ARA/PRHA REUNION—COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

ARA/PRHA REUNION—COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

(AIR RESCUE ASSOCIATION/PERDRO RESCUE HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION)

7-11 Sept 2005

POST REUNION REPORT

What a great reunion!!! This was the third official PRHA reunion and the second one in conjunction with the ARA. The ARA extended an invitation at last year’s reunion in Seattle to join with them if we so desired. Since many of our members who crewed the HH-43 also wore the ARS/ARRS patch, we fit right in with the ARA group. John Flournoy, the ARA president and PRHA member made the Pedro group very welcome. Dan Beatty, the ARA host for this year’s reunion did an outstanding job in setting this one up.

12 of the PRHA members attended, as did several spouses. The reunion’s base of operations in Colorado Springs was the Embassy Suites hotel in the north end of CS, close to the Air Force Academy and other event locations. The daily order-your-own breakfast and the hotel’s cocktail reception in the late afternoon with free snacks and drinks was a big hit, and reunion attendees participated en-mass in both.

We started the event on Wednesday, 7 Sep, with a welcome buffet dinner. Great food and nice to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends. Thursday was a big day with many activities scheduled. A trip to the World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame/ Colorado Springs Historic District Shopping tour was a big hit. Additionally, golf was available for those who were interested.

The PRHA group got together Thursday afternoon for a business meeting. Although disappointed in the small number of PRHA reunion attendees, we did accomplish a number of important things, which included a discussion of upcoming elections, memorials, continued joint reunions with the ARA, future reunions, and other topics.

The Thursday activities culminated with a short trip to the Flying ‘W’ Ranch for a chuck wagon supper and an authentic western show with the Flying W Wranglers.

Friday included a tour of the USAF Academy and a ride and dinner on the Royal Gorge Dinner Train.

Saturday activities included the ARA general membership meeting; the USAF Academy/San Diego State University football game; another PRHA board meeting and the ARA Awards dinner.

The PRHA officers and board members had a second meeting to discuss membership participation and future joint reunions with the ARA. Due to the low turnout of PRHA members at the reunion, it was decided we will not join with the ARA next year, but will have our own separate reunion in 2006, at as yet, an undermined location. One thought was perhaps to try to have it in Hartford, CT, with a tour of the Kaman plant in nearby Bloomfield. This will be investigated to determine if it is feasible. My wife and I were there about 9 years ago and were given a private lunch with Charlie Kaman, the founder of the company and the inspiration behind the HH-43 Huskie. This was the highlight of our trip to Connecticut. Other thoughts included a location more central to the US—Chicago, perhaps as an idea. Portland, OR and Ogden, UT also were mentioned. More information will be forthcoming later as plans are developed and made.

As with last year, the highlight of this year’s reunion was the Saturday night awards banquet. This year’s ARA Richard T. Kight Award was awarded to Major Trevor Boyko, who distinguished himself as Outstanding Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) performer as the HQ EUCOM Personnel Recovery CSAR Office of Primary Responsibility and HQ USAFE H-60 Functional Area Manager.

Dan Beatty, as the Master of Ceremony, opened the banquet with a welcome for all. USAF Academy cadets brought forth the colors. Yours truly was given the honor to preside over the POW/MIA ceremony. A small, round table covered with a white table cloth was situated at the front of the stage in a place of honor. At the table, was an empty chair, adorned with a POW/MIA flag. As I read the words for the ceremony, four additional cadets slowly and purposefully brought forward the symbolic items ….

( a single rose, a vase tied with a red ribbon, a slice of lemon, a pinch of salt, a white candle, the Bible, and an inverted glass) to the table in memory of those who are unable to be with us.

A toast with water was then given to those fallen comrades, POW’s and MIA’s. The song “All gave some; some gave all” was played by Dan Beatty to a hushed audience. Somberness and tears were the norm.

I think that all of us enjoyed the reunion very much and I look forward to the next one with great anticipation.

Sincerely,

John Christianson

Vice President, PRHA

15 September 2005