attended the closing of the Base). I remember going there as a child and getting saluted by everyone in the Hangar. Funny.
Thanks and have a wonderful day!
Peggy Sims
Click photo to enlarge
Left Photo L-R: ?,Cdr. Bob Coulthard, Cdr. Mo Hayes
Click photo to enlarge
L-R: Cdr. Bob Coulthard, Cdr. Al Wilhite, Cdr. Mo Hayes
Right Photo L-R: Billy Phillips (F8 pilot--not VFP-62), Cdr. Mo Hayes (VFP-62 CO), Cdr. Coop Schuler (VFP-62 XO)
Click photo to enlarge
L-R: Coop Schuler, (then) Cdr. Mo Hayes and his wife June; JAX Air article Dec. 14, 1967 (enlarge further in browser);
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Updated 3/9/18
Created on ... December 18, 2010
