Hi guys,

Well here we are five years after we started the 709th & 99th web site and we had our first reunion.  It was great.  We had 22 fellow soldiers and their wives who came to participate and all had a good time.  You can view the photos and comments on the web site at www.alwaysable.org and click 2005 reunion photos.  ENJOY.

At the reunion we started a 709th and 99th Association to use the web site, conduct our reunion activities, keep members up to date, and help find new members.  We elected officers who are listed at the bottom of this letter.  We have a lot of work to do between now and the reunion next year.  The priority effort is to get the membership set up and get you guys to join.  There will be dues and we will keep that as low as we can.  The other effort will be in making plans for the 2006 reunion and finding more guys who served with us.  You can help if you can provide information on someone you knew.  Let us know where you think they are currently residing.  At present we have identified the location of over 187 fellow soldiers and we also have identified over 452 whom we are still searching.  I have attached both lists to this email.  If you cannot read the list, please let me know.  I can help.

The reunion for 2006 is set at the 2005 reunion site.  It will be the last week-end in July.  It will be here at my place again, North of Baltimore, Maryland.  It was so much fun here that they all wanted to come back again next year.  I have also attached a separate list of the participants who were here last year so you can ask them for their comments.  We had a motel set up, the food was supplied, a hay ride, trap shoot, horse shoes, lots of beer, and fireworks of the best.  And it will all return in 2006!!!! 

We need help in a few areas.  The first is to find one or more persons who would like to help find the guys that served with the 709th and the 99th.  We can also use help on the web site.  There is a lot that can be done to make it better.  If you want to help or have ideas, please email me at deanayres@comcast.net or one of the other officers.  THANK YOU

Lets get the 709^th guys back together again and keep them back together; we are a band of brothers

The officers are

 We need you. Lets all pull together and make this work!!! ALWAYS ABLE

Sincerely,

Dean W Ayres

Message From The President

Dear Vietnam Veteran,

As the newly elected president of the 709th Maintenance Battalion and 99th Combat Support Battalion Association, I want first to extend a greeting of "Hello" and a heartfelt "Thank You" for your honorable service in Vietnam.  You are an Army soldier who is a part of our country's national treasure - the U.S. Military.  You rightfully deserve to be proud of your military service.

The Association consisting of members who served in Vietnam have banded together to form a group in which we can share our special memories of that time so long ago.  At our first reunion this past summer, we exchanged stories of fear, anxiety, loneliness, and friendship all of which are imbedded in our memories.  It was heartwarming to be together again with our special brothers.  The events at the first reunion were hosted by our good friend, Dean Ayres who organized many activities including hayride, trap shooting, horseshoes, fireworks and enough food and beverages to feed an army.  It was simply a great occasion and so much fun.

In order to maintain our initial momentum, we need your support.  I would like you to please consider participating in our next reunion and  become a member of our Association;  The reunion for 2006 will be the last weekend of July and it again will take place in the Baltimore, Maryland area.  We are preparing an agenda, which will include a special trip to the Vietnam Memorial in D.C. as well as a number of other great activities. Please mark your calendar now and plan to bring your spouse (the wives had a wonderful time and I'm sure they are looking forward to our next reunion).  Although we have not firmed up the membership fee, it will be nominal, probably around $15.00 per year.  These monies will be used to defray administrative costs such as mailings, printings, etc.  All the effort in keeping our Association viable is done on a voluntary basis and we sincerely appreciate the effort of our current members.

In closing and in behalf of our Association, we wish you well and we hope that you will join our group.

Sincerely,

Frank G. Szustak

Col. U.S.A. (Ret)

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Name:______________________________Nickname:_________________

Spouse’s Name:________________________

Address:________________________________________________________________

City:__________________________________State:_______________Zip:___________

Phone (Home)________________________Phone (Office)________________________

E Mail (Home)_______________________E Mail (Office)________________________

What Company and Platoon were you in:______________________________________

What Base Camp did you call home:__________________________________________

What Dates were you in the 709^th or 99^th:______________________________________

Dues:______ Annual - $ 15.00   ______ 3 year - $ 40.00   Donations: _______________

Please make all checks payable to; 709^th Maint. Bn. & 99^th CSB Association and Mail to

John F. Delong   2325 Huntingdon Rd. Huntingdon Valley, PA. 19006

Please refer to the web site at  www.alwaysable.org for more Info.