2004 REUNION

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The fourth reunion of the Flying Circus was held in the later part of October amid the bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada. The choice of hotel was based on recommendations, and Ken and Sally Gardiner did a good job getting things lined up from the other side of the country in a city known for its conventions and busy pace of life. Though those attending did enjoy their time together, the group as a whole got "lost in the crowd" in the hustle and bustle of a large hotel and casino complex. We will allow for this when deciding on a place for the 2006 reunion.

This gathering of the Circus again set a record for the number of people attending. A total of 23 members and 17 partners attended the reunion. It was good to see new faces attend, as well as those returning from previous years. Bob Potvin could not make it this year, but he was definitely there "in spirit". Bob organized for a case of Champaign (with the suspicious label "Sex") to be sent to the hotel; and with a bit of undercover work by Frank Vanatta and Ken Gardiner, the hotel not only had the beverage chilled by the night of the dinner gathering but also waived the hefty corkage fee that would normally be applied. It was good to see on old scout team in action again.

by Frank Vanatta

TIME MARCHES ON

Bittersweet would be the best description. We know how we were, then. We see what time has done, now.

Some are already dead from non-combat causes since they were in Vietnam.  Some others, of whom we have no word, may well be. Of those who live, some of the war-wounds, as well as old age, are catching up with them, aggravated by time and other events. More than one wear hearing aids; probable initial causes, the noises of close-in warfare. 

For those others who might try this, one suggestion, a lesson learned: Size the venue to the amount of folks expected. We were at a hotel/convention center that was entirely too large for the size of our platoon-sized group. Consequently, in the hotel's eyes, our group was an after-thought. In general, our group got lost in the shuffle.

One of the guys had a room on the ground floor, next to the entrance to the hotel pool, complete with a little patio of sorts. That became the point of assembly (and for the beer). Someone taped a "Vietnam Veterans AGAINST Kerry" bumper sticker to the glass doors, up high, where it could be easily seen by passers-by. Even though a fairly large (and liberal) convention of another sort was going on at the same time, NONE of the passers-by said a word. It was funny -- anyone outside, by the beer, was just waiting for someone to say something. They may be a step slower, but the old fires still burn -- the collective look in their eyes was that of a shark, a predator -- not attempting to decide whether they could take someone on, but quietly evaluating the most efficient method of destruction, should it become necessary. Nothing was said -- just "the look".  It was enough.  Some scowls, but the passers-by passed on in silence. It must have killed the liberal set to not say anything.

It was like family. They picked up right were they left off, even though thirty-odd years had passed. Comments and remarks were as lively, and as coldly direct as ever. No time for niceties then, they stayed in that mode in today's time.  I got reminded of a few embarrassing things I did, as well.

An example? One observation on life, aging, and death: "If one side of my family is any indication, I have about ten to fifteen years left. If the other side of the family is any indication, I'm about two years over-due."

Thanks, Lord, for the opportunity to see these guys again. Thanks for the Internet that brought us together after all these years.

If you know anyone who went to war -- any war -- have them get up on the net and search on their old unit's name and numbers, and get back in contact. If a unit page doesn't exist, start one. The others will find it. Start early: Thirty years is too long a time to wait.

by W. Sullivan -- GAUCHO

The following members attended the reunion :

names left to right :

S. Estes, W. Lashley, J. Hurley, P. Riley, J. Bell, S. Rossiter, J. Marr, T. Kuypers, R. Grossman, P. Anderson by Vanatta

D. Ciocca, M. Foster, K. Gardiner, ???    (two passing in background not ours) by Vanatta

J. Bell, C. Grant, R. Grossman, S. Estes, P. Riley, J. Hurley, W. Lashley, W. Sullivan, P. Anderson, L. Emberton, W. Emberton by Vanatta