709th Maint. Bn. & 99th CSB Asso
2005 Reunion After Action Report
& Photos
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2005 709th & 99th Reunion Photos
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2005 709th & 99th Reunion Photos
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Notes From all the guys on the 2005 reunion Listed below
You would have had a great time with all the guys! There will be next year to look forward to with much lead time to make sure that we all can make it happen. Like most of the guys said, "I'll be there...the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise!" We pledged to get as many guys and gals there as possible.
You are so right about Dean and Kathy. They had the whole weekend planned down to a gnats eye.
Col. Ben Albert is really a great guy. I talked with him at length. He shared many of his experiences in such a humble way. Love the man!
Kenny
Hey Dean,
You did it again. Everytime something needs to get done, you do it. The pictures look great. Perhaps you can caption the pictures just as well as I can. You know your place and the guys and gals that are pictured. If you don't mind, feel free to do so. If I did it, I would probably screw up describing what is your expertise.
This is for all the guys and gals. Dean is a master of the mass feed. He puts mess Sgts. to shame. Ask him some questions about how he went about getting the pig just right for us. Or, how about the way he got the blue crabs? What about the best hamburgers you ever ate? How about the steaks and the ice cream for desert every night that Doris just couldn't wait for? Ask him about how he arranged the fireworks that rivaled small town U.S.A.? It was all just for us. This is something he wanted to do for us for years. He did it for the "brothers" of the 709th who he cherishes and loves. Tell him how you feel!
Kenny
Dear Dean and Kathy,
We are still reminiscing about a most wonderful week-end on Old York Road at the Dean Ayres household to celebrate the first reunion of the 709th and the 99th CSB. You made us feel so very welcome and your hospitality and generosity far exceeded our expectations. Indeed there was a lot of thought, hard work, financial expenditures, and dedication to make this a memorable event. I don't believe any of us who attended and participated in this function could have expected anything more. As hosts you made us all feel very comfortable and that truly is a mark of experienced couples who can offer so many things while being at apparent ease. It certainly makes us feel more welcome when we see our hosts enjoying themselves, too.
I especially want to express to you that you have a wonderful staff of people to help out especially Kathy and your beautiful daughter. By the way, it was refreshing to see someone so young doing all this work without an attitude and having fun. Thank you all so much.
Frank and Mary Ann
P.S.: I am delighted that we fulfilled one of your objectives, Dean by formalizing this event through the establishment of an Association. We will make this work.
A great reunion. I regret that I couldn[t be there for the entire weekend.. Finest new York strip steak that i have had in a long time Great crabs and everything else. And the fireworks were awesome' I did get lost on the way home and went through the Ft McHenry tunnel but made it home by midnight. I have a a Colonel friend who is an AG and I"m asking for advice on how to get the names of the guys from 68 and 69. I thought I had a complete 709th roster but I can't find it. Thanks for the CD"s. I have been playing them in my Focus and a lot of good Jazz singing and playing comes out ot those records. Good seeing you again. It looks likke our host is going todo it again and I'll see you then if not sooner.
Sincerely
LTC Ben Albert
Count me in. At our ages we probably need a good medic on hand although I forgot everything I was taught at Fort Sam Houston. Ben Luc was a long time ago.
I couldn't attend this years reunion for I am leaving for DC tonight. I am bringing my friend Bill Smith to see his son's memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery. His son Paul was killed in Iraq during the battle for the Bagdad airport. President Bush awarded Paul's son the Medal of Honor at the White House last April. For a wild story see Paul Smith on the Medal of Honor website. The army has us booked at the White House and Pentagon so the trip is going to be interesting.
Glad everyone had a good time and majority are in good health. See you next year!
Rick "Doc" Jarvis
9th Inf Div; 1/168-8/13/69
Way to go Groove! Mike Williams expressed his calendar would include next year's get together. Let's hope that all "brothers" will make every effort to attend next year's reunion at Dean & Kathy's. Don't forget the "sisters"! All the gals had an equally great time, just ask them? So, put the last weekend of July next year on your calendar for 709th & 99CSB Reunion 2. We want you and need you.
Kenny
No excuse for next year. We need you to be there on the last weekend in July at Dean's place. We know that this year you couldn't make it for cogent reasons. We missed you. You are right. The fireworks were great. As Dean said to me, they were not Class B or Class A. They were PROFESSIONAL. The fireworks lasted about 15-20 minutes and we didn't need Mike Rodrique to put them out.
For you uninformed, Mike received the Bronze Star for extinguishing the ammo dump fire DURING a mortar and artillery attack on Dong Tam in the early days of 1967. I understand, he jumped in a bull dozer and pushed sand against the ammo to extinguish the fire. I was there at the time and am a witness to his bravery. Just to let you know, Mike was not a member of the 709th, but he was at our reunion and is an "honorary member" of the organization. After all he saved our butts. Thanks for coming to the reunion Mike and Betsy. We hope that the Whitehouse gates that you are constructing earn you praises from President and Mrs. Bush.
Kenny
Hay guys...
I heard it through the grapevine that you had a great time...Let me hear about it! Glad to hear Col. Albert showed up...wish I could have made it, but I'll try my damnedest for next year. This year my old Mom needed me and I couldn't change the dates to set it up so I could stay in the DC area for the festivities...Dean mentioned fireworks..just like the night the ammo dump went up in Dong Tam?
Best to all! I was thinking of you all, and a special best to the Colonel:^)
Groove (aka:CW3 John F. Howard, Jr., US Army, (Retired)
Dean one word WOW! My wife Judy and I can't thank you and Kathy enough for the hard work that went into putting this reunion together. You guys did a masterful job. When I first saw your BBQ's on the web site and then your kitchen, I was dumbfounded at what I saw in person. WHAT a set up. The setting was perfect, the weather was perfect, the company was perfect and the hospitability that you and Kathy put forward was one that Judy and I will cherish for ever. Thank you, thank you and we will be there next year for sure god willing.
I checked out the pictures on the web site and they weeeeeeer great. You and Kinney took some very nice pictures. I have some that I will forward to you within the week that you may want to post. I had to add more Ram to my computer and put all my pictures on CD's to free up space. I am working on the video and as soon as I get it done, I will shoot you a copy of it and maybe we can put it on the web site. For the people that were there, I will send them a copy also if they request it. This is all new to me so it might take some time. Leaving for Washington and Canada in the next few weeks so hopefully I will complete the video by the end of October.
For you folks that missed the 1st reunion please try and come to our next one. Good times and good cheer was had by all and I think the wife's had a good time - I know mine did.
Dean give your wife a big hug for us and see you next year. If you ever come to California please look us up.
Roy
HEY DEAN,
JUST A QUICK NOTE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR LAST WEEKEND. LIKE WE SAID AT THE MEETING, NOBODY QUITE KNEW WHAT THE REUNION
WAS GOING TO BE LIKE, BUT BECAUSE OF YOUR HOSPITALITY AND GRACIOUSNESS YOU MADE EVERYBODY FEEL AT HOME. THE RESULT OF
THAT WAS EVERY PERSON FELT APART OF A FAMILY, THE 709th FAMILY. YOU FOUND US, YOU BROUGHT US TOGETHER AND MADE IT EASIER
FOR ALL TO SHARE OLD FRIENDSHIP AND FIND NEW RELATIONSHIPS, THAT MEANS FOR MEN AND WOMEN ALIKE. YOU ARE TOP IN MY
BOOK, IF EVERYBODY HAD THEIR HEART ON THEIR SLEEVE LIKE YOU DO THERE WOULD BE NO WARS.
AGAIN PARTNER, THANKS SO MUCH.
SGT. LAWRENCE T. CAMERON
50 MORSE PLACE
RUTLAND, VERMONT 05701-5006
802-773-7103
You would have had a great time with all the guys! There will be next year to look forward to with much lead time to make sure that we all can make it happen. Like most of the guys said, "I'll be there...the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise!" We pledged to get as many guys and gals there as possible.
You are so right about Dean and Kathy. They had the whole weekend planned down to a gnats eye.
Col. Ben Albert is really a great guy. I talked with him at length. He shared many of his experiences in such a humble way. Love the man!
Kenny
Page Started Aug 5,2005
Page last updated Aug 9, 2005
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