First Row: Bob & Sandra McKinley, Roy & Lynne Rains, Arthur &
Yolande Martin, Leo & Linn Williams, Tom & Audrey Garnella, Roger &
Sherry Bodwell, Richard & Patricia Schroder, Rich & Joan Leonard
Second Row: David & Vallerie Huser, John & Barbara Crespi, Ron &
Marlene Ingram, Damian & Joy Vierra, Jon & Cindy Lundquist, Ron &
Susan Huether, Jim & Georgette Ferguson, Floyd & Linda Jackson, Joel
& Dorothy Chase
Third Row: Denny & Terri Behm, Barry Brown, Henry
Land, Jack & Susan Dahlmann, Monty Halcomb, Lee Caubarreaux, Clyde &
Elida Moore, Joe & Linda Finder
Back Row: Dan & Betty Korty,
Corky Walsh & Judy Miller, Mike Ahern, Dan Toothman, Richard
Medlock, Mike & Velma Smith, Fred & NOra McKeller, Charles
Chambliss, Jim Victor
2017 15th Medical BN Assn. Reunion was an enormous success!
By
Terry McCarl
The 15th
Medical BN Assn. 2017 Reunion was held in Branson, MO, April 26-30.
Reunion Coordinator Ron Ingram and his wife Marlene don't live what you
would call close to Branson (about 400 miles away), but Branson is a
frequent vacation spot for them, and their familiarity with Branson was
invaluable in putting together an incredible reunion!
The
turnout was a record! A total of 47 veterans attended; along with
spouses, family, and guests, 86 persons from 23 states were there! For
many veterans, this was their first reunion, and some had not attended
for many years. An enjoyable time was had by all!
Westgate
Branson Woods Resort is a beautiful reunion/convention facility, Rooms
were spacious and luxurious for a daily group rate of only $63/night!
Our
group had exclusive use of the “Grand Pavilion,” a magnificent open
space building about 150' X 40' where all meetings, daily buffet
breakfasts, the banquet, and socializing could be accomplished.
No visit
to Branson would be complete without attending a first-rate country
music show! Our group saw two great shows, the famous “Baldknobbers,”
and “Raiding the Country Vault.”
Other
group activities consisted of a tour of the Branson Veteran's Memorial
Museum, and a dinner at the Fall Creek Catfish and Steak House, a
long-time Branson institution where the servers toss fresh rolls to
customers.
The
annual Fund-Raising Auction was held after the Banquet on Saturday
evening. The Auction lived up to its tradition of generosity and
fun. Auctioneer Mark "Doc" Holiday and his able "Assistants" Randy
Burkhart and Jim Victor artfully cajoled and coerced the crowd to bid
generously!
Perhaps
the most notable donation was by Association Past President Leo "Short
Round" Williams, who donated three leather-bound original editions of
the book, We Were Soldiers Once and Young, by LTG Hal Moore,
autographed by the author plus a photograph of General Moore.
Bidding was vigorous on these treasured books!
Joel and
Dorothy Chase of Manassas, VA attended the reunion and expressed deep
appreciation for the Medevac rescue and medical treatment. Joel
was Platoon Leader for D Co., 1st of the 5th Cavalry
and was severely wounded at LZ David in Cambodia on June 14, 1970.
He was medevaced to the B Company, 15th Medical BN
Treatment Facility at LZ Buttons, where Dr. Jon Lundquist (then CPT MC)
treated him. Joel would like to find that Medevac crew and thank
them. If you were, or know someone who was on that crew, please
e-mail me at historian@15thmedbnassociation.org or call
402-457-9807.
Ron
“Huey” Huether was recognized for his outstanding work developing and
running the Association Web site, and was
presented a Lowe's gift certificate for $100.
Branson Wanted Poster
Color Guard entrance
Mark Holiday, Randy Burkart, Jim Victor
Kevin Raftery and Mark Holiday
Mark Holiday and Greg Simpson
Ron (Huey) Huether and Mark Holiday
Barry Brow, Mike Smith, Mark Holiday, and Jim Victor
Mark Holiday, David and Sandra Cooper
Damien Vierra, Jim Ong, Mark Holiday
John Tabor and Mark Holiday
Mark Holiday and Ken Flowers
Monty Halcomb and Mark Holiday
15th Med guys holding in their gut
Marlene Ingram and
Rich Leonard
Mark Holiday, Cathy Holiday, David Cooper
Discussion on how to stop the rain
Roy Rains and Clyde Moore
Roy Rains, Clyde Moore, Adolph Finder
Richard Schroder, Aubrey Hall and Jon Lundquist
Rich Leonard and Velma Smith
Dorothy Chase and ?
? and Cindy Lundquist
Clyde Moore and Adolph Finder
The fearless crewmembers of 70-71.
Them's fighting words
David Huser
Captain Hook
Arthur Martin
Barbara Crespi and Elida Moore
Linn Williams
Festus, Doc Holiday, and Honda
Rich Leonard and Short Round