HARPSWELL — Guest speaker Cdr. John F. Stone USN (Ret), a Harpswell resident, signs the complimentary 2013 membership card given to him in appreciation for his sharing his experiences and models with the John Leo Murray Jr. American Legion Post 171, as Adj. Dan Boland, United States Marine Corps, looks on. Partially shown at right is 2nd Vice Rollie Weeman, United States Air Force.

Cdr. Stone began his flying career in November 1943 and retired in 1972 as executive officer of Brunswick Naval Air Station. He led VS-34, a carrier-based squadron flying Grumman S-2 submarine trackers, and made his 500th carrier landing in 1966.

He flew Avengers while an exchange pilot with the royal Canadian Navy aboard the HMCS Magnificent.

He then served aboard the USS Shangri-La CVA-38 and the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA-42.

Upon retirement he started Maine Coast Seaplane Service, flying a Cessna 180 until 1974, when his insulin requirement ended his flying career.

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