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Reunion
2007
Hey guys, Thinking about going to the reunion?????. This reunion seems like the perfect opportunity for veterans of the same unit at different times in history to compare notes. I believe that it may prove to be an event that will be a true bridge not only between generations but also between the times that have affected all of our lives.
The members of the 588th served in Vietnam starting in 1967. This means that the 17 and 18 year olds that served there are now 57 and 58 years old. Then there are those of us who served during the Cold War in Germany are all over the board age wise from our twenties to our seventies. We didn't see combat but we did see the fall of communism in Europe. Then there was the first Gulf War and the subsequent war in Iraq. Those of you returning from Iraq are young enough to be the children or even grandchildren of some of the rest of us. This means that in a period of forty years that 3 generations have served in the 588th on 3 different fronts.
This isn't just a reunion of the old soldiers, sitting around the bar in the NCO Club, the VFW, Amvets or the American Legion, drinking beer. This is a meeting of soldiers young and old who have served in your unit doing the same job that you did in a different time and place. I personally am looking forward to meeting those soldiers who may have done my job.
See you at the reunion Mike Sullivan From Smitty: Re: July 2007th Reunion #V. I have had people ask many questions and I will try to answer them all.
1. Yes this is a family oriented reunion, not just an all guy’s party. Bring your spouse, kids, or anyone else you want. We need to know how many will be coming. At sign-in we ask to pay for the banquet fee and get a full head count for the restaurant. Bring your pictures and your albums. The hotel will have a slide projector and video equipment. We are there to have fun. Six of us have been to all the reunions and if you have not been to one yet, you are missing out on some good times and meeting once again some great men.
2. The dance and banquet are not formal. Jeans and T-shirts (specially the 588th T-shirts) will be fine. I understand that Barry and Bill will have the “company store” set up for arrival day so you can purchase your 588th T-shirts and patches at that time.
3. 2007 will be the 40th anniversary since the 588th formed up at Fort Lewis for duty in Vietnam. There was only a short break between stand down in ‘Nam and reactivation in Geissen, Germany. We really would like to see everyone there. I urge you to attend if at all possible especially the guys who took the boat ride across the Pacific in 1967. We have been in contact with many of the Germany veterans in particular one Mr. Harvey who was at the Lawton reunion and promised to be there in July as well. In fact, the privilege of sitting around Mr. Harvey and listening to his stories is worth the plane ticket all by itself.
4. If you are in touch with anyone you served with, please let them know about the association and the upcoming reunion. If they have not received a newsletter, have them contact me. Also, if you have any information that may help find others, let me know that as well. If you have any old orders that have names of others from the 588th during your tenure, I would like you to pass that information on to me.
5. Thursday, 26 July 2007 is arrival day and registration. Just get signed in for the banquet, review items in the “company store” and relax, visit and perhaps share some stories and photos for an upcoming Newsletter. The hotel is providing refreshments in the hospitality room. Many of us use Wednesday as the travel day to get in early and have time for further relaxation around the pool and for our wives to share stories about us. Some even come in on Tuesday – give Mr. early-arrival Billy Carbone a call in Maryland if you want to speak to someone who really enjoys these affairs.
6. Friday, 27 July 2007 is for late arrivals and free time to take in the attractions of the area or just relax with old friends. Friday evening we will have a dance with live music at the hotel. Denny Loeb says no head banging stuff and no phony current country music that is not real country but just plays loud. If you want to see some dancers which put that “Idol” TV show to shame, come and watch our “Cajun” and Rhonda do the tunes. Not quite as good as Red Spurlock but the bunch of us play a mean air guitar as we do the 2 step in our heads. During the evening we would like to honor the “boat people”, those who went to ‘Nam aboard the USS Gen. John G Pope.
7. Saturday, 28 July 2007 is for visiting, picture sharing and the 588th Maintenance Company Association business meeting which will be held right after lunch at 1300. All association members are urged to attend. We will hear business and membership reports from the current officers and discuss any items that must be taken care of. We will also elect officers for the next 2 years. We would like to find former 588th officers and NCO’s as “new blood” to take on the roles of president and vice president. The key objective of these positions will be to work together to obtain stories and pictures from officers and enlisted men to chronicle the life of the 588th through the Newsletter. No other real responsibility is required other than a telephone and a desire. You will not be asked to write the Newsletter just help find the pictures and stories of interest to the membership. The Association really needs some help. At 7 PM will be the banquet. Everyone is urged to attend. We have not chosen a keynote speaker yet but be assured it will be a good choice and worthy of attention. We may even have a surprise or two up our sleeve for the banquet. During the banquet, if any member would like to have some comments for the group, just let the MC know before hand to get a place on the brief agenda.
8. Sunday, 29 July 2007 is breakfast and sign out day for those who have to get back home. I understand the group rates for our rooms will be good for 2 or 3 days before and after the Thursday – Sunday reunion.
9. The Branson MO geography is really a nice area. Kimberling City is about 8 miles from downtown Branson so the Kimberling Inn is near enough to visit all the attractions and yet it is out of the main stream of things. The Kimberling Inn is on the shore of beautiful Table Rock Lake which is one of the best bass fishing lakes in this region. So if it’s fishing that is one of your major vices back home, bring your fishing pole and favorite lures. Someone suggested that they may even trail their boat down here. It is our understanding there is a marina near by for boat rentals. That reminds me that Elaine Loeb and Linda Molloy and her girls must bring extra pdf sun screen for the pool! There are many music theaters and dinner shows in the greater Branson area as well as the Silver Dollar City Amusement Park. Jim Clark already has the golf course scoped out for those who want to play a few holes of golf. So if Golf grabs you, bring your clubs.
10. Even if you are not too into reunions and big crowds, take advantage of the group discount and attend the reunion. You can sit and watch the water on the lake with Bill + I and the “fogey” crowd. You can take in all the attractions and just show up for the dance and banquet. Bring your family and make a vacation out of it. Just call and make your reservations. Be sure to mention that you are with the 588th Maintenance Company.
Kimberling Inn Resort
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