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THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
of November, 2003
by Bill Ruth
President, 3rd Armored Division Association
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Another reunion has come and gone. My wife Lale
and I were reluctant to leave the Drawbridge Inn on Sunday after
the reunion. Why? We developed so many pleasant memories during
the week we were there. Let's tip our hats to George and Irene
Edmonson for what I consider a flawless reunion. Any one with
keen observation powers had to know that George was carrying
an oxygen tank constantly. In addition to that, 15 years ago
George was given less than a month to live if he couldn't locate
a new heart. While we were all enjoying our reunion at Scottsdale,
we learned that George finally found his new heart. He received
many prayers from his Service Co/33rd family. Let's not forget
our capable Walter Stitt and wife Betty as well as our past President
and wife Alien and Phyllis Knisley.
If I were to mention all the volunteers, this page would be filled
so suffice it to say it took many people to help our chairman
accomplish this task.
Now, it's on to Columbus, Ohio. This will be another monumental
task as we join forces with the Association of 3d Armored Division
Veterans (post WWII). Let your PRESIDENT be the first to calm
your fears about this group trying to take over. This idea has
been floating around for some five years and this forthcoming
reunion in Columbus is going to be an experiment. If it works
as harmonious as I feel it will, then we will continue to have
joint reunions and The SPEARHEAD DIVISION will be alive for many
years to come.
To review what is happening to other Armored division associations,
let's take a look at what happened to CADA. CADA was formed 21
years ago. CADA was the Corps of Armored Division Associations
(all 16) that got together every October in Louisville, Ky.
Each association sent 5 delegates. The purpose of CADA was to
foster the Espirit de Corps of the armored colors. We
exchanged ideas and problems we were having in each organization
and explored ways to solve them. Each year we had the high ranking
officers from Ft. Knox give us a state of the art update. We
visited with the soldiers and it was these gatherings that gave
us the confidence that our men and women were well trained with
the modem equipment and were well trained in the event of a conflict.
(Iraq a good example) I'm sorry to say, CADA disbanded because
some of our associations were disbanding and CADA was losing
membership dues and it was becoming harder to stay afloat. A
VERY SAD DAY. Four associations have disbanded. Your president
is determined that this will not happen to the THIRD ARMORED
DIVISION ASSOCIATION. Our Board of Governors is already studying
our 10-year plan which we developed in 1998-1999. We have 4 years
to go on this plan and the Board is to give your President their
thoughts on how long our association should continue.
We are very fortunate. We are only one of three associations
that have the luxury to perpetuate our association for years
to come. Why is this? Since WWII the only three Armored Divisions
that have been active during the Cold War - Desert Storm - and
Iraq are the 1st (Old Ironsides), the 2nd (Hell on Wheels) and
the 3rd (Spearhead). The information we get at FT. Knox is that
since the reactivation of the 3rd in the early fifties to the
retiring of the colors after Desert Storm, 50,000 men and women
are veterans of the 3rd Armored Division. The new Association
of The 3d Armored Division Veterans already has over 700 members,
most through their website (150 members are WWII veterans.)
You may remember my comments at our Saturday night banquet when
I gestured to the right and the left indicating the 300 in attendance
representing members from the states of Washington to Maine and
from California to Florida. I also reminded you that our assembly
gave no indication of giving up or disbanding. My feeling is
that a large percentage of the members in attendance were willing
to have a joint reunion with the Association of 3d Armored Division
Veterans and if the reunion in Columbus is successful, there
will be a continuation of our two organizations meeting jointly
together in the future. |
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WILLIAM B. RUTH
Association President |
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