| (click on photos to enlarge) |
| Reunion Photos |
| 2011 Reunion May 5th - 8th Arkadelphia, Arkansas |
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| And a grand time was had by all . . . Again!!! |
| Our Gracious Hosts Doris and Jimmie Brown (From the bottom of our hearts CHARLIE COMPANY thanks you!) |
| 2011 Charlie Company Reunion Oak Bowers - Arkadelphia, Arkansas |
| 1st Platoon Greg Molesworth, Richard Legoski, Grady Reynolds, Buck Jones, Barry Plesser, Mike Clark, Speros Argyris and John Marschall |
| 2nd Platoon Bill Armstrong, Randy Bond, Ken Debes, Bale Bowman, John Guillory, Jerry Zdancewics and John Defee |
| 3rd Platoon Mike Scalato, Freddy Bullock, Nick Schultz, Darrell Fausett, Carl Alessandra, Larry Merrill, Marvin Hazenak, Terry Heitter, Tony Grasso, Vern Miller and Ramiro Vasquez |
| 4th Platoon Charlie Stewart, Jim Ault, Lance Carlson, Leon Vaughn, Jimmie Brown, Tom Schultz, *Chan Duryea (former Company Commander), Chuck Pittman, Lou Urso and Ken McSheehy |
The people in the photos below were posed, but their joyful expressions are candid. To those who attended the reunion, we all thank you for
contributing to happy times and fond memories. To those of you who were unable to attend this time around, we hope you will join us in 2013.
contributing to happy times and fond memories. To those of you who were unable to attend this time around, we hope you will join us in 2013.
The 2011 Reunion of C 2/7 began on Thursday, May 5, with a reception at the Hampton Inn, in Arkadelphia, AR.
Our gracious hosts for the reunion, MSGT (Ret) Jimmie Brown, and his lovely wife Doris, were on hand to
welcome the early arrivals. Southern hospitality at it’s best.
There were 38 former Charlie Company troopers, as well as their wives, significant others and guests, in
attendance, representing the Vietnam era from 1965, through 1970 (see photo). Attendees traveled from the
width and breadth of the USA, representing a total of 24 states. Attendees included; from 1st Platoon: Speros
Argyris, Mike Clark, Buck Jones, Richard Legoski, John Marschall, Greg Molesworth, Barry Plesser and Grady
Reynolds. From 2nd Platoon: Bill Armstrong, Randy Bond, Dale Bowman, Ken Debes, John Defee, John Guillory,
Charlie Sinquefield and Sonny Zdancewicz. From 3rd Platoon: Carl Alessandra, Freddy Bullock, Darrell Fausett,
Tony Grasso, Marvin Hasenak, Terry Heitter, Larry Merrill, Vern Miller, Mike Scalato and Nick Schultz. From 4th
Platoon: Jim Ault, Jimmie Brown, Lance Carlson, Ken McSheehy, Chuck Pittman, Tom Schultz, Charlie Stewart,
Lou Urso, Ramiro Vasquez and Leon Vaughn. From Company CP: Walt Brinker and Lyman Duryea.
Our honored guests included family members of those KIA: David Dickman, Bernard Hitro, and Kenneth Prejean.
Other special guests included Gayla Douglas and Bonnie Smith, whose husbands have gone on to Fiddler’s
Green this past year.
Also in attendance, and having traveled the farthest, were members of the UK Cav re-enactors group, who travel
from England to attend. Last, but certainly not least, was Rolando Salazar, representing Delta 2/7, and a friend to
Charlie Company.
On Friday afternoon, May 6, the reunion activities moved to the Oak Bowers by caravan. The Oak Bowers resort
facility is located on beautiful Lake Degray, in the foothills of Arkansas’ Ouachita mountains. Shortly after arriving
at Lake Degray, fun and excitement was kicked into high gear with a fly-in and static display of the US Army’s new
helicopter, the UH-72A Lakota. There is nothing that gets a Vietnam vet wide-eyed like the spinning rotor blades
of a chopper. The sleek new aircraft was piloted by CWO3, Horton, and co-piloted by CWO1, Hornaday (see
photo). The two young warrant officers were kind enough to pose for numerous photos with reunion attendees
and their aircraft. The paperwork for the helicopter fly-in was coordinated by 1st Platoons’ Buck Jones, AKA 1-6
India.
Following the thrills provided by the liftoff and departure of the Lakota, it was time to sit down for the noon meal.
Our delicious pizza lunch was graciously provided by one of Arkadelphia’s generous business owners, and friend
of the Brown family, Mr. David Hendrix. Just another example of that southern hospitality I mentioned earlier.
That evening, most troopers and guests formed into small groups and went off to dine at local restaurants in
Arkadelphia. The more adventurous headed to Hot Springs, a resort area about a half-hour drive away. Later that
evening, folks started gathering at the lobby of the Hampton Inn. This is where many first time reunion attendees
were able to catch up with those they hadn’t seen in decades. As you would imagine, the chat-fest went on for
hours.
Most folks began arriving early at Oak Bowers for Saturday’s banquet, just to get a few extra minutes of “face
time’ with each other. The banquet began with sincere thanks and a hardy round of applause for Jimmie and
Doris Brown, their children, Jimmie Jr., Janet and Carol, and all the friends and neighbors who helped put the
reunion together. Next, there was a moment of silence observed for all the young men who never came home
from Vietnam. There were remembrances read for 5 troopers who went on Fiddler’s Green since the last reunion:
Steve Wheeless, James Smith, Jerry Douglas, Andy Anderson and Tony Clay. The mood of the banquet was
lightened considerably by a raffle of gifts provided by local merchants. Tony Bell, the owner of Arkadelphia’s “Fat
Boy” restaurant, received a ovation for the tasty meal he served up. The steaks Tony cooked for the banquet
meal were the best I’ve eaten in my 64 years of enjoying BBQ. After the meal, a beautiful, long stemmed, yellow
rose was presented to each of the ladies in attendance. The rose presentation was followed by “Mothers Day”
wishes to all the mothers in attendance.
Most of the attendees moved outdoors to sit on loungers or picnic tables and gaze upon beautiful lake Degray.
The evening air was filled with lots of laughter and the sweet aroma of cigars. Jimmie Brown and his son-in-law
Wes provided leisurely pontoon boat rides along the lake shore.
Saturday evening found most everyone headed back to the lobby of the Hampton Inn. Goodbyes were said, hugs
exchanged and a few tears were shed here and there. It was another wonderful reunion spent with wonderful
friends and comrades.
Sunday morning, May 8, 2011, troopers, spouses, significant others and guests began their journeys home from
C 2/7’s 2011 Reunion. By Sunday evening, all was quiet at the home of reunion hosts, Jimmie and Doris Brown.
The Brown’s could finally rest now, as they had just completed hosting another hugely successful reunion. This is
the second time the Brown’s have hosted the reunion, and in baseball terminology, they are 2 for 2, and batting
1000.
Our gracious hosts for the reunion, MSGT (Ret) Jimmie Brown, and his lovely wife Doris, were on hand to
welcome the early arrivals. Southern hospitality at it’s best.
There were 38 former Charlie Company troopers, as well as their wives, significant others and guests, in
attendance, representing the Vietnam era from 1965, through 1970 (see photo). Attendees traveled from the
width and breadth of the USA, representing a total of 24 states. Attendees included; from 1st Platoon: Speros
Argyris, Mike Clark, Buck Jones, Richard Legoski, John Marschall, Greg Molesworth, Barry Plesser and Grady
Reynolds. From 2nd Platoon: Bill Armstrong, Randy Bond, Dale Bowman, Ken Debes, John Defee, John Guillory,
Charlie Sinquefield and Sonny Zdancewicz. From 3rd Platoon: Carl Alessandra, Freddy Bullock, Darrell Fausett,
Tony Grasso, Marvin Hasenak, Terry Heitter, Larry Merrill, Vern Miller, Mike Scalato and Nick Schultz. From 4th
Platoon: Jim Ault, Jimmie Brown, Lance Carlson, Ken McSheehy, Chuck Pittman, Tom Schultz, Charlie Stewart,
Lou Urso, Ramiro Vasquez and Leon Vaughn. From Company CP: Walt Brinker and Lyman Duryea.
Our honored guests included family members of those KIA: David Dickman, Bernard Hitro, and Kenneth Prejean.
Other special guests included Gayla Douglas and Bonnie Smith, whose husbands have gone on to Fiddler’s
Green this past year.
Also in attendance, and having traveled the farthest, were members of the UK Cav re-enactors group, who travel
from England to attend. Last, but certainly not least, was Rolando Salazar, representing Delta 2/7, and a friend to
Charlie Company.
On Friday afternoon, May 6, the reunion activities moved to the Oak Bowers by caravan. The Oak Bowers resort
facility is located on beautiful Lake Degray, in the foothills of Arkansas’ Ouachita mountains. Shortly after arriving
at Lake Degray, fun and excitement was kicked into high gear with a fly-in and static display of the US Army’s new
helicopter, the UH-72A Lakota. There is nothing that gets a Vietnam vet wide-eyed like the spinning rotor blades
of a chopper. The sleek new aircraft was piloted by CWO3, Horton, and co-piloted by CWO1, Hornaday (see
photo). The two young warrant officers were kind enough to pose for numerous photos with reunion attendees
and their aircraft. The paperwork for the helicopter fly-in was coordinated by 1st Platoons’ Buck Jones, AKA 1-6
India.
Following the thrills provided by the liftoff and departure of the Lakota, it was time to sit down for the noon meal.
Our delicious pizza lunch was graciously provided by one of Arkadelphia’s generous business owners, and friend
of the Brown family, Mr. David Hendrix. Just another example of that southern hospitality I mentioned earlier.
That evening, most troopers and guests formed into small groups and went off to dine at local restaurants in
Arkadelphia. The more adventurous headed to Hot Springs, a resort area about a half-hour drive away. Later that
evening, folks started gathering at the lobby of the Hampton Inn. This is where many first time reunion attendees
were able to catch up with those they hadn’t seen in decades. As you would imagine, the chat-fest went on for
hours.
Most folks began arriving early at Oak Bowers for Saturday’s banquet, just to get a few extra minutes of “face
time’ with each other. The banquet began with sincere thanks and a hardy round of applause for Jimmie and
Doris Brown, their children, Jimmie Jr., Janet and Carol, and all the friends and neighbors who helped put the
reunion together. Next, there was a moment of silence observed for all the young men who never came home
from Vietnam. There were remembrances read for 5 troopers who went on Fiddler’s Green since the last reunion:
Steve Wheeless, James Smith, Jerry Douglas, Andy Anderson and Tony Clay. The mood of the banquet was
lightened considerably by a raffle of gifts provided by local merchants. Tony Bell, the owner of Arkadelphia’s “Fat
Boy” restaurant, received a ovation for the tasty meal he served up. The steaks Tony cooked for the banquet
meal were the best I’ve eaten in my 64 years of enjoying BBQ. After the meal, a beautiful, long stemmed, yellow
rose was presented to each of the ladies in attendance. The rose presentation was followed by “Mothers Day”
wishes to all the mothers in attendance.
Most of the attendees moved outdoors to sit on loungers or picnic tables and gaze upon beautiful lake Degray.
The evening air was filled with lots of laughter and the sweet aroma of cigars. Jimmie Brown and his son-in-law
Wes provided leisurely pontoon boat rides along the lake shore.
Saturday evening found most everyone headed back to the lobby of the Hampton Inn. Goodbyes were said, hugs
exchanged and a few tears were shed here and there. It was another wonderful reunion spent with wonderful
friends and comrades.
Sunday morning, May 8, 2011, troopers, spouses, significant others and guests began their journeys home from
C 2/7’s 2011 Reunion. By Sunday evening, all was quiet at the home of reunion hosts, Jimmie and Doris Brown.
The Brown’s could finally rest now, as they had just completed hosting another hugely successful reunion. This is
the second time the Brown’s have hosted the reunion, and in baseball terminology, they are 2 for 2, and batting
1000.
| CHARLIE COMPANY 2011 REUNION RECAP |