Savannah Reunion 2013

(Blogger’s Note (June 20, 2014):  I wrote this during and after our 24^th 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 225^th Observer” more regularly.)

On Wednesday morning, Sept 4^th, 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 24^th 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 244^th 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 131^st 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 225^th 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 225^th, 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 225^th 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 8^th 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 225^th.  I ran for XO but the membership elected Tom Hummel, who was an observer in the 131^st.  Bill McNease of the 225^th 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 225^th, 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 225^th 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 225^th Aviation Company, 2014 Dallas Detachment gathering there then also.  See ya then!