(Blogger’s Note (June 20, 2014): I wrote this during and after our 24th
Annual Reunion in Savannah and then just never got around to publishing
it. Sometimes I find myself losing
enthusiasm for my connection with my service in the Army, and it takes a while
for that enthusiasm to refresh itself.
Anyway, I’m back and hopefully with be adding some more articles to the
“The 225th Observer” more regularly.)
On Wednesday morning, Sept 4th, at
zero-dark-thirty I waited by the window for the shuttle to Seatac Airport to
take me to my flight to Savannah for our 24th annual OV-1 Mohawk
Association reunion. My trip was routed
through to a connecting flight at O’Hare.
While I was waiting for my flight in Chicago, Larry Jacquez from
Visalia, California, spotted me as the flight was called. Larry was in the 244th Aviation
Company, 502 Trans. Detachment at Can Tho; we were booked on the same connecting
flight. I had met Larry several times
before at previous reunions and it was good to catch up.
After an uneventful trip, we landed in Savannah, a beautiful
old city that is rich in history from the American Revolution and Civil
War. We caught a shuttle to the hotel and
got settled at the Hilton Savannah Desoto.
I went to the lobby and ended up being invited to dinner by Steve Easley
with several Spuds from the 131st and their wives. We went to The Olde Pink
House and had a wonderful dinner and good fellowship with guys who I hadn’t
previously known very well. This was a
perfect start to a great reunion!
During the course of the weekend I met many old (I hesitate
to use the word “old”!) friends. Willie
Woods, an observer in the 225th called me out of the blue nearly a
year ago and we have conversed many times on the phone, but this was the first
time we had seen each other since Vietnam!
Don Goodwin, who was a pilot when I first got to Phu Hiep, was
there. We had talked on the phone and
emailed for a long time, but this was the first time we had had a chance to
chat and get to know each other face to face in over 45 years. What a kick!
I briefly met Larry Journell from Virginia. Larry was an observer in the 225th,
but I didn’t get to know him then; it was great to meet him now! Joe Beckham introduced me to Lloyd Piersawl,
who flew Mohawks in Korea and Germany.
Again, I did not Lloyd, but any friend of Joe’s is an instant friend of
mine. Don Goodwin was a pilot in late
1968 early in my tour at Phu Hiep; I believe he was at the first reunion I
attended in Lost Wages in 1998. However,
we had not really seen each other in
45 years! What a kick to catch up and
renew a friendship.
As far as I know this was the largest contingent of
Blackhawks/Phantomhawks that have gathered at a reunion, at least in my
recollection. Here’s a list of the 225th Aviation Company, Savannah
2013 Detachment: Bob Baugh, Joe Beckham, Don Bernstein, Tony Chapa, Gordy
Darragh, George Drago, Joe Floyd, Don Goodwin, Ed Gulesserian, Larry Hagland, Steve
Hammons, Larry Journell, Bill McNease, Henry Mohan, Bill Page, Ron Pitcock, Bob
Riha, Steve Sachs, Ernie Serna, Allan Summers, Jim Thomas and Willie Woods.
We visited the Mighty
Eight Air Force Museum ; the 8th Air Force flew hundreds of
bombing missions over Germany during World War II, eventually being
instrumental in bringing Nazi Germany to its knees and ending the war in Europe. One of the last B-17s built (this one under
license by Douglas) is being lovingly restored there and is on display. It’s gorgeous!
I visited Savannah’s riverfront, part of which is paved with
round rocks that were left from ships from Europe that discarded their ballast (the rocks) that would be replaced by the cargo
loaded for the return trip. I also
walked around the historic downtown a bit.
There are 22 “squares”,
four of which were part of the original 1733 design of the city. By 1851 there were 24 that were built into
the original design of this wonderful old city.
When you walk around it you can just feel the history.
Our friend George Drago shared at Saturday evening banquet
the circumstances around him being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for
Heroism while he was in the 225th.
I ran for XO but the membership elected Tom Hummel, who was an observer
in the 131st. Bill McNease of
the 225th was elected as the new Membership Director and Terry Clark
was elected as the Website Administrator.
I will fill out the rest of my second term that ends on December 31,
2014, as Secretary of the Association.
It was great fun, as always, seeing friends from the Army
and sharing our war stories, however embellished they are.
Too much fun sitting and b-s-ing and drinking Bud with Bill
Page, Larry Hower (not of the 225th, but nevertheless a great
friend!), Ed Paquette, Joe Beckham. Larry Hagland, Noble Atkins, lots of other
guys. Reminiscing with Steve Sachs,
George Drago. Seeing men like Don
Goodwin who, like I said before, I hadn’t seen since 1968 (or maybe it was
since 1998 at the LV Reunion, I don’t remember for sure…that seems to happening
more as time goes on). Anyway, it’s
still too much fun, maybe more than should be permitted, for us older guys!
On the way home on Sunday I met a young Private (his name is
Race Baker) at Savannah airport who was fresh out of AIT and going to his duty
station at Fort Wainwright near Fairbanks, Alaska. It was fun to talk and encourage this young
man who has decided to make the Army a career.
I’m hoping to keep in touch with him as he progresses on his chosen path.
There were 22 members of the 225th in Savannah
this year…I think this is a record. All
you other guys I hope will be in the “Big D” in September 2014 for the Silver
Anniversary Reunion. We will have some
sort of 225th Aviation
Company, 2014 Dallas Detachment gathering there then also. See ya then!
