Never Forgotten 34
May 10, 2022
Memorial Ceremony at the Vietnam Wall in Washington, DC
Honoring 34 Brothers Lost on May 10, 1972
PLEASE NOTE - Please bookmark this page as this will remain the primary location of all event information and
may have ongoing updates right up until May 10, 2022. As questions are asked, this page will be updated.
Questions? Please contact Jim Garvin (contact info below)
Their Story
On May 10, 1972, D 2/8 was heading for a 3-day stand-down at the Vung Tau R&R center. They boarded 4 Chinook helicopters, joining soldiers from other units for the flight. Enroute, United Flight 157 crashed due to mechanical failure, according to the official report. There were no survivors, and 34 souls perished that day.
Those 34 include:
1st Cav D 2nd/8th - 21 soldiers (including most of Skull platoon and company commander)
1st Cav 362nd Aviation Co - 5 flight crew members
1st Signal Brig Aviation Detach - 1 soldier
1st Cav A 1st/12th Cav - 7 soldiers
* The names of our 34 fallen brothers are listed on the "Remembering Our Combat Brothers" page - link at the top of this page.
* Official crash reports are found on the "Official Documents" page - link at the top of this page.
On May 10, 1972, D 2/8 was heading for a 3-day stand-down at the Vung Tau R&R center. They boarded 4 Chinook helicopters, joining soldiers from other units for the flight. Enroute, United Flight 157 crashed due to mechanical failure, according to the official report. There were no survivors, and 34 souls perished that day.
Those 34 include:
1st Cav D 2nd/8th - 21 soldiers (including most of Skull platoon and company commander)
1st Cav 362nd Aviation Co - 5 flight crew members
1st Signal Brig Aviation Detach - 1 soldier
1st Cav A 1st/12th Cav - 7 soldiers
* The names of our 34 fallen brothers are listed on the "Remembering Our Combat Brothers" page - link at the top of this page.
* Official crash reports are found on the "Official Documents" page - link at the top of this page.
Invitees
* Gold Star Family members of the Never Forgotten 34
* Angry Skipper Veterans and wives/families
* Veterans & their families from other units
* Gold Star Family members of the Never Forgotten 34
* Angry Skipper Veterans and wives/families
* Veterans & their families from other units
Agenda - D 2/8 and Veterans from other units
Early Arrival - May 6-8, 2022
Some Angry Skipper and other veteran families will be arriving as early as May 6 in order to tour the Washington, DC metro area, enjoy the local attractions, visit with other vets and their families, etc. We invite you to join us there at one of our two official event hotels.
There is a choice of two hotels providing special group rates. Please note the dates offered by each hotel:
Hyatt Place, Arlington/Courthouse - May 8-11, 2022
The Homewood Suites by Hilton Rosslyn Key Bridge - May 6-11, 2022
Find group rates, registration options, location, and other details for both hotels on the Hotels page, link at the top of this page.
Our Angry Skipper Welcome Tables open at each hotel Sun, May 8 at 11:00 AM. As you arrive, please look for Angry Skipper families and other veterans and join us in the common areas near the main lobby. Call or text Jim Garvin (contact info below) to connect with others. See you there!
Mon, May 9, 2022
* Please plan to arrive at the hotels no later than 4 PM to be with our Angry Skippers and invited guests, including a number of Gold Star Families.
10:00 AM - Welcome Tables open at each hotel
Angry Skipper Veterans and Gold Star Families Gathering. Location: AUSA Conference Center
5:00 PM - Fellowship time for sharing stories, memories, etc. - Barbecue Welcome Buffet
7:00 PM - Program honoring the fallen - veterans' remembrances, presentations, etc.
More details on the Gathering Details link above.
Tues, May 10, 2022
Uniform for the day: Veterans in either Black, Yellow, or White Angry Skipper shirts and hats/Cav Stetson
Ladies – appropriate for the occasion
6:30 - 8:30 AM - Complimentary breakfast for those staying at the two event hotels
8:30 AM - Charter Buses for all Vets/families and Gold Star Families load at each hotel.
8:45 AM - Buses depart for the Vietnam Wall Memorial
9:30 AM - Assemble at Area 5 Knoll - overlooking the Vietnam Wall on the Mall. Map on the Ceremony Details page, link above.
9:45 AM - Memorial Ceremony begins
10:30 AM - Scheduled event concludes
11:15 AM - Return to Hotel
12:00 - 10:00 PM - Fellowship with the Angry Skippers and Gold Star Families at the hotels (gathering areas, patio area, etc.). Please greet and welcome our Gold Star Families at all events. They are our guest and all veterans are considered hosts to these meaningful events.
More details on the Ceremony Details page , link above.
Wed, May 11, 2022
While some will be departing the hotel, our discounted rates at the Homewood Suites apply to this night so you are welcome to stay and tour local sights with your family & friends.
Event RSVP & Hotel Registration is a two-step process:
1. Event RSVP - We need a headcount of all veterans (and their families) who are coming. Please complete this interest form, even if you are not yet certain if you can attend. There is a place on the form to indicate that you consider yourself a "maybe".
NOTE - if you notified Wolf Kutter via email, phone, or Facebook but have not yet submitted this form, please do so now. Thanks!
RSVP FORM HERE - NOTE - Gold Star Families do NOT use this form. They RSVP directly with their veteran Host. For questions, contact Jim Garvin (contact info below).
2. Make your hotel reservations using the hotel information on the Hotels page, link at the top of this page.
1. Event RSVP - We need a headcount of all veterans (and their families) who are coming. Please complete this interest form, even if you are not yet certain if you can attend. There is a place on the form to indicate that you consider yourself a "maybe".
NOTE - if you notified Wolf Kutter via email, phone, or Facebook but have not yet submitted this form, please do so now. Thanks!
RSVP FORM HERE - NOTE - Gold Star Families do NOT use this form. They RSVP directly with their veteran Host. For questions, contact Jim Garvin (contact info below).
2. Make your hotel reservations using the hotel information on the Hotels page, link at the top of this page.
Making Connections
Facebook Public Group: Never Forgotten 34
A place for our Gold Star Families to meet the veterans and other families, learn more about our lost brothers, share stories, photos, and learn more about our memorial events. Videos/photos of the events will be posted here after the events. We encourage everyone to join our Facebook group as soon as possible so that we can all get to know one another over the coming months. We encourage all veterans to join in conversations with our Gold Star Families in this group. This is one way we can welcome them and get to know their solider and family before we meet them in Washington, DC. We are their hosts and this is a special way to welcome them. Please join in! Search for us on Facebook as Never Forgotten 34 or use this direct link: NEVER FORGOTTEN 34 FACEBOOK GROUP
See you on Facebook!
34 Gold Star Families Website
The families of all 34 lost brothers are being contacted and invited to our memorial events. A special website has been created especially to assist them. If you knew one of the 34 Fallen Brothers, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Jim Garvin (contact info below).
Facebook Public Group: Never Forgotten 34
A place for our Gold Star Families to meet the veterans and other families, learn more about our lost brothers, share stories, photos, and learn more about our memorial events. Videos/photos of the events will be posted here after the events. We encourage everyone to join our Facebook group as soon as possible so that we can all get to know one another over the coming months. We encourage all veterans to join in conversations with our Gold Star Families in this group. This is one way we can welcome them and get to know their solider and family before we meet them in Washington, DC. We are their hosts and this is a special way to welcome them. Please join in! Search for us on Facebook as Never Forgotten 34 or use this direct link: NEVER FORGOTTEN 34 FACEBOOK GROUP
See you on Facebook!
34 Gold Star Families Website
The families of all 34 lost brothers are being contacted and invited to our memorial events. A special website has been created especially to assist them. If you knew one of the 34 Fallen Brothers, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Jim Garvin (contact info below).
