GuestBook

364 entries.

Richard A. Smith-Chaplain wrote on October 13, 2019 at 8:50 am:

REF. BILL BEERS- Bill just sent a message to us through social media to call him. I spoke to him at 0845hrs today (Sunday) He was life flighted to Pinnacle Health Center in Harrisburg, PA. He had triple by-pass surgery yesterday and he is in ICU recuperating hoping to go home Tuesday. "Conway" still hasn't lost his sense of humor but he did want me to pass this on to the membership after we prayed together. Cuma is close by at one of their daughter's homes. Please keep Bill and Cuma in your prayers. Remember cards, calls, emails and prayers go a long way!

Thomas R. Kurtz wrote on October 1, 2019 at 10:14 am:

I received the book on the history of Fort Sill from Gil today and many thanks to all who signed the book and left your messages inside

Jim Kendall wrote on September 21, 2019 at 7:52 pm:

Thanks to Gil and the rest of the board of 2nd17th for a great 2019 reunion. Looking to get a password so I can print off the current roster. Thanks again.

jesse hamilton doc wrote on September 18, 2019 at 1:45 am:

my first time here.memories so long ago but close when eyes shut

Richard A. Smith-Chaplain wrote on September 7, 2019 at 9:26 pm:

REF. GENE Johnson: Remember to keep Gene and Carol in your prayers. Gene gave me permission to post his note in the Guestbook and to share this information with you. Gene's note follows: It is with much regret that I am unable to attend this years reunion. If you recall last year I had to rent a scooter in able to get around. It turns out I have an auto immune disease called IGA Vasculitis. I have spent almost 60 days in the hospital in four visits since last November. Unfortunately one of the side effects of IGA is that it attacks the kidneys. In my case it has shut them down and I have to go to dialysis three times a week. This has curtailed any travel plans I have made. I wish you all well and enjoy this years reunion and if a miracle happens I will see you next year. Gene Johnson" Please remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way! I can't remember the last reunion Gene and Carol missed but I know from personal experience these are two great people as well as Gene continued to serve his country as a law enforcement officer.

Paul Shepherd LM 109 wrote on August 29, 2019 at 9:40 pm:

God, just turned my gut inside out... 1st. Doug RUNICE, my prayers to you and your family, on the passing of your father... You know you have my belated Sympathy.... I now understand where the backbone, and dedication that I saw in you in 1969... Came from, bless your father, and mother, as they join so many others of the Greatest Generation ...such as my own parants, And my father who was a POW .. Shutdown Jan 45... Too your Father...a Hand Salute... This Day has been hard since I opend the Guess Book Entry ...this night... And learnd that the Grim Reaper, and AGENT Orange .... have again taken a chunk of my HEART.... MIKE (TOO TALL) DAGES A DEDICATED, HARDWORKING, AMMO TOTING COMBAT GUNBUNNY, WHO AT TIMES LEAPED VERY TALL BUILDINGS, WOULD NOT GIVE SLACK, THROUGH 5000 ROUNDS OF CONTINUED FIRE OVER 48 HOURS... ATE SMOKE CORDITE, AND BLACK POWDER TO AID IN HOT AND SUPPRESSIVE FIRE IN SUPPORT OF HIS BROTHERS IN THE BOONIES OUTSIDE ACTION REAR, HARDTIMES, SCHUELLER, DALAT FORWARD, AT LZ SUSAN NEVER BACKING DOWN.. HE WAS NOT ONLY MY FRIEND, BUT MY BROTHER IN COMBAT ... AND MY COMBAT BROTHER IN LIFE... I NOW GO FORWARD WITH A HEAVY HEART AND AGAIN A FEELING OF GUILT... MIKE HAS GONE ON TO HIS FINAL REST... NOW I MUST LIVE FOR MIKES MEMORY.... DAGGES, YOU HAVE TAKEN THAT FINAL MISSION. TO THE GREAT BEYOND... BUT MIKE, YOU, GEORGIA BOY, BRYANT AND MAD DOG MADDEN ARE WALKING POINT UNTIL WE FALLIN TOGETHER AGAIN ... PEACE BE WITH YOU, MY BROTHER... AND MAY GOD SHINE HIS LIGHT UPON YOU YOU MIGHT BE GONE BUT YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.. 3 QUADS 3 DEFLECTIONS 7 ROUNDS REPEAT LUV YA BROTHER SHEP

Michael Hathaway wrote on August 22, 2019 at 10:41 am:

To: Mr. Richard A. Smith - Chaplain, Please contact me on Facebook. I am also trying to contact the unit historian because I have put together a shadow-box display for the Office of the Commander, 17th F.A. According to the lineage, the 5th and 6th Battalions were stationed at Ft. Bragg so I would like the shadow box to go to one of their Battalion Headquarters. The site admins may contact me via my email address.

Richard A. Smith-Chaplain wrote on August 20, 2019 at 2:27 pm:

Ref. MIKE DAGES- it is with a heavy heart that Mike Dages passed away last night after battling cancer for several months. His funeral is currently scheduled for Friday Aug. 23 (time unknown at present) at St. Peter's Church Montgomery, Indiana. Blake Funeral home in Montgomery is handling the arrangements. Those of us that knew Mike knew that he was a supporter of the 17th and a friend to many including myself. I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to pray with Mike as well as his wife and he knew his Savior. Please continue to pray for the family during this time and remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way!

Richard A. Smith-Chaplain wrote on August 20, 2019 at 11:11 am:

REF: Doug Runice- We wish to send our prayers to Doug's family. His father, Ray Runice past away Aug. 4th at the age of 94 years old. Doug shared with me his father's awards for being a WW II vet in the European theatre. I think it's appropriate to post this in his memory. "Yes, my Dad passed on Aug 4th at age 94. He had a good long run and it was time for him to be with Mom who he loved so much. If I can share some of his military history, I was always very proud of him. He was a decorated WW2 Vet, served with the 36th Inf Div. in France in 44 and 45. Recipient of the PH, Bronze Star with 2 battle stars, the French Legion of Merit, along with all the other ribbons that he had earned. He saw heavy Infantry combat and his tour ended on Feb 20th, 1945 when a German MG42 took out his left shoulder blade. God bless him. He shall be missed dearly. Hope to see you at the reunion and thanks again Richard. Yours's Doug" Please join me in keeping Doug's family in your thought's and prayers for the family for the loss of a member from "The Greatest Generation." Remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way!

Richard A. Smith wrote on August 13, 2019 at 5:57 am:

Mr. Hathaway, I'm interested to know where you located these pins at. I live in NC. My unit, A Btry 4th BN 17th FA,was out of Ft. Bragg when I was in 74-78. Thanks, Richard A. Smith

Mike Hathaway wrote on August 12, 2019 at 10:48 am:

I was metal detecting in North Carolina and found some 17th F.A. artifiacts, a Battery A and Battery B enlisted collar discs plus a regimental pin. That led me to do some research on the pin which led me to your history rich site. Thank you.

Richard A. Smith wrote on August 10, 2019 at 3:46 pm:

Ref. BILL BEERS- I spoke with Bill's wife Cuma today. Her spirits still are high! She said Bill has to have a biopsy done this Wed. on one of his kidneys to check for possible infection or anything else. Please continue to keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. Remember cards,calls, emails and prayers go a long way!

Richard A. Smith-Chaplain wrote on July 31, 2019 at 3:17 pm:

Ref. MIKE DAGES : I spoke with Mike's wife yesterday. He is home and out of rehab after his surgery on his two femurs. She said that he is moving slow but they are still planning on coming to the reunion. They have someone that has said they would drive for them. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. Remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way!

Richard A. Smith-Chaplain wrote on July 17, 2019 at 10:49 am:

Ref: Jack Stroud Most of us that saw the last newsletter saw that our former president, vice president, secretary, and newsletter editor (I know I've probably left out a title or two) is stepping down from his position as editor for the newsletter. Jack stated he has bone cancer. The association owes this man a lot of credit for keeping it running so smoothly for several years. Jack and Molly know that our prayers, and thanks, are with you and praying for a full recovery. Again, remember that cards, calls, and emails go a long way.

Richard A. Smith-Chaplain wrote on July 17, 2019 at 10:43 am:

Ref. Mike Dages: I spoke with Mike's wife today by phone. Mike has been in the hospital having had surgery on both femur bones last Saturday for his cancer. He has been up some using a walker and his spirits are good. He is now in Davis County Community Hospital (Rehab section) Washington, Indiana. She mentioned that he was still planning on coming to the reunion! Please continue to keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. Remember cards, calls, and emails go a long way!

Richard A. Smith-Chaplain wrote on July 16, 2019 at 2:28 pm:

Ref. HARRY FETSICK Dan Reeves notified me this week end that Harry had been hospitalized. I spoke with Harry today by phone and he told me that he'd been in the hospital for five days. He had colon surgery to remove several polyps. He is awaiting the lab report on some of the polyps. He goes back to the Dr. around July 22. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers for a clean report and healthy healing. Remember cards, calls, emails and prayers go a long way!

Paul Shepherd LM109 wrote on June 15, 2019 at 1:37 pm:

Thirty minutes ago 50 YEARS AGO ... 3 BRAVE, AND HUMBLE PERSUADERS, LOST THEIR LIVES, AS CLEAR IN MY MIND TODAY, AS ON THAT DATE... SGT FRANCIS B MADDEN SGT VALERIANO CONTRAERAS SP5 DONALD BRIGHTMAN 1300 JUNE 15, 1969 SP5 THEY NEVER SUFFERED THANK GOD... REST IN PEACE MY BROTHERS... YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY MIND... GOD GRANT THEM PEACE

Jim Kendall wrote on June 9, 2019 at 12:17 pm:

Just might want to take a look at the Fort Sill Visitor Control Center requirements to get a day pass during the reunion. Better being informed than not,see you in September.

Richard A. Smith-Chaplain wrote on June 6, 2019 at 3:42 pm:

Ref. Norman Jones: I spoke with Norm today by phone. He has told me he had suffered a heart attack without knowing it and has had quadruple by-pass surgery. He will be out of rehab. in a few days. Cards, prayers, and emails go a long way!

Richard A. Smith-Chaplain wrote on May 22, 2019 at 11:22 am:

Ref. MIKE DAGES: I talked to Mike today and I ask that you continue to please keep him in your prayers as he's going through a difficult time. He said, " I haven't been on chemo since March. I did some test this week p-scan, and a mri. They show more cancer in my neck bones and lower back. So I start 5 radiation treatments next week. And then 8 more chemo treatments after that. So the reunion is questionable again " Remember calls, emails, cards, and prayers go a long way!

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