11th Pathfinder Company News

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2010 Reunion Information SUBJECT: Warning Order for 11th Pathfinder Company 2010 Reunion SITUATION: It's time to get organized for the 2010 Ft. Benning reunion MISSION:  Be there EXECUTION: A. CONCEPT OF OPERATION. I've talked to the Airborne School commandant and the boss of the Pathfinder School, and the reunion dates are set for 28-30 April 2010. B. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: Wednesday 28 April --check in at motel in PM followed by pizza party and BS at motel gazebo. Thursday 29 April AM -- private guided tour of new Infantry Museum followed by attending Infantry AIT graduation ceremony at Soldiers Field. Lunch at museum. More museum time, then move to Pathfinder School to meet and BS with the class. Move to Eubanks Field to observe Basic Course training and execute mass exits from the 34' tower. Back to the motel to continue gazebo party. Friday 30 April AM -- Guests of honor at Basic Course and Pathfinder graduation ceremonies. Pin on Pathfinder badges. Lunch at PX Mall and visit clothing store to stock up on airborne stuff. Return to motel and depart. C. COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS. Uniform is definitely casual, but shirt and shoes required for all events at Ft. Benning. Black hats with wings preferred, but not required gear. White-sidewall/Mohawk haircuts optional. I'll bring some new wing backgrounds. Bring photos, cameras, albums, maps, war stories, BS, money, etc. ADMIN AND LOGISTICS: A. BILLETING. The Quality Inn in Phenix City (same location as last two years) has set up a block of rooms for us. Address is 1700 US Highway 280 Bypass, Phenix City, AL 36867. Phone is 334-298-9321. Check it out at www.qualityinn.com. When you call the motel, don't ask for "reservations" -- they'll transfer you to the Quality Inn central reservations desk that doesn't know anything about arrangements for us. Instead, tell the clerk that you're with the "Pathfinder Reunion" group. Rate is $69/night with free full breakfast. Check in PM Wednesday 28 April; check out AM Friday 30 April before departure for Ft. Benning. Of course, you can always arrive earlier and stay later if you want. Block of rooms and rate is good until Friday 9 April -- after that you're on your own. Consider doubling up on a room to save some $. Make reservations ASAP to lock in room and rate -- you can always cancel later if necessary. B. If you're driving in, bring a lawn chair, cooler, and consumables. C. Reunion is traditionally a bachelor party, but there can be exceptions. If you need a 3-day pass, apply now. COMMAND AND SIGNAL: A. Please forward this email to any old Blackhats that I've missed on the address list. I need to get a rough headcount to pass on to the Airborne School before we show up, so if you even think you can make it let me know. Call or reply to this email or rgillem@cox.net. My cell phone is 757-286-7107. B. Final detailed schedule will be sent out in late March. I'll arrive at the motel 27 April to coordinate activities. Looking forward toseeing a great turnout. All the way, Dick Rucksack 6 2009 Reunion After Action Report Subject: Pathfinder Reunion After Action Report Black Hats: The 11th Pathfinder Company's Benning reunion for 2009 was a great success. Although the weather didn't cooperate as well as we would have liked, we had excellent support from the Airborne School and the guys at the Infantry Museum. The renovated Quality Inn was great -- a new gazebo by the pool and covered outside bar, and a hot-looking bartender named Tracy all supported our partying well. Especially appreciated was a $100 bar chit provided by Marty Clark at U.S. Pathfinders. We were able to stick pretty close to our planned activities, although the 34' tower work was rained out (nobody seemed to be disappointed, and we'll schedule it again next year). Substituted a good BS session with the Pathfinder students instead (sharp looking troopers -- and one female). Windy, clear and cool on Friday for the airborne demo, award ceremonies and graduations. It was super that we had several first-time attendees there (Ellis--from Europe, Gallagher--from Panama, Mondy, Mincey and O'Hara), but sick call kept other old-timers away (Valcourt, Butterfield, and Warren). Status is good from all three. Especially good that Hal Edge and Ruth Ann could be there. We fondly remembered and drank a toast to all our brothers who are no longer with us. The stories were better than ever. We found out about Bennie Mathews' and Dan Hampton's unique relationship with a much older woman (Flo), and there was a great discussion about why Cialis really is better than Levitra and Viagra. Also learned how the monkey was trained to attack selected officers, but still no clue as to the ID of the pathfinder pulling DZ Security helped by a sin city honey. There were some memorable moments, too: An old bar chick named Lila really took a shine to Bob Fullerton and even bought us a 12-pack. If she's there next year we ought to take up a collection and buy her some teeth. Reunion pictures should be on the website before long. Marv Mondy took over 300. We're thinking about moving next year's reunion to be after Easter and spring vacation to get a little warmer weather and avoid family conflicts. I'll pick a date after the 2010 class schedule comes out and put out a warning order after Christmas. Plenty of advance warning, so plan now to be there. All the way, Dick 2009 Reunion Photos If you have news & updates to add send an email to the Webmaster