Military
Marksmanship
Association
Formerly
AMUA
- Army
Marksmanship Unit Association
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USAMU
Holds 44th Reunion
FORT
BENNING, Georgia –
The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and the Military Marksmanship
Association gathered together on the 6th and 7th of October to hold a
reunion celebrating the 44th anniversary of the activation of USAMU.
Attending were 350 USAMU soldiers, USAR International Rifle Team
members, MMA members, their families, and guests.
The reunion included inducting three Sydney Olympians into the International Rifle Hall of Fame, the establishment of a USAR International Rifle Roll of Honor, the rededication of Hook Range, and induction of three former unit members into the USAMU Hall of Fame. "The Military Marksmanship Association Reunion honored the shooters, gunsmiths, and staff who made the USAMU great, and provided an opportunity for the shooters of the past to meet the shooters of the present," USAMU deputy commander Robert Aylward said. Olympians Honored – Three USAMU Olympians who competed in Sydney last  month
– Maj. Michael E. Anti, Staff Sgt. Kenneth A. Johnson, and Sgt.
Jason A. Parker – were inducted into the USAMU International
Rifle Hall of Fame at a 9 a.m. ceremony on Oct. 7th at Pool
International Shooting Complex. "It's a real honor for me to be
inducted in the Hall of Fame," Parker said. "I want to
thank my coach, Mr. Bill Krilling; without him, I wouldn't be here." "Being
in the Army Marksmanship Unit is the best job in the Army,"
Anti said. "I want to thank the USAMU commanders and my
teammates – the best team ever assembled at the Army
Marksmanship Unit – and Mr. Krilling who has coached me since I
was a junior." Ken Johnson was unable to attend the
induction ceremony so Coach Krilling accepted Johnson's award for him.USAR International Rifle Roll of Honor – Following the USAMU International  Rifle
Hall of Fame Ceremony, retired Army Reserve Col. Bruce
Meredith – also a participant in the 2000 Olympic Games
– inducted 12 U.S. Army Reservists shooters into the USAR
International Rifle Roll of Honor. Inductees attending were Kurt
Fitz-Randolph, Ray Carter, Gloria Parmentier, David Kimes , and Bruce Meredith.Range Rededication – Medal of Honor recipient retired Col. Robert B. Nett of Columbus, Ga., was the guest speaker at the Hook Range Rededication Ceremony at 11:45 a.m. Oct. 7th. "It's great to be back at the Home of the Infantry," Nett said. 
"I'm grateful to be here today for the Hook dedication and to
recognize the world's most outstanding marksmen." Col. Nett and
USAMU Commander Col. Arch Arnold unveiled a portrait of
Lieutenant Hook, painted by USAMU graphic artist Charles R. Pagán.Then, the USAMU 44th anniversary cake was cut by the youngest member of the MMA at the ceremony, 18-year-  old
USAMU action shooter Pfc. Max Michel, the oldest MMA member in
attendance, 84 year-old Walter Schneider, and the MMA member who
traveled the farthest to attend the reunion – Rocky Marchioli
from Luxembourg.USAMU Hall of Fame Induction – Maj. Gordon R. Roberts, the only active duty Medal of Honor recipient, was the guest speaker at the U.S.  Army
Marksmanship Unit Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Oct. 7th at 2 p.m.
on Pool Range Ceremony Hill. Maj. Roberts is assigned to the
U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning. "It is a great
pleasure to induct these three national treasures into this esteemed
Hall of Fame," Roberts said. "The U.S. Army Marksmanship
Unit has given us the skills to serve our country well. We need to
focus on what the Army Marksmanship Unit has done for the Army - its
legacy carries on today. You're a very important part of the Army's
one team dedication to the pursuit of excellence."Inducted into the Hall of Fame were former Maj. Lanny Bassham, retired Lt. Col. Francis B. Conway and former 1st Lt. John R. Writer. Bassham, who won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1976 and an Olympic Silver Medal in 1972, was unable to attend the ceremony. However, his son, USAMU international rifle shooter Sgt. Troy A. Bassham, accepted his award for him.  Conway,
a former USAMU gunsmith and rifle shooter and former commander of
the U.S. Army Europe Marksmanship Unit, was present to accept this
award and encouraged all the support personnel of the Army
today to do the very best job that they can do because of its
importance to the Army's mission.Writer, a 1972 Olympic Gold Medalist and 1968 Olympic Silver Medalist was also unable to attend. His former coach, retired Lt. Col. Bill Pullum accepted his award for him.  MMA General Membership Meeting - After everyone had a chance to congratulate the Hall of Fame inductees, the Military Marksmanship Association held a general membership meeting and election of new officers. Association President, Lory "Mac" Johnson thanked USAMU for their support in organizing the joint Reunion and Hall of Fame Ceremony. Click here to read the President's Letter of Thanks to the USAMU Commender. At the meeting, the President noted that membership in the Association was open to all that supported the goals of the Association. He noted that an audit of the Association's financial records had been completed and found to be in order. He thanked "Jack" Horner, the Association's Treasurer for the past six years for a job well done. The current Treasurer,  Sam
Hunter, told the members that the Association was in good financial
shape and explained how a member's annual dues were spent. After all
business was conducted, the slate of new officers was presented and
elected by acclimation. The new officers would take office in January
2001 for a two year term. The Association's new officers are Phil
Canella, President, Rick Hawkins, Vice President, "Red"
Mosely, Recording Secretary, and Sam Hunter, Treasurer. Beautiful
weather, good food prepared by the Fort Benning - Columbus Shriners,
and a lot of story swapping rounded out the remainder of the 44th Reunion.
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