~ Team Tohoku presented ~ The Fifth Annual Misawans in America National Reunion Baltimore, Maryland June 21 - June 24      2007 They came - they saw - they conquered! Organized and led by Lydia Crooks, Team Tohoku took on the project of engineering our Fifth Annual National Reunion this year and performed flawlessly. Those nearly 200 attendees will remember it as a well-planned, well-executed spectacular that took the bar to a whole new level. Our sincerest thanks to all of you who contributed toward making our visit to Baltimore a time we'll long remember fondly. As with previous reunions, we met with friends - some old, some new - celebrating our common bond of past contributions to The Mission. If you were fortunate enough to have been part of it, we appreciate your presence and your having participated in this memorable event. If you weren't able to make it, we sincerely hope you'll be able to join us in future years, where ever we may meet. We consider the Baltimore Reunion a stunning success, and we'll let the folowing photos validate that statement.

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Baltimore Baltimore's colorful and beautiful Inner Harbor would literally take days to explore. The weather that weekend was just about perfect. Baltimore An aft view of the USS Constellation docked in Inner Harbor Baltimore The US Army was recruiting at Inner Harbor that weekend. Who knew the Army had boats?? Baltimore The WW II submarine, USS Torsk, is docked in Baltimore's Inner Harbor as a static display. Baltimore Inner Harbor is also home to the Maryland Science Center. Baltimore The old power plant building at Inner Harbor now houses Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Hard Rock Cafe, Gold's Gym, and a host of other businesses. Baltimore There are a nearly infinite number of stores and shops to visit at Inner Harbor. I know - I think we hit them all! Baltimore Baltimore's Convention Center is huge! It's a short walk from Inner Harbor, and just across the street from the light rail system. Baltimore The Bromo-Seltzer Clock Tower is a well-known sight in Baltimore. Baltimore Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles, is also walking distance to Inner Harbor. Baltimore The Cannon Ball Drop Tower is a famous Baltimore landmark. Baltimore Baltimore's Light Rail System is fast, frequent, clean, and affordable. In short, it's everything public transportation should be. Hospitality Room Team Tohoku posted this banner welcoming all to the Hospitality Room. Hospitality Room Andy anderson and Al Forbes checking results of the 7th race ... ummm ... or something. Hospitality Room Absolutely no one enjoyed the reunion more than these three native Misawans who worked in the mess hall on Security Hill in the 1960's! Hospitality Room Tom Ryan clowning around with a couple of the crab hats. Hospitality Room Tim Dech and John Enstrom get to know Barbara Cahall, a Misawa veteran from the mid-1970's. Hospitality Room Caught in a close cluster are (L-R) Bill Doolittle, Wayne Babb, Helen Henderson, Dutch Wiest, and Ben Whitten. Hospitality Room Bill Doolittle, Bill Ratliff, and JJ Johnson pose for posterity. Hospitality Room Jerry Eastep and Bill Doolittle pose in front of the Trick Quilt that became a new Reunion Tradition this year. Hospitality Room Team Tohoku provided each attendee with an impressive "Goody Bag" containing information, maps, sample Baltimore products, a visor, origami, and several edibles ... just to name a few of the items! Hospitality Room The Baltimore Reunion Coffee Mug found in each bag made a perfect keepsake. Hospitality Room With nearly 200 attendees, you know preparing all these bags had to be a major production! Hospitality Room Helen Henderson under attack by a pair of Baltimore crab hats! Hospitality Room The Hospitality Room was the place to spend time getting to know fellow members, new and old. Hospitality Room It was interesting to eavesdrop as you passed by some of these tables; more tall tales and fibs than you could shake a stick at, but it was all in good fun. Hospitality Room Helen and Randy Frazier share a giggle. Hospitality Room More Hospitality Room conversations backdropped by part of the Raffle Table. Hospitality Room As I climbed on a chair to take this shot, (L-R) Maureen Goldberg, Ed Staal and Danny Hartnett began yelling, "Don't jump - don't jump!" Hospitality Room The Chow Hall girls were never without those huge smiles, bless their hearts! Hospitality Room That's JJ Johnson with his back to the camera and, considering the number of empties on the table, I'm guessing Wayne Babb is reluctant to share his Kirin. Hospitality Room Members brought scrapbooks and photo albums to share with others, and these were a major focus of many groups like this. Hospitality Room Little wonder they're both smiling - look at all those empties! Hospitality Room Jerry Reisinger (L) and Denny Arnold (R) share a memory or two. Hospitality Room JJ Johnson (L) and Dave Tucker (R) together again. Hospitality Room JJ Johnson (L) and Mark Crooks (R) pose in front of the Trick Quilt. Hospitality Room You can just tell from the expression on the faces of B.K. Kelley (L) and Wayne Babb (R) that the subject of this conversation is classified ... or, at the very least, unprintable. Hospitality Room Lydia Crooks (L) and Helen Henderson (R) share what is obviously a moment of major revelation! Hospitality Room BJ Cook (R) apparently intended to make an attitude adjustment on Oly Harrison (R) using a walking stick. Oly doesn't appear too worried, does he? Hospitality Room Here's a face you saw often at the reunion. Mike Porta was one of those "behind the scenes" guys who quietly kept the reunion gears turning smoothly. Hospitality Room Was it just me, or did these three spend a lot of time together?? (L-R) Bill Ratliff, Jim Willis, Bill Doolittle. Hospitality Room Roberta Whitten (L) finds it difficult to explain to Joyce Godfrey (R) just how good that first gulp from a cold Kirin really tastes! Hospitality Room A couple of musician friends dropped by to join Tom Ryan in a little impromptu pickin' & grinnin'. Collectively, they turned out some excellent sounds! Hospitality Room While listening to Tom and his friends, Tim Dech knocked out this sketch! Amazing talent. Hospitality Room Michael Breen looks on as Tom Ryan takes a big bite out of his Oriole Burger. Spit the feathers out, Tom! Hospitality Room Gerald "Sparky" Spaargaren (L) and Dick Baumgartel find some time together in the midst of the crowded Hospitality Room. Hospitality Room It's been a lot of years, but John "Stump" LaMonica (L) and Bob "Skosh" Wynn (R) reunite for a long overdue photo. Hospitality Room We found Jim "Beachball" Willis (L) and Ben Whitten (R) - where else? - behind the bar in the Hospitality Room. Hospitality Room Tom Ryan and JJ Johnson share the same birthday: June 15, 1943! Hospitality Room Tres Amigos (L-R) John Enstrom, Oly Harrison, and Tim Dech. Duck Rides Here's one of the early groups to ride the WW II Amphibious Ducks - aka Duck Rides. The Ducks are a major Baltimore attraction Duck Rides View inside a duck from behind the operator. Traffic jam ahead? No problem ... just head for the water! Duck Rides Yet another group of Misawans that rode the Baltimore Ducks. Quack! Kaufmann's Following the Duck Rides, the "Quacker Chorus" tunes up for a concert at Kaufmann's Restaurant prior to a crab feast. Kaufmann's Bish and Ryan (R) look on as Oly Harrison (L) hits stride feasting on crabs. Kaufmann's Sparky Spaargaren is not about to let a little leak dampen his crab feast! Wednesday was about the only serious rain we saw during the reunion. Light Rail Baltimore's light rail was the only way to travel. But, the ticket machine was less than intuitive and, with a long line of Misawans, Dutch helps expedite the process. Light Rail We got our tickets and we're ready to roll. All we need now is a train! Light Rail "Ummm ... Iron horse come!" Lee Hansel "reads the rail" to determine how long our wait will be. Light Rail We're finally onboard and enroute. Our folks managed to have fun just about anywhere. Friday on "Da Bus" Friday's outing was a bus trip to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and NSA. We split into 2 groups, each with its own bus. NASA/Goddard Jim Willis contemplates what it might take to transform this thing into a decent still. NASA/Goddard This is definitely the biggest centrifuge I've ever seen. It is used to test equipment, but not used for humans. NASA/Goddard A top-loading thermal vacuum chamber used to simulate the environment that a satellite would experience. This baby literally sucks! NASA/Goddard Terra Satellite Control Room where project status and progress are constantly monitored. NASA/Goddard Denny Arnold's son, Nicklaus, tries working the fuse box on a mock-up of a satellite training module while wearing an astronaut's glove. NASA/Goddard Alice Kaus makes an out-of-this-world fashion statement with her new astronaut suit! NSA Crypto Museum The next stop was NSA and the National Cryptologic Museum, located next to Vigilance Park. NSA Crypto Museum "They Served in Silence" NSA Crypto Museum National Security Agency's Hall of Honor. NSA Crypto Museum This Hammarlund SP-600 receiver is the only piece of gear I spotted in the museum that was used during my USAFSS days. NSA Crypto Museum WW II Japanese crypto equipment. NSA Crypto Museum WW II German crypto equipment. NSA Vigilance Park Replica of the RC-130A, tail number 60528, downed by Soviet MiGs in September 1958. This plane is the centerpiece of Vigilance Park which opened in 1997. NSA Vigilance Park Army RU-8D "Seminole" that was dedicated to Vigilance Park in 1998. NSA Vigilance Park The Navy EA-3B Skywarrior display became the most recent addition to Vigilance Park in 2004. Camden Yards Saturday's outing was a private tour of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in downtown Baltimore. Thanks, Dennis! Camden Yards George Herman "Babe" Ruth was born and raised just a few blocks from Camden Yards! Camden Yards Jeannette Wiest and Roberta Whitten wait patiently for the tour to begin. Camden Yards Our guide (black shirt) gives our group the inside scoop on the history of Camden Yards before we begin the tour. Camden Yards A great view of the ball diamond from the press box behind home plate. Beware of foul balls that clear that safety net! Camden Yards The Baltimore Oriole's dugout. Not much tobacco juice on the concrete anymore ... mostly bubble gum nowadays. Washington, DC Dennis and Julie Harlach headed a Sunday tour of Washington, DC sights. Seen here is the Capitol Building. Washington, DC One of the must-see attractions is the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. Washington, DC Walking among these soldiers of the Korean War Memorial gives one an eerie feeling. Washington, DC A visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery is a sobering experience. Friday Evening Friday evening is always Raffle Night. Here's a shot of the Raffle Table as it was beginning to accumulate a few prizes. Friday Evening Just a few of the really great donations made by our members to the Raffle Table. Tanuki-chan is now a Raffle Night Regular. Friday Evening Babb's artwork and the Hachinohe Horse are always high on wish lists. I was happy to win the Victory at Sea Series donated by the Harlachs. Friday Evening Here's a partial panorama of the group on Raffle Night. Even during the Raffle, there was a lot of social interaction. Friday Evening Rick "Jeep" Robinson provides entertainment for the Friday crowd. If that weren't enough, he publicly proposed marriage to Mary-Jo Smith! Thank God, she said YES (whew!). Friday Evening The Exotic Shirt Contest always precedes the Raffle, and these were our Judgettes: (L-R) Eileen Johnson, Anne Willis, & Lydia Crooks. Friday Evening Just a few of the Exotic Shirt Contestants. Oly Harrison's monochromatic shirt just wasn't outrageous enough to qualify. :) Friday Evening Stil more Exotic Shirt Contestants seeking the coveted "Ugliest Shirt" title. Friday Evening A closer look at some of those "exotic" shirts. Friday Evening Jerry Reisinger shows off his entry, and -NO - Jerry was NOT wearing a bikini! Friday Evening Carson Schnell's tee shirt speaks volumes about "crippies". Friday Evening Tom Ryan MC'd the event, so didn't compete - but, he shows off his shirt anyway. I don't know about the "Fast" part, but "old" and "white" seem to fit. Friday Evening Everyone (including Chief Babb) listened intently, waiting patiently for their raffle ticket to be pulled. Friday Evening Ronn Barnett joins several of the Boone Family at their table during the Raffle. Friday Evening Dubbed, "My Brother - From Another Mother", this pic shows Oly Harrision (L) and Tom Ryan (R) parked together at the Raffle. Friday Evening More Raffle Landscape: JJ Johnson (L) and Max Matthews (R) seen sharing a serious moment. Friday Evening Wayne Babb poses with Tanuki-san, his raffle prize, while Eileen Johnson and John Godfrey look on. Friday Evening As the Raffle progresses, John "Stump" LaMonica (L) and Bob Haley (R) find plenty to talk about. Friday Evening The younger set also enjoyed Raffle Night: (L-R) Mitch Montez, Carley Arnold and Nicklaus Arnold. Friday Evening A great smile by Sander Lippe sporting his "Misawa Pioneer" hat. Friday Evening Two more great smiles by Ken Weston (L) and Joe B. Jones (R). Makes you wonder what they're up to! Friday Evening Nicklaus Arnold (L) sure doesn't care much for his dad, Denny, does he? Friday Evening I can't remember exactly why now, but (L-R) Joe B. Jones, Oly Harrison and Jerry Reisinger were on stage. Friday Evening Team Tohoku Chief, Lydia Crooks, takes charge at the microphone during the evening. Friday Evening See here are a few of the recipients of the Team Tohoku Awards presented by Tim Dech: (L-R) George Logan, Dutch Wiest, Ben Whitten, Steve Brill, Jim Kaus, and Tom Ryan (hidden). Saturday Evening Saturday evening is set aside for the Banquet, and this chocolate cake was magnificently decorated. Saturday Evening Each of the Banquet tables had centerpieces surrounded by a variety of origami. Saturday Evening The KIA/MIA Table was set directly in front of the podium in remembrance of and as a tribute to veterans killed or missing in action. Saturday Evening (L-R) Oly Harrison, Jerry Mueller, and Tim Dech share a table during the Saturday Banquet. Saturday Evening Tom Ryan holds an American flag that George Logan arranged to have flown over Misawa AB earlier this year. It was a surprise to the group. Saturday Evening Paul Kupras (L) and Oly Harrison have lots to smile about. They met at last year's reunion in Colorado Springs for the first time since 1961, and are glad to cross paths again this year. Saturday Evening (L-R) Dave Ruffin, Dennis Harlach, and Jack McCombs smile for the photog on Banquet Night. Saturday Evening (L-R) John Dudley joins Dennis Harlach and Dave Ruffin for this shot. Saturday Evening As the night progressed (regressed?), we again find Joyce clowning around - this time with Julie Harlach - as they dance with guitar cases! Another drink, ladies?? Faces Barb Cahall Faces Jeanie & Carson Schnell Faces Danny Hartnett Faces Diane & Gerald Spaargaren Faces Diane & Larry Tart Faces Dick & Clarene Baumgartel Faces Doris Keeton Faces Ed & Gloria White Faces Emily & Sander Lippe Faces George & Sarah Logan, Irene & Bob Haley Faces Harold & Linda Hollingshed Faces Helene Quevedo Faces Helen Henderson, Ken Weston Faces Jane & Ken Love Faces Caitlyn Martin Faces Jim & Alice Kaus Faces Jim & Pat Carter Faces Joann & Dan Dacunha, Andy & Lynn Anderson Faces John & Jody LaMonica Faces John Bracali, Jim Heckathorn Faces John Speece Faces Joyce & John Godfrey Faces Juanita & Art Stenson Faces Judy & Dick MacWilliams Faces Julie & Dennis Harlach Faces Karen & Bob Wiltuck Faces Lee & Kay Rousselle Faces Linda & Jim Boone Faces Jim & Pat Carter Faces Linda & Joe B. Jones Faces Linda & Lee Carpenter Faces Woody & Kimi Wilson Faces Lydia, Mark, & Alex Crooks Faces Mary-Jo Smith & Rick Robinson Faces Maureen & Bill Ratliff Faces Maureen Goldberg Faces Mercy & Mike Porta Faces Michael Breen & Kathy St. Jean Faces Alex Crooks, Rebecca Donnay Faces Rene & Bob Bergeron Faces Ron Swindle Faces Tom Ryan Faces Sharon & Chuck Stancil Faces Skip Wright Faces Steve Brill Faces Sue & Jay Emmer Faces Tim Dech Faces Tomi & BJ Cook Faces Allen and Jane Day Faces Ann and Jim Willis Group Shots "Deuce on the Loose". All T2 folks from the early 1970's: (L-R) Helene & Ube Quevedo, Shirley & B.K. Kelley, Lee & Bobbie Hansel, Jane & Ken Love, Nancy & Gene Flint. Group Shots "Dawg Pack". This cluster of T4 vets finds cool relief under this small tree. (L-R) Barb Cahall, Randy Frazier, Nick Pacura, Maureen Goldberg, Doris Keeton Group Shots (L-R) Jeannette Wiest, Roberta Whitten, & Linda Jones take a break at Inner Harbor Group Shots (L-R) Dutch Wiest, Linda & Joe B. Jones, Jeannette Wiest, Roberta & Ben Whitten Group Shots T4 Trickmates (L-R) Michael Breen, Randy Frazier, Lydia Crooks, Doris Keeton, Barb Cahall, Nick Pacura Group Shots T1 Trickmates from the late 50's (L-R) Joe Dowd, Lee Carpenter, Bob Wynn, Denny Arnold, John LaMonica, BJ Cook, Dick MacWilliams, Allen Day, Jake Reisinger. Group Shots T1 Spouses (L-R) Judy MacWilliams, Jody LaMonica, Anne Wynn, Linda Carpenter, Jayne Day, Jeanie Schnell Group Shots Another shot of T1 Trickmates (L-R) Bob Wynn, John LaMonica, Dick MacWilliams, Lee Carpenter, and Allen Day Group Shots Misawa Project, Inc.'s First Board of Directors (L-R) Vice Pres. Bill Doolittle, Secretary Helen Henderson, Treasurer Ben Whitten, Director Wayne Babb, President Tom Ryan, Director Dutch Wiest Roll Call Photos 2007 Baltimore, Vets Roll Call Roll Call Photos 2007 Baltimore, Partners Roll Call

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