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The 2008 Bullwhip Squadron Association reunion is scheduled for 9, 10, and 11 October 2008 in Dothan, Alabama.

Reunion Registration Letters have been mailed and we are getting responses from you now.


 
Our Association is having our bi-annual reunion this October 9th, 10th and 11th in Dothan, Alabama.  We look forward to seeing you there if you can make it.  Our last reunion had over 400 troopers and guests.  The 2008 reunion will be in the new Dothan Convention Center and we will have access to a variety of events and gatherings not previously available due to size restrictions.  Our reunions are a "get together" where we renew our spirits and brotherhood, pay respects to our fallen comrades, tell tall tails, and just have a good time.  Reunion details are on the 2008 Reunion page.  

See you there!!  BWS


If you desire you can print your own copy from the click on link to  BWS 2008 Reuion Registration (Adobe Acrobat PDF file).

Reunion Update # 1:

Our 2008 reunion will include a variety of new activities. We’ll have competitions and games for the Men…and some nice prizes to be awarded to the winners!

 

A Saturday trip to Still Pond Vineyards and Winery for a wine tasting and a Southern Style catered lunch is available for all. This is in lieu of the Saturday lunch and play at the same cost. Please contact Elaine Ridenour at eridenour@sw.rr.com or 334-308-2110 to make your reservation for the winery trip.

 

Be prepared to dance or just mingle with friends. Whether it’s a D.J., a live band, or both…we guarantee music to round off the days’ fun and festivities!

Have a favorite song? Tell us about it in advance, and we’ll try to have it available for yo

Document
BWS 2008 Reunion Registartion Forms





2008 BULLWHIP SQUADRON REUNION REGISTRATION

(Form 1, February 1, 2008)

 

NAME   Last:_________________________________First:___________________________________

 

YES!______ I will attend the sixth Bullwhip Squadron Association Reunion at Dothan, AL, on 9  thru 11 October, 2008.  (Register now to be sure of a room at the local motels.)

NO!______  I will not attend. (Please update your contact information and send back to us)

 

Refunds will be made for cancellations if received by 5:00 PM, 25th September 2008.  

 

PRINT  (Please provide the following information as applicable)

 

NAME Tag (Trooper) __________________________________   

(Exactly what YOU want to have on your name tag)

                    (Spouse or Guest/s) __________________________________

(Exactly what YOU want to have on this/these name tag/s)

 

STREET _________________________________

 

CITY, STATE, & ZIP ______________________________________________

 

Telephone: (           )-__________--_____________

Email: ____________________________________

 

Dates served in 3rd/17th____________________ 1st/9th _____________________

 

Other Unit __________________________________________________________________

 

List others who will accompany you (If children, provide age).

________________________________________ NAME Tag ________________________________________ NAME Tag

________________________________________ NAME Tag ________________________________________ NAME Tag

 

Do you want to have a Live Band or DJ for Dancing on Saturday Night?

Live Band ______    DJ _____

 

Is this your first BWS Association reunion?   ______yes  ______no

 

Registration fee required for main attendee only—no fee for families or guest accompanying.  Registration packet includes: Name Tags, Official Reunion Packet and Program, and appropriate reunion memento. Yes you can order more than one packet.

I plan to stay at: 

Quality Inn_____

Fairfield Inn_______

STUDIO LODGE _____

Holiday Inn Exp, ______

Suburban __________

Americas best value inn & suites _________

Other Hotel___________________________

Fort Rucker_______

Travel Park_______

With friends________________________

Please specify where you plan to stay w/phone # (if other than one of the motels).  It will help us to find you in case of an emergency.  Thanks!

 

Points of contact are;    Larry Wright

                                    (334) 692-5140 (Home)

                                    (812) 871-8642 (Cell),

 

                                    Chuck Ridenour

                                    (334) 301-1196 (Cell)

                                   

                                    Joe Bowen

                                    (770) 880-1100 (Cell)

                                   

                                    Al DeFleron

                                    (334) 692-5685

  

Please fill out both forms 1 and 2, and return by June 30, 2008, (or ASAP) with your check, payable to:   (Be sure to make and retain copies of these forms for your use.)

Bullwhip Squadron Association

c/o Chuck Ridenour

                                    726 Oak Lake Drive

Enterprise, AL 36330

 


2008 BULLWHIP SQUADRON REUNION ITENERARY/REGISTRATION FORM 2

 

Name:  ____________________________

                                                              NO. Of             COST

FUNCTION                                                               TICKETS       AMOUNT      TOTAL

 

Thursday, 9 October                                                    

Registration and Early Arrival Ice Breaker                        _______    X    $6.00  =   $_______

Hors d’oeuvres

 

Friday, 10 October, Registration                                                                      

Registration fee (Packet)                                                  1                X  $35.00  =         $35

1000-1630 hrs;  registration at Quality Inn.

0900 – 1300 hrs; Golf  Green Fees with cart.                   ________  X   $35.00  =  $_______

1200-1700 hrs Socializing at the Quality Inn lounge

1300 – 1500 hrs; Competitions

Friday evening Informal Buffet and Competitions              1700 – 2230 hrs             

Busses start at 1630 Hours from Quality Inn to the Dothan Convention Center

Adults                                                                 ________  X   $20.00  =  $_______

Children (12 and under)                                       ________  X   $12.00 =  $_______

Pay as you go bar. 1700 hrs, buffet. Casual dress.

 

Saturday, 11 October

Breakfast, all Inns                          0700 – 0830 hrs         (Or pay as you go if elsewhere)

Ladies luncheon and play               1030 – 1500 hrs         _______  X   $ 30.00  =  $_______

(Load busses at 1000 hours at Quality Inn.  Yes gents can go.)

 

Gatherings at Quality Inn/Other Locations,       1000 - 1500 hrs           Quiet time with friends

Competitions/Turkey Shoot                             1300 - 1500 hrs

Official BWS Business Meeting                       1500 - 1600 hrs            BWS members

(At the Quality Inn Hospitality Room)             

 

BWS Banquet, Dothan Convention Center  1730 hrs -  2230+ hrs..       

(Informal or coat and tie, your choice) (Buses Start at 1700)

Adults                                                                             _____    X  $20.00  =  $_______

Children (12 and under)                                                  _____    X   $14.00  =  $_______

1800-1900 hrs Socialize (Pay as you go bar)

 

Sunday, 12 October

Memorial Service Quality Inn Hospitality Room

 

And a little extra to help for donations (tax deductable) $_______                                                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                       TOTAL ENCLOSED                 $_______

 





2008 REUNION HOTEL INFORMATION

 

 

Our Headquarters for the 2008 Bullwhip Squadron Reunion will be at the Quality Inn.

 

We will hold the Ice Breaker on Oct. 9th, the Business Meeting Oct. 11th, and the Memorial Service on Oct. 12th there. This will also be the location of the Hospitality Room and the Reunion Registration Desk throughout the reunion.

 

QUALITY INN                      3053 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, AL 

                                    Ph: (334) 794-6601

                                    $55.00 + tax a night

 

STUDIO LODGE                  3071 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, AL               

                                                Ph: (334) 671-3700

                                                $55.00 + tax a night     

(was old Holiday Inn Express next to Quality Inn)

 

AMERICAS BEST VALUE INN & SUITES         

                                                2901 Ross Clark Cir. (334) 793-5200

                                                $42.95 + tax a night     

                                                (one mile south of Quality Inn, has Elevator, just remodeled)

 

FAIRFIELD INN                  3038 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, AL               

                                                Ph: (334) 671-0100

                                                $84.00 + tax a night     

(Inside Pool, located across Divide Hwy & South of Quality Inn)

 

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS   4002 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, AL   

                                                Ph: (334) 699-6869

                                                $92.00 +tax a night      

(NEW, Non Smoking Hotel, 3 ¼ miles from Quality Inn)

 

Other Hotels and Motels are located in the Dothan, Alabama area.

 
Mapquest Map of Dothan Map of Dothan, AL US Google Map of Dothan
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From our December 2006 Newsletter

06 Reunion After Action Report
 

     Troopers, if you missed the October 06 reunion, you missed a good one.  Over 200 was at the Thursday night Ice Breaker and fed over 420 both Friday and Saturday night.
     Friday night started off with the Dothan Mayor, Mayor Thomas, giving us a welcome speech that was very favorably received by the troopers who gave him a standing ovation.
     After the welcoming speech by Mayor Thomas, BG Allen read the Dothan city 1st/9th proclamation making the week a “Bullwhip Squadron Week” in Dothan.
     We were very fortunate to have as one of our guest, our own “Donut Dolly”(Red Cross Volunteer) from Vietnam 71-72, Ms. Ellie Lagos.  A very welcome surprise.
     Another surprise was the Honorary Colonel of the 9th Regiment, COL (Ret) Pete Booth, attended the Friday night affair and informed the group that four of our troopers were being made distinguished members of the 9th Regiment.   The four troopers recognized are Loel Ewart, Edward Hogeboom, William Potts, and Robert Thaxton.  A fantastic congratulations to these four new inductees into this most honored group.  COL Booth joined the BWS as a lifetime member shortly after the reunion.
     We had great coverage from all the local newspapers.  Ms Abbey Brown, from the Dothan Eagle, Ms Kay Kirkland, from the SE Sun, Ms Michelle Owens, from the Army Flier and Ms Jane McCardle from the Wiregrass Aviator.  Excellent write ups from all.
     On Friday evening, both Bernie Pounds and Robert Griffin gave a short speech on what it meant to join, and belong to the association.  Two great guys.
     This year we had Michael Curtis give a class, Saturday morning, on how to find lost brothers.  And several lost brothers were found!  Also on Saturday morning Mr. Steve Faust, from Estate Security Trust, gave a class on financial advice.  I must say that both classes were full with troopers taking full advantage of this “free” information.
     This is the first year that we had a professional photographer to take singles and group photos of our troopers, on both Friday and Saturday nights.  I must say that the photo line was long but the wait was acceptable and gave those in line time to talk with each other.
     Barbara Ewart hosted a wives luncheon and play on Saturday morning.  We had 69 to attend.  All said it was a great time.  And yes, we had several of the husbands slip in also!
     The Saturday morning business meeting was about what is, when, and how an honorary member is made for the association.  Unfortunately this was not completely resolved and will be left to the new Board to resolve, with the help of the troopers.
     The Saturday evening affair started with the posting of the colors by the 1/145 Aviation BN. Color Guard, all Warrant Officers, commanded by WO1 Ryan Wells.  These troops volunteered for the color guard for our affair.  It was interesting to note that all had tours in Iraq and wore their medals proudly.   With soldiers like these, our Army is in good hands, and the ground troops are well protected by these future pilots.
     Our silent auction brought in over $600 and the raffles over $1000, all seed money for the next reunion.  Thanks to all of you that donated items for the silent auction and to those that purchased the items!  The winner of both the Stetson and the UH-1B, B tp aircraft print, was our own,  Gary Ogburn!!  The saber was won by Mary Brenner and the ladies gift, a great necklace and earring set, was won by Viola Redman.
     Our outgoing Board members were recognized with plaques and our new Board members were sworn in, assuming command the first of January.  The Association remains in good hands.
     During the festivities on Saturday evening our troopers passed the Cav Hat for our own Cav Girl, Loretta (our web master) who was financially under the weather due to medical bills..  Over $1500 was collected. This was sent to Loretta after the reunion.  See her “thank you” in the letters to the editor.
     During the reunion Vaughn Caine, dedicated a Chinese CKC 7.62 Mauser rifle with bayonet, to be displayed in the Squadron museum.  An outstanding presentation.  Our new Board will work with Vaughn on this issue.  Unfortunately at this time, we do not have an active museum.  This is one goal that will be laid on the new Board.
     All troopers that attended the reunion was presented a short sword depicting the Vietnam Veteran.  And yes, I did clear this with the Home Land Security at the airport so the troopers could take the sword on the aircraft in their hold baggage.  And guess what!!!  One of our illustrious troopers tried to take his sword aboard the aircraft with him.  And no, he is not still in jail.  There is always one.
     This was our best reunion yet.  Those of you that could not attend, start planning now for the 08 reunion.  It was voted by the members at the Saturday meeting to hold the 08 reunion again here in Dothan.
     All troopers will agree that Dothan went all out for us.  A very heart felt “thank you” to Dothan.
     Troopers, if you have any photos of the reunion, please send to Loretta to put on the web site.
     Well troopers, it is now up to you.  08.  Be there!!
 

Loel Ewart

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The Bullwhip Squadron Association is a non-profit organization
 war veterans organization filed under Section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Service dedicated to honoring all Vietnam Veterans who served with the
 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry between 1965-1973,
 Troops HHT, A, B, C, D, E, F, LRRPs, and Combat Trackers