A PROVEN LEADER FOR DISTRICT NINE!
NEIGHBOR HUSBAND FATHER VETERAN
In November, 1966, the Air Force hosted a tactics conference that included US Air Force, Navy, and Marine aircrews who were flying combat missions over the Red River Valley of North Vietnam. While these conferences were important exchanges of tactical knowledge for the combat aircrew, they were also a great source of support and camaraderie for the aircrew engaged in combat over North Vietnam.
After the war, the organization focused on supporting the families whose loved ones were missing or had been killed during the war. It then expanded to include caring for living members and scholarships to make sure the children of those killed in battle could attend college. In August, 1973, after the Vietnam Prisoners of War had returned home, the first “real” reunion was held in Las Vegas, NV. As the association few, the scholarship program was expanded to provide scholarships to children of United States military personnel MIA/KIA in armed conflicts from Southeast Asia through the present. Additionally, dependents of aircrew members killed in military aircraft accidents now qualify for scholarships.
The River Rats have awarded more than 1,200 scholarship grants totaling over 2.5 million dollars to the children and spouses of Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps aircrew members.
The organization continues to hold reunions and award scholarships annually. The reunions coincide with the annual board and membership meetings and provides a venue for members and their families to gather, remember old times and those we have lost, and create new memories. This year is the 50th Anniversary of first “Real Reunion”; the one after the POWs returned to the United States.
