There’s a Laredo contingent I’d like to thank,

In the highest traditions of honor they rank,

As here at San Antonio La Quinta we celebrate,

Our days in Laredo with each other relate.

That time long ago we together did share,

The wonderful experiences in Laredo had there,

Our flying and our children and so much more,

That may now be inflated in tales we restore.

We passed these few days with drink and food,

And what ever endeavors that suit our mood,

Down to the Casa Rio on the River Walk,

Or the Lone Star Café where continued the talk.

The Mexican buffet at the Olympia Golf place,

One night went for dining to feed our face,

With talk and with drink and dancing as well,

Was good start for the reunion and easy to tell.

Then Golf Match for sure was the big attraction,

Where golf cart with beer was the big distraction,

When golf match was over the haggling did begin,

To determine which squadron the trophy will win.

Tonight we end this and for those not here we will cope,

Present the Golf Trophy with short speeches I hope,

That following our dinner with chicken or steak,

We've had a great time before way home we make.

So to all the good folks who put this reunion together,

They managed everything well including the weather,

I won’t try to name them the many who are our host,

But to that Laredo contingent let us all raise a toast.

Tony Melli

10-11-2007

Our Laredo Reunion in San Antonio is said and done,

And before the next in “O” NINE in Colorado begun,

I will give you some thoughts on this that’s now past,

On those four eventful days that have gone by so fast.

The La Quinta was superb and hospitality suite great,

Our hosts made it so very easy for us to join and relate,

All who came were just fabulous in a fellowship strong,

With hugs and conversation knew we together belong.

Our hosts for this reunion did everything just right,

Their planning kept us going from morning till night,

A Mexican buffet one evening with music and dance,

Then back to the party room for Margaritas advance.

Jim and John Nathan the Margarita machine prepare,

And their mixture was perfect with Tequila to spare,

Neither booze, beer, snacks, sodas ever, ever ran out,

Jim and Gail take full credit on what that’s all about.

Randolph’s Golf competition was a sight to behold,

And Bob Turnbough for sure was in his usual mold,

A picture of perfection with his smooth, easy swing,

His skill and good demeanor a tribute to golf bring.

Rules to score the winner, and this can’t be denied,

Complex but didn’t matter for rules by some defied,

The 40th and the 41st Squadrons were tied into a knot,

So Bob and General Hearne came up and trophy got.

While many out there golfing others shopping went,

Rode a bus to Boerne Texas where lots of money spent,

We did many things together of Laredo days we spoke,

And remembrance of dear ones emotions did provoke.

Our last meeting at the O Club for dinner was complete,

Tale of tumbling a T-Bird begun by one and others repeat,

Then following the dinner Elvis Presley sang and shake,

Shook his booty at each table tried to keep us all awake.

This reunion went so quickly there were many things to do,

With friends from old Laredo and a gal named Linda too,

Linda Banks blended in so nicely with the banter to and fro,

And created us a web site would be good for you to know.

Laredoafbreunion.com is the entry you’ll enter to get there,

JJ Paolino the web master who will use it with us to share,

To share what information over the web that we will need,

To make the 09 Laredo reunion there in Colorado succeed.

Well I’ve said more than enough with what I sent on before,

I look a long way into the future for many more an encore,

To the good days of Laredo and our time together we invest,

God be with you till we meet again = you are the very best!!!

Tony Melli

10-12-2007