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Stare Master
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On October 19, 2004, we participated in the retirement of our beloved Association at Camp Blanding, Florida, the birthplace of our regiment 62 years ago. More than 600 508th PIR veterans and guests witnessed the casing of the regimental standard that we followed in WWII, and over the past 30 years. Our regimental standard and battle streamers will be preserved and displayed in the Camp Blanding Museum with a summary of our achievements and sacrifices.
Kenneth (Rock) Merritt, President of our Association officiated at the retirement ceremony. The Deputy Commander, Camp Blanding hosted the ceremony, and the President of the Camp Blanding Museum & Historical Associates, Inc. (CBM&HA) accepted the 508th PIR standard and memorabilia for preservation and display in the museum.
As guest speaker, BG Mark T. Kimmitt, United States Central Command conveyed the appreciation of a grateful nation to the men of the 508th for their service and sacrifices on behalf of our country.
Colonel George Stoeckert, US Army, Retired
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
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Paratrooper
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Barry, Was there any information as to why the Association was retired? RJ 
RJ - SCOUTS OUT! 
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Stare Master
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RJ, to be eligible for membership you had to have been assigned to the 508th PIR no later than, I think, September 1945. With the passing of the WWII vets it was no longer feasible to continue the Association as a separate entity. They chose this year as the time to retire the Association itself.
There are many of the Airborne associations that are facing this. The 13th Airborne Division Association is to the point where they are deciding at their annual event whether to hang it up or continue for another year. I assume the 17th Airborne Division Association is close to the same situation if they are not already doing that. Other units who are facing shut down(if they haven't already) are the 517th PRCT, 541st PIR, 542nd PIR and 551st PIB(officially 1-551st PIR).
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
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Paratrooper
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That is what I suspected. It's a shame to see these elite Associations being retired. But nothing lasts forever. The number of WWII Vets dying each year is saddening. My 82nd Assoc Chapter charter was close to being dissolved last year by our President. He could not get anyone to fill the more important Offices, such as Secretary, etc. Our Secretary at the time had held the job for 12 years and was in poor health. Finally someone came forward and took the job, and we also filled the Treasurers Job. Now our President has been in the hospital and is not in real good health himself, so I am not sure what is going to happen if we need to fill his job and nobody comes forward. We have 173 members, maybe 8-10 including the Officers show up at meetings. I live 2 hrs round trip from the meeting place and try to make at least 7-8 meetings each year. But there are a lot of members within a 30 min drive that we never see. RJ
RJ - SCOUTS OUT!
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Hard Charger
 
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Stare Master
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RJ, my Chapter is running about 120 members, and we are facing the same situation. Our Secretary/Treasurer has been doing the job for about 18 years, almost since the Chapter was formed. But he is a WWII vet and went through a knee replacement a year or two ago. With some of the older vets I understand it can be a problem because of health reasons. Some of the younger vets it is a problem due to family requirements, such as younger kids.
I also drive 2 hours at least 8 times a year to attend. I don't know what the answer is to get more people out on a regular basis.
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
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Paratrooper
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Rigger's Assoc Chapter is in Chicago, there was even some talk of combining with them. But that would put a stop to me trying to go to meetings. It would double my driving time. For the meantime everything is status quo. We started a call program. Certain members in different localities were calling other members in that locality to get them to attend meetings. It worked somewhat for a couple months in the localities closer to Ottawa, IL. There are 6 members other than me, in the Greater Peoria area, but I could not get any of them to attend. All but me are in their 70's, and I am going to be there very soon. The attendance is now back to the same few. RJ
RJ - SCOUTS OUT!
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Jumpmaster
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Thanks for posting all of those awesome pics and links. I am g | | | |