Reunion | 79th Army Band

Hello there! Around 2005 I started getting a few phone calls from Army Buddies that played in both the 52nd Army Band in Fort Ord California! ... and in the 79th Army Band in The Canal Zone, Panama. I was so excited and overjoyed at hearing from Army friends dating back to 1964 through 1966!

We shared so many memories on the phone; we laughed and laughed when all of us were in our early 20s. Most of us were so young, having a little fun. and doing our military duty in the Army band; and so fortunate to be there considering the Vietnam conflict during the 1960s. Enjoy the old and new pictures I have uploaded here, and a big Texas welcome to all of you!

1st ARMY BAND REUNION 2009: It was just a weekend meeting at a beautiful Orlando Florida resort last year, however we ate a lot and I didn't do much swimming or girl-watching, still, we all spent a few days together, shared so many unforgettable stories, and memories that will last a lifetime for me. Special thanks to Gene Ledesma and Bob Blaurock for all the great pictures they sent to me here in Phoenix. On my part, much appreciation and thanks to all of you that attended and made it happen in Orlando.

2nd Army Band Reunion 2010! This year we had our 2nd meeting at the Coconut Grove Mayfair Hotel in Miami Florida, AUG 27-30 - and the wives went this time! ... and like Juan Ramos said, "Good times, good food, and good conversations!" ... [ me?, hell, I miss staring at those Cuban & Puerto Rican Miami girls!, that's what I miss. Next time I'm going by myself, hello! ]

Both meetings and reunions have been simply great, and probably the rest of the band guys feel the same way. Thanks to all that have attended the reunions so far, thanks to all the personnel involved in setting these up, especially Steve Mark! ... shoutouts to the "Internet" for bringing all of us together one more time! We did miss Blaurock, Jewell, and "Chico" from last year! ... but shoutouts and kudos to Huisman, Ritchie, Benny, Bubaloni, Ramos, Johnson, and everybody else that attended the 2nd reunion!

I would like to thank Jim Bubaloni for giving me this southern command patch, his music CD, and for attending our 2nd reunion!

Four pictures below from Blaurock of Ft. Amador, and he states on the 2007 email:

"Hi Mike! We just returned from our Panama Canal cruise and I thought you might enjoy what's left of Fort Amador. Not much! Buildings 1 through 8 are gone. The only building that's still standing is building 9 where the San Blas workers used to live. All in all it left me with an empty sad feeling. Id like to be more descriptive but due to my stroke it's hard to write very much. It's difficult to imagine that there is nothing left of the 79th Army Band. Se La Guerre." [ More from Bob below. ]

"Panama City is completely changed and is full of skyscrapers and looks like New York City! I'll send more pictures in a few days as soon as I can sort them out." Bob Blaurock

BACK WHEN ...

The following five pictures below were sent by our good friend, Gene "Chico" Ledesma. Thanks a lot Gene! ... and just keep sending those memorable pictures to Phoenix. They're really great and good job scanning!