Reno 2018

The airplane is parked and the hanger doors are closed on this year’s Annual OV-1 Mohawk Association Reunion.  The over 200 people who attended are probably now across this great nation in their homes and putting up lights and decorations and generally getting ready for the holidays.  Karin and I had fun in Reno seeing “old” friends again, meeting comrades from nearly fifty years ago (some for the first time since being in Phu Hiep).

Some of the highlights of this reunion were a bus trip to Lake Tahoe and historic Truckee, California.  Along the way we stopped at the Donner Memorial State Park, the site where the Donner Party spent the winter of 1846-47 snowbound in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  There is a memorial statue that has a 22 foot-tall base indicating how deep the snow was that winter.  We also toured Virginia City and took a side trip to Carson, Nevada’s capital.  On the winding road to Virginia City we saw wild horses!

At the banquet the Association honored a very special guest; Oliver is 95 years old and was in Reno because his daughter is the widow of a Mohawk driver who died in Vietnam.  Oliver is also a survivor to the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.  It was wonderful talking with him as his memory is crystal clear; he is a man who still enjoys life to its fullest!

It was wonderful seeing friends and former soldiers again.  Here is a list of those Blackhawks and Phantomhawks who were able to attend this years:  Miguel Anza, Joe Beckham, Don Bernstein, John Britten, Joe Floyd, Andy Gramlich, Steve Hammons, George Katalenas, Arlan Lando, Bobbie Luthi, Bill McNease, Gil Mendoza, Dave Nelson, Mike O'Connor, Ben Perez, Ron Pitcock, Luis Ponton, Bob Riha, Steve Sachs, Loren Schrock, Ernie Serna, Bill Shaw, Rich Steinbock, Alan Summers, Gary Todd, and Art Winslow.  By my count (and many of you know that I never did very well in math class!) 25 former Blackhawks/Phantomhawks were in Reno!

In October 2019 we will be in Norfolk, Virginia.  Our esteemed Reunion Director, John Bosch, is already working hard to make our 30th Annual Reunion one of the best ever.  Don’t dilly-dally around and start making your plans TODAY!  Info will be on the Association website as plans move along.  I plan on seeing YOU there!