Reunion

Your 2010 Reunion Committee Members

Left-Right: Gil Jennings, Frank Butler, Dave Boyd, Cliff Jensen, Bob Parmenter, Denny Phillips,
Joe Berlotti, Barny Barnhart, Chip Pudims, LD Bokovoy, Rick Weiner, Bill Schmeiding, Dickie
Upton, Ed Schuppenhauer, Bill Love, Pat Barrett, Hank Smith. (Not Shown- Richard Ertz).

Al (Chip) Pudims, Rick Weiner Marrianne Heilig (Rio
Rep), Bob Parmenter, LD Bokovoy and Cliff Jensen

Thanks for a wonderful 5 days, or as Bob Hope
used to say "Thanks for the memories"
SJ (Rick Weiner)

Thanks-----great time had by all-----CJ (Celester)
Johnson

Cliff, It was awesome, had a wonderful time.
John Mtchell

Cliffy, Sorry I did'nt get a chance to say
Sawadee 2 U, but U were 2 busy getting kudos,
so just so U know here R mine, kudo, kudo,
kudo & kudo. I will tell U that even though I
had'nt flown in over 20 yearts & don't intend to
fly for another 20, the time that I had with all my
fellow Batcats (including U'n)was fantastic, It
was 1 one the best times that I have had in my
entire life & I will have great memories to last
me the rest of my time on this planet. I did think
how-ever I had never been involved before
with this many old ugly people, but such is
life.................U did good...Take care & enjoy
life..............Mike Rubin

Great Job my friend!!!!!!! Brothers always
Charlie Dochenetz

Cliff and Dennis,
Thank you both and everyone one else for a
great, wonderful 553rd 1st Wave Reunion.
Dennis thank you for the 553rd coffee mugs, I'm
waiting for the coffee to brew so I can have my
first cup out of one. Thank you. You guys did a
great and fantastic job. Give yourselves a pat
on the back.
Take care, Ed Richey

Cliffy;
I just want to get in the long line of brothers
who owe you a vote of graditude. I can only
explain my time with "The First Wavers" like
this... Every friggin time I start to talk about my
week or even think about it, I start crying. Great
job and I love you man...
Dicke

Morning Cliff,
I just want to thank you and everyone of the
committee for putting on such a great event.
Please pass this on to everyone else. It was like I
lost forty years off my life and I honestly had more
energy during my week in Vegas. I just kept going
and going like the energizer bunny. Once you had a
chance to catch your breath and start thinking about
the next one if you guys need help in anything and
you think I can assist you from here in Maine
please let me know. I'll be more than happy to help
in any way. I hope you think about doing one again
in 2012 back in Vegas. I have to tell you when our
visit first started my wife said that now that we've
done Vegas we don't have to go back and the next
reunion should be on the east coast. Well by the
time the reunion was ending she said she hoped it
would be back in Vegas since we both had the
times of our lives. I honestly can't thank all of you
guys enough. It was so great everyone again. It's
only my first full day back home and I've already
started saving up for my next reunion with all you
guys.. Just to let you know when I woke up this
morning it was 34 degrees here and I'm freezing.
I've said enough for now so again THANKS AGAIN
FOR EVERYTHING YOU GUYS DID TO PULL THIS
OFF I'll never forget it. MAC (Bob MacFarland)

Cliff, You guys done good!!!! Pics look great and I
can tell everyone had a ball. I spotted T. Inez and
he hasn't changed a bit. Next time I'll be there!
Meantime, the Doc says I'm going to live, ie, tests I
had to do are going fine. Best, Jim Golden

It was a great reunion...be proud of yourself!!!!!!!!!!
Observer One Russ Niewold

Round trip airfare & suite at Rio? $539. Tour of
Nellis Airforce Bace & lunch @ the officer's club?
$25. Penn & Teller? comped. Getting to spend
quality time with the heros of the 1st Wave
"Batcats" of the 553rd Recon
Wing?........PRICELESS! Thanks guys. Love you
brother. Russ Jensen

Cliff,
Hey guy, I am so very pleased that you
brought us all together. We couldn't have
done it without YOU, my brother!!
I can't wait to get the DVD of the Reunion.
There was so much emotion there.....so much
need for us all to get back ..."together again,"
as LD would say.
I am telling you that near the end of the
program when you were explaining about
"The Batcats" ....."Held the Wall," that brought
out so much emotion and brought us all, both
aircrew and our wonderful maintenance guys
together, that someone, YOU, told the entire
group at the banquet, that "we held the wall."
I don't think there was a dry eye in the entire
banquet room !!! This all done in such a way
that the 1st Wave 553rd Recon Wing is now
together and is one......not two, or more
separate divisions. As we know, it was a
team effort and it took all of the members to
"hold the wall."
I just can't wait to see what's on that video
tape that the photographer recorded.
Looking forward to staying in touch with you
all and so many more from our great
BATCATS !! Yes, the Batcats did "hold the
wall !! Hank Smith
PS to Denny & Bob - You two have worked
together so well, in a very competent way,
and exhibit the catilist that was necessary to
bring this all off and together, most
competently. Also, the emotion that you two
provided to the audience was absolutely from
your hearts too. Great job guys !!
Keep me in the loop if you can. Sawadee
Remember, the East Coast Batcat Barracks is
available for you guys too !!

Hey “middle child”, you and the rest of “our
team” did an EXCELLENT job!! I don’t know if
I’d of had the stamina to plan and execute
such an event. Thank you for bringing so
many of us back together, for sharing
memories and for providing the venue
allowing us to create new ones. God bless
you my brother and keep flying high!!!!
Jim & Cyndi Satterwhite

Inez Townsend Parmenter Schmieding and Jennings

Cliff: U da man bro! I want to thank: Gil, Frank, Dave, Bob,
Denny, Joe, Barry, Chip, LD, Rick, Bill Schmeiding, Dickie, Ed,
Bill Love,Pat, Hank and Richard. You gents were and are the
engine that make these things happen. Faces change, hearts
rarely do. Eva and Iexperienced more than 40 years of heart!
It was terrific. Please excuse the following expression (used
when the Thud guys completed their 100th mission) ...it was
SH-T HOT!! I,m looking forward to the next one and hope to
help you in anyway I can. Please pass my respects to all. God
Bless and God's Speed. Cheers, Mike Damiano

Cliff:
A heartfelt thank you to you and the reunion
committee for all your hard work in putting together
a most successful gathering. The banquet was
emotional, to say the least, and brought back
memories I’d long since forgotten were there.
Already looking forward to the next one if you guys
are up to it. Thanks again for the opportunity to
remember that we did make a difference and we
did save lives.
All the best,
Bill Ormond

Cliff - Thanks again for a wonderful show.   Enjoyed
seeing our old friends and reliving so many experiences.
For a short time we were 20 again!
Thanks again Cliff.     You did a wonderful job!!      Look
forward to the next one.   Robin "Woody" Stern

Love Malone Lowe Pera Peppenger and DeGroff

Hi Bud,
Bravo and congratulations. I heard nothing but praise about the
banquet. I only wish I could have been there to share it with my
brothers. I will look forward to the encore, whenever or
wherever that is? I don't know what the future holds for us, but
I will commit to do whatever I can to meet with our buddies all
over the country and report back to you to keep the embers of
our reunion alive and burning.
Along with my congratulations, I offer my personal thanks for all
you have done to make this happen. I know others played
major roles, but without your passion, dedication and drive, it
would not have been possible. Other special thanks go to
Denny, Bob, your lovely wife Chris and of course Maryanne,
among others. I apologize if I left anyone out.
I will also keep in my thoughts and prayers those who we have
not located and our brothers, who for one reason or another
were unable to share in the moment.
Love and peace, Chip Pudims

1st. Wave Batcat Runion Completed 10/04/10 to 10/07/10

Cliff:
I can't properly put into words how I feel about seeing all of
you guys and the wonderful effort of all the guys on the
committee to put together one of the most memorable times
i've ever had. Even tho we are all older and our memory isn't
as sharp as it once was, when we got together it seemed like
time reversed itself. I was brought to tears on several
occaisions, especially at the banquet. Even my wife had
tears,she thot our mascot, snoopy, was great. I know she had
as much fun talking with the guys as I did. We look forward to
the next reunion wherevever it may be, it's not the place, it's
the people. Again, a BIG thanks to all of you
Until that time, my brothers Tom Bostock

Cliff, the reunion could not have been better! Maybe, if Bob
Hope and Raquel could have time-warped back to 1967-68
and been there, but other than that, it was just the best it
even more of our fellow veterans and renew those
friendships. I have already started my search. Having 5 of
crew #35 there plus a couple of you that flew frequently with
us is a challenge I want to extend to my fellow first wave
Batcats. Let's see how many crew members we can get to
the next reunion!
Roy "RJ" Spencer

Cliff,
Thanks for all the hard work on a great reunion. It was
everything I wanted it to be. By experience I know what you
went through and you couldn't have done a better job. Look
forward to seeing you again in the future and please take
care of yourself. Dale Lautenbach

Cliff,
I want to tell you how much my family and I (especially me), enjoyed your summation speech. To be so gruff at times, you really put out an elegant speech. When you got to us
holding the wall part, my face started leaking. I tried to hide it but looked around and saw many other leaky faces and said to hell with hiding. Whether you know it or not, you
tapped on the area that all of us have kept buried for so long. We were of the era when our countrymen spat on some of us and called some baby killers. That has been hard to
swallow for those forty plus years. No one talked about it. We kept it buried. We see how the country is treating our military personnel now (deservedly so), and feel that we should
also. Brother, Thank you. Gil Jennings

To Cliff,Chris,and the reunion committee....just wanted to
thank all of you for the work put in to make such a fine
reunion possible...WE enjoyed all of the stories and
conversations....I started rembering things I had
forgotten...loved seeing all those smiling faces again....I
know that once I started talking I couldn't stop...special
thanks to Ed Schupp for his call after We got home....once
again thanks for everything...We had a great
time.....Vinnie(MEEK) and Diane Mikos

Mr. Jensen,
Thank you all so much for coming to Nellis; I’m glad you had
a good time. We will look forward to receiving your patch!
Have a great day. Very Respectfully, 2LT Balch

"Proud to be a part of it. Great time Great people old friends
and made new ones. Some live right around the corner. Cliff,
you're the best, Thanks" Frank Kotroba

Cliff: You (we) did it! The Reunion was more than an
event; it was looking at a living photograph album and
having the pictures talk back to us after 42 years! The
tribute to the ground mechanics was heartfelt and I was
glad my wife, son, and several fellow mechanics were
there to share in the celebration. Many BatCats voiced
our continued mission-to keep searching for more 1st
Wavers and perhaps meet (again) in Las Vegas in the
future: Reunion 553rd Part 2.0-what a concept!
Just send up the Bat Signal and we’ll be there,
Bob Langenhan

Bob MacFarland's tattoo

Just wanted to say thanks for all your hard work making
the reunion so special. I will continue to look for any
updates about the BatCats. Las Vegas was the perfect
venue for the reunion. Thanks again. Bob Levy

Sawadee Denny:
Just a short note to say three things: (1) How great it was to
see you again at the reunion and how great you were in all
the things you did including your comments at the banquet;
(2) I trust you arrived home safely in CA; and (3) How do I
buy more of the Baccat mugs you were so gracious to
supply each of us with at the banquet?
I'm in the process of preparing a CD of all of the pictures I
took at the Reunion . Would you like a copy? If so, please
forward me a copy of your mailing address. Frickie (Frank
Butler)

Just a quick note of my own...I wanted everyone to know
how much I enjoyed meeting you all..I can't tell you how
impressed I was by the love and brotherhood I witnessed
during this reunion..I've come to think of Batcats as family
and look forward to seeing everyone again..you are all
special people and we wives are lucky to be a part of your
family..Take care of each other and may God Bless you
all..Until that time.....Chris Jensen

42 years ago, they flew hundreds of mission over North
Vietnam that were so secret, they were only declassified 3-4
years ago. They never got the appreciation they deserved.
But finally, the "Batcats" of the 553rd Recon Wing had the
opportunity to come together and share the fellowship &
camaraderie they had all those years ago in South East
Asia. Congratulations Cliff, my brother on a great reunion!!!
Russ Jensen

HI Marianne
You and the Rio Hotel could not have been better. Our 553rd
Recon Wing Reunion was a total success and loved by all in
attendance. That goes especially for Bob, Cliff, and I. You
and yours were so professional it made the 3 of us look like
geniuses. It was the first time for the 3 of us working together
on a project this huge. It would have been a nightmare if it
wasn't for you.
All the Batcats raved about how nice everyone is at the Rio.
Behind the scenes action by your staff was perfect. Our
room, the AV, the setup, and especially not only the meal but
the service and presentation was right on.
I am married to an Executive Director who puts on huge
Tradeshows and events like we had several times a year.
She was amazed and keep poking me with comments of how
great you and yours were. Those thoughtful and special
touches by the Rio were everywhere.
Cliff and I will be in on the planning of the next few reunions
to come through 2017. The 50th in '17 will be a big one. I
would have all of them in Vegas if it was my choice, but I will
be pressing for Vegas in 17 for sure. We will tie it in with the
Nellis Air Show in November. I think after a couple in boring
places like Orlando, Dayton, and the exciting Wichita they
will be pleading for Vegas and the Rio again.
Again, my heartfelt gratitude for all you did for us. You are an
official Batkitten and a member of an elite bunch of people
that really did make a difference in a troubled time in our
history.
By the way, I am an annual attendee of the PPAI Show in
January. I will be staying at the Rio from now on. They can
keep the Mandalay Bay. I prefer the Rio from now on.
Again, be proud. You were amazing.
Cheers Dennis

Hi Marianne,
I just wanted to take a minute to tell you personally how
impressed I was with everything the RIO (you) did to help our
reunion be a huge success. Over the past thirty or so years,
my career has taken me to many major hotels for various
conventions, sales kick off meetings, trade shows, etc.
Obviously the 553rd Recon Wing is not a major corporation
with lots of money for such events, but I have to tell you that
our reunion felt just as big, just as well financed, just as
important to the hotel as any I've ever attended. The food,
along my thanks and sincere gratitude to everyone that
helped you make this a truly spectacular event.
Warmest regards,
Bob Malone 1st Wave BatCat

Our Officers Spencer Ormond Lazaroff Niewold and Damiano

My life has been threatened by
numerous Batcats if I did not post this.
Thank you Bob. Sorry it took 40+ years
to fully appreciate our ground guys.

You Don’t Know Cliff -A Poem

He’s walked hotel lobbies by day and by night,
Deafened ballroom walls with his microphone might,
He’ll tell you a story that will sometimes sound stiff,
And if you know not of whom I speak, you don’t know Cliff.

He’s donated his time to the 553rd cause,
The BatCats are now together and showing their claws,
He’s fielded our questions in merely a jiff,
But if you haven’t his phone number, you don’t know Cliff.

He shares photos of his BatCat brothers both east and west,
No landscapes- just some military men who served with the best,
Whether he lights up a room or lights up a cigarette –it makes no diff,
So if you have to ask, “Who is he?”- you don’t know Cliff.

Let loose the thunder of his quotes and his thought,
Starbucks is solvent thanks to the coffee he has bought,
Last year the thought of a Reunion started with the word “IF”,
Now that its history and if you still have to ask, you don’t know Cliff.

He has brought together the ground troops and the fly boys,
We have shared good times and spoke of our toys,
Who thought I’d live to see the day fish would jump into a skiff,
If you waited more than 42 years, you don’t know Cliff.

I spoke of his deeds and his devotion to duty,
His family and friends are his greatest security,
His wit and his stare would make a baseball batter whiff,
I am not a Mormon, but at least I know Cliff.

Bob Langenhan, Oct. 13, 2010

Schmeiding Phillips Upton Townsend and Jensen

Hey Cliff,
I want to thank you again for all you and your "Team"
did for us this past year, and last week. It was a
success in every way as far as I'm concerned!
I also want to thank you for keeping my song secret
untill the banquet night. I hope everyone now
understands why I wanted to debut it to them at the
banquet. Besides you, only 2 other Batcats had heard
the song before. I mailed one to my crew 33 AC, Jerry
Parshall, because he could not attend the banquet per
cancer surgery scheduled. Also Chip Puddims, before
he had to leave the Rio. He played it in his car out in
the parking lot and came back in to tell me how the
song touched him! We both shed tears.
I want to thank everyone for the standing ovation, even
though the soundman did not play my backup music
loud enough and my mike kept over-modulating. I
have already received phone calls and notes in the
mail telling me how the song affected them and
expressed the emotion, honor and pride I intended the
song to do. I'm glad it was accepted so well and I hope
the BATCATS will play it often. Love you BATCATS
Gary D. Lowe

Thanks for a great time.
Mark and Jane Mason

Mink Brayer Jensen Satterwhite ans Marquez

Wanted to thank u 4 the excellent time. Mona & I
thouroghly enjoyed our selves. It was great to see "T'
and Bill Love from crew #38. Any body passing thru is
more than welcome to stop by. Again, thanx for a
memorable time, Bob Harper

wow-- reunion was great - 5 guys from my crew...
GREAT!! Also great to meet all those other people -
Cliff Thanks a ton!!............Tom Pera

Hear what Denny says about the Reunion.
Play the audio below

Batcat Interviews

I want to thank you and everyone involved in the reunion, it is something I will
never forget and very happy I got off my ass and made the commitment. I know
hours, days and weeks went into the planning. I went on my merry way for 40
plus years thinking about the 553rd but not knowing where anyone was and how
they were doing. It was your effort that made the difference and made me
embrace the bond that can never be taken away! Thank you Cliff and everyone
who made this happen.
Mike Wright

Cliff,
Sounds like the reunion was great. sorry I could not make it but
maybe 2012. thanks. Leaf Wanless

Spencer Ormond Lazeroff Niewold and Damiano

Our Officers

Sent to Col. Gus Weiser, signed by all reunion Batcats

More Brotherhood Time

Cliff, sorry it as taken me so long to write this , the
reunion was just great. I have put small type of things
together and know how much work goes into those.So
I know that you and your team put countless hours
into it, and it paid off. It was great to see guys that I
had seen in 40 some years and find out what they
ended up doing after leaving the USAF. Your speech
about holding the wall did bring tears to this old man
and made me proud to be part of the Batcats even
more. Again thanks for all the hard work you guys did
and hope to see you at the next one if not sooner.
Bob Mansfield/ OMS A/C 497

Last Updated: 1/13/12

Nothing will ever replace what you guys
accomplished , or what we have, and will always
have. The reunion was simply the best
organized, best executed, best time anyone could
have with their clothes on. The First Wave will
always be the largest group of Batcats within the
Batcat family. I guess the reunion made me feel
so good that I want to share everything Cliff and
the rest of you created with those that followed.
Back in 1967-68 we shared collectively what the
"new guys" experienced one by one, as they
arrived and replaced us. Like Churchill said,
"there is nothing quite as exhilarating as to have
been shot at, and missed." We all shared that,
including the new guys, so I think we need to
keep everything we have going now, and simply
invite them along for the ride! It is just a
suggestion though..I love what we have.
Roy "RJ" Spencer

Cliff,
I want to thank you, your family and the committee for
all the hard work organizing our reunion. It was great
going back forty plus years and seeing each other
again. I also enjoyed meeting new friends from the
flight crews. We all had the same mission, but different
jobs. We were all so busy, there was never time for
interaction between ground and aircrews. The reunion
was a great opportunity to meet the people who flew in
the aircraft we maintained.
It was quite moving to hear the speeches at the
banquet from you and the others thanking the ground
support.
I sat listening and as I flashed back in time, I was
twenty two years old. I was responsible for those
brothers that boarded the aircraft on which I had just
performed a preflight inspection. The line chief
depended on us to perform all required inspections and
maintenance, so that he then could sign off that the
aircraft was airworthy.
I always carried this load on my shoulders until the
aircraft came home safely.
I shed tears listening to you and other crew members
thanking the ground crews for keeping them safe.
We always knew we were appreciated, but never had
anyone stand up and be so outwardly grateful for our
part of the mission.
I am looking forward to the next reunion.
Mission accomplished,
Bucky Whittier
OMS Assistant Crew Chief A/C 484

Cliff,
Lori and I had a tremendous time in Las Vegas
and seeing comrades after 40 years was like
coming home again. Nick Brayer

Cliff, Kay and I had a wonderful time at the reuion,
thanks for all the hardwork Jerry Peppenger

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