Saturday May 28, 2011 was the first day of the reunion. The only activity that was scheduled was a tour of the old squadron area. I personally was not at the reunion due to poor health. From the looks of the following pictures I am just as glad that I could not see the old area.

The 456th F,I,S. use to be a living, breathing entity it had a heart beat, it had a mind and a soul of its own, it talked, it laughed and cried, it ate and drank, partied, and mourned when necessary, people were always going places, doing things non stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 52 weeks a year of organized mayhem, and we were all a part of it.

All of that is now gone, replaced by endless acres of concrete as far as the eye can see. Spotted only by an occasional deserted empty building of no apparent use to anyone. There is no life no sound but the wind blowing through the empty buildings and the birds of the sky.

I personally find it not just very sad but totally depressing!

I personally would rather remember the squadron area as it was, vital and alive than see it the way it is now.

Bob Justus