2021 Reunion

REUNION ACCOUNT, KOKOMO, IN, 10-13 JUNE 2021

By Terry A. McCarl, Historian

The 23^rd 15^th Medical BN Association Reunion held in Kokomo, IN June 10-13, 2021, was a roaring fun time for all who attended, thanks to the efforts of Reunion Coordinators Dan and Betty Korty! Twenty-eight 15^th Med BN Veterans and 28 guests attended the reunion. Attendance was down from the 2019 reunion in San Antonio, TX, attended by 53 15^th Med BN Veterans and 72 guests.  The lowered attendance was primarily due to concerns about Covid-19 plus illness among several members and family. Those that made the reunion declared it an enormous success!

The Reunion Hotel, Courtyard Kokomo, received high marks from our group. The hotel staff was accommodating and helpful.

We were especially honored by the presence of Yolande Martin, widow of Arthur Martin (1936-2017).

We were also pleased to welcome five first-time reunion attendees: James Amicone, B Co. 69-71; Dennis Deppen, A Co., 70-71; Earl Sufficool, A Co. 70-71; James Perry, HSC (Air Maintenance) 68-69; and Jim Mitchell, HSC (Medevac) 1969-70.

Thursday and Friday were essentially "free days" when attendees could take in local attractions in Kokomo or just hang around the hospitality room and socialize. On Friday evening, Mi Famila Mexican Restaurant hosted a group dinner.

SATURDAY, 12 JUNE

The "centerpiece" of the reunion was on Saturday, June 12, when our group traveled 20 miles north of Kokomo to Grissom Air Reserve Base near Peru, IN, to visit American Huey 369. Together with a Temporary Museum / Hanger, 3 restored Vietnam era Hueys that fly and plans in place to build "The National American Huey History Museum" (a 30,000 square foot facility) our members will educate ALL generations to the history of the American made Icon "The Huey"! American Huey 369's own description of its organization is as follows: "American Huey 369 Organization (some 17,400 plus members and growing) was formed for the specific purpose of preservation, education and paying tribute to ALL Veterans/Patriots.

 John Walker, the founder of American Huey 369, sponsored a fly day exclusively for 15th Med BN Association members on Saturday, 12 Jun. Members and guests in attendance were offered a flight on the same helicopter, tail number 68-08803 or "803" for short, which flew medevac missions in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967. Five of our members at the reunion, Larry Hatch, Chuck Johnson, Ron Ingram, Dan Korty, and Dave Barnum, flew on 803 in Vietnam in 1965-1967 and had the thrill of another flight 55 years later! A total of 24 attendees got a ride on 803 that day! Restoration of this helicopter to flight status in 2009 allowed it to fly at several nationwide events every year.

Saturday evening, the plan had been to have a group meal at a restaurant near the hotel. However, the restaurant advised that afternoon that they would not be able to seat our group until around 9:00 PM. Hungry, hot, and tired, the group decided to use grills in the hotel's courtyard for a cook-out. Jim and Virginia Mitchell volunteered to do the grilling and serving, and everyone pitched in to clean up after. It turned into a delightful evening with lots of opportunities to reminisce about the old days! Dan and Betty passed the hat for $5 per head and went grocery shopping.

 SUNDAY, 13 JUNE

President Jim Ferguson called the Business Meeting to order by Sunday at 1:30 PM. Twenty-five members attended the meeting.

 There was a discussion about the location for the 2022 reunion. Branson, MO, Omaha, NE, Las Vegas, NV, and Spokane, WA, and the members present voted for Omaha, NE.

 An announcement was made at the meeting regarding donating an additional 15^th Medical Battalion flag to our Association. The donation was from COL Edward G. Bradshaw's (1942-2020) family, the last Battalion Commander upon inactivated at Fort Hood, TX in 1985. John Tabor read the story of the donation written by the Historian.

 The whole story of how the contribution came about is presented in an article posted on our Web site in this article about the flag.

Auxiliary President Velma Smith presented the Auxiliary Angel of the Year Award to Betty Korty for her outstanding service to the Auxiliary. She recognized Cindy Lundquist: for her many years of dedicated service to the organization, sending cards and letters to members. Velma also recognized Pat Schroder for taking over the letter and card writing from Cindy Lundquist.

Election of Officers was conducted, and officers for 2021-2022 are:

President:                                             Barry Brown

Vice President:                                     Ron Ingram

Jr. V.P:                                                 Mark Holiday

Treasurer:                                             Ron Huether

Secretary:                                             Terry McCarl
1 -Year Trustee:                                   Richard Medlock (2^nd year of 2-year term)
2 -Year Trustee:                                   Jim Ferguson. (1^st year of 2-year term)

President's Appointments are:

Webmaster:                                          Ron Huether

Historian:                                             Terry McCarl

Chaplain:                                              Larry Hatch

Asst. Chaplain:                                     Fred McKeller

Parliamentarian:                                    Bob McKinley

Sergeant at Arms:                                 Dan Korty