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BillySparksPackmembersKeithBalcom,JakeJakovenkoandJeffBushman, attendedtheUniversityofKentucky’sAFROTCArnoldAirSociety/SilverWingsdinneronNov. 16th.CadetBaileyZimanorganizedthespaghettidinnerandpackmemberJeffBushmanpresentedherwithaRiver Ratchallengecoin for her efforts.

 

UKCadetMatthewPhelaninvited the pack to participateinthisyear’sPOW/MIArun, heldonNov.17th. About 140 cadets and cadre, from both the UniversityofKentuckyandtheUniversityofLouisvilleAFROTCdetachments, began the run fromtheUKcampusinLexingtontotheKentuckyVietnamVeteransMemorialinFrankfort. A total of 15people, including two cadre members, completed the entire 29-mile course. Of specialnote, thedetachmentsdedicatedthisyear'sruntopackmemberKeithBalcom’sbrother, Col. RalphBalcom, MIA, May, 1966 fromhis96thmissionintheF-105. Keithtalkedto thecadetsaftertherun, tellingthemabouthisbrother andwhatthisdedicationmeanttohim, which drove home the true meaning of the run. He presented Cadet Phelan with a River Rat challenge coinandrepresentedtheRiverRatsattheceremonyattheKentuckyVietnamVeterans later in the day. Sierra Hotel to both detachments.More information about the KY Vietnam Memorial can be found here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_Vietnam_Veterans_Memorial