357 Fighter Group reunion

[bobbysocks]

attending the dinner was Dr. Olmstead, son of Merle Olmstead, a crew chief for the group and later its historian. he, Merle, autored several books on the 357th. also there was Col. Theresa Snow from the Ohio Air National Guard. they took over the heritage of the 357th and the yellow and red checker board colors. they used to have aircraft but now have moved to flying Preditor drones. the Belle of the ball was Mr.s Fletcher Adams and her sone and his family. When Capt Adams dies he left a young wife and baby son. they remained in Ida all these years.

Picture legend:

#1 L-R Joe Shea ( well half of him ), Peter Saunders, wife of a pilot ( red ), Mrs. Buzzeo, Jessie Frey, Pat Buzzeo, and Billy Strickland.

Peter Saunders came over from England. he run the group museum at Leiston where the original airstrip was. Pat Buzzeo was Jessie's crew chief. Billy Strickland is one of the owners and the pilot of a P51 painted exactly like Jessie Frey's Ain't Misbehavin. there was a planned fly over during the presentation tomorrow.

#2 L-R Jim, McLane, Joe Shea, and Peter Saunders

#3 Mrs. Adams and her family

#4 Dr. Olmstead, his wife, and Col Snow