   On Thursday, September 13th, we departed home base Luray heading to Dayton Ohio, where we attended Captain Johns Bomb Group Reunion (yes, Captain John flew his own airplane to his Bomb Group Reunion), which is really no surprise since he is still one of the most active Angel Flight Pilots in the Country! Many people at the reunion asked John if he was still flying, and his answer was “NO”…… not since Thursday, when we landed at Wright Brothers Field!  We had a fantastic four days at the reunion and departed Dayton heading for home on Monday, September 17th (in the remnants of Hurricane Florence)
   During our time there, we attended three different dinners, the first being an individual group dinner (Johns 484th Bomb Group), the second being a total Formal Group Banquet….. (this was a Joint Group Reunion that included the 98th, 376th, 451st, 455th, 460th, 461st, 464th, 465th, 484th & 485th Bomb Groups), the third was a farewell dinner which also included all groups. The formal Group Banquet included a 16 piece orchestra….. and they were amazing! We had all had breakfast together each morning and all during the day (and late into the evening) there was a hospitality room open for getting together (what great conversations and comradeship took place there).
   On Friday and Sunday, we departed the hotel for the Airforce Museum at Wright Paterson Air Force Base, what an amazing place, especially for these two pilots….. and to top it off, I had a personal tour guide that explained things to me from a first-hand experience…. and that was Captain John! While at the museum on Saturday we all attended a “Presidential Unit Citation Medals Ceremony” in the Carney Auditorium, where all the Veterans of the 15th Airforce Bomb Group Reunion in attendance were personally presented the Presidential Unit Citation Medal by Lt, Gen. C.D. Moore II, USAF, Ret.
   On Saturday we had several very interesting veteran speakers to listen to, one being Captain John……. I could sit all day listening to these guys! (I will post a link to their talks as soon as it is available)
   We attended a Memorial Service on Sunday morning and the Farewell Dinner on Sunday evening.
   I am very honored to have been able to attend this amazing reunion with Captain John….. being around such great American Heros and hearing their stories is something that I will always hold in my memories as priceless, and it certainly reinforces what I have always known……. the freedoms that we all enjoy today have not and do not come free, so lets never forget and lets never take them for granted, and whenever the chance arises, shake the hand of a Veteran!
   We would like to say a Big “Thank You for a Job Well Done” to all involved in putting this fantastic reunion together, it was absolutely AMAZING!
   Thank You So Much, Captain John, for letting me tag along!
(next years reunion will be held in Dallas Texas)
Following are some photos of this great event, hope you enjoy!
(2 Videos follow the photos as well)
I love this Video…… check it out! I call it….Â
“It Must Have Been the Jacket”
The following video is of our flight to and from the reunion in Dayton Ohio, our flight home had us in the remnants of Hurricane Florence.
Looked like you both had a great time, we missed and love you both.
We did indeed!
Nevin, thanks for being such a GREAT friend to a man who is a real hero to me. I count it a blessing to know you both.
Thank you so much Dave….. and the feeling is mutual!
What a great trip! Thanks for sharing it with all of us. You two are remarkable!!!
Thank you for taking care of the home front while we were gone!
What a wonderful get-together of amazing men. It makes my heart feel good to see them re-living their experiences. The “Jacket” is certainly an “eye popper” and did the trick it seems:) Thank you too Nevin for taking these great pictures and sharing them, Pat, Strasburg, VA
You are so welcome Pat, and thank you for following our flights!
Thank you both for sharing your amazing trip with all of us.It sure looks like you both had a lot of fun.The pictures and videos were great as usual.I want to thank Captain John and you for all that you both have done and continue to do.You both are truly two Amazing Men and I love you both very much.
Thank you Sister Bonnie!
WOW! Thanks Nevin for sharing the reunion with us and the pictures are great, as usual. I felt like I was there with you two. From take off at Luray to landing back at Luray. You had 26 veterans from 10 bomb groups (15th Air Force) The 15th had 21 Bomb Groups so about half were represented. The ranks are getting mighty thin! It is the same with us from the Mighty 8th. The 15th was “history” by the end of 1945. The Mighty 8th, today, is the “First line of defense” for the United States. Did you get to see the SWOOSE? You two are remarkable. I love that sport coat!
Thanks Tom! (We did not see the Swoose though)
WOW!!! What a grand adventure! Thank you for taking us along through your amazing photos. What an honor and privilege to witness a part of past and present history. Congratulations Mr. John! We love you guys!!!
Thank you Kandi!