Reunion Information

During the General Meeting of the 2006 Reunion, the members agreed that the 7th Infantry Regiment Association Reunions should coincide with the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division's Reunions. Starting in 2008, the Associations' reunions will become part of the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division's reunions.
Since the 7th Infantry Regiment Association Reunion is being held in conjunction with Society of the 3rd Infantry Division, if you want to attend events from both reunions, you will need to make separate payments for both events. As a minimum, if you want to get into the Hospitality Suite provided by the Society of The 3rd Infantry Division or attend their Business Meeting, you need to at least pay the basic Registration Fee on the Society's Registration Form.

7th Infantry Regiment 2008 Reunion Registration Form

Society of the 3rd Infantry Division 2008 Reunion Registration Form

The Registration Forms and payments are sent to different people, the addresses are on the registration forms. Payments need to be NLT 18 Aug 2008 in both cases.

The 89th Annual Reunion of the Society of the Third Infantry Division will be held in Columbus, Ga. The 7th Infantry Regiment Association reunion is being held in conjunction with the Society of the Third Infantry Division. The dates are September 17 - 21, 2008. The location is the Columbus Airport Hotel (formerly the 4 Points Sheraton), 5351 Sydney Simons Boulevard, telephone number (706-327-6868).

NOTE: The Hotel is undergoing name changes and is at present known as the Columbus Airport Hotel. By September they hope to be under the Doubletree Name. The telephone number is still the same and your reservations will be honored under any of the names. Hopefully they will still offer Chocolate Chip cookies at the front desk!

The hotel has 177 rooms available. All rooms have refrigerators and microwaves. The Rate is $99/night. Remember to mention you are with the 3rd Infantry Division Reunion to receive your group rate of $99 a night, plus tax. These prices are available 3 days prior to and after your event should you choose to extend your stay. Reservations must be made NO LATER THAN 18 August 2008 to ensure you will receive the special rate. I would encourage all to make their reservations as soon as possible, as there are only 177 rooms in the Hotel. There is free parking and a free shuttle to and from the local airport. Restaurants and shopping centers are within walking distance, with many more about a 1/4 mile away. The Hotel is located about 5 miles from the Columbus Airport and about 60 miles from the Atlanta Airport.

The schedule for the reunion is:

Wednesday - 17 Sep 2008
2:00 PM	Early Bird Registration Opens
Thursday - 18 Sep 2008
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM	Registration Open
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM	Society of the 3rd ID Board Meeting
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM	Presidential Reception Dinner and Entertainment	$34/person
Friday - 19 Sep 2008
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM	Registration Open
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM	Fort Benning Tour with Lunch at Officer's Club	$36/person
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM	7th Infantry Regiment Dinner	$25/person
Saturday - 20 Sep 2008
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM	Registration Open
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Society of the 3rd ID Business Meeting
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM	Ladies Tour - FDR Home with Lunch	$41/person
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM	Society of the 3rd ID Board Meeting
6:00 PM - 11:00 PM	Society's Banquet Dinner, Awards and Program at Fort Benning Officers' Club	$31 or $47/person
Sunday - 21 Sep 2008
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM	Memorial Breakfast	$13/person

Notes:
Entertainment for the Presidential Reception Dinner on Thursday will be provided by Russ Murphy. His tribute to the troops and veterans, Welcome Home Soldier, was nominated for the 2006 Song of the Year.

The Society's Banquet Dinner, held Saturday will be the Fort Benning Officers' Club. You can purchase Banquet Tickets with Bus Transportation ($47) or without Bus Transportation ($31) to Fort Benning.

The Dinner for the 7th Infantry Regiment Association will be held at the Hotel on Friday evening. The cost will be $25 per person and you need to decide if you want the Chicken Cordon Bleu or the Roast Sirloin of Beef when you send your payment.

Since the 7th Infantry Regiment Association Reunion is being held in conjunction with Society of the 3rd Infantry Division, if you want to attend events from both reunions, you will need to make separate payments for both events. I will have both Reunion Registration Forms posted here shortly. We are still finalizing the details for the Memorial Service at the 199th RedCatcher's Memorial. Once these details are completed, I will post the Registration Forms.

As you know, the 3/7 Infantry served fiercely and proudly in the Vietnam War from 1966 to October 11, 1970 when the colors came home to Fort Benning, Georgia. The 3/7th served along with three other Battalions under the 199th Light Infantry Brigade "Redcatchers." Several years ago the Redcatcher Association designed and built their own memorial and it is located in the Field of Honor at Fort Benning right across from the Infantry Museum. The Vietnam Veteran members of the 7th Infantry Regiment Association would like to organize a special visit to this memorial during our September Reunion and put together a brief memorial service at the site. We call upon your support for this endeavor. At this time, we are in the process of arranging transportation and the schedule for this event. Please check back later for any updates.

Tour Descriptions:
Fort Benning Tour and Lunch at the Officers' Club - Friday:
Spend the day at Fort Benning with the active duty soldiers where you will see first hand our country's finest soldiers and the current mission of the 3rd Infantry Division! Includes lunch at the Officers' Club. Cost is $36 per Person.

Ladies Luncheon - Saturday:
The Gathering of the Ladies of the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division will be held as a tour this year. The tour will visit the home of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt; known as the Little White House, including the main house, museum, guesthouse, servants quarters and gardens. Afterwards the tour will proceed to lunch for an authentic All You Can Eat Southern Buffet. Lunch is included in the ticket price. Cost is $41 per Person.

For more information on the schedule or the tours, contact The Reunion Brat phone: 360-663-2521

Future Reunion locations have been announced for 2009 and 2010:

2009 - Texas.
2010 - Washington, DC.

To view some photos of past reunions:
2007 Reunion in New Orleans, LA
2006 Reunion in Charleston, SC
2005 Reunion in Albuquerque, NM
2004 Reunion in Savannah, GA

Reunion questions should be addressed to:
Leonard Collins
Reunion Chairman

Why Veterans Reunite:
"I now know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories or look at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep. Comrades gather because they long to be with the men who once acted at their best; men who suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped of their humanity. I did not pick these men. They were delivered by fate and the military. But I know them in a way I know no other men. I have never given anyone such trust. They were willing to guard something more precious than my life. They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me. It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another. As long as I have memory, I will think of them all, every day. I am sure that when I leave this world, my last thought will be of my family and my comrades... Such good men."
From "These Good Men" by Michael Norman

Become a Member of the 7th Infantry Regiment Association

Cottonbalers By God! Damn Fine Solders!

Website maintained by David Spanburg