RAF Station Kirknewton

 Reunion History

 


Reunion 1998 - Arlington, Virginia also known as reunion #1.  The reunion was held in Arlington, Virginia, June 20-21, 1998. It was organized by Charles Jenkins. About 30 attended. 

 Reunion 2000 - Las Vegas - also known as Reunion #2.  The reunion was held April 26-28, 2000 at the Flamingo Hilton Casino and Hotel. The organizer was Charles Jenkins, and assisted by Roger Oleson. Approximately 240 attended.

Reunion 2002 - San Antonio, Texas - also known as Reunion #3.  The reunion was held in San Antonio, Texas, September 19-21, 2002 at the Fairfield Inn. The organizers were a committee consisting of (in alphabetical order), Jim and Joan Adkinson, Jack and Helen Branagan, Roger and Eleanor Egger, Dick and Betty Lange, Norma Matowitz, Dave and Dorothy Moore, George and Pauline Page, Jim and Ruth Stockie , and Fred and Mae Thomas. About 165 attended.  

Reunion 2004 - Biloxi, Mississippi - also known as Reunion #4.  The reunion was held in Biloxi, Mississippi, April 29 through May 1, 2004 at the Imperial Palace Casino and Hotel. The reunion was organized by Joe Mullican, with advice and help from Joe Harris and Bob Lovett. About 167 attended.


Reunion 2006 - Colorado Springs, Colorado - also known as Reunion #5.  The reunion was held at the Ambassador Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 13-16, 2006. The reunion was organized by Barney and Jan Pelham. About 84 attended. 

Reunion 2007 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - also known as a mid schedule mini reunion.  This mini reunion was held at the Marriott Residence Inn, in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania across from historic City Hall on September 20-23, 2007. The reunion was organized by Karl and Bridgett Thomas and 14 attended. 


Reunion 2008 - Red Wing, Minnesota - also known as Reunion #6.  The reunion was held at the Treasure Island Resort & Casino near Red Wing, Minnesota, August 13-16, 2008.  It was organized by Fred Crawford and 65 attended.


Reunion 2009 - Western Carribbean Cruise - also known as Reunion #7.  The reunion was on the Carnival cruise ship Destiny. It departed Miami, Florida on September 21, 2009 and returned to Miami September 26, 2009. It was organized by Harry Hathhorn and 34 attended. 


Reunion 2010 - Nashville, Tennesse - also known as Reunion #8.  The reunion was held at the Raddison Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee, September 29-October 3, 2010. It was organized by Helen Oleson and 65 attended.

Reunion 2011- Branson, Missouri - also known as Reunion #9.  The reunion was held at Boxcar Willy's Hotel, Branson, Missouri, September 21-24, 2011. It was organized by Fred Crawford with local on the ground assistance by Thom Conus. The attendance was 41. 

Reunion 2013- Edinburgh, Scotland - also known as Reunion #10.  The reunion was held September 18-21, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The hotel was the Royal British Hotel, 20 Princess St. A meeting and lunch (nibbles they called it, but it was a feast) was hosted by the RAF 661st VGS Glider Squadron at RAF Station Kirknewton. The banquet was at the Royal Overseas Club on Princess St. It was organized by Fred Crawford with local on the ground assistance by Monty Snider. The attendance was 84, with about 18 veterans and family

Reunion 2014 - Las Vegas, Nevada - also known as Reunion #11.  The reunion was held September 22-25, 2014 at the Orleans Casino.  Fred Crawford made the initial contact and Harry Hathhorn organized the reunion. A Meet and Greet was held the first evening, and on the last day presentations by guest speaker, Tony Cash and then Fred Crawford followed by a banquet that evening.  A total of 82 registered for the reunion and 2 special guests at the banquet for a total of 84. Of the total attendees there were 37 former airmen stationed at RAF Station Kirknewton.

Reunion 2015  Dayton, Ohio - also known as Reunion #12.  The reunion was held September 21-24, 2015 at the Crown Plaza hotel.  A hospitality suit was available throughout he reunion  with the  hotel serving snack food the first evening.  The next day was a tour of the Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and the following day was a lunch theater play titled "the Church Basement Ladies and the Last Potluck Supper.  The last evening banquet began with the posting of the colors by a VFW Honor Guard, a bagpiper, and Fred Crawford giving the talk that he gave to the RAF at the 2013 reunion in Scotland.  A total of 44 attended the reunion.  The reunion was organized by Stan Harris with local on the ground assistance by George Cunningham.


Reunion Reunion 2016 Seattle, Washington - also known as Reunion #13.  The reunion was held September 15-19, 2016 at the Courtyard Marriott in Tukwilla, Washington.  A hospitality room was available each evening with snacks and beverages.   On Friday morning a bus picked us up and we toured the Fisherman Pier in Ballard,  the Space Needle, then a lunch break at Pikes Market in downtown Seattle.  After lunch we headed north to Everett and the Boeing plant tour.  It was a very interesting hour and a half seeing the Boeing 777, 787, and 747's being assembled.  The trip south to the hotel after the tour gave us a great exposure to Seattle traffic on a late Friday afternoon.  Saturday was an open day as well as Sunday until the banquet at 6pm.  Some of us visited the Boeing  Museum of Flight on our own about 4 miles up the freeway.   A total of 23 attended the reunion that was organized by Don and Pat Ritter who reside in Olympia, Washington.

Reunion 2017 New Orleans Cruise - also known as Reunion #14.  The reunion was held September 17-24, 2017 on the Carnival Dream.  It departed New Orleans on September 17 and visited Roatan, Honduras, then Belize City, Belize then Cozumel, Mexico and ended in New Orleans on September 24.  The cruise was organized by Stan Harris and a total of 18 attended

 

Reunion 2018 Lexington, Kentucky – also known as Reunion #15.  The reunion was held at the Clarion Conference Center North October 3-7, 2018.  It was organized by Stan Harris with assistance from Fred Crawford.  Highlights were a day at the Keeneland Racetrack and the Bourbon Tour with a visit to the Buffalo Trace Distillery.  The attendance was 27 with two just attending the banquet.

 

Reunion 2020 Milwaukee, Wisconsin,  The reunion was scheduled for September 11-15, 2019 but was cancelled due to lack of interest.

 

The end