If any of you have ever posted a question about the F-4 Phantom, chances are that you got a reply from Berny (aka berny13). Berny has always been willing to answer any questions about the Phantom II and I am sure over the years he has probably answered the same ones many times over. Berny served in the United States Air Force for 26 years working on the F-4.
I don’t know how many of you are aware, but Berny was just recently diagnosed with cancer and was told he doesn’t have much time left. So a group of us are going to meet Berny at the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton Ohio. The date will be July 8-11. As soon as Berny knows he is well enough to come we will post more details of where and at what time to meet each day.
If you would like to join us, please reply to this post. I know Berny would love to see as many of you that can make it. And what a treat to hear Berny tell us all about his career with the F-4 Phantom in person!
That is so sad. I knew Berny had it before and from all I heard is that he beat it. He’s always been a top shelf member of this forum since the beginning. Sadly I will be unable to attend.
I will pray for him and his family. He will forever be an inspiration and courage.
Yes, from what I understand he had a lump on his neck that the doctor checked a year ago and said it was benign. He went in a few weeks ago and they checked it again and it was “hot”.
Thank you for your words, I am sure Berny appreciates them very much! I will take pictures when we meet and will post them back here for those who cannot attend. I am looking forward to this trip very much!
Berny is recovering from an infection so we have to play it by ear. He is hoping to be recovered enough to fly to Dayton Ohio on July 8th and I will be picking him up from the airport. He has not made any reservations yet, so I don’t have any times of when we are going to meet. If he gets in late on Friday, July 8th, we will wait until Saturday, July 9th to meet. He is at this point planning on staying until Monday, July 11th, so if all goes as plan, that will give us two days to tour the museum. As soon as I hear more, I will post it immediately here. Thank you and keep checking back. [:)]
Good news everyone! Berny has confirmed that he is going! He will be flying up to Dayton on July 8th. By the time we travel from the airport, get some lunch, and check into the hotel, it will be too late to visit the museum. So we will plan on meeting in the main building just inside the entrance at 9:00 AM on July 9th. Here is a link to the museum’s website:
Berny will be there both Saturday and Sunday. We will plan on meeting again on Sunday at the same spot and time. If you have never been to the National Museum of the USAF, it is huge. We will probably make our first stop at the F-4C which is in the Southeast Asia War exhibit in the second building. (You get there by going through the first main building.) If you visit the website, you can take a virtual tour to get acquainted with the layout.
This is going to be a great time! If you are planning on meeting us there, please send a message to Rich:
/members/Sparrowhyperion/default.aspx
He is keeping a roster. If you have any questions, please let me know.
