President's Message
The past year has demonstrated that if
an idea is itself right, chances are good success will follow. Evidence
of that now stands at Ft. Benning’s Walk of Honor in the distinctive
Cacti Monument, which was dedicated July 12. It stands for and was
created by the experiences of past and present veterans of the 35th
Infantry Regiment.
Yes, there is sentiment involved, but
our history fashioned the monument. It represents what Cacti veterans
achieved in honorably discharging their responsibilities as soldiers –
at great individual cost. The catalyst for the monument was the late
LTC (Ret.) Michael Tryon, who helped write our history in Vietnam where
he was awarded the Silver Star.
The Association commemorated that
history and those men during its 15th annual reunion
September 26-29 at Virginia Beach, VA. It was a significant milestone
for an organization that has grown into one of the largest regimental
associations in the country. Ours is not a cut-and-paste group, with a
paid membership of approximately 1,000 we are a diverse regiment of
individual beliefs that are joined by extraordinary experiences and a
unique chemistry. As the year ends, Christmas and Hanukah are privately
observed, which shatters no one and in practice should transform
everyone.
This coming year, amid the various
events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War
in 2015, we have the opportunity for growth of the Association in the
generation of Cacti who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. A small
number already have become members; far more remain to discover the
value of our communion in which the faces of friends lost to war will
never change.
It’s my privilege, along with the
other Board directors responsible for representing you for the 2013-2015
office terms, to work at further developing membership. That we will do
while asking for your help. Financially, we begin the New Year on solid
ground. Our collective goal is to grow the designated funds for
Scholarships, Health & Welfare, Cacti Times, Troop Support and the
Monument, as well.
Please consider donations to these
funds as 2013 nears the end. The annual membership year runs from
January 1 to December 31. Dues are payable by January 30 of each
membership year. The Membership Committee has already mailed a dues
reminder to those whose membership has expired or will expire December
31.
The 2014 reunion will be September 25-28 at the Chicago/NorthBrook
Hilton. Since time is the one thing we have least of, early registration
is always welcome. Finally, in the kindness of your faith, I wish you
all that is quiet, wise and good in this season of peace and
forgiveness.
Bill Henson, President 35th Infantry
Regiment Association
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2014 Cacti Scholarships
Because of the generous contributions
of our Cacti Members, the Cacti Association Board of Directors has been
able to approve an increase to $1500 per award for three 2014
scholarships. The time for scholarship applications is fast approaching.
Be sure to tell your children/grandchildren of the coming April 15
cutoff date for scholarship applications.
All of our
Cacti families are encouraged to apply for scholarship awards. To be eligible the applicant must:
Be a child, stepchild, grandchild or great-grandchild of an Association
member or a 35th Infantry Regiment member who was killed in action.
Be a graduating high school senior.
Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
Relatives of Association Board members are not eligible.
For more information see the
Scholarship
page of this website, or contact the Chairman, Wiley "Tiny" Dodd
by email at the address Here.
2013
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
The 35th Infantry Regiment
(Cacti) Association is pleased to announce they have again awarded
$1000.00 scholarships to three deserving high
school graduates. After reviewing the applications received,
scholarships were awarded to:
Gabriela Alicia Santos of Manitou Springs,
Colorado. Gabriela is the granddaughter of
Isidro Salas Santos, Bravo Co 1/35th 1966-67.
Alex Cy Hewit of Mapleton, Illinois.
Alex is the grandson of
Russel Hewit Jr., KIA 21 January 1969 while serving with Delta Co
1/35th.
Alexandria Nicole Alvarez of Fayetteville, Georgia.
Alexandria is the granddaughter of
David Hockett, Bravo Co 1/35th 1966-67.
We congratulate all of our applicants upon their high school
graduations, and especially congratulate
our three awardees.
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WAR STORIES SECTION
The War Stories Section has turned
into a huge success with almost 50 stories written by our Cacti Members. Got a “Cacti Story?” It can be a battle story, A funny or
sad story. Just put it down the way you remember it. If you want a
“creative license” to embellish a little you got it. Only rule is not
to be malicious. Submit them to Wiley "Tiny" Dodd by
Email, today!
 The
Winter 2013-2014 Issue of the Cacti Times, John Lorts,
Editor and Bill Henson, Associate Editor, is out.
Here's a
sample of page one of this issue. If you haven't
seen the electronic color version
Click
Here to see what you're missing. Members wishing to change from
a Mailed to Emailed Times may email Don "Doc" Johnson, our Secretary, to
Sign Up.
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Cacti Ball
The Cacti Ball is fast
approaching, May 30th 2014 to be exact.
One thing that has not
changed between our era and today’s Cacti is the buying power of
our wages. For those of us that cannot attend, we can help out
our young Cacti by sponsoring their ticket to the Ball.
For only $60.00 you can make
a Cacti proud to be with their brothers/sisters at this
prestigious event. Checks should be made payable to “The CACTI
Store.” and mailed to:
CACTI Ball 2014
ATTN: LT Loren Bell
91-111 Puaina Place
Ewa Beach, HI 96706
If you rise to this
challenge, please let Pete Birrow know so that we can gauge the
impact that has been made.
So far, two of our
Regimental Association members will be attending along with
their wives. If you too would like to attend, Pete Birrow has
the game plan for you. Just drop him a line at
birrowp@hotmail.com. And he will give you the full details.
Pete is the 35th Infantry Regiment Association's
Liaison to our active duty 2-35th Infantry battalion, and a Past
President of the Association. His personal motto:
“Once You Have Been Pricked By
A Cacti, You Are A Cacti Forever!" |
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35th Infantry Regiment Monument at Ft Benning Walk of Honor
Monument Dedication Photos Posted (View Here)
Follow the link below to view Video of the Monument
Dedication Ceremony
http://youtu.be/daOxXIRe2gA
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Vietnam KIA
Photos Needed
Dick Arnold,
Doc Hall, and Pete Birrow have been gathering KIA Photos for a number of
years. Their work has added immensely to our mission to memorialize our
war dead. But we still need a few more.
Click Here to view a list of
Vietnam KIA photos needed. If you're a fellow Cacti, or a friend or family member,
please consider sending a photo to Dick Arnold at his
Email address.
Vietnam
War - Gravesite Location Project
Doc Hall and Pete Birrow have
been compiling a list of gravesites for our Vietnam KIAs for some time now.
Through personal visits and searches on the web they have located
hundreds. The information is now available by
Clicking Here. If you have
personal knowledge of a gravesite not found on the list, please contact
Doc Hall at his Email
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