Denver VHPA Meeting
Welcome Lancer Egroup members. This is the only way I could think to put up some pictures from my recent family trip to the Denver VHPA Meeting without comsuming too much space in other forums. The link that brought you here is the only way to get here as there is no link to this page on my site, although you will find a page entitled VHPA but that deals with the difference between my corrupt union and the pilot's organization. While it was disappointing that only 5 Lancer pilots (and one Crew Chief) were present, it was one of the best times I have ever had at a meeting this size and I will attend the VHPA from now on, finances and health permitting. Since so many were not able to come, I thought I would just recreate the trip for you in pictures. While I have only used 26 of the more than 100 I took (and one full 8 mm movie), those are available but mostly repetitive (as are some here).
As a brief history, I drove to Denver with my wife Melissa and daughters Lela (age 12) and Lana (11 on 7/18). We left on Saturday and went through Santa Fe and then the back route. We stayed in Espanola and drove through Toas and then highway 64 East to Raton. Between Angel Fire and Eagles Nest is the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial. Out in the middle of nowhere on a big hill overlooking a valley and Angel Fire Sk Resort. We arrived in Denver on Sunday evening and checked into the Adams Mark Hotel. Great Hotel and I would recommend it to anyone. I had a suite for the price of a regular room and it was the first time that has ever happened to me. Consequently, it became a little lancer HQ for several get togethers. My family went to Six Flags all day Monday until we went to Magianno's for the dinner. Thanks to Gary B. for his immediate photos of that event and I also place one below. Tuesday was the golf tournament and our ringer was named Dan Grigsby. We shot 4 under and were only 9 shots off first place (sandbaggers!). We went to the social affair that night and hooked up with Mike Jacobi. Don Foster had visited us at Margianno's but couldn't join us for dinner.
Wednesday I did the family thing and we went to Estes Park, a beautiful little city in a valley and the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. We went back through highway 72 and saw firworks over Golden and Denver. Mike Jacobi left a message he was heading back but It was great to finally get some photos of Mike and have a chance to talk and drink a few with him. Melissa flew back early Thursday and the girls accompanied Andy and Janet for 18 holes at Willis Case Municipal Course (Lela got to drive the cart - Lana too for one hole). That night the Archers and Milberger's came to the room and we had room service while we looked at pictures and talked. Also found a room to view Alans video from Nam which had a lot of young men I recognized and are on the group. Had a business meeting from about 9 am to after noon on Friday (Janet Archer took Lela and Lana shopping - thanks again) and the banquet on Friday Night. I took the girls shopping on Saturday morning and we also spent 4 hours at the Denver Museum of Natural Science. Went to the Denver Rockies game that evening with Gary, Ginger, Eric, Marcy, & Celia (Anahiem 9 Rockies 3). An 11 hour drive to El Paso on Sunday. So enjoy the picture with some minor comment where appropriate or needed after each picture:
Melissa, Lana, and Lela in front of the Huey at the Vietnam Veteral War Memorial.
There is a chapel inside. You enter and there are 10 photos along the back wall of servicemen who died in action that are changed each month. There are no windows except the highth of the struture has a glass window from bottom to top about 6 inches wide that allows a ray of light to shine into the chapel. There are about 8 seats down the steps with cushions and cleanex boxes next to each seat. The lower level is full of recently place flowers and wreaths. It is very emotional.
The huey as you depart from the chapel back to the parking lot. It actually has two dummies dressed in nomex in the ship. Ah. . . . , not unlike many of us? (hehe).
The girls got real excited when a heard of about 100 buffalo were walking right next to the highway.
The Hotel Lobby was grand and I can only assume these are Broncos (ah . . . , the two in the back)!
Downtown Denver Skyline from the observation tower at Six Flags.
Andy and Janet Archer in the Capitol Bar before dinner at Margianno's.
Allan and Donna Milberger. While both Allan and Donna are confined to a wheel chair, both get around exceptionally well and have a remarkable attitude that exudes confidence and happiness. Was really great being with them and they are going to make the Lake and San Antonio.
Eric, girlfriend Celia, Ginger, and Gary Bowman. Gary's got a great sense of humor - ah . . . , almost too good - he gave me a pocket protector with pens so I guess I'm a WKN - you will note I left out the Computer part! (hehe)
Top row L to R: Lanny, Janet, Andy, Ginger, Gary, Lela, Melissa. Bottom row L to R: Donna, Lana, and Allan. Great place for a photo - right in front of Victoria's Secrets?
Don Foster next to one of the AO maps in my room after the Margianno's dinner. Don had to leave early also and left thursday morning I think.
Dan Grigsby on the Left was our ringer and we had a great time at Buffalo Run Golf Course.
A City Council Member presented the VHPA with a proclamation and then got an unexpected gift of her own from one of the guys in the Cav, I think. I am not sure how impressed she was with the squashed frog? Everybody got a good laugh!
Lance, Coors, and Mike Jacobi at the Social Party.
Estes Park from Propect Peak where there is a little tramway.
Andy tries to get a better look at Allan's video.
Janet, having possibly one drink to many, decides to teach Lana and Lela to drive. Lela turns into the devil or I forgot to use the red eye reduction?
Banquet time. Thanks to Janet for taking my girls on a horse and buggy ride (and Donna) while us guys listened to the festivities.
General Somebody (? - guest speaker) is in the middle of the bottom row. He asked all those to stand who did a full year in Nam. Then he asked all those who didn't do a second tour to be seated. Then he asked all those who did two tours to be seated. There were 12 pilots who did 3 tours or more and each of them introduced himself and gave his units. The General gave a very entertaining and enlightening speech which contained information I never knew.
New VHPA Officers for the next year. New President seemed enthusiatic about finding the 11,000 pilots that they have SSAN's for who are not with the group yet. Ah, if not a lifetime member, dues will go from $30 to $36 a year unless you pay 3 years in advance. Hell, my union dues are over $100 a month!
Coors Field from the Right field foul line seats where the VHPA got tickets for $5. Ah. . . , weren't the best seats I've ever had but at least we weren't in the back row? The blue seats that denote a "mile high" were about 3 rows in front of us!
Hey, welcome to the nose blead section!
Hope you have enjoyed your trip to the VHPA meeting. We had a great time with just a handfull so San Antonio and Lake will be that much better! Lanny - Lancer 13. PS: Hang in there and have a nice day!!!!!