Homecoming 1973

[Mario Davis]

The Homecoming is a 1973 British-American drama film directed by Peter Hall based on the play of the same name by Harold Pinter. The film was produced by Ely Landau for the American Film Theatre, which presented thirteen film adaptations of plays in the United States from 1973 to 1975.[1] The film was screened at the 1974 Cannes Film Festival, but was not entered into the main competition.[2]

All cast members from the play's first performance in 1965 reprise their roles here,[3] with the exception of Cyril Cusack and Michael Jayston who replace John Normington and Michael Bryant respectively.

From the National Musuem of the U.S. Air Force: The Paris Peace Accords of 1973 included provisions for exchanging prisoners of war. The plan to bring American prisoners home was called OPERATION HOMECOMING. Prisoners were to be returned to U.S. control during February and March 1973, with the longest-held generally returning first.

The North Vietnamese assembled the POWs and told them the war was over. As the POWs prepared to leave, the North Vietnamese tried to issue them brightly-colored sweaters and suits with ties -- another of their endless propaganda attempts. The POWs did not want to look well-treated or like civilians, but they compromised to keep from jeopardizing their release. They accepted low-key outfits of dark pants, shirts, and windbreakers. Many of the items in this exhibit were carried home in tote bags issued to POWs.

At Hanoi's Gia Lam Airport, the men were thrilled to see USAF C-141A Starlifter aircraft landing to pick them up. The happiest moment came when the aircraft left the ground--and POWs knew for certain that they were free.

Free Again
Ex-POWs first stopped at Clark Air Base in the Philippines for medical exams, good meals and new uniforms. After stops in Hawaii and California, they finally returned to their families and their lives as free Americans.

OPERATION HOMECOMING returned 591 POWs: 325 Air Force personnel, 77 Army, 138 Navy, 26 Marines and 25 civilians. Those who were not freed at Hanoi -- POWs held in South Vietnam by the Viet Cong, mostly Army and civilians -- left from Loc Ninh, the scene of the North Vietnam-South Vietnam prisoner exchange. A total of 660 American military POWs survived the war.

About eighty percent of the military POWs who survived the war continued their military careers. Most of the 500 returning airmen retrained and resumed their aviation careers. These ex-POW airmen adopted the motto "Three's in," signifying an aircraft, number three in a four-ship group, rejoining a "missing man" formation.

A Flying Memorial
The first group of POWs to leave Hanoi on Feb. 12, 1973, flew on a C-141 later dubbed the Hanoi Taxi. This historic aircraft is part of the National Museum of the USAF's collection. The Hanoi Taxi, though modified over the years, was also maintained as a flying memorial to Vietnam-era POWs and MIAs. In 2002, during the aircraft's last PDM (Periodic Depot Maintenance), it was repainted in its 1970s gray and white scheme, and it ended its flying career with the USAF Reserve's 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB in 2006.

Recalling his own journey out of North Vietnam on Feb. 18, 1973, Maj. Gen. Ed Mechenbier, the last Vietnam POW to serve in the USAF, said, "When we got airborne and the frailty of being a POW turned into the reality of freedom, we yelled, cried and cheered."
Click here to return to Return with Honor: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia.

After lunch, the guests were able to tour the campus and look at the many ways the campus has changed in the last 50 years. Later that evening, they joined us in the front circle for our homecoming pep rally.

Watching the new King and Queen get crowned was extra special for Mrs. Mary Lynn Eubanks, as she was crowned the Shorter College Homecoming Queen in 1973. Mary Lynn came prepared for the weekend and brought her very own homecoming crown and was able to get a picture with the 2023 King and Queen.

Shorter University admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the University. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, physical handicap, or sex in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other University-administered programs.

The Illinois State University Half Century Club honors all alumni whose classes graduated 50 or more years ago. Join us at Homecoming 2023: Redbirds Reign, October 13-14, for our Half Century Club Reunion, as we induct the Class of 1973 as well as enjoy a weekend full of reminiscing, reconnecting, and Redbird pride.

This special reunion is a chance to reconnect with your alma mater and celebrate all the successes Illinois State has experienced. This is a chance to see how Illinois State University has evolved over time and hear from Interim President Aondover Tarhule. It will be a weekend not to miss.

Friday begins at 11 a.m. with a Horticulture Center walking tour where guests will see the beautiful gardens while learning about how the center is used by students and the community. From there, attendees will stop by a meet and greet and then have a chance to tour the historic Quad or the ever-evolving Uptown Normal and University Galleries. This is a great chance to see all that has changed on campus.

Friday evening is highlighted by the Half Century Club dinner at the Alumni Center. Enjoy a reception, a special dinner, university updates from Interim President Aondover Tarhule, and remarks from keynote speakers and Class of 1973 member Michael Schermer. The highlight of the evening will be the induction of the Class of 1973 into the Half Century Club and the honoring of the landmark classes (1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, and 1968).

Registration is open until October 1. Learn more details for events, prices, and parking at IllinoisState.edu/HalfCentury or call Alumni Engagement at (309) 438-2586. Hotel blocks can be found through the Homecoming website.

For 11 years, small-college football programs knew the road to an NAIA national championship went through the Texas cities of Abilene, Kingsville, Commerce and San Angelo. From 1969-79, a team from the Lone Star Conference won the national crown every year but one, and from 1973-77, if the Wildcats did not earn the title, Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) did.

The Wildcats were 5-5 overall in 1971 and just 3-8 in 1972, and entered 1973 with a talented but unproven quarterback, a defense seeking an identity, and a quiet freshman running back from Greenville, Mississippi, who had left Jackson State and the prospects of playing several years behind a fellow named Walter Payton.

On Friday, the team will attend the Sports Hall of Fame induction dinner and meet afterward with current head coach Keith Patterson. On Saturday, the team will participate in the parade, attend Chapel, enjoy a catered lunch and be honored on the field during the ACU-North Alabama game, then watch film together of their own championship game.

The 2023 Prep Football team would like to welcome back the 1973 Jesuits team to celebrate their undefeated 11-0 season 50 years ago. Team leaders and classmates have helped put together a wonderful weekend of celebration and we hope you will attend.

Members of the class of '74 returning to the Bomb Squad will be on the field prior to 6:00 p.m. to welcome both the '73 and the '23 team onto the field. Then return to the stands to cheer on the Jesuits.

For over 80 years, Fairfield College Preparatory School has been dedicated to providing world-class education both inside and outside the classroom to transform young men to succeed in all aspects of their life. With roots as the only Jesuit high school in Connecticut, we make it our mission to put faith into action through our curriculum and community service.

For more information about our Jesuit college preparatory school or to schedule a tour, we welcome you to contact our admissions office today! Based in Fairfield, CT, our private Catholic high school is proud to welcome young men throughout Westport, Stamford, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Trumbull, Darien, Bridgeport, New Canaan, CT, and the surrounding Connecticut communities.

The HCC Alumni Association welcomed the Class of 1973 to campus for Homecoming 2023 on October 14th to celebrate their 50th reunion. The Class enjoyed a meet and greet in the HCC Library followed by a tour of campus provided by Stephanie Peterson, Director of Marketing, and two former administrators; David Reist, retired President and Dr. Craig Mosher, retired Vice President of Institutional Advancement who provided stories, history and humor on the campus tour. The Walter Yost Art Gallery featuring HCC faculty exhibits was enjoyed by the group.

The group gathered at Kirkwood & Co Table and Tap for lunch. The HCC Lads and Lassies, directed by Shayna Leahy, HCC Director of Vocal Music, provided the guests with wonderful music and energy. President Deborah Fox updated the alums on the news of the College as well as welcomed them back to campus. Also at Kirkwood and Co, were many HCC football alumni and friends who were able to connect with the Class of 1973.

The Class then retired to Porter Family Stadium where they were guests at the President's Reception to watch Scottie football take on the Independence Community College Pirates. Over 100 alumni and friends gathered in the Barber room to reconnect and cheer the Scotties to a 10-7 win over the Pirates. Thank you alumni and friends for a great day at Highland Community College.

The Student Alumni Council is excited to offer Golden Bearcats Society members a walking tour of campus. Check out new and recently renovated buildings as well as favorites from your time as a student.

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