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Phill Merritt and Jerry Duckworth[/caption]The October Charlie Troop Reunion is now over. I expected 20 and we had 34. A great time was had by all. We had four members of Charlie Troop make their first Reunion. Mike LaChance Blue Platoon Leader from 69/70. Robert (Rob) Struck Blue India 69/70. Larry Oestringer Blue Platoon member 67-68. Crae Carpenter Blue Platoon member 68-69. Each brought their Beautiful wife which made the reunion even more enjoyable.
The Reunion was held on St George Island, Florida which is located in the Panhandle. The weather participated for every thing but picture taking at the Veteran’s Park.
We are planning our next reunion for October 2014 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Invitations will be sent out as soon as all elements are complete.
Jim Reid 65-66 is holding a Charlie Troop Reunion in Branson, Missouri April 30 to May 3. I hope to see every Charlie Trooper at at least one of these.
The Sun Sets on another Charlie Troop Reunion
The men of Charlie Troop
The Ladies of Charlie Troop
The Blues from 65-70
Don and Jo Coshey 65-66
Larry and Jeanie Oestringer 67-68
Gordon and Susan Jones 66-67
Ernie and Rose Cairns 66-67
Tom and Karen Betts 66-67
Crae and Peggy Carpenter 68-69
Gene and Anne Smith 65-66
Pete and Gail Guthrie 68-69
Pat and Carol Bieneman 68-69
Jerry and Teri Duckworth 67-68
Phil and Brenda Merritt 68
Joe Rhoden 65-66
Larry Banks (D Trp) with his bevy of Ladies.
Don and Jo Coshey with Daughter Diana Mitchell-fulford, Merrick (Ricky) Grace Mitchell and Patrick Frank
Saturday night Buffet Dinner outside at Harry A’s
Saturday night dinner
Saturday night dinner
KIA Table
Gene Smith reading the Names of our KIA’s from 10/65 to 9/66
Ernie Cairns reading the Names of our KIA’s from 10/66 to 9/67
Jerry Duckworth reading the Names of our KIA’s from 10/67 to 9/68
Pete Guthrie reading the Names of our KIA’s from 10/68 to 9/69
Mike LaChance reading the Names of our KIA’s from 10/69 to 9/70
Pat Bieneman reading the Names of our KIA’s from 10/70 to 4/71
Don Coshey the Winner of the Charlie Troop Plaque Drawing
Crae Carpenter WINNER of the Charlie Troop Blue’s Plaque drawing
Ava LaChance WINNER of the Hummel figurine “Soldier Boy” drawing
Ladies shopping trip to Apalachicola, Florida
Shopping
Shopping
On Shopping Break
We’ll take two.
Shopping Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Pete Guthrie Blue 68-69 Jerry Duckworth Blue India 68
Mike LaChance Blue 69-70 Rob Struck 69=70
Pete Guthrie Blue 68-69 Jerry Duckworth Blue India 68 Pat Bieneman Blue India 68-69
Tom Betts and Jerry Duckworth
Ladies on the Dock of the Bay
The Ladies laughed so loud the men couldn’t hear themselves.
The Men on the Back Deck.
Walt “Titch” Titchenell on Food Guard Duty
generousgeorge
October 13, 2013
I forget what troop I flew with Feb of 67 as an FO/door gunner.
I think it was Charlie troop, perhaps you can investigate.
George Kalergis 936-697-2976 gkalergis@aol.com
trankin1
October 13, 2013
Wishing you fellas a good reunion, wish I could be there but I’m in the middle of my harvest season, Cav Red Feb – Jun 68, (DMZ burn out at Dong Ha; Khe Sanh; Ashaw Valley; Cav 3 Jun 68-Oct 68
Tom R.
generousgeorge
October 13, 2013
I would love to have contact with some members of the troop who were near LZ Colt on 9 Oct 1967.
I was the Fire Direction Officers for C Battery 1/21st. We had just occupied Colt and I saw 1st of 9th Choppers doing a recon a couple clicks away. I called them on the radio to volunteer artillery if they made contact and I continued to monitor the frequency.
An NVA platoon was spotted crossing a river and you guys made contact, killing them all. As I continued to monitor I learned a map with plans for an attack on an LZ was discovered on one of the bodies. Not trusting that info getting back through channels I went to LTC Wickhams tent about 50 feet from my FDC and told him. He did not see seem that attentive and I have often wondered what was done with that information.
At 3:00AM we were mortared and had NVA in the perimeter. I think we should have been more prepared. I fired 2,000 rounds of artillery that night and I have recently learned that the 1st of the 9th 3 days later killed Major Trann, Operations Office of 5th NVA Regiment. They found on his person the plans and after action report of the attack on LZ Colt.
Evidently the contact before the action by the 1st of the 9th and the 2,000 rounds of artillery I fired deterred a much larger, “first light” attack.
I also read that LTC Wickham claimed credit for firing the artillery I fired that night. :(
I would love to speak with anyone having first hand knowledge of that time period.
WELCOME HOME!
George Kalergis 936-697-2976 gkalergis@aol.com
Diane Walton Gleaton
October 13, 2013
Have fun and be safe. God be with you
patrickbieneman
October 13, 2013
Diane, Thank you. I think we will have a great time. A lot of guys coming who have never made a reunion before.
edd hogeboom
October 14, 2013
Pat, when is it? I guess I’ve fallen asleep at the keyboard again, I had not heard anything about you having a gathering.
patrickbieneman
October 15, 2013
Edd, he reunion starts Thursday at 5PM on St George Island.