The 1st Battalion from Ft. Polk did send a contingent, the CO, Battalion SGM, the NCO and Trooper of the Year and a Color Guard.  They were not able to send more because they were gearing up for a new rotation.  The 3rd Battalion at Ft. Richardson was set to send 2 from their rear detachment(including one soldier who had been wounded and returned to Ft. Richardson) but Army Alaska shot that down that Monday.  Overall we had around 120 people attend the Reunion.

Since there was no jump in Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning were open for people to come and go as they pleased.  Friday night was the banquet.  We did not hold the normal 50/50 raffle, instead raffling off three sets of carved wings prepared by Vicenza vet Steve Berry, one of the Dietz prints of the first jump and five shirts the 1st Battalion brought with them.  Three of the WWII troopers who made the jump were present and signed it.

As has happened the last couple of years I have "volunteered" to be MC for the event.  The difficult part of that job was reading the names of the 509'ers who have passed away since the last reunion.  This included 16 Troopers from the 3rd Battalion KIA in Iraq and 1 from the 1st Battalion killed in an accident last year on Memorial Day weekend.

Also, the nephew of one Jack Berger, WWII member of the Battalion, was made an honorary 509'er.  He is a member of the Airborne Demonstration Team in Oklahoma and normally represents the 509th when he works with them.  He is also the webmaster of http://www.509thgeronimo.com

Saturday morning was the general membership meeting.  It was decided that the Reunion next year will be in Columbus with a side trip to Ft. Benning.  I will be going down there this month or next to touch base and begin coordinating some of the details.  The 2009 Reunion will be in the Carolinas, although exactly where and when will be announced at a later date.

The main order of business was the election of officers.  In a truly disastrous move the Association elected me as President.  MGD1509(aka Mike) was reelected to the Board of Directors.  And our honorary 509'er was also elected on the Board.  I will post more soon.

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI.  One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

"History teaches that when you become indifferent and lose the will to fight someone who has the will to fight will take over." COLONEL BULL SIMONS