Jim and my dad are busy putting together a history of dads service during WWII and following the routes that he traveled during the war. So when the chance came to visit the reunion this year in Phoenix of the WWII veterans that dad served with, we jumped at the chance. The reunion was held April 30th-May2 at the Clarion Hotel in Phoenix. One of the medics my dad served with was going to be at the reunion. They had reconnected with him before the reunion. His name is Tom Rettenbacher, from Chicago. They had a great time catching up and telling war stories. There was a lot of family participation along with the vets, histories told, friends reaquainted, and fun activities. Tom tells the story that he though he was the only medic in his division, because he never spent time with any of the other medics. They often were following the soldiers picking up the wounded. My dad tells of the time he got a chewing out from General Patton for riding in a half-trac with a medic helmet on (against the rules). There were 22 vets that attended this reunion.
We got to meet Tom, a fun storyteller, although he and dad didn't always agree on the details.
Pulizer Prize winner, and winning editor and former Lieutenant, of C Troop 90 RCN, Eugene Patterson lectured at one of the meetings. The quilt was won by one of the veterans in a raffle made by the WWII widows.
Dinner Friday night was held at the Rawhide Restaurant, but not before some cowboys shot an outlaw right before our eyes. There was a trip made to the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Memorial and the banquet was served by On the Border on Saturday night. The food was great and a memoriable trip for everyone. Whats next you asked. One of the young men there, Kevin Hymel who is known for his book, Patton's Photographs and his documentary on the history TV channel on Patton is planning a tour of the route the 10th Armored took thru Europe during the war in September. I'm betting we'll all be Europe bound in the fall. (From what I hear Dad has already started his passport documentation forms).
Dinner Friday night was held at the Rawhide Restaurant, but not before some cowboys shot an outlaw right before our eyes. There was a trip made to the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Memorial and the banquet was served by On the Border on Saturday night. The food was great and a memoriable trip for everyone. Whats next you asked. One of the young men there, Kevin Hymel who is known for his book, Patton's Photographs and his documentary on the history TV channel on Patton is planning a tour of the route the 10th Armored took thru Europe during the war in September. I'm betting we'll all be Europe bound in the fall. (From what I hear Dad has already started his passport documentation forms).
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