Friends of the 416th Bomb Group Keeping memories alive by perpetuating the accomplishments and heritage of the 416th Bomb Group for present and future generations 2026 Reunion Announcement Dayton, Ohio September 16-20, 2026

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Friends of the 416th Bomb Group - 2026 Reunion Announcement

From Doris Sayles and Mary Adams

10 July 2026

Dear Friends and Families of the 416th Bomb Group,

Our 416th Bomb Group reunion for 2026 is September 16-20. If you've already sent your registration and fee to us, Thank You! This note will fill in some further details about the reunion you might also be interested in.

The reunion follows the same format we've had for many years: arrive on Wednesday (the 16th), depart on Sunday (the 20th) after breakfast. This year we are staying at the Hope Hotel which is famous in its own way (hint: the name is "Hope" for a reason!) and is conveniently located right outside Gate 12 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

We are accepting registrations through August 31st, so make plans and send in the registration form and your registration fee. Keep in mind, the cutoff date for a guaranteed room at reduced rates is August 26th. We are seeing a good response already and don't have an upper limit on the number attending but would appreciate an earlier response if you can.

We are very pleased to announce that Ross and Sally Stewart from England are again able to attend our reunion. For those who don't know, Ross is the curator of the Wethersfield Airfield Museum (now in Finchingfield) and has graciously hosted American visitors whose relatives served in Wethersfield during WWII (in the 416th BG) or who themselves served there during the Cold War era as members of the US Air Force.

We are also very pleased that Dr. Vernon Williams, renowned historian and World War II author and filmmaker will join us in Dayton. Vernon has authored and edited several books, articles and films depicting events in Europe involving aviation during the war and, if you have not attended a reunion before and heard Vernon speak, you are in for a real treat!


Here's the tentative schedule for the reunion:

Wednesday, 16 September
Arrival day for most attendees. No formal presentations this day and dinner is on your own but in past reunions people gather in the hospitality room (the "Mustang" Room) and make plans for your evening from there.

Thursday, 17 September
We'll meet in the morning to gather for a trip to the "National Museum of the US Air Force." We will have a docent to guide us for the first part of our visit. You'll have lunch on your own at the museum and, after our return, we'll gather again in the Hospitality Room. Dinner is on your own that evening.

Friday, 18 September
Enjoy the Dayton area visiting sites related to the Wright Brothers or relax in the Hospitality Room. We are also planning for a presentation by Ross or Vernon (or both!) in the afternoon. That evening we'll gather for an informal pizza and salad dinner in the Hospitality Room.

Saturday, 19 September
We'll conduct our traditional business meeting in the morning covering topics such as the Archive and Wethersfield. There may also be a presentation or two after lunch. Before the Banquet, we will gather at 5:30 PM for photographs. Informal business attire is usually worn for this dinner. The banquet will take place in the Sabre/Phantom room in the hotel. Your registration fee covers its cost.

Sunday, 20 September
Breakfast at the hotel, farewells and travel home.


Throughout the reunion, water and snacks will be available in the Hospitality Room. You are welcome to bring beverages, including alcoholic beverages from your hotel room, or purchase drinks from Packy's, the hotel's restaurant. Packy's is also available for alcoholic beverages during the banquet. Complimentary coffee, tea and water will be provided at the Banquet.

If you have any questions about the reunion, please let us know. We've attached a Registration Form (see below) for those who still need to register. The phone number of the Hope Hotel is (937) 879-2696.

Our numbers are: Doris (417) 499-1708 and Mary (612) 419-1519.

Hope to see you there!
Doris and Mary

Attachment: "Updated" Registration Form PDF file
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