Return to Devens
Reunion: RETURN TO DEVENS 5-10 October 2016
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WARNING ORDER: 5 Feb 2016
After discussing the possibility with Bob Mulcahy and many of my peers I volunteered to be the Coordinator for the return to our old duty station what is now called Devens. www.devenscommunity.com
I am calling this reunion the Return to Devens, so in your future correspondence please refer to it as such.
About 10 square blocks is now Fort Devens, MA an Army Reserve/NG Base. The training area and drop zone across Rt 2 is still in operation. There are two nice hotels close to the old Shawmut Bank: Hilton Garden Inn (118 rms) and Spring Hill Suites by Marriot (120 rms) and a restaurant, so make reservations early to lock in the rate: See attachment. Also the golf course is under new management and is 1st Class! (Working on a Golf Tournament)
I made initial contact with the Director of Devens Mass Development (MD) early Aug 2015. MD is a state agency and in 1998 began redevelopment of the old military base. It serves as the economic engine for north central Massachusetts.
21 Oct 15 I flew to Boston and briefed the Director of Devens MD, his staff, the curator for the museum, the manager for the two hotels, concerning the possibility having our reunion there. The response was very positive and they want our business. I was taken aback that they knew it used to be an active base, but had no idea of the history of the units that were stationed there, especially ours. Also after talking to the curator of the museum, there is little or no memorabilia present at the museum. This will be a great time to donated items to them for display. (More info later)
I cannot make this reunion happen by myself! In the past I organized two cruises to Panama and one in-country, but not an undertaken of this size. The response I have had from my peers has been positive and many have already indicated that they would like to attend. I need volunteers as Committee Chiefs and worker bees!
As you know our old unit was there from 68-95, so we are going to have a wide range of ages that hopefully will participate. I will be 70 in Sep and I know some that are younger but most of us are over the hill. I don’t know about you all, but I just want to see some of my old Tm mates, tell lies and visit some of our old stomping grounds or what is left of them: The Fort, Cinema Lounge, Wagon Wheel, Old Mill, Bull Run, to name a few: etc. etc.
After reaching out to many of my peers and with their suggestions, below is the proposed itinerary: It will be adjusted as necessary as the committees are organized. Once you receive this e-mail please disseminate it to those that were stationed with our unit in that time frame. Of course family members and close friends are welcome!
The costs of the events and activities TBD and we will do our best to get the best bang for our buck!!
ITINERARY: 5-10 October 2016
Hospitality Room Location will be identified depending on the number of personnel that attend.
Wed: 5 Oct: Arrival: 1900 hrs (Hawaiian/Pacific Islander BBQ-Remembrance
(Mau Pau) Location: TBD
Thurs: 6 Oct: Morning: Time: TBD, Memorial Ceremony Rogers Field (Flag Pole)
Tour: Commons/Ft Devens
Afternoon: Abn Opn: Staticline &/or Military Freefall (Ft Devens Drop Zone
or
Rogers Field: Receive & Welcome One (1) ODA, fr Ft Carson, CO. This ODA
will be with us the entire time of the reunion.
Friday: 7 Oct: Rd-Trip Train Ride: Ayer-Boston: Boston Tour/Ladies Shopping.
Sat: 8 Oct: Free Day, on your own, scout your old stomping grounds.
1800 hrs, Military Ball: Location TBD
Sun: 9 Oct: Patriots Football Game: We might have to flip flop if they play on a Thursday night according to their schedule. The Director of Devens Mass Development and a former Gp CO are in contact with the Franchise. We are out of luck if they don’t play that week!
Mon: 10 Oct: Depart.
Once you receive this email please disseminate and for those that would like to volunteer, please contact me ASAP so we can get this event rolling. If I do not get a reasonable amount of personnel to attend then it will be a NO-GO.
We are all getting up in age this might be the last time we have the opportunity to see each other before we check out of the net! It is sad, but every time I read the DROP there is someone I know that has gone on before us!
I am looking forward to making this happen and hope that you will all consider attending!
Regards,
Gary L Baura
72-75/82-84/87-88
PS: Planning: Tandem Jumps (Pepperell, MA, Fran)
Some have asked: Why the first week in Oct: wives have indicated they want to be there when the leaves are changing, while the weather is still good and the sun is shining. It was a little chilly in the evening while I was there last year.
Any suggestions are welcome!
Gary L Baura
CSM
US Army Retired
freefallgb@aol.com
321/917-7646
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