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2006 Reunion
A brief synopsis of the event provided by Trisch Davis:
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
The Hospitality Room
(Kelly's Landing) was full of pictures of the 456th Bomb Group, thanks to Ed
Moore. There were scrapbooks from
the previous reunions for everyone to look over whenever they had the chance.
This room was the gathering
spot throughout the reunion for the vets and their family members and guests to
gather. Stories were shared,
friends were made, and a group could be found there every night having a
wonderful time.
An Italian buffet dinner was shared by the attendees atop the Radisson Hotel. The revolving restaurant provided a wonderful meal and a magnificent view of the area.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
The group traveled to Dayton to tour the United States Air Force Museum. While at the museum, the group went to the Officer's Club for lunch. After lunch, Frank Grimsley, Director of Engineer Reconnaissance Systems Wing, spoke to the group.
Summary of the speech by Frank Grimsley:
One of the main differences between World War II and today's war is that during World War II, we had the good guys taking out the bad guys - going after countries - the Allies banding together to take out the Axis forces - big targets - forces going after bases, countries, shipyards, bridges (recognizable targets). After 911 hit, the face of the world and war changed. We started going after SUV's, a pick-up truck, a house of a street in a little town, etc. (small targets). The face of the enemy changed and the strategy of war changed. We needed different technology - a different way to fight this unknown, unseen enemy. Enter the weapons that searched for small, individual targets - planes without a crew, unmanned planes operated by an operator in the USA (the Predator). There were problems though with the planes finding and hitting the small targets. Enter another unmanned weapon (Global Hawk) capable of going and finding the small targets and talking to the larger weapons - computer talking to computer. US technology and armed forces work together to prevent so many lost lives while still taking out the enemy.
After lunch and speech:
The group went back to the United States Air Force Museum for a little more touring. Once the museum closed, the Vets were allowed to go back to the B-24 D "Strawberry Bitch" and walk through it.
Friday, June 23, 2006
The group boarded the tour buses and headed for a tour of Cincinnati, which included a tour of the Cincinnati Red's Hall of Fame and Museum and the Cincinnati Museum Center and Union Terminal. At the Union Terminal, everyone had choices to tour the History Museum, Cinergy Children's Museum, Museum of Natural History and Science, or the Robert D. Lindner Family Omnimax Theater
Friday night Banquet
Robert Gullet welcomed
everyone to Covington and the 2006 456th Bomb Group Reunion.
He introduced Frank Amaditz, who read the Taps List, as a candle was lit
for each squadron.
The speaker was Gary
Griesser. He paid a high tribute to the veterans and kept the group
laughing with several jokes and funny stories.
Throughout his speech, he would interject a song that was appropriate for
the moment, including a song that included parts of each song dedicated to each
of the Armed Forces. He asked that
anyone who had served or had a family member serving the country to stand as he
sang the part of the song for that particular armed force.
One of the more emotional parts of his speech was when he told each person that there was someone in the room that had done something special for them - from opening a door, to helping them with some task, as well as to fight for their country. He wanted each person to go to those people and thank them. The group didn't take long before people were walking all over the room and hugging and thanking someone and the tears were flowing. It was a very special and very emotional moment.
He had everyone sit back down and then went on to encourage all the vets to "tell their stories" to make sure that each of their stories were passed on to today's generation. He thanked the veterans for their service and contributions to freedom and ended his speech by singing "America the Beautiful."
Bob Gullet then thanked the speaker, everyone for coming, and gave thanks to his family for their support and help with this reunion. He, then, turned the podium over to Ed Moore, who announced that the reunion in 2007 would be in Boise, Idaho in Sept. and the next president would be Martin Luther (who was not able to be at this year's reunion).
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Men's Breakfast and Business
Meeting -
Ruth Reitmeyer took the minutes and I understand has already mailed them
to you.
Women's Meeting - the ladies
were welcomed by Georgia Moore and introduced Robert's Gullet's wife - Jayne
Gullet. The women were entertained by the "High Steppin' Grannie
(a group of women who had never danced before the age of 60 and were very
entertaining as they danced to the variety of songs). The ladies then won door prizes from the Convington/Cincinnati
area.
After the meetings, we
boarded the buses for more touring and a wonderful riverboat cruise and lunch on
the Bell of Cincinnati. The day was
gorgeous and the river boat excursion was enjoyed by all.
On the way back to the hotel, the group stopped at World's largest
swinging bell for a Memorial Service for 456th Bomb Group.
Everyone was on their own for dinner and, as usual, we had a group back in the hospitality room swapping stories.
Sunday,
June 25, 2006
PICTURES WILL BE POSTED SOON
2006 Reunion in CINCINNATI, OHIO (Covington, Ky)
June 2006
The 62nd Annual Reunion of the 456th Bomb Group and Attached Units, 744th, 745th, 746th and 747th Bomb Squadrons, will be held at the Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront in Covington, Kentucky from June 21st to June 25th, 2006. Ed Moore will be sending out the usual informative flyers soon with all the reservation details and reunion information. In the meantime, if you call the hotel to make any inquiries (859.491.1200), be sure to mention you are part of the reunion event.
The tentative event schedule for the 2006 reunion:
Wednesday, June 21 is Italian Dinner night and cocktails for those arriving early.
Thursday, June 22 will feature an early-bird buffet breakfast and then a motor coach trip to the National Museum of the United States Air Force outside Dayton, Ohio (at Wright-Patterson AFB). We are told the museum will possibly stay open past 5PM closing and allow members to board their B-24D on display. Afterward plans call for supper to be had at the museum.
Friday, June 23, after a buffet breakfast, there will be a tour of Cincinnati including the Railroad Museum, and the annual banquet will be held Friday night instead of Saturday.
Saturday, June 24 will have the annual men's business meeting and the ladies breakfast, followed by a coach tour of the old German town of Covington, including a riverboat cruise.
Sunday, June 25th will feature a buffet breakfast and goodbyes.
Principles and Officers, 2005-2006
President: Robert C. Gullett
1st Vice President:
2nd Vice President: Martin Luther
Secretary/Treasurer: Frank Amaditz
Associate Sec/Treasurer: Ruth Reitmeyer
Historian: Fred H. Riley
Reunions and Travel: Edmund S. Moore
Photographer: Leon Staab
Webmaster/Editor: Roy J. Firestone
Parliamentarian: Philip N. Savage
Directors: All of the past Presidents and
Chairman: Harry Edwards
William C. Bahr Albert Couture
Robert S. Cooper Phillip N. Savage
Dominic Jemella Frank Amaditz
Created 02/21/06 RJF Last Edited 12/11/06 RJF