MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Fellow Ban'shee's,

Over the past few months a few determined individuals have accomplished remarkable achievements that were a dream of mine for the past twenty-eight years.

We have compiled a roster of 330 plus name and addresses of people that served with B Troop at one time or another and the list keeps growing weekly.

We have established our own web site on the Internet, which had over 1700 visitors since it's creation by Dan Schave a few months ago. I strongly encourage you to visit the site and log in on the register.

We had the 28th year Reunion of B Troop in Shelbina, Missouri and are currently making plans for next years Reunion. There were 22 veterans that attended with their wives and families. This was a good turn out with such short notice.

Finally, at the Reunion, we unanimously voted to form a B Troop Association for anyone that served with the unit during any time period.

Many of these accomplishments would never have occurred without the help of individuals supplying copies of old orders. At the Reunion we could not stress enough how important this is to locating more members. Now I am asking those of you that could not attend the Reunion to please look through your old orders for changes in MOS, promotions, awards and decorations, aircraft assignments, etc. that would list yourself and other members of the unit. Make a copy and send it to me at;

6743 Madison Avenue

West Mifflin, PA 15122

This is the only way we can continue to build our roster and contact lost members of B Troop.

Twenty-eight years ago I had the honor and privilege to serve with one of the best, most highly decorated units in the 101st Airborne Division. Now I have the honor and privilege to serve as the first President of B Troop 2nd 17th Cavalry Association.

"Out Front"

Jim Matthews

CONTRIBUTIONS

We would like to thank everyone that has made donations for getting The Ban'shee Gazette an the Association off the ground. We now have it in flight thanks to all of you.

The monies received were used to pay for the cost of supplies and postage for the first two Ban'shee Gazettes, plus expenses related to the Reunion.

We now have money in the bank thanks to everyone at the Reunion and future cost of the Gazette will be paid for by the Association.

Ed Blair $ 25.00
Robert Bohler $ 100.00
Garry Dolin $ 100.00
Conrad Graff $ 20.00
Tom Green $ 100.00
John Hil $ 20.00
Ed Moriarty $ 20.00
Wayne Thompson $ 25.00
Jim Young $ 100.00

ASSOCIATION FORMED

It was decided by those who attended the 1998 Reunion in Shelbina that we would form an Association. Select here to view our membership application. Select "Membership Application" to copy a blank application, fill it out and submit it to us to join our association, or contact one of the officers via E-Mail.

B Troop 2nd / 17th Cavalry Association is exempt from taxation under IRC 501 (c) (19). Dues and Contributions to B Troop 2nd / 17th Cavalry Association are tax-deductible.

The association is to be open to the following types of memberships;

REGULAR - Regular membership shall be available to all persons that served in any capacity, with B Troop, before, during, or after the Vietnam War. Regular membership shall be extended to any surviving spouse, children, and or parents of deceased veterans that served with B Troop, regardless of the time period when the deceased member served.

ASSOCIATE - Associate membership shall be available to all persons interested in belonging to the association, so long as they abide by the Association objective and any rules and regulations created by the Association membership. Associate members will have all the rights and privileges of a Regular member, except the right to vote on Association business.

HONORARY - From time to time it may become necessary to award honorary membership to persons who have performed an outstanding service for the good of the Association. The Honorary member shall have all the rights and privileges of a Regular member except the right to vote on Association business. Honorary membership will be for life, but may be revoked at any time the Association has just reason to believe such action is necessary.

The Officers that were elected are in the process of obtaining all the documentation required for the Association to be legal.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION IS ATTACHED TO THIS COPY OF THE BAN’SHEE GAZETTE, PLEASE SEND YOURS IN TODAY

B Troop 2nd / 17th Cavalry Association is exempt from taxation under IRC 501 (c) (19). Dues and Contributions to B Troop 2nd / 17th Cavalry Association are tax-deductible.

OFFICERS ELECTED

The officers elected by those attending the Reunion in Shelbina are;

PRESIDENT Jim Matthews
VICE PRESIDENT David Martin
SECRETARY/TREASURER Randy Kunkleman
CHAPLAIN Arthur Ratliff

These Officers will serve one year terms. Elections will be held yearly at the Reunion.

Association Objective

It shall be the objective of the B Troop 2nd 17th Cavalry Association to preserve the memory, history and honor of those who served with B Troop 2nd 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division before, during and after the Vietnam War, To maintain and strengthen the camaraderie that distinguished the soldiers that served with B Troop 2nd 17th Cavalry, To provide for the research, dissemination and preservation of information concerning Association members and assist members in locating others with whom they served; To sponsor and coordinate periodic reunions to preserve and promote the Ban'shee spirit and traditions among all veterans that served with B Troop 2nd 17th Cavalry and future generations to come.