From June 13, 2007 issue Iron Angels fly into Indy Iron Angels squadron president Bill Luxon, right, and vice president John Shrout, left, prepared a memorial service at the Marriott Inn East June 11 during the annual meeting of veterans who served with Iron Angel Squadrons on aircraft carriers since World War II. SPOTLIGHT PHOTO BY FRED D. CAVINDER President of veteran's organization makes home on south side By Fred. D. Cavinder Spotlight correspondent Twenty years ago veterans organized a reunion of naval personnel who had served in three wars with the Iron Angel squadrons from 1943-1971. Last week 56 of them gathered at the eastside Marriott, among them Bill Luxon, the president, who used to live at Mooresville, and John Shrout, the vice-president and host, who lives on the south side. Most of the veterans, who assembled with their families, were on support crews on the various aircraft carriers that launched Iron Angel pilots. And most of them were veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars. World War II vets are growing scarcer and so are the Iron Angel pilots from that era. "Of the original pilots, there are only eight left," said Shrout. This information, he said, comes from Charles Houston, who wrote a book, "Flying with the Iron Angels." Many of the original surviving pilots are unable to travel because of age or physical limitations, Shrout said. "Many of us are maintenance people," said Luxon. "There are a couple of guys that were pilots." Luxon, who was re-elected to his 20th term as president during the Indianapolis meeting of the reunion group, now lives in Pittsburgh. He worked several years in maintenance for Lake Central and Allegheny airlines before leaving Indiana for Pennsylvania in 1968. Shrout, a former maintenance man, continues his airplane association with his business, Aviation Consulting Enterprises Worldwide, in which he inspects and certifies aircraft. As hosts of the 20th reunion, Shrout and his wife Marilyn, who is credited with a lot of the planning, had a barbecue for the gathered veterans on June 10 at their home near Madison Avenue and Stop 11. Those at the meeting gave it high marks. There were 360 on the Iron Angel rolls when the reunion group was organized in 1987, Luxon said, and perhaps close to 300 still are members today. But reunions average 50 to 60, he said. The Iron Angel designation came from a dream by pilot and author Houston when an insignia was being sought for the squadron. Houston told his commander he dreamed of flying at 10,000 feet and encountering an angel in armor carrying a machinegun. The name Iron Angel, submitted among others for a vote by members of the squadron, was chosen. The Iron Angels have shoulder patches, jackets, and several other memorabilia objects. Each reunion also produces a memory book. Hilda Page of Nevada, Mo., whose husband William is a veteran, recently assembled a CD containing pictures taken at the last 19 reunions She also produces the group's newsletter three times a year. "We try to give them an update for everyone who missed the meeting," said Luxon. Last year the meeting was in San Diego, where the first carrier, the USS Wasp, sailed into the Pacific. There the first members of the squadron participated in such battles as Saipan, Iwo Jima, Guam, Okinawa and, later in another hemisphere, the second battle of the Philippine Sea. Some of those veterans were remembered at a memorial service June 12 at the Marriott when names of 149 deceased Iron Angels were read aloud. The oldest veteran at the reunion was W.W. Smith, 84, who lives near Denver, Colo. He started out in World War II as a back seat gunner, but later transferred to seaplanes that were used to hunt for submarines. He is only a few months older than Jack Longworthy of Tigard, Ore., who was in maintenance. Jay Ahlstrand, one of the youngest (mid 60s), arrived in Indianapolis in the motor home which now is the permanent residence of him and his wife. He was a parachute packer on aircraft carriers between the Korean and Vietnam wars. Indianapolis was chosen, as are all the reunion sites, by a vote of the attendees. San Antonio has been chosen for the 2008 meeting. Each year the sites alternate between east and west of the Mississippi. Las Vegas has been the site three times, and brought out the largest attendances. The Iron Angel Squadron was retired in June 1946, but reactivated for the Korean War and flew in that area beginning in March 1953. The squadrons continued and took part in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. The squadron officially was ended in January 1971. Although the Iron Angel reunion group has a faithful membership and a healthy treasury, ironically, veterans of the USS Loy were meeting just down the hall the same week with a dwindling membership and discussions about disbanding. "I don't know why this has lasted for 20 years," said Luxon. "I hope it will go on for another 20 years." That's the plan. Besides voting on San Antonio while at the Marriott, the reunion members heard that the choices awaiting a vote for the 2009 meeting will be Pensacola, Myrtle Beach and Jacksonville, all in Florida; and Richmond, Va. The Spotlight Publishing Company 4217 S. Meridian, Indianapolis, IN 46217 Office: 317-788-4554 • Fax: 317-788-4570 E-mail: spotlightads@indyweb.net

From June 20, 2007 issue • 1,000 homes...and counting Southsiders help organization build houses along gulf coast • Flag gala at Garfield Park • Iron Angels fly into Indy By Fred D. Cavinder, Spotlight correspondent • School group gives $100K By Keith A. Brown, Spotlight correspondent • Hoosier Hysteria! Local students pay tribute to famous people from Indiana • Arts & Entertainment Page • Pick of the Flicks (Movie review) By Jenny Heron   • Looking Back Spotlight staff • Another Time - Another Place By Anna-Margaret O'Sullivan • Coz' Corner By Jerry L. Cosby • Reality As I See It By Denise Summers, Spotlight staff • Sports Page