Mail Call

Here are the 2021 Mail Calls:

April 10, 2021 Miracles do happen!! We ARE having our Reunion this year, in FWB, Oct 6-10!!! Go to this link to read the Reunion Flyer and register https://www.ac119gunships.com/reunion/upcoming-reunion/ We already have 50 folks who have committed to attend.  We’ve lost too many brothers to miss this opportunity to reunite again.  Join us at FWB!!

March 30, 2021 Roy Davis learned that Shadow Nav and Korean War veteran Bob Bokern passed on January 5, 2018. Bob was one of two people who survived the airplane crash of Shadow 78 at Tan Son Nhut that took the lives of six crewman. Bob helped one crewman out of the plane as it burst into flames. His daughter Susan vividly remembers the day when “the man in the uniform” showed up at the front door with news that Dad was injured and recuperating in Okinawa, Japan. A poignant moment for his family was standing with Bob years later at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC when he teared up as he reached out to touch the names of the six crewmen forever emblazoned on the wall. R.I.P. Hero. “Raising a glass.”

March 17, 2021.  Bill Petrie received several notes from Jim Moore’s daughter: “My Dad fought a hard battle with cancer and his body finally gave out March 12th.  His services are today at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville SC  with visitation from 11-11:45;  12 pm service, 1 pm graveside service.”  Jim was a Flight Engineer with the 18th SOS and Bill flew a few missions with him. “He will be missed.  Raising a glass.“

January 13, 2021.  Missy Brooks, 71st and 17th SOS Shadow Pilot Eugene “Gene” Schaltenbrand’s daughter, posted this on our Facebook site: My favorite pilot and dad has flown his last mission. Colonel Eugene Schaltenbrand landed at the gates of Heaven last night 1/12/2021 at approximately 2100 Central. He leaves his wife of 62 years, Barbara; daughter Missy Brooks (Eric); son Stephen Schaltenbrand (Rexine); grandsons Mitchell Brooks, Tyler Schaltenbrand, and 1LT Stephen (Alex) Schaltenbrand – USA Army Aviation; granddaughter Katie Brooks; and his loving grieving yellow Labrador, Snow.  R.I.P Brother, and prayers for your family.

January 6, 2021.  Ev Sprous continues to look for and find some of our members who don’t know about us!! Along the way, he often learns of those who passed before we found them and we don’t get to see them one more time. Please look at our ALPHA Roster to identify ANYONE who should be on our list but isn’t, and if you have contact info for them, use the ALPHA Roster form to send it to us!! Ev recently found that two had passed: 18th SOS Glenn B. Ashworth who passed January 3, 2006; https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72861677/glenn-b-ashworth, and 18th SOS Harold W. “Hal” Ayers who passed January 23, 2007; https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47303438/harold-wayne-ayers.  R.I.P. Brothers.

January 6, 2021.  We sadly learned of the recent passing of Doug Gorsuch, 17th and 18th SOS FE   He will be buried January 8 at Green Hill Cemetery in Union, WV with Military Honors by fellow veterans from the  WV Honor Guard and VFW Post 6723 and American Legion Post 100 Honor Guards.  R.I.P. Brother and prayers to your family. Further details are at http://www.groves-mann.com/guestbook?id=7301846&fbclid=IwAR2tJLu48bLMiZ8UCcR_vNwaxGH9vclYf4kA4f30WEru_IdD-PLUEe6yXd4

January 1, 2021.   It has been a rough road the past 10 months, coupled with heart breaking losses! Please stay safe and let’s look forward to our 2021 reunion