174th Assault Helicopter Company
DOLPHINS & SHARKS

SPECIAL REPORT 2000 State of the (re)Union Report * * * * * * * FORT WALTON BEACH, FL (October 6 - 8, 2000) -- Beautiful Okaloosa Island on Florida's "Emerald Coast" was again the setting this year for the annual gathering of Sharks, Dolphins and Witchdoctors. And, the 174th AHC Assn. Fan Club! Temporary billets and makeshift messhall were again set up by the gracious and efficient staff of the Best Western Ft. Walton Beachfront Hotel. The annual "Roll Call" included 43 eager 174th AHC alumni, plus 12 wives, two significant others, one mom, one son, one daughter, and two avid fans. And, dozens upon dozens of fresh clams! Unlike last year, the weather was fair, the seas were calm and the fishing was great. But, just like last year, the Best Western greeted attendees with friendly smiles from a courteous staff eager to please. And, for the "night fliers" -- there was the popular indoor Swizzle Stick Lounge and the Cabana bar on the patio. "Business Meeting" The Annual 174th AHC Association Business Meeting was held on Friday, October 6th., in the hotel conference room/hospitality suite. In the absence of President Ted Saunders, who was away on business, the Vice President, Eddie McNeill, presided and officially welcomed the members and their guests. The reading of last year's minutes was waived. The Treasurer's report was given by Secretary/Treasurer, Bernie Cobb, and accepted. "Election Results" The first order of new business was the formal announcement of the "pre-reunion, write-in" election results. The newly-elected officers, who will assume their duties on January 1, 2001, are: Wally Nunn, President, and Mel Lutgring, Vice President. Bernie Cobb was re-elected for another term. Nunn was a member of the 174th from Dec 67 to Oct 68. He first served as a door gunner in the First Platoon and later in the Third Platoon. He is now manager of the Philadelphia Public Finance Office and head of the Mid-Atlantic Public Finance Region of the prestigious Salomon Smith Barney investment firm. Nunn lives in Drexel Hill, PA, with his wife, Irene, and 15-year-old daughter, Sarah. After being formally introduced to the membership, the president-elect reminded them of the sacrifice made by helicopter crew members -- almost 5,000 of 33,000 Army casualties. "In the book 'Bright Shining Lie'," Nunn said, "the only units that maintained morale and discipline in the latter stages of the war were the Army Aviation Units. I wish," Nunn added, "that more members of the 407th and attached units would participate (in this association) for there would not be a 174th without them." "Awards Ceremony" On Saturday evening, Lieutenant General Mike Ackerman, a former Shark commander attending his first reunion, presented on behalf of the Association a plaque to Ted Saunders who, with input from other alumni, founded the 174th AHC Assn., and served as its first president. The plaque reads: "In Grateful Appreciation to Ted Saunders, Founder and President, 1993 - 2000. Other awards included a bottle of authentic Thai Hot Sauce presented to Wayne Mullally. The hot sauce was furnished by Ted Saunders' wife, recently back from a visit to her homeland. The irony, which would have made even O. Henry proud, was that the award to Mullally was for being the person who traveled the longest distance to attend the reunion. His current place of residence? Thailand! A set of coffee mugs, emblazoned with the 174th unit patch and a Shark gunship platoon patch, was presented to Marty Wifholm, the first member to register for this year's reunion. Mugs were also presented to Wally Nunn, incoming president; Jim McDaniel, Webmaster; and, Warren Hewetson, President of the 174th AHC FAN CLUB and Assistant Webmaster. Bruce Marshall was also a recepient for his generous donation of fresh clams. A special tongue-in-cheek presentation of mugs went to Mike Ackerman, the 174th alumnus once considered "most likely to succeed." Indeed he did! "Special Events" * Fishing Trip: Last year's fishing trip fizzled when bad weather kept the wannabees grounded. That, unfortunately, upset plans for a fishfry Saturday night and attendees cautiously gnawed their way through some half-frozen steaks instead. But this year the small group of fisherpersons, with Wally Nunn blazing the trail, enjoyed a nice boat ride and caught dozens of fish. A good day. And, we all ate fish, among other things, that night. But, not to worry -- the seafood buffet was professionally catered. * Naval Aviation Museum Tour: While the fishermen (and fisherwomen) were getting their kicks, a more serious, aviation-minded group, spurred on by 174th charter members, Bob Jones and Dick Overhamm, hit the road to Pensacola where they toured the celebrated Naval Air Museum. Last year, a large contingent from the reunion was bussed to Ft. Rucker and visited the U.S. Army Aviation Museum. * Fellowship: The best event of all, lasting throughout the entire weekend, was the fellowship enjoyed by the former members of the 174th AHC and its support units. Seeing old buddies from as long as 34 years ago is, indeed, a touching experience. "This is, without a doubt, the best damned reunion yet," insisted the incoming president. "I hope it just keeps growing every year." "Annual Auction" Swapping the Vice President's hat for his auctioneer cap on Saturday evening, perennial hawker, Eddie McNeill, barked his familiar command. "Get out your money," he shouted, and the bidding was underway. Items donated for sale included an assortment of 174th patches, caps, manuscripts, et cetera, et cetera, plus some beautiful art work by Jim Yocum offered in absentia. A total of $415 was collected by the Association's beautiful "cashier," Jeanne Hewetson, and placed in the 174th general fund along with another $75 collected by Jim McDaniel from the copying and sale of video tapes showing hot unit action in Vietnam. "In Memoriam" In the absence of Mel Lutgring, who last year introduced into the annual reunion activities a memorial service for fallen comrades, Bob Jones graciously agreed to keep the tradition alive again this year. Standing before a temporary but fitting display, adorned with an arrangement of flowers, Jones read off the names of those who had left us during the past year as well as the names of departed family members. Jones also had available for review a "book" he had prepared containing the names of all known deceased 174th comrades. Among those present during the poignant ceremony was 174th alumnus, Gary Levine. Levine, who was attending his first reunion and had expressed extreme delight at renewing old friendships, tragically died of a heart attack in his sleep at home exactly one week from the night of the memorial ceremony. "Gary was so proud to be associated with the 174th, and to finally be able to reunite in person was so very important for him," wrote his widow, Georgine, in message to the Association. Gary was buried in his POW T-shirt, his 174th cap, jeans and his photo vest. We also placed in his casket his treasure of autographs from all of you at the reunion," she added. Besides his widow, Gary is survived by a 20-year-old son and a two-year old daughter. "Tidbits" * Besides LTG Mike Ackerman -- the highest ranking officer ever to have been a member of the 174th -- another distinguished commander attending his first reunion was COL (Ret) Sam Kalagian. Kalagian assumed command of the 14th CAB in 1966, shortly after the 174th arrived in Vietnam, and moved it to Lane Army Heliport. At that time, command of the 174th was transferred from the 52nd CAB in Pleiku to Kalagian's new headquarters. * Bruce Marshall was a popular guy at the reunion. Bruce owns a clam farm at Cedar Keys, FL, and, for appetizers, brought a big load of fresh clams to the reunion. He broiled them on a bar-b-que grill rented just for the occasion. The patio outside the hospitality suite was a busy place on Friday and Saturday evenings as hungry Sharks and Dolphins wolfed down dozens upon dozens of Bruce's fresh clams right off the grill. * Family members and special friends were again a welcomed sight this year. Let that be a reminder to all of the fair sex next year -- you are most welcome and encouraged to grace our ranks with your presence next year. "Reunion 2001" Yes, plans are already being made for next year's reunion. The 2001 contract with the Best Western Ft. Walton Beachfront Hotel has been signed and is in the mail. The big event will again be held during the Columbus Day Weekend. No, it's not time to get your room reservations in yet. But, it is time to start planning on attending. As your new president, Wally Nunn, stated, "this is the best one yet." But, "you ain't seen nothing yet." See y'all in October.