| 18th Reunion of VMD-354 |
| Toledo, Ohio October 1&2, 2004 |
| The 18th reunion of VMD-354 was sponsored by C. "Stretch" and Ina Meyer and hosted by their children and their spouses. The reunion was held at the Wyndham Hotel in Toledo, Ohio on October 1st and 2nd, 2004. For their outstanding dedication and efforts, we wish to thank them personally. They are: John and Victoria Meyer Dan and Sue Meyer Debby and Joe Gomez Kathleen and Charles Lillibridge Nancy and Bob Smithmyer These fine young people and their spouses spent the past year in the planning and preparation for this reunion. They also provided the transportation to and from the Toledo Airport(22 miles from the city) for the members and their guests. John Meyer served as the Reunion Host with the able assistance of the rest of the Meyer family. The format for this reunion differed from the previously held reunions. Since this is to be the final reunion for VMD-354, the reunion was planned to bring the squadron members, family and friends together for one last time and to spend that time in the friendly environment of the Ready Room. From the rehashing of old memories there came many stories of WWll and previous reunions that were shared by all. This final reunion was filled with both sorrow and joy. The evening began with a Marine Color Guard entering the Banquet Room and Posting the American Flag and the Marine Corps Standard. Following the banquet, a video presentation was shown highlighting the squadron's history. Video DVD's and VHS tapes of this presentaion were made available to members who desired copies. Attendee's were also entertained by the group "The Around The Bend Players" who performed skits similar to those of the Drew Carry TV show, "Who's Line is it?" A guest speaker, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, spoke on the WWll Monument and the active role she took in promoting, expediting, building and dedication of the memorial. Congresswoman Kaptur provided each of the attending squadron veterans with the Post Office "first day of issue ceremony", postage stamp commemorating the National World War ll Memorial. The evening closed with a salute and tribute to the surviving squadron's veterans and to the squadron's veterans who have passed on. A bottle of Irish Whiskey which had been purchased by a squadron member, Bob Mosher, some time in the past, was put aside for the "Last Man Standing" ceremony better known as a "Tontine" tribute. Because this is to be the last time the squadron's veterans would meet as a group, the bottle of Irish Whiskey was opened and each of the attending squadron's veterans drank a toast from that bottle to honor those have passed on and to the good health and best wishes for those who have survived. On the following day (Sunday) the reunion attendees began their journey back to their homes. It was a reunion to be remembered. |
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