The AIG, for Reunion Tucson AZ 2021

Published: Sun, 10/24/21

YOUR PJ / CRO ASSOCIATION

If you are in town early and want to watch some offsite events, check these out. Also, Volunteers will be meeting at 0900 each morning at AZ Ballrooms if you want to stop by…

From the President,

Our bags are packed, and we are ready to go. The 2021 PJ Reunion and Rodeo is about to begin. After a log three years, it's time once again time to gather with old and new friends and reminisce about our friends who are no longer with us and those that cannot make the long journey.

With all the challenges we have faced with COVID and having to reschedule the Reunion and Rodeo time and location and dealing with government budget, supply chain issues, and the worker shortage, things will be a little different. These challenges have made this by far the most challenging and difficult Reunion and Rodeo to ever pull off. So, if things go a little different or something isn’t the way you think it should be, remember the challenges we have faced, take a look at the beautiful venue and all the friends that are gathered together and enjoy the moment. Realize that the planning committee has worked days upon days to give us this great opportunity, so please say thank you anyone you see working.

As for COVID-19 rules and guidelines, you can visit the State of AZ, the City of Tucson’s as well as the JW Marriott STARR Pass and Resort websites for rules and information. We will follow these guidelines while in Tucson to protect our friends and family.

While at the Reunion and Rodeo it would be appreciated by all for you to show your appreciation to the Teams, Units, Sponsors and Volunteers who have supported and worked to give us this great opportunity to gather, share memories, and make plans for the future. As I discussed there will be a few new events and we want your feedback as to how we can improve these events in the future. We look forward to hearing your suggestions and hope you will add your name and contact information for our 2023 reunion planning team.

If you are not signed up for Saturday Banquet, you are going to miss a great time, we will have a white elephant sale with some great items to include Gino Nardi’s Pararescue Para - 45. We will honor Dr. Steven Rush for his contributions to PJ Medicine by recognizing him as an Honorary PJ and Scott Gearen’s speech will leave you saying… from where do we find such men? Saturday night is to honor our membership and I hope you all can attend!

Some Important business:

• We want to be sure to properly honor all our Gold Star Family Member and Legacy Family Members (PJ / CRO Killed in the Line of Duty, as an USAF Member) so when registering or at any time before or during the Rodeo / Reunion please identify/self-identify those who have sacrificed so much.

• PJs, please share your class information and bring any photos of your graduating class. This information will be used by the PJ school where they maintain a Master Photo Book at the PJ Museum in Albuquerque.

We can’t wait to see you on Ania Terrace on Wednesday at 1700 sharp and know you will leave all issues and complaints back home and come ready to celebrate. Missy and I are so proud of our Reunion and Rodeo planning team who have gone above and beyond. So, put your game faces on, shake off those suits and bring your dancing shoes and (Boots) and come have a great time in AZ. Safe travels and we can’t wait to see everyone.

Bill Watson

PJAssociation.com

"Once a PJ/CRO, Always a PJ/CRO"

As we gather this month in Tucson for the 2021 Reunion, please help us do some administration items.

As we attempt to update our Roster of PJ's and CRO's we need your help. We will have a booth set up for you or you can email: Paul Reddington - akreddington@gmail.com and Charlie Hart...

WE ALSO need a better list of our Gold Star Families and Legacy Families. Legacy Families are ( those PJ's or CRO's killed in the line of Duty). Please help us identify these people. We need names, addresses and emails for all. Dates associated with the tragedy. Most important thing is, let us know if anyone of these Distinguished members are attending this years Reunion. PLEASE email; bill.watson@pjassociation.com or Paul Reddington - akreddington@gmail.com

Many people have seen the AFSOC Poster with the fallen, we are constantly dealing with Posers, so we need to do the same here, We need to make sure that we are not missing anyone in Our Roster, this way we do not say someone wasn't a PJ/CRO when they were, we can also do things like, "Remember on this day"...

Volunteers to sit at the table and help gather information would be helpful on Wed 27th 1200-1600 and maybe even Friday at the Trade show...

First - send or bring us your class number, and Information so we can update the master roster, Post on the Website because it is current and correct, and many other things to remember our Brothers, we need...

- Names

- Dates and Class Number

- Are they still with us KIA/KID (Killed in Action / Killed in line of Duty)

- Key Locations

We are open for all kinds of ideas and your support to accomplish this. But have a plan , not a complaint.

Please pay your dues before you get here, better yet, become a Life Member, it will help us out greatly.

From 1952, the Scrambler - How it all began, bring your Photos and Books, I will bring this one, its and awesome book.

If you would like to join the Reunion / Rodeo Telegram Group, Follow the link below, the Team will be sending out announcements both here and through the Cvent Registration system daily on what's going on, use this link while on your cell phone to get the app and join the group.

https://t.me/PJRodeo2021

Past Reunions

JW Marriott

So Many things to do in the area and at the Hotel, lots of Relaxing time...

Still a few slots open for a Tandem jump - For information, please contact John Lange at 951-294-0719 or joltinjohn@aol.com, Painting with Friends - An AZ and Rescue theme, a fun night for all... Poker night, you can sign up on the registration website, just select Modify Registration

THESE THINGS WE DO... THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE...

There are lots of things for you to do while n Tucson

MITAKUYE OYASIN (MEE-TAH-KAY AWE-SIN)

The Pima Air & Space Museum

Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum

Join us each morning on the
Salud Terrace to participate in a traditional Native American ceremony and unique Sonoran Desert experience. Welcoming a higher perspective into your life should be on everyone's list of important things to do.

The Pima Air and Space Museum is one of the largest aviation Museums in the world..

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a 98-acre zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, natural history museum, publisher, and art gallery founded in 1952.

TEQUILA TOAST

Every evening at sunset we welcome you to gather on the Salud Terrace to watch the sunset and experience our nightly tradition - the Tequila toast. Join us for this unique experience where we feature one of our more than 150 artisan tequilas and a complimentary toast: "Arriba, Abajo, al Centro, al Dentro, Salud!" (Up, down, out and in).

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

https://cvent.me/5x5aeg

You can Modify your registration by logging back into Cvent

Don't miss out on one of the most attended events at a reunion, the Painting with friends is a limited event, sign up, if you missed it the first time, Log back in and Modify your Registration. This event is a blast. Same with the Poker Night, get in while you can...

OCTOBER 28 – 8:00 SHOTGUN

STARR PASS GOLF COURSE – TUCSON

Still room for Golfers, don't miss this great event,

October 27th-30th, 2021

31st being a Travel day home

Get there before the show starts at 1700 on Wednesday

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

bill.watson@pjassociation.com

PJ Reunion

Oct 27th / Wednesday
Everyone Registers, Activities and Social Events … Dues Must be Current
1200 – 1600 Open Registration, VA Assistance Table, others TBD,

                    Memorabilia Room Raffle Sales - AZ Ballroom 1-5
                    Members sign up for Mystery Games Friday Morning
                    Photo Booths in AZ Foyer area - Wed Registration and Sat

* Retired PJs/CROs sign up for Mystery Games during

registration
* Members will be selected at random & announced during

Icebreaker
* Members selected will compete in Mystery Games Friday

morning w/Rodeo teams

1700-2200 Opening Ceremony Icebreaker - Tequila Toast - on Ania

Terrace
1930-2200 Songs by Donovan and Cory Spector, Band

Oct 28th/ Thursday Registration, Activities and Social Events

0800-1400 Golf at Catalina - Cogswell
0830-1000 Dr’s Galloway – Group Hike - Hotel Lobby
1030-1200 Health and Wealth Seminar * AZ 1-3, *STC
1200-1400 PJA - Reunion Registration - Memorabilia Room

1400-1630 Nat Geo Cave Rescue * Tucson Ballroom E-F
*SLWG Career-field Updates - Q/A

1800-1900 Sponsors Social Event, Tucson A-D, SLWG* Invites - 306th,

48th, 68th Leadership

LT Col Blake George Speaker - Konrad Schwinn and others
MC - Kestranek

1900- 2400 AZ 1-5 Hospitality Suite Opens
2000-2330 KK to Host Open Mic night, bring your stuff -

2000- 2230 Art Mixer, Painting with a Friend , AZ rm 8-10

Oct 29th / Friday Registration, Activities and Social Events

0800-1100 Mystery Games Final Competition for Competitors / PJA

Members - 1 per Competitor Team / SLWGroup Discussion -TBD
0800 - 1100 STAR Vendor Set-up AZ Ballroom
1100 - 1600 STAR Vendor Trade Show for Registered Vendors, JW

                       Marriott, Unit Static SLWG and Competitors to start it off…
1100-1300 PJA Registration Open* - Memorabilia sales open

1800 - 2000 Rodeo Award Ceremony Tucson E-F Guest Speakers /

Sponsor Recognition / Open to all Visitors / Cash Bar

2100 - 2400 DJ Line Dance/Open dance - bring those Boots...
2100 - 2400 Pararescue Association Members Poker Night - Tucson

Salons G-H *

Oct 30th / Saturday – General Membership Meeting,
Activities and Social Events,
The PJ Heritage Reunion Banquet
… Dues Must be Current

0830 – 1100 PJA Business Meeting, PJA Officers/Board of Directors

Meeting
(Dues must be current to attend) Location TBD

0900 – 1030 Zumba Ladies - * Ania Terras - Or Gym area
1030 – 1500 Motorcycle ride/Tom Beranek
1730 – 1800 Reunion Photo Booth (Groups/Couples), Cocktail Hour
1800 – 2130 Call to Seating - Pararescue Association Banquet
2230 – 2400 Hospitality Suite

Oct 31st – / Sunday – Another Spectacular R&R Event Comes to a Close…
Check Out/Travel

STC - Subject to Change
TBD - To Be Determined

PJ Rodeo

Oct 24th/Sunday PJR Competitor Registration, Gear-Up, PJR In-Briefing

• 1600 – 1900 Competitors Registration, Stage Gear
• 1900 – 2000 Welcome Brief (all Competitors) San Pedro 1,2

Oct 25th/Monday PJR Competition, Activities and Social Events

• 0900 – 1400 Marksmanship Challenge – 306th RQS The Tucson

Rifle Club Address to shooting range - 18300 W Ajo

Hwy, Tucson

2000 – 2300 Competitor Social Rm, Open nightly, Times TBD. * STC

Oct 26th/Tuesday PJR Competition, Activities and Social Events

• 0900 – 1500 Precision Parachuting 68th RQS - El Tiro Gliderport

DZ
• 1800 – 2000 – Competitor Social/SLWG Location: Meecha Lawn /

Plunge 306th to bring PA System

Oct 27th/Wednesday PJR Competition, Activities and Social Events

• 0800 – 1200 Monster Mash, Tactical Medicine - JW Marriott Starr

                               Pass - 68th RQS

   •   1700 – 2300 Opening Ceremony / Icebreaker / Band
Ania Terrace

Oct 28th/Thursday PJR Competition, Activities and Social Events

• 0800 – 1500 Urban High Angle Ropes - JW Marriott Starr Pass -

68th RQS
• 1400 – 1630 Nat Geo Cave Rescue Presentation - Open to all -

Tucson Ballroom MC/Q&A With Rob Watkins, Sean

                              Hopper
   •   1800 – 2000 Sponsors VIP Social - Tucson RM
                            JW Marriot - Lt Col George / Kestranek MC
                              68th, 48th, 306th Leadership Key SLWG
   •   1900 – 2330 AZ 1-5 Hospitality Rm and Suites Open

Oct 29th/Friday Final PJR Competition, Reunion Registration, STAR Show, Activities and Social Events

• 0800-1100 Mystery Games Final Competition - JW Marriott Starr

Pass - 68th RQS 1 x Former Action Guy paired w/each

                              Rodeo Team
   •   0800-1100 STAR Vendor Trade Show Set-up
   •   1100-1300 Reunion Registration

• 1100-1600 STAR Vendor Trade Show - JW Marriott, Unit Static

                              Display / and more....
   •   1600- 1700 Competitor Rehearsal Tucson Ballroom *E-F
   •   1700-1800 VIP Social, SLWG, Competitors , Photos - Tucson E-F
   •   1800-2000* Rodeo Award Ceremony - Open to All - Tucson E-F
                              Call to seats / Guest Speakers / Open to all Visitors /

Cash Bar

• 2100-2330 Jeryme Mcguigan, and he Daisy Duke Dancers

Friday Awards night will be followed by Line Dancing and Dance night with

Jeryme Mcguigan, and he Daisy Duke Dancers, giving Line Dance lessons in the beginning and moving the party along,

So bring your dancing shoes and BOOTs for sure, and get ready...

Also, for your entertainment, Donovan will be releasing one of his New Videos and Songs just for you at Saturdays Banquet so don't miss this one.

We have added some new things to Saturday night to make it more fun and exciting, join us for our Newest Honorary PJ's, the Kelly/Vargas Award and much more Saturday Evening, October 30th 1800

Donovan Chapman

Donovan Chapman brings singer/songwriter experience with having charted four singles in the Top 60 Country Music Billboard Charts with his “House Like That” peaking at forty-two. Donovan also recorded studio albums with Curb Records and Category 5 Records.

He is releasing a few more new songs this year and wrote his most recent song about friend and brother Scott Gearen. Donovan will perform songs on Wednesday and a few more on Saturday evening Reunion Banquet.

https://www.freedomsingsusa.org

The Teams and Units are hard at work,,,

And there is lots to do in the area so search on the hotels website for ideas. Thursday will be the most free evening during the week.

PJ Rodeo Dates

October 24th - 29th, 2021

Keep your eyes on the Pararescue Association Store, the only place that really supports your Organization, we don't have to say we make a donation to... we are the Pararescue Association !!!