Jake FACs’ 2^nd Reunion  – 25-28 Sept 2005

Despite Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Jake FACs of Quang Ngai & Tam Ky held their second reunion (the “Carolina Low Country Reunion”) in Charleston, South Carolina, September 25-28, 2005.  For most, it was their first visit to the Low Country, and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect.  A number of Jakes arrived a day early to take in the beauty of Charles Towne, and to visit the Hunley, the first submarine to sink a ship in wartime (this Civil War ship was only recovered from Charleston Harbor about five years ago, after nearly 150 years).  The Jakes’ T.O.C. in the Sheraton Hotel was the daily hospitality room, with a lot of photos, slides, video clips, and swapping of war stories from our tours in SEA.

Monday was our downtown Charleston day – starting with a tour of the Visitor Center, and the “Charleston Experience” video. The group walking tour of the historic Charleston Battery and Old Charles Towne gave everyone a good flavor for the beauty of this beautiful and richly historic city.  After lunch, the Jakes headed across the Cooper River to Patriots Point for a tour of the aircraft carrier Yorktown.  Finally a quick visit to Sullivan’s Island and Historic Fort Moultrie, an active coastal fort from the Revolutionary War through the end of WW II.

After this full day of touring the Low Country, the Jakes met at the Charleston (all-ranks) Club for a Frogmore Stew cookout (fresh shrimp, andouille sausage, onions, potatoes and corn-on-the-cob).  The evening ended back at the TOC for more camaraderie and war stories.

Tuesday was a day at Charleston AFB, home of the first C-17 Globemaster III and the 437^th and 315^th (associate) Airlift Wings.  A C-17 crew presented a professional briefing on the capabilities and mission of the C-17, followed by a tour of the flight line and a C-17 on static display.  Everyone got to climb into the seats on the flight deck with the pilots, and observe the workings of cargo loading equipment and the computerized loadmaster’s station.

Following lunch at the Charleston Club, the Jakes were treated to a visit to the C-17 Simulator facility, where everyone got to try their hand at actually flying the jumbo C-17 around the pattern.  After everyone had had a hand at the controls, the group headed either to the base golf course for the “Jake Lowcountry Classic” golf scramble, or across the river to a tour of Magnolia Gardens Plantation.  At sundown, the group met back at the Charleston Club for a cook-your-own (steak or chicken) dinner.  Once again, the Jakes ended the day at the TOC.

Having had a taste of the Low Country’s historic sites, the Jakes had a free day on Wednesday, to further explore their personal favorites, or merely to renew old friendships and make new ones at the TOC.  Everyone reconvened at 1600 for the Jakes’ Business Meeting, where the group voted on adoption of the Association’s Constitution and By-Laws, a dues structure, election of Association officers, and selection of the next reunion site.

Following cocktail hour, the Jakes assembled in the Sheraton Banquet Room for wine and baked brie. After the invocation and a remembrance of our fallen brothers, the “Charleston Straw Market” buffet was opened.  Following dinner and coffee, our guest speaker, Col. Joe Harris of the 315^th Airlift Wing gave a presentation on the importance of contacting our elected officials to tell them how they should vote on critical issues affecting our troops and veterans.  A short awards presentation recognized the winners of the Jake Classic, and also recognized Vice President Chuck McCalip as the Jake FAC Association’s first Outstanding Veteran Member, for his superb work on locating potential members and building the database.

The banquet ended with a chance for every member to tell a favorite war story.

By popular vote of the Association, the next Jake FAC Reunion will be in Orlando, FL, probably  in late September 2007.  Look for details of the business meeting, a listing of the Board of Officers, and more information on joining the Jake FAC Association in a separate announcement.

For details on joining the Jake FAC Association, email Chuck McCalip at

mccalip@paulbunyan.net or phone Chuck at (218) 751-2711.

Jay Barnes, Jake 26, Tam Ky’70

President , Jake FAC Association