Post by Ron Doughty on Oct 12, 2021 13:40:01 GMT -6
The Association completed in late September a memorable reunion that was much delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bill Cathey tenaciously rolled with the threats and restrictions posed by COVID to reunite 52 members and 43 guests in Dayton, Ohio. Highlights of the three-day event were:
• The 12th TFW Monument was dedicated at the Memorial Garden of the Museum of the United States Air Force. Rain-soaked sod around the bench memorial necessitated that the dedication ceremony be held inside the museum. Brigadier General Tim Boddie delivered an inspiring address conveying the monument to the director of the museum. John Mollison presided as master of ceremonies for the event and conducted a fitting presentation remembering the Wing's 109 members who fell in Vietnam and MacDill operations.
• The dinner on Friday night recognized the seminal achievements of the Association's founders, David "Hutch" Hutchings and Wilbur "Andy" Anderson. Wilbur was present to accept his plaque. In addition, Hutch and Wilbur and outgoing President Ron Doughty and Secretary Everett "EJ" Sherwood were awarded the Association's Meritorious Service Award for their outstanding work over many years. Luz Rivera, spouse of John Rivera, won the free-room night raffle and BG Boddie won the 50/50 raffle.
• A business meeting was held on Saturday morning. A new Association president and vice president were elected. The important matter of how to eventually dispose of the Association's assets was agreed to be taken up by a committee which Bill Cathey will chair. The next reunion will be in Las Vegas; it may coincide with the Aviation Nation event at Nellis AFB the first weekend of November.
• After the business meeting, Lt Col Beacher Webb, Commander 389th Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home AFB, ID presented an impressive briefing on the challenges facing his and other F-15E equipped fighter squadrons. He showed examples of the destruction wrought on ISIS by the Thunderbolts. The precision strike weapons employed by the F-15Es are truly awesome.
• The Saturday Night Banquet featured entertainment by an eight-person brass combo provided by the Air Force Band of Flight. Command CMSgt Stan Cadell, HQ Air Force Material Command, provided an insightful update of the challenges facing today's Air Force. Thanks go to Jim Mindak, John Mollison, Kay Cathey, Diane Blanchard, John Newman, "Doc" Daugherty, Beau Beauregard, Bill Kennedy, John Delore, Mike Murphy, Art Hurtado, Bill Wojciechowski, and Mary Ann O'Neill for pitching in to make the Dayton Reunion a success. Further recognition is due Dick Fairlamb and those who brought items to the Silent Auction and participated in the raffles.
• The 12th TFW Monument was dedicated at the Memorial Garden of the Museum of the United States Air Force. Rain-soaked sod around the bench memorial necessitated that the dedication ceremony be held inside the museum. Brigadier General Tim Boddie delivered an inspiring address conveying the monument to the director of the museum. John Mollison presided as master of ceremonies for the event and conducted a fitting presentation remembering the Wing's 109 members who fell in Vietnam and MacDill operations.
• The dinner on Friday night recognized the seminal achievements of the Association's founders, David "Hutch" Hutchings and Wilbur "Andy" Anderson. Wilbur was present to accept his plaque. In addition, Hutch and Wilbur and outgoing President Ron Doughty and Secretary Everett "EJ" Sherwood were awarded the Association's Meritorious Service Award for their outstanding work over many years. Luz Rivera, spouse of John Rivera, won the free-room night raffle and BG Boddie won the 50/50 raffle.
• A business meeting was held on Saturday morning. A new Association president and vice president were elected. The important matter of how to eventually dispose of the Association's assets was agreed to be taken up by a committee which Bill Cathey will chair. The next reunion will be in Las Vegas; it may coincide with the Aviation Nation event at Nellis AFB the first weekend of November.
• After the business meeting, Lt Col Beacher Webb, Commander 389th Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home AFB, ID presented an impressive briefing on the challenges facing his and other F-15E equipped fighter squadrons. He showed examples of the destruction wrought on ISIS by the Thunderbolts. The precision strike weapons employed by the F-15Es are truly awesome.
• The Saturday Night Banquet featured entertainment by an eight-person brass combo provided by the Air Force Band of Flight. Command CMSgt Stan Cadell, HQ Air Force Material Command, provided an insightful update of the challenges facing today's Air Force. Thanks go to Jim Mindak, John Mollison, Kay Cathey, Diane Blanchard, John Newman, "Doc" Daugherty, Beau Beauregard, Bill Kennedy, John Delore, Mike Murphy, Art Hurtado, Bill Wojciechowski, and Mary Ann O'Neill for pitching in to make the Dayton Reunion a success. Further recognition is due Dick Fairlamb and those who brought items to the Silent Auction and participated in the raffles.