Well, this will be the second letter for the upcoming REUNION in BRANSON, MO. The RED HAT CHAPTER had their International Parachute Rigger/Air Dispatcher 2006 Reunion in Fredericksburg, VA, and had a really good turn out from the guys overseas, but in my humble opinion not so good for the stateside guys. It was announced by the President of the Air Dispatch Association that they would host the next International Rigger Reunion in Vietnam in 2008. Gee, I was wondering who they are going to get to fly all that way, especially the old guy in there 70’s. I can’t even get them to drive to Cape Kennedy or Fort Bragg. Anyway, I hope they have a lot of luck. The President of the Red Hat Chapter, 1SG Delma Weitman, also announced that the Red Hat Chapter would host a reunion in 2007 at Fort Benning, GA. You have a lot of choices for different reunion to attend. We have a grumbling from several of our participants to go on to BRANSON, MO, in 2007 instead of waiting until 2008. From the last mailing, the majority of you have spoken, and the number of checks I have received also indicates that it will be July 2008. FIRM. Here’s what you can do. When you get this letter, immediately sit down and write me a reply, sending me your CHECK and STAMPS TELLING ME, "ROY, I will be there in 2008." This sitting-on-the-fence just doesn’t cut it any more. MAKE A DECISION ON YOUR REUNION VACATION PLANS. SO, read the rest of the newsletter slowly even though you might have read these definitions before. There are many things that are influential in life, and the decisions we make on a daily basis are one of the most critical, fortunately or unfortunately. NUMBERS, as applied to reunions, affect almost every choice that we make. For example, the SITE- determined by the number of people that contact the reunion planner and indicate their choice as to where they would like to go; the HOTEL- determined by availability, usually based on number of attendees. Some facilities will only negotiate for a minimum number - that must be given far in advance of actual use; the AMENITIES - Items furnished by the host facility become more plentiful and at a better rate corresponding to the number of guaranteed guest or rooms rented; the BANQUETS - either provided by the host facility or catered are negotiated from the standpoint of how many will be present at the banquet. Of course, the more sitting down to eat, the more leeway is given to the planner in terms of menu items and price. ENTERTAINMENT and/or TOURS and BUSES - Chartered in advance from numbers provided by attendees as to their preferences. Again, as the numbers increases, the cost declines. SUMMATION GUYS - With all of the above in mind, and as we read, negotiations are underway to accommodate the RETIRED RIGGERS REUNION 2008 in Branson, MO. It is imperative that this be done because at this date, hotel/motel reunion space is already booked for this time in 2007. The earlier we can present somewhat "firm numbers" the better choices we have. To facilitate this, let’s consider helping my staff and me by indicating whether or not you will be on board for the REUNION . We can do this NOW by sending a partial payment and an obligatory statement of intent to be there. Remember the "numbers game" and in order to get the most for your money, we need to declare at the earliest opportunity out support for this endeavor. At this stage of planning, numbers are paramount-money in the bank is very, very important to help earn some interest. Stamps are needed. I hope to get replies from everyone on the reunion list, at least announcing your intent. And if not attending, send a donation so we can count those NUMBERS. I truly expect an answer, and I also expect your money to be in the bank. Not to worry, if something goes wrong, and we are still like 90 days out, I will return your money unless you tell me otherwise.

We need some new pictures and I would ask you to stop cutting out and taking the pictures that I have enlarged and laminated for your viewing pleasure. Any pictures you send me for enlargement and displaying I will return to you as always. Please look at your picture books and forward me some of your old snapshots for enlargement and displaying. CW4 Ray Ward (80 plus years old) just sent me over 100 pictures and 300 stamps. Why can’t the rest of you do that?? Also received pictures from SGT Steve Beach and I am told that MRS. Anita Butler, wife of deceased SFC Edward Butler, is sending me some pictures. Didn’t I see MAJ Lee Dunlap in there with wife having fun and telling and correcting war stories? Now Lee, we need COL Chuck Whittle and we also need MAJ Billy Wise. Lee and Coy can take the bull by the horns and get them guys up to Branson. Why don’t you invite Pearce Durham? He also can tell a good story. I am working on LTC George Peters and MAJ Gene Earleywine. Help me LEE and COY. I received a very healthy check from COL Bill Foley and he says that he is not even attending. Why can’t the rest of you get your check and stamps on in to me? Check the finance page attached and see if I am not taking care of your little money.

We will need some extra money for hosting meals in Branson as we did before. So reach into your pockets and send me your check. Also, once again plan on bringing along your favorite drink to turn over to the hospitality room to be shared by all.

I will try and make several liaison trips to BRANSON over the next few months and see how many show tickets I can hustle up. What I need you to do is get your money and stamps on in and stay committed. When I say stay committed, I mean get your money in to me and stay committed to attending. I don’t care what happens. The BRANSON REUNION will be in JULY 2008, the 16^th, 17^th, 18^th, 19^th, and departing the 20^th.

--- THINGS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW-----

• Spoke with both SFC Johnny E. Johnson and his wife, Pearlie, down in Palmerdale, AL, and he told me that he had COPD and had to carry his oxygen supply with him wherever he went. SFC Johnson was fairly up to date being he is on Email with several other people. His wife says that they have not figured out how to travel and exchange his oxygen bottles. Can any one advise him??
• Mrs. Edna Stephens (83 years old), wife of our beloved COL Rome O. Stephens (rigger), has died in the assisted living facility in Columbus, GA. She had been in poor health for several years, but they did attend the Retired Rigger Reunion in 2002 at Benning and the reunion at Bragg, in 2000.
• 1SG Thomas Dossey of Chandler, Texas, is in critical condition at his home. 1SG Dossey is 76 years old, and did attend the Retired Rigger Reunion in 2002 at Benning. He was assigned to the Kokura Army Depot in Japan in the mid-50’s and the Columbus Army Depot and the Parachute Shop at Fort Rucker, AL.
• Received a letter from MSG Phillip S. Salzwedel who is 69 years old and has had by-pass surgery and a stroke and is carrying his own oxygen supply, but says that he will try and make Branson, MO, in 2008 to get his over-70 plaque. MSG Salzwedel has been assigned to the 82^nd, 5^th SFG, 101^st, 173^rd and MACV-Team 22 in Vietnam. He has been awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and three (3) Purple Hearts. Hang in there, Salzwedel. He says that Vasquez and Chadwick are two of his closets friends.
• Spoke with SFC Ray Hanson’s wife up in Hopkinsville, KY, and she says that Ray has been under the weather for a few months with prostate problems and COPD, but that he is making a recovery. They did move to a new home and it is what Mrs. Hanson calls "downsizing". Hope to see Ray at the Branson reunion with wife.
• Received word from Mrs. Anita Butler, wife of SFC Edward I. Butler, that he had died this past December at his home in Yuma, AZ, from a massive heart attack. SFC Butler was 72 years old and was a veteran of the 549^th and the 508^th. SFC Butler was in the 173^rd and the 101^st in Vietnam. After military retirement at Yuma, SFC Butler worked civil service for a number of years before retiring.
• Received a short note from COL Charles R. Church that he was 85 years old and had lost all interest in reunions and prior military connections, plus he says that everyone he knew is dead. He asked to be dropped from the mailing list. He sent no check or stamps. Sad to see someone go like that. I always liked COL Church.
• SGM Jarvis Spencer living in Fayetteville, NC, died on 1 November. He was 67 years old. SGM Spencer started with the 82^nd PS&M Co in early 1959 and was assigned as the company carpenter as a duty, which he worked in for many years. He retired from New Cumberland Army Depot, but spent over 18 years in the 82^nd Abn Division.
• Received a large box of pictures from CW4 Ray Ward. CW4 Ward also sent 300 stamps. I am going to enjoy going thru these pictures and having them enlarged for the wall. Over the years Mr. Ward has been most generous.
• Also received some pictures from SGT Beach, which were taken in the 549^th in the late 50’s.
• Received a note from COL Kovach that he was pending back surgery and would not be able to make the reunion in 2008, but would stay in touch.
• Spoke with CW3 Bob Knight’s daughter, Pattie, and she says that Bob has had (2) two strokes, which has left him without his speech and partially paralyzed on his left side. CW3 Knight is, or will be, 75 years old in January 2007. His daughter said she would like to go to Branson, MO, and may try and bring CW3 Knight. That would be great.
• Spoke with 1SG Jake Link. He says that he is 77 years old, has a bad case of CRS, and has to carry an oxygen bottle wherever he goes. 1SG Link was the 82^nd PM Co 1SG in the early 60’s.
• Received a check and 100 stamps from my Deputy Dog CW4 Terry Wallace. Terry says that he is ready for Branson, MO, and hopes to see everyone there. He is still in the process of having carpet replaced throughout his home.
• Had a very nice talk with SFC Andrew Sheffield (80 years old and a WWII Vet) who has never been to a Rigger Reunion. He says he goes to the 11^th Airborne Division reunions and the 187^th Reunion. SFC Sheffield’s wife is having some medical problems that limit his traveling. Got him on the mailing list.
• Spoke with SFC Jumping Joe Kratcoski and he is involved in a local museum that he helped build up in his hometown. He also said he was sending me a check plus 100 stamps. Jumping Joe is 80 years old. Check arrived with information on his museum and some pictures. No stamps.
• Spoke with COL Rome Stephens on the phone and told him I was stopping by to visit him this month (Thanksgiving holidays). He is living in an assisted living facility in Columbus, GA. He was in good spirits and we talked for several minutes. Will be good to see COL Stephens.
• Received word that MSG Paul Ethington, 76 years old, died at his home in Chester, VA, on 12 November. MSG Ethington had been in the 549^th QM Co in the late 50’s and retired from the Airborne Department.
• Spoke with 1SG Delmar Weitman at his home and he says that recovery is coming along very slowly. He is to have additional surgery on his neck arteries on 29 November.
• Spoke with 1SG Billy C. Eury who told me that his wife, Helen, had died several years ago and he had moved to a smaller apartment and was living by himself. 1SG Eury is 74 years old and said he does not get out much.
• Received word from two different sources that 1SG Thomas Dossey passed away at his home in Texas yesterday, 15 November. I had spoken with Mrs. Dossey several days ago and she informed me that he was in poor health. He was 76 years old and had served in the 8080^th Army Depot Unit in Kokura, Japan, in the late 50’s and in the 109^th Aerial Supply Co when it was formed. He did attend the Rigger Reunion at Fort Benning in 2002.
• I was on a visit to Fort Benning, GA, over the holidays and CSM Jergens and I went to visit COL Rome Stephens. He had just returned from dinner with his daughter at Thanksgiving. We talked for over one hour.
• Met up with MAJ Curtis Cole in Columbus, GA, and he let me borrow some old pictures from the 50’s and 60’s of both his career and his father’s career.
• I’ve had a little excitement/worry/pain the last few days. I spent most of last Sunday in the emergency room of Cape Fear Valley Hospital. Was sent home with the diagnosis that I had a kidney stone. The pain worsened over night and went to see my doctor on Monday morning. As it turned out, I had appendicitis and he made arrangements for me to check in the hospital. I was in by noon and had the appendectomy by that afternoon. The doc said it was about to rupture. I left the hospital on Wednesday morning (they wanted to keep me longer). Brenda stayed out of school for three days; she must really love me to do that. She has been a great help.

You can keep in mind that the powers to be are working very diligently to organize and set up a first class, financially cost-effective reunion for 2008 in BRANSON, MO. I don’t need to get these phone calls telling me we were just up there in 2004, but keep in mind that the faces of the individuals and the shows and the things to see will change, and yes, even the traffic has been corrected to a certain amount. At our age, we should be overjoyed to be able to visit old friends, see friendly places, and get there and back safely. We will have a bunch of NEW pictures to look at and some new articles to read. Don’t miss this reunion. I am working hard to get a LARGE gathering. Please try and do as I ask you: (1) send me your CHECK for $100.00 per person, more if you can, (2) send me a bunch of STAMPS, and (3) look in the old picture books and send me a few new snapshots from 50 years ago. Help me work on getting some new faces that can tell JUMP STORIES and play GOLF or Pinochle and just be good COMPANY. TILL BRENDA and I SEE YOU AGAIN.

…..…………………..Clear Skies, Roy and Brenda Warren………………………..