101st Abn Div and Lancer Associations

Reunion of 2003 in Reno, NV

The reunion in Reno was a great hit. For the Lancer unit dinner, we had 27 Lancer members present and a total of 48 people with guests.

The unit dinner roll call included: Russ and Dorothy Balisok, Roger and Inger Olsson, Randy and John Gilliam, Walt and Nancy Fuller, Dennis and Barb Souza, Paul and Margaret Cole, Dan and Carolyn Shea, Lanny Ruck, David Mussey, Glenn and Sally Marr, Glen Weeks, Eddie and Karen Hester, Tom and Judi McGee, Herbert Malloy, John Scarlett, Ben and Connie Fisher, Terry and Karie Willman, Steve Smith, Gene and Dianna Parks, Mike Rocklen, Joe Smith, Reggie Kenner and friend Kate, Mike and Mary Ann Romer, Dana and Betsy Lane, Mike and Elaine Dorris, Pete and Mary Jo D'Agostino, Tom McGall, Dan and Linda Martin, Lane Curruthers,

Lanny's notes on the reunion:

We started with an wonderful invocation by Russ Balisok (hopefully a written copy will soon be available to all), the Pledge of Allegiance, a few songs by Reggie Kenner (One Verse of America the Beautiful and several verses of "This Land is Your Land" - all sang along and it was great fun), and then our Missing Man Memorial Toast by Paul Cole (very moving)! The food, ambiance, and company were as good as it gets and I seriously doubt we will ever have a better Unit Dinner; However, we will try anyway next year in Hampton, Virginia and it certainly could be better if all those who read this attend!

 

Unfortunately, the group in Columbus failed to follow through on their proposal and Hampton became the alternate final site.  2005 will be in Tampa, Fl! The facilities at the Reno Hilton were superb as was the Hospitality Suite and both Dinners! General Freakley and Sinclair gave an excellent blow by blow description of "Operation Iraqi Freedom" with a great slide show at the Awards Dinner Saturday evening!

 

We had a fair turnout at our business meeting at 7 AM (hmm, that explains it - last year was at 9!) and many members stayed over for the Aviation Meeting in which several changes were made to the Constitution and new officer elected.  Pursuant to the arguments of the Lancers that we would not defer our unit dinner to a "Aviation Dinner", a compromise was reached in which there will be an "Aviation Group Luncheon" which will be on Thursday and be included within the Registration Form! Tom McGall was added to the list of "Honorary Lancers" for his efforts on the ground in helping our crew members in an LZ (perhaps those that know this story should repeat it or give a little more detail?)!

 

While I understand the Tours were excellent, I only went on the G2 Tour - Gambling and Golf; suffice to say my golf was lousy and the gambling even worse - I did have a helluva lot of fun for 5 days!  Hithand - Lanny - 13

 

Paul Cole

Lanny with the Romer’s and Shea’s

A look down the West Wing

A Look up the North Wing

Another of the West Wing

Joe and Karie taking photos

Dennis and Barb Souza

Randy, Russ, and Eddie chatting

Elaine and Mike Dorris with Roger Olsson

Ben and Connie Fisher

Lanny with Paul and Margaret Cole

Mike Rocklen and Tom McGall

Walt and Nancy Fuller

Karen and Eddie Hester

Joe Smith next to Russ

Russ and Dorothy Balisok

Linda and Dan Martin

Judi and Tom McGee

Steve Smith

Kate with Reggie Kenner

Terry and Karie Willman

Mary Ann and Mike Romer

Carolyn and Dan Shea

Gene and Dianna Parks

Pete and Mary Jo D'Agostino

Roger and Inger Olsson

John and Randy Gilliam

Glen Weeks with Ben Fisher

John Scarlett next to Dana Lane

Dana and Betsy Lane

 

Crew of Lancer 653

David Mussey CE, Tom McGee AC, and Randy Gilliam Gunner.