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317th Veterans Group 2008 Reunion
Abilene, Texas. May 1 - 4, 2008
Why are we are having a reunion so soon after the last one? The WWII Jungle Skippers hold their reunions on a yearly basis. When they joined our organization we agreed we would host a reunion for them on the even numbered years and they would join all the 317th veterans in a reunion on the odd numbered years. We planned on having a 2008 Reunion for our WWII Vets in Abilene TX, home of the 317th Airlift Group at Dyess AFB. The 317th Airlift Group is putting together such a great program for the reunion, that none of our veterans will want to miss it. There are other events in the works for this 2008 reunion that if they get approved will have our veterans talking about it for years. This is going to be one great Reunion that all our 317th Veterans Group members will want to attend. Click Here for Reunion Information
C-119 and C-130 Color Art Prints
C-119 "Flying Boxcar" and C-130A "Hercules" Color Prints are available directly from the artist 317th Veterans Group member Norman Guyaz. The actual prints are 15" wide x 11" hig, include the picture board and it measures 18" x 12". The cost is $40.00 per print plus shipping. The original watercolor paintings of the aircraft are $300. to $400. depending on the print. You may contact the artist for more information at : npguyaz@hotmail.com
Click Here to view the prints.
317th Veterans Group nominated for Bob Hope Award.
The 317th Veterans Group was nominated for the prestigious Bob Hope Award by the 41st Airlift Squadron based at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas. This nomination is something all our veterans can be proud of, it is an honor just to be considered for this award. This award recognizes individuals or organizations that: (A) uphold the values of Mr. Bob Hope: Duty, Honor, Courage, Loyalty, Commitment, Integrity and Selfless Dedication. (B)Significantly enhances the quality of life of service members and their families serving around the world. (C) Selflessly contributes an extraordinary amount of time, talent , or resources to benefit members of the United States Armed Forces.
To read the full text of the nomination : Click Here
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A 317th Veterans Group Email Directory is available upon request to our membership. Ron Volz has been keeping a list of our 317th veterans email addresses and will email a copy to any 317th VG member who requests it . You may contact him at ron.volz@rcn.com Please keep him advised of any changes to your email address so he can keep the list up to date.
Evreux Air Base Veterans attend Air Show at their former base. The show featured the USAF Thunderbirds and the French Air Force Patrouille de France . The Thunderbirds last performed at Evreux in 1965. The 1965 Thunderbird team was also in attendance. Many thanks go to to Colonel Pascal Chiffoleau , the Commandant of Air Base 105 for the invitation and the Mayor and his deputies for the reception at the Hotel de Ville.
Col. Patrice Le Mao FAF (Ret) who along with Jeff Lambert and Jean Zabukovec treated all our vets to wonderful French hospitality on the Friday and Saturday prior to the Air Show. Jeff Lambert and Jean Zabukovec opened their homes to the visiting veterans and served most delicious French cuisine. Many thanks go to Patrice and to 317VG President Bill Lloyd who put in many hours of work to make the visit a memorable one. Click here and on the names above to view our photos. Read President Lloyd's Air Show report by clicking here.
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317th Veterans Group 2007 Reunion
Our 2007 Reunion was held in St. Louis, MO Oct. 4 - 7 at the St. Louis Airport Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Special military ceremonies were scheduled at Scott AFB on Friday morning Oct. 5th. All WWII 317th Troop Carrier Group Jungle Skipper veterans attending the reunion were presented with the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star Attachment. Family representatives of Jungle Skipper veterans also accepted the medal on behalf those veterans deceased or unable to travel.
Reunion Chairman Mike Heilman did a great job coordinating all reunion events. Reunion Photos will be posted soon.
The Amazing C-130 Tow. What may be the longest aircraft tow in Air Force history took place in January of 1962 and was performed by the 317th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron based at Evreux Air Base, France. The 600 mile tow from Evreux to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany took four days to complete. C-130B 58-0745 suffered a wing loss at Evreux due to a refueling fire in Oct. 1961. It was towed to Spangdahlem to be used to repair the nose and fuselage of C-130B 58-0734 which had heavy damage to those sections from another accident. The 317th CAMS tow team participants were Capt. Arthur E. Hempen, TSgt. Ralph Slayback, SSgt. Calvin Sweigart, A1C Harry Drew, A1C H. P. Clef, A1C W.T. Lichy, A2C Frances De Paris, A3C Charles McMullen. You can read the base newspaper article and view the photos of this amazing tow, including the historic photo of the C-130 circling the Arch of Triumph in Paris by clicking here. Many thanks for these photos go to Yvonne C. Drew, widow of Msgt Henry M Drew who was on the tow team.
Some Good Books to Read:
Crossroads of Liberty
Author Robert Stroup's book Crossroads of Liberty a history of Lockbourne AFB was just published. You can check his web site for updates on where you can get your copy.The address is Crossroadsofliberty.com
Nickel On The Grass
317th Veteran's Group member Phil Handley wrote a book titled " Nickel On The Grass about his experiences during his 26 year Air Force career. Col. Phil Handley USAF (Ret.) was a C-130 pilot at Evreux (1961-65) and later went on to become a fighter pilot in Vietnam. Three of the books chapters deal with his experiences as a C-130 pilot. To purchase a copy of the book autographed by the author click here.
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U.S. Air Force in France 1950-1967
Lt. Col. Jerome
McAuliffe, USAF Ret. recently had his book published. It is a must
read for those veterans served at Evreux or any other base in France. The book
is filled with information and photos of the air bases in France where the USAF
was present. For information on how to get your copy: Click
Here
(in PDF format - Click
here to download a free copy of Adobe Reader.)
317VG member Charlie Valentine was able to make copies of some of the many photo's taken by Ed Otting a Navigator with the 40th TCS when they were based at Rhein-Main in the early 1950's. Here are some of them for you to preview, there will be more to come later.
Click on this link to see them C-119 Photos
For all members of the armed forces and qualified federal government civilian personnel who faithfully and honorably served the United States anytime during the Cold War era. Which is defined as Sept. 2, 1945 to Dec. 26, 1991. Click here.
The
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC opened its new museum
annex at Washington Dulles International Airport. One of the many Air Force
planes now in possession of the museum is C-130A serial number 57-0460, which
was assigned to the 317th Troop Carrier Wing at Evreux in August 1958. The
museum selected 460 as representative of the first production version of the
C-130s and because of its long history with the Air Force and a unique history
as a member of the South Vietnamese Air Force. This aircraft will represent
all of the Lockheed Hercules C-130s at the Air and Space Museum.
We need your help in compiling historical data regarding C-130A 460. Click here to see how you can help.
The Evreux Veterans Open House held in Sept 2004 was a huge success. See the photos and Pres. Bill Lloyd's report.
| Be sure to check
out our members roster. We're proud to announce
we've located over 1400 veterans of the 317th. The members roster is an
easily-searchable, alphabetical listing. Only veteran names are listed,
personal information such as addresses and phone numbers have been left
out to protect their privacy.
If you are interested in locating a fellow veteran you can e-mail Bill Lloyd at LloydwBill@aol.com with your name and address and any information you wish to send and he will pass your message on for you. |
