The last official reunion of the TWA DCS Alumni Association…the Final Departure… was held in Kansas City, Missouri September 23 through September 25, 2022.
Of the 69 members who have paid dues through 2022, 31 attended with guests for a total of 45 attendees.
Those who arrived Thursday, September 24, were treated to an unofficial kick off, hosted by Joe and Belinda Hobbs, from 5-8pm in the Ambassadors Club at the TWA Museum at the Downtown Airport at 10 Richards Road…. the original TWA headquarters at “Municipal/MKC.”
The reunion Officially began Friday night in the 12th Street Meeting Room of the Downtown Marriott Hotel from 5-10PM. Attendees enjoyed appetizers and beverages as they caught up with old friends.
Arlene Schneider brought 5 framed TWA items from her framing store and gave each attendee a free raffle ticket. 5 lucky attendees went home with beautiful memento’s….framed pictures of an L-1011 and a 747, 2 framed cutouts of a TWA logo and 1 framed picture of a San Francisco street scene. Thank You, Arlene!!
Saturday morning, the annual business meeting was held at 9am. Attendees decided to continue the organization for at least 2 more years but just in a different format. Gatherings will be regional and organized by local residents. Communication will be through a membership restricted Facebook Page or the Website both of which John McGlade will oversee. Dues will no longer be required. Pam and Gary Smedile will maintain the checking account for the organization and disperse funds for expenses (e.g. the website fee) as required. Gary, John and Pam will put together a list of DCS’s who have been active, and for whom current contact information is available, and email each to ask whether they want their contact information made available to other members via an official membership list. The contact information for those who opt out will be redacted when the final list is made available. This is currently a work-in-progress.
During the day, tours of the TWA Museum were given. Many enjoyed the WWI Museum, the Jazz Museum and Negro League Baseball Museum in KC’s historic 18th and Vine District, the Truman Library, the River Market and Steam Boat Arabia Museum as well as several area restaurants.
Saturday evening, a Grand Finale Reception and Dinner was held. Robin Wilson was the featured speaker and walked us all down memory lane one last time. Arlene Elliott showed a video she had produced which highlighted DCS’s, class pictures and past reunions.
Parting was bittersweet with many promising to stay in touch, if not at in-person gatherings, at least through social media. All expressed gratefulness for the many, many years of shared memories and friendship and for all that so many have done over the past almost 50 years to keep us ‘connected,’ most especially Mr. TWA DCS personified, our own Jon Proctor.
Blue Skies!
Photos are courtesy of Ed McLaughlin.
