There are in existence many versions of how the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, commonly called the River Rats, originated. Here's the REAL version; one which is true, at least, in part.

First, some background! Early in 1967, Robin Olds hosted a tactics symposium held at Ubon, Thailand. A lot of good poop was discussed and recorded at this meeting, but most of it was lost within the headquarters bureaucracy. So, in May of the same year, we at Korat decided to try for a more fruitful conference where Fighter, Bomber, Escort, and Tanker folks could talk it over face-to-face. I went to Colonel "Bill" Chairsell, 388th Wing Commander, to tell him of the plan and to propose a Dining-In in conjunction with the affair. Colonel Chairsell allowed as how we couldn't call it a Dining-In because we'd have to invite all the base "Grunts," but we could have a dinner if we called it something else.

So I went to "Lash" Lagreau, the project officer, to report what the boss had said. Right off "Lash" seized the bull by the horns, and he up and painted a forty foot banner proclaiming, "Welcome, Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association." To this day, I don't know whether "Lash" or "Fat" Frank Smith, one of his helpers, originated the idea. None the less, the embryonic River Rats were conceived.

Fighter pilots have always felt that they were predestined to do things in a big way. We wanted to have a gigantic parade from the flight line to the Club, led by three elephants and a band. Somehow "Lash" came up with SIX elephants, and of course, they were the highlight of the parade. It was a three day trip each way to get the elephants to Korat and they cost us 20 bucks each. This first practice reunion was held on Buddha's birthday because we were all "Standing down" for the holiday.

We did manage to have a tactics conference from which some good came. The "Snoopy Report" was part of it. This report dealt with the monumental task of getting the "ALPHA" task force in and out. Obviously, we all had a vested interest in the success of this project.

More importantly, in a historical sense, we had a big blast that evening in 1967. "Chappy" James was the guest speaker. Afterwards we had fun and games administered by "Mo" Seaver. At this point it occurred to me why Robin Olds brought six of the biggest guys he could find in his "Wolfpack." This group was headed by Dee Simmonds. At about midnight in the festivities, Robin came to me and whispered, "Scrappy, I know a good game, but it usually starts a fight." Shortly after, I was introduced to the First River Rat Mig Sweep.

In late summer of 1967, Ubon held what turned out to be the second practice reunion. It was at this gathering that we selected our emblem and the River Rat sobriquet came into being. Later, practice reunions were held at Takhli, Udorn, Ubon, and, again, Korat. It was at this last blast at Korat that the POW/MIA Freedom Bell came into being.

In the spring of 1969, Brigadier General Robin Olds visited me at Kincheloe AFB to discuss formulation of a chartered River Rat organization. Colonel Larry Pickett and I combined our efforts with the efforts of many others to lead us to where we are today. Since the registration of our charter and our first stateside practice reunion held at Wichita, Kansas, in 1969, we have practiced for the first REAL Reunion with annual sessions at San Antonio, San Diego, and Wichita.

Now at long last, the BIG one! The first REAL Reunion of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association when the POW/MIA Freedom Bell, silent for far too long, will be rung joyously and long and loud and clear. Welcome Home POW's!! We've been waiting for you a long time. We've had so much practice that this First River Rat Reunion ought to be great. By now you are aware of our scholarship fund, of the letter writing campaigns, the bumper stickers, and the Freedom Bell. By these things know that we are damned glad that you are here. Who knows, at this reunion you may very well meet a fellow whose voice you heard last over a survival radio. What a meeting THAT will be! Watching your return HOME on television and seeing the proud and patriotic demeanor that you displayed departing those homecoming airplanes was one of the greatest moments in our lives. America is proud of you.

In the years since the First REAL Reunion and the ringing of the POW/MIA Freedom Bell, the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association has continued to focus on MIA/ KIA issues, with the purpose of generating awareness of the sacrifices these men and their families experienced and to provide scholarship support to the children of these men. The scholarship program includes children of any aircrew member in Southeast Asia in the MIA/KIA category, the children of the men who died as the result of the aborted raid into Iran to rescue hostages in 1980, the raid on Lebanon in 1983, the raid on Libya in 1986, and Desert Storm in 1991. Scholarships are distributed annually from the fund to qualified students in accredited colleges and universities.

Contributions to the fund have grown steadily and have supported outstanding young people in the tradition that we pray would make their fathers proud. All contributions to the scholarship fund are endorsements of the Red River Valley Association's important expressions of patriotism. Including the scholarships granted yesterday for the 1992-1993 school year, the scholarship program has awarded more than 600 grants totalling over $700,000. (Editor's Note: As of 2004, the River Rats have awarded over 900 scholarship grants at a value of over $1,500,000.)