2023 Reunion

Have some pictures of "back in the day" that you can scan? Then send them to medevac2@15thmedbnassociation.org and we'll see about getting them added to this photos page so other can enjoy them.

Front Row Seated on floor: Randy Burkhart, Jim Ferguson, John Tabor
Second Row Seated: Lawrence Moss, Gil Gatto, Jimmy Ong, Jim Calibro, Leo Williams, Roger Bodwell, Rick Daley, Dave Adams, Dave Sheets
Third Row Standing: Ron Ingram, John Lundquist, Terry McCarl, Greg Simpson, Kevin Raftery, Dennis Behm, Corky Walsh, Rick Medlock, Dan Korty, Huey Huether, Jimmy Norris, Mike Smith, Dan Toothman, Bill Clamurro, Eric Berla

Front Row, L to R: Jamie Spisak ( niece of Johnny Gregg, KIA 26 Nov 1968), Preslee Spisak (Jamie’s daughter), Marilyn Norris, Teri Raftery, Peggy Calibro, Nicki Sheets, Debbi Tabor
Back Row: Karee Gregg ( niece of Johnny Gregg), Velma Smith, Judy Miller, Linn Vercheski, Cindy Lundquist, Teri Behm, Stacee John Dailey, Susan Hofer, Georgette Ferguson, Beverly Berla
Not in photo: Marlene Ingram, Susan Huether

You may read either document below by clicking the title.

2023 EC Meeting Minutes 09/05/23 (PDF download)

2023 Annual Business Meeting Minutes 09/05/23 (PDF download)

The 15th Medical BN Association Reunion held in Austin, TX, April 26-30, 2023, was a Texas-sized success! Reunion Coordinator Ron “Baby Huey” Huether, who was the coordinator for the incredible 2019 reunion in San Antonio, worked his magic again, putting together another truly outstanding and memorable reunion!

This was the 25-year anniversary of the 15th Med BN Association and the 4th reunion to be held in Texas, the State hosting the 15th Med BN Assn reunions (4 out of 25)!

The Holiday Inn Austin Midtown was an excellent location choice for the reunion. The hotel staff were particularly accommodating and helpful. The hotel provided an outstanding complimentary hot buffet breakfast every morning,

The total reunion attendance was 29 members and 20 guests.

WEDNESDAY, 26 APRIL

Attendees began rolling in on Wed. afternoon and evening. Stormy weather conditions delayed the arrival of several members.

THURSDAY, 27 APRIL

Thursday was essentially a free day during which most attendees took in tourist attractions of Austin or just spent the day in the hospitality room telling “War Stories” and re-connecting with old friends and meeting new friends.

FRIDAY, 28 APRIL

Friday morning was the Executive Committee Meeting, and in the afternoon was the Great 15th Med BN Assn Cornhole Competition. The competition was great fun and even extended into Saturday. The winners were Teri Raftery and Jim Ferguson.

Late afternoon Friday, the group traveled to the Lone Star Riverboat in downtown Austin for a dinner cruise on the Colorado River to observe 1.5 million bats depart from their roost under the South Congress Avenue Bridge to hunt for food. A violent rainstorm hampered travel to the riverboat, and there was a question about whether the cruise would have to be canceled. However, upon arrival at the riverboat, our group enjoyed an incredible buffet dinner. and after the dinner, the weather cleared, and the cruise to the bat departure site went ahead as planned.

Due to the weather, the bat departure was not as spectacular as hoped, but the cruise out to the bat departure site, with the view of the lights and sights of downtown Austin, was spectacular, which the group found very enjoyable.

SATURDAY, 29 APRIL

The Annual Business Meeting was held on Saturday afternoon. President Ingram called the Annual Business Meeting to order at 1300. Twenty-seven members attended the meeting. To read the full record of the meeting, please see the Annual Business Meeting Minutes.

The evening banquet was held at the hotel. Sergeant-at-Arms Dan Korty led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dan's daughter, Susan Hoefer, sang a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem. Chaplin Mike Smith gave the blessing of the meal.

The dinner was a fantastic Texas BBQ with various entrees, salads, and desserts.

Our Guest Speaker was 1LT Joseph Walker from C Company, 2-227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Cavazos, TX (formerly Fort Hood). He spoke about his experiences with deploying to Germany and Poland. His discussion of the challenges and rewards of being an aviation officer in the military was of particular interest. He spoke candidly about the sacrifices that pilots make, both personally and professionally.

A special honor for our group was the attendance at the reunion of the family of one of our Vietnam War KIA’s SP5, Johnny G. Gregg. President Calibro introduced Jamie Spisak, niece of Johnny Gregg, who has been an Honorary Member of our Association since the 2014 reunion. Jamie introduced her father, Leroy Gregg, her daughter, Preslee Spisak, her uncle, Steve Gregg, and his daughter, Kaylee Gregg.

SP5 Gregg and all members of his Medevac Crew consisting of 1LT Stephen C. Beals; CWO James D. Doran; SP4 John S. Alling; and CPL Robert E. Jones along with six wounded patients were KIA when their Medevac helicopter was shot down on 26 November 1968. This event has been determined to be the costliest US Army Aero-Medical Evacuation Mission of the Vietnam War.

Auxiliary President Velma Smith announced that the Auxiliary Angel of the Year Award recipient is Cathy Holiday.

The Saturday evening festivities closed with the fund-raising auction to which members contributed items to be auctioned off to raise operating funds for the Association. As traditional, Jim Calibro served as the auctioneer with backup by Jim Ferguson and John Tabor. As usual, it was a lively and fun event! The amount collected was $3,875, which was the highest revenue ever from a 15th Med BN Association reunion auction!

SUNDAY, 30 APRIL

Following the Sunday morning breakfast, most attendees said their goodbyes and departed for home, saying "See you in Shreveport!”