Strategic Air Command
Moron Air Base, Spain
3973rd CDS REUNION June 2007
PCS or TDY to the 3973rd Combat Defense Force in Spain between 1955 to 1965.
REUNION: 3973 CDS AIR FORCE REUNION
WHEN: JUNE 1-3, 2007
WHERE: SAVANNAH, GA
HOTEL: Days Inn & Suites, Savannah, GA (near airport)
IT HAPPENED - WE HAVE THE PICTURES TO PROVE IT!
This just in: Read all about it (click here)
Los Toros de 3973rd Reunion
Back (L to R) Odie Blackburn, Billy Joe Bowers
Willie Altemose, and Bobby Allen
Front (L to R) Dudley Easton, Dennis Galt
Fred Brooks, and Bill Brewers
Back (L to R) Tony Grace, Dan Foronda
Bruce Fern, and Benard Ence
Front (L to R) Jerry (Chuck) Hillard, Jim Hester
Ralph Heath, and Charlie Hardwick
(L to R) Ray Hughes, George Foster
John Cardinali, and Gordon Coleman
(L to R) Bill Helms, and Wynsel Goolsby
Back (L to R) Bill Jones, Wayne Hughart
David Kerr, and Ron Frankovich
Front (L to R) Bob Lockhart, Richard Krepps
Jim Burger, and Larry Jachelski
Back (L to R) SG. George Mongeon, Lou Morgantini
Travis Quinn, and Tony Santos
Front (L to R) Edwin Savitsky, Larry Slone
and Dwight Smith.
Back (L to R) Bob Taylor, Dorsha (Torch) Tugultschinow
Bill Wallace and, Regis Wasiecko.
Front: (L to R) Paul Tamborini, Bill Vickery
Nolan Watson and Tom Walls
#(L to R) Joe Vaccone, J.E. Young
Marie Katrancha- the widow of George Katrancha.
Back (L to R); Mary Kay Brewer, Mary Lou Lockhart
Millie Wasiecko, Margo Vickery & Janicegail Slone
Front (L to R): Nona Watson and Loretta Blackburn.
Hotel Lobby
Millie Wasiecko and Jean Altemose
Willie Altemose and Regis Wasiecko
Wayne Hughart and Lucille
Hotel Lobby
Mary Kay and Bill Brewer
Carol and Bruce Fern
Natali, Dennis and Loise Galt
Wynsel Goolsby and Larry Slone
Esther and Ralph Heath
Al Vasquez was unable to attend.
Here he is wearing the reunion t-shirt with pride.
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Los Toros de 3973rd Reunion
By CMSgt (retired) Bill Vickery
Savannah, Georgia was the site for a reunion of former Strategic Air Command Air Police members and/or their family members of the 3973rd Headquarters, 3973rd Operations, and 3973rd Combat Defense Squadrons of Moron and San Pablo Air Bases, Spain from 1957 through 1967. The reunion began the afternoon of 1 June and continued through the morning of 3 June 2007. Members came from as far west as California and as far east as Connecticut.
This reunion cane about through the magic of the Internet, a notice of a mini-reunion of four members in 2006 appearing in the Tiger Flight, and a lot of hard work by many. Our reunion committee was Janicegail Slone and Nona Watson. Our head searcher was Wayne (Sherlock) Hughart. Sherlock found at least 40 of our former co-workers, including some that didn’t want to be found. And, Otto Kosa had set up a web page on his own, which also helped us find folks. The web page is alive and well at: www.3973cds.com and photos of our reunion shall appear there soon.
Those attending were: Robert (Bobby) Allen; Willie & Jean Altmose; Bess Baker (widow of John Baker) & guest, Sonny Fields; Billy Joe & Sis Bowers; Odie & Loretta Blackburn; Bill & Mary Kay Brewer; Fred & Trish Brooks; Jim Burger and Wanda; John & Ellen Cardinali; Gordon & Joan Coleman; Dudley Easton; Bernie & Heneritta Ence; Bruce & Carol Fern; Dan & Rosalie Foronda; Ron & Barb Frankovich; Dennis & Loise Galt & Daughter Natali; George Foster; Wynsel & Shirley Goolsby; Tony & Encarna Grace; Charlie & LouAnn Hardwick; Ralph & Esther Heath; Jim & Eunice Hester, Bill & Peggy Helms; Chuck & Judy Hilliard; Wayne & Lucille Hughart; Ray & Dianne Hughes; Bill Jones; Larry & Denise Jachelski; Marie Katrancha (widow of George Katrancha) & son Adam; David & Wanda Kerr; Richard & Laura Krepps; Bob & Mary Lou Lockhart; George & Eloise Mongeon & sons, Dan & Terry; Lou Morgantini & Cheryl Gardzalla; Travis & Kathy Quinn; Tony Santos; Edwin & Elaine Savitsky; Larry & Janicegail Slone; Dwight & Janet Smith; Paul & Barbara Tamborini; Bob & Sue Taylor, Dorsha Tugultschinow; Joe & Rose Vaccone; Bill & Margo Vickery; Tom & Nadine Walls; Bill & Dell Ree Wallace; Regis & Millie Wasiecko; Nolan & Nona Watson; and J.E. & Linda Young.
This was the first time many of the former co-workers had seen each other since 1962 and 1963. It was noted that some of the members have changed somewhat. One of the highlights of the reunion was when each former member got up and told what they had been up to over the last 40 some years. Some of our former co-workers brought scrapbooks and/or old photos to share with others. We were especially pleased that our former first sergeant, SMSgt (retired) George Mongeon, in his 80s, made it to the reunion. And, one of our former commanders, Captain (retired) Billy J. Mitchell sent us a very nice note of regrets that was shared with our members. Captain Mitchell reminded us of our positive role in ending the cold war.
We sold raffle tickets on several door prizes donated by Otto Kosa, Dennis Galt, Bill Vickery, and Willie Altemose raising some cash for our newly formed organization.
On day two of the reunion, we had a tour of the historic part of Savannah, Georgia, a ride on an old time large steam ship type boat in the Savannah River, and dined that evening at Lady and Sons (Paula Deen’s Place) for supper and door prize drawing. And, we did all that with Tropical Storm Barry hitting Savannah that day! First Sergeant Mongeon led us to the boat.
The reunion tee shirts designed and delivered by Dennis Galt all the way from California were a big hit.
One of the items of business decided upon was a nickname for our former co-workers. Sixteen possible names were submitted and the one with the most votes was “Los Toros de 3973rd.” We also decided to have another reunion in 2008 and then have one every two years thereafter. Dianne Hughes volunteered to be our treasurer.
On day three of the reunion, the highlight was a great concert put on by one of our members, Dave Kerr and his acoustical guitar. Dave is able to play all types of music, but his southern gospel music and vocals were especially well received.
Reaching out and finding former members for a reunion can be a fun experience. A downside to our experience was that we found out that at least 36 of our former members have passed on. Time waits for no one.
Date and place of our 2008 reunion is unknown. Some good site suggestions were made and several folks are pondering taking on reunion committee duties for 2008. Our web site www.3973cds.com will be a good place to check on developments.
Lest we forget: Send us your pictures and BIO to update our web site!
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