Reunion 2006 - ReCaplet "Soldiers don’t die until they are forgotten; Tomb Guards never forget."

The 2006 Annual Meeting and Reunion took place this year November 3 - 5.  It was held at the home of the Old Guard, Fort Myer, VA. The following are brief descriptions of what took place over the weekend. 

The weekend started with the Wounded Warrior event which took place earlier in the day and was quite an experience. The reality of war became quite apparent when you looked into the face of these young wounded women and men. The program included a wreath laying ceremony, lunch at the Tri-Services Dining Facility which gave us an opportunity to meet and greet the Honorees. The event concluded at Conmy Hall for an Army Full Honor Review which included the Fife and Drum Corps, the US Army Drill Team, the Continental Color Guard, and US Army Band "Pershing's Own". 

The ice breaker being held in the Bradley Room of the Days Inn - Arlington. There were plenty of stories, laughter, tears, and hugs everywhere you looked. There were current sentinels, sentinels that no longer walk, the RCO Col Priccone, PL Capt Murphy, Capt Brooke, SOG SFC Dotson, spouses and guests all around mingling as one. There was pizza, beer and pop served as everyone got caught up on the latest news. A wonderful and laid back start to the events yet to come.

Saturday's events began with the business meeting. Col Priccone started everything with a  brief presentation which showed us what the 3d Inf (The Old Guard) had been doing over the past year. This included the current mission statement, expectations and goals while The Old Guard while under his command. We then moved on to the executive council reports, various committee reports, old and new news. The meeting adjourned when subs, chips and veggie platters arrived. Lunch was served at approximately 1130. During the lunch break, Meredith Smith (59-60) and his lovely wife Gretchen were gracious enough to share the experiences they encountered while participating in the Amazing Race 7...WOW, what they experienced!!

Buses were provided by Fort Myer to travel back and forth from Days Inn - Arlington to the post to make things easier on all of us. The banquet dinner was next on the agenda which followed a cocktail hour from 1800-1900. The women were all gorgeous and the men were handsome. Dinner was then served and consisted of a mixed green salad with warm rolls, chicken with a a raspberry reduction sauce and steamed garden vegetables all followed by a lovely piece of cheesecake topped with fresh raspberries.  Several presentations were made including the announcement of this year's scholarship recipient - Matthew Kreeb (2004-06). Mr. Jack Metzler, Jr. was the guest speaker this year. The junior most Badgeholder, #552, SPC James Henderson, led us by reciting the Sentinel's Creed. The colors were presented while members of the Fife and Drum Corps played. The location of the Unknown Soldiers table was front and to the left and acknowledged. Bill Rigsby (60-61) was named  our Honorary SOG however, he was unable to attend the reunion this year as there was an illness in his family. Chaplain pro tem Jack Crans led our invocation and also delivered the benediction. After the speeches, presentations, announcements and dessert were over, the Silent 21 count was ordered, the colors retired to the accompaniment of the members of the FDC and then Taps was sounded, the event was adjourned as everyone was anxious for the morning to come. For that "one more chance" to individually honor the Unknowns.

Sunday morning greeted us with beautiful blue skies and a crispness that bordered chilly. The men lined up in breathless anticipation as their chance drew nearer to step across the mat. The colors on the trees were absolutely at their peak as if an angel had come down and touched each of them for our special moment. As the men walked across the plaza and mat to lay their roses, some saluting  and others pressing their hands over their hearts. It was as if you could hear them whispering, "my God, it's as if I had never left" or "I'm still here, the outside of me has changed but all that is inside, my passion, dedication, honor and reverence is still here for you as it will always be until I am relieved of duty and as of this date, I have not been relieved." As they returned from placing their roses and rendering their salute, not a dry eye could be found on the plaza. We then retreated into the amphitheater were a Remembrance Ceremony took place. Again, Jack Crans, chaplain pro tem and George March (63-65) delivered a powerful service. The service was then concluded as George March (63-65) played Amazing Grace on the bag pipes. The last task was then to lay a single rose at the individual sites of our fallen brothers who were interred in Arlington National Cemetery. This reverent gesture is to assure them, that they are not forgotten. These brothers are:

FRIDAY, 03 NOVEMBER - REUNION EVENTS - ICE BREAKER
FRIDAY, 03 NOVEMBER - OLD GUARD; WOUNDED WARRIOR EVENTS
SATURDAY, 04 NOVEMBER - REUNION EVENTS - BANQUET

Reunion ReCaplet (continued)

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Last Updated on  May 04, 2007

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