34 TFS RG and 469 TFS RG Reunion
WOW! What a Reunion!
A great time was had by all to be sure. For those of you who missed the event we hope the pictures of us all having such a great time will encourage you to join us at the next reunion in 2016
Enjoy the pictures we have posted and send us your shots if you have any to display. Check back frequently to see the new postings.
Enjoy the pictures we have posted and send us your shots if you have any to display. Check back frequently to see the new postings.
34TFS and 469TFS reunion in Las Vegas, NV, April 22 – 25, 2014
Nearly 90 folks gathered at the Marriott Hotel in Las Vegas for the first combined reunion of these two Korat Air Base, Thailand, fighter squadrons. The bonds of brotherhood that were forged by the men who flew and fought together from 1968 through 1973 during the Vietnam War were indestructible as evidenced by the comradery and affection for each other. The 469TFS had been holding reunions for many years. At their last reunion in 2012 in Dayton, Ohio, the idea of asking the 34TFS to join us was voted upon and unanimously approved by the assembled. The success of that decision, as seen and experienced by all at the combined reunion in Las Vegas this year, was validated. God willing, we will gather again in Las Vegas in 2016.
Among the activities during the reunion were seemingly endless hours of story telling in the Crew Training Facility (CTF), a Tiger FAC reception, and a wonderful buffet dinner on the 17th floor of the hotel our final evening together. Of particular note in the history of these two squadrons, was the participation at this reunion of Colonel Sam Hollenbeck. Colonel Sam was our Director of Operations during a critical time in the life of these two squadrons at Korat. He was, in the opinion of everyone in both squadrons, one of the finest combat leaders that any of us have ever known. It was a privilege to visit with Colonel Sam, who incidentally, celebrates his 91st birthday in May of this year!
I want to personally thank the reunion planning and execution committee for an incredibly successful gathering. Fred Zedek for using his meeting planning skills to coordinate with the hotel, collect the registration fees, and plan the reunion dinner. Dave Vogl who put together the website for the reunion by creating a huge contact data base, kept folks informed, arranged for squadron shirts, and contracted to have a Tiger FAC painting created. John Carr for taking on the task of creating and printing the stickers for the front of the information folders and the name tags, each with an appropriate squadron patch. Chet Martindale and Ed “Doc” Parker for taking on the responsibility of shopping for, supplying, and cleaning up the CTF, a huge job given the enormity of the thirst of the guys who spent time there.
Finally, a special thanks to Jeff Cliver and LD Johnston. Jeff, for his comments honoring Colonel Sam at the Tiger FAC reception, and LD, for his enthralling story at our reunion dinner of Roscoe, the 388TFW mascot for many years. By the way, LD is the first ever recipient of the coveted “Roscoe Award.”
God bless all of you and your families in the years to come, and as you reflect on this event we shared together in Las Vegas, may it motivate you to plan on attending the 2016 gathering of our “band of brothers.”
Ted McAdam
Nearly 90 folks gathered at the Marriott Hotel in Las Vegas for the first combined reunion of these two Korat Air Base, Thailand, fighter squadrons. The bonds of brotherhood that were forged by the men who flew and fought together from 1968 through 1973 during the Vietnam War were indestructible as evidenced by the comradery and affection for each other. The 469TFS had been holding reunions for many years. At their last reunion in 2012 in Dayton, Ohio, the idea of asking the 34TFS to join us was voted upon and unanimously approved by the assembled. The success of that decision, as seen and experienced by all at the combined reunion in Las Vegas this year, was validated. God willing, we will gather again in Las Vegas in 2016.
Among the activities during the reunion were seemingly endless hours of story telling in the Crew Training Facility (CTF), a Tiger FAC reception, and a wonderful buffet dinner on the 17th floor of the hotel our final evening together. Of particular note in the history of these two squadrons, was the participation at this reunion of Colonel Sam Hollenbeck. Colonel Sam was our Director of Operations during a critical time in the life of these two squadrons at Korat. He was, in the opinion of everyone in both squadrons, one of the finest combat leaders that any of us have ever known. It was a privilege to visit with Colonel Sam, who incidentally, celebrates his 91st birthday in May of this year!
I want to personally thank the reunion planning and execution committee for an incredibly successful gathering. Fred Zedek for using his meeting planning skills to coordinate with the hotel, collect the registration fees, and plan the reunion dinner. Dave Vogl who put together the website for the reunion by creating a huge contact data base, kept folks informed, arranged for squadron shirts, and contracted to have a Tiger FAC painting created. John Carr for taking on the task of creating and printing the stickers for the front of the information folders and the name tags, each with an appropriate squadron patch. Chet Martindale and Ed “Doc” Parker for taking on the responsibility of shopping for, supplying, and cleaning up the CTF, a huge job given the enormity of the thirst of the guys who spent time there.
Finally, a special thanks to Jeff Cliver and LD Johnston. Jeff, for his comments honoring Colonel Sam at the Tiger FAC reception, and LD, for his enthralling story at our reunion dinner of Roscoe, the 388TFW mascot for many years. By the way, LD is the first ever recipient of the coveted “Roscoe Award.”
God bless all of you and your families in the years to come, and as you reflect on this event we shared together in Las Vegas, may it motivate you to plan on attending the 2016 gathering of our “band of brothers.”
Ted McAdam