| John and I both funbled around in the box, until we found something that looked a little familiar. Along with the box of microfiche tapes, we were given the list of units (that we had provided) with a few scribbled UIC designators indicated for some of the units. With this list and some juggling, we found enough to keep us busy for a few hours. About 12:30 p.m., we thought about taking a short lunch and coming back again. Then we found out that the Research Room closes at 3:30 p.m. ---whoops! There went lunch.... Well, I had brought along a package of bologna and a loaf of bread with a couple of Cokes in a cooler in my car. |
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| John and I decided to opt for the bologna sandwiches and a short, short lunch break that day. The next day, John brought ham, cheese, pickles, mustard and cold drinks. The second day we took time for a short picnic and "BS" session. John even gave me a notepad, or two, to write down his phone number on. Thanks John, next time lunch is on me... |
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| Anyway, back to work.... John and I both laughed our ass off about one thing or another that we found. We found out that the "ghost" of the 44th Engr Gp was not LT Mac Alan Thompson. It was the Company Clerk, Franco Picchione. Franco moved around so much that he never got his name on a Unit Personnel Roster. Though, we did find him on the Morning Reports for HHC, 44th Engr, 697th Engr and 538th Engr. You can run, but you cana't hide........ |
| And so went the first day. John had to return home and I drove around for a couple of hours looking for a decent motel room......... |
| Day Two was a repeat of the first, except that we knew where we were going, when to be there and what to do.... John and I made about 300 copies of pages of pertinent information. I found some 9th Log Comd info for the JTF 116 era, John found the 697th Engr Co (Pipeline) info and we completely covered the 538th Engr Bn movement to Thailand with rosters. We also have informartion on the HHC, 44th Engr Gp, 16th Engr Co, 91st Engr Co, 528th Engr Det, and 561st Engr Co. This information is Morning Reports and/or Unit Personnel Rosters for given years. |
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| Next time we'll be ready for a full battle. Won't we John?......John?.....huh? Next Trip: 7-8 Aug 01 |
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| The only contact that John Strain and Jack Cook had during their tours in Korat, Thailand was in passing. You learn to recognize a face or a name and sometimes get to put them both together. I went in and out of the gates at Camp USARTHAI and John checked my and my wife's ID cards. That was the first time that our paths crossed. This Mini-reunion was the next time. We found that we are connected as 'brothers' because of our connections to Korat, Thailand. Our paths will no longer cross again, instead they will run parallel with each other and side-by-side. |
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