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2007 DUFFY REUNION

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2007 Duffy T-Shirt Logo

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05D/98D "Duffy" Reunion

Friday, August 24 - Sunday, August 26, 2007

College Station, Texas

The central location and gathering place was:

Hilton College Station & Conference Center

801 University Drive East

College Station, TX 77840

(979) 693-7500 Fax (979) 260-1931

(group code ASA)

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POST-2007-DUFFY-REUNION COMMENTS

Thanks for a Great Weekend
As I just told Curt Lynch, I'd like to thank each and every one of you who traveled from near and far to attend the reunion. Without you, the reunion would not have been successful or fun. We could've planned all sorts of things, and that was the scary part for me, to tell the truth. I take full responsibility for the failure to provide written, detailed driving directions to those who had the cojones/gumption/intestinal fortitude to join us for the trips to the Chicken Oil Company; the tours on Saturday; the lunch at Casa Rodriguez; and the excursion for dinner and music at Hullabaloos Diner in Wellborn Saturday night. Matter of fact, I think the co-conspirators of this event should consider a special 2007 ASA Duffy Reunion Merit Badge for those who did brave the 50,000 plus returning Aggie students, which included many first time College Station/Bryan drivers, who descended upon us over the weekend. To those of you who wanted to come, but could not, we missed seeing you and hope that next time the reunion will be something you'll do most anything to attend. Some of you had signed up to attend, but had to drop out/cancel at the last moment. You all had your reasons, and some of you had damned good ones. We missed you! Lots of pictures were taken, and they will be posted on Stan Perdue's website or the Duffy website shortly. I didn't find out the true number of attendees, but know Stan or Steve Whitaker kept track. By my count, it was in the neighborhood (counting guests) of 56 people. We were at 64 at one point. Please take some time to think about the weekend and what it meant to you, plus, shoot us an email with your comments on what we could've done better. You won't hurt our feelings; we just want the reunions to be fun and we want everyone to have the time to renew old acquaintances and friendships. I know I met a lot of folks for the first time and can honestly say that there are some very special folks who shared their valuable time with the rest of us, and i feel blessed by that. Special note to Don Byers; you shouldn't have done that on Sunday (no, the lunch at Outback Steakhouse, not the hot sauce in your eye i heard about!!), but it was truly a kind gesture by a great guy. Seeing Gary Baasch, my former trick chief on Okinawa and his sweet wife, Peggy after 31 years was very special. Their attendance was iffy at best, but they made it happen. Steve Hill, my old running mate on Okinawa was like the little brother i never had, and he probably doesn't know that cuz I never knew it til now. I spent 30 months at Torii Station cuz I liked it so much. He and his wife of 33 years, Barbara spent 36 months at Torii. They've had their challenges and met them head on, but were able to break away for this weekend to share memories. I loved seeing and talking with them. Steve Whitaker and I have kept up with each other for most of the last 20+ years, and we have a special kinship. He employed my son, Sean, in Reno a couple of years back, and believe it or not, was a great influence on Sean, and for that i am forever in his debt. We met on Okinawa and he followed me to Korea, where he met Stan Perdue, a newbie with large powerful vocal cords. They have stayed close friends for a long time, too. We are not on this earth very long and some of the many choices we are presented seem like to much of a hassle, so we blow them off. I am damned glad we decided to give this a whirl, and I am damned glad I can call you my friends. Those with whom I served with at Torii Station and on Okinawa, whether it was playing sports or working side by side, or just downtown being yelled at by a guy saying, "Show'da show'da show'da start now!!", for me you will always be my brothers/sisters, my family. Just don't ask me for money! Until we meet again, keep the wind at your back, and please someone find out where Curt Lynch got that crappy GPS and take up a collection for a real one. I'd contribute a buck for that myself.
Bill McGuire out

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I am home; safe and sound. Fantastic Duffy reunion. Good seeing, visiting, and partying with you guys. I am looking forward to the next reunion.

The reunion turned out better than I had any logical reason to expect; thanks to all the participants and the organizers. The hospitality suite as a central gathering point was one of the keys to the reunion's success, in my opinion. Saw lots of reminiscing, networking, sharing rides to/from venues, joking, laughing, teasing, and having fun. We have some 'lessons learned' that were shared and discussed with organizers of the next Duffy reunion: transportation; beverage/munchies funding; central communications point of contact, perhaps a few others. Looks now like it will be in Sierra Vista, AZ in March of 2009; hosted by Stan Perdue and Ken & Liz Jones. I am sure any of the participants will be glad to help with action tasks for the next reunion. I agree with retaining the same project-oriented organizational and management model for our next reunion; and not creating a legal organization and electing officials. On Sunday I was cleaning out the items in the hospitality suite (on or about 1200 hours), and there were some artifacts left there. I took them to my room; Don Byers came and collected his memorabilia. Stan took the left-over nametag supplies. Robert Hovey, I believe your name and date (1967?) was in a translation book left in the room; think it was German & English. I brought it home with me. I am holding it for ransom ..., ummm, I meant to say please send me your address and I will mail it to you. A round of applause for Bill McGuire for organizing the host hotel and negotiating rates, the hospitality suite, and for choosing the visit sites and meal venues. Chicken Oil Co., Casa Rodrigues, and Hullabaloo Diner were perfect for our group. Muchas gracias from all we Duffies! The unofficial slogan of this reunion turned out to be "I don't remember." I heard that a few times when wives were around. "Breakfast" was a close second. I do want to remind myself and some of the rowdy participants to watch our language when wives are around. Duffy Wives; what a wonderful group of people; so tolerant and understanding. Must be saints to put up with their Duffy husbands for 30-40 years. Also for dealing with those at the reunion (not me) who behaved like 19-year olds overseas with money & alcohol and absolutely no parental supervision. Bless your respective hearts! If you do not answer your phone Liz Jones will chew on you; I found that out this summer in Missouri. Something I learned in College Station is that Peggy Baasch boxes your ears and goes upside your head just for fun. Gary Baasch has probably been bobbing and weaving for the past 33 years. Remind me to bring a helmet to the next reunion. Don Byers wins the Hollow Leg award. What a fantastic person! Billy Joe Bubba LeRoy Stanley Perdue; His Royal Pervertedness From Redneck Georgia (that is what was on his name tag) wins the gray shirt award. Sez he buys them by the 6-pack. Bless his heart; he put in countless hours on communications and updating the contact list; give him a hand ... ; and a gray t-shirt. Ken Jones; got some leadership traits; doesn't he. He took the lead in getting all the folks together for a photo shoot Saturday afternoon; like herding geese, eh? Duffies never did like to be told what to do; still don't. He got er done. He also set the tone and stage for planning the next reunion. I heard a rumor that three (3) hooded confederates broke down the door to Stan Perdue's room and attacked him Sunday morning. They were wearing white hoods and he does not know if they were Ku Klux Klan or Al Quaida. He did survive the attack; probably was still full of liquid sedative from Saturday night. Mary Derrick was the Official Young Chick at this reunion; she handled it with aplomb, diplomacy, tact, humor, and was a joy to have there. Leon, you did a good job raising her. I make a dadgummed official Duffy Reunion Motion to designate Curt Lynch for Transportation NCOIC for the next Duffy reunion. That way we can all leave early and arrive late; but will do so as a unit... ooo rahhh :>) Curt was a darn good sport about the whole thing. Road guards ... POST ! again, and again, and again, and again ...
Best regards, Steve Whitaker

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I am home!
For all that attended: Thanks for making this a wonderful weekend. I personally had a ball and am chompin' at the bit for March 2009!

For those we missed: We missed you all and you really missed a GOOD get-together.

The next reunion is scheduled for March 2009, in Sierra Vista, Arizona - MORE TO COME!

Keep the momentum! Ride On & Happy Trails, Stan Perdue

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I just wanted to extend my daughter's and my thanks to the organizers and everyone involved with the ASA/Duffy Get-together this past weekend in College Station. Bill, Steve,  Stan, and Ken -- ya'll dun gud! It was truly a great time and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with everyone. I am all for doing this again -- so lets keep in contact. Take care of yourselves and we'll see you on the next go-round.
Leon Derrick

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Amen! Anyone with photos, upload them to Stan's website so we can all enjoy them. Maybe someone with publishing skills can get a yearbook together once we get them all together. Leon, bring your daughter any time. I'll buy the Jack next time.
Jeff Hansen

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I wish to add my thanks, it was great to see y'all....course some of you got old, dammed if I can figure out how that happened....oh YEA!....was 20 years+++++ago....smile. Weekend was fantastic, don't think I could do that every weekend though, my GPS wouldn't like it. I think the people who put this together deserve everyone's praise. Great job guys...thanks...
Curt Lynch

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Let me add my thanks to all of you for a wonderful weekend. Even though I was not actually "one of you", you made me feel so welcome. I enjoyed very much hearing all the remembrances of times past. It was good to be with ASA troops again.
Regards to all, Morris Gelber

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Sorry I missed you all, but heard you had a great time. I will be in Arizona. Used to live in Phoenix and still have many friends in the state. Great spot! Congratulations and I am sure the folks there thanked you for your hard work. Ain't easy getting one of those things going!
John Berry

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Stan - I want you to know that the Germany Vets really had a wonderful time and all wanted me to thank you for allowing us to become part of your reunion. This was a particularly rare event for us as most had not seen or talked to the others in our group since the mid-to-late 1960s. The facilities and events you arranged for were all great and the fact that the venue was centrally located was also good. Thanks again for all your efforts.
Norm Nivens

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I had a great time too! Thanks for all your efforts!
Doug Taylor

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Stan, I'm going to do my best to make that one.............I'm waiting on my report from Jim Luster on how everything went.......early reports are that you guys had a ball...great!
Ed Hale

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I'll be at that one (Sierra Vista, AZ 2009)
Donna Campbell

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I debated about going to the reunion but finally gave in and went. Wow! Am I glad I did! What a time. What memories came flooding back! I might have to start saving up for the next one in March of 2009! Lest We Forget!
William F. (Bill) Myles

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Had a great time at the reunion - thanks for all your efforts. Looking forward to seeing the pics and videos!
Dick Warwick

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Had a great time - thanks for putting this together
Walter Hutchins

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Hey brother,
just wanted to thank you for posting the pics from the reunion. Sure looks like a good crowd and a good time had by all. Looking forward to the '09 shootout now that I have time to plan it out in any schedule; work or social! You look healthy and fit bro, riding dem ponies do that? If so, I need to get me one for my ranch! Again, thanks much-o bro for all your great efforts on the Web page and such, truly a meaningful contribution for those of us who couldn't make it to TX for the hoo-rah! '09 is on the sked for sure! Be well brother!
Regards, Duffy Merrill

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I had a great time at the reunion and am looking forward for the next one.
Sam Bassett

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Had a great time. Got e-mail from Duffy Merrill who spotted me right off in your pictures. He knows what he missed now and said that he will make the 2009 Reunion. I got home Wed the 29th after visiting my son in Ft. Worth area.......
Don Byers

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The reunion was much, much more than I ever expected. My intent was to get together with some of the guys from Poking, Germany which was a total success. Am looking forward to the next one.
Roy Newsom
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