On Thursday the 26th of August, the "Texas Tower Association" held it`s first reunion at the Ramada Inn on Sinton Rd, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The following is my description of what took place.
I arrived sometime after 2:00p.m., because of a comedy of errors with respect to transportation snafu`s and my own inability to try to escape paying the tolls on E-470. I really didn`t do this on purpose but it happened, but everything came out in the wash. As I arrived there were a lot of people gathered outside of what turned out to be Ken & Pat Taylor`s suite. I tried to get past the suite, to get rid of my suitcase that resembled a small U-Haul, but to no avail. I was told that people were waiting for me because they had heard that the airlines had lost my luggage in Denver International Airport and wanted to know when I arrived. I put my suitcase in the upright position and went into the room and was checked in within 10 seconds, I had signed the roster and was given my envelope of goodies including discount tickets etc. I went around the room and got a little comfortable, but was a little jiggly with what had happened to me, prior to getting there. I met a lot of people in a very short time and I know some of the peoples names that were there and some others I can`t recall because I don`t have all the lists and I wouldn`t want to miss anyone. However, Ken Taylor was there with his bride Pat. two of the very nicest people I have ever met in my life. When I saw Ken I had a feeling that that was him. He gave me a very warm and friendly greeting, followed by a very kind greeting from his wife Pat. He gave me my hats and all the other things I didn`t get from the front desk. I don`t know if he had a theme going, at this reunion ,when I got there, but if I could have named it, I would have called it " Efficiency ". Shortly after that I got the opportunity to check in and go to my room. It was a great room with all the trimmings including an iron/board, Hair dryer and all the comforts of home. Fifteen minutes later I was back talking with everybody and I`ll tell you what, there wasn`t a grouch in the group. We finally watched some tapes,had some refreshments and went back to our respective rooms to get ready to go on the trip to Cripple Creek. I was too tired to go, being about four hours off schedule, I decided to pass.
The next day we went on a trip that was called the "Mystery" trip, we didn`t realize just how much of a mystery it was until we couldn`t find the leader and I`m sure in every car or truck everybody had an opinion as to which way we should be going. We went to the Olympic Training Village, but it seemed to be closed. Then we went to the Peterson Air and Space Museum. Wow, was that something to see. As we walked in, the most prominent exhibit was the model of the Texas Tower. Len Wallace, the assistant Curator treated us like royalty and had Mae Robertson Farrow and I autograph the picture of my Dad and the picture of her and her family and designating who was who, with an arrow. He also opened the RC-121-D- Super Connie so we could go in and take pictures and then reopened it to help me find my lens cap for my camera, but to no avail. Electronic gadget to take pictures in a group, which we all forgot to do. Mr. Wallace is one of the best hosts you`ll ever come across in any museum!
Later we met for a meeting and I was very fortunate and very proud and honored to be elected President of the "Texas Tower Association". I thank each and every one of you for your support and I will do my very best to make this years business go very smooth and have a great reunion at Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
We returned and went to the Flying W Ranch and had an absolute ball with there comedy, their music and their food. Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves. When they said they could feed everybody, about 1400 people, in about 20 minutes, they weren`t to far off. Everyone was taking pictures and walking around looking in the different stores and just browsing. The ladies and the gents were retelling stories and renewing old friendships. It seemed to me, that this might be the best reunion, on the planet, everybody seemed to really be getting along and it seemed that everybody was happy they came.
Saturday, we were on our own and everyone seemed to have a place to go or two or three. We were told to be at the Lobby at 17:45 hrs to prepare for the Memorial Service and Banquet. Everybody was on time and dressed to the hills. Every hair in place, gig lines straight as could be,ties knotted in the military fashion, shoes polished and pants creased. Of course the Ladies, as usual, were at their very best and a beautiful group they were. We were ready for anything, until the memorial service started with their twenty-one gun salute in front of the motel. The Honor Guard set up across from the front at an angle and the riflers at another angle facing the "Tower Men & Women". They raised their rifles and shot off one salute each, reloaded and shot off another salute and then reloaded and shot off one more salute to make it a twenty-one gun salute and it was moving to say the least.
We then went into the banquet room and there the Honor Guard set up a four person Flag and Rifle bearing Guard. The rest of the Honor Guard was holding a flag open with five troops on each side keeping it tight, throughout the ceremony. The Chaplain opened the Service and a Bagpipe Grenadier came just a step into the room from the doorway and played "Amazing Grace", backed up, and disappeared. Chaplain Tony gave a very moving testimony and had everybody in that banquet hall riveted to the podium. He was very much in tune with what was going on, especially because he had not known about it, before he was asked to do it. He read up on it and rearranged his schedule, because he was so moved, by this whole tragedy. He didn`t flinch on even one name. He was an absolutely perfect Chaplain, you couldn`t have scripted for a better or more honorable and sincere gentleman. After he gave his address, he called off the names, of the 32 men who were killed on the three Towers. As he did in my case, He called off the name Mr. David W. Abbott. I stood up and walked over to the table, where there had been placed a large candle and 32 other red, white and blue candles, all smaller than the first one that was lit, for all of our "Towermates" who have died in the past from all causes. I lit my Father`s candle and then came back to my table. He proceeded to call the other 31 names and a mixture of troops and Ladies did the honors of lighting the candles and a great job they did. I could see on their faces, the inner emotions that were coming out. I know from a few of the ladies, who were there, that it was in their thoughts, that there but for the grace of God, would have been their husbands candle and flag. Then it was time to present the flags, to all the families and friends gathered. It was decided just like at the Memorial Service, out at the wreck that every family, would be represented, by someone to stand in their stead. The first name called was Mae Robertson Farrow. Mae stood up with her granddaughter Harmony in her left arm. Her Daughter-in-law Jessica Farrow, wife of Airman Christian Farrow and herself a Airman/1class did the slow cadence to the flag she was to present to her Mother-in-law. She continued now to her Mother-in-laws position and stood very still reciting the words "The President" etc. and as she did her little Daughter Harmony reached over to her white gloves and touching them said, "Mommy ?" Jessica didn`t waver or flinch and Harmony did it exactly the same way a second time and Jessica didn`t flinch. Continuing to do her piece, Jessica didn`t expect Harmony to softly put her hand on her Mothers cheek and say one more time, "Mommy ?" Jessica finished her piece and slowly did a hand salute to Mae and a very slow about face and slow cadence back for another flag to present to someone else. This ended up with my Fathers name being called and I stood silent and still. I watched a very sharp looking E-nine Sergeant, come over to me and present to my family through me, his flag. Needless to say, I was deeply honored to receive this flag for my Mom of 90 years old. My emotions were so welled up I just thanked him in the most whispered voice. He said in a whisper, "Your welcome".
Mae Farrow gave a very emotional speech and presented Ken Taylor with a much deserved plaque. She also thanked everyone for what they had done, for her and all the families. When she finished, Rose Higgins talked about her Dad, Colonel William Higgins and read a special poem for the wives that she had written for this occasion. It was wonderful and so was her family, she brought with her.
It was my turn to speak but following these two ladies was not going to be easy. I could only express my gratitude to Ken and Pat and the troops and their wives, for all they had done. If I remember correctly I especially complemented them on their "hearts" and that I especially thought of this organization as having "Heart". When I got back to my table Mae Farrow and I hugged for what seemed like two minutes just sobbing in each others arms. I had seen Mae shortly after her Dad, Edward T. Robertson was killed with my Dad in 1961. She being seven, I think and I being 21 at the time. I visited all the families around Boston at that time. I being station at Otis and assigned to the 551st Supply Squadron, POL Section as a Fuel Supply Specialist.
Ceremonies over, we all went across the hall to dance and have a couple of cocktails and talk about old times. Arnold Gilman and I toasted a mutual friend we knew 40 years ago who is now deceased but we had fond memories of by the name of Sergeant "Lash" Larouix.
A special guest of Honor was Colonel Kallman`s wife. He did an awful lot for the Texas Towers. Mrs. Kallman lit the first candle that represented all the men who have died of all causes.
Before ending this very long message, I would be remised if I didn`t say that everyone that attended this reunion, was very impressed, by all the work that had been done, by all the people who were responsible. The words "Thank You" seem to be not enough, so how about a very special "Thank You" to you all.
To the two people who started this quest, Pat & Ken Taylor. You have gone beyond the call of duty. You have made all this possible. You have shown that two people working together can get a lot of people to realize just how much they want to be together, not only this year, but already excited about the reunion next year. And I do mean everyone. What you have done for the 32 families of the men who were killed and also some whose bodies were never recovered, is, to maybe, give them some degree of closure. That my friends is a gift I can`t describe, especially after 38 years. We don`t know how to repay the two of you for giving us that except to say, We love you both very dearly for what you have done. The rest of the troops and their wives are just happy to be together again, they know the hardship that was a part of being married to a "Towerman".
I have talked to a lot of you and have always realized how tough it was on the three towers, but a lot of you have more stories to tell and I found them to be incredible. Keep remembering them for the next reunion. By the way the theme of the next reunion will be the "Spouses".
God Bless you all and please keep well for the next get together on the Cape. We will promise now to have a "Great Time" next September. Until then, I remain,
Yours most sincerely,
Donald R. Abbott, President
Texas Tower Association
We had honored guest at the Reunion. State Representative Richard Decker and his wife Arlene. Mrs. Virginia Kallman, wife of Rod Kallman, Commander of 762nd AC&W Squadron and Texas Tower 2. Victor J. Toney, Chaplain, Major, USAF, Peterson AFB Honor Guard.
August 26th, Thursday:
Some people had arrived earlier to be at the Reunion. We had ordered food
trays the week before after a meeting with Doc and Therese Cornell, Ron and
Anne Gustafson. We found the best deal at Sam`s. We picked up the trays and
headed for the Hotel. People were waiting for us to show up. Everyone
helped unload my car. We set up the hospitality room which was in the lower
room of my suite. We did not have room to display all the information that I
had received. We taped full page newspaper clipping and design drawing to
the front large picture windows. We also had requested a VCR be in the room.
The hotel staff had all changed so I was dealing with all new people. I
should have had everything in writing which I didn`t? Different people tried
to get the VCR most of the day. When I had a chance I went and spoke with
the staff. We received the VCR. We had a short meeting prior to going to
Cripple Creek. Several people decided not to take the trip. The Doerr`s and
Farrow`s had not arrived as yet. We left at 5PM and arrived at 6:25 in
Cripple Creek. People were given a coupon book when they got off the bus.
The coupons were for cash $15 up front, and other items. Everyone thought
that was great. People scattered to the winds, some went to eat. We went
and had prime rib and met with some of the troops at a hotel across the
street. Service was not that great? We went back to Bronco Billy`s and
people were playing the machines. You could tell the winners they had a
smile on their faces. Around 8:30 people were getting tired and started
waiting for the bus. The bus arrived and we left at 10PM. We had a movie on
the bus coming back telling about all the sites to see in Colorado Springs.
We were back at the hotel at 11:30. We went of bed and some people went to
the lounge.
August 27, Friday:
07:30AM: Farrow`s had arrived late last night due to a traffic jam on the
highway and the Doerr`s were in the mess at O`Hare Airport. We went to the
banquet room for breakfast. People were there, but the room was not ready.
The head waitress said that the breakfast was schedule for 8 AM. I was
really getting upset about this time. Had to talk to staff again. Told them
we had to eat because of planned trips. The head waitress had breakfast out
in 10 minutes. 07:40 people had their breakfast. The head waitress turned
out to be an asset for us later. Ron and Doc`s group was told to eat first
so they could leave to go to Schreiver AFB. We found out two days before
that they couldn`t drive their own cars out to the air base. I told Ron to
rent a bus and the cost turned out to be $10 per person. I asked Ron to
asked the people if they would like to help pay for cost of the bus. They
contributed to the cost of the bus. The Mystery ride was next and we had
eight cars lined up. I gave them the finale destination the Olympic Center.
"It used to be Ent AFB." In case anyone got lost? I led the way and we went
to the Garden of The Gods. We made a pit stop and people headed for the gift
shops and took pictures of the rocks. We then went to Starr Kemp`s home he
had made all of these windmills out of cast iron. His daughter came out and
spoke to the group and handed out flyers. She then turned some of the
sculptures by hand because of no wind, they are perfectly balanced. We then
left for The Olympic Center. We went straight through road construction and
we lost half of the group? We waited and they never did show up so we went
to the Center. We waited at the Center and decided it was getting time for
lunch so we went back to the hotel. We had so much food left over we decided
to have a picnic lunch. We went to Palmer Park found a picnic site and had
lunch. We called for a meeting prior to going out to the Flying W Ranch.
This was at 4PM, It was decided to hold elections at this time. I presented
two different types of by-laws. Director, Hank Henricksen read them over and
one set of by-laws was selected. Elections were held by a show of hands.
Don Abbott was elected President, Ken Taylor was elected 1St Vice President,
Mae Farrow was elected Secretary, Patricia Taylor was elected treasure. April
Thorson CPA volunteered to help with the books. It was decided that if a
check was needed a warrant had to be issued before the treasure will send out
the check. We then went to our autos and drove out to the Flying W Ranch. I
met everyone at the gate and gave out there meal tickets and told them what
tables we would be at. 100-104. People had questions about the Texas Towers.
I would say they had many different groups of people there around 1400 total people. The MC spoke highly of the Texas Towers and the hero`s they were. We were one of the last groups to eat. I guess because we were right next to the stage. They served BBQ Beef or Chicken, bake bean, bake potatoes, apple sauce and biscuit, cake, coffee, and lemonade. The show was country western. We returned to the hotel around 10PM and I went to bed.
August 28. 7:30 People at my door waiting to get in to hospitality room to show and look at slides. This went on most of the day looking over pictures. People met Justin a 5 year old grandson of Rose Higgins Hargrove, who knew all about he Texas Towers that his great grandfather served on. 3pm started to get banquet room set up with candles. Don and Joy Flynn and I think it was Rose that also helped. I had to go change my clothes. I was having car trouble so I asked Don Abbott if he would take his rental car to go with Pat and me to pickup Mrs. Kallman. We went and picked up Mrs. Kallman and what a nice lady. We arrived back at the hotel and met with the chaplain and everything was a go. 17:45 people assembled in the Banquet room. Patricia my wife read the story about Tap`s that JR. had sent via e-mail. The group was very serious and seem strain. They needed to relax a little so I told a joke. At 1800 we started the ceremony. I gave a brief welcome and turned it over to the Chaplain. He did an outstanding job and I have his program which I will somehow send out. The Honor Guard came in and presented the colors. We then went outside for the 21 gun salute and Taps. We then came back in for the presenting of the flags and lighting of the candles. The Chaplain said grace and had to leave. I introduce our honored guest and Rep. Decker who presented a Colorado Tribute to the members and the Association. Mae Farrow wanted to speak to the group. I was then surprised by the group when Mae presented me with a plaque. I don`t know if you all know what it says? It is beautiful. It Reads Texas Tower Association and the emblem, To: Ken Taylor with grateful hearts and thanks for your hard work in establishing the 1st Texas Tower Association Reunion 26-29 August 1999. From the members and Friends of all Texas Tower Veterans. I have to share this with my wife Pat because it was her idea that started all of this. Pat presented gifts to Bev Mandoza and Mae Farrow who had help me with mail and information. Rose Higgins Hargrove recited a poem that she has written and it was also beautiful about her dad and the Texas Towers. Don Abbott our new President was given a chance to say a few words. It was a great evening. We, Pat and I want to thank everyone for making this a great event. We are looking forward to seeing and meeting you all again on Cape Cod. We met so many nice people in such a short period of time. It is hard to believe it happened so fast after waiting all these years. May God Bless and watch over you and your family.
Respectfully submitted: Ken Taylor, September 9, 1999