Falcon Logo used
Courtesy of Jim Bowers, 77th FA Assn.
From The
77th FA Regiment Association
Wishing you
HAPPY, HEALTHIER, AND MORE PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR, America! We LOVE YOU!
And, ---
DUH!!!! That is why we fought for you. And our brotherhood
Troopers, Soon, I will find an example of the fact that your
BROTHERS IN ARMS DID NOT FORGET YOU AT FIRST. They did indeed, think
about you often, as you
No matter how hard
you tried to forget them, 'cuz you promised you would, or
they tried to forget
you for those first few months, with no distractions, you/they
were on their minds
almost as much as they were on YOURS. Admit, it, be glad for it, and it JUST IS
WHAT IT WAS, AND WHAT IT IS!!!
Hopefully, you will
find this Marquee of "CHRISTMAS, VIETNAM" Interesting
And it is of course,
100% Historical
***Public
Service Message***
To our Veterans, AND ALL VISITORS of this Site. Do
NOT DIAL AREA CODES 809, 284, or 876!!! They are all part of SCAMS TO GET YOUR
MONEY, By preying on your concern for family members that they try to tell you
are hurt, jailed,or that you may have won some sort of fabulous prize. They can
cost you as much as $2425.00/Minute. And getting resolution or REFUND is a
NIGHTMARE.----So, Forewarned is FORE-ARMED. Be VERY SUSPICIOUS, and just DON'T
DIAL THEM!
***Public
Service Message***
To our Veterans, AND ALL VISITORS of this Site. THERE
IS A POSSIBLE SCAM in the area of representing Veterans in their quest
to obtain Veteran's Benefits. For a more complete version of the exact profile,
Click VA Warning Letter VA WARNING
LETTER A page will load with more complete information. Do a friend a
favor, and forward to them, also, Please.
Okay, Here are the 77FA Regimental
Colors
In the
Holiday spirit of giving, serving and helping, check the banner below, please
Above Photo: Courtesy of Bob "Doc" Bosma's site
For their excellent contribution to the mission of TF-2-28
on their recent rotation to OIF, Iraq! We of the 77FA Association SALUTE you!
And feel great pride that the tradition of excellence we have enjoyed in the
past is in excellent, capable hands TODAY!
And --- Thank you for
your service
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Wanna See the 2010 Reunion PICS?
"Rock 'N Roll With C-Battery, 2/77FA, (Pre - Post Battle for FSB BURT,
Late Dec. '67 - Late Jan '68) There is also some footage of DT Base Camp. Don't
know if it is Before or after the Battle. Thanks Much to Ignatious
"Iggy" Castaldo for this Contribution!
The First one, listed below is a smaller, shorter version. Actually, it is one
of 2 Smaller, shorter versions. It should open with REAL PLAYER, or Windows
Media Viewer. But I had some trouble with my Real player. Windows Media player
worked fine. GO FULL SCREEN, AS IT ZOOMS IN CLOSE, AND YOU ARE THERE
There will also be some great stills showing up on "Iggy's Album"
later on.
There are 3 Versions
of the video. URL's listed Below:
Smallest one first. For People with SMOKIN FAST INTERNET, The Biggie, last
Short 1
Short 2
LONG ONE
FIRST - Highlight and
copy the url of the version you want to watch
(You can right click and then click copy link)
NEXT - open your
windows media viewer
NEXT - Click on file,
scroll down to open url, and click that.
NOW - paste in the
url of the file, copied from this page, and click Okay.
THIS may be different
on your Windows Media Viewer - But mine went to
Library automatically, and I had to click Now Playing on the top window bar to
see
the clip when it started playing
NO offense intended to all you 'PUTER GEEKS Out there! It
just that some of our veterans are not that heavy into computers yet, and can
use a little help on how to get that thing fired up. Plus, the process was a
little weird even for me. At first, the darn links pulled up my animation
editor, no good for viewing. It MAY work now, to just click the link to the one
you want to watch, 'cuz I just noticed that the icons have changed to WMV
icons. Maybe worth a shot.
Former Sgt.
Christopher Gaynor's VN Slide Show
There is some stuff that is the same in both parts.
Will try to edit them later, Slow work on old 'puter. Hang in there. There are
meanwhile, some great scenes of fire missions, air strikes, and the
"Crusaders/Blackhawks" doin an Eagle flight.
----------1987 ----Missouri--------
Robert, A.K.A "Doc" Bosma formed the 77th FA
Regiment Association. That was 10 YEARS BEFORE I started the INFORMAL
2/77FA (VN) ASSN. (Which was essentially just a web-site) And so it
continued,,,,till "Doc's" health started to suffer, to the point
where he felt FOR THE GOOD OF THE ASSOCIATION he needed to ask for
help.Nothin wrong there. Knowing how we COMBAT TROOPERS Cannonize our Beloved
Medics --- By ALL, (Officers get wounded, too) --- in the Greatest brotherly
Love and utmost RESPECT for Doc and all the hard work he had done, some 77FA
veterans "Stepped up" to answer his call. (NOT ALL WERE FORMER
OFFICERS. Jack Parr is a former sp/5) ALL wanted to help and it has been proven
to me, a former BUCK SARGE --- by both word and ACTION (the only TRUE PROOF of
a bunch of yadda yadda) -----ANYONE CAN BLOW 98.6 DEGREE air the fact that they
CHALLENGED ME TO PROVE THEM REAL BY THEIR ACTIONS AND STOOD THE
TEST ---- (EVEN THOUGH I NEVER HAD ANY PARTICULAR PROBLEMS WITH OFFICERS/VERSUS
ENLISTED MEN SYNDROME) ---2010 ----- THESE fine
troopers have proved to me, that they are precisely what they said they were -
former Troopers and STILL Troopers who just wanted to help. To ensure that a
valuable American Institution did not die on the vine. They not only rolled up
their Financial, but their "cotton" sleeves also and went to work to
make SURE that did NOT happen. Though I DID hear that one, or some expressed
some frustration with things as they had been, and had perhaps been less than
DIPLOMATIC/RESPECTFUL in the manner in which it was expressed ----ALL, have
continually assured me, and put the ACTION behind their words to PROVE IT ---- Robert "Doc" Bosma WILL ALWAYS BE
VENERATED AND RESPECTED AS THE SPARK, FOUNDER, AND FOR YEARS UPON YEARS,
THE CONTINUING IMPETUS AND PRIME MOVER OF THE 77TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT
ASSOCIATION.----They ALL Love Doc, even the one who he originally felt
hurt him. I heard it STRAIGHT FROM THAT PERSON'S MOUTH AT THE REUNION. Further
evidence of that is that when they began an 'outreach' to "Sgt.Mikie"
- TO temporarily share our web space with them to communicate, which I was glad
to do, still am - When I in the process of discoursing back and forth, etc. -
honestly mentioned my personal frustration from time to time with the fact that
'Doc' often did not even answer my e-mails, and when he did, seemed to just
tell me how it was gonna be, and sometimes I felt it was all geared towards the
1/77FA - As a reason why I had NOT, to date come under the "Umbrella"
Organization, fearing in some way, a loss of Autonomy, and unit identity, They
said things to soothe MY frustrations, in defense of Doc, and gave explanations
for why he could not always respond to me, and the 2/77 veterans concerns. They
HELPED me understand the situation, and THUS, drew me in to the The Cruciality
(ha, is that even a WORD?) OF the entire group of 77th FA veterans coming
together and continuing the preservation of the history, and especially the
preserving of the NEW HISTORY being created by our once again ACTIVE
Battalions, and of course supporting them in their mission.
----BOTTOM LINE----
They asked ME, as they Asked/Ask YOU for a CHANCE. I Gave it
to them, and I was NOT ONLY not disappointed, I was AMAZED, and Gratified!!! I
Went there, and with the eyes of a COMBAT VETERAN, I looked directly into the
eyes of FELLOW COMBAT VETERANS, and I saw the truth!
These are REAL people! They are Combat veterans, who CARED about their troopers
THEN, (at least some of them are FORMER ENLISTED MEN THEMSELVES) And ALL they
are doin NOW is the very same thing. Carin 'bout their fellow troopers! And the
continuation of that caring, support, etc. SHOULD
Give them a chance. I did, and I thank the General in the Sky that I did. I
went there, and saw them humpin 'puter equipment, etc. Ice tubs, boxes full of liquor
and beer, etc. all in preparation for their DESIRE that YOU and any and ALL
other attendees have the best possible experience. They were doin "Grunt
work" God Bless 'em, hahahaha.Iknow I helped them with some of it. NOT a
single one of them ever looked at me and said "Sgt. ---this grunt work is
for YOU" THESE ARE THE GUYS WHO LIKELY HELPED BUNKER IN WHEN THEIR TEAM
(MAIN-EE OF THEM WERE FO'S --- ) SETTLE IN FOR THE NIGHT, WHEREVER THEY WERE.
----TELLIN YA GUYS, I'D BET MONEY ON IT1
----Bottom Line 2 ----
These guys are "Joe Average" veterans! They do not
even mention, and likely do NOT even think that much 'bout their
"Major-dom" or "Colnel-dom" etc. Not a SINGLE ONE of them
ever said a 'snooty' word to me or any of the other former enlisted men there.
They openly 'shared' their stories, and listened with REAL interest to ours.
THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO "CLASS DISTINCTION" EXTENT OR EVIDENT THERE.
Brothers, ALL. NO ONE EVER SAID "CALL ME COL. OR MAJOR" OR ANY OTHER
B.S. LIKE THAT. THEIR ONE AND ONLY AND A CONTINUALLY OVER RIDING DESIRE IS THE CONTINUATION
OF THE ASSOCIATION, THE HISTORY, THE COMRADERIE, ETC. These guys are precisely
that - Just Guys! ----'NUFF SAID, NOW THAT I HAVE EXPENDED A VERITABLE VERBAL
TORNADO OF 98.6, HAHAHAHAHA!
At Our Age, ---- I personally am a LITTLE bit
skittish, and more picky 'bout such things ---- But WITHOUT RESERVATION ---- I
WOULD RUCKUP --- AND Accompany ANY OF THESE GUYS INTO COMBAT! LOCKED, LOADED,
AND ON "FULL ROCK'N'ROLL", TRUSTING FULLY THEIR ABILITY, AND DESIRE
TO PROTECT MY FLANKS AND MY PRECIOUS (TO ME EN-UH-WAY) TAIL FEATHERS!!!
HAHAHAHAHA!
That having been said --- let's jump to the meat of the matters at hand - NOW.
Round
Rock, Texas, Sep.,2010.
THE REVIVAL OF THE 77TH FA Regiment Association
Reunion
AND
Membership
Meeting
Sep. 20 -
Well, Troopers, it is IN THE BOOKS NOW!
Here are
the HIGHLIGHTS of what YOU missed if you couldn't make it ----
FOR NOW,THIS IS THE 77FA Regt. Assn. Bulletin Board So, check it out now
and then!
And of COURSE - With a whole Year to start your planning - We ALL look forward
to seeing YOU in
Colorado NEXT YEAR, S E P. - 8, 9, & 10 where the 2nd Bn. 77th FA (Active) will be hosting!
DETAILS HERE AS THEY BECOME CLEAR! And of course, YOU being there to help us share and ADD to
Memories that will positively enhance the Rest of our lives! I know I had an
AWESOME time! And I wish to thank the entire Association for that. I met some
OUTSTANDING troopers, and I've now got more BROTHERS than I knows fer sure what
to do with, hahahaaha! That is not a complaint - I'll finger it out!
Thursday
Sep. 16 --- "Early Birds" arrived,
at the SLEEP INN in Red Rock.
Of course they were most of the Officers
"Pro-tem" to begin prepping for the arrival of the other attendees.
So, there were informal 'meetings' for the purposes of coordinating the
activities on the OFFICIAL itinerary. They checked out the rooms, and did the
biz of settlin into theirs,too.
At this point - I hope I speak for ALL the attendees, when I say that the SLEEP
INN people were just AWESOME to us. We will get them a Certificate of
Appreciation for treating us ABOVE AND BEYOND our Expectations, and doing so
many things to make our stay in their beautiful, comfy rooms as pleasantly
memorable as they were able. They were as far as I could see - so friendly, and
mutually respectful, and just generally the "New Friends" they did
NOT have to be! So, if you were there and you agree, the address above should
lead you to the site where you could give them your own PERSONAL SHOUT OUT! In
recognition!
I personally got to meet, and put faces with the names of some of my new
brothers I had seen and wondered 'bout in e-mails. And sorry if I get the
positions a little off. Chalk it up to what one attendee appropriately called a
"10 second Memory."
John Avera,-
President
Jim Bowers - Secretary
Mike Maynard - 2nd Vice President
Jack Parr - 1st Vice President
Fred Taylor - Treasurer
My personal THANKS AND GRATITUDE to The above individuals, and any I may have
temporarily forgotten - For all their hard work and LOVE they put into making
sure this Reunion would be the very GOODEST they could make it for ALL who
attended! ---OOH-RAH! And Marines are not, nor were they EVER the only branch
of the military who use that phrase! And a personal thank you also to ALL the
troopers who as they showed up, rolled up their sleeves and their mental
sleeves, and in any way they were able, pitched in to help out, all with the
same goal makin it as good for EVERYONE in attendance as possible!
Friday, Sep. 17- More
arrivals, of course. For the most part, the Official Itinerary was pretty well
adhered to.
Jim Bowers workin his tail feathers to bluntness on Name Tags, Meal tickets,
sign-in sheets, and 'bout a hunnert other things to keep the show movin
forward. And all the other guys mentioned above, workin hard at their
particular areas of responsibility/and expertise toward the SAME Goal. Everyone
helpin everyone else to attend to all the myriad details.
Of course when a group of brothers in arms gets together, the HAPPY HOUR
portion of the itinerary is BOUND to get started mebbe jus' a LEETLE bit ahead
of the actual schedule, hahaha! And there is with all that "brain
oil" flowin -- LOTS of sharing of Tall Tales, and True ones, brotherly
love, and the absolutely necessary PHOTOS.
A note on this - of COURSE there were photos taken of almost everything!
Speakin for himself - Sgt Mikie was gratified that THIS TIME - it was decided
to correct former oversites by keeping a log of all the names in ALL the pics.
And as they become available, Sgt. Mikie in the interim period of say a month
or 2, till the NEW SITE is fired up, will compile and post a photo album, so
that you attendees will have memory boosters of all the FUN you had, and you
troopers who need an INCENTIVE to join up, and SUIT UP AND SHOW up in COLORADO
next year will have that!
Also will be a list as complete as we can make it - of the Attendees posted.
And photos, Sgt Mikie is grateful to have some new photos pertaining to the
history, previously WOEFULLY incomplete - of the 6th Bn's stay in Vietnam.
Along with a pretty good narrative ot the same. That is a big THANK YOU and a
shout out to Juan Garcia, who was with the 6th. And on either on this site, or
the NEW site - More of the pics that somehow did not get posted prior. And I
saw some of them. For one, Mike Maynard had a great album, which will
definitely provide priceless history and memories for many of you!
Saturday, Sep. 18, ---
The schedule was again pretty well adhered to.
---10:00AM Or thereabout
-----GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING
-------CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS APPROVAL
-------Havin been given copies of BOTH by the ever hard workin Jim Bowers, the
Qualified voting membership having FIRST considered how YOU as members would
probably like them to vote after perusing both, Voted to ACCEPT both. That is
partially because you have to HAVE a Constitution & By-Laws, before you can change them.
The next vote was to make a few changes, which will be reflected in information
forthcoming to you all via this web site, or other communication means. I
believe one of the changes, was to change the number of VICE PRESIDENTS FROM 2, to 3, to provide for better continuity in the case of something
happened that prevented either the President, or any of his VICE PRESIDENT'S
from being able to continue in their elected job. It was also established that
the positions of 1st and 2nd VICE PRESIDENTS would be filled now, and the 3d
VICE next year at the business meeting portion of the Colorado Reunion.
Unless, for some reason - it should become necessary to do it sooner. In such
case, there would be emergency measures instituted to solve the problem. There
were some fairly minor language changes, to clarify the Constitution and
By-Laws also.
Any 77FA Regt. Assn. Trooper who views the constitution and has recommendations
for changes, may submit them to the President, or one of the other Officers,
who will then make sure they are also presented to the troopers for perusal. BUT, you MUST be a paid active member, or LIFE MEMBER to be
able to vote on those that the others in membership approve to be voted on at
that meeting. There MAY be some provisions for
E-Ballots upcoming. Not sure 'bout that, but stay tuned, in case. We all did
our GOODEST to make this YOUR Association, as well as ours. Your participation
is not only vital, but in such matters of these, just like Citizenship
----REQUIRED for the absolute BEST reflection of the desires and needs of the
ASSOCIATION as a whole! So, you are honestly encouraged to become ACTIVE and
MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN to your Officers! They are YOUR PUBLIC SERVANTS. And they
desire only to make YOUR Association Reflect YOU!
HERE IS A LIST OF THE OFFICERS ELECTED. THEIR TERMS OF SERVICE TO YOU WILL BE
FROM 0001, Jan. '11 to 0001 Jan.'12.
It was decided that because The Current Officers who were elected PRO-TEM, to
get the Assn. moving forward - are familiar with all the ins and outs of it,
they will continue to serve through these last few months of "TRANSITION" and
in that time, work with the new officers to help them fit more smoothly and
comfortably into their new positions. This so that like any good trooper, they
will be able to "Hit the ground running" when it is their time.
Now, I are going from Memory,so 'pologies if I get some of this wrong. It will
be made clear to me, and I will Immediately post any corrections needed.
ONE MORE VITAL POINT For those of us/you who are PROUD to see the
Regiment being Re-activated at least SOME OF IT to help out with America's
current war -- DOD has informed us, through our LIASON OFFICERS that IN FACT,
the fact that a Regiment has an ACTIVE
ASSOCIATION DOES indeed make a difference in
whether or not the Regiment remains active on at least some level. Along with
Battle/Campaign Streamers, Valorous Unit Awards, and Presidential Unit
Citations, etc. The Army/DOD, logically wants to keep the VERY GOODEST units
continually providing the services they need to provide to America's exercise
of foreign Policy. So, for those of you/us who desire for those who must go
help out with our wars to be in one of the BEST FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENTS IN
THE U.S. ARMY, and thus stand a gooder chance of surviving,that is hopefully
another reason to "Join up" and get active on some, ANY level! You want to "support our troops?" $20.00/year or $100/Life Membership will do it.
We also have an Association Newsletter planned. Hopefully, it will be posted on
the Web Site, available for download, and mailed out to those of you who do not
do computers. Most want to have information on what is going on in the
Association and with the Active duty units, and in 6,sections. One for each
battalion that constitutes or did contstitute the Regiment. And of course your
ability to contribute war stories, historical stuff, and views/opinions,
photos, etc. You know, like a NEWSLETTER DOES.
PRESIDENT
--- Paige Lanier. (Also Liason to 2/77FA
Active in CO.)
FIRST VICE
PRESIDENT ---Mike Maynard, I think
SECOND
VICE PRESIDENT ---
THIRD VICE
PRESIDENT ---
SECRETARY
---
APPOINTED/SELECTED POSITIONS: These include, but MAY NOT be limited to,
Additional Active Liason Officers, and Membership/Recruiting People, various
committee members, etc. (such as Beverage, billeting of attendees, ground
transportation to/from Airports/meeting locations, etc.
Membership/Recruiting
AZ --- Mike Pectol
-------Also, the location for the NEXT YEAR Reunion/Meeting
was discussed, as noted. Colorado was chosen, because 2/77FA Active will not
deploy to Afghan again till '12. And they have expressed a desire to host us.
We jus' cain't get a gooder deal than that, ya think? We the ACTIVE, VOTING
MEMBERSHIP --- thunk so, on YOUR behalf, and ours. We ALL tried to vote not
only for what WE wanted, but to honestly look in our hearts and vote for what
YOU might have thunk was in your interest and benefit and vote that way, too.
--------THE
FUN STUFF------------------
After all that - We got down later on, to the FUN
Stuff! The Happy hour, more Meet and Greet, and story/photo sharing, and
personal histories, etc.
----HIGHLIGHT
-- WELCOMING OUR GUEST SPEAKER ---
COL. STEVE
HITE, Most recent Past Cdr., 1/77FA (Active), Iraq.
Steve enlightened us with a presentation about
the Mission he and his 1/77 troopers were tasked with and Admirably performed
in their recent deployment to Iraq as part of OIF. ----OOH-RAH! We were ALL
enlightened, and some of us were surprised that though some of the names of the
things they did were different, they appeared to be the same function wise as
the CAP/MedCap projects, various/and in fact ALL Vietnam Battalions performed
in an effort to "Win the hearts and minds" of the Vietnamese Civilian
Populace, back "Then" I personally was also struck by his multiple
mentions of "Combat Patrols" and the fact that they did not do that
much of what normally comes under the Mission statement of Field Artillery. In
effect, it seemed to me that they were called upon to remember that All
soldiers are trained at least in some situations to be "Riflemen
First" Combat Patrols?????? Hmmmmm. Then, by his own Desire/Request, we
ALL got the opportunity to shake his hand, and chat with him for a moment or
two, and he stayed through the serving of the banquet, EXCELLENT CHOW, TO BE
SURE! AGAIN - KUDOWS AND A BIG OOH-RAH! TO THE SLEEP INN PEOPLE WHO
"HOOKED US UP" ON THAT SCORE! The chicken, mashed spuds, gravy, etc.
was ALL, at least to me, PERFECT. I HATE Rubber chicken skin. It was nice and
crisp, and every bit as tasty as the meaty stuff, YUM, YUM, AND YUM! I WAS
STUFFED TIGHTER THAN A CHRISTMAS TURKEY WHEN I JUST HADDA QUIT FOR MY OWN GOOD,
HAHAHAHAAHA! STEVE Hite - He is as nearly as we could all tell - a sterling
Officer, a definite credit to his Generation, the U.S. Army, and the Regiment
he served in to continue adding to the history of the U.S. Army and the
Regiment. We can all sympathize with his statements about so far not being
totally thrilled with drivin a desk after being out there, on the jazz, and
doin really beezee, really action oriented stuff to support his troopies, the
Army, and the Foreign policy of America abroad. We were ALL I believe engaged
by his technical proficiency as a Field Artillery Commander, and his honesty as
a Trooper and a Man. GUYS! ----I'm TELLIN YA - ya jus' don't KNOW what you're
missin! Come on down to Colorado and SEE! You won't regret it! Yes, your
service in Vietnam, and for some other wars may have been some of the WORST
times in your life, but seeing the people you shared it with, and who helped
make it gooder whenever they could could also turn it into some of the GOODEST
times in your life!
Also, on a personal level -- There was the Meet and Greet, and the banquet, and
I got to re-visit with some of the troopers I had met earlier, meet some new
ones, I want to take this opportunity to thank as many of them as my "10
second memory" will let me. (That saying I believe, is courtesy of Don
Fujitani.) Thanks, Don. He extolled the virtues of "Rural Haiwaii" to
us. Hell, I theenk I are gonna theenk 'bout movin, hahahahaha! We traded
personal histories, stories, assignments, etc. All good stuff. I believe I met
and talked with a man who was 90 years old, and a retired col. God, I hope I
look HALF that good when I are his age! Tom Lewis, I believe. 'Pologies! I was
wrong! Go Figure! it was Col. Harold Smith! DANG! That boy BARELY HAD ANY GRAY
HAIRS AT ALL! And, Such a NICE, regular guy sort of man. Not only that, he was
not only a 1st Cav. veteran in 'Nam, he was also a fellow "Electric
Strawberry" 25th Div. Veteran in Korea and a WWII veteran. TALK about
'Service'
Got to share some time with and Meet Paul Guetter......FO with A/2/22 and Soui
Tre veteran. Put a face on those forwards. Fine feller! Thanks for comin and
lettin me meet up witcha, Paul!
Saw Waymond (I now call him "deacon") Graham. Shared some pretty good
stuff with him, a fellow 2/77 veteran. A/2/77 '68 - '69. Love ya, brother! Got
some really good, really long sermons.
I also met a fine "Choctaw" feller, I was wrong. Thanks, Jim for
settin me straight. My new Choctaw friend's first name Dwayne, Fowler. I talked
with him for a while.
Of course there was Juan Garcia, from Houston, and the 6th Bn, VN. Troopers,
you are ALL JUST SO AWESOME! Do you even KNOW????? I do, and I'm tellin ya now.
And Ben Scott. He is gonna be one of the BIGGEST DRIVING/MOTIVATING FORCES in
our Recruitment/Reclaiming Campaign coming up to RECLAIM our brothers. He -
(You) have some ideas about Public Service messages on TV, that will
revolutionize Veteran Association OUtreach! OOH-RAH, brother! We will MOST
DEF'NLY BE IN TOUCH FROM NOW ON! DAMN FINE MAN, AS ARE WE ALL!!!!
Also enjoyed meetin Gene Pacinella former Medic with C/2/77 and Soui-Tre
veteran. Enjoyed meetin and chattin with ALL the attendees. If I missed anyone,
I sure are sorry 'bout that!
Got as mentioned, my turn to chat with Col. Steve Hite. Sterling individual, a
perfect example of the high quality of what I tend to call the "New
Crop" of veterans. Enjoyed his presentation, and we both sorta agreed,
that there were some similarities between what he and 1/77 did in Iraq and the
"Medcap" and "CAP"/S-5 missions in Vietnam were geared
toward/aiming at. Thanks, much, Steve! I hope you make General, IF you can find
a way to remain a WARRIOR, and not succumb to the pressure/etc. to morph from
WARRIOR to politician like so many do. God Bless you and the NEW 77TH FA
REGT.!!
Boy, there are just TOO STEENGKEENG MAIN-EE FOR NOW. I are planning to retire
next year and increase my finances, and plan to come to CO next year. But one
thing I are gonna do is bring a blank "Yearbook" and just ask
everyone I see again, or meet new to just scribble something in there! Then I
won't have to try to remember all this massively worthwhile shit.
Then, of Course, there was the Surprise Presentation of the Certificate of
Appreciation to Me! Caught me totally off guard, they did, till just
around a minute before the end of the preliminary remarks! My heartfelt THANKS
to the Association! Looks Great, and even Gooder sittin here on my desk right
now! I are tellin ya, fellow 77th FA Troopers, then and Now,from what-EVER
battalion, You are ALL STAND-UP ACES IN MY PERSONAL "BOOK" Shout me
up, ANY TIME! YOU WILL ALL EXCITE THE FONDEST MEMORIES IN MY TWISTED, PTSD
RIDDLED BRAIN, HAHAHAHAHA! It was a GREAT, long day! Heck, I didn't get to bed
till 11:30!
And then,
Sunday, Sep. 19 ---
the Bitter-sweet Goodbyes, till 'next we meet again' An other reason why I
personally favor Reunions Every Year! We do NOT get younger, except maybe for
Col Lewis hahahahaha!
The
Association *NEEDS YOU* To help make it work.
Temporarily, for your perusal - I are leaving up the itinerary for the whole
sheebang. --
-----INTERNET-----
Had Some
internet comments in the Guest Book. So, going with the old Addage -
"Where there is one, there must be more" --- I am gonna take a STAB
at my understanding of what the 77FA Regt. Association site will be.
This based on informal discussions with Jim Bowers, Jack Parr, John Avera, Mike
Maynard. And finally, back to Jim Bowers. Chad, who I believe is Jack's Son is
in the process of getting that set up. It will be an OVERALL site, with
sections, or links to all the various Bn Veteran Association Sites, AND for all
the ACTIVE BATTALIONS ---- with information pictures, history, etc. They will
be relative to that particular Bn, and will likely have the information on the
various assignments of the various Bns. We are as a whole a VARIED Regiment,
and at various times, during Various Wars, and Conflicts, different Bns served
with and were assigned to DIFFERENT Divisions. 1st Cav., 4ID, IIFFV, 196th LIB,
9ID, 25ID,101Abn/Airmobile, etc. And sometimes with DIFFERENT unit
designations. So, that will ALL be reflected on the site. Again, there will be
either Sections for each Bn veterans and Active Units, which will likely change
over time as more Bns are Deployed, or Activated as needed. It is hoped, I
believe to have it up and growing in 1, maybe 2 months.
----PICTURES----
CURRENT REUNION PICS,
List of
Attendees, 77FA Regt. Assn. Reunion, 2010
1. John
Avera
2. John
Ahearn
3. Steve
Batten
4. Jim
Bowers
5. Dwayne
Fowler
6. Donald
Fujitani
7. Juan
Garcia
8. Waymond
Graham
9. Don
Gross
10. Paul
Guetter
11. Steve
Luba
12. Mike
Maynard
13. Jack
Morrison
14. Jack
Paar
15. Eugene
Pacinella
16. Mike
Pectol (Sgt Mikie)
17.
Benjamin F. (Ben) Scott
18. Col
Harold Smith
19.
Manning Shuler
20. Fred
Taylor
21. Steve
Hite (Immediate past Cdr 1/77FA and guest speaker)
And ---
Thank you for your service
You can
still see the Dusty/Hines reunion pics at ALBUMS
17 Feb.
2005...Uncasing our Colors
17 Feb.
2005..The new HQ sign
Use the
Mouse to drag the left vertical divider to the left
2/77FA
Weather Station
Of course,
weather is very important to Artillery!
Vietnam
Iraq
Afghanistan
WELCOME
To the
internet home of
the Association of
77FA Regiment veterans!
Of ALL Periods of Service!
DISCLAIMER/WARNING
***Warning
for kids and all others! *** ----
This one is
about what Artillery does for a living! We make people dead and that is what
the album shows! So, if you have some misconception that the Army and WAR are
sterile, and you don't want to see any "Credentials" Stay out!
GRAPHIC!!! WARNING SCRIPT ALSO LOCATED @ ALBUM PAGE!!! If you are under 18
Years of Age, and your MOMMIE AND/OR DADDY Don't want you viewing graphic, real
life pictures, don't go there! But in the long run, it is up to you and your
parents to monitor or control that WE DO NOT DICTATE MORALES, or the limits of
FREE Speech, including the freedom to lie and say you are over 18 years of age,
or your Mommy and/or Daddy Don't care if you see this stuff! We also accept no
responsibility for your exercising your freedom to ignore this warning, if that
is what you choose to do.***
END OF
DISCLAIMER/WARNING
'We sleep
safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence
on those who would harm us.' George Orwell
===================================
