Vietnam veteran Jim Fossum enjoys expanded reunion with fellow U.S. Air Force veterans
Jim Fossum, formerly of Waukon (third from left in above photo), attended a reunion in late October of fellow U.S. Air Force veterans who he served with during the Vietnam War. Pictured above at the reunion are, left to right, Bob Tarabetz of Goodyear, AZ, Bill Markley of Palm Desert, CA, Jim Fossum now of Sun City West, AZ, John Kucherer of Yucaipa, CA, Danny Seydel of Lake Tapps, WA and Danny Boswell of Houston, TX. Submitted photo.
Waukon native Jim Fossum, who now lives in Sun City West, AZ, has been fortunate enough to remain in contact with some of the men he served in the U.S. Air Force with during the Vietnam War, getting together on a somewhat consistent basis with a couple of them since their days in uniform. Several years ago, that reunion took a more native twist when Fossum hosted those two fellow veterans for several days in his own hometown, and this year's reunion proved to be even more special, as that reunion group expanded to six former fly mates.
Having more regularly met up with fellow servicemen Bill Markley of Palm Desert, CA and John Kucherer of Yucaipa, CA since their time serving together in the late 1960s, that trio set out in search of others they served with during the last couple years. That effort resulted in the doubling of the reunion group, as that initial trio met up with Bob Tarabetz of Goodyear, AZ, Danny Seydel of Lake Tapps, WA and Danny Boswell of Houston, TX October 23 in Las Vegas, NV.
"We met for two days to get re-acquainted and reminisce, some of us not having seen one another since 1966," Fossum shared. "We talked, we laughed, we cried and shared old 'war stories.' We departed on the 25th better friends than ever and vowing to keep in touch. 'Wheels Up' until we meet again!"
Fossum further explained the bond that these half dozen shared from their days in the U.S. Air Force, relaying: "In 1964 we six guys, among others fresh out of high school, chose to serve our country in the United States Air Force. After basic training and Aircraft Loadmaster school in Texas, we found ourselves flying on C-141 Aircraft at Travis Air Force Base in California. We were in charge of weight and balance and supervising loading and off-loading of cargo and passengers on our aircraft and air dropping cargo and troops as well.
"Flying out of Travis, we flew into South Vietnam and other exotic places in Southeast Asia. After a couple of years there we were all sent over to southeast Asia to different bases flying on C-130s and C-123s, flying in and out of bases in Vietnam delivering cargo, troops and air evacuation of wounded and heroes who made the 'ultimate sacrifice.' After 13 months there, some opted for discharge and some stayed in, making it a career."
Fossum was honorably discharged in 1968 and then spent a year in California before moving back to his native northeast Iowa. He and his wife, the former Kathy Waldron, have moved to Arizona within the past couple years. During his service Fossum earned an Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and a Vietnam Campaign Medal.
