This reunion occurred almost solely because of the information maintained by Bill Shaw at his Nike Site Web site. Had it not been for the accidental discovery by Mac that he had been sought for years, when he discovered the site, Ron would not have known that he and Mac both have lived in El Paso for 30 years or so. So a conversation began and contact made with Jerry and Ken ensued with the object of the four of us getting together. It didn't take long to figure out that Jerry, in Iowa and Ron and Mac in El Paso were more free to travel than was Ken. After all, a working cattle ranch requires constant attention. And so, in less than a month from initiation, a plan was laid for the trip.

From Iowa, Jerry and his wife Donelle, made a side trip on their way to AZ, where they were bound, to get their winter home ready for their annual Snowbird run. Mac and Ron flew to KC, and met up with the Daughertys and we all found our way to Ken and Kathryn's place on Saturday. The weather was abysmal, cold and rainy, but the gloom was quickly dispelled by the warm reception that greeted us at the Mort's home.  Gracious host and hostess that they are, Ken and Kathryn made us feel at home, fed us a wonderful steak dinner and allowed us to sit around and recall the time we spent as Air Defenders. That's what they're called here at Ft. Bliss now. We spent a lot of time trying to put faces to names that we all recalled. Some have gone on before us, to their reward. They were missed. We all agreed that this meeting was a great occasion, a chance to revisit old friendships, while there was still time. We plan on meeting again, perhaps in RI, and encourage others who regularly drop in to Bill's Web site to get in touch with us.

After dinner, we rode around with Ken while he showed us his ranch. Very impressive!  He and his son, Greg, raise Registered Angus cattle; some of which have been accepted for import to Japan, a very difficult market to enter. Reluctantly, at day's end we returned to our motel and traveled on Sunday morning.  But glad beyond words to have made the trip. Thanks for keeping the memory alive, Bill. We owe you.

Yfs (your faithful scribe),

ron