Chaplain Spiller's Message…A Time for Healing
I was surprised a few weeks ago to hear that two of our Steel Tigers officers had resigned. Not being a board member, I had no knowledge of the reasons for this action. I know, however, that such actions are not ordinarily taken unless there has been considerable unrest and dissension in the organization. Those who were elected as our first officers wanted very much to create an organization that creates occasions to share memories and friendship and honors all veterans of our esteemed battalion. In bringing a relevant organization out of nothing, there are different opinions expressed which sometimes are not resolved. I can only assume that something of that sort happened to precipitate the resignations.
I want to express my appreciation to Jim Eversole and Bill Wahl for the effort they expended as our president and treasurer and assure them that I want them to stay involved with Steel Tigers even though they are no longer officers. They are honorable men, comrades in our military ranks, and I am thankful for what they contributed to our organization's formation.
The time has come to close ranks behind a new interim president and treasurer. Jerry Brown and Chuck Winslow are also honorable men and they step in at a critical time to plan next year's

reunion as well as build an association that draws us all together across the miles and across the years. It's time to put the past behind and support new leadership in these offices. The past is over and gone, the future is ahead of us and hopeful.
The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:13-14, "... forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Our Steel Tigers goal is not the "upward call of God" but the advice of the apostle is sound: forget the past and press on toward the goal.
Prayer: Lord, sometimes our opinions and convictions get in the way of more important work and disharmony results. Sometimes we fight too hard for treasured goals that others don't share, and we just don't have the heart or conviction to continue when we are outnumbered. Where there is conflict in our ranks, Lord, pull us together like a seasoned commander whose eye is on the big picture. Forgive us when we have wounded others, and help us pull together as a single unit with our eyes on the prize. Make us humble servants of one another as you have taught us in scripture and in the example of Jesus.

Amen


PLANS FOR REUNION 2003 ARE UNDERWAY!

Your reunion planning committee has been hard at work putting together a plan that should make for a great time. The reunion is set for July 24-27, 2003 in Colorado Springs, Colorado…previous home of the 1/77th Armor and the 5th Infantry Division. Plans call for arrival on Thursday afternoon with check-in and lots of casual time for visiting old friends and opportunities to make new ones. Friday will be a day on your own with friends to play golf, sight see or just hang out. The day will be capped off with a wine and cheese reception, followed by dinner at the "Flying W Ranch". Saturday will be a day at Ft. Carson with a static equipment display provided by the 3rd ACR hopefully, (Chaplain Spiller's high-powered prayer needed here!) We will tour their museum and have lunch in their mess hall…just like old times. After leaving Ft. Carson, time permitting, we will take in a local tourist attraction. That evening will be our semi-formal banquet with guest speakers, good food and drink and lots of time for visiting…a few surprises might also show up!!! Sunday morning will be breakfast at the hotel followed by a worship service and then our business meeting and election of officers.

A registration fee will be charged for this event, in addition to your regular dues, which must be current. (A membership form is included in the letter.) The fee will cover the transportation cost for the tours, lunch on post, touring entrance fees, wine and cheese reception, dinner at the Flying W, the banquet and finally, breakfast on Sunday. We will try to come up with some reduced fee structure, for those that might arrive late or have to leave early. We will get you those details when the registration form comes out later this year.

We will try to keep you updated on the reunion and other Association business on our website, located at:
www.geocities.com/scout0806. For information on Colorado Springs facilities and sites, you may want to contact the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau at 515 South Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 or call at (877)-745-3773; or on their website at www.coloradosprings-travel.com.

Vets that are actively working on the reunion and those that have offered help are listed below:
Bruce Goldsmith, chairman, Bird Nagel, constitution, Walt Evans and Bob Basner, address book, Len Renoux and Pat Sullivan, reunion details, Carl Fellhauer, Bob Urso, Mike Leone, Jim Stafford and Pete Occhialini, general.

Steel Tigers…Blood on the Axe!