Reunion 2000 Key West Florida

The reunion began with a pool side gathering at the Southernmost Hotel and lasted until we closed the Tiki Bar.  Not having enough of either conversation or drinks, we adjourned to a little "alternative life style" bar called "Diner Shores" across the street and partied until around 2:00pm.  Not bad for a bunch of 50 something's. On Sunday, the 8th, we met for breakfast next to the hotel pool, where we talked, swamped war stories, looked at photo albums, and got either acquainted or reacquainted with each other and/or our significant others.  As the morning progressed, we migrated to the pool where we continued to do what we had started the night before.  Drink, laugh, swim and drink and laugh somemore.

Jim "Billy Belly" Powell Performing at the Bull

That evening we dressed up in our best reunion tee shirts and hats and hit Geiger Key Marina/Bar.  Just up the road from the old TAC Site, and home to many memories of our earlier days in Key West.  Several pictures of our old buddies are still posted at the bar.  There we ate, drank and danced to the tunes of the "Blue Byou" duet (their spelling, not mine), and drank and danced some more.  We called it an early night and most of us were actually in bed before midnight.

On Monday the 9th we met out at the TAC Site.  After waiting for the Navy to let us in (some things never change) we finally got in and began the tour.  It was incredible.  The memories of what it was, and the reality of what it looks like now was overpowering.  We actually were persuaded by Jerry to stand one last formation, where we presented Wes, Judy, Jeff and Karen some tokens of our appreciation for everything they did to make the reunion possible.

After being eaten alive from the mosquitoes at the site, we caravanned it to the Naval Air Station, where we took a tour of the base, and visited our old barracks.  Driving around gave us an appreciation of how tough our current "brother's-at-arms" have it, as we saw maids carrying linens in to change the beds.

That evening we did the "Duval Crawl", watched the sunset at Mallory Square, ate dinner, and discovered a little guitar bar, where we proceeded to do what we did the best.

Tuesday, the 10th, was the last day for scheduled activities.  We got up early and had our own private beach party back at the Naval Air Station.  That's right, the Navy has it's own private beach and marina.  Life for our military does seem to have some redeeming qualities.  After spending the day drinking under the Tiki Huts, enjoying BBQ provided by Dale, Jim, Roger and Jeff, we headed back to Key West.

That evening we dressed up in our favorite Hawaiian outfits, and had dinner on the veranda at Kelly's, owned and operated by Kelly McGinnis and her husband.  It was an emotional evening, as we enjoyed good food, cold drinks, and great company.  Wes surprised us all by presenting certificates of appreciation signed by the outgoing Commander of Naval Operations, Key West.  We each had to stand up and say a few words.  Most of us barely got through what we wanted to say through the emotions of the evening.

After dinner, as you can probably guess, we went Duval Crawling again and discovered that the "Blue Byou", who is now the official band of Charlie Battery, was playing at the Bull.  We basically took over the bar and drank and danced until we couldn't anymore.  People were lined up outside of the bar watching what must have been a pretty strange scene.  A bunch of old farts enjoying themselves.  Of course it could also have been the entertainment provided by our own Jim Powell. 

To say that the reunion exceeded our expectations would be an extreme understatement.  It was better than any one of us could have imagined.  Based on everyone's feedback, I think it is safe to say that it will be remembered as an "event of a life time".  However, an event has both a beginning and an end, and I believe that Colorado 2002 will be the continuation of the "process" which began this past summer, in Key West.