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We got a call on 6 October from a "GT" Alexander
who explained that he had organized a post WWII group of veterans of the
78th Fighter Squadron . He didn't know when he started building a roster
and began planning a reunion last spring, that there was an established
organization of the WWII people in existence. He noticed our ad for the
Milwaukee reunion in the Air Force magazine. He sent us a copy of
the letter that he sent to the people on his roster announcing the reunion
to be held at the Aladdin hotel in Las Vegas on 17-19 October 1997. The
letter got lost in the shuffle and we didn't respond, ergo his phone
call. Clyde and Edith Mortensen and Jim Tapp scurried around and attended.
The 78th was active in England from
1 November 1952 until 15 May 1992 when it was deactivated. It was reactivated
at Shaw AFB, SC on 3 January 1994. Most of the people at the reunion seemed
to be from the '60 - '70s era. They seemed to be a fine, congenial
group - just like us only a bit younger. In listening to their stories
it was obvious that 78th has remained an outstanding squadron. First
at many things.
We had a "Flight Suit" cocktail party
with heavy hors d'oeuvres the first night (a big live snake visited for
awhile). The second day was occupied with a short business meeting, a cruise
on Lake Mead (with lunch served aboard - sound familiar), and an elaborate
Buffet Banquet that evening. Major General Billy McCoy, Retired spoke.
The hospitality suite was very active of course.
The business meeting centered around
the future. There was a unanimous consensus that they continue having reunions
about every two years. They also were very strongly in favor of joining
our organization. They |
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