Subject: The SeaWolf Bell

The following remarks are being made to amplify the history of the SeaWolf bell and it future as it pertains to it location and use by the Association.

First of all the bell was originally presented to Cdr. J.W. Price, who was OIC of Det 6, by his detachment. From there it got back to the USA and somehow ended up at Navy Recruiting Area One where is was spotted by Cdr. Thomas Hayes, a lawyer, who researched its history and contacted Captain Borgstrom once he identified it as a bell gift given to a Seawolf det O-in-C.

He and Captain Borgstrom presented it to the Association at the D.C. reunion and it was rung during our memorial ceremony at the Vietnam Wall. It was then handed off to Capt Jaburg for safe keeping.

Captain Jaburg arranged for HT-8 to keep and display the bell for the visibility their displaying it would garner among fledgling Navy helo pilots. That way it served a good purpose rather than collecting dust in somebody's garage or attic between biennial reunions or so.

The X.O. of HT-8 confirmed about 30 days ago the whereabouts of the bell and inquired into its history. They maintain the condition of the bell and keep it in a place of honor along with other SEAWOLF memorabilia in the pilots ready room...It is available to us for any ceremony or reunion that we have as long as our association should last.

Every pilot that flew for the SEAWOLF'S was trained at HT-8, and with the Navy having 53% of their inventory of aircraft being helo's the missions that we flew in Vietnam were to genesis of what the Navy's helo mission is today and into the future. Nothing can replace a helo and its crew for the vast majority of helicopter missions required by today's Navy. They are just too deilcate for drones.

Each pilot trained at the squadron has the potential to reach flag rank and carry the story of our history with them to the fleet as he advances within the ranks of Naval Officers.

Our history and contribution to Naval Aviation is just now being recognized and what better place to safe-keep the bell than at the cradle of Naval helicopter aviation.

So there stands my explanation and I have the paper work in my possession to prove the history and the tale of the bell. Questions please call me and smooth sailing and calm seas.