Batcat
Memorial Plaque Dedication
and Reunion Page
Members of the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing have participated in 2 previous
combined reunions with members of the 551st and 552nd AEW Wings, and
a reunion in Thailand for all who served in Southeast Asia.
Memorial Plaque and Reunion page added 02/01/08,
Last Updated 07/20/08.
Memorial Plaque Dedication and Reunion Dates Set
For the first time the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing, Batcat, will have its own
reunion. The reunion is scheduled to occur at the National Museum of the United
States Air Force, Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio. The reunion is
scheduled for Thursday August 21, 2008
to Sunday August 24, 2008.
A primary purpose of having the reunion at this time, and place, is for the
formal dedication of the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing, Batcat, Memorial Plaque at
the Museum.
The memorial plaque
honors the 22 Batcats who gave the supreme sacrifice while on operational
missions in Southeast Asia. Here are the names of the
22 Who Lost their Life on Operational
Missions while assigned to the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing at Korat RTAFB.
MOST IMPORTANT - we know
individuals assigned to the 553rd EMS, 553rd FMS, 553rd OMS, headquarters, aircrews
from the 553rd, aircrews from the 554th, 388th OMS and 388th Transportation squadrons,
plus U.S. Army, Navy and especially so relatives of those who were
lost are planning to attend. This Memorial Plaque Dedication and Reunion is for
ALL those who were involved with
Batcat. We welcome and hope EVERYONE
of you will attend the 553rd Memorial Dedication and reunion to honor those
who gave their lives, and to let all know
THEY ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!
Planning to Attend
Here is a list of those who have indicated they
plan to attend the
Memorial Dedication and Reunion. This list shows the names and squadrons of those
who plan to attend. I'll update this list frequently,
often multiple times each day, so check back often to learn who is coming
- there is a good chance someone you haven't seen in decades will be at
the dedication and reunion. NOTE - With the
June 19, 2008 update going forward I've added a column to the plan to attend list.
On the right side of the table is a column labeled R. When the R column
is filled in it indicates I have received the registration form and payment.
I also send an email to each person who sends in their registration form.
If you sent your registration form and didn't get an email confirming, or your
name isn't shown with the filled in square, please let me know. I typed a lot
of information on this list, please check to verify I entered your name, spouse or
guest, email and unit correctly. It is possible I made errors creating the
list, let me know please of any errors or omissions.
List attending and Registered Last Updated 07/20/08.
PLEASE - from all planning to attend I still
need you to complete the registration form, please see below.
553rd Dedication and Reunion
Registration Form
Please download the Registration Form,
print, complete the information, include payment, and mail to the address on
the form. Please send the registration
and payment as soon as practical. The earlier the better to assist planning.
Cutoff date for receiving the registration form is
July 31, 2008. See below in this page for detailed information on
the costs involved.
PLEASE PRINT clearly on the registration
form. The name tags will be printed by the Greene County Convention and
Visitors Bureau based on the registation form.
IMPORTANT - the Museum allows our reunion
50 slots for the 553rd Restoration and Presidential tour. As of June 3, 2008 I
have 50 individuals who have sent me their registration form and requested the tour.
Even though the 553rd Reunion Restoration tour is now full, you can sign up the
day of the Memorial Dedication for the public restoration tour. The public
restoration seats are also limited. STRONGLY
recommend you sign up for the public restoration tour BEFORE the Memorial Dedication
begins.
The Restoration Facility and Presidential Hangar are on the active Wright-Patterson
Air Force Base. EVERYONE 18 years old and above going on
the Restoration Facility Tour MUST
have valid ID! An adult, 18 years or older, must accompany children under 18
years old.
Reunion and Memorial Plaque
on the USAF Museum Homepage
Click here to visit the
National Museum of the United States Air Force Reunion Page. From
this page you can visit all areas of the Museum homepage. You can also see
the enormous number of groups who have reunions at the Museum. As you
can see from the list only limited dates were available. If you haven't
previously visited the Museum, the homepage gives good information about
exhibits, and other information. The National Museum of the United States
Air Force is well worth a visit - and we hope you can make your visit
during the reunion and memorial plaque dedication event. Search for Batcat.
Help Needed with the Planning!
If you are willing to help with planning, or any other aspect of the
Memorial Plaque Dedication and Reunion, please click here to send an email to
Dale Lautenbach and Larry Westin. A number of those attending have sent me
offers of help. I'll be sending out emails to those who offered with specific
requests where help is most needed. Thank you.
Find your Buddy Project
Many times over the years I've been asked many times questions like: "do you have a
list of those who worked in EMS during 1968," or "who were the other crew chiefs while
I was at Korat," or "do you have a list of those who were on aircrew 27." Looking
back I wish I had that kind of information. Well now
David Butler has started such a list!
David has started an Excel spreadsheet with searchable information. If you are
interested in participating in this project please send David Butler an email at
x9y9@sbcglobal.net
providing the following information: 1 - Name, 2 - email address,
3 - 553rd organization, 4 - shop, crew etc., 5 - dates in country, 6 -
Small remarks IE looking for someone, do you remember this or that.
David Butler will have the first release of the spreadsheet at the reunion.
All who would like to participate are asked to contact David Butler by email.
Official 553rd Recon Wing Reunion Hotel!
the Holiday Inn, Fairborn, OH
The Holiday Inn, Fairborn, Ohio, is the official 553rd Reconnaissance Wing
hotel. The hotel is providing us with group rates. Please make your own
reservations by calling Kris Davis at
(937) 431-4603 and be certain to indicate to her you
are with the "553rd Recon Wing Reunion."
Be sure to keep the confirmation number provided by Kris Davis. If you
are a Priority Club member you can provide the club number when you make
reservations. If you forget you can give your Priority Club number at check
in.
Please note the Holiday Inn will hold 50 rooms at group rates for the 553rd
Recon Wing Reunion only until July. After July the hotel will release the
rooms for general sale, and the nightly room rate will be higher. It will
help a great deal with planning if you book your room early.
Room rate is $89 per night without breakfast, $99 per night with breakfast. If
there are two guests in a room, the $99 covers breakfast for both guests.
Click here for the official hotel homepage for the
Holiday
Inn Fairborn, OH, take a look for more information about the hotel.
Thursday evening, 8/21/08, Informal
get together at the hotel
After traveling to Dayton, Ohio, there is at the hotel a desk available to
get your printed name tag. Name tags are being printed courtesy of the
Greene County Convention and Visitors bureau. The name tag will have the wing
patch insignia and your printed name. This name tag is required for entry at
some points to indicate you are with the 553rd Recon Wing Reunion. We ask everyone
who is using hotel accommodations, to use the official reunion Holiday Inn, see
above. Some of those attending will be using their motor home and staying
at a campground, and some retired military will be staying on base. We ask those
using other facilities to meet Thursday evening at the Holiday Inn Fairborn hotel
for your name tag and also to meet the others.
This is the time to meet old acquaintances and meet new friends. For those of
us who haven't seen someone since Korat, and this may be difficult to believe,
you may find they have changed since you last saw each other almost 40 years ago.
Good reason to have the name tag.
There will be a hospitality suite for the 553rd Recon Wing attendees. Inside
will be a display of photographs, patches, wooden plaques, and other original
553rd Reconnaissance Wing memorabilia.
Bus service is arranged for the Friday activities. Two buses are now scheduled
and will depart the Holiday Inn to get everyone to the Museum for the Memorial
Dedication. After the dedication one bus will take those on the restoration -
Presidential aircraft tour, the other bus will be take those wanting to return
to the hotel. Later the buses will take those attending to the Museum for Gift
Shop, EC-121D access, sensor display, and banquet dinner, and return them after
the events.
Beginning Thursday evening memorabilia will be available for sale.
Bob Pruiksma has purchased
pins, patches, hats, T-Shirts, golf shirts and other items
for sale at the reunion. Exactly what Bob obtains for sale depends on input
from you. VERY IMPORTANT - Bob is planning on
purchasing shirts in size L, XL and 2XL. Anyone needing a size medium, 3XL
or 4XL shirt size needs to let Bob know soon! Send Bob an email at
rspusaf@bellsouth.net
with your needed shirt size, and any other memorabilia suggestions. Any money
in excess of Bob Pruiksma's costs, that is any profit, will go to offset the
fixed costs of this reunion.
First five memorabilia items now delivered! Other items coming. These
will first be available at the Memorial Dedication and Reunion beginning
Thursday 8/21/08. First item is a
553rd Reconnaissance
Wing Hat, available in 3 colors. Second item is a
553rd
Reconnaissance Wing Batcat Patch. These images will give you a look at the
quality of the memorabilia. UPDATE 04/20/08 - here are images of two more of the
memorabilia items. The
Reunion Coin, which is about 1 1/2 inch in diameter, and the
Batcat Pin, full color enamel, with pin back so it can attach to hat or clothing.
UPDATE 07/01/08 - The
Golf Shirt comes in a choice of colors. A closeup view
of the embroidery on the
Golf Shirt.
Friday morning, 8/22/08, the
Memorial Plaque Dedication
The Memorial Plaque Dedication is scheduled for
Friday August 22, 2008, beginning promptly at
09:30. This is a preliminary plan for the Memorial Dedication:
While there is space for several hundred attendees at the dedication, there is
currently only 50 SEATS available at
the dedication. Relatives of those lost will have seating. Many of those who
were assigned to Batcat are getting older. If you have need for a chair at the
dedication please indicate so on the registration form. Beginning to end the
dedication will take approximately an hour or so. If more than 50 seats are
needed I will make arrangements. This is another reason to help by mailing in
your registration form as early as practical. At the banquet dinner all will
have seating.
Bagpipes play "Amazing Grace" to announce the start of the dedication
Posting of Colors with the playing of the National Anthem
Official Welcome
Invocation
General Comments (History)
Unveiling of Plaque
Presentation and Acceptance of Plaque
Benediction
Retirement of Colors
Taps
Closing Comments
A Visit to the Museum Restoration Facility
and Presidential Aircraft Hangar
General Metcalf has given approval for a special 553rd Recon Wing tour of the
Museum restoration facility and the Presidential aircraft. This tour will depart
at 10:30 after the Memorial Dedication. There is a 50 person limit to the group
visiting the restoration facility and Presidential aircraft hangar. Each bus holds
43 people, however an active duty or retired military, with military ID, can drive
their car behind the bus so all 50 available spots can be filled. In addition the driver
with the military ID will also need to present their current vehicle registration
and current insurance card to be allowed on the base.
The primary major restoration project is the restoration of the B-17F "Memphis
Belle." The B-17 "Memphis Belle" was the first airplane of the United
States Army Air Force to successfully complete 25 combat missions in
World War II.
Of course the Museum has many other projects in the restoration process including
a Wright R-3350 engine, the Consolidated XC-99, the cargo version of the B-36
bomber, and a Japanese Kawanishi NIK-2 fighter. Click here for information on
current Museum
Restoration projects.
The restoration facility tour is about 1 hours in duration. After that the 553rd
Recon Wing Reunion group will visit the Presidential aircraft hangar from about
11:30AM to 12:30PM. This part of the tour gives you an opportunity to view, and
in some cases access inside, to aircraft used by American Presidents.
There is also a public Museum tour of the restoration facility and Presidential
aircraft, however reservations are not taken, you must sign up for the tour on
the same day it is offered. You can sign up for the public tour, and it is
recommended that you do sign up before the Memorial Dedication. If you wait until
after the dedication there is a good chance all available slots will be taken.
553rd Recon Wing Gift Shop Access
After The National Museum Gift Shop closes to the public at 5PM, the Gift Shop
will reopen between 1715 and 1800 (5:15PM to 6PM) only for those registered
with the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing dedication and reunion. This will be an
unique opportunity to shop for Gift Shop items.
Veteran Access to the Museum EC-121D
General Metcalf has given approval for 553rd Recon Wing veterans to have
access to the interior of the Museum EC-121D "555." The date and time for
access is set at Friday August 22, 2008. The time is set from 18:00 to 19:00
just prior to the banquet. Museum regulations limit interior access to
veterans only. Unfortunately spouses, children, grand children, etc. are
NOT permitted inside the aircraft.
For a long time the Museum EC-121D was parked outside in the open. With the
completion of the newest addition to the Museum, the EC-121D was renovated
and moved inside. It looks MUCH nicer than it did in outside storage.
Request to the Museum
I made a written request to Major General (Ret.) Charles Metcalf asking to
remove from storage samples of the intrusion sensors the Museum has for
display at the dedication. During my time with the 553rd I never had the
opportunity to actually see any of the sensors Batcat monitored and sometimes
listened to. The sensors were dropped initially by Navy squadron VO-67, and
later by the USAF 25th TFS. Both of these units flew from Nakhom Phanom RTAFB.
UPDATE
04/20/08 - I received a response that
General Metcalf has approved this request - Thank You General Metcalf! As
with many of you, I have not seen actually seen the sensors monitored by
Batcat. This will be a rare opportunity to see some sensors
in person.
Dinner Banquet Under the Wing
at the Museum
Friday evening, after the Museum closes to the public, the 553rd Reconnaissance
Wing Reunion will have a banquet dinner at the Museum. Time is scheduled from
18:00 (6PM) to 22:00 (10PM) for the aircraft access, time in the gift shop,
a fine catered dinner, and speakers about the 553rd Recon Wing.
Here is the Banquet Dinner Menu. More information
on the speakers soon.
UPDATE - the Museum has accepted the offer
of three original Batcat items. At the Banquet Dinner Museum
Senior Curator Terry Aitken
will be at the dinner to accept these items. The first item is the original
painted Batcat patch insignia painted by Cartoonist Milton Caniff. This item
donated by first 553rd Wing Commander
Gus Weiser. Unfortunately Col. Wesier's
health prevents him from attending the dedication and reunion. Second item is
the original 553rd Reconnaissance Squadron wooden statue. During the time at
Korat this statue was in the 553rd squadron headquarters in a glass case.
This item donated by Stan McWhinnie.
Third item accepted is Bob Levy's
Dress Flight suit (Party Suit) as the first enlisted man at Korat Royal Thai
Air Force Base and the first Batcat to complete 100 combat missions. Bob
Levy will attend the dedication and banquet dinner.
DRESS CODE - for the banquet dinner is
"Business Casual." The
definition of business casual being slacks and shirt, casual dress
or skirt and blouse. Some have indicated they will wear their flight or
party suit, which is fine. Shoes required. Business or pants suit is fine,
tie if you like, but not required. PLEASE no flip flops or swimming suits for
the dinner. Thank you.
Time after
the dinner is available for individual touring of the Museum. Only 553rd
Recon Wing Reunion attendees are present, giving you an opportunity to
view and photograph the exhibits without a crowd.
The USAF Honor Guard will be at the banquet dinner. Unfortunately the USAF
Band has other commitments and in unavailable at the time of the banquet.
Saturday,
8/23/08, Events
Golf Match actively being planned
Rich Upton and Dale Lautenbach are in the process of arranging a golf
match on Saturday 8/23/08. A minimum number of 16 players is required
to schedule the use of the golf course. All those interested in playing
golf are encouraged to contact
Rich Upton and Dale Lautenbach. Let Rich and Dale know your
interest in a Golf match. Further details to follow.
Originally the plan was to have the banquet as the closing
event. Another group has scheduled the use of the Museum for an entire week,
preventing the 553rd from having the banquet on Saturday. This leaves Saturday
open for your personal options. Here are some ideas.
The Museum has the IMAX theater for your enjoyment. There is a charge for
the IMAX presentations.
Tours of the Presidential aircraft, which also include the restoration facility,
are available on the weekend. Reservations are not taken, sign up early in
the day for this tour.
In addition take a look here
for other
nearby attractions in Greene County Ohio.
The Dayton Visitors Bureau has a lot of information
on things to do in the Dayton area.
Silent Auction ending 1800 (6PM) Saturday evening
Items for the Silent Auction will be displayed
throughout the dedication and reunion for your inspection. You'll have an opportunity
to make a bid on these items which have been donated to help offset the cost of the reunion.
Jake Awalt handmade these two fine wooden
bowls and donated them for the auction. The
Smaller Bowl is made
from Mesquite Burl -- Harvested from a tree in Yoakum, Texas. It is about 10 inches
in diameter, and about 5 inches tall. The other hand made wooden bowl is the larger
Double Diamond Bowl made
from Mesquite and Maple -- Harvested by the Texas Highway Department and salvaged
by Jake Awalt along the Highway 77 North Expansion in Victoria County, Texas. The
double diamond bowl is about 14 inches in diameter, and 8 inches high. For more
information on the wooden bowls please visit the
South Texas WoodTurners/ homepage. Here you find
additional photos about these made in America wooden bowls.
Bob Pruiksma is donating this
EC-121R on Canvas.
Look carefully at the image and you see the texture of the photograph over canvas.
Size is about 11 x 14 inches. Bob is also donating a
necktie chain made from
a Batcat pin, and a
Connie Belt buckle.
Larry Westin is donating this solid wood
Lockheed EC-121R model
painted in Batcat camoflauge. Model has a wingspan of about 15 inches, and length of
14 inches, making it about 1/100 scale. Model was painted by expert modeler
Bill Holbrook. Bill is working on another
EC-121R model, plastic construction, to donate for the auction. Bill was 553rd EMS with
a modelers experienced eye for detail, including the antennas on the R model.
Ricky Dietsch is donating an embroidered
jacket for auction. Ricky will stitch a large BatCat patch on the right chest. On the
left chest he will stitch the Air Force emblem, Name and Rank of whoever wins the
jacket at the silent auction. The
jacket on display
is Ricky's own, here showing
a closeup of the
embroidered patches. The winner will choose
the correct jacket size for him/her, and Ricky will then embroider the emblems and
send the jacket to the winner!
Items will be on display throughout the auction for your inspection. The auction will
be silent, and end at 6PM (18:00) Saturday evening. IF you are planning to return before
the auction ends I can arrange to ship the item IF you are the winning bidder. I just
ask you add the postage cost to your bid for the item. These are all unique items,
something you won't find at your local department store. If you have an item to donate
please contact me.
Sunday, 8/24/08, a day of departure
Sunday is set aside for final good byes and return travel home.
We sincerely hope you enjoyed yourself at the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing
Memorial Dedication and Reunion.
Reunion Costs
The Memorial Plaque cost, along with the cost of perpetual maintenance of the
plaque, has been paid for by
Bob Levy and
Dale Lautenbach.
THANK YOU very much Bob and Dale!
In addition to the cost of the plaque and its perpetual maintenance, there are
two other cost associated with the dedication and reunion, the fixed and
dinner costs. The fixed costs are for the rental of the banquet dinner
facilities from the Museum, and the cost of bus transportation. While we
know some, probably most, of you will have your own car or a rental car, there
is a requirement for us to provide transportation to the restoration facility.
The bus service is for Friday only at this time for hotel to dedication,
dedication to restoration facility and return to hotel, then hotel to banquet
and return to hotel.
Our estimate is the fixed costs will run about $3,000. The individual cost
for these items depends on how many attend the dedication and reunion. The
requested registration cost is based on the estimated fixed costs and the
number of people expected to attend.
In addition to the fixed cost, there is also a catering cost per adult person
of $40, and $7 for children 10 and under, for the banquet dinner at the Museum.
So we ask for a registration cost of $40 per adult. Adult being everyone
attending age 18 and older. The banquet dinner cost is $40, and that meal is
for anyone age 11 or older. The banquet dinner for those 10 and younger is $7.
Those bringing guests 17 or younger do not pay a registratin fee for those
younger than 18. The meal cutoff age is different. Children's meals are
available for the banquet dinner for those age 10 and younger. The meal
for those age 11 and above is the adult cost of $40 per person.
I want everyone to know that there is a cost associated. I also believe it
is well worth the cost.
I've opened a personal account specifically for this dedication and
reunion only. Talking to my banker, she recommended against opening a business
account for a one time event. Later Dale Lautenbach talked with his banker,
then talked with the IRS for more than 3 hours. It became vividly apparent
why my banker recommended against a business account for a one time event.
Please fill out the registration form, write a check, payee Larry Westin (a
personal account payee can only be for a person's name, not a business or event),
for the correct amount, and send to the address on the registration form. I'll
email each person I receive a registration and check from to let them know it
has arrived.
We expect the sale of memorabilia will help offset the fixed costs. So if
the memorabilia sales nets a profit of $300. There is no intent on making a
profit from this dedication and reunion. If there is excess remaining when
the bills are all paid, then I will either return the money to each person
or give it to charity. When you complete the registration form tell me if you
prefer a check returned, or if you are agreeable to giving it to charity. At
this time I don't have the charity defined, but am in contact with the
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Brotherhood, concerning their Southeast Asia
Children's fund. Will know more later.
553rd Dedication and Reunion
Registration Form
Please download the Registration Form,
print, complete the information, include payment, and mail to the address on
the form. Please send the registration
and payment as soon as practical. The earlier the better to assist planning.
Cutoff date for receiving the registration form is
July 31, 2008. See above in this page for detailed information on
the costs involved.
PLEASE PRINT clearly on the registration
form. The name tags will be printed by the Greene County Convention and
Visitors Bureau based on the registation form.
IMPORTANT - if you want to go on the
553rd tour of the Museum Restoration Facilities please indicate on the
registraion form the names going on the tour. This tour is limited by the
Museum to 50 people. So the first 50 whose
registration form I receive with names in the Restoration Tour area will be
those on the tour. NOTE - the bus is limited to 43 people. However someone
who is current, or retired military, may take their vehicle immediately behind
the bus. Current vehicle registration, and insurance, plus their military ID
is required. Up to 7 more can come by personal vehicle owned by current or
retired military. If you are current/retired military and are willing to drive
others to the Restoration Facility tour please indicate so in the Other section
of the registration form.
The Restoration Facility is on the active Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
EVERYONE 18 years old and above going on
the Restoration Facility Tour MUST
have valid ID! An adult, 18 years or older, must accompany children under 18
years old.
Request Your Suggestions on how to Improve the reunion
We actively ask for your suggestions, comments, whatever. As a first
reunion we need all your recommendations.
Some other ideas we would like your opinion about:
Other
Send an email with your suggestions or questions to
Dale Lautenbach and Larry Westin
Please return often for updates to this reunion.
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