This eighth 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. OK, here is the new revised schedule, and believe me it is breaking us for your pleasure, so I hope all of you tell me you are on board and will be on time. As I mentioned before in the previous newsletter, reunions are PRE-PAID and your meal will be paid 10 days prior to you eating, so if there is any doubt you can’t make it tell me as soon as possible. I was hoping to start mailing this newsletter on 1 March but I have to take a break and get my Gall Bladder jerked out on the 4^th March and hopefully after a day or two of rest I can get back with this operation. We are getting short on time and we still need a few $$$$ in the bank so for the last time after you get this newsletter and you see that you can send a few $$$$ more on down drop it in the mail to me and let me know once again you are on board and you will be here to see it all. LTC Daniel needs a ride and CW3 Lamonica is having problems getting started at the proper time. There is always some type of problem. I am sitting here counting tonight and we are up to 173 bodies (confirmed) and this will be one of the biggest, so I need to know your exact status. Cost of buses is breaking us. I am also asking you at this time to bring a bottle of your favorite HARD-DRINK or make a donation to the hospitality room. If you would rather bring two six (6) packs of beer, that will be OK also. Thank you for doing this. Now also be reminded I am cutting attendance off on 1 APRIL 2010. If you are not paid and signed by 1 April then that is just too bad. See you next time. I feel that 23 months is enough time to make up your mind. Don’t you?

I would appreciate if you would look at the schedule of events and the food I am providing, plus your Rigger Hat and the bus costs and you tell me how I do this with only $100.00. If some of you were not so generous, we would be in trouble, but the problem is I don’t have that many generous people, so once again check your pockets and if you can spare a few more dollars get it in the mail…..

Now all you people that keep saying my CHECK is in the mail need to get on the ball and get me your check and stamps. Do I need to start typing names? You know who you are.

WEDNESDAY (19MAY)

Get checked in, pick up your hat, attitude adjustment in the Hospitality Room, see old friends and get settled down, pictures to look at.

THURSDAY (20 MAY)

0900 Visit the Division Parachute Operation facility

1130 Lunch in a Army Dining facility (pre-paid)

1300 Visit the US Army Special Opns Museum

1700 Drinks and Snacks in the hospitality Room

FRIDAY (21 MAY)

0700 Breakfast in the hospitality room (by yourself)

We are paying for this privilege (prepaid)

0900 Visit the ACE Board

Golfer’s depart for Cypress Lakes (they will have to

use POV) (selected individuals)

1200 Lunch at Peaden’s Seafood Rest (pre-paid)

1330 Tour the GOLDEN KNIGHTS Facility

1700 Drinks and snacks in the hospitality room

SATURDAY (22 MAY)

0700 Breakfast in the hospitality room

0800 Prayer Breakfast (Chap. Williams)

0900 Women will be touring the mall and other areas.

1700 Load buses and you will be taken to the finest seafood restaurant in Fayetteville for a SEAFOOD/or BB&Q Supper (pre-paid). We will have CHOPPED BBQ PORK, FRIED CHICKEN, FISH and SHRIMP, BAKED BEANS, COLE SLAW, POTATO SALAD, HUSHPUPPIES, ICE TEA, LEMONADE, TABLE WINE and BEER, and also a BLUEGRASS band to entertain us. At that time we will present the GOLF AWARDS, Over-70 awards, and several SPECIAL AWARDS. We will have an outstanding guest speaker. Now if you don’t plan on attending, let me know early, so I can save the money on head count. Let me know.

SUNDAY MORNING 23 MAY)

0800 Prayer Breakfast in the Hospitality Room and we will say our GOOD BYE’S

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

• Received a check and stamps from SGM Mark Strick and his lovely wife and they will be on board.

• Received a phone call again from CW2 TJ Hardegree telling me that his check was in the mail and that he was bringing a grand-daughter. Be good to see TJ after all these years.

• Received the golf fee from SSG Updike and he says that if his back will let him he will be playing GOLF.

• Received a check from COL Riley and his wife telling me that they would be bringing friends from here in Fayetteville to the supper. LTC Alvin and Margie Watson. Be glad to see COL Riley - have never met him.

• Received a call from CW4 Ben Manning telling me that he was coming, and he also asked for CW4 Dick Langstraat phone number. I did call CW4 Langstraat and asked him to call Manning and at that time Langstraat informed me that he was having health issues and would be unable to attend the reunion, but that he would send me some stamps and a donation.

• Received an additional check from COL Kalanges and his wife. Thank you, Jim.

• Received a check from CW4 Charles Jones and he says that he cannot attend due to family matters, but asked if I would send him his hat and T-shirts.

• Talked with CW4 Ray Ward and he will be here for the reunion. CW4 Ward and I are going out to the old 187^th Pack Shed and stand in front of it and get our picture taken. We packed parachutes in that building in 1955.

• Received a nice letter and check from Jonathan and Rose Harlow. Harlow was the company clerk of the 549^th back in the late 50’s and was an outstanding trooper. Will be good to see them both.

• Harlow did mention Jumping Joe and John Lamonica, both of which are on board for the reunion.

• OK, to update the OVER-70 PLAQUE awards, it looks as if it will be, and this is by age, young to old: LTC Graham, MSG Millsapp, LTC Gregor, COL Kalanges, SFC Gagan, SFC Button, SSG Carhuff, CSM Walker, and SGM Johnson. Look forward to seeing all of them receive their plaque.

• Received a call from CSM Cooper and he is telling me that he may not be able to make the reunion because of his health issues. Let’s all put CSM Cooper in our prayers.

• Received an additional check from LTC Rougeau and he asked about the golf prizes. As of now, you are playing for BRAGGING-RIGHTS. Will try and get something as golf prizes.

• Hoping to have the Fort Bragg Garrison Commander as our guest speaker, and also hope to have the ACE Board President with us at the Saturday supper. They both should be in uniform.

• Received a check from CW4 Richards and his lovely wife. They are paid up and on board. Be good to see Dave. He is 81 years old now.

• Received a very nice contribution of stamps from Chap. Williams. Thank you very much.

• Received a check from CW3 Bobby J. Wadlington and I put the check in the bank. That same day I got a call from Bobby J. telling me he could not attend, so I mailed a check back to him.

• Received a check and stamps from CSM Willie and Betsy Harris who have never been to a reunion. Look forward to seeing both of them.

• Received a call from LTG Dick Seitz and he says that he is still on schedule to attend. Will be great to have him on board.

• Received a check from MAJ Roy D. Martin (previous CO of the Golden Knights). He and his lovely wife, Martha, will be with us at the reunion. Two fine people.

• Received an additional check and stamps from LTC Carl “Pat” Flanagan (a rigger from the past). The only two who might remember him would be LTC Butte and LTC Rougeau. It is great to have LTC Flanagan and his lovely wife on board.

• Received a check from CW2 Richard and Ruby Harper. First time for these wonderful people to join us, but we are glad to have them on board.

• Received a additional check from CW3 John and Norma Tallo, two real fine people who will be at the reunion.