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FAAA 2010 PROPBLAST DINNER


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2010 FIRST ALLIED AIRBORNE ASSOCIATION PROPBLAST DINNER

 

 

As the 2010 show season finally drew to a close, The First Allied Airborne Association with partners and Honoured Guests met up at Littlecote House for their end of season Prop Blast Dinner.

 

In 2009 the group celebrated their 15th Anniversary and held this at the Crown in Aldbourne, the “Easy” Company Command Post. For this year’s Prop blast it was fitting to move the dinner to the Regiment Headquarters, Littlecote House, essential really as we had a larger gathering than the previous year and it was unlikely the Crown could seat all who wanted to attend.

 

On contacting Litttlecote, now a top class Hotel and Spar, we were very pleased at how helpful they were in helping us achieve our goals and were very supportive, allowing us the use of not only the original Long Gallery room where the Officers held their Regimental dinners and entertained guests but also gave us the use of several other historic rooms including the Great Hall, the Chinese room and Colonel Sinks office.

 

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Being held at the historic Tudor house, the war time home to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the event was always going to be a tremendous success and with the vast majority of the Association attending with their partners to celebrate this year’s achievements it surpassed all hopes and became a truly fantastic evening. Setting up took place on the Saturday Afternoon, with assistance from the Hotel Staff the tables were set out to accommodate all with some room to spare. The Gallery room is as its name implies very long and narrow therefore the table was set out to allow room each side for the Colors to be marched on at the start of the evening. Once set out the room and table looked magnificent and would have looked much the same as it did in the summer of 1944.

 

The 101st Divisional Colors which we had made for us State side had only arrived in country a week before and would be the first time we would parade them, it would be a fitting time to parade and display them. T5 “Pops “ Marsh had made a special stand for the event, allowing the National Colors and Divisional Flag to be posted at the start of the evening.

 

With the National Colors being paraded it was important we had an American National as Guest of Honor at our Dinner and we were privileged to have with us Master Sergeant Richie Woodward and his charming Wife Tammy, both friends of the group and active duty serving Airmen.

With the rooms set up for the evening I had just enough time for a short walk around the Historic house and take in the ambience of the place, little has changed since the American were here and it was going to be a privilege to have our annual dinner and Prop Blast here in this great house, not so much a recreation of the war years but more of a social event for dedicated members of the group with partners and friends, however what was about to take place was not going to be far from what happened here sixty plus years ago.

 

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Littlecote House on a bright and sunny October Morning

 

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Seating plan is displayed in the Long Gallery

 

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The long Table is prepared for the evening

 

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This 506th Regiment Sign is from the Band Of Brother Production and is an exact replica of the one that stood at the gates of Toccoa Georgia, the original is seen here with the Regimental Commander Col Robert Frederick Sink

 

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Company Guidon is placed alongside the fireplace in the Long Gallery

 

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The National Flag and the Division Colors are displayed at the head of the table

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Many of the group members were making a weekend of it and had booked rooms either in the hotel itself, or in several other locations, in Aldbourne, Foxfields or Hungerford, all places with its own 101st histories. Coming in from all these base locations the FAAA met up in the Great Hall for 1900hrs for pre –dinner drinks. The great hall is where Officers of the Regiment relaxed in front of the open fire when off duty, today the FAAA met up with friends, walking in the footsteps of the 506th.

 

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For this event we were pleased to have with us 3 members of the Screaming Eagles Living History Group, its Commander Capt Dave Alloway, Platoon Leader, Lt Alex Rickets and PFC Bruce Stegals, Bruce works for the hotel and is very passionate in regards to its WWII History and it was a privilege to have all 3 with us for the event.

 

At 1900hrs the guests started to arrive at the great hall and were met by the First Sgt and Company Officers, before long all had a welcome drink in their hands and were relaxing in each other’s company.

 

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At 1945hrs the 5 min warning to dinner was given, afterwhich Officers and men found there partners for the evening and mustered at the foot of the grand stairs to make there way up and into the Long Gallery.

 

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Once gathered in the Long Gallery, members and guests were seated for the opening address. To open the dinner the National flag and 101st Airborne division colors were to be marched into the Long Gallery and posted at the head of the table.

 

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With an American servicemen attending permission were sought to advance colors. Permission granted the FAAA Honor Guard marched in the Colors and performed “Sunset” This ceremony to music was a fitting tribute to the men of the Division who never returned home after WWII, it was also carried out to mark the sacrifice of the current 101st Airborne now serving its third tour of duty in Afghanistan.

 

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After the short service where the 506th Regimental prayer was said followed by TAPS the colors were laid up at the head of the table.

 

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With the formalities over the dinner was served and all relaxed to enjoy the meal

 

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The evening got off to a great start and continued into the late hours. With food served efficiently and the wine waiter making several trips to the bar the evening at last came to the point all love, or not, the speeches and presentations. With a fantastic year behind us there was plenty to refer back to when we talked about our achievements, but it was individual’s achievements we were honouring at this dinner. First off our serving Military were welcomed and thanked for the service to their country, a gift of a splendid print of the Market Garden drop was presented to Master Sergeant Woodward and flowers given to his wife Tammy.

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3 messages were read out to the group and guests, all recieved just a few days before the meal, 2 were from the States and were from the 506th Association and the 101st Airborne Association Presidents, a third message was recieved from long serving group member Neil Galloway who is currently working overseas, the messages from the 506th and 101st Associations are reproduced below.

 

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The achievements of the “Help Four Heroes” march team were recognised with the presentation to all who took part, of a “certificate of achievement” Those who received the award was 1st Lt “Carrots” Winchester, 2nd Lt “Bee” Williams, 2nd Lt Ally Wring, 2nd Lt Kelz Wring, all of the 818th Air Evac Sqn. Presenting the awards was 1st Lt Lesley Bowden the teams acting CO. The guys also received certificates, they were Sgt Thomas J Smart, Cpl “Gaz” Wring, PFC Jon “Possum” Mawer, and Pvt “Bull” Worner . PFC Mike “Stretch” Wring was also recognised for his support on the march.

 

Certificates of Commendation this year went to the following:

 

Capt Amanda Ware

2nd Lt Irene Macdonald

T 4 Bob Macdonald

T5 Gavin Ware.

T5 “Pops” Marsh

 

Capt Amanda Ware ANC

Is hereby commended for the exemplary leadership skills, commitment and example shown while commanding the Army Nurses element of the First Allied Airborne Association, from activation of the group through to the 2010 re-enactment season. Capt Ware has performed all her duties with a very high degree of professionalism and has gained the respect of all members of her Group and Association.

 

2nd Lt Irene Macdonald ANC

Is hereby commended for the exemplary commitment and example shown while serving as a member of the First Allied Airborne Association.

 

Lt Macdonald has provided the First Allied Airborne Association with valuable support on its many deployments and events.

Working alongside Bob, Irene has been responsible for providing fresh cooked meals for all members of the group and has provided first class administration to the units field kitchen. Lt Macdonald has performed all her duties in the field with a very high degree of professionalism and has gained the respect of all group members.

 

T4 Bob Macdonald

Is hereby commended for the exemplary commitment and example shown while serving as a member of the First Allied Airborne Association.

 

T4 Macdonald has provided the First Allied Airborne Association with valuable support on its many deployments and events.

Bob has shown commitment and creativity in the field kitchen, planning, preparing and cooking superb meals for all in the FAAA. He’s been knocked out by a tent pole, and had his eyebrows singed off by the Field Cooker – but he’s still stepped up to the plate and provided nourishing, tasty meals for all.

 

T4 Macdonald has performed all his duties in the field with a very high degree of professionalism and has gained the respect of all group members.

 

T5 Gavin Ware

Is hereby commended for the exemplary commitment and example shown while serving as a member of the First Allied Airborne Association.

 

T5 Ware has attended all 2010 season major and minor events, undertaking important work in the field of Pyrotechnics. In particular he has given great support in regards to the running of the group, spending much of his own time in preparing loading and transporting important display assets to group deployment locations.

 

He has performed all his duties in the field with a very high degree of professionalism and has gained the respect of all group members.

 

T5 Lee “Pops” Marsh

Is hereby commended for the exemplary commitment and example shown while serving as a member of the First Allied Airborne Association.

 

T5 Marsh has continued to undertake the important task of running the Units Military Police Detachment, often single handed, while also providing support to the Association through transporting group display stores using his Military Vehicle.

 

When not in the field T5 Marsh has provided the Association with exemplary support, using his vast skills to construct valuable display assets, always in his own time and frequently at cost to himself. Pops receives great respect from all members of the Association.

 

To round off the speaches and presentations several toasts were given, the most important one to absent friends.

 

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After downing one or two more drinks it was time to retire to the Chinese Room for Coffee and a time to totally relax in the splendour of this beautiful room. The staff had done a wonderful job during the evening and to top it all off when we arrived in the room the Coffee, tea and 101st Cake we had made was laid out ready for us. For many this was the most enjoyable of a very enjoyable evening and all stayed until late enjoying each other’s company.

 

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A final presentation was undertaken when a Wreath was presented to Bruce. This 101st Airborne Division flower arrangement was in memory of all “Screaming Eagle” troopers who paid the ultimate price, never to return home. The wreath was gratefully accepted and was taken to the Houses Airborne museum for display.

 

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Finally it was time to cut the cake, Lt Carrots of course was first in line to do the cutting, ably assisted by Lesley the event organiser.

 

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Of course the evening was not over yet, as is tradition in the FAAA it was again time to see just how much fun can be had with a stick on Moustache.

 

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As the night drew to a close some of the troops drifted back to the Long Gallery to get some "Happy Snaps" with the colors and to get a last look at the room that over 60 years ago would have been buzzing with the sound of the Regiments Officers.

 

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All too quickly people started to say their good bye’s and board their transport to the various local Hotels and B&B’s that surround Littlecote House. Soon all that remained was Lesley and myself who were fortunately able to stay at the Regimental Headquarters. Sitting in our room with a hot chocolate before bed, I thought back to a great night spent with the very best of friends. After the splendid Anniversary dinner the year before this one could well have been an anti Climax, but it was nothing of the sort. So many people helped make this happen, but most important of all was Lesley’s contribution, her organisational skills in corporate dinner organising sealed several deals with the hotel and secured for us one of the most unique of WWII military venues.

 

This group has had one of its best years, if not the very best of years since its formation and this event was the icing on the cake for all who attended.

 

It is hoped that a return to this house will be possible in 2011 and that new recruits to the group will have the opportunity to experience the history and magic that is Littlecote House.

 

Lee Bowden

First Allied Airborne Association

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Hi Ian

 

Thanks mate, was a fantastic evening and plans are already underway to improve on it for next year.

 

We will be back down in the area next weekend when we parade the colors in church for the Americans. We will also be back at Littlecote in April next year working with our friends the Screaming Eagles Living History Group. If free come along and meet some of the troops and vistit the house if you have not already been before.

 

Regards

 

Lee

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Hi Ian

 

Thanks mate, was a fantastic evening and plans are already underway to improve on it for next year.

 

We will be back down in the area next weekend when we parade the colors in church for the Americans. We will also be back at Littlecote in April next year working with our friends the Screaming Eagles Living History Group. If free come along and meet some of the troops and vistit the house if you have not already been before.

 

Regards

 

Lee

 

 

Roger that Lee...love too, if I'm able. I'll look out for you to publish info/dates on the forum nearer the time.

 

Cheers!

 

Ian

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This 506th Regiment Sign is from the Band Of Brother Production and is an exact replica of the one that stood at the gates of Toccoa Georgia

Amazing job on the sign!
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Greatfully Recieved.

 

November 2, 2010

 

First Allied Airborne Association

 

Very nice job on the website! I’m really impressed. I also forwarded your first email to the guy who maintains our website. I’m hoping that Bruce can provide a link for our veterans with you.

 

I also have a question for you. Does the Prop Blast Dinner take place every year? If so when, and at what time? The reason I’m asking is I’ve got this idea that it might be something I might want to attend in the future. My wife has been to England but I haven’t. The only draw back in 2011 would be the return of the troops from their deployment. There will be a huge celebration at Ft. Campbell and I need to be there for that.

 

Also, keep the current troops in your thoughts and prayers as we’ve lost another 4 soldiers these past two weeks.

 

Currahee,

 

Donald E Thies

506th Airborne Infantry Regiment Association

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