Ralph Diaz shares his Vietnam experience. Photo below is from a Flickr album. Click here to see the entire album
Ralph Diaz Vietnam Photos
Author: admin
Army brat and proud daughter of a Vietnam Veteran
Fort Leonard Wood 2022 Reunion Agenda
31st EN BN Association 2022 Reunion Agenda
THURSDAY 6 OCT 22 (Travel, Check In, Hospitality Room)
Veterans arrive in MO and check in Hampton Inn (St. Robert)
Meet in hotel hospitality room for socializing, snacks, drinks, buy raffle tickets, pay dues and for banquet
FRIDAY 7 OCT 22 (Base Tour)
0700-0800 Carpool to FLW
0800-0805 Receive Veterans in front of 31st EN BN HQ
0810-0845 Meet & Greet by BC/CSM in Rm 143, BN HQ
0845-0915 Tour of barracks
0930-1015 A/31 battle drill demonstration, FTX2
1030-1130 EST
1130-1230 Lunch w/ Soldiers in DFAC (Bldg. 6111)
1300-1430 Gas Chamber w/C CO (TA-106C)
1500-1630 B6 Course
1630-UTC Transportation to Hampton Inn
1700-? Hospitality Room
Saturday 8 OCT 22 (Banquet)
0930-1100 Association Meeting hotel hospitality room
1500-1530 Carpool to Engineer Museum
1600-1700 US ARMY ENGINEER MUSEUM Tour, Group Pictures, and Social Hour
1700- UTC Banquet/Dinner
Director’s welcome
Color Guard
Guest Speaker (LTC Grabowski)
Ms. Robbins father’s speech “Why did you come”
“Brotherhood” poem by Janna F
Video presentation of current training
Dinner/Raffle/Dance
Sunday 9 OCT 22 (check out)
Additional details
HOTEL:
Hampton Inn St. Robert/Ft. Leonard Wood
*PLEASE RESERVE YOUR ROOM EARLY*
Booking Link: https://group.hamptoninn.com/vu8ctu
Group Name: 31st Engineer Reunion
103 St. Robert Plaza Dr. St. Robert, MO 65584
Telephone 573-336-3355
Cost is $96/night plus tax
FUNDRAISING:
50/50 raffle will be held to raise funds for the Association, details to follow. We will also be selling 31st caps, shirts and coffee mugs.
DUES:
If you have not already done so, please pay your 2-year association dues of $25 for 2021/2022 to: Warren Dubois 906 West Virginia Ave. Salem, Missouri 65560
BATTALION WEBSITE:
https://31stengineerbattalion.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
We have a dynamic Facebook page and group managed by John Lough. This group is a perfect place to share your stories and pictures and to stay in touch.
Please join the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/356824815138376
POINTS OF CONTACT:
Warren Dubois, Treasurer 573-729-8157, dubois@embargmail.com
June Robbins, Executive Director 941-348-5925, juneurobbins@gmail.com
PLEASE RSVP BY SENDING AN EMAIL OR TEXT TO WARREN DuBOIS and JUNE ROBBINS
We look forward to seeing you at the reunion!
JOIN US – 31st Engineer Battalion Association 2022 Reunion
The Veterans of the 31st Engineer Battalion Association cordially invite you and yours to gather and rekindle the bond of brotherhood, share fellowship and stories of our service together at Fort Leonard Wood.
HOTEL:
Hampton Inn St. Robert/Ft. Leonard Wood
*PLEASE RESERVE YOUR ROOM EARLY*
Booking Link: https://group.hamptoninn.com/vu8ctu
Group Name: 31st Engineer Reunion
103 St. Robert Plaza Dr. St. Robert, MO 65584
Telephone 573-336-3355
Cost is $96/night plus tax
Additional hotel details are provided at the bottom of this message.
BANQUET:
Saturday, October 8, 2022, Regimental Room Hall of Flags. The banquet will feature special guests, including the current BC and CSM with Color Guard, former BC Col. Bob Dixon and others.
AGENDA:
Plans include a Fort Leonard Wood base tour and a tour of the U.S. Army Engineer Museum with a banquet on Saturday, Oct. 8.
FUNDRAISING:
50/50 raffle will be held to raise funds for the Association, details to follow. We will also be selling 31st caps, shirts and coffee mugs.
DUES:
If you have not already done so, please pay your 2-year association dues of $25 for 2021/2022 to: Warren Dubois 906 West Virginia Ave. Salem, Missouri 65560
BATTALION WEBSITE:
https://31stengineerbattalion.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
We have a dynamic Facebook group managed by John Lough. This group is a perfect place to share your stories and pictures and to stay in touch.
Please join the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/356824815138376
POINTS OF CONTACT:
Warren Dubois, Treasurer 573-729-8157, dubois@embargmail.com
June Robbins, Executive Director 941-348-5925, juneurobbins@gmail.com
PLEASE RSVP BY SENDING AN EMAIL OR TEXT TO JUNE ROBBINS
We look forward to seeing you at the reunion!
HOTEL DETAILS:
Hampton Inn St. Robert/Ft. Leonard Wood
To book a room, please use booking link below.
Booking Link: https://group.hamptoninn.com/vu8ctu
Group Name: 31st Engineer Reunion
Located in St. Robert, Hampton Inn St. Robert/Ft. Leonard Wood is convenient to Hidden Valley Plaza and St. Robert Museum. This hotel is within close proximity of Tiger Aquatic Center and Bosa Heights Park.
Rooms
Make yourself at home in one of the 79 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary, while 25-inch flat-screen televisions with premium TV channels provide entertainment. Bathrooms have shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Amenities
Enjoy recreational amenities such as an outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Complimentary wireless Internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and tour/ticket assistance. Free self-parking is available onsite.
Dining
A complimentary hot/cold buffet breakfast is included.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby.
2021 Reunion Fort Leonard Wood Cancelled
Fort Leonard Wood has cancelled all activities due to Covid-19. Unfortunately this includes our reunion which was scheduled for later this month.
If you have made reservations with the Hampton Inn located at 103 St. Roberts Plaza, Saint Robert Plaza, Saint Robert, MO. 65584, telephone (573) 336-3355 you should call and cancel those reservations. If you made other travel/hotel reservations you should cancel those as well.
If you have paid for the planned dinner, Warren will be returning your check. If you paid for your dues and dinner on the same check, Warren will deposit those checks and will send you a refund check for the dinner only.
As it stands now, it is almost impossible to find another location and another restaurant to get a reunion together for this year. We have heard a few suggestions for the next reunion. It has been suggested that we hold the reunion in the springtime in or near the Atlantic or Gulf coastal areas of the southeastern states; other suggestions are welcome.
Please forward this information to anyone you are in contact with to ensure the information is communicated as widely as possible.
Phil Douglas, 2021 Association Director
2021 Reunion Right Around the Corner-Things to do Now
31st Engineer Battalion Association Reunion
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Wed September 29 – Saturday October 2, 2021
BOOK NOW
LOCATION: Hampton Inn 103 St. Robert Plaza Dr. St. Robert, MO 65584
Telephone 573-336-3355
Cost is $96/night plus tax
PAY FOR BANQUET DINNER
On the evening of October 2, 2021, the dinner will be held at one of the rooms located in the Pershing Community Center. The cost of the dinner will be $35.00 per person. In order to pay for the dinners and the rental of the dining hall, we are requesting that you send your check to:
Warren DuBois
906 West Virginia Ave.
Salem, Missouri 65560
GET BASE ACCESS NOW
Each visitor (Veterans, spouses, children, friends, etc.) must submit the required information on the attached Excel file to have access to the base. The information on the Excel file needs to be completed prior to arrival at Fort Leonard Wood.
Please send the form to: Kelly Mason kelly.m.mason13.civ@mail.mil
Kelly will take care of getting the information to Physical Security to grant the access. Please make sure you submit your information in enough time to get clearance for base access. Additional visitor information can be found at Visitors Access FORT LEONARD WOOD
PAY DUES NOW
If you have not already done so, please pay your 2-year association dues of $25 for 2021/2022 to:
Warren Dubois
906 West Virginia Ave.
Salem, Missouri 65560
POINTS OF CONTACT:
Warren Dubois, Treasurer 573-729-8157,
dubois@embargmail.com or Phil Douglas 410-491-4777 p47douglas@comcast.net
THANK YOU. SEE YOU THERE!
2021 Reunion Dates Set For 31st Engineer Battalion Association
The 31st Combat Engineer (Vietnam) 2021 Reunion is set for September 29 thru October 2 in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri! We look forward to seeing all of you again as we come together to share fellowship and the bond of brotherhood!
Arrangements have been made with the Hampton Inn:
Hampton Inn
103 St. Robert Plaza Dr St. Robert, Mo. 65584 Telephone 573-336-3355
The hotel rate is $96.00 per night plus tax. A free hot breakfast is offered daily.
Please pay your 2-year Association dues of $25 to Warren Dubois, duboisw@embarqmail.com.
Agenda is being planned and will be posted as soon as it is available.
For additional questions or concerns contact Phil Douglas at p47douglas@comcast.net.
Stay tuned for details!
Fred And Gloria Webb’s Daughter Nancy Tells Story Of Her Parents’ Passing
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Funeral Services for Fred and Gloria Webb
Dear Friends and Family,
I apologize if I am catching anyone off guard by sharing this information.
For those of you who might be getting this news for the first time, my parents (Fred and Gloria Webb) both passed away from Covid-19.
On Dec 24th mom was taken to the ER by a very special friend (an angel and a hero to me and my brother), Janice Harvison.
Mom tested positive for COVID and was already very sick with pneumonia, and she was immediately admitted to the hospital. We knew that dad most likely had it too. He went by ambulance to the hospital on Christmas Day (again with the help of Janice).
Also on Christmas day, Ron travelled to Saraland to be there for Mom and Dad as soon as they got out of the hospital.
For the first few days they shared a hospital room, and we were encouraged —as they sounded like they were making some improvement with the treatments.
But Mom was having trouble remembering why she was there and the importance of keeping on her oxygen mask. Dad would try to help her, but this meant taking off his mask so he could get her to hear him. Every time either of them took off their mask their oxygen immediately dropped very low.
They were moved to separate rooms in hopes that they would just focus on getting themselves better.
But then Mom became agitated and combative about keeping on her oxygen mask. And on January 6th she took a turn for the worse and they put her on the vent.
Dad was very worried about Mom being put on the vent. He wanted them to put her in his bed so he could hold the oxygen mask on her rather than putting her on the vent. But she seemed to be tolerating the vent ok and we were hopeful that it would help her.
The hospital had started doing some rehab with Dad, and he seemed to be holding his own and at least not getting worse.
On January 12th, my brother, Ron and I were in the middle of a Zoom call with a social worker at the hospital to discuss transitioning Dad to a nursing home for intermediate care when I got the call from the doctor that he had stopped breathing, they attempted to revive him but he did not survive.
It was shattering!
Then on the evening of January 14th the doctor called Ron to explain that Mom was in very bad condition and suffering. He recommended that we take her off the ventilator.
Since Ron was there and I was still in South Point, Ron went to the hospital to be there with Mom when they took her off the vent. He was able to facetime with me so that I could also say goodbye to Mom.
We were able to spend about an hour with Mom before they removed the ventilator, but she was not responsive.
Once they removed the vent, it was just a few minutes before Mom joined Dad in heaven.
I felt like I should explain what happened and I also wanted to share the link to the funeral.
We know that there are many who would have travelled to the funeral if there wasn’t a pandemic raging around us, but we feel you must try to be safe — for we don’t want you to take any chances with your health and the health of those you love.
The funeral is tomorrow at 2pm and visitation at 1pm at Slack and Wallace Funeral Home in South Point, OH.
It will be live streamed and you can watch that with this link which will be activated at 2pm when the funeral begins:
Here is the link for the live stream. https://my.gather.app/remember/earl-fred-gloria-webb
If you miss it at 2pm, then you should still be able to watch a recording of the funeral later using the same link.
Here is the link for the obituary and funeral home: https://www.slackandwallace.com/obituaries/Earl-Fredrick-Fred-Webb–and—Gloria-Almeda-Virginia-Morrison-Webb?obId=19674013#/obituaryInfo
Please take care and God Bless You!
Nancy
Nancy’s email address: nwebb@marshall.edu. Mailing address is 102 Elm St., South Point, Ohio 45680. Phone 740-550-0800.
Final Minutes from 2019 Reunion in Boston MA
2019 Reunion Is Right Around The Corner-Book Your Hotel Room NOW
Fellow 31st Engineer Battalion Veterans:
Our 2019 reunion is on the horizon! Please make your hotel reservations now to take advantage of the special group rate at the Double Tree Hotel in Danvers, MA.
Call the hotel at (978) 777-2500. Be sure to identify yourself as being with the 31st Engineers Reunion to the reservation clerk.
There are two side excursions planned for this year’s reunion, pick one. Either choice is $50.00 per person.
As usual, we will have a grand banquet on Saturday night. There will be a full buffet with 5 entrees. Cost is $52.00 per person.
Pasted below is an information sheet with all the details on the excursions and the banquet, plus the Schedule & Agenda.
Association Dues for 2019-2020 are due at $25.00.
Either side excursion is $50.00 per person.
The banquet is $52.00 per person.
Make checks payable to: 31st CMBT ENGR ASSN
Mail check to: Warren DuBois, 906 W. Virginia Avenue, Salem, MO 65560
Best Regards and See You There!
Louis Brown, (508) 294-5869
INFORMATION SHEET
31st Engineer Battalion Association 2019 Reunion
Danvers, Massachusetts
October 3-6, 2019
GUEST ROOM ACCOMMODATIONS
Number and Type Single Double 3rd Person 4th Person
70 Rooms, King or Queen or Double
$139.00 +$15.00 +$15.00
Note: 1. Add 11.7% sales tax to listed rates.
Make your reservations ASAP (NLT 3 September 2019) by calling the hotel directly at (978) 777-2500 or book online
All reservations must be guaranteed and accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card. Cancellations must be done no later than 24 hours prior to arrival date to avoid a cancellation fee of first night’s charge and tax. Early Departure Fee. An early departure fee equal to one night’s room rate plus taxes will be charged unless you advise the Hotel at or before check-in of any change in the scheduled length of stay.
AIRPORTS & AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
Air service is available through Boston Logan Airport and the Manchester, New Hampshire airport. Southwest Airlines has service to both of these airports as do other major carriers.
The Logan Express shuttle provides non-stop ground service from Boston Logan Airport to the Peabody Logan Express terminal which is only a few minutes from our hotel. The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle van to and from the Logan Express terminal from 8:00AM to 8:00PM. The Logan Express cost is $12.00 one way or $24.00 round trip.
There are many ground transportation options from the Manchester Regional Airport. The airport website has all the details. www.flymanchester.com.
(Note that the T.F. Green airport in Providence, R.I. will probably come up in Google or Expedia searches for Boston area airports. T.F. Green is located well south of the Boston metro area, while our hotel is on the North side of Boston. Travel through T.F. Green is not recommended).
DINNER GROUP OUTING – On the Agenda for Friday evening we are suggesting small group outings to the group’s choice from restaurants accessible by foot or by the hotel’s free area shuttle. Area restaurants offer almost any cuisine you might want. A list of nearby restaurants will be available at registration.
BANQUET MENU – The cost of the banquet for Saturday evening is $52.00 payable to our Treasurer Warren DuBois in advance. To whet your appetite, here’s the menu:
31st Engineer Battalion Association Reunion Banquet Buffet Menu
Mixed Salad Greens, Cucumbers, Shredded Carrots, Teardrop Tomatoes and Chef’s Choice of Dressings.
New England Apple Cider Infused Slaw
Old Fashioned Potato Salad with Chopped Hardboiled Eggs and Smoked Candied Bacon
Grilled Baby Back Ribs with Bourbon and Apple Barbeque Sauce
Portuguese Barbequed Beef Steak Kabobs
Samuel Adams and Orange Scented Jumbo Prawn Kabobs
Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Smoked Paprika Butter
Herb and Sweet Garlic Marinated Vegetable Kabobs
Honey Mustard Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes
Steamed Locally Picked Sweet Corn with Butter
Maple and Cheddar Cornbread
Gourmet S’mores
Chocolate Decadence Cake with Whipped Cream
Coffee, Decaf and Hot Tea
There will be a cash bar at the banquet.
ORGANIZED SIDE TRIPS
The Boston area is filled with things to do and see. Unfortunately to do the area justice would require several months, which we do not have. Two organized side trips are planned for Saturday, October 5th. The cost for either one is $50.00.
The first trip is to the Minute Man National Historical Park in the Lexington-Concord area. This is where the first two engagements of the Revolutionary War were fought. If you’re interested in seeing where the Shot Heard around the World was fired and walking the Battle Road, this is
the trip for you. You can get more information at https://www.nps.gov/mima.
The second trip is to the newly opened American Heritage Museum. This new center has exhibits that cover WWI and WWII from beginning to end. The museum is operated by the Collings Foundation. I’ve been privileged to visit some of their other facilities and I can tell you they do a superior job. All you military history buffs out there, this trip is for you. Get more
information at www.americanheritagemuseum.org.
Busses will depart the hotel at 9:30 AM on the morning of October 5th and be returning around 3:00 PM.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
The city of Boston has excellent self-guided walking tours as well as guided tours available. Simply going to the Village Green at the city center will get you started.
The Ferncroft Country Club and 18 hole Golf Course.
CoCo Key Water Park.
Alfalfa Farm. An historic farm that mixes New England charm with the best wine making technology.
Village of Salem, with its history of ghosts, goblins and witches, plus the Peabody Essex Museum.
The town of Gloucester.
2019-2020 DUES
$25.00 Association Dues for 2019-2020 are due.
Make checks payable to: 31st CBT ENGR BN ASSN.
Mail to: Warren DuBois, 906 W. Virginia Ave., Salem, MO. 65560.
SCHEDULE & AGENDA
31st Engineer Battalion Association Reunion, Danvers, Massachusetts
October 3-6, 2019
Thursday, 3 Oct 2019
1:00 – 6:00 pm Arrival, check-in, registration, open time Lobby
6:00 – 7:00 pm Informal welcome orientation (1)Location TBD
7:00 – Dinner (no host) Hotel or off-site dining
3:00 pm – 12:00 am Leisure time – Informal (2) Location TBD
Friday, 4 Oct, 2019
6:30 – 9:00 am Breakfast Hotel or off-site dining
9:00 – 11:00 am General Meeting (3) North Shore A
11:00 –12:00 noon Open Time ———–
12:00 noon – 1:00 pm Lunch (no host) ———–
1:00 – 6:00 pm Open Time ———–
6:00 – 10:00 pm Dinner (Group Outings Proposed) Location TBD
Saturday, 5 Oct. 2019
6:30 – 9:00 am Breakfast Hotel or off-site dining
9:00 – 9:30 am General Meeting North Shore C
9:30 – 3:00 pm American Heritage Museum Excursion (4) Boston
9:30 – 3:00 pm Minute Man National Historical Park (4) Lexington-Concord
3:00 – 6:30 pm Open Time ———–
6:30 – 7:00 pm Group Photo TBD
7:00 – 9:00 pm Grand Banquet (5) North Shore B
Sunday, 6 Oct. 2019
6:30 – 9:00 am Breakfast Hotel or off-site dining
9:00 – 9:30 am Final Meeting North Shore C
9:30 – 11:00 am Open Time
12:00 noon Clear Hotel, Departure
Notes:
(1) & (3) – Orientation on agenda, visitor information, transportation, etc. Meetings are to provide info/updates
on events of the day; comments/feedback on previous day’s events and future Association activities, including site
of our 2021 reunion. Election of Director and Officers for 2019-2021 will be conducted at the 4 October Meeting.
(2) Hospitality Room operation 10:00 am til 12:00 mid-night on Friday and Saturday.
(4) Group/bus excursions to Lexington/Concord and the American Heritage Museum. Cost $50 per person..
(5) Banquet event will be held Saturday night with delicious entrees, salad, vegetables at a cost of $52 per
person. Make checks payable to: 31st CBT ENGR BN ASSN. Mail to Warren DuBois, 906 W. Virginia Ave., Salem, MO. 65560. Additionally, membership dues of $25 for 2019-2020 (2 yrs) are payable after Jan. 1, 2019 by submitting checks to Warren.
Last chance to book at special discounted rate for 2019 31st Engineer Battalion Reunion in Boston
Message from Executive Director, Louis Brown
Fellow 31st Combat Engineer Battalion Veterans:
First, thank you to all who have booked your rooms for the upcoming 2019 Reunion. Please bug your fellow 31st Vets who “haven’t gotten around to it yet”.
For those of you planning to attend but “haven’t gotten around to it yet” you’re running out of time. You have until 3 September to book at the reunion discount rate!
After 3 September, you can still book, but it’s subject to availability and at the standard rates.
Call the Double Tree Hotel in Danvers, MA today!
Call the hotel directly (978) 777-2500
Be sure to tell the clerk that you’re with the 31st EBN Reunion.
Don’t forget $25.00 bi-annual Association Dues are due as well.
Make checks payable to 31st CBT ENGR BN ASSN
Mail checks to: Warren DuBois
906 W. Virginia Ave.
Salem, MO 65560
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there.
Wilson L. Brown, Executive Director, 31st Engineer Battalion Association
(508) 294-5869