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Page June 2021 Issue 150 The Mohawker The Mohawker Newsletter of the OV-1 Mohawk Association www.ov-1mohawkassociation.org See You In New Orleans Annual Reunion September 15-19, 2021 Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Quarter 739 Canal St. @ Bourbon New Orleans, LA 70130 PHONE: - 1-888-233-9527 - https://book.passkey.com/e/50167131 - TOLL FREE - 1-888-233-9527 This newsletter is the sole property of the OV-1 Mohawk Association, reproduction by any means is not authorized without written permission of the Board of Di- rectors. Permission may be sought by writing to the Executive Director, OV-1 Mohawk Association, 5820 Gulf Blvd , South Padre Island, TX 78597 . The OV-1 Mohawk Association is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation, per IRS 501(C)3. Donations are tax-deductible. Page 2 June 2021 Issue 150 The Mohawker OV-1 MOHAWK REUNION ACTIVITY REGISTRATION FORM – SEPTEMBER 14-19, 2021 Listed below are all registration, tour, and meal costs for the reunion. Please enter how many people will be partici- pating in each event and total the amount. Send that amount payable to ARMED FORCES REUNIONS, INC. in the form of check or money order. Your cancelled check will serve as your confirmation. Returned checks will be charged a $20 fee. You may also register online and pay by credit card at www.afrreg.com/mohawk2021 (3.5% convenience fee will be added to online credit card charges). All registration forms and payments must be received by AUGUST 25, 2021. After that date, reservations will be accepted on a space available basis. We suggest you make a copy of this form before mailing. Please do not staple or tape your payment to this form. Page 3 June 2021 Issue 150 The Mohawker Cause to celebrate We made it! We survived the worst pandemic in a hundred years and finally, finally America is getting back to normal. Masks are coming off, Baseball stadiums, hockey arenas are filling with fans and movie theatres are open for business. Freedom to mingle has been a long time coming and people are moving about the country which begs the question, have you made plans to attend this year’s reunion in New Orleans? If not, stop what you’re doing and make reservations now. So far, the response has been well beyond expectations. The list of those who’ve made reservations grows each day putting us well ahead of projections which means the party in the French Quarter is on! The registration form and hotel reservations link are in this newsletter….DO IT NOW! Our story is our greatest legacy. From the late fifties until the early nineties Mohawk units served in the jungles of Vietnam, Korea, Alaska, Cold war Europe and in the middle east during Operation Desert Storm. Each of us who served have a story to tell and to that end, our meeting in New Orleans will spotlight the importance ARMY aviation played in defending freedom the world over and what better place to add to our legacy than in historic New Orleans. We’ve never met in a more interesting and fun spot. The world visits New Orleans for a reason. It’s food, it’s history, it’s music, Café Au Lait and beignets and the never-ending party in the French Quarter. Visit the World War Two museum and dip your toes in the mighty Mississippi river. Our meeting promises to be special in every way and we’re pulling out all the stops to make it worth the trip. SEE YOU IN NEW ORLEANS John Bosch Reunion Director CROWNE PLAZA In This Issue Reunion Events Registration Form 2 From the Left Seat 8 Schedule of Events and Other Reunion Information 3-6 Photos 9 Crown Plaza Reservation Information 7 Membership Information 10 Page 4 June 2021 Issue 150 The Mohawker FOR MORE INFORMATION: Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/armedforcesreunions Register online at: www.afr-reg.com/mohawk2021 Page 5 June 2021 Issue 150 The Mohawker TOUR DESCRIPTIONS PLANTATION TOUR Wednesday, Sep 15 A day learning about plantation life awaits. Hear stories and learn the history of several local plantations. Once at Oak Alley, built in 1839, experience a bygone area in one of the South's most beautiful settings. Marvel at the unbelievable view of a quarter mile long alley of twenty-eight magnificent oak trees, each over 250 years old. Perhaps the most photographed plantation ever, Oak Alley has been the setting for many motion pictures. Your guided tour will reveal the fascinating stories of the home and its history. Embark on a self-guided tour of the grounds. After the tour, enjoy a Cajun buffet outside under a tent. Lunch includes a salad bar, soup, crawfish etouffee with rice, jambalaya, red beans &, vegetables, rolls, dessert, coffee, tea, and water. Notes: The second floor of the house is only accessible via stairs. This tour is limited to the first 150 people registered. 9:30am board bus, 2:15pm back at hotel $81/Person includes bus, guide, admission, and lunch. NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM Thursday, Sep 16 Dedicated in 2000 as the National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as the country’s official WWII Museum, this remarkable attraction illuminates the American experience during the WWII era. From the Normandy invasion to the sands of the Pacific Islands and the Home Front, you will see the courage, teamwork and sacrifice of the men and women who won the war that changed the world. Explore moving personal stories and powerful interactive displays. Visit the U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, which tells the story of our nation’s unprecedented industrial capability during the war years. New galleries opened in 2015. Explore the evolving strategy for fighting across the Pacific and in Asia, and the cultural differences and tremendous range of extreme conditions that confronted our soldiers. Also learn about the faltering first battles in North Africa to the bloody struggle at Germany's doorstep. The immersive galleries recreate actual battle settings and villages. For an additional cost view the powerfully authentic 4-D cinematic experience, Beyond All Boundaries, narrated and produced by Tom Hanks, in the Solomon Victory Theater. Visit the Soda Shop or Chef John Besh’s The American Sector Restaurant for lunch on your own. WWII Vets do not have to pay the Museum admission price – see Vet’s price below. 9:30am board bus, 3:00pm back at hotel $55/Person includes bus, escort, and admission. Movies and lunch are on your own. CITY TOUR Friday, Sep 17 Your tour of the Crescent City begins with views and stories of Lake Pontchartrain, and continues to unique above-ground cemeteries. Enjoy the trip down historical St. Charles Avenue complete with universities, parks, old oaks, stately charm, and an operational streetcar line. Hear the stories of Hurricane Katrina and see first-hand the long-lasting effect it has had on New Orleans. Continue to the French Quarter (the “Vieux Carre”), where a blend of French and Spanish cultures intermingles with a modern lifestyle. Also Page 6 June 2021 Issue 150 The Mohawker witness the bustling seaport activities, which are such an important aspect of the city’s economy. Enjoy free time at Jackson Square, the focal point of activity in the French Quarter and explore the area with its gracious iron balconies and lovely courtyards. Lunch is on your own in Jax Brewery, an old landmark transformed into a modern complex of shops and eateries, or at one of the many fine restaurants in the Quarter. 9:00am board bus, 2:30pm back at hotel $40/Person includes bus and guide. Lunch on your own. NEW ORLEANS SCHOOL OF COOKING Friday, Sep 17 Watch, learn & eat! Sit back and enjoy watching our skilled, entertaining chefs prepare a classic Cajun / Creole meal for you while learning about the vibrant history of New Orleans cuisine! Today you’ll learn how to make authentic Crawfish Etouffee, Shrimp and Artichoke Soup, Bread Pudding, and Pralines. And you’ll get recipe cards so you can make these delightful dishes at home, too! You’ll enjoy the food that’s prepared, along with water, tea, coffee, and a local Dixie brew. PLEASE NOTE: transportation is not provided for this tour. The New Orleans School of Cooking is approximately a 6 block walk from the hotel. 10am Class Begins, 12:30pm Class ends $36/Person includes cooking class. No transportation provided If you would like to take the cooking class but there is a conflict with scheduling. This and other classes are given daily. For more information contact New Orleans School of Cooking, https://neworleansschoolofcooking/contact (504) 525-2665 STEAMBOAT NATCHEZ LUNCH CRUISE Saturday, Sep 18 Climb aboard the Crescent City’s only steamboat, the Steamboat Natchez. Enjoy a live jazz band, The Steamboat Stompers, and an elegant atmosphere while you feast on traditional Cajun and Creole food. The menu will feature Southern Fried Fish, Baked Chicken, Red Beans and Rice, Jambalaya, Natchez Tossed Salad, White Chocolate Bread Pudding, La Louisiane Fresh Sliced French Bread along with Coffee and Iced Tea (*menu subject to change based on availability and season). 10:30am board bus, 2:00pm back at hotel $76/Person includes bus, escort, and lunch. ————————————————————— All Trips require a minimum of 35 people, unless otherwise noted. Please be at the bus boarding area at least five minutes prior to the published time. Driver and Guide Gratuities are not included in the tour prices. There is a limit of one hydraulically lifted scooter or wheelchair per handicap accessible bus. Please note the combined weight of the passenger and motorized wheelchair or scooter may not exceed 500lb due to lift limitations. If you use a scooter or motorized wheelchair but can climb the steps to board the bus, either you and/or a person traveling with you must be able to put the scooter or wheelchair in the bus’s luggage compartment. Due to liability issues, drivers and tour guides cannot assist with scooters or motorized wheelchairs. Page 7 June 2021 Issue 150 The Mohawker CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY FOR ARMED FORCES REUNIONS, INC. For attendees canceling reunion activities prior to the cut-off date, Armed Forces Reunions, Inc. (AFR) shall process a full refund less the non-refundable AFR registration fee ($10 per person). Attendees canceling reunion activities after the cut-off date will be refunded to the fullest extent that AFR’s vendor commitments and guarantees will allow, less the non-refundable AFR registration fee. Cancellations will only be taken Monday through Friday from 9:00am until 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time, excluding holidays. Please call (757) 625-6401 to cancel reunion activities and obtain a cancellation code. Refunds processed 4- 6 weeks after reunion. Canceling your hotel reservation does not cancel your reunion activities. REUNION LOCATION Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Quarter 739 Canal St. at Bourbon New Orleans, LA 70130 PHONE: - 1-888-233-9527 - https://book.passkey.com/e/50167131 - TOLL FREE - 1-888-233-9527 HOTEL/REUNION PARKING INFORMATION If you plan on driving to New Orleans, parking is going to be hard to find, and expensive. The hotel does offer valet parking, but it will cost somewhere between $45 and $50 per day. However, our fearless Reunion Chairman has provided us a link for trying to find parking and in some cases reserve your spot on line at a cost far below that of our hotel. CHECK OUT PARKING INFORMATION: https://www.spotangels.com/new-orleans/astor-crowne-plaza---new-orleans-french-quarter-parking REUNION INFORMATION IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE https://w w w. o v - 1 m o h a w k a s s o c i a t i o n . o r g Page 8 June 2021 Issue 150 The Mohawker From the left seat EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Our “flight plan” for getting to the 2021 Reunion seems to be working out so far. Its already June and the country is beginning to relax and open back up again. New Orleans is heating up and the party is getting ready to start. All these great indications for the future still does not relieve each of us from continuing our “pre-flight” checks to keep ourselves and our families safe. The new “Norm” will continue to try to keep us in check, but it is still up to each of us individually to protect ourselves and those around us. Please stay close to the newsletters and other association communications to keep up to date on all events surrounding the Reunion. The 2021 reunion will bring with it some challenges and opportunities that we as the association members must work with and make decisions on. The business meeting will be very important this year since many of the board seats must be filled. The members who occupied those seats have either timed out according to our bylaws or did not want to or could not run for the board seat again. If you have any interest in any of the board seats, please contact a board member to ask any questions you may have about the duties and responsibilities. You will also be asked to attend the next quarterly board meeting call to see what happens during these meetings. We will need all the positions to be filled to properly govern the association and keeps it as a viable and ongoing concern. An interested association member does not have to be ex-military or to have been a Mohawk crew member. As we asked of you in the past year, please remember to stay in contact with others through this pandemic. It will help keep everyone’s spirits up. The virus threat is still present even now as many of the states are opening and more people are getting vaccinated. Do not let your guard down. We want to keep everyone around for a while. Remember, your board of directors is always listening to your suggestions and ideas to help make our association better. We also need your help in helping our membership grow. Invite potential members to the 2021 Reunion in New Orleans. It’s going to be a great party in New Orleans, don’t miss it!!!!! Ron Page 9 June 2021 Issue 150 The Mohawker PHOTOS—FUN—PHOTOS CROWNE PLAZA by Roy Sheffer BRASS BAND by Todd Coleman Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC NEW ORLEANS And NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM by Roy Sheffler STEAMSHIP By LA Gourmetreise BOURBON STREET By Zack Smith FIREWORKS By Kathy Anderson Page 10 June 2021 Issue 150 The Mohawker OV-1 MOHAWK ASSOCIATION Membership Information As of June 01-2020 NEW MEMBERS Ian J. Pratlett: #1653 and his wife Kelly live in Austin Texas. Ian is the nephew of Steve Owens and an en- thusiast. James R. Otey #1654 Jim and his wife Inge live in Green Valley, AZ.. Jim served as a Crew Chief with B Co. 8th Avn Bn. In Finthen Germany. Robert E. Bond Jr. #1655 and his wife Kim reside in Fort Worth, Texas. Jim is an enthusiast, his father was a Mohawk Pilot. Steven W. Archer #1656. A rch and his wife Pam live in Arkansas City, KS. Steven served as an Observer with the 225 SAC in Tuy Hoa, RVN. Ronald Lesch #1657. Ron Is a new member whose dues was paid for by member Joe May. Ron Lives in Fleming Fl. No other information is available at this time. John S. Beutlich #1658, John and his wife Sue live in Spring Lake, MI. John served as an Mohawk Pilot who served with the 3rd Military Battalion in Camp Humphreys Korea and SEMA Divi- sion at Fort Huachuca, AZ. William J. Lilley #1659. Bill also lives in Texas. William served in the Motor Pool an is now Retired from the Army. A couple of the places he served was with the 245 SAC in Fort Lewis WA. And Marble Mountain Air Facility just outside of Da Nang RVN. Shawn Taylor #1650. Shawn Lives in Milwaukie, Or. recently paid his dues thru AFRI and we are waiting for more information. MIA The following is a list of members that we have lost contact with. If you have any information on any of the members whom I affectionately refer to MIA’s, please pass it along to them and me also so we can update our files and get them back in touch with the Association. I want to put a thank you out to the members that have acted on this request in the past. (Help me out with one of our missing Members and I will foot the bill for one of your favorite beverages at our next Reunion) #184 Walter A Ratcliff Last known address Albuquerque NM #379H Fran McGraw Last known address Fort Worth, TX #444 James F. Vaughn Last known address Sparks, OK #213 James Murphy Last known address Olympia, WA #1531 Harry D Joao Last known address Fallbrook CA TO JOIN OUR ORGANIZATION Visit our website: http://www.ov-1mohawkassociation.org Under Contact Us select Membership to send us an E-mail. TAPS Check it out: TAPS can be found on the updated TAPS page on the our Website. https://www.ov-1mohawkassociation.org/home/taps Page 11 June 2021 Issue 150 The Mohawker ASSOCIATION DIRECTORS/CONTACTS Mission Statement Executive Director/President: Ron Pitcock The Mohawker is a newsletter published four or 5820 Gulf Blvd more times per year for members of the OV-1 South Padre Island, TX 78597 Mohawk Association. (303) 888-7462 Membership is open to anyone with an interest in E-mail: [email protected] the OV-1 Mohawk Aircraft and/or our reunions. Historian: Charles Schall For a $35.00 annual subscription members receive 551 Bazille Way a minimum of four (4) newsletters per year, an Green Valley, AZ 85614 annual membership directory and an invitation to (520) 399-4951 the annual reunion. E-mail: [email protected] For additional information view our web site at: Secretary: Melanie Clark http://www.ov-1mohawkassociation.org 8610 Heather Run Dr S The Association appreciates any Mohawk Jacksonville, FL 32256 memorabilia; photos, slides, articles, unit histories, E-mail: [email protected] personnel rosters, manuals, checklists, technical Treasurer: James Enault data or war stories that you would care to share. 512 Thoreau Spring Ct. You may donate your material to our Association Madison, AL 35758 Historian: (256) 325-7043 Historian: Charles Schall E-mail: [email protected] 551 Bazille Way Membership Director: Tom Gallucci Green Valley, AZ 85614 Tom Gallucci (520) 399-4951 30013 Amelia Salem Drive E-mail: [email protected] Cornelius, NC. 28031 (949) 874-1948 President/Executive Director: Ron Pitcock E-mail: [email protected] Reunion Director: John Bosch PO Box 8396 Fort Mohave, AZ 86427 (949) 290-2748 E-mail: [email protected] Publications Director: George Coleman Copyright BY-NC-ND 142 Balmy Coast Rd. Groveland, FL 34736 NEW ORLEANS TOURISM INFORMATION (352) 404-8928. Just a few of the many sites with New Orleans E-mail: [email protected] tourism Information Web Site Administrator: None www.neworleanschamber.org PX Director: Norm Bowser www.visitacity.com › new-orleans › tours_tickets 6132 Douglas Rd Toledo, OH 43613 www.neworleans.com (419) 474-8006 https://www.viator.com E-mail: [email protected] Tom Gallucci OV-1 Mohawk Association 30013 Amelia Salem Drive Cornelius, NC. 28031 Address Service Requested www.ov1mohawkassociation.org Change of Mailing/E-mail address Complete this form and mail to: Tom Gallucci, 30013 Amelia Salem Drive, Cornelius, NC 28031