By: Thomas R. Kurtz, Association President
Most veterans and their family members arrived on Wednesday October 27 and signed into the Hotel. There were a number of veterans who could only stop by and say hello or stay for a couple of days. We were glad to see them all. The turnout for this reunion of veterans, spouses, family and friends is the best to date. Many thanks to those who attended and hopefully all will be able to attend one of the future reunions.
There was much to do in Pigeon Forge with all of the shows and sights to see, plus the Smokey Mountains, in their fall colors, and close by Dollywood. A number of local shows and sights were taken in by our veterans, spouses and friends. All had to get use to the bumper to bumper traffic down the main road.
Our guest speaker this year was Command Sergeant Major Carlos Esmurria, who currently is serving as the Command Sergeant Major of the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington. CSM Esmurria previously served as the Command Sergeant Major of the 3rd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment both at Fort Lewis and in Afghanistan. Most had a chance to talk to him and he took a lot of questions about the soldiers who are currently serving. Carlos also joined the association and became its 122nd Life Member.
Thanks to all who donated items for either the silent or the live auctions. The live auction was held after the annual banquet and special thanks to all who made bids. This year the stained glass 17th Field Artillery Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was donated to CSM Carlos Esmurria, by Norman Jones on behalf of the association, for the Regimental Room of the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment. Thanks again to Mike Klingeman for the donation of the stained glass items and donating his winnings from the 50/50 drawing back to the scholarship fund.
This year the general membership voted to give the same number of grants and money to the 2011 scholarship grants as last years. Without the great support of our member this program would not be possible.
Thanks to all who attended this year’s reunion and hopefully all will be able to attend the 2011 reunion to be held at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The following pictures were taken at the reunion (Click On An Image To See Full Size).
