Military reunions? Have you ever planned or attended one?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:01:14 -0400

Has anyone ever planned or attended a reunion with your old units? What type of activities did you do? Our unit was in Germany, but we want to keep it stateside, to keep the cost down so as many people can come that want too. What are some good ideas?

Response by CPL Hayward Johnson made May 27 at 2015 6:03 PM

CPL Hayward Johnson — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:03:33 -0400

I have tried with my brother's many times but it always fall through. ..they always seem to already have an exscuse on why they cant make it even though its a yr in advance

Response by CDR Terry Boles made May 27 at 2015 6:33 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:33:25 -0400

I have attended two Navy reunions, OI Division reunions from my USS Biddle days. We have planned a third reunion this fall and each subsequent reunion we have more participation. We are forever trying to find old shipmates, and reach out to them and bring them into the fold.

There certainly are those who will never attend but for those that do it’s as if time stood still and we are that close knit group that never separated, it’s amazing. Because of these reunions our shipmates “talk” regularly via email, text, and phone calls. Whenever someone is nearby during their travels we take time out to visit.

Should you have the opportunity to attend a reunion I would encourage it, after all these are some of the closet buddies (like family) you will ever have who truly understand you and accept you unconditionally.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 27 at 2015 8:14 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 27 May 2015 20:14:22 -0400

Activities:

Bullshitting - telling each other how much you've missed them
Drinking - toasting the good old days and fallen comrades
More Bullshitting - brought on by the first round of drinking
More drinking - brought on by all the bullshitting
Fisticuffs - the results of all the drunken bullshitting
Hugs and Kisses - making up after all is said and done.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 27 at 2015 8:19 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 27 May 2015 20:19:55 -0400

Yes we had a 10 year reunion in 2012 of the 43rd MP Bde that went to GTMO in 2002. It was great to see the old team again. The best was getting our commander to come. He fell into some political BS on the way back and left the Guard shortly after. It was good to see him again.

Slide shows - lots of pictures remembering all the silliness from 10 years ago. that was essential.

We had a good meal and MANY drinks. We were mostly all local so it wasn't too big a deal for travelling.

Dancing, getting the spouses together, anything that keeps'em laughing.

Response by CPL Michael Cummins made May 27 at 2015 8:47 PM

CPL Michael Cummins — Wed, 27 May 2015 20:47:25 -0400

I was in 1st AD in Baumholder. I've gotten together with a lot of my comrades in Las Vegas. If you go at the right time it can be fairly inexpensive and the accommodations are great. Plus, who doesn't like going to Vegas?

Response by SSG Trevor S. made May 27 at 2015 10:13 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Wed, 27 May 2015 22:13:40 -0400

I attended the annual meeting of the 101st ABN Division Association when I was a Specialist. It was awesome. I got to have shots with the 2nd ever commander of my BN. I heard stories of D-Day, glider assaults, and jumps. I enjoyed listening and learning, and I made the mistake of thinking my Division Commander at the time was a news caster because I accidentally met him in civilian clothes.

Response by 1LT David Moeglein made May 28 at 2015 8:44 AM

1LT David Moeglein — Thu, 28 May 2015 08:44:44 -0400

That's why I like getting services at the VA. There's a reunion in the waiting area before my appointments. Call me crazy, but I have had times when I had private insurance, and I still preferred to get my health care at the VA.

Response by SPC(P) Carlos Santini made May 28 at 2015 9:58 PM

SPC(P) Carlos Santini — Thu, 28 May 2015 21:58:13 -0400

We had a 10 year reunion for my old unit 671st Engineering Company in 2014 and I did not attend because there were people that I just did not care to see. A buddy of mine that I served with that I talk and hang out with all the time went to the reunion and everyone was drunk doing stupid shit like trying to start fights or driving drunk and so on. So I am so glad I did not go because I just do not want to deal with that shit anymore. If I went I would have been sober and knocking people out that we ass holes to me because they had higher rank.

Response by 1SG Robert B. made May 29 at 2015 8:29 AM

1SG Robert B. — Fri, 29 May 2015 08:29:19 -0400

I am currently in the works of the planning process for my units reunion this year. We have had one every year for the last 5 or so. We take turns hosting and it is my turn this year. We typically alternate areas of the country to hold it to make it easier for some people who cannot travel as far (Desert Storm unit, some of us are getting old!). The host typically provides a location and maybe food and guys bring beer and sodas to help out. We also try to find a local hotel that will offer a group rate to cut down on cost. Next year we are looking at a "neutral site" like Orlando, so we can combine a family vacation with the unit reunion.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 30 at 2015 6:05 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 30 May 2015 18:05:45 -0400

I attended a couple 101st reunions due to my father in law. They had their dinners and a bus ride to the 101st HQs. It was very moving to see them open, talk, and cry with their buddies.