July 2, 2009 Reunion Reminder; Charleston SC Aug. 23-28, 2009
We are now three weeks away from the hotel and activities registration cutoff date for the 33rd reunion of the 381st BG to be held in Charleston, South Carolina from Aug 23-28th. See the reunion tab for details and to request registration materials.
Last week marked sixty six years since the 381st flew the first combat mission on June 22, 1943. We are fortunate to have several original members of the group who flew that mission join us in Charleston this year. Other 381st veterans from the later combat periods will also be present. We value our time with all of these WWII veterans in recalling the history and honoring those who did not return.
If you have not joined the memorial association or attended a reunion, consider doing so. We welcome not only veterans but also descendants and friends who wish to preserve the group history and honor the 381st veterans. We need your support to continue the reunions and activities of the memorial association. Our WWII veterans will not be with us forever and we have an exciting week of reunion activities planned. Wishing everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July celebration. Hope to see you in Charleston.
Kevin Wilson, PhD
President, 381st Bomb Group Memorial Association
Email: Wilsonkvn@aol.com
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February 26, 2009
The February Newsletter has been mailed to 381st BGMA association members. If your address, phone number, or email information has changed, please advise Joe Waddell. The Association contact information is posted on the association tab of the website. For those who prefer to receive the Newsletter by pdf email rather than a mailed print copy, this option is now available and helps reduce printing and mailing costs for the association. You can elect this option with an email to the secretary. We are updating the association directory this year and would appreciate notice of any changes to your listing information.
Final details for the 2009 reunion in Charleston are nearly complete and reunion info. packets will be mailed after the schedule is complete. Dates and outline of activities are available now on the Reunion 2009 tab listed above. It looks to be a great week of activities including our visit to the Mighty Eighth Museum.
We are still collecting 381st mission records and formation sheets together with other items as detailed in the newletter. Thank you to those who have already provided this information. These items help fill in gaps in the group history data and add to the considerable resources which we have for responding to inquiries about 381st BG history from veterans, families, and friends of the group.
Kevin Wilson, PhD President, 381st BGMA
October 8, 2008 The association had a smaller but very successful reunion in San Diego, CA from 10/1-10/4. We had two days of tours of the area with harbor cruise, remembered the fallen at the Memorial luncheon, and enjoyed the annual banquet. Details to follow in the newsletter.
Reunion for 2009 is scheduled for Charleston, South Carolina from Sunday 8/23 to Wednesday 8/26, 2009 with optional group tour to the Mighty 8th Museum in Savannah on Thurs 8/27. Note the reunion schedule is different than has been usual over recent years. Click on the reunion tab for full details. Thank you to all those who have contributed to the 381st Memorial and 381st Scholarship funds.
August 6, 2008
The Association newsletter has been mailed and is enroute to all members. Mail delivery for this type of mail varies around the country but the newsletter should arrive soon if you have not already received it. You will find a response form to send back confirming your mail and email addresses for the updated association directory to be printed this fall. Please respond so our directory information will be current. We are also requesting your donations to the Memorial Fund for the maintenance of the 381st Memorial at Ridgewell and the Scholarship Fund for the college scholarships sponsored by the association. Please support these worthy efforts in memory of the 381st BG.
Reminder: Deadline for submitting 2008 reunion registration activities is rapidly approaching on August 28th. Hope to see many of you in San Diego Oct 1-4. Click on the reunion tab for details.
Kevin Wilson,PhD President, 381st Bomb Group Memorial Association Email:Wilsonkvn@aol.com
May 23, 2008
Reunion packets are now enroute to all association members for this October 2008 reunion in San Diego. Click on the updated 2008 Reunion tab for more details of the reunion. This is the 30th reunion for the Memorial Association and we are hoping for good attendance from our vets, their son and daughters, grandchildren, and friends of the group.
Hope that everyone has a good Memorial Day Holiday. We remember all of our veterans this weekend including those who paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives in service to our country. From 1943-1945, the 381st Bomb Group lost 585 men with many more wounded and POW. The group history pamphlet published at the end of the war was dedicated to "those who paved the way to the target with their lives" We honor their service and do not forget.
Kevin Wilson
President, 381st Bomb Group Memorial Association