The Buzzard Reunion 2004 will coincide with the squadron's deployment to Nellis for Red Flag. All aspects of the reunion have been worked in tight coordination with the 510th "Buzzard Association" (Hal Bingaman), the WWII "Buzzards" also known as "Jenkins Jerry Junkers" through Charlie Mohrle, "Buzzard One" (Lt Col Jon "Whiskey" Walker) and the local Vegas coordinator (Goldie). The active duty squadron arrived from Aviano between 25 September and the 4th of October. They are knocking out some training before Red Flag commences with the Weapons School and will be half way done with their Red Flag deployment when the reunion merges. All activities other than the planned golf outing (not enough players for a real tournament) will take place in the hotel. This will include a reunion-long Hospitality Suite which opens at noon on Thursday in which registration for all the "elderlies" (non-current active duty Buzzards will take place (look for signs in the lobby and at the door coming into the hotel from Valet Parking) , a short 510th Association Meeting (to be scheduled and announced by Hal Bingaman), a professional tour of Nellis AFB on Friday morning (for those signed up at registration) leaving the hotel by bus promptly at 0830 which includes: Red Flag, the Thunderbird Hangar, the Flight Line and both the Threat Training Facility and Freedom Park. This event is followed on Friday evening by a Flight Suit/BDU/Party Suit Reception/Party featuring heavy "horse doofers" (to absorb the libations) from an open bar which will begin at 2000 hours back at the Plaza Hotel, a golf "outing for those signed up at the Los Prados Golf Course leaving the Plaza hotel by cars at 1000 hours on Saturday and then, a Four-Generation Banquet (flight suits/BDUs or casual wear) to cap off the reunion beginning promptly at 5:10 P.M. on Saturday evening. Our Guest Speaker for the banquet is none other than "Ace" Drummond, a Buzzard of WWII fame. Local tours and free time are also planned in. To see your name published early on the "Who's Coming to the Reunion" list, which appears on this web site below, send in your registration forms and checks as soon as you can. You need to copy the registration form below and mail it to the Reunion Coordinator (that's Me) quick-like. We are looking forward to a great turnout of lots of former Buzzards to sidle up to the bar with the active duty folks. See ya at the Reunion and remember, "Buzzards Rule" and "If it bleeds, we can kill it".
Plaza Hotel Reservations for all former Buzzards and their guest will be by phone. See details below.
The Registration Form follows. Print it out, fill it in and mail it with your check to Goldie, 5401 Indian Hills Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89130-2029.
Buzzard Reunion 2004
Registration Form
NAME NICKNAME
GUEST NAME NICKNAME
ADDRESS
CITY STATE ZIP
PHONE EMAIL
EVENT: (CHECK ITEMS YOU'LL ATTEND)
- HOSPITALITY SUITE FOR ENTIRE TIME $20.00
- TOUR OF NELLIS AND BRIEFING (TENTATIVE) $10.00
- FLIGHT SUIT/BDU/PARTY SUIT PARTY $25.00
- GOLF TOURNEY (LOS PRADOS) $40.00
- 4-GENERATION BANQUET (CASUAL) $35.00
- REGISTRATION FEE (PER PERSON & GUESTS) $30.00
- TOTAL COST "OUT THE DOOR" $160.00
Note: If you don't plan on playing in the golf tourney, don't put an X in the Golf Tourney spot and your "Out the Door" cost ain't but $120. Try to beat that price anywhere Sports Fans!!!
ANY FUNDS AVAILABLE AT THE END OF THE REUNION WILL GO TO THE ACTIVE SQUADRON FUND JUST LIKE LAST TIME!!!
MAIL THIS FORM AND YOUR CHECK TO:
GOLDIE, 5401 Indian Hills Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89130-2029
DO IT TODAY!!!
To make your room reservations, Call Room Reservations at the Plaza Hotel on their toll-free number (800) 634-6575 and tell the clerk that you are with "The Buzzards Reunion" to get our special rate.
WHO'S COMING TO THE REUNION SO FAR:
Greg "Grumpy" and Christy Norwood, Jon "Whiskey" Walker, Hal "Bing" and JoAnn "Josie" Bingaman, Charles "Charlie" and Charlie M. Mohrle, Marty Loftus, Fred and Julie Smith and Eileen Leverentz, Arlie and Lucille Blood, John "Ace" Drummond, Bill and Vinetta Swisher, David "Baja" Shoemaker, Greg "Pinball" and Bethany Keller, Ed "Knuckles" Long, Mark "Bull" Mitchum, Chris "Dr." Jones, Laura "Rage" Brodhag, George "Banzai" Watkins, Guy "Dmitre" Barth, Andy "Mayo" Hecht, Mark "Slammer" Bjorgen, Steve "Chaos" Gatowy, Ronnie "Zogg" Hawkins, Joe "Rex" Bassett, Stan and Esther Davis, Gene Johns, Bob "Fize" Fizer, Richard "Dick" and Jody and John and David Parker , Harry and Thelma Sanders, William "Bill" Workman, Bob "Killer Boy" and Vie Reese, Steve and Karen Tanner, Ed "Killer" Kowalczyk, Mike Barrowman, Nicholas "Nick" Nonnenmacher, Lynn "Tom" and Lynelle Thomas, Dave Sarvai, Marlin Blake and Betty Lee, Tony "Snakeye" Medaglia, August "Augie" Marquardt, John "Krusty" O'Kane, Matt "Dirty" Roles, Phil "Butcher" Lancaster, Skyler "Coma" Hester, Lynn "Riddler" Savage, Eric "Spot" Scharnowski, George "Trigger" Wyse, Tony "Scrappy" Marek, Steve "Pedro" Pedrotty, Chris "Dbal" Austin, Aaron "Fang" Steffens, Norbert "Norb" Beiter, Howard "H.I." and Shirley Price, Nicholas "Nick" and Olive Vogel, Joseph "Junior" Bohman, Jim "Cole" Colegrove, *** Dan "Black Dan" and Audree Druen, ** Steve "Goldy" and Jeanne' Goldfein, * Greg "Pounds" and Sally Ihde, Mike "Muff" and Michelle McKinney, Al "Big Al" and Theresa Wickman, Mark "Mercury" and Lisa Morris, Curtis "Curt" Pitts, Alexander "Bud" and Carolyn Reed, Bill "Goldie" and "St. Mary" Goldfein, and (your name will appear here as soon as we receive your Registration Form and check, so get with it, y'hear?). Still waiting for the active duty squadron registrations.
The above list adds up to 89 folks as of this date. Let's maybe get at least a few more - what dya say?
Memories of the Buzzards Reunion Aug 7-10 2003 by Bernie Conway Quotable Quotes:
"Buzzards RULE!"
"If you are not a fighter pilot (or his wife), you ain’t shit!"
"If it bleeds…We can kill it!"
"If you missed this Vegas Reunion, you really screwed up!" (I cleaned that up a bit).
What turned out to be the best reunion I have ever attended was hosted by Buzzard 01, Mike "Fanman" Fantini (reminds me of Tom Cruise with a bunch of humility thrown in) and his lovely wife, Anne (who just also happens to be a surgeon!)
Attending from the old 510th (in no particular order, except for the first name) include Dan and Audree Druen, Chuck Stamschror, Bernie and Judy Conway, Gary and Marie Fredricks, Squatty-Body Campbell, Ed and Marlene Gellings, Lynn and Lynelle Thomas, and Jim Brasier. People with Las Vegas addresses not attending include Ed Kowalczyk and Dale Nelson. They were missed, as were all you other Buzzards of the Bien Hoa era.
The rest of the group ranged from an 87-year-old fighter pilot, down to a cute-little- blonde Admin. Officer. (Horns, you should have been there!) The basic 510th was TDY at Nellis from Aviano for Red Flag. That fact slowed the green suits down during the day but think they saved it all up for the last night.
Hospitality room was in full swing upon arrival on Thursday. That evening busses took us from our home at Palace Station across the freeway to the Stardust where we had front row seats for the Wayne Newton Show, which was basically dedicated to the 510th. They had a presentation at the end where Buzzard 01 gave Wayne a decanter set, a flight suit, and a flight jacket. (I thought Bush was the only one to get things like that!) Wayne is slowing down as a singer, but still puts on a very entertaining show, with lots of patriotism thrown in. I heard he is the heir apparent to the Bob Hope slot with the U.S.O.
On Friday morning busses took us to Nellis for a tour of the Flight Line, Thunderbird Hangar, and the old MIG museum they call "the petting zoo." That flight line is something to behold during a Red Flag Exercise. The Thunderbirds were in Hawaii, but their PR briefing and hangar tour were great.
Friday afternoon was a combo of nap time, shopping and hospitality room. This crowd had scrapbooks going back to 1943. They had very little info for our era so if you have extra stuff in your footlocker I know they would appreciate having it.
Friday evening started with cocktails and great hors d’oeuvres. Promptly at 1900 hours, "Roll Call" was held for all participants. This was followed with an informal poll on who had the most flying hours, most combat time, most bailouts, most friendly airplane destroyed (these old timer did have some hard landings!) and other various categories. Of course each demanded an explanation and we heard some wonderful and unbelievable stories. A fighter pilot sing-along followed, led by Vietnam era F-4 fighter jock, songwriter, and singer, Dick Jonas. How long has it been since you sang "Throw A Nickel On The Grass," etc?
Saturday included golf for the brave of heart. (Is that what you call people who play golf in 100+ weather?) Dan and Charlie were the only members of our group- - heard they came in third, something to do with putting!!
That evening was the Dining Out. Uniform of the day was casual, party suits or BDU (that is "Battle Dress Uniform" i.e. Flight suits and fatigues for you old guys.) I did not see a single mess dress! Flying for the week was over and the young kids kicked in. Dan Druen was guest speaker. It was the first time I was in a group he was addressing that we weren’t getting our butts chewed! He gave a good speech about the Clark days. Wayne Fullam and Pigpen were subjects of some of the stories. The present 510th also has a Pigpen and he looked like he could have been related, but doubt it since he did not have a pocket full of pencils!
The Grog bowl was a very busy place! Gary Fredricks pointed out that the guest speaker, Gen. Druen, had violated Rule 6 of the ROE, which states "Thou shalt eat thy vegetables" The rest of the Clark group joined him at the bowl. (That was pretty good Grog!).
Young Captain Mark Bjorgen, going by the call sign of "Slammer," did an outstanding job as Mr. Vice, as well as doing the emcee work on the Roll Call the previous evening.
There was a formal presentation of a "deceased insect" to what they called "The Cranium Table." Numerous "young" bodies hit the deck, but looking up from my dead bug position, not a WW2 butt had left the seat. Must be a late-war thing. The "finance" committee of our contingency had an emergency meeting and voted to contribute "5 units" to the bar fund. That gesture was well received by the other attendees. The activities then moved back to the hospitality suite for final stories. And then before the party was over the lieutenants may have taught Dick Jonas a few new verses for his next songbook!
A couple others who deserve special recognition for outstanding service include the Reunion Project Officer, "Jack " Haas. Lori, his pretty Mississippi wife, (who just happens to be a veterinarian!) did great work on the table décor. They set up a company store that featured squadron patches, scarves, T-shirts, cookbooks, Dick Jonas CD’s and the Italian wine with their own 510th label! Also a special thanks to Col. Goldie Goldfein, who did most of the Las Vegas leg work setting up the reunion for the Aviano guys. He has a web site at http://www.members.cox.net/goldie555/510fs.htm. Sign on!
Any questions, comments or rebuttals may be submitted to me at <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
"If you missed this reunion, you really screwed up!"
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LOOK WHO CAME TO THE Buzzards' 2003 REUNION!
Mike "Fanman" & Anne Fantini, *** Dan "Black Dan" & Audree Druen (our Dining Out Guest Speaker - uh - "Black Dan", not Audree), Dave "Face" & Jan Nichols, Steve & Karen Tanner, Mike "The Rock" Rasbach, Ron & Bev Hardy, Keith "Cracker" & Amanda Carson, Fred & Julie Smith, Bob "Jack" & Lori Haas, Clint "Crank" Henderson, David "Baja" Shoemaker, Jason "Ali" Hughes, Mark "Bodhi" Smedra & Brynn Taylor, Mark "Kidd" Garceau, Chris "Ponch" Reyes, Charles Bassett, Dave Pratt & Shannon Cassidy, Dick Campbell, Greg "Grumpy" Norwood, Lynn & Lynelle Thomas, "B.C."& Judy Conway, Gary and Marie Fredricks, Carl "Ripper" Devemark, Ronnie "Zogg" Hawkins, Doug Kisala, Diane "Daisy" Christy, Nate "Buster" & Heather Jaros, Chris "Dbal" Austin, Andy "Mayo" Hecht, Pat "Monk" Miller, "Bing" and JoAnn Bingaman, Guy "GR" Wright, Philip "Sherman" Stein, Anthony "BNG" Medaglia, Lynn "Riddler" & Stacey Savage, Jean "Pyro" Havens, Nate "Wiz" Graber, Todd "Big Daddy" Murphy, Scott "Fester" Fredrick, Skyler "Hose" Hester, Mark "Slammer" Bjorgen, Jim "C-Cup" Brasier, Matthew "Saigon" Higgins, William "Bill" & Vinetta Swisher, Brett "Razor" Rurka, Andy "Popeye" Hansen, Grover "Davy" & Joanne Crocker, Ed & Marlene Gellings, Jim "Cole" & Julie Colegrove, Charlie & Charlie Mohrle, James "ICP" Fullington, Darren "Gunny" Gunn, Joseph "Pancho" Villa, Dante "Q" Quintiliani, Nichilas "Nick" & Olive Vogel, Arlie Blood, Farley "Sweet" Abdeen, David "Sparky" Hein, Charlie "Lucky Bastard" Stamschror, Dick & Mary Jonas & his Guitar, Robert "Bob" & Viola "Vie" Reese, John "ace" Drummond, Harry & Thelma Sanders, Tony "Scrappy" Marek, Steve "BNG" Gadoury, Al "Woody" Woodcock, Bradley "Treats" & Spencer & Theresa Frazier and Steve & Sue Geise, Matt " SOJU" Yeatter, Akshai "Abu" Gandhi, Ruth Stone & Deborah Lemmerman, Nicholas "Nick" Nonnenmacher, M. Eugene" Gene" & Kathe "Kitty" Johns, Dick & Jody Parker, Eric "Duke" & Lynette Fagerland, Dick & Mary Jonas, Terry & Patti New, Luis "Eddie" Villanueva, "Ed" & Marlene Gellings, and "Goldie" & "St. Mary" Goldfein.
WHAT THE BUZZARDS HAVE BEEN UP TO!
by Buzzard One
To Be Published
