2006 Jul-Aug

MEDEVAC 15th Med\15th FSB
Mike Bodnar
307B N Main Copperas Cove, TX 76522
1704 254-542-1961
E-mail: mbodnar27@juno.com

Ernie BAYFORD ebayford@charter.net of Montgomery, AL comments: "Was assigned to HSC, 15th MED Bn. as an evac pilot Jan '69-Jan '70, Phuoc Vinh\Quan Loi\Tay Ninh-'MEDEVAC-3.' Was very proud and grateful to fly with such devoted and professional crews."

Louis F. a k a "Mac" MCCLELLAN from Dallas, TX informs, "I was in An Khe with the 15th MED and TDY to 2nd Surg Hosp '66- '67. I was positioned at the base of Hong Kong hill and we built the stone church at the base of it. Take care and write me at <macdad353yahoo.com>."

Jim CALIBRO, "DrillE-7" medevacchopper@aol.com writes, "As your new president of the 15th MED Assn. I wanted to let everybody know that we had a great turn out for the Reunion in Reno, from Thur 6/21 through Sun 6/25. Twenty-one people arrived a day early, so we got off to a good start. Many members booked their reservations with a check out date for Monday and Tuesday, to stay a couple extra days. We had a head count of 60 plus members and families attending the banquet.

"Many members took advantage of the one day tour, provided at the Sands, to Lake Tahoe; free buffet in Carson City, Squaw Valley, and Virginia City. Our group was highly accepted by staff and other tourists at the Sands Hotel/Casino. We received a great welcome from everyone, to include the band in the Tequila Bar www.cityzu.com . Look for us on their Web site.

"We had our meeting on Saturday morning 6/24. Murray GIBBS will be putting out his newsletter to the membership soon with more details. New officers were elected for 2006-2007. Officers: President: Jim CALIBRO, Vice President: Tiny MELLON, Treasurer: Bob MCKINLEY, Alt. Replacement: John CRESPI. APPOINTMENTS; Secretary: Corky WALSH, Database Operator\Webmaster\Newsletter: Murray GIBBS, Search Coordinator: John CRESPI, 2007 Reunion Coordinator; TBA later-I don't have his name yet but he will be assisted by Murray GIBBS & Paul TROOP-(Dayton, OH sometime between May '07 & June '07); Historians: Paul TROOP, Fred MCKELLER, Jim HALL, and Leroy CAUBARREAUX. Ladies Aux. Coordinator: Holly CALIBRO. This year's Aux. Angel was Cheryl DICK. (Jerry DICK's sister-in-law and care giver)."

"Murray GIBBS did a great job as president of the Association for the last 3 years. He has some pretty big shoes for me to fill, but with his support I will do my best to represent the 15th MED. He was the heart and soul of the 15th MED and MEDEVAC. Due to his leadership, hard work, dedication, and loyalty to the association, membership increased by approx. 500 members. Murray is now the database operator/Webmaster, and will continue to put out the monthly newsletter. There is no doubt in my military mind that he will keep up the hard work, and support the organization. In Vietnam from '67-'68, he was the 2nd best door gunner who flew MEDEVAC. Let's all congratulate him for a job well done.....Jim CALIBRO, President (door gunner '67-'68)."

Murray GIBBS GunnerMadmur@aol.com said, "Jim, thanks for the vote of confidence. I will give you all my support in this coming year. I have created the Officers 2006-2007 list under OFFICERS. I will be making other updates on the Web site in the next few weeks. I will also add the new office: 'Ladies Aux. Coordinator' to the Officers list of 2006-2007. "I feel honored to have serviced as president these last 3 years. I do appreciate all the support I got from the officers and the membership. As your new Database Operator\Webmaster, and Newsletter Writer, I will continue to put the same effort forward as I did as president."

James Clifton WINDHAM Jr. of Brazoria, TX.-a k a DOC WINDY, 1-8th Cav, 1st Cav Div., April 21st '68 to August 20th '68; L.Z. Sharon, Quang Tri Province wrote, "On this date the 20th of April, I was wounded in the highlands. There were unknown N.V.A. forces that faded back into the bush. I was a combat Medic, 2nd Plt., 1-8 Cav., for about three weeks, then took over as Head Shank for Charlie 1-8 until I saw the elephant, and because of wounds was shipped out to U.S. Army Hospital-- Japan, then on to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. My final base station was stateside in Fort Campbell, KY. I worked in the Emergency Room there as a 91 Charlie MED Spec. at the base U.S. Army Hospital for Dependents and Basic Training New-Bees. Also in '65 I was an Emergency Medical Specialist at Camp Radcliff in An Khe Province."

Always remembering our 1st Cav troops on duty around the world; over and out.

FIRST TEAM!
Garryowen,
Mike Bodnar C 2\7 '69
MEDEVAC 1-7\70
SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE