114th Aviation Company
"Knights of the Air"

2017 Reunion Recap
Update *Reunion Slideshow 08/02/2019

 

The 2017 Reunion went off as planned ~ even with a very active Hurricane season! For those members who could not attend, we missed you and hope you are well! We had 104 attendees. It was wonderful to see sons and daughters, brothers and grandsons, neighbors, and friends ~ all in the 114th family!

   Thank you to Jeff Carr for organizing our golf outing. Turnout was affected by the storms, but those who attended were winners!

   As members arrived, I had a lot of help with registration. Thank you, Thank you! And thanks to all the attendees for their patience and cooperation. 

   The reunion got underway on Thursday with members touring Ft Rucker’s training facilities, escorted by 4 volunteer soldiers. Then they were off to a German meal at the Landing. Meanwhile, family members attended a luncheon at the Castle Café in Daleville. They also enjoyed an authentic German meal, while Post Retirement Services discussed survivor benefits and Tri care for life.

   On Friday, we were welcomed to the Army Aviation Museum by Mrs. Leslie Edens. She was instrumental in so many ways to the success of our reunion.

   Terry Dell, our terrific webmaster, will post pictures to the 114th website once we receive the photographer’s DVD. When you visit the Aviation Museum at Ft Rucker, be sure to look for our unit paver on the walkway leading into the museum.  Gene Boyle did an outstanding job organizing this project for the 114th!

   Saturday was the Association Business Meeting.  Janet Emken made an informative presentation about Omaha, Nebraska ~ looks like 2019 reunion is in the works! Thanks, Ken and Janet!

   After a quick lunch, we headed back to Rucker.  The Memorial Service was held in the Headquarters Chapel. Jim Haslitt led the emotional and spiritual service, with Lane Ramsdell and Mike Schrumpf reading the names of those killed in action.

Later that night, our banquet was honored to have our own Max Gayler’s son, Maj General Bill Gayler (Commander of Ft Rucker), as our guest speaker. He gave us an update on the Army of today, as well as stories of 114th members who “knew him when.”

   Our DJ created a fun time, and we even had a few brave souls participate in karaoke. The door prizes, donated very generously by members, were raffled off and raised over $1000.  Thanks Lane and Mike for handling the raffle that night!

   We ate out for lunches each day. For the evening meals, we tried something new: meals catered in to the hotel. Wow, the ladies really stepped up to help this run smoothly. We had a cold meal one night, then BBQ, and on Friday it was Italian. We wanted everyone to have more time to visit and share stories.

   The hospitality room, while a bit on the small side, was kept well stocked by a variety of helpful volunteers. Pictures, stories and silly jokes were shared every day and night…so plan to attend in 2019 to share your best “fish” tales!

   Finally, I want to thank each and every one of you for allowing me to represent the 114th as your 2017 Reunion organizer! I had help from Jim H, Jeff C, Bob B, and Gene B going back two years and from countless new friends who pulled me through the week! I can’t say thank you enough. You know who you are and I appreciate you all.

   At first I did this for my Dad, but it turned out to be an honor to serve all of you!

Thank you,
Susan AYERS Fieder

**View and enjoy the Reunion 2017 Slideshow here**

This slideshow download may take an extended length of time due to your computers internet download speed... The Reunion 2017 Slideshow is roughly 118 MB, which is about 9 minutes long. Sorry! No Sound with the slideshow...