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Static Line - Three Winds of Death

November 1990
I have a little favorite message for my grandchildren that I pass on to them occasionally – that is, “you never know what is going to happen to you.” Now, I can offer a recent personal experience to back up that little bit of wisdom. At a recent wind-up meeting of the committee which hosted the 503rd PRCT 50th Anniversary Reunion in Washington, D.C., a member of the committee, Huge Breslin voiced his opinion that some attempt should be made by someone to get a 503rd column in the Static Line. It seems that the old Army warning of NEVER Volunteer did not penetrate all the thick skulls of all the people who heard this advice. Somehow, I found myself not only agreeing with Hugh Breslin but volunteering to attempt the effort at journalism. I thought that perhaps the proper approach was to get the official blessing of the leading fathers of the 503rd PRCT and thus I contacted our president Sam Porter. His quick response in the affirmative put me right up “on the point”, so here is my first column.

Since the most recent major topic of conversation in the Airborne Community remains the 50th Airborne Anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C., it will also be the main topic of this month’s column. Almost a year of monthly committee meetings went into the planning of the agenda, the program, and the activities by the members of the Mid-Atlantic chapter reunion committee.  Many decisions had to be made, many changes in plans, and many of “Those little details which can foul you up” that had to be constantly monitored.  And one situation that this committee had to deal with on a first-time basis was that the 503 did not have complete control of the schedule of events.  All the functions which had been present at previous 503 reunions now had to mesh with the events of the national program. The members of the committee worked long and hard, but as far as they are concerned, it was worth it!  The members of the committee were especially pleased with the letters received from some of you who attended.  I am going to pass on portions of some of them to you.  Most of the letters were addressed to Charlie Rambo, the committee chairman (in charge of tactics), and John Blair, III (the strategical coordinator). Some of your comments are as follows:

“Charles Rambo, this is a belated thanks for you and all the others who planned and ramrodded the 50th Abn reunion for the 503rd. It was my first, but not last reunion and I had a great time.  The troops all looked great to me and some of us are getting a little long in the tooth.  It has been 45 years since I had seen some of the men. Hope to see you all again next year in Arizona, Again, thanks. Emery Graham, Henderson, NY.”

“Dear Charlie, “You and your committee did a wonderful job on this reunion. A lot of time and effort must have gone into it.  Even though I was there only for a short time, I came home with a lot of nice memories. I hope that we meet again soon. Stay well and God bless. Your friend, Val, Sharon, Ma”. My comment – I understand that Val became ill and had to return home.  We missed him when we took the “D” Co. photo and hope to see him in Phoenix. Val is short for Valavanis.

“Dear Jack, A short note to tell you how well I thought the reunion you and your elves put on was done… The buses ran on time, there was plenty of time scheduled for the hospitality room and even the hotel food was remarkably tasty… I cried a little when I sent the hefty registration fee, but when I walked away from Mr. Stouffer’s hotel on Sunday, I was well satisfied I had gotten my money’s worth.  I hope this finds you well. I congratulate all of you on a job well done.  John Lindgren, Laguna Hills, Ca.”

And suddenly the column has almost run out of space, and there are more letters that I did not get the opportunity to include. Perhaps there will be some more next month. Write me.

John D. Reynolds
718 Towncenter Dr.
Joppa, MD 21085
Static Line - Three Winds of Death

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503rd PRCT Paratrooper Database, WWII

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