Reunion In Norfolk!

It’s not too late to register for the annual OV-1 Mohawk Association Reunion being held in Norfolk, VA, October 10-12.  This year’s event(s) promise to be outstanding because in addition to the usual breakfast, lunch and dinner activities, our Reunion Guru, John Bosch, just announced “We have some very exciting news to share with you. Dr. Joe Masessa’s Mohawk Airshow will be coming to our reunion! On Friday, Oct 4 we have made a change to the tour offering. Instead of going to the Norfolk Naval Base, we will go to the Hampton Roads Regional Airport to see Dr. Masessa’s airshow and then have time to see the aircraft up close and personal.”

Be sure to go to the Association website to see the schedule of activities and to actually register online.  There is a list on the website of those who have already registered.  And be sure to ask any of our buddies who were in the 225th if they are attending. 

Vietnam's Valley's Of Darkness

Our friend and comrade Jim Thomas sent me a note around the time we were getting ready to move this spring, hence my tardiness in posting this on the Observer.  Here’s his note to me….

Gordy, hope all is well in the far west. We had two hurricanes last year and it is still wet around here.

I wanted to touch base to see if you could give a shout-out for a book that I've been working on for 10 years. It’s about a 225th pilot that has to leave the unit to fly helicopters for a special mission that involves the 5th Special Forces and his trials, hardships and misgivings along the way. It's not a porno book but you won’t find it in a religious store either—it's about life in the Army in Vietnam. There's a link below and any help and or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance.  H J Thomas.

https://tinyurl.com/valleysofdarkness

Ed. note:  I’ve ordered Jim’s book…take a look at the link because right off the bat you’ll see a map of RVN with Phu Hiep prominently labelled, and the 225th is acknowledged on the first page.  I would have my copy in a few days; I’ll write a review and publish it after I finish it.

Heavyhearted News From Minnesota

I recently received some very troubling and sad news from my Cost Guard (and Vietnam Veteran) friend Dave Pitkin in Washington State.  His sources in the Midwest sent him the below obituary notice.  Many of us older folks are sure to be heart-broken, distressed, grief-stricken, down-in-the-dumps and, indeed, despondent after reading the disturbing news below….