Reunion 2021

By John Moran
The 77th Field Artillery Association held its 2021 Reunion, September 15-19, in Colorado Springs, CO. Nineteen members were able to attend, along with nine wives. Paul Guetter, William Brown, Paige Lanier, Juan Garcia, John Moran, John Balasa, Dwayne Fowler, Tony Hartley, LTC Adam Ropelewski, Dean Phillips, Ron Nichols, Wayland Britt, Casey Mendenhall, Jim Russell, Bill Bilo, John Garcia, John Ahearn, Raul Diaz, and Bill Hilgris were there. It was the first Reunion for 8 of the guys.

We met at the Elegante Hotel in Colorado Springs, and we must say how welcoming they were to us. It was a great time. The 2/77th FA, led by their Battalion Commander, LTC Adam Ropelewski, acted as hosts for the Reunion. Paige Lanier, the Association’s liaison with the 2/77, did all the coordination. We had a get together Wednesday night, with pizza provided by the 2/77, giving everybody a chance to renew acquaintances. Thursday, we had the opportunity to visit the battalion headquarters and see some of the equipment and vehicles the battalion uses. Then we went to the field, where Bravo Battery, commanded by CPT Leslie, with Chief of Smoke, SFC Beard , was conducting a firing exercise. We did learn that fire direction is done a bit differently than when most of us were involved. Later we had lunch with the troops-that’s different too-we had choices, and the food was very good.

Friday, nothing was scheduled and we got to take advantage of all the neat things that Colorado Springs has to offer. Such as Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Cave of the Winds, US Olympic Museum, and the US Air Force Academy. Some of visited the Garden of the Gods, and it is truly amazing!

Friday evening we had our traditional banquet. We were joined by about 80 of NCOs and junior officers of the Battalion, and their wives and Significant Others. This was enjoyable and informational, as it gave the present generation an idea of what the “Old Timers” experienced, and us a better appreciation of what is happening in today’s Army and Artillery. One of our Association members, William Bilo, BG, ret, gave the keynote address, and spoke to us on Leadership; very insightful. Another member, V Dwayne Fowler, was inducted into the Honorable Order of St Barbara. This recognized Dwayne’s high moral character and his contributions through the years to Field Artillery. Dwayne’s daughter, Kimberly, was present to see her father honored. Dwayne was one of the founding members of the Association in its current form, and he is the outgoing President.

As a funny side note on the banquet; we had it on the 4th floor of the Elegante, in their Banquet Room, and there’s a lobby between the Room and the elevators. The troops from the 2/77 brought up a pack 75mm howitzer and set it up in the banquet lobby. This is a fully functioning piece, which is now used in ceremonies. It must have been a sight, watching it be rolled through the main hotel lobby, disassembled, and put in the elevator.

At the General Meeting on Saturday morning, the discussion was dominated by two subjects, which were related: where to have the 2022 Reunion, and how can the Association increase membership, especially with younger members. After much discussion, it was concluded that the area around Ft Carson/Colorado Springs has a large number of veterans, who have either recently retired or separated from the 2/77th. Two of our Board members, who fit that profile, John Garcia and Casey Mendenhall, said they knew a lot of those people, and would make a determined effort enroll them. This was with the understanding that the following year the Reunion would be in Florida. A date was not set at this time as LTC Ropelewski doesn’t have all the Battalions training dates yet. As soon as it’s available, the dates and rates will be announced.

 Bill Bilo brought up that the Association Constitution and By-Laws provides for Honorary Regimental positions, which are covered in AR600-82. He will look into it and get back to the Board. The Reunion, and the General Meeting, concluded with the election of officers. Lu Merritt, who as the 1st VP, would normally advance to the position of President, requested that he be by-passed because of a family situation; but that he still wanted to contribute. Therefore, Bill Capshaw became President; John Garcia, 1st VP; Lu Merritt, 2nd VP; and Casey Mendenhall, 3rd VP.

All in all, it was a very fun reunion, and we’re looking forward to the next one. Stay tuned for the dates.