709th Maint

The third reunion of Viet Nam era veterans was held at the beautiful home of Dean and Kathy Ayres 20 - 22 SEP 2007. The evening of 20 Sep started with a wonderful meal of pulled pork, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, and broccoli and bacon salad and Dean’s birthday cake. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and good cheer. Nearly 60 veterans and wives attended and were happy to see each other again and to welcome the 7 new members that came this year. A wonderful time of taking pictures and sharing memories of our Viet Nam experience fueled with enlightenment of time propelled this occasion for the comrades in arms from over 40 years ago.

It is hard to describe what soldiers feel and how they relate to each other as they discuss the various rolls they each played in the war. There was a lot of discussion about what happened and why it happened. Talking awakened memories of the many experiences we all had and sparked lots of talk among everyone. The wives in attendance were able to get more of an insight on what their husbands did while in Viet Nam.

21 Sep 2007

TRIP TO ANNAPOLIS NAVAL ACADEMY AND THE VIET NAM WALL IN WDC

We assembled at the Hampton Inn, Hunt Valley, MD for a pleasant bus ride to the Annapolis Naval Academy where we toured the Admiral Rickover Hall, the Division of Engineering and Weapons. This was a tour that very few are given and off the normal tour path. Next we visited the sarcophagus of the Revolutionary War, naval hero, John Paul Jones which is beneath the Naval Academy Chapel. It is a truly moving sight and one that anyone who visits there should see. Then it was up to the Chapel itself which seats 2500 and has a majestic stained glass window behind the alter that depicts Christ Walking Upon the Water.

Our next stop was lunch and we took to that activity with all the grace and speed that our troop could muster. (we wanted to beat the noon rush which was predicted to happen immediately after the cadets formation which we felt we had all seen often enough) We did.

After lunch a stop at the Navy Exchange and then on to the Viet Nam Wall in Washington, DC where our Assoc. left a flower wreath and plaque to our fallen fellow veterans. Bob Gregoire, Information Officer read the following prayer which was the May 31, 2004 Opening Memorial Day prayer at Arlington National Cemetery:

“Father God, whose Almighty Hand has protected our nation, secured our liberties and blessed our people, on this sacred ground we bow in humble gratitude for the gift of freedom, of life and of service to others.

Surely your goodness and your mercies have followed us all the days of our lives, but on this day we pause to remember that our blessings and our liberties and our rights have been secured at great sacrifice from others. These gifts we treasure, knowing they are ours because of the valor of these fallen heroes and those at eternal rest throughout our nation and the free world. O God help us to be good stewards of our inheritance. We also lift our prayers on behalf of our nation’s men and women who have pledged their lives to defend our values against the evils of terrorism. Give them courage, perseverance and moral clarity in the midst of a complex and dangerous environment. Protect them by your might, Father God.

We ask your divine blessings be upon your servant, our commander-in-chief, George W. Bush. Through his leadership and the leadership of those who serve with him, guide this one nation under God in clear paths toward liberty and justice for all.

We pray for peace in the gentle name of the Prince of Peace. We pray for victory and security in the mighty name of the Lord of Hosts. And we pray for personal and national redemption in the gracious name of our redeemer and our savior, Amen.”

The Wall is a somber expression of the human cost of war. It is numbing in its approach when viewed and forces one to reflect on the past.

We again boarded our bus and returned to Dean and Kathy Ayres home for an evening meal prime rib, baked beans, coleslaw and the best sweet Italian sausage anyone had ever eaten. All this was followed by ice cream with all the trimmings and more birthday cake.

22 Sep 2007

Again, we assembled at Dan and Kathy’s home on a beautiful day of fall sunshine and comradeship. We enjoyed fresh ground and grilled hamburgers with all the trimmings for lunch. Then we were off to a 90 minute session of “Soldier’s Stories”. One by one many of us got up front and told about a memory from his tour in Viet Nam. The real highlight of this event was the presentation of the original “Colors” from the 99^th CSB in Dong Tam, Viet Nam by then commander, LTC George Berg to our Association. Dean Ayres will be the custodian of the “Colors” while he is able or willing to do so. A new custodian could be appointed so long as the Association is still operational. If the Association ceases to exist the “Colors” are to be given to the Quartermaster Museum at Ft. Lee, VA. This was the agreement made by the Association and LTC George Berg, the last commander of the 99^th CSB.

We then held a business meeting. President Frank Szustak called the meeting to order and a treasurer’s report was given by Jack DeLong. The cash position should be approximately $3785.86 after we pay for the Reunion expenses. There maybe some additional bills that are still out that will negatively affect this number.

Discussion of where to hold the next reunion was held. After a few ideas were suggested by members it was decided to hold the 2008 reunion at Dean and Kathy Ayres home. The price we are able to conduct our reunions at Dean’s is so low compared to any hotel that it is hard to not accept the generous offer the Ayres’ offer us. Thank you so very much Dean and Kathy.

A Reunion Site Selection Committee was formed to search for a 2009 and 2010 reunion site. The members of this committee are Steve Fetty, Mike Rodrique, Wade Tidwell and Roy Francis. They are to discuss and bring detailed information of any sites they find to our next reunion and official meeting. They were encouraged to work with each other and other members to find sites to consider for our future reunions.

Wade Tidwell counseled all of us to register with the Veteran’s Administration and bring them our DD 214. All VN vets are covered if we get cancer due to Agent Orange. Also, prescription drugs are available at very low prices from the VA. Get registered ASAP.

John McCabe and Robert Nase reported on their helpful experiences with the VA.

A Soldier’s Support Committee was formed and Wade Tidwell and Bill Adams were willing to serve. Thanks Wade and Bill.

It was reported that CA Senator Barbara Boxer had put a $4 Billion add on to the VA budget bill to fund a park in San Francisco. We were encouraged to write our Senators to vote this out or get it changed.

The next order of business was the election of officers. After some debate the current slate of officers were railroaded to keep their jobs for another year with the understanding that the treasurer would then step up to VP and the VP would step up to President.

Reelected were: Frank Szustak, Pres. Co C 709^{th (4th year)}

Wendell Shafer, VP Co B 99^th (1^st year)

Jack DeLong, Treas. Co. E and C 709^{th (4th
Year)}

Bob Gregoire, Info. Off, Co. C and D 709^{th (4th
year)}

Dean Ayres, Web Master, Co. E 709^th and Co. B 99^th (4^th )

John Blanchette was appointed Membership Officer. He will maintain a spreadsheet of our membership rooster.

September 18 -20, 2008 were selected for the reunion in 2008 to be held at Dean and Kathy Ayres home.

Bob Gregoire, Information Officer 23 Sep 2007

Page Started 9/29/07

Last updated 1/25/08