Charlie Troop 1/9th 2018 Reunion

Charlie Troop + 2018 Reunion After Action Report

Once again the Annual Charlie Troop+ reunion was a success. The reunion was held at the Ramsey Hotel in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We had over 125 in total attendance. Keeping up the tradition of a Family/Military reunion we had plenty of children, grand children and ever on great grand child.

The support of the Pigeon Forge community far exceeded any expectation that either I or Carol had. One baker furnished us with enough baked goods for a breakfast that fed everyone in attendance and that was his donation to us. A Hotel donated three free rooms to go into the baskets we had for auction. We also had an entertainment entity provided four free tickets (two for each basket). There was wine and other goodies included in the baskets and these three baskets brought in over $800.00 for the Charlie Troop Fund. Our 50/50 raffle was won by Teri Duckworth and she immediately gave her share back to the Charlie Troop “Trooper” fund. That put over $1,130.00 into out Trooper Fund.
Over all our Raffles, 50/50 and Silent Auction brought in over $3000.00.

This was our year to Honor those Troopers who went to Vietnam in 1968 or their 50th year of arriving in Vietnam. We also Honored the Two Combat Medics that came to our reunion and we Honored 1 Lt Denise (Poisson) Ramier. Denise served as a Nurse at Camp Zama, Japan in 1968 through 1970. We also honored Millie Banks (posthumously for her service to both the Bullwhip Squadron and to Charlie Troop. Ms Lucy Bieneman was also honored for her taking vacation time to come to our reunions and sing for us.

Our Brother James (Toby) Tyler provided our music for us. Toby has been a DJ for over 23 years. Needless to say. Toby played all of the great music that we grew up with and listen to yet today.

Alex Martin, our Professional Photographer, made the trip down from Gettysburg to take photos for us. Once again, his company gave us a great deal on all photographs. Alex was accompanied by his lovely girlfriend, Ellie. Alex gave us a break because his Grandparents just happen to live in Seiverville. We were lucky enough to be his Grandparents as he brought them over to the reunion.

We are all looking forward to our next reunion. It will be held the 28th,29th, and 30th of September 2019 at the 1869 Inn in Gettysburg, PA. We are scheduled to lay two wreaths at the new Pilot and Crew Member Memorial. One by the Pilots and Crew members in attendance and one by our Gold Star Family members in attendance. Then we will proceed to lay a wreath at the Tomb of The Unknown. After Lunch we will place a wreath at the “Wall” as well as over 118 Cavalry Yellow Roses w/name tags.