WICHITA, KS | SEPT. 15 – 18, 2022

NAME:

Total of persons attending. Are you the Veteran or Spouse/Widow of Veteran Yes No

If NO, please state relationship & Veteran’s name:

Name(s) of all attendees as they will appear on the NAME TAGS:

Other AFFILIATION: Name: Assgn.:

Name(s) of all attendees as they will appear on the NAME TAGS:

Home Address:

City: State: Zip Code: Phone:

Email: Check if appropriate: New Home Address New Email Address

This is my 1st reunion Yes No I have attended # of Reunions You will be traveling by: Plane Car

Please make check payable to: 449th BG Association

Wichita Marriott 9100 Corporate Hills Dr Wichita, Kansas 66207 316-651-0333

HOTEL RATES: $102 w/ 2 Queens Beds $102 Standard King Bed

Mail check to: Mary Crowley / 449th BG Secretary 16292 Content Circle Huntington Beach, CA 92649

• Room rates will be $102.00 per night, plus tax and INCLUDES a full, hot breakfast buffet, including made to order omelets, for up to two per room.

• Rooms at the group rate will be available for probably three days before and after the reunion dates. Exact dates are yet to be determined.

• Free airport shuttle from 7:00 am – 10:00 pm. There is a phone to the hotel at the baggage claim in the airport.

• This hotel has been recently renovated and is spectacular. The staff is outstanding, and our Hospitality room will be second to none. This is a lovely property all the way around.

ANY QUESTIONS – Don’t hesitate to call! Mary Crowley California: 714-925-8111

• Wichita was founded in 1864 as a trading post

• It is in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River.

• 5-million longhorns were driven up the Chisholm Trail from Texas to the Wichita railhead which earned the city earned the nickname “Cowtown.”

• In the 1920s and 1930s, businessmen and aeronautical engineers established aircraft manufacturing companies: Beechcraft, Cessna, and Stearman Aircraft.

• The city became an aircraft production hub known as “The Air Capital of the World.”

• 35% of all U.S. manufactured general aviation aircraft

• Wichita is the birthplace of Pizza Hut and White Castle

Registration Veteran + (1) Traveling Companion $32

449th BG Widow + (1) Traveling Companion $32

Primary Family Member (Not a Veteran, Widow or Companion) $32

Additional Guest(s) $22

6:00 PM WELCOME DINNER AND MEETING

• Lasagna with Meat $40.50

• Eggplant Parmesan $40.50

9:00 AM - 4:30 PM DAY TOUR: McConnell AFB, Kansas Aviation Museum, Veterans Memorial Park $60

The first stop will be McConnell AFB, followed by lunch at the Dole Center on base (lunch on your own). McConnell AFB is home of KC-135 Stratotanker, the US Air Force’s first jet-powered refueling tanker used to refuel strategic bombers and tactical fighters. Next stop is the Kansas Aviation Museum (next door to McConnell AFB) and the perfect place to watch the aircraft from McConnell take off and land! The last stop is Veterans Memorial Park which is located along the banks of the Arkansas river. It features 17 memorials representing six wars and every branch of the military, including the Order of the Purple Heart, Gold Star Families, POWs, Vietnam, Pearl Harbor survivors, Submarine service and more.

To comply with strict security regulations for McConnell AFB: Each person participating in the tour must provide in advance (by Sept 1) the following: Driver’s License Number & Social Security Number. If you do NOT have a driver’s license a State ID Card will be adequate along with your Social Security Number. Due to the sensitivity of personal information, you will be contacted in August by the association secretary for your information.

6:30 PM INDIVIDUAL BOMB GROUP DINNERS / 449th BG SQUADRON NIGHT

• London Broil $49

• Chicken Cordon Bleu $45

• Penne Pasta $40

9:00 AM MEMORIAL SERVICE Respectful attire and or Military Dress

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 15th AF Presentations (TBA)

Sept. 17

Presentations: Veterans interact with oral history, session with WWII French nationalists, WWII memorabilia, craft demo, and more TBA.

Optional — On your own

Catch an Uber to Old Town Wichita, just a quick 10 minutes away. Old Town is the heartbeat of the city for eating, shopping, and entertainment. Walk the brick-line streets and venture into old, converted brick warehouse shops dating back to the mid-1800s. The distinctive architectural feature of the district defines the character of Old Town. And while you are there, drop in at the Museum of World Treasures. It is “quirky and fun!” It is a time capsule of history with impressive exhibits that includes an extensive WWII collection.

5:15 PM VETERAN GROUP PICTURE Location TBD

6:00 PM ALL BOMB GROUPS BANQUET DINNER

• KC Strip Loin

$52.50

• Mediterranean Salmon $46.50

• Grilled Portobello w/Spinach on Wild Rice $40.50

Entertainment by KENNY RAY HORTON. A GOLD-RECORD awarded singer/songwriter Kenny Ray has “a pocket full of great songs, a strong voice and an addictive presence”. He will deliver a toe tapping performance that will include rhythm and songs from blue-grass, country, and gospel. Recently retiring from a 21-year Naval career, he was one of the top lead singers for the US Navy’s Premier Country and Bluegrass band “Country Current” that provided entertainment from Pearl Harbor to Washington DC. TOTAL

(Continued from Page 1) rolling hills on the outskirts of Nashville. A delicious dinner (What a cook!), good wine and great fellowship. I personally, gained even more respect for our host Peter than I already had. You see, I learned that he had served our country in the U.S. Navy, specifically in the submarine service – a special breed! I am honored to have heard his story and to experience genuine Tennessee hospitality. Thank you both for your commitment to the 449th BGA.

• The 449th BGA has a new Vice President, Elaine Trogdon (719th). She has graciously accepted the nomination from the request of a unanimous board. Groomed for a lifetime, as it were, Elaine is a perfect fit. I am sure both of her parents would have been immensely proud! Among other duties, Elaine will be the 449th liaison with the 15th Group for our upcoming reunion in Wichita and be working out details for a smooth transition into the combined reunion. As for myself, RL (718th), I have held the positions of Acting President/ Vice President since the passing of Brigadier General Floyd Trogdon in 2019 and was unanimously elected as President

449th BG Constitution Amended

• Sandra Latta (718th, Board/Public Relations), who tirelessly dedicated hours of working through the forty year old

449th constitutional maze, was able to construct a clear path for revising and amending the original 1983 constitution. Secondly, at the required membership meeting on Saturday morning Nov 6, Sandra made available printouts, presented to the membership clear explanations for the need for changes and amendments, provided opportunity for open discussion, and initiated voting proceedings. (Hint: In 1983 the founding fathers had no clue about words such as emails and Zoom board meetings!) Page 10 Constitution Amended.

Backing up a bit, I would like to give you a snapshot of the activities that took place in Nashville.

Tour of Grand Ole Opry and sites of Nashville. Thursday morning, we were out of the starting gate and on a bus headed to the Grand Ole Opry. Not only were we taken backstage, but we also stood among the props for such greats as Minni Pearl, Dolly Parton, & Garth Brooks and we ended by walking in the footsteps of the superstars and stood center stage! The final stop of the tour was lunch at Totos. Highly recommended, it was a small roadside restaurant that had the best BBQ in Tennessee!

(Continued on Page 6)

President:

Richard Lapham, 2nd Gen, 719th

Vice President:

Elaine Trogdon Martz, 2nd Gen, 719th

Secretary: Mary Crowley, 2nd Gen, 717th

Treasurer:

Thad Mahoney, 2nd Gen, 719th

449th BG Historian: Mark Coffee, 2nd Gen, 718th

Archives Manager: Denise Riegel, 2nd Gen, 718th

449th BG Museum: David Duane Livingston

Memorial Museum

Dan & Carol Livingston, 2nd Gen, 718th

Chaplain:

Rev. Denise Trogdon, 2nd Gen, 719th

Executive Assistant: Rod Miller, 2nd Gen, 716th

Public Relations: Sandra Latta, 2nd Gen, 718th

PX Officers: Gary Smith & Debbie Utz, 2nd Gen, 717th

Veterans Correspondence: Deborah Hill, 2nd Generation, 718th

Social Media Research

Tad Garner, 3rd Gen, 717th

Early evening, we gathered for “Bubbles & Gab” and were entertained by a WWII reenactor who recounted the personal story of Bill Hamill, Jr. (719th) and his 50 missions as a ball gunner on Nelson Wood crew. Traditionally, we end the festivities with the parade of hats and 1940’s attire. The tag-team mother /daughter from the Anderson family (717th POW) stole the show. Hats off to Cindy Keen (Ward, 718th) for finding and arranging for the entertainer who traveled from the state of Missouri!

It amazes me how much our reunions have to offer everyone. I had initially decided not to go on Friday’s Franklin Civil War tour, but rather bum around town and get the lay of the land. Besides, I had learned plenty about that era in high school and really did not feel it was noteworthy. That was until Rod Miller (716th, Board/Executive Assist) cornered several of us, giving a detailed, impassioned reenactment of his scouting trip to Franklin the previous day. (Rod- just another member going the extra mile.) Well, I’m glad I boarded the bus and honestly, I can convey I never had a history lesson in school like what I experienced in Franklin. It gave you an entirely unique perspective of the conflict as you peek through hundreds of silverdollar size bullet holes in the walls of the Carter house and surrounding building that were under siege. Lord knows what kind of antiquated weapons caused such destruction.

The 21st century has propelled the 449th BGA into the modern age of technology. In the conference room on Friday afternoon a Zoom meeting was held with the DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, connecting Nashville, TN to Honolulu, Hawaii. Johnie Webb - Deputy Outreach & Communications, Hickman AFB – has

It is 1944! Daughter Jeanne & granddaughter Kelly representing Robert Anderson (717th), Pilot. His crew was downed 24 June ‘44 in Gidi Gidi Boom Boom on Ploesti mission. All 10 crew members became Romanian POWs.

Over a thousand bullet and shrapnel holes in buildings near the family home. A somber testament to the carnage that unfolded over 150 years ago been a long-term, committed advocate for the recovery and repatriation of lost 449th MIA’s. (Mr. Webb has personally attended several of our reunions in the past.) The meeting was comprised of family members of the MIA Kendall crew airmen, Harvey Gann (only survivor of Kendall’s crew), additional 449th MIA families and board members. To summarize the meeting, Mr. Webb spoke directly to Harvey Gann and indicated that given the projected DPAA budget for 2022, the recovery of the Kendall crew was still viable.

Our evening began with the ceremonial presentation of the squadron banners. Tables were arranged so the families sat in designated squadron areas.

Our guest speaker for Friday night flew in from Serbia giving a compelling account of the biggest rescue operation of WWII – the Halyard Mission. Lt. Col. John Cappello (USAF), retired in 2014 after serving over 24 years. He served as the USAF Attaché to Serbia and Israel, a command pilot having accumulated over 3,000 flying hours and is currently the President of the Halyard Mission Foundation. Lt Col. Cappello gave a highly informative background of the mission also known by The Forgotten 500, of which 41 airmen were from the 449th BG. He shared in-depth details of the contribution the Serbian un- derground made, whose heroic involvement was critical to the success of the mission. Please see additional article, Halyard Mission Foundation

This year’s Red Rose Memorial Service was exceptionally moving. Rev Denise Trogdon delivered a powerful eulogy, reflective of the selfless acts and sacrifices made to rescue 500 Allied airmen in Serbia. Colors were posted and retired by The Tennessee State University Air Force ROTC with Taps concluding the ceremony by Jack Strotman, Retired USAF. 194 red roses were walked in honor of deceased 449th BG airmen and crews.

They included those airmen who had passed since June 2019, who had not been previously acknowledged and families of airmen who were in attendance walked red roses for their loved ones. 43 names of airmen from the state of Tennessee were also acknowledged.

Of immense importance that allows us to continue the RED ROSE service, we received over 120 red rose donations from our membership. Thank you for your continued support.

The Banquet was a remarkable and memorable success. The Ray Stevens CabaRay dinner show and staff out did themselves to acknowledge our Veterans and Group. The performance was entertaining with lots of laughs, great old time toe tapping tunes, and the dinner was more than plentiful. Suspect there were very few in the group that were able to finish the dinner without leftovers! Thanks to Harvey Gann for turning us on to Ray Stevens.

In attendance and greatly involved in the Halyard Mission history, were Ted Byfield (718th EVD) and Jaelana Miltrovic. Ted is a 2nd generation member, and this was his first reunion. He met Jaelana, a journalist from Serbia, while he was participating in the Forgotten 500 reunion in Serbia, walking the steps of his father and meeting the families that were essential for the rescue. Both are planning to co-author a book on the Halyard Mission. Jaelana, since enjoyed a month-long trip visiting many states across the U.S. and has returned to Serbia. The 449th now has a Serbian connection!

Additional Notable Items:

• In attendance, we were honored by having three Veterans: Harvey Gann (100 years young, 718th, POW), Robert Geisert (99 years young, 719th, POW), Vernon Petersen (103 years young, 716th). Three widows/wife: Ms. Boot Baker (Denny,717th), Mrs. Evelyn Gann (718th) and Mrs. Patricia Latta (718th)

(Continued on Page 8)