80th Fighter Squadron

Washington, DC
20th Reunion

5-8 April 2001
Mologne House Hotel
Walter Reed Army Hospital Campus

(Click on all these Thumbnail pictures to view a detailed photo)

This great reunion was hosted by Sol & Carolyn Harp on the Walter Reed Army Hospital Campus in northern Washington, DC.  We hadn't been to this area since our Williamsburg, VA reunion in May 1988.  

Host Sol Harp

Sol & Carolyn planned to have the reunion coincide with the famous Cherry Blossom time in DC--they hit it perfectly, and the thousands of trees around DC were spectacular!

On our first night, for those of us who signed up, we were treated to a beautiful evening dinner cruise on the Potomac.  The city's landmarks were awesome as we slipped by, but the food, a choice of 6 different entrees, was absolutely 5 Stars.

Marge Bong Drucker was good friends with Gen & Mrs. Richard B. Myers, who not only is a fellow Headhunter from our F-4C days in 1971, but was Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time of our reunion.  Marge invited Gen Myers and his wife, Mary Jo over for a visit on Thursday night.  Unfortunately, many of us were on the dinner cruise and missed him!  Here is a great photo of that visit.

(L-R) Gen Myers, Mary Jo Myers, Marge Bong Drucker, Penny Wilson, "Bwana" Johnson, & Kirby too!
Photo taken in the Mologne House with portrait of Walter Reed in background

Gen Myers became the fifteenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 6 months later on 1 Oct 2001--less than 3 weeks after 9/11.  We all wish Gen Myers the very best of luck in his extremely important position during these demanding times.

Friday was an "off day" for those who wished to do their own thing.  However, in spite of on-and-off rain that afternoon, our "Headhunter Open" Golf Tournament was held at Ft Mead golf course.

Saturday morning we had a bus tour of DC with stops at the Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam, Korean Memorials, as well as The Capitol. 

(L-R) Edgar & Marjorie Hendricks; Margaret & Dick Wyatt

Sharon White picked up her new nickname of "Skateboard" as she slipped and fell backwards down several Capitol steps!  She was checked out by Capitol Police and medics, and when found to be O.K., she was given a private tour in a wheelchair pushed by a Capitol Policeman!  When we returned to the hotel early afternoon, we found out that our host, Sol Harp, had said goodbye to us that morning at 0530, walked back into the hotel, and was promptly spread-eagled on the floor as 3 men held up the hotel desk!  As two vaulted over the counter, the third held a gun to Sol's head as he tried to wrench his wallet and checkbook from Sol's back pocket.  Luckily, he had it buttoned, and the would-be robber couldn't open it.  The three left in a hurry, and were soon captured.  Sol hasn't been the same since!!!

The reunion highlight, as always, was the Saturday night banquet.  Approximately 110 people attended.  Gen (Ret) Charles Horner was our guest speaker and passed on some great words for all of us.

Gen (Ret) Charles Horner

For entertainment, the USAF Singing Sergeants gave us an outstanding show. 

The USAF Singing Sergeants 

Paul Loring, brother of our 80th FBS Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War and LTM of our Association, was recognized.  Also recognized and presented with an Honorary LifeTime Membership was Marge Bong Drucker, the widow of Richard Bong, America's "Ace of Aces,"  Dick Bong was flying with our Squadron on 12 April 1944 when he was credited with his 26th, 27th, and 28th aerial victories, surpassing Rickenbacker's record of 26 to become our Nation's leading Ace.  Bong finished the war with a total of 40 as America's "Ace of Aces."  Marge was also presented with a Squadron Coin keychain engraved, "Marge--America's 'Lady of Ladies.'"

Marge Bong Drucker

WWII to Juvats!
Front (L-R): Bill Hagar, Herb Ross, Jim Booth
Middle Row (L-R): Scott Clyman, Gen Horner, Norb Ruff (between Horner & Kirby), Kirby, Paul Murphey, "Turbo" Thompson, Tony Franzel
Back Row (L-R): Gen Larry Huggins, Unk, JayBird, Unk, Unk, Unk, Barry Johnson, Unk

Celebrity LTM!
Kirby (L) and JayBird (R) with our new LTM, Marge Bong Drucker, widow of "America's Ace of Aces," Dick Bong

Korean-era Headhunter Buddies!
Virgil Hall (L) & Milt Uzelac (R)

Korean-era Headhunters
John Shannon (L) and Tom Slee (R)

War Stories!
(L-R) Larry Thompson & Tony Franzel listen to WWII Ace Herb Ross

Bwana & 80th Legends!
(L-R) Norb Ruff, Barry "Bwana" Johnson, Paul Murphey, Kirby

Kirby & Larry "Turbo" Thompson                                                                Kirby & Ed "KTown" Knouse
  New-Found Buddies!

All photos on this page courtesy of Penny Wilson, Bob Kan, Barry Johnson, & Larry Thompson

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