01 Mar 2012
Association Newsletter 05
THE 68TH ASSAULT HELICOPTER COMPANY ASSOCIATION
March 2012 NEWSLETTER
Greetings Top Tigers,
We are now only 6 months away from our reunion in Marietta, Georgia. Registration has begun and can be completed online on our website in just a few minutes. You can also view a list of members who have already registered. Now is the time to make your decision to attend. Don’t hesitate – sign up now.
Once you have registered don’t forget to make your hotel reservations by calling the hotel at:
888-685-2500 and be sure to mention you are with the 68th Assault Helicopter Company Reunion or give them our reservation code: SEHC.
I am well aware of our struggling economic times, with that in mind, we have done everything possible to reduce the basic cost of the reunion by 10%, and yet not change anything we have done in the past. Our nightly room rate is $119.00, which includes 2 buffet breakfast coupons for each night’s stay between Wednesday and Saturday. The cost for the Saturday Dinner will be $45.00 per person. Registration fees have been reduced to $25.00 for members and $20.00 for guests, 18 and older. You can view information on the website under “Reunion Menu Page-Registration Fees” for more information and how to make payments.
If you need financial help to attend the reunion the “Tiger Fund” can help you defray some of the cost. It was established specifically for those who need a little help. It is handled confidentially so that only three people know. Contact Frans Vandenbroek at fvandenbroek@appliedmedical.com to start the simple process.
With the help of Frans I have made contact and visited with Linda K Hingson, the widow of WO Paul Hill, who was a Top Tiger from August, 1967 until he made the “ultimate sacrifice” on May 12, 1968. Some of you may recall that Paul had named his aircraft “Linda K” after his loving wife. Linda is planning to attend the reunion and is looking forward to meeting some of the people who flew with and knew Paul.
We are still working on finalizing the events schedule including; Huey Rides, Golf, Sightseeing, Shopping, Business Meeting, etc. A special thanks goes to Jim Rodgers, one of the original Top Tigers, for making it possible to stage our Huey Rides right in the Marietta area. Cost for the 10-15 minute Huey Ride will be $45.00 per person. Whether or not you participate in some or all of the activities there is always plenty of time to visit with your fellow “Top Tigers”.
I have been in contact with Past President Ron Sheffield who has informed me that the “War Story” DVD’s that Ron recorded at the 2010 Reunion will be ready for distribution at this year’s reunion.
TAKE PRIDE IN BEING A “TOP TIGER”
Hopefully by this time most of you have seen the dedication information and restoration photos of
UH-1C 66-15069 on
our website. It is quite an honor to have one of the ships that served
us so well on display at the Warhawk Museum in Boise, Idaho.
We have just recently learned that the Henderson Defense Company of Henderson, Nevada (just outside Las Vegas) has purchased a UH-1C in several parts. In their efforts to restore the aircraft and make it authentic as possible they visited numerous military websites and finally decided to restore the aircraft with the unit markings of the 68th Assault Helicopter Company. Once restoration is complete they intend to put the aircraft on display on some of their property just off the Vegas Strip. It has the potential of being seen by thousands of people every year. They chose the 68th because of our outstanding website. A special thanks goes to Dave Green for his many hours of hard work making the website one of the best military websites on the internet.
You can visit the following websites to learn more about our hotel, the Marietta area, and the Huey rides:
www.atlantamarietta.hilton.com
www.armyaviationheritagefoundation.com
Dave Holloway, President 68th AHC Association
“Top Tiger 49” & “Mustang 26”