Acknowledgements

 The birth of this web site came from a conversation at the 2002 POPASMOKE Reunion between Wally Beddoe, POPASMOKE'S Webmaster and HMM-363s, George T. Curtis MGySgt USMC Ret.

During the 2002 POPASMOKE Reunion the LUCKY RED LIONS of HMM-363 lead by their OUTSTANDING Squadron coordinator, Mike Tripp, adopted Wally Beddoe as a Permanent Full member of the LUCKY RED LION family. 

The site has been designed, created and built by Wally Beddoe. We will be FOREVER grateful to our newest BROTHER Wally for his extended support.

With the assistance of Wally Beddoe, Brook Stevenson now maintains and has continue to build our site.

Mike "TRIPPER" Tripp HMM-363s Squadron Coordinator

Mike Tripp, HMM-363s Squadron Coordinator performed (as always) superbly at the 2002 POPASMOKE reunion under some very arduous conditions. When the high winds up to 60mph kept us off the beach and were about to keep us from enjoying each others company for Thursday, Mike took immediate action and secured the Calypso Lounge for us to gather at.

Mike worked tirelessly. Unable to confirm that our Friday night Luau on the beach would go off, "TRIPPER" arranged for a complete dinner for over 85 inside an air conditioned, dry restaurant. Mike was everyone's Mother and Brother. No request went unfulfilled and he was always smiling.

I am PROUD to know this man is our Squadron coordinator.

The "LUCKY RED LIONS" of HMM-363 are PRIVILEGED to have Mike Tripp as our Coordinator.

USMC/Combat Helicopter Association  (Formerly USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association)

"On behalf of a proud and grateful group of 'LUCKY RED LIONS'; I am honored to acknowledge the OUTSTANDING support given to HMM-363 by POPASMOKE. 

I would be remiss if I did not mention the tremendous BROTHERHOOD displayed by POPASMOKE'S President J.D. Barber. John "J.D."  Barber never wavered in his constant encouragement and desire to ensure HMM-363 had all the assistance required to link up to POPASMOKE. J.D. had the vision to realize that we were not leaving POPASMOKE but were rather embracing it in a different way." ..... George T. Curtis

...and to all “LUCKY RED LIONS”

"I served for over 25 years on Active Duty in the Corps; four were in Combat in Vietnam with three different Squadrons. I also served in combat with another outstanding squadron in both Grenada and Beirut.

I never served with a finer group of men. I know that this site must be dedicated to each and every "LUCKY RED LION", past, present and future." 

.... George T. Curtis

“WELCOME HOME RED LIONS"