Nomad News-Vol.5-No.124

LAST REUNION OF THE 33rd:
     In 1980, the Reverend Neal E. Lake, chaplain of the 33rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron Assn. (PRS) wrote the following poem entitled "Last Reunion of the 33rd".  It was published in the Association's 1981 newsletter.  Rev. Lake was a Photo Lab Technician, as was J.B. woodson,  in the 33rd PRS while in Europe 1944-45.

I had a dream the other night,
  That sent chills through my bones.
I heard the names of the 33rd men,
  Being read in solemn tones.

The years had passed, as all years do,
  And had taken our friends away,
Until only two were finally left.
  To have a reunion that day.

The two who were left were old and weak,
  They couldn't even stand,
Their voices trembled as they tried to read
  The names of that gallant band.

All their buddies and comrades had gone before,
  These two were now the last,
But they had come to a final reunion,
  To honor their friends from the past.

I heard the names I knew so well,
  The ones that had shared with me.
And I tried to catch if mine was read,
  And wondered if it would be.

The light was dim, the voices low,
  So I couldn't understand,
I only knew these two old  men,
  Were sitting hand in hand.

Remembering the days when they were young,
  And the ones who shared their lot,
Remembering strong and handsome youths,
  And the days they had never forgot.

I don't know who they were,
  Though I strained my eyes to see,
I hope that one was J.B.Woodson,
  I hope the other one was me.
...Neal Lake

     As of this date there are a little over one million World War II veterans still alive out of 16 Million.
This is about six- percent by my figuring.  While overseas, the 33rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron averaged 346 personnel.  Going by the overall figure of six-percent would mean there should be approximately 21 of us still responding to roll call.  I don't know why anyone would complain, so I am going to take the liberty of updating the last verse of Neal's poem to read:
 I don't know who they were,
 Though I strained my eyes to see,
  I hope that one was Russ Schaller,
  I hope the other one was me.
  ...Andy Dolan with apologies to Neal LakeAndre