The Red Lion Hanalei Hotel was HQ for yet another great 55th SRW Association reunion. Bill and Carol Lewis were responsible for the planning and orchestration of the four days' festivities, and an outstanding job it was. Kudos from the attendees were forthcoming throughout the week about how well organized the events were.

The crowd began rolling in as early as Monday the 7th to take advantage of the many great attractions and scenery San Diego offers. But the doings began in earnest with registration on Wednesday afternoon in the hospitality room. Nearly three-quarters of the nearly 280 attendees were there by the end of the evening, and the joint was hopping. Glad greetings of long time friends and comrades, and reminiscing abounded.

Of course that area was the hub of activity, and very convenient to meet and greet even during relaxed times, all through the week with generous hours of service every day of the reunion. Dan the Bartender Man said, "I haven't worked this hard since spring break at Ft Lauderdale." (High praise indeed.) The Lewismobile's trips to replenish supplies were several and often during the week.

Tours and Attractions

Folks had a wide variety of tours to take in order to enjoy the historic city and area over the next four days, or they could do it on their own. There was a grand tour of the city, a shopping excursion to LaJolla, and a run to Tijuana. Many took advantage of the Old Town Trolley to see the real Mexican flavor of restaurants and shops, or stop off on Coronado Island, at the Seaport Village or other interesting locales. Of course there was the world famous San Diego Zoo, one of just three in the US displaying Giant Pandas.

Balboa Park offered a wide variety of 14 museums, including an aerospace museum with an excellent assortment of historic aircraft and the Museum of Man, in addition to the very large green, activity areas, and the world's largest outdoor pipe organ.

The obligatory golf outing of about 30 duffers and hackers hit the course at North Island on Friday morning. The winning foursome was George Miller, Jim Maloney, Tom Garrity and George Ross. The prize was a three year extension of Association membership. (Miller commented that since he was already a life member, that his life expectancy could be expected to be three years longer. Rim shot, banda-bing.)

A delightful highlight was the dinner cruise on San Diego Bay Friday evening . Nearly 200 55thers occupied most of the boats two dining decks. The crew was professional and efficient, and the elegant three course meal was superb. The sail offered a magnificent view of all aspects of San Diego's glittering skyline and surrounding area vistas.

Saturday's Schedule

Saturday's scheduled was jammed. The Association general membership meeting kicked off the morning. Business was recapped by President Bill Ernst, various officer and committee reports were given, and a new Board of Directors was elected.

Immediately following the meeting, a presentation was given by Rear Admiral (Russian Navy - Retired) Boris Novyy on the joint efforts to document and locate the remains of American reconnaissance crewmembers who were victims of Cold War incidents. Interpreter and US-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs member, LtCol Michael O'Hara, US Army, explained the work of the commission to determine the fate of Cold War, Korean War, and Vietnam War American casualties in Soviet control. He works closely and diligently with Adm Novyy in that effort.

Readers of the Videmus Omnia newsletter will recall an article in the October 2004 issue by Pat Phillips recounting that Adm Novyy hosted the visit to Russia in May of that year by Pat, her daughter Roxanne, and Maria Goforth McAtee, and her daughter, Linda Schilder. The invitation by the Association was in part to reciprocate that hospitality.

An RC-135 from the 55th Wing at Offutt arrived that morning at North Island Naval Air Station. LtCol Chris Cohoes and six other crewmen provided a tour of the aircraft for several reunion attendees, to include Adm Novyy and LtCol O'Hara. (All involved could readily see the irony in that and how history has moved along since the Cold War.) Those who toured appreciated how the crew were eagerly engaged in showing their 'place of work'. The crewmembers were the guests of the Association at the banquet that evening.

The Banquet

Saturday evening began with a cocktail hour, and a poolside performance by the Marine Band from the San Diego Marine Recruiting Center. It was a rouser well received by a most receptive audience; and in fact, heard by patrons throughout the hotel complex whether they wanted to or not.

The entourage then proceeded to the banquet hall for the climatic event of the reunion. Pres Ernst made welcoming remarks; the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the assemblage; and Ernst introduced the head table and special guests; and then gave well deserved recognition and praise to Bill and Carol Lewis for such a terrific job in organizing and running the reunion. The attendees responded with a sincere and prolonged standing ovation.

Appropriate toasts were given, and the Reverend Fred Glass, the Association ex-officio chaplain, gave the invocation. After the members enjoyed another superb meal and dessert, the program continued. Ernst announced the newly elected officers and Board of Directors of the Association to serve until the next reunion.

Newly-elected President Jim Thomas took the podium, and with retiring-Vice Pres Hoover, give recognition and appreciation to Ernst for his over nine years' service as president of the Association. Ernst was presented with a mantel clock adorned with two Cold War Memorial coins (front and back displayed) and an engraved plate honoring him. He was accorded a standing ovation, as well.

Special presentations were given to Adm Novyy in recognition of his valuable assistance and cooperation in researching Cold War incidents. Thomas gave him an Association tie; then Pat Philips presented him with an Association pin.

Pres Thomas then gave a summation of the potential sites for the next reunion in the fall of 2006, stating that the Board would be further researching whether to pick Washington, DC, or Omaha, and seeking volunteers to plan and run same. He made closing remarks and bid all safe travels. The crowd adjourned for one more session in the hospitality room.

Many reunion attendees partook of the hotel's sumptuous and expansive champagne brunch, while others for destinations across the nation. There were several folks who remained in the area for another day or two to visit friends, relatives or hit attractions in San Diego they had missed.

In summation, this was one more in the series of spectacular reunion for members and friends of the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth, and we all look forward to the next one.