Final Bulletin for 2010 reunion                                                                                                                  27 July 2010

GREENVILLE PRIMARY – from Don Condra  

Twenty years have gone by since Jake Watson and I met at an Air Commando Reunion at Hurlburt. We discussed a Fox reunion but Jake felt it would be difficult to impossible. He was right about the difficult part but we continued to discuss it and finally decided to give it a try… several reunions resulted. Now we have maybe the last opportunity. As we approach or exceed 80 years of age, we got to accept that father time is overtaking us. Many have already made that last flight. How many will remain for yet another reunion. If not now, when will you attend?  

I trust all have received notices and made plans – whether to attend the September 16 thru 19 at Wright Pat or not. I have had several responses but many were undecided. Rooms are being held until 16 August. Make your reservations now. The AF decided to have their marathon the same dates and rooms will be difficult to find after the 16th. In fact, Hope Hotel unilaterally took back 16 of the double rooms. They have assured me that Queen size bedrooms will be made available in their stead.  

I have contact with roughly half (55) of the Greenville class and am hoping for 20 or so to attend. Please don’t disappoint me! But time is growing short. I would appreciate knowing your intentions. Especially from those who have not responded with a “Yes”. Our early estimate for total from Greenville , Hondo and Webb was 50. As you read the following comments from Jim Mayton (Hondo) and Bob King (rest of the class) you will see that looks pretty good.  

Please let me hear from you. No response will be read as no, no interest or deceased. None of which are good news.  

Regards, Don Condra     dardnoc@aol.com    937-335-4900  

Hondo – Jim Mayton msg #1 

Time is drawing down.  73 days till the 53 Fox Jake Watson Memorial Wing starts the 2010 reunion.  Will you be there?  Time to decide which side of the fence you are going to fall on.  The one that says I am going to the reunion or I am not.  The cut off date for the block of rooms at the Hope is August 16th.  I have six Foxes plus three Lady Foxes with a yes and have 2 maybes with their Ladies and one Lady Fox.  You don't want to miss this reunion.  In two years a bunch (I certainly hope not) of us may make that "Last Flight".  What could be better than to listen to a bunch of "OLD" Pilots telling 57 year old war stories?   Heck some of you may have been "Aces" and you don't even know it.  None of us has that good of a memory now that we will know the difference.  So spend some of that money you can't take with you and show up at Wright Pat. 

Information for the Hope:  Phone  937-879-2696.  Rate is $69 plus tax. 

Have only heard from about half of you guys with e-mail.  The ones who have replied know who you are.  Would appreciate if the rest of would give me, a yea, a nay or a maybe.

Have made a few phone calls to snail mail people..  I got a couple of maybes and two No's. Still have some that I don't have phone numbers for.  I have been trying for 15 years to round up all of Hondo.  Guess a few got a lost along the wayside. 

Hope those in doubt will show up.  Looking forward to seeing the ones who will show.  

Hondo – Jim Mayton Msg #2  

If you get this message, it is because I haven't received a reply about the reunion. Also, by coming back I know that I have the right e-mail address.  If I don't get a reply, I make a phone call to check your status. So if you ever change your e-mail address and I don't hear from you, I will try and run you down. 

So if you receive this, drop me a reply.  Reunion : yes, no or still thinking about it.  If you got my other message about the rooms, you know one of the reasons we would like to know if you are coming.   

We have planned to have an open F-22, meet the Commanding General of the museum and a behind the scenes tour.  Come on up and join some "Old" classmates and tell your war stories. 

Cheers !!!! Check 6 !!!!       Jim  

If you already replied to me, I must have missed it.  Sorry!  But do it again, please.  

ASSOCIATES – Bob King  

Hey guys!!!
It's time to get serious about getting your tails to our reunion. September 16, arrival thru 19 am departure. 3 days of lies, stories of fantastic exploits of aerial feats only a
FOX can do, and as a highlight, a visit to the USAF Museum at Wright Patterson AFB to see how they restore the historical air machines, like the true Memphis Belle from WWII fame, which still has the crew names on the side of the cockpit.  

A great Saturday night banquet is planned with a speaker on request or an alternate program of fun and games. At our last banquet the entree was so tender it would cut with a slip of tissue.

First go to the 53 FOX web site. http://www.doncondra.org and enjoy Don's recap of some FOX history and a schedule of activities for the September bash. Then call the Hope Hotel at 937-879-2696 where Don has blocked rooms for us at $69 +tax. Call now as an Air Force big function is going on at the same time and rooms are a super premium and not held after mid August for us. If you have problems contact Don at dardnoc@aol.com. Be sure to tell the hotel you are with Pilot Training class 53-F. We will have transportation available from the airport if needed, just advise me of time and flight. We need to have a head count for planning, so please let me know that you are coming. 

As all of us are getting older, + or - 80, we may not be able to get together again as a class. Time has reduced the roster of 53-FOXTROT by many and we need to see each other again. I went to F-86 training after basic, how about you. I was almost shot down in basic on the skeet range. Find out what happened by attending the reunion. We all have stories to share.  

For those already having reservations at the Hope Hotel , that's great, no action required, but now that you are coming, get your reservations in there. I will make them for you if it's a problem.  

See you in September, FOX   BE THERE  

Bob King

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