Friday night BBQ fed 225 folks until the meat ran out.  There were more in attendance.  A booster crew from Redmond also joined the ranks.

Sat. morning showed a large crowd at the Open House with displays, complimentary brunch, jumps and Base tours.

Sat. night dinner counted 272 meals with the max being 275.  A large group of ex-jumpers from each decade attended.

Sunday morning brunch saw 108 for breakfast and more attending the Memorial Service to honor the brothers who have passed.  The most recent being Hal Weinmann the following Monday and John Davis 9/16/2007

Ex-jumpers came from near and far – Kansas, Florida, New York, Calif., Oregon, Alaska and the states in-between and the farthest distance being Germany.  Goes to show what the weekend meant to all and no one wanted to miss.

All bills were paid and with the Balance a fund was started for the next NCSB Reunion and donations were made to the NCSB Welfare Fund, Methow Valley Firefighters Memorial in the Winthrop Park (which honors 5 from NCSB – 1 pilot and 4 jumpers), National Smokejumpers Association for their assistance in printing the book “Spittin in the Wind” and to the Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center (CBFIC) in Entiat featuring the Francis Lufkin Interpretive Trail.

Donations can still be made to the Firefighters Memorial thru the Methow Arts Alliance 997-4004 and to CBFIC by contacting Bill Moody.

The book “Spittin in the Wind” can also still be purchased by contacting NCSB Welfare Fund – Jason Ramos.

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Gino “The Bear” Jessup, NCSB 1957

There is a NCSB Smokejumper reunion in early September in the year of our Lord two thousand and seven.  For many men of my generation of smokejumpers, this will be our last reunion.  Many of the men that I embrace at this gathering I will never see again.  Our voices will soon grow silent.  It is as it should be – a last farewell.  We have no need for further reunions.  Let us say what needs to be said and let us embrace the warmth of this good-bye, as we move inexorably to the end of our journeys.

My dear friends, those of us who share this place in time – I love and honor you, not only as fellow smokejumpers but as fellow travelers in life. For a few, brief September days we will reminisce and recall with pride and joy the many memories which we share.  In time, who and what we were and the things we did, will fade and become memories.  And eventually, like old photos and worn books in a weathered trunk, these memories will be the only remnants of our passing.  One generation moves on to eternity, and the next steps forward to be tested.

I am content today to know that, in my youth, I shared a wonderful experience with a select group of very special men.  In 1958, I was friends with Gerald Helmer, Gus Hendrickson, Bob Carlman and Bob Cavanaugh – until the Eight Mile Ridge fire.  I grieved for them then and I still do.  Francis Lufkin was the man I wanted to emulate – tough, fair, honest – a man you could count on to be there if you needed a strong helping hand.  I miss him.  Hal Weinmann, the Zander brothers, Chet Putman, Tony Percival and many more of my fellow jumpers I will never forget.  Each one of them helped me grow to manhood.  They demonstrated for me all those outstanding qualities which made them unique in their own way: honesty, courage, commitment, loyalty, integrity, and the strong bonds of acceptance and friendship.  I will remember these men with love, respect and a sense not only of loss but of joy that I knew them, at least for a little while, as trusted friends, companions, and fellow smokejumpers.  Gentlemen, I am grateful for the privilege.

And I accept that it comes to this – a Memorial Service for fallen and departed comrades – with the awareness that the piper will play the pipes for me.