080914 - Taps- CarsonBruce                                   note: Check "Taps" for Bruce's OBIT... click here

from:   William H. Ernst <bill.ernst1@cox.net>
Date:    Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 7:39 PM
subject:   Last Fligt of Bruce Carson
Fellow Board Members,
It is with heavy heart that I am reporting the loss of another of our Association. Retired  Lt. Col Bruce Carson 2541 Blount Dr, Humpass, VA, 23024 (just across Lade Ana from Larry and Susan Mitchell.). He was first assigned to the 24th SRS as a 2nd Lieutenant, spent a number of years as a crew EW at Eielson and in the 343rd before being assigned to the Det 2 at Greenville. My memory is not too clear on all of his assignments but he was deeply involved with the RC-135 programs for most of his career. For the past many years he has been in the Air Staff managing the monies for the many Big Safari programs including keeping the RC-135 programs funded so they could continue to lead the way in ISR technical capabilities. After he retired he continued many of his same active duty responsibilities and was a respected manager throughout the community. Maj. Gen. Paul Dettmen spoke very highly of him last night at the Big Safari Reunion Banquet in Denver..
Bruce had a massive heart attack yesterday afternoon while mowing his lawn. I’m not sure of his age but best guess is around 57. He was a close personal friend and compatriot and what a sense of humor. He will be sorely missed by all of us who new him. I know nothing of the arrangements, but with Mike Meermans and Larry Mitchell helping his wife Joann, I’m sure we will know soon.
Larry, I know all of the above is not accurate. Please send Max any ny corrections and updates,
Thanks and VO
Bill
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from:     Larry Mitchell <larrymitchell@hughes.net>
date:      Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 9:22 PM
subject:   RE: Last Fligt of Bruce Carson
To all:
Do not have final agenda yet, but Bruce will be cremated and his ashes scattered in Lake Anna…date TBD. The service will be private for the family only…TBD.
Address for JoAnn is 2841 Blount Drive, Bumpass, VA 23024. Their son and daughter are with her now and she is doing as well as can be expected.
Will update as information becomes available.
Larry
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from: William H. Ernst <bill.ernst1@cox.net>
date:  Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 7:40 PM
subject:   FW: Notice for Bruce M. Carson
While all the information is not entirely correct, he was one of us. His entire career was dedicated the participation and support of the RC-135 missions. He was a wonderful friend with a great sense of humor and a true patriot. We will miss him!
Bill
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from:       Larry Mitchell <larrymitchell@hughes.net>
date:      Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 9:42 PM
subject:      RE: Last Fligt of Bruce Carson
All
Just to let you know, I have copied an email that Mike Meermans put together with the latest information regarding plans for Bruce:
         Friends, we are coming to some clarity on arrangements for saying goodbye to our friend Bruce Carson.
        First, I need to reiterate that, per his wishes, there will be a private funeral only with his immediate family. That will be held in the next few days.
         Second, the family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made, in Bruce's name, to the American Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces. You can call in donations at 1 800 RED CROSS, or mail them to The American Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces, P.O. Box 91820, Washington, DC 20090. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org
          Third we are going to have an informal "Carson Farewell" gathering from 3 - 6pm on Saturday the 27th of September at Sine Restaurant in Pentagon Row, Arlington, VA (right across the highway from the Pentagon). I realize that this is the day of the Freedom Through Vigilance Association dinner, but this date was chosen because Bruce's family, including his mother will be able to get to Virginia then, and they wanted to meet his friends and colleagues. JoAnn and Bruce's kids, Jimmie and Kelly, will obviously be there, and are looking forward to meeting those who worked with Bruce throughout his professional career. You all know Bruce, you know what his jobs were, and you know what he did for our country. The same is not necessarily true for his family, as he never talked about his jobs with them and, for a great part, they are in the dark as to what he did for America (how many people, for example, ever heard him talk about being onboard #61-2664 when it crashed in Shemya?). This gathering will allow us to change some of that by telling his family about him from our up close observations. This is going to be a light-hearted event, and irreverence will be the name of the game. Colorful language when quoting him directly is OK.
        What we plan, is to have some time to talk informally with the family, then we are going to have a "retirement ceremony." Many may know that, when Bruce retired, he refused to have such a ceremony (go figure). Well, we aren't going to let him get away with that, so General Mitchell is going to formally-informally retire him. Thereafter we are going to ask you ladies and gents (those that would like) to offer a short story or two about Bruce. The idea is to tell his family a little about his professional life, and, moreover, what he meant to all of us. Again, we are going to keep this light, as we want to share the good times of the past with his family. All you EWOs out there better beware!
          OK, that said, I need a couple of things. First, Buck and I need to know roughly how many people we can expect. I know many of you are much smarter than I by having gotten out of the DC area and would have to fly in. I also know the imposition that we are asking of you. But, this is a real loss for all of us, and we would really appreciate your participation in this farewell. I would ask that you let me know if you can join us and his family on the 27th. Please send me an email with yes/no to either this email address or to mmeermans0516@comcast.net
           Second, I would like to know, assuming you are going to join us, if you would like to having a speaking role to tell a lie or two about Bruce.
           Third, like the first emailing, I would ask that you share this information with those that you believe I should have info'd on this emailing, but did not (for whatever good/bad reason).
           That is really all we need at this point. Kelly Carson, Buck and I will do the manual labor for this INFORMAL gathering. So you can blame us for everything that goes wrong. But, if we can show the family what he meant to all of us, it won't bother me to take any arrows!
          I truly hope you can join us on the 27th!
         All the best,
         Mike    (703) 915 2479

Bruce’s brother wrote his obituary and it was placed in the San Antonio Express-News on the 17 of September. You may also visit Legacy.com and type in Bruce M. Carson if you would like to view it.
       Please feel free to send this information on to anyone that you think may be interested.
  Larry

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note: Check "Taps" for Bruce's OBIT... click here