The 2009 reunion provided a wonderful opportunity to share time together with old friends and to make new friends as well. To illustrate the point I‟d like to present a short vignette that took place in our hospitality room late on Saturday evening. Joe Duran had asked Lew Brown, Pilot, for some time to show him some color film footage from the 93rd during its days in Africa and England. The film was rediscovered and recovered from one of our veteran‟s attic storage areas where it had lain untouched since his return from home at the end of the war. Although the film was in poor condition there were some segments of amazing film. Joe knew that Lew was in a segment from the Africa deployment. So, as the film was running several of us gathered to hear Lew‟s reaction when he saw himself in the movie. After about 30 minutes as we were getting close to the part with Lew, two of our first time attendees, Jim Root and his sister, Beth King came into the room. Jim and I started a separate discussion a few steps away from Joe and Lew. I heard Joe say, “Here it comes.” I interrupted Jim so we could all watch the film. In the segment, an unknown airman comes out of a tent in the desert, followed by a second man. When Jim saw the second man he said, “That‟s my Father! We were all stunned but none more than Jim and Beth. Joe replayed the segment several times for us. Finally, we moved on to the portion containing the shot of Lew. His reaction was different. “I don‟t think that‟s me!” Of course it was! How amazing to find Jim‟s Dad in a 1943 film from Africa.

On a sad note, two of our veterans who were scheduled to attend the reunion were unable to be with us due to serious illness and have subsequently passed away. We will miss these gallant warriors, Louie DelGuidice and Arthur Magill.

The successful conclusion of the Stained Glass Window project was celebrated. Our fund raising efforts have provided all of the funds needed to install the window. Donations are still needed to cover the dedication ceremony so it‟s not too late to take part. The group is determined to complete the project with an appropriate dedication ceremony at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum Chapel, Savannah, Georgia. Our theme for the 2010 reunion in Savannah, GA from October 21 – 25 is “One More Mission”.
Not only did the members vote for the 2010 Reunion in Savannah, they also voted to hold the 2011 Reunion in Tucson, AZ. We plan to continue our tradition of conducting separate reunions while encouraging those who can to attend the 2ADA reunions as well. Watch the Ball of Fire and the web page for details and plan to join us in Savannah for the 2010 Reunion and the Dedication of the Stained Glass Window.

Finally, our friends at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport rolled out the red carpet in honor of our veterans. In spite of present day mission pressures, we were treated with two remarkable presentations by current Air Force Commanders. Lieutenant Colonel Jones, Commander, 93rd Bomb Squadron, opened our reunion with a comparison between bombing results in WW II and today. The next day, Major General Carpenter, Commander, Eighth Air Force warmly welcomed our men and discussed today‟s Air Force. We were treated to a flight-line tour highlighted by a visit to the crew compartment of a B-52. Finally, we were welcomed at the Eighth Air Force Museum and walked among the aircraft static displays including the Louisiana Belle, one of the dozen remaining B-24s. Our guys visited aircrew in training and walked through the Lieutenant Colonel Addison E. Baker Conference room where they honor Col Baker and the Army Air Corps‟ accomplishments. The Eighth Air Force Honor Guard presented the flag at Friday‟s Officer‟s Club banquet and played taps at our Memorial Program on Sunday. We can be proud of today‟s Air Force!
I want to add a special note of thanks to Jim Adams, our local Shreveport veteran, who did a great job coordinating the reunion details with the hotel and Air Base. His assistance and leadership were instrumental ingredients to our success. Thanks, Jim!

John Marx, President - winter 2009