The Viet Nam Triple Deuce, Inc. an Association of 2 Bn
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The Viet Nam Triple Deuce, Inc. An Association of 2 Bn. (Mech) 22nd Infantry Regiment Viet Nam Veterans Together Then…..Together Again!..... Thanks for Being There…&...Welcome Home Vol. 14, No. 3 Sept. 2008 Table of Contents President’s Message Hi all. This president’s letter has taken more time President's Message 1 and more study than the very first one I had to write Editor’s Comment 2 to get out of Dan & Vera’s doghouse. It’s the first Seattle Reunion 2 one that Awb Norris isn’t going to call me, e-mail me Monument Endeavors 3 or write me a letter of praise about. We lost our Sad Gathering 4 Colonel just after the D.C. reunion, and many of us A Salute to Awb 5 old timers are still staggering around in a daze when that subject comes up. This group, and many of the Died at Home 8 newbys, know just how great a man Awb was, He SSGT. Pickett Dies 8 will never be replaced in our hearts as one of the The Inside Track 9 greatest leaders of men in our history. His ability to New Finds 11 make sure that every single soul was welcomed as Guest Book Hits 11 a part of the whole of 22nd IRS and Vietnam Triple Helloes & Comments 12 Deuce will be very hard to match, and it is the sub- The Battle of Soui Cut 13 ject of this letter to you all. KIA List 15 At every reunion Awb would search out the first A Closing Thought 17 timers, the second timers and the eighth timers to Merchandise Information 18 make sure that they knew that they were special to him, and a valuable part of the organization from that day forward. He would talk of the importance of the group to those who were having trouble with fac- ing their devils, and how we must all reach out to Editors Dan & Vera Streit D 2/22 1969 these fellow vets to make sure they realize how 1101 East Main Street, Beloit, Kansas 67420, much help we are to each other. This is his legacy 785-738-2419 [email protected] in my eyes. Copyright 2008 by the Viet Nam Triple Deuce, Inc. From this day on, I want each and every one of us to make it our credo, our goal, our SOP (wow, I haven’t used that word for a few decades) to follow Awb Norris’ lead at every reunion, and in between The Vietnam Triple Deuce them. His one phrase that always stuck with me was Website in reference to bringing in new members, “If we all bring one, we’re twice as big.” Let’s do that first of www.vietnamtripledeuce.org all, and then let’s all take his stance with that first timer or old timer who hasn’t been back to a reunion Mario Salazar HHC 2/22 65-67 for a while. Let’s each be that guy’s sponsor, if you will, making absolutely sure that he gets there, and then discovers just what this outfit is all about. “Deeds, Not Words”, Awb. We remember. Dick Nash A/HHC 69 Place Market, the beautiful Puget Sound, and Editor’s Comments much more all under the watchful eye of majestic Mount Rainer. Our sympathy and prayers go out to Dick Nash who was called away by the death of his sister. Visit Fort Lewis on our planned bus tour of the His outstanding comments were submitted in fort, the last place that 1/22, 2/22, and 3/22 were spite of personal turmoil. Ever the soldier.. A together under one command in 1966. We will crisp fall day and a Harley. Nothing like it to put have photo op. stops along the way. You Origi- the mind and body at ease. As I rode in the sur- nals can have your pictures taken in front of your rounding area I appreciated the lush fields. This old barracks, which are scheduled to be disman- year we have had abundant rains and cool tem- tled in order to upgrade the fort and make way for peratures. If conditions remain favorable we the seven Striker Brigades that will be moving in could have a bountiful fall harvest. The majestic over the next year or so. We will be making other wind turbines tower above the plains. One of stops around the fort—the Replacement Center, Kansas’ plentiful natural resources being used to American Lake where the Triple Deuce did their support the nations need for energy. A pictur- amphibious training—now a lovely park, and the esque lake dotted with boats. A fisherman’s Fort Lewis Museum. Big changes are happening paradise. So much to be thankful for and so at the fort, and most will be completed by the time many resources just waiting to be claimed. we arrive. It should be very interesting to witness a rebuilding of this famous old fort. My mind turns to the Triple Deuce..a Brother- hood of talented individuals who serve the mu- Relax in the best hospitality suite yet. You will be tual good. And, I believe, many untapped re- pleasantly surprised just how nice it is—all in one sources are just waiting to be harvested. How large terraced room on the main floor of the hotel. can you contribute to the 2/22? Is it you writing The rest of the hotel is very nice, with a Pacific an article for the news letter, is it attending the NW feel to it. The main atrium has a large swim- mini reunion and planning for the Seattle reun- ming pool with more terraced areas around it that ion? Is it in your support of a Brother in need? provide for gatherings such as our Ladies Brunch. It’s all rain proof under a spacious, light Whatever you are able to contribute to the or- filled roof. The location of the hotel is right in the ganization; your efforts are and will continue to middle of all that is happening in the area. Trans- be appreciated. portation to and from the hotel is free. In fact, the airport is within walking distance, yet you hear no Dan Streit jets taking off or landing. There are other less D68/69 expensive, but nice places to stay within a few blocks of the Marriott, as well as fast food, gro- . cery stores, and other needs very close by. We will provide more details about that soon. nd The 22 Infantry Regiment Society Reunion Staying a week or so? You are within driving dis- Seattle Washington tance of Mount St. Helens, our live volcano, as well as Mount Rainer, a not-so-live volcano…we Oct. 8,9,10, 11, 2009 hope, Vancouver BC, and the Olympic Forrest, to The Marriott Seattle Airport name a few. Oregon is 3 hours away by car and offers the Columbia Gorge with it’s hundreds of Come see the Emerald City, Seattle, WA, and waterfalls including Multnomah Falls at 620 feet the spectacular Pacific Northwest. You will be tall, the Rose City, Portland Oregon, and the staying within 10 miles of downtown Seattle with breath taking Oregon Coast. The Pacific NW is its Space Needle, museums, the famous Pike’s known for being a perfect vacation destination. 2 While our beloved Honorary Colonel, Awb we went to the site where the monument will be Norris, will not physically be with us, we are placed. The site is part of a much larger monu- following his guidelines for the reunion. He ment arrangement that will be used by all of the stressed the importance of affordability, hospi- 10th Mtn Battalions. At the center of this site is tality, and fun. We are planning on making the 10th Mtn Memorial. The statue is that of a this event something Awb will be proud of WW II Soldier helping a Present Day Soldier when he joins us in spirit. Maybe one of us scale a mountain side. I have sent Mario a photo can never fill his shoes, but all of us together of this Statue to accompany the Power Point. can darn sure try, and we know that is what he wanted of us. Deeds, Not Words. The Board would like to open a discussion re- Lynn Dalpez, C/2/22 garding VN 222 making a donation to the 2-22, Reunion Chairman 10th Mtn monument fund. Those of you on the Vietnam Triple Deuce group e-mail can easily join 2-22, 10th Mountain Division in the discussion. Those of you who are not on Monument the group e-mail can join the e Group or send me an e-mail, [email protected], and let me know that Doing It Themselves you’d like to be in on the discussion. I will see th that you are covered by adding your e address to The 2/22, 10 Mountain Division monument all responses. Those of you who do not use a project that we were introduced to at the DC computer may let your thoughts be known by Reunion is proceeding full speed. The Sol- th contacting any of the Board Members by phone. diers of 2-22, 10 Mountain have taken a les- Jim May son from the past and are not going to wait for Battalion Memorial Update 30+ years nor are they depending upon any- one to help them to honor their fallen Broth- Project is out for bid for construction to begin with in 30 days Minimum will accomplish with this round of construction based on funds ers.