Ramey AFB Historical Association

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SALE! SALE! SALE!
Wear your Rameyware to the 2008 Reunion!
To learn more
(click here)

Ramey Reunion 2008
to be held in Tucson, AZ
April 15 - 19, 2008

at the Pima Air & Space Museum & Davis-Monthan AFB, which has more than 400 aircraft. Also planned is an underground tour of the Titan missile site where the first ICBM's were stored.
Special rates available at the Holiday Inn and Suites, Tucson Airport North.

Registration Deadline: January 31, 2008

Questions?
Contact Ken Coombs at (603) 735-4291
ken-bon@msn.com

Ramey Reunion 2007
to be held
March 20-24, 2007

Click here for latest information.
Click here for registration form.
Click here for a special deal from HERTZ!

The 10th reunion of the Ramey Air Force Base Historical Association will take place in Puerto Rico next March 20-24, 2007. It is truly shaping up as a significant event. Our planned program includes the following:

The unveiling of two plaques dedicated to the airmen and civilians who made Borinquen Field/Ramey AFB the beautiful, valuable base that it was.
While it may primarily be Ramey AFB Historical Association's 10th Anniversary observance and celebration, several other groups may be joining us. These include the Ramey Ramp Rats (the former 72nd Air Force Police Squadron at Ramey), the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, The First Computational Technical Squadron, a US Navy contingent, and a direct descendant of Brig. Gen. Howard K. Ramey.
The US Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen has already accepted the opportunity to co-host the entire affair.
The Airlift Foundation will convert their interior museum display to feature an exhibit of Ramey/Borinquen artifacts and photos. they will also affix the RAFBHA Spirit of Ramey logo on the nose of the aircraft. Captain Thomas Wade, Commander of Air Station Borinquen, will invite the base and various schools and groups to visit the walk-through museum inside the C-54. Special tribute will be given in honor of 1st Lt. Richard M. Wurgel of Ramey who made the supreme sacrifice in 1948.

Ramey Reunion 2006
to be held
March 7-11, 2006
Comfort Inn & Conference Center, Tampa, Florida.
This year's exciting program will include visits to MacDill AFB
and to Cape Canaveral for lunch with an astronaut.
More details to follow - be sure to watch this space......

Ramey AFB Historical Association
Presents its
First Stateside Reunion
Lackland Air Force Base
San Antonio, Texas
March 9-12, 2005
Registration closes January 21 ^st, 2005
Click here for registration form.

Program of Events
March 9-12, 2005

Wednesday, 9th

4:00pm Reception and Rrgistration

Thursday, 10th

9:00 am: Session 1: RAFBHA Overview
10:00am: Coffee Break
10:15am: Session 2: View to the Future
12:30pm: Buffet Lunch
1:30 pm: Tour San Antonio
7:00pm: Mexican Fiesta Dinner Buffet Guest Speaker from Lackland AFB

Friday, 11th

9:00am: Lackland AFB Basic Training Graduation Ceremony as Special Guests
10:00am: Exploring Lackland featuring static display of 20-30 vintage WWII aircraft
11:00am: Air Museum & Lackland Historical Museum
12:00: Lunch at Airmen's Mess
Afternoon: Optional trips to Kelly Field, Randolph AFB and Brooke AFB
7:00pm: Cowboy BBQ Dinner Buffet Guest Speaker: Member Bob Matheson, Director of Broadcasting for the American Forces network (AFN) a service of AFRTS, at March AFB, California. (Bob worked at Ramey 1965-67, as a DJ at the radio station and projectionist at the Warner theater.]

Saturday, 12th

9:00am-12 noon: RAFBHA Annual Meeting and Election of Board of Directors & Memorial Observance

General Information

Registration Fee: $85 total pp includes:

Gifts, Door Prize, etc.
Hospitality Room & Meeting Space
Meeting Room AV Needs
Administrative Costs

Group Meals: $85 total pp includes:

(3) $8.00 breakfast coupon
Coffee Breaks at Meetings
Buffet lunch on Thursday
Mexican Fiesta Buffet Thursday Evening
Cowboy BBQ Buffet Friday Evening
All meals above include tax and gratuity
Special-diet meals available

Hotel room Rate: $85.00 per night plus 16.75% tax, single or double($99.24 total) This is a special group rate which will be extended 2 days before and 2 days after the event. Make your own reservations by calling the hotel directly and tell them you are with the RAFBHA Reunion Group. See Clarion Hotel card enclosed for contact information and amenities. All reservtion requests must be accompanied by credit card guarantee or advance deposit equal to one night's room and tax. This deposit will be refundable up until 72 hours before arrival. Please make reservations as soon as possible to ensure that RAFBHA keeps its block of reserved rooms. Daily parking rate of $4.00 special for our group. Check in 3PM, check out noon.

Fun Stuff: Go to www.clarionriverwalk.com for fun things to do and see while in San Antonio. You will receive a registration packet at check-in with more info on the fun stuff!

The weather in San Antonio in March should be warm and thy, average day temp is 73, nights average 51.

Lackland Air Force Base dates from July 4, 1942, when the War Department made it an independent installation, naming it the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center (SAACC). From its acronym many people called the base sack, sack-c, or, less affectionately, sad sack. The War Department finally resolved any identity crisis on July 11, 1947, by naming the base for Brigadier General Frank D. Lackland. Lackland had originated the idea of an aviation cadet reception and training center for Kelly.

Our member hosts at Lackland:

Louis Arana-Barradas
MSG Lance Cheung

While in San Antonio , our home will be the Clarion Hotel located on San Antonio's famous River walk. The Clarion Hotel Riverwalk offers a relaxing, serene atmosphere located at the beginning of the Riverwalk, just a short stroll, trolley ride or river barge cruise to all the shopping, retaurants and night life that San Antonio has to offer.

Our Member Hosts in San Antonio:

Davis "Doe" Ball
Lauren Blackwell
Barbara Davis
Dale Wagner

The 7th Annual Reunion of the
Ramey AFB Historical Association
March 9th - 14th, 2004 at Ramey AFB, Aguadilla, PR

RAMEY AFB HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

December 2003

Dear Friend of Ramey:

We are really getting quite excited about the big Borinquen/Ramey Reunion Celebration coming up in March - and I'm hopeful that you are too. I'm enclosing an agenda of the six-day session along with your registration form. As you know, the primary objective of this reunion is to put the focus on Air Force history - the history of Borinquen Field (early RAFB years) - 1939-1948. Some of you were there in 1948 when it was re-dedicated in memory of WWII General Howard K. Ramey. Regardless of whether your special time was at Borinquen Field or RAFB you will want to seriously consider attending this event. Based on past experience we have found that there is an amazing common bond deeply shared by all members who make it back.

The world has changed considerably since those earlier years in Puerto Rico, but everyone has now acquired a clearer understanding that if we are ever going to record and observe the memories and incidents of that time, it is now. And if not us, who?

I hope so very much that you will be able join us, for this important history-making event. Please let us know as soon as possible if you will be attending. We really need to know how many will be coming in order to make firm arrangements. Some will need alternative assistance, and I want you to know that we will help. Whether it's for housing or travel - let us know your needs.

Pan Am flies directly in to Ramey (Rafael Hernandez Airport) from Sanford, Florida and Continental Air Lines flies direct from Newark New Jersey - and we'll be there to meet you at the terminal. We are prepared to make your return trip to RAFB convenient and truly memorable.

Please note that while our agenda is rapidly filling up there will be plenty of time for golf-swimming-fishing or just plain relaxation. Please get your registration form out today. Send it to the Association at PO Box 250165, Aguadilla PR 00604. Checks payable to RAFBHA…or visit us online <rameyafb.org> 2004 Reunion Celebration page.

If you have any questions or need special assistance, call ZoAnn Balcerzak at 787-890-2016.

Thanks, looking forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,
Jeff Jones
President

When We Lose an Historic Place, We Lose a Part of Who We Are

RAMEY AIR FORCE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

Invites you to attend

REUNION 2004
"BORINQUEN FIELD REMEMBERED"

MARCH 9-14, 2004

An exciting opportunity to remember Borinquen Field
with those who served there in the forties!

TUESDAY, MARCH 9: Registration reception. Coast Guard Commander, Capt. Charles Ray welcomes you to a Cocktail Mixer and buffet dinner on the terrace at the Coast Guard Community Center(Former NCO Club). Registration begins around 5PM so we can take advantage of the beautiful sunset. "Welcome Back" arrival packages and sale of AF patches, tee shirts, caps, stickers, coffee mugs, etc.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10: Guided tour of the former Air Force base. We will take requests from those in attendance to visit the sites of their former homes, places of work, barracks, flight line, tropical acres, etc. The tour begins at 9AM, highlights a viewing of the Association's C-121, and ends at noon at the lighthouse near the golf course where a picnic lunch will be served. Special guests will be introduced and include: Senator Miriam Ramirez, Mayor Mendez of Aguadilla , Sr. Soto of PRPA, Airport Manager Gonzalo Gonzalez as well as others to be announced soon. A formal photo will be taken of all guests who served at Ramey when it was Borinquen Field (1939-1948), as well as a photo of everyone in attendance.

THURSDAY, MARCH 11: Historic Rededication Ceremony in honor of Ramey AFB/Borinquen Field and those who served. Presentation by the PR Air National Guard PR Air National Guard. Special Video Taped Round Table discussions with Borinquen vets in the casual relaxed setting of the Officer's Club or NCO Club overlooking the majestic 200 foot cliffs and beautiful Atlantic.

FRIDAY, MARCH 12: Annual Board Meeting at the Coast Guard Community Center(NCO Club) to include presentation of the Golden Prop Award. Evening reception at Commander Ray's home (former wing/base commander's house)

SATURDAY, MARCH 13: Traditional Morning Memorial Service at the Veterans Monument (Located below the former Seaview Club/across from the BX) at 10AM. Evening Dinner Banquet at the CG Community Center (NCO Club), featuring Memories of Borinquen Field, with a special slide presentation, by Col. William E. Bradford USAF Ret (former WZQ radio announcer); followed by a presentation by former Base Commander Col. George J. Provancha (1964-66). Music, dancing and great conversation will top off the event.

SUNDAY, MARCH 14: Farewell Brunch at the restaurant at La Cima Hotel/Rstaurant just outside Gate 5.

Note: This Reunion Celebration will be video taped and there will be plenty of photo ops. We still have some other possible surprises that we are trying to finalize for you. Believe us you won't want to miss this.