MILITARY REUNION NEWS

The impact of military reunions on the next generation

Scanning my email inbox of late, I’ve noticed a trend in requests from veterans’ sons and daughters, inquiring about upcoming military reunion information. The military at the time consisted of more men than women, so the requests are focused more on family paternal sides. The emails often include stories of finding photographs or memorabilia when looking through old boxes or photo albums. They are looking for information for or about their fathers, uncles, cousins, or grandfathers. Comments often include “He was wondering if anyone else was still alive that served with him.”

It’s amazing to experience the impact this new information has had on those receiving it. As children of Vietnam Era Veterans, the lens through which we see our parents does not include, at least in my case, images of their life before us. How often do we see them as people and not just parents? To get a glimpse into their lives fifty years ago is a huge gift. Those who have spent time with their parents at reunions or attending on their own, know exactly what I’m talking about.

Prior to taking the helm of the Military Reunion Network (MRN), I never talked in detail with my dad about his service. I knew he flew an A-4D off the USS Ranger CVA/CV 61, but it never really occurred to me to ask him lots of questions about his service. Hearing the stories of the Veterans involved with MRN, I learned how to ask questions and was gifted with answers in amazing detail. Gaining interest and continued conversation, we decided to attend the 2015 USS Ranger Reunion held in the San Francisco area. My mom attended also, perhaps to keep us both in check.

Not knowing what to expect at the reunion, I was pleasantly surprised to watch my Dad immediately interact with others who served on the USS Ranger over the years. He was genuinely enjoying himself, sharing tales of his sea days and taking in others’ stories. He became a bit of a celebrity as one of the older attendees. Younger Veterans sought him out to learn more of the “early days.” There was no doubt he was having a grand time. There was an ease about him at the reunion that I had not seen before. Perhaps it was from being with people who understood his experience, but whatever the reason, I gained new insight into my father during the reunion. Now well into his eighties, our conversations involving his service have grown over the years in frequency and detail. I have loved every minute of them, and I know I am not alone. Several years ago, a Facebook post surfaced from a Veteran who served on the LST218 in search of others who may have served at the same time. His daughter created the post explaining their search as well as a request to share it. It was shared over a million times and ultimately resulted in reuniting Devere and John. (Google The Last Signal movie for the full story) or listen to the interview “From Facebook to the Emmys.”

Listen @ www.militaryreunionnetwork.com/military-reunion

While the story of the reunion was amazing, the untold story is that of Cheryl, DeVere’s daughter. She learned about her father as a person, just as I did. Her experience in reconnecting her dad to just one other Veteran unlocked conversations they never would have had. Cheryl commented, “I never knew my dad did those things because he never talked about it. Once he left the service, he moved on with his life.” The reunion allowed her to get to know her father in a whole new way.

For children attending reunions, the connection to parents that served continues even after they have passed. Richard Krejsa, Veteran and Military Reunion Planner for the 6994th Security Squadron has experienced this firsthand. He was recently contacted by a woman who found some military memorabilia among her uncle’s things. He passed away while serving and is listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. In a phone conversation, she wanted to find out more information about him. As it turns out, Rich not only knew him, but served alongside him for a portion of their time overseas. Rich encouraged her to attend the upcoming reunion as there was a great possibility for her to meet other Veterans that served with “Uncle Mike.” He was confident they would be eager to share their memories just as he had on the phone. Rich told me she was grateful for the conversation and invitation to attend.

PJ Martin and David Blake are the reunion planners for two WWII reunions. Their parents, though long gone, come alive when the children of those who served come together. PJ plans the reunion for the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion, or more specifically, the children of the 291st. Many of them attended reunions with their parents years ago. Over time, the bonds that connected the Veterans extended to their families, and they’ve been meeting ever since.

To those reading this: if your parent served, research the upcoming reunion for their unit, ship or squadron. Offer to go with them. For seniors, travel can be daunting, but less so with a younger companion. You will be amazed at the experience. As an adult child of a living Navy Veteran, I crave the stories my father shares about his time in the Navy. I attended the reunion with my dad in part to help with my mom. We had an incredible time. Even though we are close, I learned more about him. My personal regret is not having done it sooner. Raymond “Devere” Johnson

Military Reunion Network Louisiana Northshore/New Orleans area FAM For information, contact Sharon Danitschek, 425-501-1430 info@militaryreunionnetwork.com www.militaryreunionnetwork.com/upcoming-events/#!events-list

Children of the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion reunion in Memphis, Tennessee.

Reported by Sharon Danitschek, MRN President, who was recognized as one of Meeting Today magazine’s 2019 Trendsetters for the work she and MRN are doing to support Veterans across the country.

The Military Reunion Network (MRN) is a trade organization focused on supporting Veterans through education, resource and connection. They teach Veterans to plan their own events and connect them to destinations and hotels that are military reunion minded. The mission of MRN is to reduce Veteran suicide by encouraging continued connection through Military reunions.

Celebrate your Army veterans!

The National Museum of the United States Army (www.armyhistory.org) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, provides the only comprehensive portrayal of Army history and traditions through the eyes of the American Soldier. Through preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting invaluable artifacts, the National Army Museum creates learning opportunities for all visitors and bonds the American people to their oldest military service. See exhibits that start with the earliest days of the Army preserving the nation in Revolutionary War to current history. Open daily except December 25th, free time-entry tickets are required: www.thenmusa.org/timed-entryticketing/.

USS Cogswell DD-651 Association Reunion

Better late than never … the pandemic-delayed reunion of the USS Cogswell DD-651 Association was held in June in Bellevue, Washington. Initially scheduled for September 2020, the original reunion fell victim to restrictions related to the pandemic.

The delay had one fortunate side effect. The Red Lion Hotel, the original site of the reunion, was repurposed for the duration of the pandemic, so the reunion was moved to the nearby Bellevue Hilton, which honored the room rates and amenities originally planned at The Red Lion. One of those amenities was a very popular daily breakfast buffet.

It was a smaller than usual gathering with 40 attendees, down from the typical 90 to 100 at most previous reunions. Despite the lighter attendance, those who attended, including two first-time reunion attendees, had a wonderful time remembering their time of service aboard the USS Cogswell DD-651.

Opening day registration concluded with a brief welcome meeting headed by President Frank Wille. As is our custom, a Missing-InAction remembrance of military personnel who never returned from war was held. That was followed by a light supper prepared by Alice Lincoln and her merry band of helpers. A silent auction handled by Selena Simmermann and her sister, Melissa Davis, helped raise money to defray reunion costs. Selena and Melissa are daughters of longtime Association member Gale Sessions. Many wonderful items were donated by Association members.

The first two nights included gatherings of shipmates and their wives in the hospitality room where old acquaintances were

renewed and many sea stories told. As always, the traveling “Cogswell Museum” was on hand with many artifacts and documents from the ship’s 27 years of service. On Tuesday, most of the attendees boarded a tour bus for a long day of attractions. Our friendly driver narrated an interesting travelogue of the greater Seattle area. He safely delivered us to the Museum of Flight near the Boeing plant where the group spent two hours touring the sprawling facility, open only to our group as the museum is normally closed on Tuesdays. The museum replaced The reunion customarily holds a Missing-InAction remembrance of military personnel who never returned from war. the original stop of a Boeing factory tour. It was a very special time for sure. When we left the museum, we were taken to a new Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial just outside the museum grounds where we posed for photos under a B-52, the centerpiece of the memorial. Following that unplanned, but special stop, we headed to downtown Seattle for a visit to the Pike’s Place Market, probably best known for its “fish throwing” and fine seafood restaurants. Tour members were on their own for a couple hours of shopping and eating at the market. The narrated bus tour continued on our way back to the hotel. For the first time, there was no planned tour for Day 3 of the

USS Cogswell DD-651 members at the B-52 Memorial near the Boeing Plant in Seattle.

Gale Sessions at the Vietnam Memorial.

reunion, so shipmates split off in groups and enjoyed a day of sightseeing on their own. Some went to the Seattle Zoo; others took a ferry to other parts of Seattle and a few just stayed around the hotel enjoying each other’s company.

On the last night of the reunion, our traditional banquet was held in the hospitality room preceded by photo taking of all attendees. A poignant digital remembrance, set thoughtfully to TAPS, was aired remembering the 25 members who have died since the last reunion. A wonderful dinner was enjoyed, followed by speaker Dave Cable, who told his personal story of tragedy and triumph as a Vietnam War fighter pilot with 100 missions flown. He spoke of landing on an aircraft carrier, but the most dramatic part of his talk revolved around a bombing mission he was involved in that ended in the loss of six Navy aircraft when they were hit by missiles fired from North Vietnam bases. The night of May 19, 1967 was burned into his memory. One of the lost pilots ended up as a POW, but at least two of the pilots were never heard from again.

Following his talk, Mr. Cable led a Welcome Home presentation of Vietnam Appreciation pins to each of the Vietnam War Veterans in attendance at the banquet.

The night and reunion ended all too soon and plans are already underway for our next reunion in the Orlando, Florida, area in 2022. Reported by James L Smith, Lapeer, Michigan, and George Overman, Oceanside, California.

USS Cogswell DD-651 veterans

Mark your calendar! November 11th is Veterans Day

Nowhere in the country is Veterans Day celebrated so seriously as in Branson, Missouri. There will be a full Veterans Week of celebrations from November 5 to 11, 2021 when many reunions convene to take advantage of what the city has to offer from shows and attractions to tours, meetings and dedications. Veterans Day wakes up with a sunrise service at the College of the Ozarks Patriot Park and celebrates later with an absolutely amazing parade that is not to be missed. And I can speak from personal experience that it is wonderful! See The Branson Bugle for details; www.bransonchamber.com/the-branson-bugle/

Do we know about your upcoming reunion? Add it on:

reunionsmag.com/add-upcoming-reunion

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eDuZ55joG0&list=UUN sOJXepqwyovIqwYsBPMZw&index=3

Brian shared videos from the Saturday night banquet and commented, “Normally you would not see as many old timers on the dance floor at these functions. But the entertainer he hired really had them all going! See for yourself!”

YAGRS Association Reunion

The Highground Veterans Memorial Park

YAGRS were Radar Picket Ships patrolling the east and west coasts during the Cold War from 1955 to 1965.

Brian Forrester, reunion planner, wrote after returning from Colorado Springs, Colorado, his first Military Veterans reunion of 2021, “I cannot express to you enough how excited everyone was to finally get together since their last reunion in June 2019!”

The tours were great, but the best experience and what they enjoyed the most was the renewed camaraderie in the hospitality room and at the banquet. There were lots of emotions and Covid-related stories that everyone was excited to tell.

There were approximately 150 members and spouses and everyone I talked to had been vaccinated with both shots. Masks were optional and after 2 weeks of being home, I have not heard of anyone that came away with anything they did not already have or bring.

Reported by Brian Forrester, military reunion planner with of Holiday Cruises and Tours, www.holidaycruisesandtoursaz.com

The Highground in Neillsville, Wisconsin, was started as the Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project in 1984. It has grown to a beautiful 155-acre park whose mission is to Honor, Educate and Heal our Veterans, their families and all who visit. The Park includes over 15 tributes, a museum and gift shop, four miles of hiking trails and nearby 295-acre Camp Victory.

It has grown, from its founding by Tom Miller and a small group of Vietnam Veterans, beyond its memorial park roots to now hosting more than 225,000 visitors annually and serving 7,000 Veterans with individual referral, support and healing services.

The Highground’s vision endeavors to continue its mission of honoring Veterans by educating tour and school groups, connecting Veterans to essential health services, providing a Veteran-focused gathering space, and offering expanded specialized retreats at Camp Victory.

Visitors are rejuvenated by the fresh air and leave with a renewed sense of gratitude. Guided tours ($4) led by knowledgeable staff and volunteers offer guests the opportunity to learn about the history of the park and the meaning behind its tributes.

The Highground is one of the country’s largest privately-funded, continuously-staffed Veterans parks. It is a private entity, receives no ongoing federal or state funding, and is supported by private donations and grants. It is free to the public and open 24/7/365. The Gift Shop and Museum are open daily at W7031 Ridge Rd, Neillsville WI 54456.

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