Reunion Slide Show 2015

Page last updated: 3/30/2025, 2:11:20 PM

221st Signal Company (Pictorial)
Combined Company Reunion May 8th and 9th 2015
Washington D.C. - Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel

We start where much of the work ended up, the National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Harry Kidd (L) shows Don Fedynak the ropes at the Archives

Paul Berkowitz researching the 221st

Don Fedynak researching still pictures via the old card catalogues

Fedynak viewing 221st MoPic footage on Archive VHS tape

Berkowitz in the stacks of VHS tapes

The National Archives has five floors. After three days we barely scratched the surface.

On to the Reunion. The lobby of the Hamilton Crowne Plaza. First class.

Early arrivals. (L) John Bessey, Don Critchfield, Don Fedynak, Peter Berlin, Paul Berkowitz and Tom Hamilton

Some of us watched the WWII flyover. Fifty vintage aircraft over the Washington Maul. Impressive.

Ray Linn caught these shots.

Early Friday, some of us went to the Wall.

Chic Hinton at the wall.

A group of us are looking for 221st Photographer David Allen Russell KIA March 17, 1969

Don Critchfield looks on as Donald Russell finds his brother David's name.

Donald Russell reflects for a moment on his brother's name.

Donald Russell has something in mind in the way of a tribute to David.

(L) Donald Critchfield, Don Fedynak, Donald Russell, Paul Berkowitz have a beer in honor of David.

A rubbing of David's name is taken

We were so glad to have Donald and his lovely wife Debbie with us at our Reunion

Our hotel was very close to another famous spot

Registration begins

(L) Reunion organizer Norm Royce registers family member Chris Childs IV and Susan

(L) Julian Brinson getting to know Carlos and Beatriz Lopez

(L) Ray Linn meeting Don and Deborah Surgent. Don was the one that took the 221st home in 1972.

The room starts to fill. Steve Wagel (1966-67), one of the first men in the unit, is on the left.

Tom Wolzien with his wife Valerie checks in

(L) Don Fedynak, Nick Mills and Rich Henke swap stories

Ron Hammeren with a pretty cool hat

(L) Ivan Papurt (Pappy), Ray Linn, Pete Berlin and Tom Kane

Bill Wilson and his daughter Renee

(L) Julian Brinson listens to Tim Manning.

After a circuitous route, Chris Childs IV and Susan visit the wall on Saturday morning

It was the first time Chris had been to the wall

His father's name is up high with the others who went down with Ghost Riders 079

Chris was calm, cool and focused. A chip off the old block.

Chris and Susan stepped up to attend this Reunion. We were all glad he did

(L) Juan A Gabriel, Keith Essen, Norm Royce and Chic Hinton. Saigon detachment back together after 45 years

(L) Don Critchfield, Eric Wiegand, Lon Holmberg, Nick Mills, Duyen Bessey (SEAPC), John Bessey

(L) Eric Wiegand, Bob Demchuk and Lon Holmberg share some memories

(L) Kit Kramer and Sharon with Tom Kane check out the picture books

(L) Debbie Russell, Donald Russell and Rich Henke go over a David Russell family album

(L) Ray Linn uses his laptop to show pictures.

(L) Jim Stevens, Vince and Joan Jolly, Renee and Bill Wilson, Bob and Pat Berry

Chris Childs IV takes a private moment with David Russell's album

(L) Juan Gabriel and Norm Royce

(L) Paul Berkowitz, Ken and Dawn Wingender and Eric Wiegand

(L) Tm Manning, Don Fedynak and Ivan Papurt remember the good times

(L) Paul Berkowitz studies some prints brougt by Carlos Lopez

(L) Don Critchfield, Joe Wolak, Pete and Judy Berlin and Sheila Wolak

(L) Bob Demchuk talks with Kris Ensign whose husband Jim was one of our finest

Bottom to top: Sheila Royce, Norm Royce, Juan Gabriel and Keith Essen help prepare for the group shot

(L) Steve and Rosemarie Wagel, Ken Wingender, Tom Hamilton, Duyen Bessey (SEAPC) and Pat Hamilton

Donald Russell (R) and Nick Mills share David Russell memories

Norm Royce did a great job of keeping things on track. Next was the Newseum Event

Washington's Newseum has 250,000 square feet dedicated to our First amendment rights

One of 15 theaters, The Knight studio holds about 140 people

On May 9, 2015, the 221st was featured at the Newseum's "Inside Media" presentation

Naturally, the old 221st got some coverage

(L) Panelists Nick Mills, John Andescavage and Joe Wolak gather in the "green room" before the show

Tim Manning takes careful aim

(L) Chris Childs IV, Sue Graf, Athena Manning and Melissa Lin Andescavage find seats in the front row

John Maynard (L) lead the discussion about Combat Photo Vietnam

(L) Joe Wolak, Nick Mills, Don Critchfield and John Andescavage represented us well

Most of us attended as well as the general public

There was much more to see at the Newseum exhibits

Pete and Judy Berlin took in the view

John and Melissa Lin Andescavage too

(L) Roy Morrow and Bill Wilson

Tim, Norm and Keith get ready for the banquet

Nick, Don and Paul view some important footage found at the National Archives

(L) Roy Morrow, Ray Linn and Tim viewing Ray's pictures

Vince Jolly spends time with the David Russell album

The Missing man table reminds us all of who cannot attend

Keith, once again, is chosen to do the ceremony. He does it with great dignity.

The color guard arrives

It is May 9th. The 45th Anniversary of Ghost Riders 079. The ceremony had special meaning tonight

After the Missing Man ceremony, a short video history of the 221st was shown

Later, Tom Hamilton read a Proclamation honoring the 221st from US Senator Chuck Shumer of New York

(L) Don Fedynak and Tom Hamilton of New York with Senator Shumer's proclamation

(L) Eugene Flynn presents a carved model helicopter to "volunteer" John Bessey. Long story.

(L) Nick Mills gives one of his books to Tim Manning. Longer story.

(L) Jim Van Epps and Nelson Thomas

(L) Bob Walkowiak and Levie Isaacks 3rd/8th Infantry were very welcome - connected via the RAW WAR TV Show

(L) Bob Berry and wife Patricia

(L) Duyen Bessey (SEAPC) with Amy Wolfson and Paul Berkowitz

Joe and Sheila Wolak

Judy and Pete Berlin

Tim and Athena Manning

Eugene Flynn (R) with daughter Chi Bon

Tom Kane and wife Anne Marie

Kris Ensign (R) and friend Sandra Wright

Jim Stevens (R) and wife Maureen

Ron Hammeren (R) and wife Debbie

(L) Vince Jolly and wife Joan

Keith Essen (R) and wife Olga

(L) Don Surgent and wife Deborah

(L) Jim Saller and wife Linda

Chris Jensen (C) with wife Cheryl and Nelson Thomas (R)

(R) Tom Wolzien with wife Valerie and Don Critchfield (R)

(C) Carlos Lopez with wife Beatriz and Daughter Anna

Sheila and Norman Royce - our hard working hosts

(R) Ray Linn with wife Barbara and specilal guest Emily (L)

(L) Nelson and Linda Thomas

(L) Dawn Wingender, Pat and Tom Hamilton, Sharon Lester and Kit Kramer

(L) Claire and Rich Hanke, Don Fedynak, Donald and Debbie Russell

Group picture. The ultmate grip and grin

Thanks again to Norm and Sheila Royce for hosting a great reunion.

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We start where much of the work ended up, the National Archives at College Park, Maryland

221st Signal Company (Pictorial) U.S. Army Vietnam Southeast Asia Pictorial Center 1967 - 1972

221st Crest

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John Andescavage

John Andescavage #2

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