By: Jack Stroud
Well we finally made it back to Fort Sill for our 2009 Reunion and our 10th Anniversary of the Association. I must say we really had a great turn out and a wonderful overall Reunion this year. It was a great sight to see all of the wives who were there and enjoyed themselves, I know because my wife told me so. We selected a new President this year who will lead us on for the next two years, and I know Tom is a very capable person, he lead me by the hand at the start, and then threw me under the bus. I am kidding, Tom was a great support for me when I had a problem and this is his second tour as President. In addition, Richard Flowers was elected 1st Vice President and Charles Garner was elected 2nd Vice President. Both were also elected for two year terms.
I had a lot of local help setting up our reunion at Fort Sill . I stopped by and spoke to the manager on my way to a family reunion to make the hotel arrangements and talked directly with LTC Todd Wasmund to get the live fire permission ahead of time. LTC Wasmund did some training schedule shifting to make it possible for the fun for all those happy faces seen back at the hospitality room. It was Norman Jones who worked with the lady in the information office who set up the tour of Fort Sill . The tour began with a great in briefing by Fort Sill ‘s Garrison Command Sergeant Major. He was a real hoot.
The members of the association are also grateful to LTC Todd Wasmund, CSM Philip Brunwald and the officers and men of the 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery for allowing us to visit them in the field and observed their firing of the M777 Howitzers. Some of the wives got a chance to see just how difficult it was to fire one of the guns. Some of our veterans were allowed to pull off a round our two, and I thought that was above and beyond expectations. We had a couple of veterans had to leave early due to family emergencies or a death in their families, but we all were glad we had made the trip this year.
Norm Jones had one of his famous “Texas Smoke Outs” after our day of fun and sun. I can and must say that those were the best burgers and sausages I have had, the food was great again and it did not rain one day while we were there. It was a little chilly in the evening, but great weather the entire time we were there. LTC Wasmund and his staff and troops were invited to join us and we had a great turnout and camaraderie that night.
So as my term as President has come to an end I thank all of you who had contributed to me not dropping the ball to many times and supporting everything that we accomplished during my time. Thank you one and all for allowing me to hold that position even if I was not a REDLEG.
The following pictures were taken at the reunion (Click On An Image To See Full Size).
