Military
Marksmanship
Association
Formerly
AMUA
- Army
Marksmanship Unit Association
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50th
Anniversary Reunion Report |
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USAMU Reunion: A Terrific Event! Well, the United States Army Marksmanship Unit celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 18-21, 2006, and it was a great event. More than 630 individuals registered and attended the affair. Those who came, from all over the USA, plus Germany, Belgium and Mexico, were treated to a fine show by the soldiers of the Marksmanship Unit and the members of the Military Marksmanship Association – an organization of AMU, ex AMU shooters, veterans, and widows. The October weather was nice each day. We dodged any rain interruptions. The large registration the first day, Wednesday, surprised everyone. The MMA volunteers did a fine job each day, meeting folks, issuing name tags, taking payments, giving out pins and hats, displaying the draft of the 50th Anniversary book. All registrants received a free 50th Anniversary MMA pin. Out Treasurer, Sam Hunter, did a fabulous job of handling the volumes of paperwork and cash management. Thanks, Sam! The Round Robin shooting started the first day. All unit ranges and headquarters facilities were open for viewing. Visitors went to the Infantry Museum and greeted old friends. The evening meal was taken freely with old acquaintances. Dieter Anschutz came to our 50th. He is celebrating the 150th of his company in Germany. Day two was a continuation of the registration, displays and friendly shooting on the Service Pistol, International Rifle and Shotgun ranges. The AMU range officials performed professionally in their duties. The meals were scheduled by section and were held on post or in a local restaurant. The Army Reserve came in and held their own reunion in conjunction with the affair at the AMU. Good to have them as guests and members. Friday morning was the induction of the Section Halls of Fame, 23 members in all. Past AMU Commander, COL Lory “Mac” Johnson, was the speaker. Inducted into the Running Target Hall of Fame were 1LT Joe Deckert, LTC John Foster, SFC John Kingeter, LTC Harry Lucker, and MAJ Willis Powell. Inducted into the Service Pistol Hall of Fame were LTC Sallie Carroll, SGM Emil Heugatter, SFC Barbara Hile, and MSG Ralph Thompson. Carroll was also inducted into the International Pistol Hall of Fame. MSG Burl Branham was placed in to the Shotgun Hall of Fame. The Service Rifle Hall of Fame gained SFC Terry Daugherty, MSG Martin Edmondson, SFC Kenneth Gill, SSG Willie Jordan, SP5 Diane Klimas, CPT John Kolb, SP4 James Lamb, CPT Merrill Menlove, 1LT David Meredith, and SSG Eric Uptagrafft. The new Support Hall of Fame members were LTC Raymond Dobak, LTC Frank Palmer, and MSG Warren Wiley. Friday was also when the shooting ended and the winning team of the pistol/rifle/shotgun event was composed of Victor Olson, Ray Carter, Weldon Griggs, Steve Good and Ken Chandler. They received embossed wood plaques. At the MMA meeting, the new officers were elected for the 2007-2008 years. Former AMU Commander, COL Robert I. Hoidahl, Jr. will be the President. Ronald Martere is the new Vice President. Steve Goff will move from his current position of Vice President to Historian. All others will remain in their positions: Laurence Mosely, Secretary; Sam Hunter, Treasurer; Richard Rebidue, Membership; Carter Berry, Public Affairs and Editor of the MMA Times. The day ended with a BBQ at the old stand by Pecan Grove. Saturday started with the dedication of the new Action Pistol Range. It was named for MSG William Krilling, winner of the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry in the Korean War. He is also a former AMU shooter and coach. An oil painting of Bill, by Alexander Reid, was unveiled and will hang in the Action Pistol administrative building. Bill’s daughter and granddaughter placed shots in the target right next to Bill’s when the range was opened by their firing of a M1C rifle. Medal of Honor winner LTC Gordon Roberts was the guest speaker. Krilling was also given a watch by ISSF President, Olegario Vázquez Raña, who flew in from Mexico. Sig Arms donated a pistol, which was presented by their representative, and our own, Ray Carter. Phil Cannella came forth with his usual fine dedication cake and saber for cutting. The weather was beautiful. Saturday evening was the big show. It was held at the Columbus Convention Center, also called the Iron Works. There was a head table of ten persons and 75 tables of eight persons each. The room was packed. Co-hosts for the evening were the AMU Commander, LTC Charles Connett and the MMA President, yours truly. From left to right, at the head table, were AMU SGM Ybarra and his wife, Melanie, Guest Speaker, Lt. General Robert Van Antwerp, LTC Connett and his wife, Jill. I was on the other side of the podium with my wife, Marcia. Next were ISSF President, Olegario Vázquez Raña and his wife, Maria de los Angeles, then, LTC Gordon Roberts. Did you notice the Medal of Honor flag behind Roberts? It is light blue with 13 white stars. Each MOH winner travels with his own flag. Very nice. VIP tables were set near the front of the room for: past AMU Commanders, Arch Arnold, Bob Hoidahl, Stan Parmentier, “Mac” Johnson, and Dave Liwanag. Also, Dr. James Lally, President of USA Shooting; Robert Mitchell, CEO USA Shooting; Gary Anderson, Director of the Civilian Marksmanship Program; Jesus Elizondo, President of the Mexican Shooting Federation; Mr. Horst Schreiber, Secretary General of the ISSF and Mr. J. B. Hudson, a consultant to the CMP and speaker at a previous AMU reunion. The colors were posted and the evening began. A round of toasts were given. The Mayor of Columbus, Robert Poydasheff, presented the Key to the City to LTG Van Antwerp and Mr. Vázquez and a special medallion to LTC Roberts. Life Members of the MMA were recognized and the plaques given out later in the evening. We now have 61 Life Members. Door prizes were given out, during the dining, by Vice President, Steve Goff. During the dining time, photos were taken of all the Olympic medal winners. The photos will be on our web site. Many photos of the reunion on our site thanks to our Webmaster/Secretary, Red Mosely. Check it out. Thanks, Red! The President of the International Shooting Sport Federation, Olegario Vázquez Raña, requested to award a watch to Margaret Murdock, AMU Hall of Fame member, for her extraordinary accomplishments during her shooting career. She was the first woman to win an Olympic medal and caused such a sensation, by beating men during her career, including 300 meters, that women now have their own events in the Olympics. Mr. Vázquez and Mr. Schreiber presented a very nice silver plaque to the AMU Commander, on behalf of the ISSF. The AMU presented them, in return, with a wooden framed setting of the AMU crest, an American Flag flown over the White House on 1 March 2006, to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the AMU, a unit crest and an obverse and reverse of the 50th anniversary coin. Six people were inducted into the AMU Hall of Fame. They were MSG Eric Buljung, SSG Matthew Dryke, SGM Emil Heugatter, CPT Daniel Puckel, COL Thomas Sharpe, and SFC Earl Waterman. Tom Sharpe accepted for his deceased father and Lones Wigger accepted for Puckel, who was unable to attend because of a serious illness of his daughter. Each was presented a medal and plaque by LTG Van Antwerp and the AMU Commander, and an ISSF certificate and wrist watch by Mr. Vázquez. At the end of the evening, members of the AMU did a coining. They personally went through the dining room and presented a black and gold 50th anniversary coin to all present. The colors were then retired. We have heard nothing but excellent remarks regarding the conduct of the reunion. It was a super show. Thanks to all the MMA volunteers and the AMU soldiers and civilians who made this happen. Behind every great production are the people in the pits who did the work. I was really pleased to have been a part of it. Unfortunately, I was in high gear most of the time and did not get to have much conversation with many people with whom I would have liked to have spent time. Catch me next time. Ya’ all come back. Regards,
Bruce A. Meredith |
