The 32nd Last Annual Crusader Ball
LACB32
LACB32 was held in Reno, NV, August 24-27, 2023. It was at the Nugget Resort in conjunction with Hook '23. This was a new approach for LACBs. At LACB31 attendees expressed a strong desire to make connections with other communities, specifically with the A4 pilots with whom most had served with in Vietnam. Additionally, there was a desire to have a reunion at a location other than San Diego.
Teaming with Hook '23 was a huge success. There were about the same number of F8 drivers attending in Reno as in previous reunions in San Diego.
The format was different. There was no registration fee to cover the cost of maintaining a ready room. Instead, we relied on "bar tips” and ball cap sales. Rather than duplicate Hook events, we took advantage of what Hook already offered. The Bug Roach Mixer on Friday night served as our Gunfighter Reception. Our “Ball” was part of the Hook Banquet on Saturday night, sitting together as a group. It worked well and required much less work by the LACB Committee.
Thanks to everyone who attended.
Attendees (as of July 2)
[ 63 drivers 48 guests 111 total ]
Peter & Joyce Batcheller Deborah Bates David & Elizabeth Best Tom Blackwood Janis Bialko William & Pamela Booth Mike & Patty Borich Russ Bortnem Russ Bortnem, Jr. Roger Box Gene & Rochelle Brotherton Richard & Nora Lee Brown Jay Campbell Gerard Castel Yves Regnier Frank & Sandy Corah George & Cecilia Cummings Richard Evert Richard Ferg Robert & Susan Greathouse Craig & Wanda Grover Garnett & Marsha Haubelt Neal & Carolyn Henderson Bill Hinson Anna Marie Hendry Don & Leeta Jordan
Rich Keefer William Kiper Mike Kiper Vernon & Gerri Larson Fred Leonard Charles Lowry Jim & Bev Markel Kenny Mattson Lonny McClung Jim & Jan McGarvie Roland & Bonnie McLean William Metzger Thomas & Norma Morgenfeld James & Darlene Mundell Gregory Murrell Barbara Church Jack & Terry Musitano James Nunn Howard & Sue Nygard James & Isabelle O’Donnell Henry Overton Jim & Dede Ozbirn Robert & Pam Pampe Gerard Pearson Larry & Janet Pearson Richard Peters
Jon & B.J. Peterson Joe Phaneuf & Michaela Conley Don & Rosemary Priest Ernest & Judy Renner Boyd Repsher Todd Repsher Paul & Lynne Ringwood Charles & Alice Robinson Alex & Deanie Rucker Mike Scott Kevin Smith Sue Trible Bill & Christine Stein Ted & Colleen Stein Steve Stevens James Wagoner Karen Higo Michael & Joy Waldron Gary Weller Rick & Pat Wenzel Royce Williams Tammy Sande Jack Woodul Richard & Joan Yeates
If you attended and don't see your name on the list, please send an email to the LACB Team and we'll add you. Thanks.
LACB32 Schedule
The agenda for LACB32 included:
- Thursday:
- Check-In
- LACB32 Ready Room Open
- Evening: Squadron dinners
- Friday:
- LACB32 Ready Room Open
- Trip to Navy Fighter Weapons School, NAS Fallon
- Hook golf tournament
- Hook panels/symposiums
- Evening: Bug Roach Mixer
- Saturday:
- LACB32 Ready Room Open
- Hook panels/symposiums
- Evening: 32nd Last Annual Crusader Ball at Hook'23 Banquet
- Sunday:
- Farewells and Check-out
LACB32 Committee: Mike Borich, Dave Cowles, Dick Evert, Skip Leonard, Tom Morgenfeld, Jim Ozbirn, Chuck Schroeder, Mike Waldron