Reunions

Tom Jones (1/14th and 2/14th, Vietnam) shares some highlights from the reunion:

   Everybody who took the cruise option really seemed to enjoy it. The weather in Fairbanks was cloudy but warm with temperatures reaching 65 degrees.

   We held our 4th Annual 25th IDA Memorial Fund, Inc. golf outing on Thursday. We purchased a Golden Dragon hole sponsorship that benefited the Fund. The Association raised over $4500.00 for the Fund and everyone had a great time. The match resulted in a 3-way tie that was decided by a putt-off.

   The Reunion coincided with our 1st Stryker Brigade's return from Iraq and I've included some shots of banners lining the fences on every approach to Ft. Wainwright. I've seen other displays before in Hawaii, but none to match this display of support. Particularly cute were several of the signs that said things like "Welcome home SGT, You thought Iraq was hot - Wait until tonight!"

   We toured the Army's training facilities that have high-tech (almost like live video games) buildings teaching everything from marksmanship, driver training, vehicle rollover techniques, to first aid. They have a complete Middle Eastern village scenario (much like the old "Kara Village" many of our guys will remember in Hawaii) that is all electronic and produces on the spot videos, like NFL game films, for leadership critiquing rather than the lane graders we used to experience.

   We had briefings from the Brigade Commander, COL Burt Thompson, and our banquet speaker was USARPAC Commander LTG Randy Mixon. Both emphasized the importance of the civil affairs roles the Army played in Iraq; training Iraqi leaders and police in governance and working with local communities to correct the infrastructure problems like water, power and schooling. Most soldiers we talked to felt that they had "planted some valuable seeds for democracy".

   Being among our Active Duty soldiers leaves one humbled by their intelligence, conditioning, professionalism, and dedication to duty. The nation, however, has them stretched to the limit and there are signs of strain on them and their families. While we were on Post a soldier that had been home less than a week committed suicide, much like I had experienced last July in Hawaii when the Wolfhounds first got home. The Army is working very hard on that; the troops are kept on a tight leash as they first return to cut into the binge drinking, as well as to allow each returnee to receive inprocessing that includes counseling and family practices instruction.