Posted at the request of the author, James Meckley ’67.

August 8, 2017

Gentlemen,

It is the beginning of August and the agenda is set, the Banquet is in place, transportation to events are booked and only 39 out of 629 bandsmen are missing, 483 have been contacted and unfortunately 109 are deceased. To this point there are 48 paid to attend the Banquet and thirty eight (38) rooms have been reserved. Thirty (30) have been kind enough to contact me with regrets. A few others told me before this all began that the weekend we picked would be a problem due to other commitments. I have also received some wonderful notes and emails encouraging and thanking me for my efforts. Colonel Feltham’s son, Dudley and his wife Sarah and grandson Christopher have accepted our invitation and will be present at the banquet.

For those who may be procrastinating or finalizing schedules, you have approximately 5 weeks until the September 15th deadline. Rooms will be held at the special pricing until that date and the banquet meal orders need to be given to the caterers and banquet facilities staff. Those of you who have sent registration and payment should make sure you are on the banquet list (attached to this Email). For those who want to attend the banquet only, you are most welcome to participate in all the other activities without staying at the hotel.

One last favor I would like to ask everyone, attending or not, please send me via email your complete address, telephone number, instrument you played and your spouses name if applicable. This will help me greatly in updating the band alumni list.

Attached to this letter is the latest list of attendees to the banquet, a list of the 39 missing for those who can help with the search and the itinerary for the weekend in case you didn’t see it before. [Note: Please see the post below to view these attachments. – DW ]

I feel we were a very talented group of men with a very special bond that were given many tools for success by a man who made us hungry to excel in all that we did. I hope those who do not attend will not regret missing the special bond that will happen while we are together on October 13-15, 2017.

Thank you and hope to hear from many of you. Encouragement from you to a fellow classmate is a great recruiting tool. Let me know if you need contact information for someone not on the attendance list. it’s not too late.

Jim Meckley ’67 Band Sir!