2005 Reunion

Seattle, Washington 

September 20 - 24

2005 Reunion, Seattle, Washington

Written By: Thomas R. Kurtz  

The 17th Artillery Regiment Association’s 2005 Reunion was held at the Best Western Airport Executel, in Seattle, Washington. This was the first reunion held by the association on the west coast. Members, spouses and friends begin arriving as early as the afternoon of September 20, 2005. The afternoon was set aside to set up the hospitality room at the motel.  

Wednesday, September 21, 2005 was for registration and signing in for all veterans, spouses and friends in the Rainier Suite. Some veterans, after signing in, spent the day touring the numerous tourist sites in the Seattle area or just sat around talking with old friends and comrades in the hospitality suite.  

On Thursday, September 22, 2005 at 0830 A. M. the group departed the motel, by bus, for a tour of Fort Lewis. At the gate we were met by our guide and host, Matt Hinkle, from the Fort Lewis PAO, who welcome our group to Fort Lewis. Our first stop was at the Main Post Chapel, where a memorial service was held, to specially remember those soldiers from the 17th Field Artillery Regiment who made the ultimate sacrifice during “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. The Memorial Service was conducted by Chaplain (LTC) Dennis Newton. Chaplain Newton led the group, in the singing of the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of two hymns. He also gave an excellent talk about” Remembrance”.  Paul Fusco read the names of those soldiers from the 17th Field Artillery Regiment, who died during “Operation Iraqi Freedom” (so far).  (We all have to remember that the war still is going on and many soldiers are returning to Iraq, for there second or third tours.) I gave a brief talk about all who have served and died, while with the 17th Field Artillery Regiment since World War I. Many thanks to Chaplin Newton for setting up a well conducted memorial service. I know we all were thankful for his effort.  

From the Main Post Chapel, the group, traveled to the Conference Room of the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division. There the group was briefed by Major Robert Bennett, Battalion Executive Officer, on the organization of the battalion and their mission. After the briefing there was a question and answering period with some of the officers and soldiers of the battalion who had served in Iraq. I think we all enjoyed talking with the current generation of today’s soldiers. And we all thank them all for their service to this country. Many thanks to Major Bennett for the excellent briefing to our group, a job well done. After some group pictures we boarded the bus again. As the group moved by bus, from location to location, Matt Hinkle pointed out the different buildings and what they were for.

Our next stop was at the Cascade Community Club for lunch. Thanks to Fort Lewis Catering for providing and setting up the room where our group had lunch.  

The last stop, on the tour, was at the Fort Lewis Museum. The Assistant Curator, Mr. Gregory Hagge welcome our group and gave a short briefing on the different exhibits located inside and out side of the museum. Richard Jones even found an old 8in SP, M55, Howitzer, on display, which he once served as Gun Chief on that type of howitzer. How long ago was that Richard?  

Our tour ended about 2:30 P.M. and the group travel back to the Motel. After returning from the Fort Lewis tour, once again some when on individual tours of the Seattle Area or just when out for dinner.  

My special thanks to Matt Hinkle, from the Fort Lewis Public Affairs Office, for setting up our itinerary and been our guide.  

Friday, September 23, 2005 the morning and early afternoon was again available for individual tours of the Seattle area. At 3 P. M. the group was transported to Pier 55, on the Seattle waterfront, for the boat trip to Tillicum Village/Blade Island. At the Pier we all boarded the “Good Times II” for the trip to Blake Island. The trip took about fourthly-five minutes to reach Blake Island. Upon docking a Blake Island we departed from the boat. The group walked up the path to the Tillicum Village great cedar longhouse. Along the path an appetizer of steam claims was served. Then we proceed inside of the Lodge to go thru the buffet line for our salmon feast. We were seated as a group in the main hall for the meal. After the meal, a stage presentation of “Dance on the Wind” was preformed highlighting some of the traditional dance, myths and legends of the Northwest Coast. After the stage performance the group had some free time to see a demonstration of wood carving and go through the gift store. About 8:15 the boat whistle sounded for all to board for the return trip to Pier 55. On the way back, all had a chance to view the Seattle skyline at night.  

Saturday, September 24, 2005 starting at 10 P.M. the association annual general membership meeting was held in the Rainier Room. During the meeting, an election was held for the offices of Association President and 1st Vice President. Paul Fusco was elected the new Association President and Richard Smith as 1st Vice President. Congratulations to both on your election. I hope all members will support our new president and 1st vice president. Business of the association was conducted and voted on. A raffle drawing for two small framed 17th Field Artillery Colors was made and the winners were: Jack Picciolo and Charles Riley. Charles Riley donated his colors back for the auction. Again this year it seems Wallace Bates wanted both items and out bid everyone else. Thanks Wallace. All proceeds from the raffle and auction were place in the association scholarship fund. Just a side note, Charles is ordering another set of small colors for the 4th Battalion, in which he served.  

Our Annual Association Banquet was held in the Olympic Room, starting at 12:30 P. M. The I Corps Color Guard, from Fort Lewis, presented the colors to start the banquet. I’m sure all in attendance agree the I Corps Color Guard was very professional and conducted the ceremony in a military manner. Again I have to thank Matt Hinkle for providing the color guard. Dinner was a little late being set up, so we proceed with a presentation of a Life Membership Plaque to Robert Kinton. Robert served with the 17th Field Artillery Regiment from 1941-1945. We also had another veteran from World War II, in attendance, Delmar Beard although not in the Army at the time. Delmar served as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major of the 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery in Vietnam 1967-68. Also I need to note the Korean War Veterans who also attend with their wife’s: Jack & Connie Barron, James & Marcia Frowein with their son Chris and Dan & Carol Lazenberry  

Following the buffet meal, our guest speaker, Major Thomas Munsey, Operations Officer, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division gave us a slide presentation on the battalion’s mission and area of responsibility in Iraq. Major Munsey thank the association on behalf the Battalion Commander, LTC John Fant, for the support the association provided the 2d Battalion during their deployment in Iraq. Major Munsey was accompanied by the Battalion Command Sergeant Major, CSM Shelton Kelly. LTC Fant had wanted to attend the reunion, but other commitments took priority. And thanks to LTC Fant for sending two key members of his staff to represent him and the soldiers of the 2d Battalion.  

A 50/50 drawing was held and the winner was Frank Tamone. Frank donated $100 of his winnings back to the association scholarship fund. Richard Jones conducted another auction for the scholarship fund, of three patches worn by the 2d Battalion in Iraq. Richard Smith also donated an autograph copy of his book, “One Stand Alone” for the auction. Thanks to Richard Jones for conducting both auctions and also to Richard Smith for a autograph copy of his book. The new association officers were announced and the banquet was turned over to the new association president, Paul Fusco, for his comments and closing of the annual banquet.

I also need to thank Steven Kurt Wardrum for the opening and closing prayer at the banquet. Steven you did an outstanding job. Steven filled in for the Association Chaplain Webster Cole who didn’t attend this year’s reunion. It’s the first reunion that Webster has missed. It also should be noted that Jack Stroud will be the new association quartermaster once he gets sit up. Mike Burke will continue the job until Jack gets ready.  

Last, as I was leaving Don Arceneaux made a $100 donation to the scholarship fund, thanks Don.  

Thanks to Jack Barron who made a reconnaissance of the motel over a year ago and Mike Mason for contacting Fort Lewis and set up the tour. And of course all of the association officers, it takes all doing their part to make the annual reunions a success.

Even thought our attendance record was not broken this year. I thank all for attending this year’s reunion and hope everyone had an enjoyable time. I hope to see all again, at the 2006 Reunion, in Charleston, South Carolina.

Click on thumbnail image to enlarge

Briefing by MAJ Bennett XO 37th FA Regiment	Robert Kinton, Richard Jones, Jack Barron	Wallace Bates, Katherine Kinton, Annette Jones, Connie Barron	155mm "Schneider" Howitzer Type used by 17th FA in WWI & WWII
Mike Turner, Jack Picciolo, GW Adskisson, Rich Siebe, Don Arceneaux	Connie and Jack Barron	I Corps Color Guard at Banquet	Paul Fusco
Jack & Connie Barron, Carol & Dan Lazenberry	Rebecca & Mike Mason	Jack Picciolo & Don Arceneaux	Tom Munsey, Annette Jones, Richard Jones, Shelton Kelly
Bob Kinton	Bruce & Fran Latour	Carol Lazenberry	Cathy Adkisson & Annette Jones
Charles Riley	CSM Shelton Kelly, 2/17 Arty	Daniel & Carol Lazenberry	Daniel Lazenberry
Delmar & Pat Beard	Don Arceneaux	G.W. & Cathy Adkisson
Jack & Molly Stroud	Jack Picciolo	Jack Picciolo, Jane Fusco, Annette Jones, Katherine Kinton, Bob Kinton	Joe Russo, Paul Raymond, Frank Tampone
Mike Turner & Thomas Munsey	Pat & Delmar Beard and Mike Turner	Paul & Jane Fusco, Richard & Annette Jones	Paul Fusco & Richard Jones
Rick Siebe & Wallace Bates	Tom Kurtz, Jack Picciolo	LTC Newton, memorial in Chapel	Major Thomas Munsey, guest speaker
Mike & Rebecca Mason	Mike Turner	Paul & Jane Fusco	Paul Fusco
Paul Raymond	Peter Coffin	Richard & Annette Jones	Richard & Phyllis Flowers
Richard Smith	Rick Siebe and his new hog	Rick Siebe	Wallace & Trudy Bates
Shelton Kelly	Steve Wardrum	Thomas Munsey	Tom Kurtz Memorial in Chapel
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