WORDS FROM THE WESTERN CHAPTER
At our mid-May Western Chapter Reunion, the good lord was willing, and the “creek” dropped below flood stage. But, apparently only long enough for our reunion week, and then the river went back up! We had a good attendance, and our guest of honor, National (Eagle) Chapter president Charles Allen and his wife Cookie lent gravitas and grace to our gathering. At the request of the board of directors of the Eagle chapter, all Western Chapter officers then serving agreed to extend their term of office to coincide with Eagle Chapter’s term of office. Now we are in need of members willing to serve out the terms of several positions. We need a chapter delegate, and help is needed with running the website. Our founder and current secretary/treasurer, Mike Bradshaw has told us that medical issues are catching up with him, and help or reassignment of these positions would be greatly appreciated! The website is a great tool for us, but needs
someone to help keep it updated. Come on, all you computer whizzes!!
THE NATIONAL REUNION:
We arrived at our 17th national reunion in Arlington, VA between an earthquake (5.8) and a hurricane (category 1). The venue could not have been better chosen - Sheraton National Hotel, Arlington. It was located only two blocks from the National Cemetery’s south gate.
101st Airborne Division Vietnam Veterans Organization President, Charles Allen, his wife Cookie, and other family members, went all-out to provide a great gathering, including a custom bus tour to various monuments and memorials, a Friday night pizza party and a live band - which did an excellent job playing music of the ‘Nam era! (Ask about the surprise guest vocalist...)
On Saturday night our banquet guest of honor and speaker was LTG John H. Cushman (RET.). He gave us vignettes of a 38 year career. He was spot-on and never missed a beat. His talk was replete with kudos for the A1/502, much to the delight of the 0/Deuce attendees. The storm, which peaked at our location during the banquet, waited until after General Cushman’s remarks to knock out the power - for less than ten seconds.
We had planned on attending the dedication of the Martin Luther King JR. Memorial, but Hurricane Irene caused that event to be postponed. The weather did have some effect on attendance at the reunion, causing 20-30% no-shows.
I participated in the BOG meeting as our Western Chapter Delegate, hoping to convince the Eagle Chapter to combine next year’s reunion with the Western Chapter in San Mateo, CA. That idea was pre-empted by the tradition of having the reunion at FT Campbell when the Division is in garrison, and they have a Week of the Eagles celebration, so next year is scheduled for Ft. Campbell.
The 2013 meeting will be held in Rapid City, SD - Gateway to the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and many other sites of interest. It isn’t the West Coast, but it is in the right direction. Having visited the places listed above, I can attest to the beauty and historic significance of the area.
The Western Chapter was represented at this National Reunion by Joe Diaz HHB DIV-ARTY, Dan Cabral and his wife Yolanda, and Mike and Sharon Donovan with “Sailor” (his 5th reunion!) At the banquet, Dan shared with us the success of his efforts to finally secure a CIB for a deserving veteran and dear friend, “Little Ski”. All in all it was a rewarding and successful reunion, and we all left looking forward to the next. one! Until then, all the way, sir.
Mike Donovan
A 1/502 W.I.A JUL ‘69
(707)782-1234 (residence)
(415)269-8575 (cell)
sailordonovan@yahoo.com
