PAST PRESIDENTS MESSAGE Over 40 members from across the United States participated in the 2008 Reunion held September 18 - 21, 2008 at the Killeen-Fort Hood community. Fort Hood's long history dates back to the early 1900's to include serving as the training base for the 761st Tank Killer Battalion, a much-honored first African-American armored unit which served with distinction in WWII. Thursday while our members were checking in and getting situated at the Shilo Inn and Suites Hotel, the merry band of Board members were meeting to ensure the details of the reunion were locked down and ready to go. Friday activities started early and ran all day: Arlo Janssen (VP Public Affairs) and five fellow golfers enjoyed the beauty of the Stonetree Golf Course; Pat Ironside honchoed up a ladies day out to Salado for shopping and site seeing; and the first of two bus tours to Fort Hood were provided to 34 of our members and guests -- many of whom were greeted by Lieutenant General Rick Lynch, III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General. I enjoyed leading the Fort Hood tours which included an official III Corps Command briefing and visits to the famous 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment stables, 1st Cavalry Division and 4th Infantry Division museums, seven miles of motor pools, and an enjoyable meal at the famous Ironhorse Dining Facility. Friday concluded with a special dinner presentation by Army veteran, Bob Bearden, a paratrooper with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment who jumped into the skies over Normandy. His presentation captured the attention and hearts of 40 reunion members and guests at the Texas Land & Cattle Restaurant. On Saturday, September 20th, we stayed busy all day with the general membership meeting followed by our memorial service led by Chaplain Emmett Autrey, a tree planting ceremony in the area between the Killeen Civic & Convention Center and the Shilo Inn & Suites with our own permanent marker of the "17th Signal Battalion", and the second tour to Fort Hood. The Saturday evening banquet was a huge success with Sam Lietz leading the way in the punch bowl ceremony and involving all members in the punch bowl celebration of past reunions. Sergeant Major James R. Everidge, Operations Sergeant Major of the 57th Signal Battalion, provided a slide show of his soldiers deployed to Iraq and spoke of our average signal soldier - one with at least two deployments and always answering the call regardless of the mission. Judy Riding and her raffle helpers raised money for the Association with a lot of donated raffle presents and with the grand action of Judy's handmade, beautiful quilt won by Paul Kappler after a hard fought battle with Jerry Grady! On Sunday morning, Chaplain Emmett Autrey held an ecumenical service followed by the newly elected Board of Directors conducted their first Board of Directors meeting which set Baltimore, Maryland as the location for the 2010 reunion. Throughout the reunion, Monroe Manning, our Historian, took oral histories from several members for our archives; and Darrell and Judy Riding provided a relaxing hospitality room for all to enjoy. This reunion was also special in that it premiered our battalion association coin - thanks so much to Special Projects Officer Hal Taylor. As most of you are aware, this reunion was held following the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and our hotel was shared by families displaced by that natural disaster. I wanted to thank our members who donated $195 in cash and two bags of much needed items to the Salvation Army (Killeen). A huge thanks to the 2006-2008 Board of Directors, members, and guests in making this year's reunion truly successful. Photos of the reunion can be found at the official Association website maintained by Henri Vellmure, at www.17SignalBattalionAssociation.com. Special thank you to Don Roupe who volunteered to be our official reunion photographer and Sam Lietz for organizing and developing the memory book - beautifully done! James
"Jim" Bondi
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