This sixth newsletter for the RETIRED AIRBORNE RIGGER REUNION has the information you have been waiting for. The REUNION will be from 19 May THROUGH 23 May 2010, right here in greater Fayetteville, NC. The hotel will be the HAMPTON INN at 1700 SKIBO ROAD and the phone number for reservations is (910) 487-4006. Tell them you are with the RETIRED RIGGER REUNION. Be advised that we will be touring the SPECIAL OPERATIONS museum here in Fayetteville, and we also will be visiting the Division Museum which has added some new items since we were last on board. We will also be visiting a unit here at Bragg and see a demonstration of heavy drop rigging. Hopefully, with weather permitting, we will observe a Heavy-Drop and a personnel parachute jump on “good Ole Sicily Drop Zone,” AND be eating lunch on Sicily Drop Zone, but NO, it will not be “C” rations. Buses will be expensive and we will need three of them (like before). That is why I need you guys to let me know if you are attending because I am counting seats. I still need to hear from COL Causey, COL Tanner, COL Riley, LTC Irvin, CW4 Morris, CW3 Puckett, CW2 Hardegree, LTC Flanagan, CW4 Goedert, MSG Serrano, CW4 Richards, SGM Vincent, COL Daly, COL Peterka, CW4 Langstaat, MAJ Haines, SFC Hempstead, SGT Isaacs, SGT Campbell, CPL Jester, SGT Jacobson, MSG Hudson, CW4 Miller, SFC Mortenson, CPT Moore, CW4 Thomas, CPL Palmer, SFC Payne, CW3 Pride, CW3 Skinner, COL Spicely, 1SG Stainaker, MSG Stevens, MAJ Tummond, PFC Van-Scyoc, SFC Trices, SGM Strick, MSG Winn, CW2 Woolfolk, SFC Voelker, and CW2 Wadlington. The best way to hear from you is for YOU to put your check in the mail to me like NOW. I called 15 reunion members of all ages (which is old) and asked them all the same question, “Where would they rather have lunch, either in the mess hall or a catered lunch on the drop zone?” The concensus was the mess hall. People were worried about hot weather, no shade, no place to set, flying bugs, rain and it just go on and on. Some of you guys and gals have sure gotten soft in your old days. ALSO, another matter which needs your immediate attention is hotel reservations. I made a check, and as of this week, the following veterans had made their hotel reservations as requested: CW2 Sharbutt, CW3 Sizemore, SGT Green, SGT Wardlaw, MSG Barnette, SFC Bedford, SFC Chadwick, SFC Evans, SGT Forshaw, SGT Hardless, MSG Houston, CW4 McDonald, (2-rooms), CW4 Page, SGT Taylor, SMG Thomas, MSG Umphrey, CW4 Warren (3 rooms), CW3 Lamonica, Pastor Williams, SGT Naden, and MSG Tawney. Now veterans, how about getting on the telephone and getting your reservation recorded so you will not be sleeping in the lobby….OK. I am trying to hold tight with the Hampton Inn because of the location next to the mall and the shopping area for the wives, along with the nice hospitality room they are providing. I have placed the order for T-shirts and hats as of 1 December 2009. This will be a short newsletter so as I can get it in with a Christmas card and not spend too much on postage. Now one more time, let me make a plea with you to (1) get me your check in here now, (2) if your money is short, get it caught up with a check, (3) make your hotel reservation now, and (4) keep me informed on your status and if you change your mind about attending.

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

• Received an email from CW2 Dave Sharbutt that I had left him off the golf list. OK, be advised Sharbutt is playing golf.

• Ran into CSM Walker in the commissary today and he told me that he had spoken to MSG Millsapp, and that he was interested in attending the reunion. I will get him a newsletter in the mail.

• Have tried to call my buddy, SFC Alvin McKinney, but his phone has been disconnected and I have no way to get in touch.

• Spoke with CW3 Bobby J. Wadlington and he says that his check is in the mail.

• Have gotten BIO from COL Kalanges, SFC Gagan, LTC Gregor, which I am working on.

• Spoke with COL Johnny Castleberry (previous CO of the 549^th), who had been on vacation to visit his daughter in college. He said he was in great health and to tell all hello.

• Received an additional check and stamps from CW3 Perry Sizemore, who will be at the reunion with wife. Will be great to see them.

• Received a check from MSG Alphonzo and Gladys Millsapp. MSG Millsapp is a 549^th veteran. Will be the first time we have seen them since Fort Lee, VA, years ago.

• Received a call from CW5 Lester Mason informing me that he would like to attend the reunion. Newsletter with all information has been forwarded to Mr. Mason and wife.

• I talked to CPT Terry Mason on the phone and he has purchased a home in Arizona so he can practice his golf year round. He is really happy. He says the weather in Arizona is great.

• Received a call from CSM Alvin Walker and he informed me that MSG Millsapp was asking about MSG Bobby Brown. I informed CSM Walker that MSG Brown did not desire to attend our reunions. I have sent him many newsletters with no response. CSM Walker also informed me that my old buddy, SFC Joe D. Hempstead (76 years old), was in the hospital pending possible open heart surgery. Will keep you informed on this.

• Received word from my old buddy, MSG Lou Tawney, saying that he is building a new home in Myrtle Beach, SC. It is about time that he got out of that cold place he is living in.

OK, let me take this time to wish all of you a HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON from Brenda and me --- to you and yours. Have a great time with family and friends. The next newsletter will be out in late February 2010.

                      CLEAR SKIES,