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PRESIDENT' S MESSAGE
Richard C Schonherger
1st ABG, 327th Inf Ft. Campbell, Ky, 2nd Bn 327th Inf Abn VN,
2nd Bn 502nd Inf Abn VN, and HDQS XVIII Abn Corps
Fellow Screaming Eagles, I want to thank the Maxwell 0. Taylor Chicago Chapter for
allowing me to participate in their 50th anniversary dinner and for their gracious
hospitality throughout the weekend.
Randy Wayne, John Fisen and Cathy Szairy really outdid themselves, as did the rest of the
chapter, in making me feel welcome. One of the highlights of the weekend was a visit to
the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago, which has a unique collection of art
done by Vietnam veterans along with military artifacts, mostly from the other side. To
visit the museum is a truly moving experience, and one that should not be missed,
particularly for Vietnam vets who happen to be passing through Chicago. I don't believe
our cross-cultural Vietnamese lunch organized by yours truly was quite as successful as
the visit to the museum. Next time guys!
I hope everyone is planning on attending our 54th National Reunion in Hampton, VA next
August. The General William C. Lee Chapter is working hard to develop some innovative
programs for that weekend based on the theme of ''Honoring the Vietnam Veterans."
This is one that our Vietnam veterans don't want to miss. We have also invited the other
Screaming Eagle organizations to join with us that weekend, and we look forward to having
them participate. I'm encouraged by the people who have said they are planning on going
because of the regional orientation and ease of travel. I believe this reinforces our
initiative to move future reunions around the country. Clearly, there are people who
can/will go if the reunion site doesn't involve extensive travel for them. We have asked
the chapters to look at hosting future reunions with the idea of generating regional
dispersion. To be successful, we really need the chapters to get behind this.
As I move around the country and meet with representatives from other organizations, it's
clear we all have the same problem of gaining and sustaining membership. The future of
this association is in its younger generations. Not exactly a profound observation, but
true. This means that we have to be relevant to our younger members and have programs and
activities that appeal to them. It means getting them involved and bringing in their new
ideas. Although Vietnam veterans are well integrated into the mainstream of the
association, there are still a lot more out there who are not involved. We also need to
find the Desert Storm generation, and start bringing them into the association. Meantime,
we've got to continue to take every opportunity to mix with the active troops to make them
aware of, and want to remain part of this proud fraternity of Screaming Eagles, even after
they separate from military service. In order to expand our membership, each one of us has
to be a recruiter, and ready to act whenever encountering a Screaming Eagle who is not a
member. This implies knowledge and enthusiasm on the part of our members and chapter
leadership, which, in turn, reflects their experience with chapter and association
activities. I believe the key to increased membership is through the quality of our
pr)programs at all levels.
In this connection, we will be contacting the chapters to see about their interest in
holding a workshop, or symposium, for chapter presidents or their representatives in
conjunction with the next reunion. The purpose will be to address matters of common
interest and concern, to exchange ideas and to share experiences.
As you read this, the Bastogne Dinner and weekend, hosted by the MeAuliffe NY-NJ Chapter
will be history, and we'll be getting ready for Snowbird and the Spring Break weekends.
Hope to see as many as possible participate in these events, and look forward to seeing
you there. In the meantime, let us have your thoughts and ideas on the association. It's
only as good as you want it to be. Sylvia joins me in wishing you and yours the best for
1999.
Airborne/Air Assault,
The Screaming Eagle, January-February 1999
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