Golden Dragons,
I come to you for the last time as the president of the
14th Infantry Regiment Chapter of the 25th Infantry Division
Association.
By the time you read this, the 14th Infantry Get Together
in Branson, MO, will be history and there will be new
regimental leadership in place, hopefully?! We need the
younger Vets to step up. In the case of the 14th Infantry,
that would be members of the 5th Battalion (yes, the 5th
Battalion) that was with the Division at Schofield in mid 80s
through mid-90s in F Quad.
I point to the 5th Bn because they are the Regiment's
only hope for survival. Most of these Dragons are 20 to 30
years younger than us ole, worn down Vietnam Veterans.
Our 1st Bn colors were cased in 2016, after the 2nd and
3rd Bns were sent to the 10th Mountain Division. Later, the
3rd Bns colors were cased, leaving the 2nd Bn which is still
with the 10th Mtn Div, I guess? Where do you think the 2nd
Bns loyalty lies?
I echo the 25th IDA president's words: "We are like a
melting ice cube." In short, we are about to cease to be if
our membership does not increase. At this point I hope the
new leaders of the 14th Infantry Regiment Association will be
successful in carrying the regimental, and possibly, the
Division colors into the next few decades. I know they are up
for the mission!
I would like to thank those that have supported the
regiment the last four years and encourage you to continue to
do so in the future. I also plead with you to support the
25th IDA in all its endeavors, especially reunions. Speaking
of which, I hope to see you ALL SEPT 29 - OCT 6, 2024 at the
Westin Dulles Airport Hotel. Mahalo!
Right of the Line
R. (Mike) Graff
Exiting President
