The fourteenth BOXCAR REUNION convened at the Nassau Motel in Ocean City, Maryland from 16 to 20 September, 2004. Twenty-five Veterans of the 178th/400th were present, along with wives, significant others and three guests.

BOXCAR VETERANS Attending:

Tom Alward Temple Ancarrow Roy Austin Jim Bennett Jof Boylan Don Bryan Bougie Griswell C. Lee Dorsey John Engle B0b Hallock Joe Hawkins Bill Jeczalik Tom Chism

Michigan Virginia Alabama Illinois Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Delaware Delaware North Carolina Maryland Nebraska Florida Kentucky

Ron Johnson John LeCates Jack Knotts Josh Logan Dean Nelson Clinton Poston Ron Quigley Bob Rodweller Ken Sines Dan Shoplock Bill Sly Erie Termuhlen

Maryland Maryland Florida Florida Minnesota Virginia Oregon Maryland Georgia Arizona Virginia Ohio

Guests:
Allen Christensen - Washington, D.C. - Boeing Rep
Bob Richardson - Philadelphia - Boeing Rep
Captain David Sale - Pennsylvania Army National Guard

Bougie's letter covered the high points of the Reunion, Saturday, 18 September was our busiest day. In the morning we convoyed over to Seaford, Delaware to see the Moving Wall, Besides our 178th casualties, it always seems like each of us has our individual names from home or family to look up; it is always a somber experience. The rain held off until half way back to Ocean City. In the afternoon, Lt. Col. (Ret) Robert Richardson gave us a detailed report of progress on Chinook advancements and prospects for future continued Army use of Chinook Helicopters, Also, Captain David Sale, a Chinook Pilot with the Pennsylvania National Guard gave us a terrific show and talk about his recent tour flying Chinooks in Afghanistan...They showed us a film of Chinooks in action that gave us all goose bumps.

Our Business Meeting was a quick affair. Jim Bennett volunteered, to be Site-Host for 2005, provided we chose Indianapolis at the Site, and that he did not also have to be President. So the group elected Indianapolis as our 2005 Reunion Site, and the current Officers Slate was re-elected by acclamation: President Sines, Vice-President Johnson, Treasurer LeCates, Secretary Nelson, Site-Host Bennett; and since the Reunion, Barry Beldin has volunteered to help Jim as Co-Site Host in Indianapolis.

Our only disappointments were the windy and wet weather, which cancelled our planned. bonfire, and forced our group photo indoors. And the motel management told some of our people who had planned to attend one or two days of the Reunion that they had a three-night minimum. Consequently several guys chose not to come, and yet there was a "Vacancy" sign out front when we arrived. It was a poor decision (bad PR) that cost us a few attendees, and cost them money, NEVERTHELESS...The hotel rooms and meeting room were outstanding (as was the Atlantic Ocean) ; also the snacks brought in by the Criswells and LeCateses...we had a terrific time; Thank you Bougie Criswell and Ken Sines

Until the Winter Newsletter...Keep the Faith,
Dean C.Nelson, Association Secretary

TAPS
HAROLD L. HUFF

Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Harold L. Huff of Athens, Georgia passed away on 7 May, 2004. He served in Vietnam with the 81st TC in l962-63 then flew with the 3rd TC at Ft. Belvoir, Maryland. Then in 1967, he served a second tour in Vietnam with the 178th ASHC and with HHC/llth CAB. He attended the 2001 Boxcar Reunion in Savannah, Georgia. Harold's remains were cremated in May; the funeral service and internment were at Arlington Cemetary on 19 November, 2004. Information from Kenneth Sines, Don Joyce, and Mrs. Ann S. Huff