By Beth Krohe

The Hospitality Room opened up a day early for an impromptu pizza party for the folks that arrived early. This gave everyone a chance to start reuniting and to do a lot of visiting. Stories were being told, pictures looked at and some were even taken. Everyone that attended seemed to have a great time, and some I heard even stayed up half the night talking.

On Friday morning some of the Currahees went over to Fort Campbell to help with replacing the bushes (that didn't survive the winter weather) that were placed around the Monument. And others went over to see the Monument and check out the base.

While they were over there, the Hospitality Room opened, and Currahees and their guests were able to get registered for the reunion and pick up name tags and T-Shirts (if they had ordered one). This was the place for visiting and reconnecting (and a lot of that was going on) and also some of the snacks and refreshments that kept appearing throughout the day.

As the day progressed and evening came, it was time for dinner. And boy what a dinner-a real "BBQ Blowout", and what a fitting meal it was for being in the South! The meal was enjoyed by everyone who attended. The evening progressed with taking group pictures of all the "Currahees" and then all the family members and friends in attendance. Afterwards the reuniting and visiting continued.

As Saturday rolled around, the Hospitality Room was opened again; this was the place for visiting and a lot was being done and more snacks to eat. While some went site-seeing on the guided tours, some went shopping for their souvenirs. More Currahees also registered this day for the Reunion during this time. Evening came and 45 Screaming Eagles and their family and friends answered the roll call for the "Alpha Company Dinner." The meal was really good; some of us even tried to get recipes from the caterer, but he wouldn't give them up.

After dinner we were joined by Alpha company commander CPT Al LeMaire and a group of his officers and NCOs and their families from the active duty Ass-Kickers at Fort Campbell.

After a short break, John Brown conducted a very moving and emotional "Fallen Currahee Ceremony" remembering the fallen Alpha Company comrades. Following the ceremony Joe Eisen read the poem "Bury Me With Soldiers" Then, Ed & Beth Krohe handed out specially-made 6"x 9" Currahee Flags to fellow Currahees attending their first Reunion.

Fred May followed and handed out beautiful "A Company 1-506th Vietnam Challenge Coins" to fellow Currahees attending their first reunion. After that was done, Fred presented Ed & Beth with "The Currahee Challenge Award".

After all was done it was time for the raffle, which was fun for everyone. The night ended with free time to relax, have a few refreshments and visit.

Sunday morning brought our "Farewell Brunch". This was the time for breakfast, that last minute visit, hugs and good-byes until we meet again.

And speaking of meeting again, I hope to see all of you in Colorado Springs, CO in July of 2011.

Each one of these reunions gets bigger and more fun. Many thanks to the 45 Currahees, their families and friends who attended the 2009 Alpha Company Stand Down Reunion for Alpha Company. Without you it wouldn't have been such a big success. We hope to see you at the next Reunion in July 2011 and hope that many more Currahees will be able to attend and join us in encouraging other Alpha Company Currahees. If you haven't attended an Alpha Reunion, please come to the next one - it is definitely worth it.

Currahee!

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