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Welcome to BlueGhosts.com
The 2008 reunion has come and gone and we heard it was a great success! The next reunion will be held in Nashville.
There have not been many site updates recently. Any of you will content you'd like added are free to contact us. We have just received an album from Joni Sheridan, daughter of Robert Hunt. The is much interesting memorabilia that will be scanned and added over the next few weeks in the gallery. Debbie Ingersoll has added many photos that belonged to her uncle, Raymond Graver.
Thank you to all the Blue Ghost family members for their interest in keeping our legacy alive.
From the Blue Ghosts Association President
As the holiday season approaches, I think it always a good time to reflect back, not only on the past year with all of the great freedoms our country provides us, but also of the friendships we have forged over the years.
Most of us “Blueghosters” began our friendships in the less than desirable location of South Viet Nam, and knew each other for only as long as our tours had us co-located, which could have been only a couple of months, or a couple of years. Even though most all of us were not connected for many years, we've kindled our friendship over the internet, thru phone calls, an occasional letter, and at the various reunions, which is pretty remarkable given our geographic dispersion.
As we move forward into the New Year, Mary and I look forward to the reunion in Louisville, KY, April 4th -April 6th. Jim Fentress and Jack Shrode are coordinating it for us, and it looks like a great place. We have not been to Louisville, but have heard great things about it. For us, the best part of the trip is to see all of our friends again, and catch up on the conversations we left off when we exfilled LZ Branson.
Please think of those whom are deployed, and their families. We also have other members who have passed on, leaving loved ones who are also dear to us. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as well.
Mary and I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and wish you a healthy and fun filled New Year.
See you in Louisville, KY !
Best Wishes.
Joe Loadholtes
April 2007
We are sad to report there have been a couple additions to the Taps page. Details are in the forum which you must be logged in to see.Sick Call will be moving to this section of the forum only viewable when logged in by confirmed members and family to protect privacy.
2007 Reunion Notes:
We stayed at the Hotel Clarion in downtown Branson, MO., which proved to be a great place for our group as it was centrally located, and had everything we needed from a hotel. That is a great staff, good food, and a large hospitality suite. Dan and Donna Delor did a great job of selecting the hotel from all those in the running.
We had a large crowd this year, including several “new” members who we all were happy to see as well as a few members who have not been able to make the last couple of reunions. Almost every one told me how great it was to see old friends, and quickly they were able to make new ones.
Our business meeting consisted of the reading and adopting of the minutes from last year, and then some lively discussion on next year’s gathering in The Fort Knox area, set for late March 2008. We discussed items of general interest, and possibilities for the future. This is an election year so the ballots will be mailed out soon. Please vote and send the ballot back per the instructions on the ballot
Bob Neil and Bob Wiggins graciously volunteered their knowledge of how to submit claims to the VA to those of us who need some assistance in overcoming the mounds of paperwork it takes to push a claim forward.
The wives enjoy this get together as much as we “old soldiers”, and have formed an auxiliary to our association. I expect they will make the events more enjoyable for us all.
I enjoyed seeing all of you this year, and I hope we all will be able to gather again at next year’s reunion. Take care of yourselves and your ladies. Call a buddy and get them to attend next year’s reunion, as it is the 40th anniversary of the unit’s call to battle in Viet Nam.
Best wishes in the coming year.
Joe Loadholtes
President F/8 Cav Association
Some More Thoughts on the 2007 Branson Reunion….
Wow! Really, it was as close to perfect as it gets. The weather was great, the food was delicious, and the accommodations very reasonable. Thanks and compliments to Dan and Donna for setting this one up.
Some of us arrived early and took in a couple of shows, while others squeezed a show in here and there, between visiting friends and comrades. Witnesses said the “Dick Clark Show” was awesome, and I can personally attest that “Broadway”, “Spirit of the Dance”, and “Showboat – Branson Belle” were wonderful.
The association’s board and business meetings went well, interesting and educational materials were distributed, while speakers Neill and Wiggins made their interesting and urgent points. The ladies had input into the future and had a nice meeting of their own. Speaking of the ladies, they were presented certificates from the association thanking them. They are the finest you’ll find anywhere.
Another plus; some new (old) friends showed up. I think they had a good time, and I hope they will return to future reunions. We let them know, with open arms, that they are surely welcome. Some of the regulars were missed, but we hope to see them next year. To those who have not attended a reunion, all I can say is you don’t know what you’re missing.
This was my 5th consecutive reunion. This was an exceptional one. Every one we attend is different than the last, and we learn a little more “BlueGhost” history along the way. But, even more important, we grow closer to our fellow soldiers and those left behind.
I hope to see YOU at the next one.
Yours in Comradeship,
Dale Baker, VP, Blue Ghost VV Association
Doc and Linda Anderson have a DVD of photos and video of the 2006 reunion. It is very well done complete with interviews of some attendees and wives. If you would like a copy, send $3.00 to cover the cost of the DVD, mailer and postage and they will get one on the way to you. Linda has many hours of work into this. The hope is if you see what the reunion is all about, it will encourage you to go. The address is: Linda Anderson, 4590 Roundup Road, Las Cruces, NM 88011
If you are fairly new to this site, we have added back some of the posts from old guestbooks so you can see who has been here in the past. The pages are in the articles and archives section. There are 5 more pages to add, it is a slow process finding them in old database backups.
All contributions, articles, photos and after action reports are welcome as well as any suggestions!
Some Thoughts on Reunions
I have to admit that I hated the Army. Being drafted less than a week after my daughter was born really racked my life. After cobra repair school, I remember standing in that small Indiana airport, Nam orders in hand, thinking; “What the hell am I doing here and what is the F*ing Army doing to me now?” I had no clue I was about to become a member of an elite organization that would change my life.
I’ve always been proud to be a Blue Ghost. I used “Blue Ghost” as my “CB handle” for... [Read More] |  |
The forum has been opened to guests for viewing though due to a spam problem, you must be logged in to post. Everyone is welcome to register. There is a private forum not viewable by the public for Blue Ghosts and family.
Blue Ghosts: Be sure to log in when coming to the site! There is a private Blue Ghost forum that only members can access.
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