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Band of Brothers... Several Casper Short Stories By Ned Costa, CAPO
MADISON, VA (2006) - Not quite. But according to Chuck Merkel, Buddy King ate like there was no tomorrow -- I think he was just kidding. Buddy & Patsy King joined Chuck & Diane Merkel for dinner at the Bavarian Chef Restaurant in Madison, VA. The Merkels were attending the Little Big Horn Associates Conference that was being held in Richmond, Virginia. Chuck Merkel: HistoryDoc1876@aol.com Buddy King: stixnot@aol.com _________________________________________________________________________________
WAIKIKI, HI (2007) - Bill and Nancy Fielding are shown here enjoying their latest vacation in Hawaii. They are standing at the historic Port of Honolulu just prior to boarding a dinner cruise ship that sailed off beautiful Waikiki Beach. They visited Hawaii in October with two other couples, both friends of whom have attended previous Casper reunions.
Bill Fielding: wfielding1@msn.com
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BETHEL, PA (2005) - While visiting friends during the holidays, John Wilkofsky poses with their son Jason Slomiak who has recently been assigned to 173d Airborne Brigade, 2/503. Jason is currently at home on leave before heading to parts unknown.
John served in 173d Airborne Brigade first in B/3/319 Artillery. He then joined Casper Platoon as a Door Gunner at LZ English in 1969-70. John retired from the Railroad and he is also a member of the American Legion.
John Wilkofsky: jcw173@epix.net _________________________________________________________________________________
WASHINGTON, DC (2003) - Casper Pilot Cliff White recently bought a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle and before you knew it, he was off to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for this years Memorial Day celebrations. While at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial "The Wall", he saw a fellow who was wearing a cap with a 173d patch in front. As Cliff started to approach this SkySoldier, he noticed the Casper patch on Cliff's hat. The other guy was Casper Crew Chief Milton "Tex"' Ladnier. A fellow Casper. Both Caspers served at LZ English. Cliff White 9/68 - 12/68 and Tex Ladnier 5/70 - 11/70. Cliff White: lucky26@rogers.com Milton Ladnier: skysol173@yahoo.com _________________________________________________________________________________
HOLLYWOOD, CA (2005) - Bruce Neva and Ned Costa meet at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel during an agriculture convention that Bruce and his wife Ramona were attending. Ned took them out for a Hot Dog at the famous "Carney's Restaurant" in West Hollywood. Carney's sits inside a converted Amtrak passenger car from the 1920s and is located on the world famous Sunset Strip -- Good Hot Dogs!
Both men were Casper Crew Chiefs and served at LZ English, Bong Son from mid 1968-69. Bruce Neva: bruce.neva@chsinc.com Ned Costa: NCHuey721@aol.com
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DURHAM, ME (2005) - Jeff Fales and Terry Gallagher met recently at Terry's Moms home in Maine. Those of us who were at "Ghost Town" in early 1969 will remember Jeff who supervised all of the construction of our wooden hooches. The total construction of the Casper BOQ and BEQ hooches only took two full months to complete.
Jeff Fales: samfaloh@yahoo.com Terry Gallager: no email
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HAWAII (2005) - Paul Byers lives in beautiful Hawaii and is proud to show us his latest catch. Paul was a one of the first Casper Door Gunners to arrive in Bien Hoa with the Brigade in May 1965.
Paul Byers: casper919@earthlink.net
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RENO, NV (2003) - Our own Steven Spencer proudly holding the American Flag as they prepare to march in formation at the 173d Airborne Brigade Reunion in Reno, Nevada last month. Steve Spencer was a Casper Door Gunner and served at LZ English, Bong Son 1968-69. Steve Spencer: DAT
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Clearing The Way ORLANDO, FL (2003) - Not to be out done by any of the other Casper Platoon pilots at the Orlando reunion, Buddy King demonstrates his low-level tactics as he takes-off on a quick flight around the Rosen Centre Hotel. Buddy King was a Casper Pilot and served at LZ English 8/68 - 8/69.
Buddy King: stixnot@aol.com
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Terry Gallagher was selected as one of twelve invited Purple Heart Vietnam Combat Veterans from across the nation to participate and march in the Las Vegas Veterans Day Parade. The VFW sponsors this parade each year and the theme in 2005 was "Operation Welcome Home" to all of the Vietnam Veterans. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the end of America's involvement in Vietnam. Operation Welcome Home celebrates the service and legacy of the courageous men and women who answered our nation’s call during this volatile time in history. Terry was a Casper Crew Chief and was wounded on March 20, 1969 during a sapper attack on the barracks he was spending the night at in An Khe. Terry Gallagher: no email _________________________________________________________________________________
CRYSTAL CITY, DC (2005) - In a very special ceremony held this summer in Washington, DC
-- Major General Ellis Williamson (Ret) was made an
Honorary CAPO Member. Presenting him with the
honors were Casper Members: Don Bliss, Bill Fielding
and Lance Quesenberry. Also present were: Roy
Lombardo, a Company Commander in 2d Bn and his wife,
Lois Bliss, Ken Smith, the former President of the
Society of the 173d Airborne Brigade (Sep) and Mrs.
Williamson and their daughter Nan.
As you recall, General Williamson was the Commanding
General of the173d Airborne Brigade from 1963 to
1966. Don Bliss was Casper Platoon's first
Commanding Officer and arrived in-country with the
Herd in May 1965.
It was
also an honor earlier this year to have had
General Williamson and his wife as our special
guests at the Casper Aviation Platoon Reunion.
Following the banquet, the CAPO Board of Directors
and Executive Officers all agreed to
make General Williamson an Honorary Member.
General Ellis Williamson: DAT.
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PORT HUENEME, CA (2004) - After the Reunion, Tom & Janice Town left Las Vegas to continue their vacation. While driving thru California, they spotted this sign in Port Hueneme. Tom Town was a Casper Avionics Specialist in D-Maintenance and severed at LZ English, Bong Son 7/68 -6/69. Tom Town: gdtomtown@comcast.net
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Custer's Last Stand?.jpg)
Aloha
from the Big Island
Airborne "All the Way"
Small World... isn't it!
Southern
California Meeting
An East Coast Reunion
Another
Day In Paradise!
Casper
Honored at 2005 Las Vegas Veterans Day Parade
Named
Honorary Casper
Casper Road