2004 REUNION WASHINGTON D.C. November 10,11, 12 13
Written By: Thomas R. Kurtz
The association’s 2004 Reunion was held at the Best Western Washington Gateway Motel in Rockville, Maryland. Members, spouses, families and friends began arriving on 10 November, signing in and meeting old friends from previous reunions or from their tour with the 17th Artillery. Some had not seen each other for more than thirty- five years.
On 11 November members had a choice of which Veteran Ceremony to attend. Most attended the annual observance ceremonies at the Vietnam Wall. A delegation from the association laid a wreath at the wall during the wreath-laying portion of the ceremony. The delegation from the association was Peter Coffin, Norman Jones and Richard Siebe. After the ceremony at the Vietnam Wall individual groups toured the different sites in Washington and sampled the different restaurants in downtown Washington D C.
The weather on 12 November did not cooperate with the reunion as it rained on and off throughout the day. Individual or small groups continued their tours of the sites in Washington D. C. and the different restaurants in the area. Later than expected well after the designated time of 8 PM in the Hospitality Room, VCR tapes, made from 8mm films, were shown by John Detreville and Rich Siebe. Rich had received a tape from Gray Bress
The general membership meeting was held Saturday morning 13 November at 1030 AM. Special thanks to those members who participate in the raffle and auction of the three association clocks. Special thanks to Terry Wallace who donated his clock after winning one from the raffle for the auction. All proceeds from the raffle and auction were placed in the association scholarship fund. The annual banquet was held in the motel’s dining room. LTC Vincent Price was the guest speaker. LTC Price had commanded the 1st Battalion, 17th Artillery Regiment in Iraq (2003-2004) and talked about the battalion’s tour in Iraq and thanked the association for their support.
On a special note, we were again honored by the attendance of Harold and Erma Brown, parents of SSG Robert Brown C 2/17, a causality of the Vietnam War. Also by the attendance of a World War II veteran, who had served with the regiment during World War II, Robert Kinton, who was accompanied by his wife Katharine.
Once again this year’s attendance increased from the previous year. Many thanks to all who helped organize this year’s reunion and to all who attended. I hope you enjoyed the reunion and plan on attending future reunions held by the association.
The following pictures were taken at the reunion (Click On An Image To See Full Size).
