2005, San Antonio

2005

[TOC] [Origin] [History] [Remembrance] [Taps] [Reunion] [Stories] [Pictures] [Guestbook] [Links]

I'm a bit late getting a reunion report on the the website, but it's finally getting published.

Most of the folks attending our 161st reunion were repeat attendees, but we did have a new face who finally showed up. Langley Chavis was one of the many commissioned officers who originally deployed with the 161st to Vietnam. 'Lang' had the distinction on second tour of duty to serve a Company Commander of 'A' Company, 123rd Aviation Battalion.

It seems there's nothing like a reunion to jog the memory of times long past. Most of our known world while we were in Vietnam revolved around the Qui Nhon and Chu Lai area of operations. Some of us had the opportunity to work with the Special Forces out of Khe Sanh. It was indeed a pleasant experience to see so many friends from years ago and to have an all-too-brief chance to swap war stories and reminisce about almost forgotten happenings of the past. It would have been even better if we could have had more time to exchange our thoughts with each other.

Friday A group of us caught one of the VHCMA shuttle buses for a trip to the famous San Antonio River Walk. Friday night was also the final game of the NBA Championship being played in San Antonio. Quite a crowd had gathered in the hotel sports bar to watch the Spurs become the 2005 NBA Champs.

Saturday Night with the VHCMA This was a real blast. I wish everyone could have come. There was a live band, lots of dancing, and lots of drinking. I’m sure many were glad this was held in a hotel.

Just a great night and great week all the way around! It was so great to see all of you guys again!

We have certainly traveled many roads in our almost 40 year journey to get here after leaving Vietnam. Through our lives we have also experienced the acceleration in the speed of change to our lifestyle, country and the world after spending our early years in such a vivid historical era. In today's fast-paced society, it's all too easy to forget just how fortunate we are to have lived when and where we have. I cannot possibly think of any other time throughout history that I would have rather lived in. We have all been blessed many times over the years and we certainly have also suffered some of life changing events as we progressed to get to this point in time and I just hope that we can all continue to be blessed and hang in there until we get to do it all over again.

Would you like to share your thoughts about the reunion? Send them to me and I’ll post it on the website.

I really hope everyone uses the website to stay in touch. Any time you have any news send it my way. I know all of your buddies would love to hear the news. And remember if you have a change of address or a new e-mail address please let me know.

I would also like to encourage everyone to help with the missing alumni. We still have a pretty large list of over 600 individuals (only about half of these with a mailing address) who once served in the 161st.

Well, if you made it to the reunion, please tell all your friends what they missed! We had a wonderful time and I would like to thank everyone for coming out and making it a great event. I hope everyone had a great time.

Please keep in touch through the web site and keep us all up-to-date on where you are and how you are doing.

Thanks again for coming and see you in next year in Pheonix, Texas.

Here is who made the trip to San Antonio