Boxcar Veterans,

Our Tenth Annual Boxcar Association Reunion was convened in Omaha, Nebraska, on the Tenth through the Thirteenth of August at the Omaha Marriott. Twenty-three Boxcar Veterans were present, plus one Associate Member, one Veteran guest, and fifteen wives of Veterans. Our previously planned activities at Offutt Air Base were canceled, because the Air Force and the Iowa National Guard failed us at the last minute. However, our group visit to the Strategic Air Command Museum, west of Omaha made for a very interesting Saturday afternoon. Did you ever see a B-52, B-36, B-47, B-58 and British Avro Vulcan in the same room?! The Air Force used Sikorsky
H-19's and Boeing-Vertol H-21's. Several of our senior crewman and pilots chuckled at the Air Force Museum guide's optimistic version of 19 and 21 load-carrying abilities. John Cottman wanted to repair loose wiring inside the nosewheelwell of the B-47. And after viewing the SR-71 up close, and hearing of its impressive Mach speeds, a muttered comment, "Yeah, but what kin of sling load can it handle?" was hear. As at every Reunion, of course, most of our time (and the best time) was spent in our hospitality suite, sharing photos, viewpoints, stories, and friendship with fellow Veterans.

On Saturday evening, we had a marvelous catered banquet in a private room at the Marriott, followed by our Annual Boxcar Association meeting, which was called to order at 19:30 by President Joe Hawkins. Secretary Dean Nelson read our Roll of Honor, the names of our Vietnam KIA's, including five of our Veterans who died after their tours-of duty with the 178th. [Included later in this Newsletter] Dick Janousek spoke about his CD version of The Boxcar Unit History, which he worked so hard to complete (still a work in progress, as much of our data is still locked in the Archives in Maryland). Dick had some of the CD's for sale at the Reunion; contact him for information. Mark Seeley is still seeking information about the Boxcars' time at Phu Loi, especially any personal feedback from Veterans who knew his Dad, John Seeley, during his time with the 178th. Contact Mark if you have any information or anecdotes for him. Next, Kandi Hawkins conducted a lottery for two very nice embroidered Chinook shirts from Fort Campbell, which were won by John Cottman and Andy Killian.

The Secretary read the minutes of the 1999 business meeting in Philadelphia. John LeCates gave the Treasurer's Report; we had a small balance left this year of $270 (not much, but we've usually run into the red). We passed the hat twice, and collected money to reimburse Buddy Brooks for expenses in setting up and expanding the Boxcar Website, and collected $625 to add to the treasury. We discussed the idea of collecting membership fees again, and decided against them again in favor of continuing our policy of passing the hat at Reunions, and accepting voluntary contributions to the treasury anytime. With fees, we might increase our treasury somewhat, but we would likely lose members in the process; and we (especially your truly, the Secretary!) don't want to lose any of the Vets we've worked so hard to locate in the past ten years.

We discussed the site for Reunion 2001, and a tentative site for 2002. Next Summer in Savannah, Georgia, wi will have a Double-Unit Reunion for both the 178th/400th Boxcars and the 147th Hillclimbers. Hillclimbers were holding their first reunion in Dallas at the same time we were in Omaha. The 147th and 178th shared a lot of common history while we were at Phu Loi, an they were at Vung Tau; quite a few of our Vets are eligible for membership in both Associations. Savannah Site-Host for Boxcars will be Steve Niedbala, and for Hillclimbers a Vet of the 147th who also lives in Savannah. This will have the potential to be our largest Reunion ever. There are Chinooks at Hunter Army air Field, and lots of history to see in Savannah. Tentative site for 2002 is Las Vegas, with Al Stratton indicating (sort of) a willingness to be a site host again. Boxcar Association Officers elected for 2000-2001 are President Steve Niedbala, Vice-President A.C. Moore, Treasurer John LeCates, and Secretary Dean Nelson.

After the business meeting the camaraderie continued in the hospitality room, and by the pool until well after midnight. On Sunday, by car, truck, motor home, and airliner, we made our various ways home. Every Reunion has ben something special. Every year there are new guys at their first Reunion; we plan Reunions for every year, so that if a guy has to miss one it will only be a year before the next one. And the next one will be...something special. Start making plans now to share the experience of Reunion 2001 in Savannah.

PRESENT IN OMAHA FOR REUNION 2000:
Weldon Allen (Pace, Florida)
Roy Austin (Decatur, Alabama)
Jim Bennett (Paris, Illinois)
Joe Boylan (Ashland, Pennsylvania)
John Cottman (Virginia, Beach, Virginia)
John Cutright (Thousand Oaks, California)
Bill Elliott (Panama City, Florida)
Jerry Foote (Pilger, Nebraska)
Dean Funke (Fontanelle, Iowa)
Joe Hawkins (Beatrice, Nebraska)
Dick Janousek (McPherson, Kansas)
John Kennebec (Linn Creek, Missouri)
Andy Killian (Reno, Nevada)
John Lecates (Delmar, Maryland)
Josh Logan (Cape Coral, Florida)
Andy Moore (Pavo, Georgia)
Thermon Moore (Pavo, Georgia)
Dean Nelson (Mounds View, Minnesota)
Steve Niedbala (Savannah, Georgia)
Fred Sass (Panama City, Florida)
Mark Seeley (Boise, Idaho)
David Smith (West Lafayette, Indiana)
Al Stratton (Lake St. Louis, Missouri)
Jim Strawn (Hutchinson, Kansas)

Eloise and Bill Elliott drove all the way from Panama City, and were heading for Seattle after the Reunion, before heading back to the Gulf coast. John Cutright rode his BMW motorcycle from Thousand Oaks (Los Angeles) to the Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, then to Omaha for one day of the Reunion, before riding back to the West Coast. Thermon Moore is Andy Moore's "kid brother". He is a retired Air Force Colonel in the Chaplains' corps. Jerry Foote, Dean Funke, John Kennebeck, David Smith, and Barry Beldin also were first-time Reunion attendees.

Keep the Faith,

Dean Nelson

Boxcar Association Secretary