WOW !! What a great time was had by all at the 1999 Reunion in San Antonio! Instead of 30 years, it seemed like it was just yesterday that we had all been together. I found myself asking how we had lost hair and gained waistlines overnight. The faces were mostly the same, and no one had any great difficulty recognizing each other.

Those attending were:

Larry & Donna BARNETT, Jim (Col) & Maura BESON, Jon & Frances BLICKENSTAFF, Kevin & wife (sorry, I lost your name) BOYLE, Ed & Gail COURNOYER, Chris CROWLEY & son Chris; Jim DAILY, John DeARMIN, Dennis DERBER & Susan, Jim (Flat) & Sue DIXON, Jim & Rhonda ELLSWORTH, Pat FAY, Taylor GRADY, Conrad GRAFF, Toma GRUBB & Laurie, Jim & Joy HEADY, Ted HOWARD & daughter Lynn, Roger & Linda HULA, Ed & Susan IANNUCCILLI, Ted JACOBY, Don KAVENY, Steve LANE, Tom & Luarel LANDIS, Jim LOMBARD, Mark & Adele McKINNA, Randy & Kelly MILLICAN, Bruce NELSON, Woodrow & Velma PARROTT, Don & Brenda PHILLIPS, Meade & Heidi ROBERTS, Mike & Terri ROBERTS, Jim SEALS, Carl SMITH, Mike STRICKLIN, Mike & Peggy WILSON and Brenton WITHERSPOON & brother Larry.

If I missed anyone I sincerely apologize. I welcome correction.

Everyone began arriving Thursday evening, and all during the day on Friday. These days were set aside just for visiting and swapping war stories. Some caution had to be exercised here, as we had to remember that there just might be a witness to some of the stories we had been telling "uninformed" people over the years. Actually, some of the stories were better than I remember! We were all sort of shocked to have "credible" witnesses to some of our recollections, and it helped to know that theses things actually happened—we didn’t dream it or make it up after all!

Friday evening we descended on the hotel bar. The war stories were flying right and left. It was so great to watch the reuniting of old crews, roommates, and above all--old friends. Hand shakes gave way to hugs. Laughter was loud and constant throughout the evening. Everyone enjoyed sharing stories and looking at old photos from that long ago time. The wives enjoyed finally putting faces with names they had heard for so long.

Saturday morning we boarded buses at the hotel and went to Fort Sam Houston. Boy, talk about a walk down memory lane. The pilots and medics trained there, so it was a bittersweet trip for us. Although it has changed greatly, there were still lots of familiar sights. Once there, we proceeded as a group to the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum, or AMEDD as it is known. This is a very beautiful facility which was built with private donations. They have done a fantastic job collecting and displaying artifacts and documents which portray the U.S. Army medical achievements from the Revolutionary War forward. One area of the museum has been set aside for, and designated as, the Dustoff Wing. We made a unit donation to the museum in memory of our fallen crewmates: WO1 John P. SUPPLE, 1LT Douglas G. MacNEIL, and CW2 Robert L. HORST. Bruce NELSON unveiled and presented a beautifully laminated and framed pilot’s map of our area of operations. (I think the statute of limitations has run on how this map got out of VN!) The map was a very popular item with the pilots. They were seen gathered around it exchanging stories about the locations on it. I’m sure it will hold the same fascination with all who view it.

Everyone enjoyed wandering through the museum and the garden. There is a special area there which has been constructed of bricks. Each of these bricks is engraved with the names of persons memorialized and recognized by family and friends. A brick was already in place in memory of Bob HORST, and an anonymous reunion attendee contributed the money to place a brick in memory of Doug MacNEIL, and John SUPPLE. A brick was also purchased for the unit – "159^th DUSTOFF, RVN". Anyone wishing to purchase a brick can do so by contacting the AMEDD Museum. This is a great tribute to a special person in your life, such as a crewmate.

From the Museum we boarded the buses again and drove over to Dustoff Memorial Plaza. A beautifully restored Huey Dustoff ship is moored there as a permanent display dedicated to the courage of all crews, and honors those crewmen lost. This was a very exciting time! The buses had barely stopped rolling, before there was a mad rush to the Huey, as everyone was eager to see one up-close again. Many old memories were re-kindled here. I wish I had had the film concession because there were lots of photos taken with it. Old friends, and even full crews posed for and with each other, and their families. Not coincidentally, we placed a temporary "159" on the door just for the photos. We had previously arranged for a group photo with just the guys, and also with our entire group. These are available for viewing and selection for purchase on the 159^th Web Site.

Saturday evening we all gathered around poolside at the hotel for a hospitality time. In keeping with local flavor, we had chips-n-salsa and a Margarita machine. The visiting continued, and everyone enjoyed the beautiful (but hot) weather. It was perfect and made the Margaritas that much better.

Saturday evening we held a dinner in the hotel. By my count, there were 72 people at the dinner, and everyone seemed to have a great time. I must say that there were some tears, as some old ghosts were laid to rest, and recollections were enhanced. A Vietnam trivia contest was held during the dinner. Although there was no "winner" we all enjoyed the memories these questions evoked.

Several items were drawn for and given out during the dinner. An entire set of the Vietnam Series of Collector Plates was given, along with a wall hanging and some books. Additional prizes were awarded to the following guys:

Most Tours: Ed COURNOYER – 3+ tours.

Traveled Farthest: Jim DAILY, Seattle, WA.

Looks The Youngest: Tie - Tom LANDIS & Don PHILLIPS.

Tom LANDIS also won in the special category "Still Crazy After All These Years"-Tom is still a helicopter driver, with 11,000+ hours. Jim ELLSWORTH & Mike STRICKLIN are also still flying choppers. I guess it takes some people longer to learn than others…

Our very special guests for the evening were Major General (Ret.) Spurgeon NEEL and his charming wife, Alice. MG NEEL is factually and historically known as the father of Dustoff. It was a very special privilege to have them present with us. We so appreciated him giving us his time, and we enjoyed his remarks. Although he is getting up in years, you wouldn’t know it by his presence and participation. We finally allowed him to go home around midnight.

Following open remarks by those who wished to do so, we watched the video "Combined Recollections" which was made from slides and photos submitted from the guys. It covered the entire period of our service in Vietnam and had many, many familiar sights. Some of the faces were sort of difficult to recognize as they were so YOUNG! Each one present received a copy of the video and a coffee mug commemorating the occasion. I have also mailed out some, so if you haven’t received yours, let me know by phone or E-Mail.

I must take this opportunity to repeat a big thank-you to the anonymous persons who provided the dinner, the hospitality room, and the prizes. In the true tradition of Dustoff, it seems that our guys just keep giving and don’t want recognition for it. Thank You.

Visiting continued through these two days. It was great. The only bad time was when guys started leaving. It was very hard to say goodbye again. We all delayed leaving until the very last minute. I would like to repeat here what we had been reminded of after 30 years: "Destiny has made us brothers, and we were, are, and always will be, important to each other". We must keep in touch with each other, and we must locate those who are still missing. The reunion was a time for closure, and we owe the same opportunity to those not yet accounted for. Please send me any leads you have and I will trace them down if at all possible. Social Security numbers are a great help. Look at your old orders and see who else we can find.

There was discussion about a future reunion, and the only thing definitely decided was – we are going to have one! Where and when is still up for grabs. I hope to keep you posted via the newsletter. Also, please keep me informed of your address changes. I would like to include the names of wives and birthdays and anniversaries (no years, just months and days). Please send them to me for the next roster. I will continue to make rosters available. Just tell me you want/need one. Also, please contribute items for the newsletter. If you want to contribute an article, a notice, or do the entire newsletter for a month, please let me know. We must keep in touch with each other. Let’s not let this go again.

Thanks for all your kindness and assistance.

P.S. I just heard again from the 159^th. They are in Albania, and are O.K. Let me know if you want an E-Mail address. They love to hear from us.