In 2005, 22 fellow soldiers and their wives participated in our first reunion 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 established the Association in an effort to create a framework for veterans of the 709th and 99th to share experiences and memories related to their service in lives after Vietnam.  We elected officers and set the following priorities:

     Increase membership

     Keep annual dues low

     Hold an association reunion annually

     Maintain a website to facilitate interaction among our "brothers" and to provide information about and a record of 709th and 99th activities during the Vietnam War Era.         

CURRENT OFFICERS

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

Message From The First Association 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 - $ 20.00   ______ 3 year - $ 50.00   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.