Fellow Vets,
Reunion in Colorado Springs is fast approaching. If you have not made your reservations at the Elegante, please do so immediately. Cutoff date on the discounted rate is August 18, six days from today. See attached memo for more information on this and other items related to our reunion.
I encourage you to make the reunion if possible. The next one is two years away, 2019, and we’re not getting any younger or healthier. Let’s keep getting together as long we can to continue to share our stories on our time together and since then.
Our 31st Engineer Reunions have been as follows:
2009-Nashville
2011-Branson
2013-Las Vegas
2015-San Antonio
2017-Colorado Springs
At our reunion, we will be entertaining suggestions and deciding on the 2019 reunion site. Be thinking about where you would recommend we go, the benefits and attractions of the place, transportation (airport), etc. The idea of a host couple proximate to the location is always beneficial to the planning. We’ve had a couple of calls for somewhere in the mid-west or somewhere east of the Mississippi in fairness to our folks in the eastern part of the U.S. I have been contacted with an .of interest by the Visitors Bureau for the Fort Jackson area.
Received a text message from our buddy Elliot Mock. He was our Bn Maintenance NCO promoted to WO in Black Horse and has had a perfect attendance to our reunions. He has cancelled out of Colorado Springs having had a heart attack in March and during recovery had an aneurysm in his left aorta artery in July He says to “give my very best to all our veteran brothers”. Let us each offer our prayers for Eliot’s full recovery and that he is able to resume his with us in our reunions. His phone number is (601) 870-6148.
Regards to all,
Leo Farias
Attachment:
August 12, 2017
MEMORANDUM TO: Fellow Veterans of the 31st Engineer Battalion, Vietnam
FROM: Leo Farias, Executive Director, 31st Engineer Battalion Association
SUBJECT: Reunion Information
REUNION DATES AND PLACE: 5-8 October 2017, Colorado Springs, CO., Hotel Elegante
HOTEL RESERVATIONS. If you haven’t made your reservations and are planning to attend, make them now. For reservations call the Elegante at 800-981-4012 and mention you are with the 31st Engineer Battalion Reunion. Cut off date on the discounted rate is August 18, 2017 after which date rooms will be released to the public and may or may not be available. If you are not sure, you may make your reservation anyway since cancellation can be done no later than 24 hours prior to date of arrival to avoid a cancellation fee of first night’s charge and tax.
HOW IT’S SHAPING UP.
Room Reservations. Looking good at this point. As of a few days ago, 47 rooms (of the 65-room block being held for our reunion) had been reserved. As mentioned above, please take action now if you are planning to attend.
Banquet Reservations. The contract calls for advance Guaranteed Attendance to the Elegante. Please make your banquet reservations now, soon, but no later than September 22, 2017. Please refrain from showing up without notifying us on your banquet need and submitting payment. Cost of banquet is $45 per person. Make checks payable to: 31st Engineer Battalion Association, and mail to Warren DuBois, 906 W. Virginia Ave., Salem, MO. 65560.
Reunion Tasks. We are fortunate that volunteers in our midst and even relatives/friends of our members have stepped up to the plate to help. If called upon, avail yourself. Some of the tasks, just to mention a few are: Hotel recon, selection, and banquet coordination; Color Guard and speakers; Hospitality Room; audio-visual; sign-in; Missing Man Table; name tags, shirts and caps, info on local attractions; etc. There is much to be done between now and reunion dates.
Membership Dues. $25 for 2017-2018 (2 yrs) due now or at the reunion. Make checks payable to 31st Engineer Battalion Assoc., mail to Warren DuBois at afore-mentioned address.
Battalion Website. Google or go to website directly….31stengineerbattalion.com. “A site to behold”, words from good friend Fred Webb. Much information on our history, past and current posts, reunion information, information on Colorado Springs, etc. Webmaster June Robbins has done a fantastic job. Thanks, June. Her email: junekeywest@yahoo.com
Author: admin
Army brat and proud daughter of a Vietnam Veteran
Colorado Springs 2017 Reunion Is Fast Approaching
Fellow Vets,
A reminder that our reunion in Colorado Springs, 5-8 Oct. 2017, is fast approaching. As we announced in the December 2016 invitation, this is an opportunity for veterans of the 31st to “reunite, rekindle the bond of brotherhood and the stories of our service together and enjoy the tourist attractions and spectacular beauty of scenic Colorado Springs”. Those of you planning to attend, make your reservations at the Elegante Hotel not later than 18 Augustby calling 800-981-4012 (mention 31st Engineer Association Reunion).Our banquet will be Saturday evening at a cost of $45 person. You need to make your reservations in advance by making checks payable to : 31st CBT ENGR BN ASSN. Mail to Warren DeBois, 906 W. Virginia Ave., Salem, MO. 65560, Additionally, membership dues of $25 for 2017-2018 (2 yrs) are payable to Warren, unless it is your preference to take care of this at the reunion.Hope to see many of you at the reunion.Sincerely,Leo FariasAssociation Director
Stephen Johnson reaching out to former members of B Company, 31st Combat Engineer Battalion, Vietnam
Dear fellow Vietnam Vets,
No doubt you and I, and all the men of the 31st share a brotherhood, and a special bond based on our experiences, our accomplishments, and our service to country during one of the most turbulent periods in modern American history. As our 2017 Reunion draws near, I am reaching out to former members of B Company, 31st Combat Engineer Battalion, Vietnam.
In 1968 during the Battalion’s first year of deployment to Vietnam, Camden McConnell and I each served in succession as Company Commander. In friendship, Camden and I respectfully encourage your attendance and participation in the 2017 Reunion, October 5-8, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The location is Hotel Elegante Conference and Event Center, 2886 South Circle Drive, Colorado Springs, 80906 or on-line www.hotelelegante.com. If you know of others who served with you and might be interested in attending the Reunion, please reach out to them or contact me and I’ll do everything I can to connect with them. Other points of contact are Leo Farias, Director, 31st Combat Engineer Battalion Association, (361) 815-7749. Leo is overseeing the 2017 Reunion and has planned an attractive program of events and accommodations.
One other point of information: PBS (public television) will broadcast a documentary about the Vietnam War on affiliated stations across the country in mid-September. Filmmaker Ken Burns has produced many notable and award-winning documentaries. Two of his most significant are “The Civil War,” and “Baseball” – both were well-researched, and presented the perspectives of the common man. As a former member of the board of directors of PBS in northern California, I conveyed my views to Mr. Burns and his team last year. In response, his team asked for a couple of images of the men of the 31st in a noncombat setting. They are attached to this email. I don’t know if they will be used or not in the film or in promotional materials, but I wanted you to see them. I believe the pictures were taken around April-May ’68.The location is Black Horse Base Camp, Xuan Loc, headquarters of the 31st and the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment. You may recognize some of these men.
In closing, I hope you hold your service and your memories as dear as I do.
I look forward to seeing you in October.
Best Regards,
Stephen L. Johnson
415.320.2295 Cell
Charlie Company’s Action in Cambodia Earned Citation For Valor
Submitted by John Lough, in honor of all those Engineers who served and supported the Cambodian mission from headquarters to the front line.
The Cambodian Incursion in May and June 1970 was one of the largest combat operations of the Vietnam War. President Nixon sent 32,000 soldiers, including engineers of the 20th Brigade.
Twenty six men of Company C 31st Combat Engineer Battalion became the first engineers to reach Cambodian soil on May 5th. A bridge destroyed by a stunned and retreating enemy kept the 11th Armored Cav. from encircling the enemy sanctuary. After combat assaulting with the 11th ACR into the dense jungle, they were able to clear the mangled bridge away.
The first of a three bridge section assembled in Quan Loi by the 79th Engineer Company was brought in by Sky Crane to be wrestled into position by Charlie Company Engineers.
While the road to Memot was inching its way forward, other engineers including Charlie Company were building their way to Snoul chasing the NVA back toward their headquarters. Then the word was received that “The City” had been found. Company C 31st Engineer Bn and 557th Engineers were dispatched to begin ripping a trail while under enemy fire to “The City” and “Rock Island East” then began removing tons and tons of NVA supplies, destroying what was left.
Many Engineers were killed or wounded during this operation. For their action, Charlie Company 31st Combat Engineers was awarded a Citation for Valor.
Editor’s note:
John Lough served with the 31st Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Army) and was wounded during the Cambodian Incursion in 1970. He is a Purple Heart recipient.
If you served with the 31st Engineer Battalion and have an experience to you’d like to share, please email the editor. Thank you.
Submitted stories are not verified for historical accuracy; they are personal accounts as told by those who experienced them. Comments are welcome.
2017 Reunion Message from Association Director Leo Farias
Fellow Vets/Association Members,
In mid-October I provided the Initial Notice for 31st Engineer Battalion 2017 Reunion which was a heads-up on our next reunion to be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, 5-8 October 2017. My main goal then was to give you the opportunity to start your planning early and to give you the information needed to make your reservations at the reunion site, the Hotel Elegante Conference and Event Center. Some of you have already made your reservations…that is appreciated. Please note in the Invitation details that you must make your room reservations NLT 18 August 2017 in order to obtain the group rate(s).
For your information and planning I’ve included a three-page invitation package which consists of: 1) The Invitation; 2) the Draft Agenda; and 3) Additional Information supplementary to the Invitation and the Agenda. Soon I will be contacting some of you, unless you volunteer first, to help plan/coordinate/perhaps oversee any of the following: Registration, Hospitality Room operation, the proposed Friday evening Dinner Group outing, the Banquet, etc. Charles Bruckerhoff will again be doing Group Photos. The Agenda is a draft, so please study it carefully. If you have any suggestions, ideas to improve our reunion, or any questions, let me know.
In mid-October I had several Mail Delivery Failures and have deleted the following from this group send: Don Fleming, Greg Jennings, Lee Pelton, William Stockinger, Marty Salmonson, Charles “Wes” Slaughter, Maynard D. Copeland, and Alvin D. Spiker. If anybody knows anyone listed, please help get them back in the loop for our reunion and communications. Also, we have a battalion roster (also broken down by company) of our people who did not/may not have email. The following group will be reaching out to find/contact them: HHC- myself; A Co-Don Rusbult & Bob Mackey; B Co-Stephen Johnson & Cam McConnell; C Co-Fred Webb; D Co-Tony Janairo & Chuck Moseley. Email addresses for these contact persons can be found at the To: listing for this email.
For your information, it is sad to report the following losses since our 2015 reunion: HHC-John Frye, Maint. Warrant, HHC Maurice Modisette, George Ingram, and Linda Willis (wife of Ed Willis); C Co-Rich Hopkins, Dave Young, Doyle Dietsch, and Robert Solvedt; and D Co-Al “Sarge” Sandlin. Pray for the repose of their souls and may they RIP.
We will keep you posted on matters of importance between now and our reunion. Also, be aware that our website 31stengineerbattalion.com is available for viewing, getting updates on the reunion, seeing photos, and posting. June Robbins, our Webmaster, is doing a commendable job. We appreciate her.
A Christmas Blessing to all. Let us give thanks for the gift of family, love, and our continued friendship within the 31st. Wishing you good health and looking forward to seeing you in Colorado.
Sincerely,
Leonel (Leo) Farias
Association Director
LTC Charles Gray Invites You To A Ball at Fort Leonard Wood!
An invitation to a ball appeared in our blog from LTC Charles Gray, the current Battalion Commander for the 31st Engineer Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood. Please send him a message or call him if you are able to make the ball!
Email: charles.b.gray.mil@mail.mil
LTC Gray’s message appears below:
Friends of the 31st EN BN,
Good afternoon! My name is LTC Charles Gray, and I am the current BN CDR for the 31st EN BN at Fort Leonard Wood. I’m looking for Veterans of the 31st who live in close enough to FLW to possibly attend our upcoming Ball on 03 Dec 16. This is the first one we have done. I know this is not early enough notice to have folks fly in but would welcome Veterans of the 31st who can make it. My cell phone number is (417) 848-2415. I look forward to discussing!V/R,LTC Charles Gray
Good afternoon! My name is LTC Charles Gray, and I am the current BN CDR for the 31st EN BN at Fort Leonard Wood. I’m looking for Veterans of the 31st who live in close enough to FLW to possibly attend our upcoming Ball on 03 Dec 16. This is the first one we have done. I know this is not early enough notice to have folks fly in but would welcome Veterans of the 31st who can make it. My cell phone number is (417) 848-2415. I look forward to discussing!V/R,LTC Charles Gray
Thank you LTC Gray for the invitation! May God bless you and your troops.
2017 Reunion is October 5-8 in Colorado Springs, Colorado!
The 31st Association’s mission is to encourage our 31st Engineer Battalion Veterans family to reunite again, rekindle our brotherhood, share stories about our time together then and now; to enjoy fellowship with old friends and new; and to enjoy the tourist attractions and amenities. Our next reunion is in Colorado Springs, Colorado in October 2017.
The 2017 reunion is less than a year away… start making your plans now!
After much research by the planning team, a hotel has been selected: Hotel Elegante Conference and Event Center. We have secured a Sales Agreement with the Hotel Elegante. The hotel appears to be an elegant and military-friendly.
Details to follow shortly. Look for an email this week from our Executive Director, Leo Farias! We look forward to seeing you in Colorada Springs!
If You Build It, They Will Come
By Paul Sharp
HHC, 31st Engineer Battalion (Combat), US Army, Vietnam
Our battalion of the 31st Engineers was attached to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Blackhorse base camp in 1968, during the Vietnam War. Base camp was about 6 miles from Xuan Loc village, which was about 30 miles east of Saigon. During our first few weeks we were busy with our regular duty as well as trying to improve our living quarters (Army tents stretched over wooden frames) which was referred to as “the hooch”. Our hooch provided a home away from home for me and my buddies James D. (“JD”) Gillis, Douglas Leo Neely, Sam J. Van Riper and Joseph P. (“Joe”) Shahum.
After duty hours we typically spent time cleaning gear and weapons, writing letters to loved ones back home and reading letters after mail call. We spent time just talking with our buddies about the day’s challenges as well as what the next day might bring and routinely drank a few or more beers. In base camp time passed slowly and we constantly sought various ways to avoid the boredom. We had some fun playing poker, talking, laughing and reliving the events of the day.
On evening before dark I noticed a couple soldiers outside, playing catch. I walked over to them and mentioned to them how smart they were to bring their gloves and a ball. They told me they got the gloves and ball from the supply section. The next day I went to supply to see what kind of equipment they had. I was surprised to find gloves, balls, catcher equipment, bases … even a home plate! They had everything you needed to play a softball game.
The next morning I excitedly mentioned what I’d found to Lt Leo Farias, the company commander and suggested that we capitalize on the find by building a softball field for the troops – it would give us something to do in the evening, help keep us in shape, great for morale and would be fun and a distraction from the war.
Lt Farias was immediately supportive, but wondered where we would find an area that could be used for the ball field. Having already checked out several potential areas, I showed him the best one I’d found and explained how it could be done. He agreed that it would be good for the morale of the men and arranged for me to present the proposal to Colonel Patterson, the Battalion Commander.
Farias jumped right on it and a short time later he informed me to report to Headquarters to talk to the commander. Colonel Patterson listened intently until I was finished and then responded, “That sounds good to me, but where can we find space for a field?” I gave him my thoughts and he asked me to show him the exact area. I pointed out the area and a few trees which we’d have to take down and showed him how we could lay out the field. He asked me if I could get enough men to volunteer their time to accomplish and I assured him that I could. He said “OK; approved! You are in charge of getting it done ASAP” and that he would arrange to have a grader at our disposal the next morning at 0700 hours to remove the trees. He finished our conversation with, “I’m looking forward to playing some softball myself, Sharp; as I’m sure the men will.” With an emphatic “Yes sir; thank you, sir!” I was quickly out of his office headed to pass the good news to the rest of the guys.
A number of men from Headquarters Company promptly volunteered to help build the ball field and work began immediately. We worked on the field as time permitted and all had fun doing it. It was only a few days later that we had finished the field, complete with a chain link back stop, wooden benches and lime to mark the foul lines. What great excitement we all shared working on this together!
Our first game began with 2 teams: Officers versus enlisted men! The game was marked by varying levels of athleticism and lots of good sportsmanship. We urged our team on and razzed our opponents, laughing and kidding all the while. That first game on our new ball field provided us a venue and sport just like we’d find if we were back home, even though we were very far from home.
That was just the beginning of our ball games. As the word spread, other teams comprised of 31st Engineer Battalion soldiers were formed and the great fun continued, long after I left my buddies to go back home. We all said it didn’t matter who won and I suppose that was true. At the end of the game both teams left the field with heads held high, still discussing the high and low points of their efforts that day.
I will always remember that softball field and the times we played ball in that very tough place during that very hard time. You learn a lot about a person during an athletic endeavor and our efforts on that field taught me much about those with whom I served, regardless of their rank or years of service. The undertaking provided substantial exercise in which all the men could take part – on an equal basis. It increased morale, built esprit and provided a positive focus for what would follow a tough day operating heavy combat engineer equipment in the hot southeast-Asian sun.
Those games on that ball field brought us all closer together. I will always remember my comrades and buddies, young as we were; but also those we did not know so well, but lived and served with us in Vietnam – the great officers, NCO’s and men we were with every day. We laughed with each other and we cried for all those who were wounded and those who died. Although far from home, we cared for all who served with us at Blackhorse base camp no matter what rank, color, or religion.
We were a Band of Brothers, eternally bonded with those who served our country in the past, those who serve now and those who will serve America in the future.
Phuoc Vinh Ground Zero
In our Water
When you consider that we LIVED there, (ate, drank & sleep) with an open tank for the drinking and cooking water, slogging through the mud during the rainy season, could we really avoid exposure?
The veterans who were physically present at Phuoc Vinh Groundwater Zero are, undoubtedly, the most likely to show high level body-burdens of the compounds, even today. Why haven’t we tested the veterans who were subjected to the heaviest and most continuous contamination? Thousands of these soldiers can indeed be found today, through service organizations and the various grassroots networks addressing this issue.
Establishing a group of veterans subjected to high levels of exposure, by evidence of Dioxin (2378 TCDD) testing, and THEN studying these epidemiologically will get at the truth of the matter. The results of blood or tissue analysis of these veterans of Ground Zero will definitively show very high levels of exposure. An additional survey of the medical histories of deceased veterans of Phuoc Vinh will provide STARTLING data.
A year ago I was diagnosed with actinic keratosis, a precancerous skin condition and a cancerous spot (squamous-cell carcinoma) was surgically removed. Whether my skin condition is linked to the thirteen months, I spent in Phuoc Vinh and surrounding areas remains to be seen…
Agent Orange, named after the color of the stripe on the barrels in which the defoliant sprayed by American forces during the Vietnam War was stored, contained tetrachlorodibenzop dioxin (known as TCDD), one of the most poisonous chemicals ever made by man.
The following is an Agent Orange study done by Gregg Knowlton:
The following photos are from “fold3” a collection of original military records
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LTC Jason Railsback attends the 2013 Las Vegas reunion
Article by LTC Jason Railsback, CO, 31st Engineer Battalion
Vietnam veterans who served with the 31st Engineer Battalion held their biannual reunion in Las Vegas, NV. It was my honor and privilege to attend as the current battalion commander but also as a representative of Fort Leonard Wood and the Engineer Corps*. I decided before even getting on the plane that these men would be old timers, telling war stories – trying to relive their glory days. Sure, I might learn a little about my battalion’s lineage but this would probably end up being just a nice vacation for me and my wife. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Instead, I met a vibrant group of strong, relevant leaders active in their communities and government. Nearly all these men experienced tough, hard combat and many of them were wounded and yes, they did have some incredible stories. I am amazed how much their stories mirror mine albeit separated by 30 years and even more amazed how war, and only war, creates a lifelong unbreakable bond.
In early 1968, the 31st Engineer Battalion was declared combat ready and cleared for overseas movement. The battalion’s equipment was delivered by rail to Beaumont, Texas for transport to Vietnam aboard cargo ships and the Soldiers were given a short leave to say farewell to family and loved ones. The trip to Vietnam took 22 days by sea aboard the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) transport ship USNS Barrett. With one stop for water and fuel in Naha, Okinawa, the Barrett arrived at Vung Tau, Vietnam where the Soldiers were transported close to the beach aboard US Navy landing barges, then waded ashore.
The Soldiers were then flown by C-130s to Blackhorse Base Camp near Xuan Loc where they provided engineer support to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and III CTZ Airmobile units.
Although our Nation has been at war for over 12 consecutive years and Soldiers now routinely have four or more combat deployments, I have yet to see a bond as strong as these men share. Whatever this bond is, it brings these heroes back together every two years. They laugh, tell stories, cry, and heal together. The stories shared are not of death and loss – they are funny and lack political correctness. As we laughed together, I could just make out a hint of pain or maybe fear behind the eyes of the long lost 18 year old boys sent far from home to fight a war they didn’t understand.
I am still overcome by the gratitude these men and their families showed me for attending and for serving. These Soldiers who gave so much and were given so little by the country they love are some of the most generous, kind, proud, and resilient people I might ever meet. I am both inspired by their service and encouraged by their willingness to forgive. Being a part of this reunion will surely be one of the most important contributions I make during my time in command.
* LTC Jason Railsback incurred no cost to the government, using personal funds to attend.
Article by LTC Jason M. Railsback
Commander, 31st Engineer Battalion (One Station Unit Training)
31st Engineer Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, MO
31st Engineer Battalion Reunion article by LTC Jason Railsback, CO of the 31st Engineer Battalion