The AIG, April 9th

The AIG, April 9th - 2020

Published: Thu, 04/09/20

PJ Association.com

The AIG, April 9th - 2020

"Once a PJ, Always a PJ"

"Please share with your network so everyone is signed up for the AIG, we are stronger in numbers"

Last Drink

It is was with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Pararescueman, Donald C Johnson AKA DC or Surfer Don. Don passed on the 23 March 2020 after battling bladder cancer in Ventura, California while living with his sister Heather for the past 10 months.

He was born 21 September, 1947 in Los Angeles, Ca. He graduated from PJ class 67-3 and shipped out to his first assignment at Udorn, Thailand. He crewed on the HH-53 Jolly Greens on 179 combat missions rescuing several personnel. One in which he saved a PJ brother Tom Pope who had his leg blown off. Don shipped out after 2 years at Udorn in1969 for Eglin AFB FL.

After leaving the Air Force, Don joined the USArmy reserves and worked as a medic and intel specialist. As a civilian, he had many interesting careers to include hard hat diver, construction worker, emergency room tech to name a few. He spent the last 14 years living in Bangkok, Thailand with his wife Soy. When he was diagnosed with cancer, he came to stay with his sister

in CA to fight the cancer. Don was a ardent sky diver and traveled the world surfing. He spent several years searching for Jolly 67 crash site in Laos, and has written several interesting reports and has made a heart-moving video on his results. Don was an avid member and volunteer for the Thai/Laos/Cambodia Brotherhood (TLCB), an official 501(c)3 charity and also gave several presentations in Laos for Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).

Awards and decorations:

Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism, 6 Air Medals, Meritorious Service Medal, and numerous other awards and decorations.

Condolence cards can be sent to the family at the address listed below:

To: Heather Johnson (sister), 943 Ann Arbor Avenue, Ventura, CA 93004.

Don’s family will have a Celebration of Life, September 20, 2020 in Ventura, CA. His wife, Soy, lives in Bangkok and will have his internment there after the life celebration.

Some of us did not know Don or just met him in passing with a hand shake. Those that worked with and knew him hold him in high regard as a warrior PJ, who now joins the squadron of PJ Rescue Angels who have made their final jump.

When one of our PJ brothers passes he takes a piece of our hearts with him. It would be immensely appreciated if those who have stories would write or call (805) 216-5634 the family with your remembrances.

John Pighini

Vice President, PJ Assn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUSMcGGzzXI

We hope everyone is coping with this Corona 19 situation as best they can, below is a shared story from past President Roy Taylor and fits us all. If you are not on FB you may not have seen. What I would add is, keep the faith, share your stories on FB, if you are not on the PJA sight join and follow us on Face Book @ pararescue association.

Share your photo's and success stories, reach out too long lost friends. We will survive this and come out Bigger, Better, Stronger and Closer than before. Sometimes, just reaching out to an old friend can make a big difference. We all try to keep up the that Strong man image, but we need camaraderie, team working and social sharing, and with all PJ's Story Telling

Our thoughts, Prayers and Love are with everyone and we look forward to the time we can gather to share those stories of "Why we Fly".

And on a funny note, we really need new PJ stories out there...

President of the PJA; Bill Watson

"Just say Hello"

Hoping to hear from the silent majority. All this is so exhausting really! What's the point of having friends if you can't see one another's posts - it's nuts.
Fixed my blocked posts I wondered where everybody had been! This is good to know: It's ridiculous to have so many friends and only 25 are allowed to see my post. I ignored this post earlier, because I didn’t think it worked.
It WORKS!! I have a whole new news feed. I’m seeing posts from people I haven’t seen in years.
If you are reading this message, do me a favor and leave me a quick comment...a "hello," a sticker, whatever you want, so you will appear in my newsfeed. Roy Taylor

Great Photo here, the Top ranking Chiefs from all Military Branch's

and yes, at the head of the table is one of our own

Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman

Ramón “CZ” Colón-López

Times of crisis call for difficult conversations.

Met Tuesday with my colleagues, Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russ Smith; CMSAF Kaleth O. Wright; Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Troy E. Black; Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Michael Grinston; Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Jason Vanderhaden; Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of The National Guard Bureau Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Kepner; and Service Senior Enlisted Advisor for the U.S. Space Force Roger Towberman, to discuss how we can collectively address the needs of our people.

These are your service senior enlisted leaders working together to ensure we do right by you, our service members and families.

Charlie Hart is putting together a list of all PJ Memorial sites and has asked me to put this out to the local PJs. He knows about Pit’s memorial site and King 11. He asked that if you know of any others to pass that info on to him.

Charlie’s email is: clhartpjmemorial@yahoo.com

Scott Gearen is taking over the Gold Star (Killed in Combat) and Legacy PJ's (PJ's killed the line of Duty) memorial. If you have information on mission, dates and family members, please forward over to him.

Scott's email is: jsgearen@gmail.com

Thank you Rangy G., Here's what our reunion and Rodeo's look like,

you should be there,

Follow the links and you can purchase with the PJassociation code

First link is to view or you can buy photos by clinking Buy this Book below

Click Here!

Registration needed on their site to purchase, thats all,

"Pits would go"

We are still hoping and Planning

PJ Reunion & Rodeo Reno NV UPDATE:
Reunion Registration is COMING soon, Get your rooms!

PLEASE SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES

PJ Reunion

Events are being finalized with the hotel * some things are subject to change

Everything we need to know is listed here, Registration will follow soon.

Warning Order: There are only 7 months before the kickoff for the 2020 Pararescue Associations’ PJ Reunion and Rodeo. We are preparing the Reno NV area for your arrival/invasion, and we need to know who is coming… GET YOUR ROOMS, we manage cost with rooms count, call TODAY…

Hotel Room Reservations are available now!

A block of rooms have been reserved for us at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in beautiful Reno, Nevada.

The Hotel is within a few minutes of the airport, so a rental car is not needed

unless you want to see the area, or you want to visit offsite PJ Rodeo Events.

Reserve your hotel room at

https://pjrodeo.com or
https://pjassociation.com, or
https://book.passkey.com/event/50034127/owner/16854/home

Or, to reserve by phone, call, 1-800-648-5080 before 8/21/2020, and ask for the PJ Association Room Block, or use the Group Res ID PJA20.

PJ Rodeo - September 21st - 25th, 2020

PJ Reunion - September 23rd-27th, 2020

Event Overview:

Ice Breaker Social, Hospitality Deck Socials, VA Assistance Teams, Guest Speakers, Motorcycle Excursion, Zumba, STAR Vendor Trade Show, PJ Rodeo Awards Ceremony Banquet, Country Western Dancing in the Hotel, Social Painting with some twists, Escape Club Adventure, and much, more are being planned, and plenty of events in town and at the Hotel. Bike Week

In addition to these events the PJ RODEO competitors will be participating in scored events with many of the events located at the hotel, in view from the Hospitality Decks and other hotel areas. Everyone, including our FAG's (Former Action Guys), enjoys watching the current warrior force in action.

Member and Competitor Registration:

PJ Association Members and Competitors must register for the 2020 PJ Rodeo and Reunion. Additional Schedule of events can be found at

https://pjrodeo.com or https://pjassociation.com,

Reunion registration for members will be announced soon and made available at the PJ Association website, following finalized pricing from the Grand Sierra Hotel. The reunion event line-up is shaping up to be the best-ever PJ Rodeo and Reunion!

Member Registration:

Links to be published soon at: https://pjassociation.com

Competitors: Team Registration:

Competitor team register now at: https://www.pjrodeo/compete

PJ Rodeo Sponsors - Visit https://pjrodeo.com or email

bill.watson@pjassociation.com to sponsor and support this great event.

Sept 23 / Wed - Registration, Ice Breaker and Social

1pm-5pm Registration Open

VA Assistance table (Doug Horka)

6pm-8pm Ice Breaker / Opening Ceremony PJ Demonstration Poolside,

Be there…

9pm-12pm Hospitality room events * Other events TBD

* event games

9-11pm Axe throwing Competition - Steve West $

Sept 24 / Thur - Registration, Poolside events Serenity Deck with the

Rodeo Competitors

10am-3pm Registration - Other events

10am-12pm Dr’s Galloway - Health and Wellness Seminar

9am- 4pm High Angel Rope Course-pool side with competitors

Serenity Deck Social -

* Lots of things too do at this Hotel and the area

* Concerts and events in town and the local area

2 - 3pm Wine Tasting $25 each (first 50)

5:30- 7:30pm VIP Sponsor’s and Competitors Only Social

5:30 - 7:30pm Hospitality room open

8pm - 11pm *The “Last Full Measure” Film Special Event

Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of this final Tribute…

Sept 25 / Friday - Monster Mash Pools side at the hotel, Rodeo Awards Ceremony, and Other Special Events

*Times TBD

10am-12pm * Workshop with Sue Pighini https://www.suepighini.com

* other speakers TBD Troy Arce?

2 -3pm Wine Tasting $25 (first 50)

10-3pm STAR (Special Tactics and Rescue) Vendor Show

5:30pm-8pm Rodeo Awards Event

8:30 pm-10:30pm Painting with Friends, Join us for an unforgettable 2 hour evening painting with friends in Reno! You bring a smile, we handle the rest! First 100! $30 each.

8:30 - 12pm Hospitality Room Open

Sept 26th / Saturday

9am–12pm General Membership Meeting

12:30pm-4pm Motorcycle ride; Tom Beranek - wscr1085@comcast.net for info and participation, Also, see Street Vibrations Fall Rally http://roadshowsreno.com/sv_fall.php

5:30pm-9pm Reunion Maroon Ball Banquet – wear something Maroon

Following the Banquet…

10pm-12pm Hospitality Room Open

Sept 27th / Sunday

Departures and good byes.

*Evening events, dates and times subject to change/Other events TBD

*2020 PJA Reunion “Last Full Measure” Movie Notification
The PJ Association is presenting an exclusive showing of “The Last Full Measure”, the extraordinary 2020 film highlighting Pararescueman William H. Pitsenbarger’s and the determination to have his Air Force Cross upgraded to the Medal Of honor of Honor The “Mud Soldiers” of Charlie Company, the Big Red One, and their wives and Pits’ PJ Brothers struggled for over 30 years to honor this hero who saved lives by sacrificing his own in the battle of Abilene, the bloodiest conflict of the Vietnam War.

An Overview of the Film: “Last Full Measure”

The director and writer, Todd Robinson, and executive producer, Sidney Sherman, spent 20 years working to bring this film to the big screen. The Honorable Witt Peters, former Secretary of the Air Force (who played an important role in Pits’ MOH) will also be given the honorarium of PJ brother.

A one-time memorable group photo will be taken after the movie with our honorary guests, so bring your berets. You don’t want to miss out.

When: Thursday, September 24, 2020. Time and Location TBA.

Q & A after the movie with the following:

• Todd Robinson, writer and director of LFM
• Sidney Sherman, executive producer of LFM
• Travis Aaron Wade, producer and actor of LFM
• Witt Peters, former Secretary of the Air Force
• David Milstein, PJ onsite during Pits’ battle
• Harry O’Bierne, PJ onsite during Pits’ battle
• Some of the surviving members of Charlie Company, Big Red One - the “Mud Soldiers”
• John Pighini, PJ advisor for the LFM
• Possibly, a mystery guest (More information coming from VP John Pighini)
Be part of the Largest Photo gathering of PJ's and CRO's ever...for the History books

Call to Order - Get your rooms reserved

We need the room count up to meet our goals-get on it

Registration is being finalized

All you need to make reservations and schedule are set

Reunion dates

September 23-27th, 2020 Reno NV

Room Reservations

Sponsors can e-mail us now to reserve your spot.

bill.watson@pjassociation.com

A block of rooms have been reserved for our group at the Grand Sierra Resort. Call 1-800-648-5080 before 8/21/2020 to book your reservation. Ask for the PJ Association Room Block OR use the Group Res ID PJA20.

Reunion dates are September 23-27th, 2020

Rodeo dates are September 21-25th, 2020, Call if you have questions

https://book.passkey.com/event/50034127/owner/16854/home

Special Event with the Last Full Measure

Don't miss this last opportunity to be a part of the Making of...

(More information coming from VP John Pighini)

Be part of the Largest Photo gathering of PJ's and CRO's ever...for the History books

PJ Rodeo Events Summary – (subject to change)

Sep 20/Sun – Travel Day
Sep 21/Mon – 1st Skills Test Shooting events
Sep 22/Tue – 2nd Skills Test Water and Medical work at Lake Tahoe
Sep 22/Tue – Competitor Social
Sep 23/Wed – 3rd Skills Test, Jump Day and Opening Ceremony
Sep 23/Wed – Reunion Opening Ceremony
Sep 24/Thu – 4th Skills Test, High Angel Rope Work
Sep 24/Thu – Sponsor Appreciation
Sep 25/Fri – Monster Mash Skills
Sep 25/Fri – Awards Ceremony
Sep 26/Sat – PJA Business Mtg
Sep 26/Sat – PJA Banquet
Sep 27/Sun – Travel Day

Pararescuemen/CRO's, family members and friends of Pararescue…
The 2020 PJ Rodeo and Reunion is the best place to be September 21st – 25th.

Rodeo

September 21-25th, 2020

It takes a lot of work to put these on so please help, We are very short with help in Reno and will need anyone that can to step up. If you or anyone you know are coming in early, please email us...

Coming in early, let us know, volunteers are needed.

How to navigate the website and access your Membership

Click Here!

Coming Soon,

Keep your eyes on the PJA Store

Special thanks to our sponsor that helped make the Graduation Family day a great success. Without them, we could not pull this off. The families, Staff and Graduates say one of the best things they get in NM.