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Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Retired military buddies meet up for Hutch RV rally

Retired military buddies meet up for Hutch RV rally


By Jon Ruhlen

The Hutchinson News


jruhlen@hutchnews.com

War united them once. Now, the bond they developed on the battlefield has found a new place to thrive - on the road.



Joe 'Bud' Fagan and his wife, Eileen, stand in front of their RV at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Fagan, a retired Navy warrant officer, and his wife drove from San Diego with another couple to attend the SMART National Muster. Photo by Jon Ruhlen.


About 300 retired military members from across the country are expected to attend the 2007 SMART National Muster RV rally in Hutchinson.

Their shared experiences during at least 20 years of military life combined with their love of the road gives the group a unique connection, said Vietnam veteran Gary Allen.

No one who hasn't been to war understands the bond between men who face death together, said Vietnam veteran Gary Allen.

"And, it's a good excuse to get out of the house," he added.

The rally begins Thursday at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, but RVs have already started to trickle into town.

Allen started his career in the Nebraska Army National Guard at age 17 for reasons both patriotic and personal.

"Quite honestly, I joined the Guard to impress a couple of girls," he said.

What started out as a two-hour drill once a month morphed into a career that took up "24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year for 36 years," Allen said.

His military career included a tour in Vietnam in 1969 as a second lieutenant in charge of an infantry platoon in the 23rd Infantry Division.

Allen said one of the good things about SMART is that it presents a chance to run into old Army buddies.

"Life becomes a little different after retirement," he said. "It becomes a little more important to see these guys when you retire."

After retirement, the traditional rivalries between the branches of service become nothing more than a source of good-natured ribbing, as do the differences in rank.

Allen, a retired Army colonel, rubs shoulders with Elmer Denning, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant.

Denning is a longtime Hutchinson resident and former assistant general manager of the state fair.

Or, Allen can exchange greetings with Joe "Bud" Fagan, who was in charge of maintenance of fighter squadrons for the Navy at the end of his 27-year career.

Although they may have carried rifles across the highlands of Central Vietnam or worked on fighter jets on aircraft carriers, the SMART members plan to spend their time at local attractions such as the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center or the Kansas Underground Salt Museum.

Fagan, who drove from San Diego with his wife, Eileen, was at the fairgrounds Monday.

"I think it's a neat town," he said. "And it would be a great place to raise a family."

Blood drive

SMART and the American Red Cross are hosting a blood drive during the National Muster.

Hutchinson residents can give blood from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sunflower North Building at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.

Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be 17 years old. Individuals 16 years old may donate if they have a signed parental consent form, available at www.bloodgiveslife.org.

Donors are asked to bring their donor card or a picture identification.

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RV Sponsors / Resources

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Retired military buddies meet up for Hutch RV rally

Retired military buddies meet up for Hutch RV rally


By Jon Ruhlen

The Hutchinson News


jruhlen@hutchnews.com

War united them once. Now, the bond they developed on the battlefield has found a new place to thrive - on the road.



Joe 'Bud' Fagan and his wife, Eileen, stand in front of their RV at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Fagan, a retired Navy warrant officer, and his wife drove from San Diego with another couple to attend the SMART National Muster. Photo by Jon Ruhlen.


About 300 retired military members from across the country are expected to attend the 2007 SMART National Muster RV rally in Hutchinson.

Their shared experiences during at least 20 years of military life combined with their love of the road gives the group a unique connection, said Vietnam veteran Gary Allen.

No one who hasn't been to war understands the bond between men who face death together, said Vietnam veteran Gary Allen.

"And, it's a good excuse to get out of the house," he added.

The rally begins Thursday at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, but RVs have already started to trickle into town.

Allen started his career in the Nebraska Army National Guard at age 17 for reasons both patriotic and personal.

"Quite honestly, I joined the Guard to impress a couple of girls," he said.

What started out as a two-hour drill once a month morphed into a career that took up "24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year for 36 years," Allen said.

His military career included a tour in Vietnam in 1969 as a second lieutenant in charge of an infantry platoon in the 23rd Infantry Division.

Allen said one of the good things about SMART is that it presents a chance to run into old Army buddies.

"Life becomes a little different after retirement," he said. "It becomes a little more important to see these guys when you retire."

After retirement, the traditional rivalries between the branches of service become nothing more than a source of good-natured ribbing, as do the differences in rank.

Allen, a retired Army colonel, rubs shoulders with Elmer Denning, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant.

Denning is a longtime Hutchinson resident and former assistant general manager of the state fair.

Or, Allen can exchange greetings with Joe "Bud" Fagan, who was in charge of maintenance of fighter squadrons for the Navy at the end of his 27-year career.

Although they may have carried rifles across the highlands of Central Vietnam or worked on fighter jets on aircraft carriers, the SMART members plan to spend their time at local attractions such as the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center or the Kansas Underground Salt Museum.

Fagan, who drove from San Diego with his wife, Eileen, was at the fairgrounds Monday.

"I think it's a neat town," he said. "And it would be a great place to raise a family."

Blood drive

SMART and the American Red Cross are hosting a blood drive during the National Muster.

Hutchinson residents can give blood from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sunflower North Building at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.

Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be 17 years old. Individuals 16 years old may donate if they have a signed parental consent form, available at www.bloodgiveslife.org.

Donors are asked to bring their donor card or a picture identification.

No comments: