Delta Company 1/20
Delta Company, 1st Of The 20th, 11th Light Infantry Brigade
Americal Division
2002 Reunion Follow-up, May, 2002
We had a wonderful and successful 2002 Reunion the weekend of April 26th. This year we had 35 men attend, many with wives, 19 of whom were new. Our honor for the longest distance traveled to come to the reunion goes to Don and Marsha Hotch, who came all the way from Haines, Alaska. We were all very happy to see Don--you may recall he was one of the two survivors of the March 1, '69 chopper crash. Along with Don and Marsha, the following folks were new attendees: Jeffrey Colvin and sons, Gary and Bonnie Dorsey, Tom and Tonia Ebert, Freddy and Deborah Falgoust, John and Colleen Geib, LC and Sharon Gillins, Coshel and Martha Hall, Elmer Hall, John Wayne Handly, Joe and Joan Knuesel, Harold Morrison, Pete and Freda Pounds, Toby and Cindy Prodgers, Bobbie, Diane and Eddie Renew, Steve Runice and son, Dwight and Penny Sommar, Wendell and Jan Strode, and Cliff and Mary Jo Tholen. (My apologies if I missed someone).
Some of us began arriving on Wednesday, more on Thursday, with practically the whole crew together for our Friday nite buffet dinner at the Holiday Inn, complete with a DJ playing songs from our era.
We held our Memorial Service on Saturday morning at Patriot Park to honor our fallen brothers, including a 21 gun salute by Master Sergeant Harold Morrison and the Tennessee National Guard. We read the 65 names of our lost brothers--it was a moving service. Most of you have received the list of our deceased; if you remember any additional names that we do not currently have on the list, please notify us and we will add them. In addition a letter of appreciation from a well-known military figure was presented to all the men at the Memorial. A copy is enclosed for those of you not at the reunion and we hope the letter provides you with a sense of appreciation for your service in Vietnam. Cliff Tholen read his poem, "Names," that he wrote following his visit to the Wall in Washington, DC. A copy of the Service program is included for you in this mailing.
We had Saturday lunch back at the Holiday Inn conference room, followed by a riotous auction. Sherry Barger (our supreme leader, in the event you didn't know) had prepared a number of embroidered shirts, jackets, and soft brief cases for the auction and John Ewing (our professional auctioneer) auctioned the items. Don Hotch kept those bids up and we raised $655 through the auction! Afterward, we presented two Delta Company certificates of appreciation, signed by all the men present. One certificate went to Sharon Gillins, who lost her brother, Sgt. Larry Tyler, in 'Nam in '68. The other went to Sherry Barger in appreciation for the tireless work she has provided to us for the reunions. Without Sherry we would not be together as a group!
We then held our business meeting and minutes are attached for you. We voted to hold the next Reunion again at Pigeon Forge in two years, near the last weekend in April or early May.
Our Treasurer, Mac McLellan, reports that the reunion was a financial success. We paid all our bills, reimbursed all those who had spent from their own pockets and came away with a surplus of $2,364. This gives us a very solid start for the next two years, not only for operating expenses but a real foundation for the next reunion. Thanks to all of you for your generosity and financial support, especially to those of you who contributed but were not able to attend the reunion. If you would like to make a contribution, checks should be made out to Delta Company and mailed to Mac McLellan (Use the Contact form to request the address).
All present at the reunion had a great time and we encourage those who couldn't attend to try and come to our next reunion in two years. It is really good to see your friends again, and our new attendees this year all came away saying how rewarding it is to be with one another again. Our group picture is enclosed, with names, for your review.
We now have almost 120 men on our mailing list. In the interest of keeping our mailing costs down, we will prefer to e-mail future newsletters. If we do not have your e-mail address, please e-mail it to me (see my e-mail address below). We will continue with a newsletter three or four times a year to keep all of you informed of events and news of the next reunion.
Your Forever Friends,
Alan and Leslie
Cliff and Sherry
Jason and Jane
