The Eleventh Boxcar Reunion was held in Savannah, Georgia between August 9 and August 12, 2001. This was a two-unit Reunion together with our one-time compadres from Vun Tau, the 147th Hillclimbers. Thirty-three Boxcar Vets attended, and at least twenty-three Hillclimbers Vets (including three who served in both units). On 9 August, we enjoyed a thorough tour of Hunter Army airfield, hosted by the Third Infantry Division, and by the Chinook unit descended from 132nd Hercules, which also served at Chu Lai, and infused with Boxcars in 1968. We took this years's group photo in front of one of their Chinooks. After our group tour, Joe Hawkins and I and Kandi Hawkins stayed at Hunter as guests of the 160th SOAR, for a special Reunion with "Granny Twitchett", formerly Boxcar 65-8010. Zero-One-Zero was the 178th's second replacement aircraft (first was 6-7999) for the first two aircraft lost (-156 and -162). When it was brand new, Joe Hawkins was its first Flight Engineer. I flew on -010 several times as Crew Chief after the move to Chu Lai. See the enclosed article from the Savanna Morning News paper.

The Business Meeting was short and sweet. Elected as Association Officers for 2001-2002 are: PRESIDENT AL STRATTON, VICE-PRESIDENT BILL SLY, TREASURER JOHN LeCATES, SECRETARY DEAN NELSON. The choice of location for Reunion 2002 is Las Vegas, Nevada, with Al Stratton as Site-Host. Al was the Host for two previous Reunions, 1993 and 1994 in St. Louis. Tentative Site for 2003 is Pensacola, Florida, with Larry Busbee hosting. The Strattons have completed their move from St. Louis to Vegas, and Jean is stated in her new teaching job. They have settled into a new place on the northwest edge of the city. Al reports that tourism is down right now (everywhere), but that "Vegas is still Vegas!" and we'll have a great Reunion.

Friday, August 10, we toured the Eighth Air Force Museum, and that evening had an excellent banquet at Snappers, a seafood place great service and views of live oaks, palms, and Spanish moss. Saturday was an "on your own" day, during which many of us toured the Historic District of old Savannah. Sunday, most everyone hit the road for home. Several of us (Bill Sly, Joe and Kandi Hawkins, and Dean Nelson) made side-trip visits to Boxcar Vets Willie Gilmore in South Carolina, Buzz Brabec in North Carolina, and Jim Butler in Louisiana.

NOTE THE FLYER AND ORDER FORM FOR THE 2002 BOXCAR CALENDAR... Rodney Brown, the Hillclimber President, produced a calendar last year, and had a good fund-raising effort from it. He suggested a calendar as a good Boxcar Association fundraiser, and will be producing calendars for the 128th Tomahawks and 173rd Robin Hoods as well. The photos on the finished calendars are 8 1/2 by 11, in full color, and (for this first one) are all from my collection; for 2003 and beyond we'll solicit photos from the members of the Association.

Look for the next issue of the Boxcar Newsletter (our Fortieth issue since we started the Association in 1991) in January or February, with a completely updated roster, and Reunion 2002 information.

Keep the Faith,

Dean C. Nelson - Association Secretary