|
The Association provides members a means to carry on with the Can Do spirit and comradeship that has been prevalent in the Regiment during its illustrious history. This summary of the Association’s objectives and activities outlines how the Association currently works in preserving the traditions and history of the Regiment.
The Association is established as a non-profit military service organization with a comprehensive Constitution and set of By-laws. The objectives are to promote morale and high esprit de corps among the members of the Regiment and to provide opportunities and facilities for uniting past and present veterans in a close and cooperative alliance. To support those objectives the Association conducts the major activities outlined below.
A quarterly newsletter, The Dragon, is published to keep the membership informed on recently completed and ongoing activities as well as items of general interest. Regularly there are articles by the Association President, the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, the current Battalion Commanders and the Association Chaplain. There are special sections for TAPS announcing deceased members and SICK CALL identifying ill members who need our thoughts, prayers and cards of encouragement. A SEARCH section is dedicated to helping members locate information on past comrades and acquaintances. Members are encouraged to submit accounts of their experiences in the Regiment. Their articles have proven to be truly interesting and bring many favorable responses from the readers.
An annual CAN DO RENDEZVOUS is held each spring, hosted by one of the Active Duty Battalions. Generally, the Rendezvous consists of a welcome reception; tours; displays of weapons, equipment and vehicles; events arranged by the host and a banquet with the soldiers. The Rendezvous offers opportunities for the newer members of the Regiment to become acquainted with past members as well as time for past members to renew old friendships and swap stories. The annual general membership business meeting is held during the Rendezvous as well as every two years, the election of officers.
A Regimental Dinner is held in conjunction with the Annual Reunion of the Society of the Third Infantry Division. The event is normally scheduled in September. Generally the active battalions have attendees with one of the battalions providing the Regimental Color Guard. A short program is normally conducted at the dinner.
The Association presents awards recognizing outstanding achievements to the Non- Commissioned Officer of the Year and Soldier of the Year for each active duty battalion. The awards are named for Medal of Honor recipients from the respective battalion of the Regiment. These awards are traditionally made during the Can Do Rendezvous or at an
appropriate ceremony subject to operational requirements of the battalions. In addition, Certificates of Appreciation are presented to those deserving individuals who contribute significantly to the attainment of Association objectives.
In keeping with the Association objectives to promote morale and high esprit de corps the Association provides the active units with nominees for Distinguished Members of the Regiment. These are prior soldiers of the Regiment recognized for accomplishments within the Regiment or as a distinguished member of the civilian community who formerly served in the Regiment
An impressive collection of Association memorabilia and artifacts is located with the 1-15 Infantry at Fort Benning. Members of the Association donated these items. Through agreement with the 1-15 these items of Association property are displayed along with items belonging to the unit. A Custodian of Memorabilia is appointed to maintain memorabilia and artifacts donated to and stored in the Association’s Historical Repository. The Custodian maintains a current inventory and coordinates with units on loan and return of items. In the event of deployment of the unit, or inactivation, the custodian takes possession of the items and designates a place for display or storage.
The Association commemorates the outstanding history of the Regiment by placing plaques and monuments at significant locations. In the early years of the Association the members were most generous in supporting the Awards and Monument fund. Beautiful plaques were placed at Fort Lewis main gate, the China Gate at Fort Benning, the Marne Garden at Fort Stewart and at the China Room in the 1-15 Infantry Headquarters at Fort Benning. Recently the Association provided an upgrade to the China Gate to recognize accomplishments of the current active battalions in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On the Internet an Association Website is found at www.15thinfregtassoc.org .The site provides several items of information regarding organization, membership and current activities in the Association. There are also links to various other sites that may be of interest to the membership.
The Association is self-sustaining with no financial assistance from any source other than the membership. Annual and life membership dues, together with donations from members, are the primary source of financing. In addition, an annual raffle is held by mail. Cash prizes are awarded to winners with a nominal amount of profit going to the general fund. Association officers are reimbursed for out of pocket operating expenses only (printing, copying, phone, etc.). No payment is authorized for service performed or reimbursement for travel and lodging.
It goes without saying that the Association fully supports the active battalions, whatever their mission, wherever they serve, in defending our nation. When duty calls, the soldiers of the 15th Infantry Regiment---
Can Do!
|
