Fifty years ago on June 6, a group of Air Force reservists attached to Bakalar Air Force Base in Columbus returned home after a tour of duty in Vietnam.
Members of the 71st Special Operations Squadron were greeted at Bakalar by a crowd of about 250 people, including then-Gov. Edgar Whitcomb, military officials, family members and friends.
Two weeks from today, more than 50 members of the 71st Special Operations Squadron will reunite to commemorate exactly a half-century since their return to Columbus. They’ll gather on June 6 for a 1 p.m. luncheon at Blackerby’s Hangar 5 restaurant at the Columbus Municipal Airport, which will include a program and guest speakers. After that they’ll spend time at the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum for tours of the displays, including one for their squadron.
At 4 p.m., an honor guard presentation will be performed outside the museum on its lawn in support and recognition of the squadron. The presentation is open to the public.
“It’s a great thing for all of them. It’s time they get the accolades they deserved 50 years ago,” said Dixie Wall, wife of 71st SOS member Earl Wall, and an organizer of the reunion.
For more on this story, and the annual Salute section, see Thursday’s Republic.
