1997 "Jungleer" Reunion

The 14th Infantry "Jungleers' Reunion" was held on October 1-5, 1997 at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.  The five-day event was organized by Grant Gilray and featured many get-togethers, memorabilia displays and a Memorial Banquet in Honor of the 14th U.S. Infantry, Ft. William D. Davis, Panama Canal Zone, 1920-43.  In 1998, the former Jungleers posted a standing roster with 200 current names and addresses.  A total of five "Jungleer" reunions have been organized by Mr. Gilray since 1993 -- all at Ft. Bragg.

     

This display was at "The Right of the Line" of the memorial banquet table

 

A Toast to their Departed Comrades, written by Grant Gilray, read as follows:

"Your hitch is over.

The '23 and a Butt' has come full circle and you have stood your 'casual' formation.

May you rest in the Shade Trees in the Garden of Allah...

Where the women are beautiful and voluptuous...

Where the drinks are free and the bars never close...and there is no bed check...

Where there is no rain nor any mud...no mosquitoes...

And no mules to exercise...nor any jungle maneuvers...

No grass to sprig...No guard to mount...and no full field inspections...

Where the only line you have to stand in is the line that leads to the ship that will carry you home!

Rest, men...smoke if you like...REST IN PEACE!"

Thanks to Terry Bender, 1/14th Inf, for making this document available and for his dedicated efforts to preserve the history of the 14th Infantry Regiment.



Panama Canal Zone:  1997 "Jungleer" Reunion
Copyright © 2012  14th Infantry Regiment Association
Last modified: November 01, 2012