FELLOW BOXCAR VETERANS

The Sixteenth 178th ASHC/400th TC BOXCAR REUNION was held at the Picadilly Airport Hotel in Fresno, California on 15 through 18 June, 2006. Nineteen Veterans of the 178th and 400th were present, including two who left the 178th to the 132nd in the infusion of personnel between the units.

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REUNION HIGHLIGHTS: Six Veterans were attending their first Boxcar Reunion... Tim Dalton, who went to the 132nd; Joe Harris, Supply 1968-69; George Luster an over-on-the-boat original, went to 147th after four+ months at Phu Loi; Lewis McConnell, the original Executive Officer and the second Boxcar Six; Bob McLaughlin, aircrew in 1968-69; and Gary Schooler, Pilot in 1967-68, one of the Kham Duc Veterans.

Friday, 16 June, we drove in a car convoy to the south entance to Yosemite Park, and took the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad narrow-gauge train ride, followed by a picnic prepared by the Killians. After the picnic, several carloads entered Yosemite and toured the redwood grove and other nearby sites. Your secretary scored a Golden Age lifetime pass to all National Parks, which has already been used four times.

Saturday, 17 June, we took a tour of the maintenanace facility for the Army National Guard at the Fresno Airport. We had hoped to see a Chinook there, and they had one, but it was hidden away in the paint facility. We did see a number of helicopters undergoing maintenance, including Blackhawks, H-Model Hueys, and an OH-58. After the tour we went to the Legion of Valor Museum, a military museum in Fresno. Following the museum tour we held our Annual Business Meeting in a meeting hall at the museum. Andy Killian presided over the meeting, which opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, then the National Anthem and another patriotic song performed by the a capella qauartet "Smile", a local barbershop quartet group, which included three veterans. Andy surprised Association Treasurer John LeCates and Secretary Dean Nelson with the presentation of glass-and-wood plaques as the only 178th Vets who have attended all sixteen reunions; and a plaque for Historian Dick Janousek for his service to the Association. Nelson read the Honor Roll of our causalties.

The business part was quick and easy: Steve Niedbala proposed another Reunion in Savannah for 2007. By acclamation, the proposal was accepted, Steve Niedbala elected as President, Larry Busbee as Vice-President, and LeCates, Nelson and Janousek continuing their duties.

Saturday night, John Cutright gave a fascinating powerpoint presentation of his (motorcycle trip!) in Vietnam last Winter. The bikes were rented Russian Minsks (not recommended!) and the guide was a former NVA soldier. Also, on Saturday, George Luster arrived from Sacramento. George and Josh Logan are two of the survivors of the crash of Boxcar 162 in June, 1966, and their reunion was one of the sort of special moments that come at every reunion.

Sunday, 18 June, most of the group gathered at Bob McLaughlin's home for a pool party and barbecue. The Killians and McLaughlins did an excellent job arranging this Reunion... and the want to say "thanks" to all who came, and those who have sent "thank you" notes as well.

AUTUMN NEWSLETTER will be out....in the Autumn
  2007 REUNION in Savannah hosted by Steve Niedbala

Dean C. Nelson, Secretary