After returning from the American Fighter Aces 2003 reunion, I thought I'd give everyone a report.
There were 35 aces present in Mesa and it was a great time. After a visit to the Champlin Fighter Museum(which is now closed), there was a luau that night.
Saturday's event was a signing in the morning where the aces sit at tables and people can come in and get things autographed like prints, books, etc. There were two MOH winners there, Jim Swett and Robert Galer, and their tables had the longest lines.
There was a full dress dinner that night and it was quite the affair. Luke AFB sent out several personnel including a full honor guard. The Air Force, Navy and Marines sent their current top guns to recieve awards handed out every year by the Aces. I got to sit with an American Spitfire ace(31st FG)and had a great time listening to his combat stories.
They had a hospitality room open throughout the whole event and I spent several hours talking with aces about everything from fighter tactics to fishing.
All in all it was a great time and I was in awe milling around with "real" fighter aces.
