By: Thomas R. Kurtz
The association 2011 reunion was held at the Days Inn Gettysburg in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania from September 21 to September 24, 2011. There were plenty of historical sights to see in the Gettysburg and the surrounding area, plus a number of restaurants, taverns and pubs to dine at, which everyone took advantage of. Most veterans used the hospitality room to exchange their stories, with their buddies, of days gone past. Some veterans even went late into the next morning with their stories. Thanks to Richard Heydt for his presentation on his recent trip back to Vietnam. It was very interesting.
The annual general meeting was held Saturday morning with the election of, Norman R. Jones as the new association president. This is Norman’s second time serving a president, as he previously served as the first elected president of the association, a charter member and is one of the original veterans who took the initiative to form the association. Larry Miller was elected the 1st Vice President and this is Larry’s first time serving as an association office. Thanks to Larry for stepping forward and volunteering to help in the guidance of the association. H. Bruce Laour was elected the new treasurer, but will not take over his duties until the 2012 reunion, as Rich Siebe wants to finish out his term of office.
Our guest speaker was Colonel Dennis Smith. Colonel Smith who commanded the 3rd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Washington and in Afghanistan (April 2007-September 2010).
Also, in attendance from the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment was LTC Kolin V. Bernardoni (Battalion Commander), Command Sergeant Major Walter Overton (Battalion Command Sergeant Major) and Master Sergeant Michael McMurdy (former acting Battalion Command Sergeant Major). LTC Bernardoni and CSM Overton presented Certificates of Appreciations from the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, to the following association members: Neal Fouts, Rod Guerrero, Ed Hitchner, Norman Jones, Mike Klingemen, Tom Kurtz, John Melasecca Jr., Jack Picciolo, Bert Ryan, Rich Siebe, Jack Stroud, and Terry Wallace.
Thanks to those who donated the different items to the auction this year. A special thanks to Colonel Smith for his prints that he donated and to LTC Bernardoni who donated the 2nd Battalion’s items. This year our auction ran long due to the number of items donated. Thanks to all who did biding for the auction items, your generously exceeded all of our expectations. The funds from the auction were placed in either the general or scholarship fund.
Thanks to all of the veterans, their family members who attended this year’s reunion. I hope everyone had a great and enjoyable time and are planning to attend next year’s reunion in Branson, Missouri.
The following pictures were taken at the reunion (Click On An Image To See Full Size).
