End Of Year Report, 2009
.

Saturday 7 February 2009 From the President: It has been eight months that I was honored by being elected your President. I wanted to be sure I was not expelled prior to my first letter. The Association is well on its way to becoming one of the most entertaining and sought after organizations in the Division. The Association is going to kick off a new membership drive at the Division Re-Union in Killeen . We are looking for New as well as old and delinquent members. I have many ideas for the upcoming year and a half. We will have a Hospitality Room at the Shilo for your convenience so refresh yourself and catch up on the latest gossip and wet your whistle. As your President I feel it is time to tell you a little of my background and what I am about. I am a Viet Nam Vet as well as a veteran of almost all incursions from 1965 thru 2004. I joined the Army out of high school in 1965 having served in the SE Asia and SW Asia Campaigns and Panama . My education consist of a BA in Sociology and Psychology and a MS in Education. While in College I joined the Oklahoma National Guard and went from team sergeant to mess Sergeant. I then transferred into the Civil Affairs Branch in the Army Reserves where I spent the majority of my service time as a Special Ops Commander. I received a direct appointment in the U.S. Army Reserves as a 1st Lt. working my way to Lt. Colonel . I was injured in Afghanistan in 2003 and was discharged in 2004. I would not take a million dollars for my experiences in the military but wouldn't give you 2 cents to do it again. I feel the tie that binds a soldier to another and the love of the Nation which I served. It is this which keeps me active to help my fellow soldiers, family, community, state and Nation. I have a love for our military and country and become upset with those who have nothing in common with my values. My father was in WWII as a Paratrooper in the 503rd PIR in the Pacific Theatre and my mother was a Nurse on the Hospital ship Hope. My patriotism runs deep and my love for those who served before me cannot be explained but only felt by those who have been there. I am tremendously excited with the prospects of many of the board's projects and looking to bring in more Viet Nam Vets and Younger to carry the standard to a new level. The Association was Incorporated under California law in November 2001 and currently operates as a nonprofit, tax-exempt veterans organization under IRS Code Section 501 (c) (19). The sky is the limit and all that is required is an idea, plan and action by the members. I am looking forward to seeing many of you at Ft. Benning for the dedication of the New Infantry Museum and at Killeen for the Cav Reunion. May the Year of 2009 bring you good health and a rekindled feeling of love for our country and its leaders. May we put an end to terror the only way they understand and keep our military strong and healthy. Honor and Courage Bennett M. Guthrie II Ltc. C.A. USA (Ret) President 8th U.S. Cavalry Regiment Association