Squadron Members,
This is the last reminder to signup for the VMO-6 Reunion occurring in conjunction with Pop-a-Smoke. The event is just over 30 days away.
The Pop-a-Smoke program can be found and downloaded at website http://www.popasmoke.com/reunions-rar. Hotel reservations at a cost of $119 per night can be made directly at Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel or call 314-878-1500 and use code "Popasmoke." August 13th is the last day to make a hotel reservation at the reduced rate.
In mid August, an email with VMO-6 reunion information will be sent to squadron members planning to attend.
Squadron Members and Spouses or Friends that have Committed to Attend:
Ed Alexander
Dave Ballentine
Douglas Baker & Edgar Guerrero
John Boden
Dick Boston
Gary Bright
KC Carlon
Rod & Mary Croft
Art & Carolyn Friend
Richard & Mary Haines
Chip & Diane Jones
Ed & Kathy Kufeldt
LtGen William (Bill) Maloney
David & Marge Schoenherr
Steve & Sheryl Shoemaker
David & Betty Tunmire
Joe & Cindy Turner
KD Waters
Larry & Pat Wright
As previously mentioned, we will have a VMO-6 hootch in the hotel and a squadron dinner on Friday, Sep. 7th at Paul Mineo's Trattoria "a slice of Italy" https://www.paulmineos.com in a private dining room. The restaurant is a short walk from the hotel. A buffet menu has been selected that includes four Italian entrees for a cost of $43 per person including taxes and gratuity.
A signup form is attached with more details and instructions. If you can't attend, please make a donation in support of the hootch as depicted on the signup form. In addition to the attendees who made a donation, a special thanks to BGen John Arick, Dave Bushlow, and John Weliver (Korean VMO-6 vet) who each made a generous financial contribution.
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact Richard Haines or me. We are looking forward to a grand reunion and to see squadron members and renew friendships.
SF,
Ed Kufeldt
for Richard Haines
VMO-6 St. Louis Reunion Coordinator
rkhaines@hotmail.com
(618) 534-3120
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Squadron Reunion 2018 Sign-up Form
This form is separate from the USMC Combat Helicopter & Tiltrotor Association (CHTA) registration. Completion and submission of this form reserves seats at the Paul Mineo's Trattoria Italian Restaurant dinner in Westport Plaza, St. Louis, MO on Friday, 7 SEP 2018. The restaurant is within walking distance of the CHTA hotel and VMO-6 Hootch.
Additionally, this form provides an opportunity for all squadron members to support the VMO-6 Hootch/Hospitality room. Your donation will support the purchase of wine, beer, sodas, water, and snacks for squadron members and guests.
Member Name: ___________________________________________
Spouse / Guest Names: _____________________________________
Street Address: ____________________________________________
City, State, & Zip: ___________________________________________
Email Address: _____________________________________________
Number of dinner participants: _______ X $43 Total $________
Contribution in support of the VMO-6 Hootch: $________
Check enclosed in the amount of: $________
(payable to Richard Haines)
Please complete form, submit with check, and mail to:
Richard Haines (VMO-6 Coordinator)
P.O. Box 120
Du Quoin, IL 62832
Deadline for submitting this form with check is 15 AUG 2018
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UPDATE 7/13/2018
Squadron Members,
We have less than two months before the squadron reunion in conjunction with the USMC biannual Pop-a-Smoke (PAS) gathering in St. Louis, MO on 5-9 September 2018. Information and PAS Registration and Reunion Program can be found and downloaded at website http://www.popasmoke.com/reunions-rar. Hotel reservations at a cost of $119 per night can be made directly at Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel or call 314-878-1500 and use code "Popasmoke." Please make your hotel reservation now to reserve a blocked room with the reduced rate.
Squadron Members and Spouses that have Committed to Attend:
John Boden
Dick Boston
Gary Bright
Rod & Mary Croft
Art & Carolyn Friend
Richard & Mary Haines
Chip & Diane Jones
Ed & Kathy Kufeldt
LtGen William (Bill) Maloney
David & Marge Schoenherr
David & Betty Tunmire
KD Waters
Larry & Pat Wright
We will have a VMO-6 hootch. Also, we will have a squadron dinner on Friday, Sep. 7th at Paul Mineo's Trattoria "a slice of Italy" https://www.paulmineos.com in a private dining room. The restaurant is a short walk from the hotel. A buffet menu has been selected that includes four Italian entrees for a cost of $43 per person including taxes and gratuity.
A signup form is attached with more details and instructions. If you can't attend, please make a donation in support of the hootch as depicted on the signup form. Thanks to those who already made a donation. Your gift is truly appreciated. The names of donors will be depicted in next month's update.
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact Richard Haines or me. We are planning a festive event and we look forward to your participation.
SF,
Ed Kufeldt
for Richard Haines
VMO-6 St. Louis Reunion Coordinator
rkhaines@hotmail.com
(618) 534-3120
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UPDATE 2/9/2018
This email is sent in coordination with Richard "Dick" Haines, squadron coordinator for the upcoming reunion with the email address rkhaines@hotmail.com.
The next biannual Pop-a-Smoke (PAS) reunion will be in St. Louis, MO on 5-9 September 2018. Information and PAS Registration and Reunion Program can be found and downloaded at the website http://www.popasmoke.com/reunions-rar. Hotel reservations at a cost of $119 per night can be made directly at Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel. By PAS's definition, this will be the first reunion in Central USA and a large turnout is expected. Please make your reservation now if you are considering attending. The hotel is at least 10 miles west of downtown St. Louis and about 3 miles from the St. Louis International Airport, so plan accordingly.
As in the past, we will have a VMO-6 squadron hootch in the hotel and the squadron dinner will be on Friday, Sep. 7th at Paul Mineo's Trattoria "a slice of Italy" https://www.paulmineos.com/. The restaurant is a short walk from the hotel, and we will be in a private dining room that holds up to 70 people.
Be aware there is a conflict with a PAS event on Friday night. They are offering a paddleboat cruise with dinner for $78 per person at the same time as our scheduled dinner. In the past, squadron dinners are on Friday night and, for some unexplained reason, they scheduled their event at the same time. Maybe it's because there is "zip to none" good restaurants in area except for the one we chose that is close to the hotel. We were lucky to determine the problem early in August last year and made the Paul Mineos reservation before other squadrons. The restaurant is family owned and they have stated "they love Marines" and we can expect to have a good time and excellent service. Menu selection and cost, as well as squadron signup and support, will be published next month.
If you want to schedule a paddleboat dinner two hour cruise on other nights, they are available at Gateway Arch River Boat Dinner Cruise. The cost is $48 per person. However, you will need to provide or make your own transportation arrangements.
At website http://mag36-uk.org/ is information on a private British organization that has recognized VMO-6's distinguished Vietnam record and purchased an H-1 and renovated it to look like one of our aircraft and used as a static display and for parades. When examining the details at the website, you will be amazed at their enthusiasm to emulate VMO-6. Although some details may not be factually correct, they have gone to great lengths to publicize the squadron. This is called to your attention because Paul Turner, a Brit representing the organization, will be attending our squadron reunion. Pete Greene and Rick Ault of VMO-6 have been corresponding with Paul and answering inquiries on different aspects of the UH-1E aircraft that we flew in Vietnam. As a result Paul attended two VMO-6 reunions with little fanfare and this time we will recognize him as a friend and be able to learn from him more details of his organization.
Please consider and make plans to attend the St. Louis reunion. It should be a memorable event. We are hoping and planning for an excellent turnout of squadron members.
SF,
Ed Kufeldt
(703) 250-1514
2018 Reunion News from PopASmoke!
submitted by Ron Zaczek
PopASmoke has announced that Reunion 2018 will be held at the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel in St. Louis MO from Sept 5 to Sept 9, 2018. This will be the first reunion held in the center of the country and I’m hopeful there will be some new (old) faces aboard in the 51st year since the formation of Oakgate and Scarface.
PopASmoke’s special rate of $119/night plus tax is available for the period Sept 2 to Sept 11. I spot-checked flights from major cities on both of the coasts to St. Louis and the fares average $300 for the roundtrip – not bad.
Go to https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/events/start.action?id=1706145452&key=15843EA5
or call 314-878-1500 and mention PopASmoke to reserve a room. It costs nothing to lock in your room, as I've already done.
Monitor https://www.popasmoke.com for further developments.
I’ll begin checking out local restaurants for a Squadron banquet and look into Sheraton’s banquet and catering options.
Things to do in St. Louis:
Obviously the Gateway Arch. I’m told the ride to the top at 630 feet (the tallest man made monument in America) is not for the claustrophobic.
The Anheuser-Busch Brewery tour.
Mummies, dinosaurs and Blue Angel aircraft at the Science Center.
Semper Fi,
Ron Zaczek
UPDATED: 8/1/18. 19:45