Friday morning starts off early and the unrelenting rain begins. No sweat... we're in the Army now and it's time to move out! A round robin of tank training facilities begins our big day on post. On the left, Gordon Weidner and Ret CSM Ron Parrett, both from A co 68, try out the simulators.
Barbara Baughman gets an idea of what being a tanker is like. Barbara is one of the many wonderful women who attended the reunion in support of their veteran loved one. On the right is John Metcalf, A3, who shared this simulator with me. Don't tell him I told you, but I scored higher than he did. :-)
Afterward, lunchtime at the mess hall, although it looked like a restaurant to me. NCOC's had lunch at the NCO mess, a tour of the NCO school and received a commemorative medallion for their history with the NCO academy. Pictured is Armor NCOC graduate John Alba, C3 68. A big thank you goes to now retired CSM Garvey for giving these "Instant NCOs" a welcomed tribute.
The monument dedication was to take place at Memorial Park, but was moved to an auditorium due to the weather. No problem, as the surroundings were inconsequential as the ceremony unfolded. An officer from Fort Knox opened the dedication, followed by the inspirational words of one of the first 1/77th AR Chaplains in Vietnam, Jim Spiller. Companies A, B, C and D were represented by their former CPTs, Jerry Brown, Don Cumming, Pat Sullivan and Neil Howell, all 68-69 timeline. Each gave a very different speech, each one equally meaningful and interesting. The monument itself pays tribute to the veterans who served with the 1/77th AR in Vietnam and memorializes those soldiers that did not return home.
We return to the hotel to get ready for the banquet. Finally, a momentary break with the weather. Before dinner, A CO Jerry Brown gets together with the 3rd platoon on the patio overlooking the golf course. When we weren't at a scheduled event or eating, time was spent reuniting with old friends.
Former A co. Medic, William Wahl and his wife enjoying the evening along with the A3 platoon. Bill Wahl, along with Ken Tate and Michael Munn, were three of the former medics I'd located before the reunion. I hope to locate as many medics as possible by next year's reunion. They were well remembered and appreciated, even though no one remembers their medic's real name. Not surprisingly, all were nicknamed "Doc". :-)
After the banquet dinner, a few speakers were featured. First Tom Rosser, the veteran who initiated the locating of the buddies in his platoon, kicks off the night with an emotional speech about how it felt to see everyone reunited again. And here I am telling how it all began, how the year progressed, and what it meant to me to see so many there at Fort Knox. I had spoken to all the veterans on the phone, and to finally realize the dream of seeing them together again was one of the most special moments of my life.
Len Renoux, Rosser's Pltn Sgt, presents a "Shake N Bake" jersey to Tom Rosser, NCOC 1-68, who accepts the jersey on behalf of all Armor NCOCs. Renoux presenting the jersey and speaking for all the senior NCOs, said they were retiring their number, never to call them "Instant NCOs" and "Shake N Bakes" again. HA! Wonder how long that lasted. :-)
The busiest day of the reunion draws to a close. Here I'm sharing a laugh with Jerry Brown, A CO and his wife Kathleen before going back to the hotel and hospitality room. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Jerry Brown. I talked for the first time to Jerry in May, only 3 months before the reunion. When the opportunity for a monument dedication came about, I gave the Memorial Park event to Jerry to plan and we worked together for the remaining days before the reunion. I've never enjoyed working with anyone more. He's a special man who imparted support, confidence and a belief in me and my intentions for this reunion and the veterans of this great battalion. I appreciated that, Jerry.
