Donald R. Newland
To Keith and family of Ken Keith Coddington. My name is Don R Newland. I was a great and long time friend of your dad. I just found out about your dad yesterday from my son. Keith perhaps you may remember me as I went to two of your change of commands one was in the Bay area of Ca. and the other was in St Pet. where my son and his family in Orlando met you and your family along with Ken and Marge. Your dad and I worked together for about 25 years, in, Kalamazoo, Texas and Ca for the Upjohn Co. I served in the US Army and was a medic in Viet before going back to college and then joining the co. Ken knew that I collected military items and he gave me his Navy Greens from WW2. Did you know that your dad was the first US pilot to land on Truck Island after the US military sank the Jap navy by surprise like our Pearl Harbor. I spent many years and lots of good time with Ken, Bob Howard and at times your mom. We had lots of things in common and did visit at each others homes. I would like to talk to you and share other memories if possible.I will miss your dad, he was one of my best friends and mentors. We were much closer than Bob who I also cared about but is now also gone in 2012. My e-mail is [email protected] and phone is 559-906-7636. My address is 2110 West San Bruno Ave, Fresno, Ca. 93722.
