This past October, 45 men who served in B Company, between 1966-1792 gathered with their wives and family members in San Antonio to be a part of a great experience. There were 11 first timers, who are already making plans for 2010. We laughed, we cried, we shared memories and were reminded once again that the bonds we formed years ago are stronger than ever.
Everyone had plenty of time to take in the Alamo, the famous Riverwalk, as well as doing plenty over eating and shopping during the day. Many of us had an opportunity to experience some local suisine tanks to the wonderful hospilality of fellow B Company vet and San Antonio local, Pat Villerreal and his wife Syliva.
Friday night we had our first ever silent auction, which was such a great success. There was a unanimous decision to do it again in 2010.
Everyone had plenty of time to take in the Alamo, the famous Riverwalk, as well as doing plenty over eating and shopping during the day. Many of us had an opportunity to experience some local suisine tanks to the wonderful hospilality of fellow B Company vet and San Antonio local, Pat Villerreal and his wife Syliva.
Friday night we had our first ever silent auction, which was such a great success. There was a unanimous decision to do it again in 2010.
Sitting: (l to r) Fred Purvis, Fred Golladay, Ken Schatz, Garry Root, Pat Villarreal, Vince Binnaso, Charles Guntner
2nd Row: Lindall McMillian, Al Lake, Steve Enfante, Eugene Etheridge, Fred Spence, Sammy Mipper, Dennis Sowards, Melvin Murray (kneeling) 3rd Row (seated): Pete Pintacura, Bill Wise, Sykes Lagrone, Rich Bruno, James Hamm, Gerald Patterson, Frank Dean, Harlam McLamore 4th Row (standing): George Duncan, Bill McClanahan, Gilbert Brown, Colin Lanham, Galen Vercher, Don Gover, Jerry Benson, Frank Rusak, Brent Rollings, Robert Lee Johnson 5th Row: Benny Hunt, Gary James, Tom Mueller, Cecil Sanders, Larry Harris, James Bacon, Dan Onjrejko, John McHenry. Not in picture: Rufus Janice, Ron Klauer, Stanley Sowa, Gary Stonemetz
2nd Row: Lindall McMillian, Al Lake, Steve Enfante, Eugene Etheridge, Fred Spence, Sammy Mipper, Dennis Sowards, Melvin Murray (kneeling) 3rd Row (seated): Pete Pintacura, Bill Wise, Sykes Lagrone, Rich Bruno, James Hamm, Gerald Patterson, Frank Dean, Harlam McLamore 4th Row (standing): George Duncan, Bill McClanahan, Gilbert Brown, Colin Lanham, Galen Vercher, Don Gover, Jerry Benson, Frank Rusak, Brent Rollings, Robert Lee Johnson 5th Row: Benny Hunt, Gary James, Tom Mueller, Cecil Sanders, Larry Harris, James Bacon, Dan Onjrejko, John McHenry. Not in picture: Rufus Janice, Ron Klauer, Stanley Sowa, Gary Stonemetz
The highlight of the evening was having Chaplin Donald Gover speak to us giving a recount of his military career with two tours in Vietnam and experiences he had with 1/22nd B Company in 1968. He had brought with him his original chaplain's kit that he had used in Nam, which he set up as an altar along with a pair of empty bootks. Lt John McHenry called all present B Company veterans into formation and attention. They presented arms to all the men of Company B who did not return home alive. It was truly a very memorable memorial service.
