My Dallas Reunion Experience by Steve Sachs

Brenda and I have gone to 6 reunions, but decided to pass on Dallas.

About three months before the reunion, I got a call from Dave Nelson, one of the TO’s I had flown with in the 225th in Viet Nam.  This is the first time I talked to any of the TO’s in 45 years.  He had just heard about the Association and happened to come across my name. He contacted several other TO’s and they were going to Dallas. He asked if we were going. I said I would go.  Much to my surprise, there were 4 other TO‘s, a tech-supply specialists and of course, Gordy Darragh from the Photo lab, Sgt Perez, Cpt Baugh and others.  All in all, about 35 folks from the 225th came to the reunion.

When we met in Dallas, I am embarrassed to admit, I only recognized one TO - Arlan Lando.  This is really bad.  He saved our lives, but I didn’t know his first name.  We flew together many dark nights.  On an IR flight, we were in the central highlands and I fell asleep.  When I woke up, Arlan had made a 180-degree turn and had us on the correct heading for our next leg.  If we had just continued on the heading, we would have crashed.  I don’t remember what I said to him, but a belated thanks is in order.

When we returned to Phu Hiep to debrief, I looked at the dirty coffee cups, the sour cream and stale coffee. I just pushed it all off the table onto the floor.  My roommate was Capt. A J McAllister, the head spook.  He was responsible for the nasty coffee.  He never said a word about my juvenile behavior, but we had fresh coffee, clean cups and fresh cream from then on.  I don’t remember falling asleep on another IR flight.

We went to a ranch in Dallas Friday evening.  TO Dave Nelson was the gentleman that danced with the young lady leading the festivities.  Brenda and I ended up the only couple on the floor for one song.  We appreciate all the thunderous applause at the end of the song, but Dancing with the Stars has not called.  We were invited to sit with the TO’s for the show and supper and had a great time.  Dave sent me a few pictures from Phu Hiep playing volley ball.  Man, that brought back memories.  In one picture, there was a wall between two of the barracks.  None of us remembered the wall.  One person suggested that was Officer Country.

Dallas caused me to think. In Vietnam, I had never appreciated the work these folks did to make our flights safe.  I know I never thanked them before I left.  45 years too late. We are doing well, getting older and have different recollections of what happened years ago.  Thanks Dave, Bob, Arlan, Gary and all the rest for a great time in Dallas.

More to the point ... THANKS for all you guys did for us 45 years ago.

Steve Sachs, a very old gray haired 225th Mohawk pilot.