2022 Centaur Veteran’s Day Reunion

UPDATED 7 Nov 2022 - Attendees, Agenda, Register, Hotel Info, Special Items, Raffle
Video Interview Schedule, T Shirts For Sale

Centaur Veterans Day Reunion 10 to 13 November 2022 will be in Phoenix (Mesa), Arizona and hosted by Jim Walt (observer) with support from his wife Sandy, Marty and Charlotte Jenkins (Centaur 14), and Tom Dooling.(Centaur 52 & 13).

We currently have over 40 Centaurs and Friends of Centaurs signed up, plus wives and family members (approx. 80 attendees).

We hope to make this the biggest Centaur event ever. With our planned visits to the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and the Commemorative Air Force Museum , it should bring back many memories of the time we served together, plus provide our family members and friends a chance to see and touch the helicopters that were core to our Vietnam experience.

Helicopters on Static Display for our event are:

OH-6A 357
AH-1F 518
UH-1H 315
UH-1M 563 (trailer mounted, cannot be taken off trailer, but we have steps for guests to get into the helicopter).

Announcement

We are very sorry to say that the helicopter flights we had hoped to make available for the reunion are not likely to happen. AAHF has not received the approvals needed from the government to allow them to take paying customers on flights. There is a very small possibility that they will receive the necessary approvals by the time of the reunion, but not likely. We are very sorry to tell you this, as the flights were highly anticipated by all of us.

There are numerous other WWII, Korea and Vietnam aircraft on display at the Commemorative Air Force Museum.

 

 

Registering for the Reunion: A detailed reunion registration form is available CLICK HERE or (https/centaursinvietnam.org/REUNION 2022.pdf)

 

The Hotel: We have arranged special rates at the Home2 Suite by Hilton – Mesa Longbow Hotel. The Centaur room rate is good for the dates Nov 8 through Nov 16 is $122 per night. Rooms are either two queen sized beds or a single king size. The rate includes a full kitchen in each suite, free laundry, free buffet breakfast, free WiFi, etc. We will also have a separate dedicated Centaur room as well as spaces within the hotel for group get togethers.

The hotel is located in a resort-like setting, walking distance from the Longbow Golf Club, which offers special rates to residents at the Home2 Suites. There is a full bar and breakfast/lunch restaurant at the club, for those wanting and alternative gathering place.

Hotel Reservations: To reserve your room, you call the hotel at 480-545-6615 and tell them you are with the Centaurs Group. You can also reserve your room on their website https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/the-centaurs-reunion/ . Reservations must be booked by October 10 to receive the special rate. Your reservation will be secured by a credit card, but may be cancelled up to 2 days prior to arrival with no charge. If you cancel within the two days before, there will be a one-night charge.

Bus Transportation: We have arranged bus transportation to/from scheduled events. These transportation costs are included in your registration fee

Special Reunion Items:

New T Shirt/Hat: We will be introducing a new “Centaurs in Vietnam T-Shirt” at the reunion (see photos below). The T-Shirts are now available prior to the reunion or at the reunion. Sales are not limited to attendees.

Items for Auction

Helicopter Prints: We have four (4) Joe Kline aviation prints that will be auctioned off at the reunion – Chariots of Fire (Cobras), Eye of the Tiger (Loach), Riders on the Storm (Huey), and Guns Up (Charlie Models). There are also six (6) Francis McGinley “Centaurs in Viet Nam” prints that will be auctioned off. The auction will be during the banquet.

 

 

Calvary Saber: 42" Replica Civil War Cavalry Saber

New Auction items for the Reunion!: Two Quilts donated from David and Cheryl Hopper. Estimated value of $300 to $500.

 

 

Raffle Items:

We have a number of other items that will be raffled off during the banquet. Each reunion registrant will receive four (4) raffle tickets with their welcome kit. Additional tickets can be purchased for $1 each. The items include:

• 4 - VN laminated maps

• 4 - World of Wonder Helicopter prints

• 3 - Beads on VN soldier prints

• 5 - B&W Ron Harris prints

• 4 - 3/4 Centaur mugs

   

We will continue to provide more details in the near future, but in the meantime, mark your calendar for the reunion and let Jim know if you plan to attend (or are at least thinking about it) and give us ideas on what you would like to do at this reunion!!

Please send an email to: Jim Walt (jim@thewaltfamily.com) with your comments, intentions and any requests you might have. Being able to scope out the total attendance early in the planning will greatly help with making hotel and transportation arrangements.

 

Agenda: .

Nov 10 Thursday

Set up tables, signs, registration desk sign in, etc.

• Opening day ice breaker / meet and greet / social time.

We will have video equipment set up in the hotel to allow members to contribute their stories to the ever-growing library of war stories and Centaur experiences. We will have volunteers on hand to help you put together a story board for your story and coach on how to best capture your story. Get yours done early.

Nov 11 (Veterans Day) Friday

• Participate in a Veterans Day parade in Mesa AZ with Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, marching with their trailered Huey, Loach or Cobra. Bus will transport from the hotel to the parade route and return.  Two groups - marchers and families will be transported

• Afternoon social time

• Video War Stories

• Veterans Day dinner. At The Longbow Golf Club Grill (Link to Story)

Nov 12 Saturday - Confirm Transportation details

• Visit the Commemorative Air Force facility at Falcon Field, Mesa, AZ.

• Visit Army Aviation Heritage Foundation also at Falcon Field – We plan to have Helicopter rides. Here is a Huey Ride Video

  Bus transportation provided from the hotel to the museum, then to a park for lunch and then to the AAHF hanger.  Return to the hotel by bus.

• "Pizza lunch at Falcon Field Park - near the CAF”

• Happy hour and social time at hotel

• Dinner on your own

Nov 13 Sunday - Breakfast Goodbyes and Sign Out

• Golf tournament and other family activities in the area. Please note in your response to Jim if you are interested in participating in a golfing event.

Arizona has tons of activities to offer should you like to expand your stay here with your family.

Spend a few extra days in the area enjoying great comfortable fall weather – particularly nice for the snow birds from up North. The current weather report suggests it will be in the mid 70s during the days, and low 50s at night.

• For those NASCAR fans, there are scheduled events Nov 4/5/6 at Phoenix International Raceway.
• For history buffs, the Pima Air and Space Museum is located in Tucson – about a two-hour drive.
• For outdoor buffs, there are many hiking trails in and around Phoenix.
• Sedona (red rock area) is about a two-hour drive – lots of hiking and beautiful mountains.
• Grand Canyon National Park is about a three-hour and fifteen-minute drive from Phoenix. It can be done as a day trip – but makes for a long day.
• AZ Cardinals football – Nov 6 against the Seahawks
• Phoenix Suns basketball – No home games during the Reunion
• The greater Phoenix area has many great golf clubs/resorts for the golfers

 

Attendance Roster

Click names to see photos -Updated 7 November 2022
• Registered/Paid

Name - Spouse - Attending? - Other info

•Adams, Rick and Diane ..........................................70-71....................Darien, WA

•Allen, Stan & Barbara Kovarix..................................69-70.......Crescent Lake, OR

•Andres, Joel - Sylvia................................................71-72..............Gainesville, FL

•Baisden, Randy - Sandy, Rebecca, Warren, Mary. 71-72.......... Port Orchard, WA

•Beasley, Herb (Rev) and guest Karen McGinnis..... 65-67...........Hanover Park, IL

•Borey, Don and Pat...................................................71-72...............Gonzales, CA

*Brady, Bob & Rose - Billy, Becky, Miranda, Kaitlin...68-69...................Carlisle, KY

*Brunsting, Cliff and maybe Debra.............................72-72......................Mesa, AZ

•Dooling, Tom "Sam" and Linda..................................69-70...............Glendale, AZ

•Evans, John and Anita...............................................69-69.............Livingston, TX

•Forringer, Bob and Dee.............................................69-70.............Pensacola, FL

•Gausman, Bill and Bonnie...- Maybe ........................71-72...............St Marys, PA

*Hatfield, Gary and Beverly.........................................65-66....Rancho Murieta, CA

•Holmberg, Pete and Mary..........................................72-72...................Lacey, WA

•Hoover, Joe and Marie...............................................70-71...............Swansea, IL

•Hopper, David and Cheryl..........................................72-73.................Verona, KY

•Jenkins, Marty and Charlotte......................................69-69..........Woodstock, GA

•Jones, Bob and brother Ed ........................................71-72 ...........Bradenton, FL

•Jones, Gary and JoAnne...........................................69-69..........Lake Tahoe, CA

•Karn, Bruce and Pam.................................................68-69........Brigham City, UT

•Kirby, Blane and Shirley.............................................71-72...................Tampa, FL

•Kirby, Jed and Wyatt & Colt.......................................71-72...................Tampa, FL

Kloppel, Ken...............................................................70-71.................Phoenix, AZ

•Kreil, Jim and Coleen Ford.........................................69-69..................Easton, PA

*Martin, Roger and Maureen.......................................68-69...................Peoria, AZ

•Pixton, Bill and Deborah............................................71-72..............Cumming, GA

•Powell, Bruce and Sharon.........................................67-68.....................Yuma, AZ

Rodgers, James T ......& Guest..................................65-66......................Mesa, AZ

Sale, Dave and Cathy................................................................................Mesa, AZ

•Sparrow, Harlan......Kris Coleman..............................71-72.............San Diego, CA

Stegner, Richard....Guest.............................................65-68............San Diego, CA

*Syverson, Michael.......................................................69-70...............Waubun, MN

*Walker, Frank..............................................................72-72...............Rock Hill, SC

•Walt, Jim and Sandy ..................................................69-69..............Rio Verde, AZ

*Ward, Richard "Dick" and Julie Hampton...................69-70.................Danville, CA

•White, Jan and Trudy...................................................70-71........Panama City , FL

*Zygowitz, Alan..and Gina.............................................72-72....................Mesa, AZ

 

Video Interview Schedule

Wednesday, November 9

...begin in afternoon/evening

....1700 & 1730 hrs Tom Dooling

Thursday, November 10

....

Friday, November 11

....

Saturday, November 12

....9am. Ken Kloppel

Sunday, November 13

....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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