Hello Fellow Boxcars,

Just getting the bad news that we have lost a Chinook in Afghanistan with 17 passengers on board. TV news indicated that the passengers were Navy Seals. I thought Seals were supposed to be in the water not in the mountains of Afghanistan. Guess we are hurting for Infantry troops. Two brigades from the 10th Mountain Division are supposed to go over in January 2006. I am not sure who they have over there now. I know Boeing has made a lot of improvements on the birds but we still can crash them, especially in those high altitudes in bad weather. I think the enemy is getting real smart and are setting up ambushes to get us into situations where terrorist await our re-enforcements with about 10-15 RPGs. Seems that we are getting into more and more trouble in both Iraq and Afghanistan. I can't find much difference in what went on in Vietnam and whats happening in the middle east.

This will be the last News Letter before our 15th Boxcar reunion in Indianapolis, Indiana. Hope all of you can make it. If not I'll make sure that Dean puts out a real good News Letter the next time with all the great things we did out there. I do not think I'll be trying out for any of the race car positions but you never know. Some times on these Interstate Highways I think I am a race car driver just trying to stay out of the way of these 16 wheelers. If you all are driving, be careful and start a little early. We're losing so many of our generation we don't need to lose anyone on the road.

I am looking forward to this years reunion to hear all the stories that Dean will be telling about getting his pilot license renewed. When he gets that old airplane of his refurbished he will really be dangerous. Hope a few more of the Commanders show up this year. See you all at the reunion......

Ken Sines
Boxcar Six 1969-70