2004 Reunion
Washington DC
November 10,11, 12 13
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2004 Reunion Washington DC November 10,11, 12 13
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2004 REUNION WASHINGTON D.C.
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.
click on thumbnail to enlarge image
Francis Rash receiving Life Membership Plaque |
Mike Turner, Birdeye Middleton, Richard Jones, Rich Siebe, Peter Coffin with Memorial Wreath |
17th Vets and Family at Wall Ceremony |
1st
Cav Honor Guard |
Annette Jones
|
Mike Burke, GW Adkinson, Nolan Putnam, Webster Cole, Tom Gatzke |
Rose Ann, Bob Plata, Tom Kurtz, Jerry, Lois Pifer, Carol, Jack Picciolo |
Jack & Carol Picciolo
|
Mike & Gwen Pearson, Bob & Rose Plata |
Tom & Mary Gatzke |
Paul Fusco |
Eugene Johnson receiving Life Membership from President Tom Kurtz |
Lonnie English receiving Life Membership from President Tom Kurtz |
Webster Cole receiving Life Membership from President Tom Kurtz |
Jerry Pifer receiving Life Membership from President Tom Kurtz |
Wallace Bates receiving Life Membership from President Tom Kurtz |
Richard Smith receiving Life Membership from President Tom Kurtz |
Charles Riley receiving Life Membership from President Tom Kurtz |
Jerry & Lois Pifer
|
LTC Vincent Price, guest speaker at Banquet |
Katherine and Robert Kinton and Connie Barron |
Group Picture |
Bob & Rose Plata, Gwen & Mike Pearson |
Nolan Putman, Picture of the Year - Submitted by Mike Burke |
Hansen & Jean Leach, Trudy & Wallace Bates |
Robert & Katherine Kinton, Rose & Robert Plata, Tom Kurtz, Jerry & Lois Pifer, Carol and Jack Piccolo |
Richard Siebe, Peter Coffin, Paul Fusco, Richard Jones |
Richard & Annette Jones, Richard Siebe, Patti & Peter Coffin |
Marvin Rogers, Birdeye Middleton, Gene Haas, Jerry Pifer, Lonnie English, Richard Jones. |
Gene Haase & Birdeye Middleton |
 Norman Jones presenting Life Membership Plaque to Delmar Beard. |
Kathy and GW Adkisson |
Steve Kane, Richard Kane & Mike Burke |
Jack Picciolo & Paul Fusco |
Nolan & Betty Putnam |
Richard Kane & Jack Stroud |