Former 1st Infantry Division Soldiers visit the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. during the 87th annual reunion of the Society of the 1st Infantry Division July 20-24. Spc. Joe Alger
Posted on 07/28/2005 5:27:14 PM PDT by SandRat
First Infantry Division veterans met for the 87th time at the Society of the 1st Infantry Division’s annual reunion July 20-24.
The reunion not only afforded veterans the opportunity to visit the sites in Washington and take in a concert by the U.S. Army Choir, but also to re-kindle old friendships.
“It’s great for all the veterans to get together and talk about what we’ve been through,” said Paul Leifholtz, who served with the 1st ID from 1966-67.
“I’ve been to five of these,” said Bill Baty, 1st ID Soldier from 1965-66. “It’s a healing process to see people you haven’t seen in a long time - I just wish we could get in touch with everyone who was in Vietnam with us and get them to come to these things.”
The bond of war allowed veterans to share their experiences with new people.
Leifholtz, who has attended four reunions, said despite the fact he has not met any people from his old unit at the reunions, it’s okay because he’s made “piles of new friends.
“People from other units have sort of adopted me,” Leifholtz said. “We served for the same cause for the same division, so we’re all friends.”
Joseph Tate, who served with 1st ID from 1967-68, attended the reunion for the first time.
“I never felt like a stranger because everyone has been very welcoming to me,” Tate said.
Finding out about the reunion was a revelation for Tate, who had been trying for years to get together with his comrades from Vietnam.
“I had been trying to organize my own reunion, but I hadn’t been able to get in touch with Soldiers from my old unit,” Tate said. “A friend of mine told me about this reunion, and I said I would love to go.”
Over the course of the reunion, Tate said he ran into six different people from his old unit. “Seeing them brought back memories of how we used to do things in the field,” Tate said. “We had a very strong bond together.”
During the reunion, veterans were given opportunities to visit the Vietnam and World War II Memorials, which was significant for many veterans.
According to John Lang, who served with the 1st ID from 1965-66, visiting the Vietnam Memorial was a “heart wrenching” experience. “I saw a panel on the wall, and listed were names of people from my company almost from top to bottom,” Lang said.
Another important purpose of the reunion, Leifholtz said, is ensuring the experiences of 1st ID Soldiers are passed on to younger generations.
“There will come a time some day when the WWII vets won’t be with us anymore, and all that knowledge and history will be lost” he said. “There are a lot of stories there that need to get passed down.”
“It’s great that all different generations get to reflect with each other here,” said retired Sgt. 1st Class Jack Durham, who served with 1st ID from 1964-68. “Everything in war is basically the same since the beginning of time - the weapons may change but you still have the same emotions.”
http://www.nps.gov/whho/PPSth/1stdivmon/
I not surprised there is no mention of the 1st Infantry Division Monument near the White House. I discovered it a few years ago when I just happen to walk by it..
Others may try, but there's only one BIG RED ONE!!!
I'm ex Navy, but these guys...it lumps me up thinking what the did
I'm ex Navy, but these guys...it lumps me up thinking what they did
I served with the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam 1966 - 1967.
Never been able to attend a reunion with them, but I am with them in spirt.
The best Division I ever served with.
"If ya gotta be one, be a Big Red One." God bless ya boys!
"If ya gotta be one, be a Big Red One."
My husband was one for his second tour of duty. 1969-70. He's never had a chance to attend a reunion either.
It was a very nice display, and somewhere I have a photograph of the Big Red 1.
BTTT!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.