The Mighty Ninth

Strive To Reach The Summit


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WmWard_-_8.jpgFirst Event - Ted's Cafe, LawtonWe began the Encore reunion with a group dinner at Ted's Cafe, enjoying a Mexican buffet meal and watching 240 slides of our "younger days" serving with the 2/9th FA in Vietnam. John and Barbara Bowden awaiting the start of the buffet line.

Photo courtesy of William Ward.
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WmWard-9.jpg1/19th FA Training AreaAll of our redleg red-shirts drove convoy-style to the Training. We got a first-hand look at modern-day Trainee barracks and living conditions as well as some rifle training and mingling with the Trainee themselves. All commented on how sharp these young men and women are in today's Army. We are justly proud of them.
Photo courtesy of William Ward.
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WmWard-7.JPGRonnie MishimaRonnie Mishima was a cannoneer in Bravo Battery with me and Danny Fort. He wanted very much to come to the reunion but was unable to. He sent 3 coins to me. He wanted me and Danny to have one and someone who remembered him to have the other. John Bowden remembered him well. Ronnie wanted in some way to be represented at the reunion.
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WmWard-6.JPGIn Memory of Ronnie MishimaDanny "Cowboy" Fort with coin.

Ronnie Mashima was a cannoneer in Bravo Battery with me and Danny Fort. He wanted very much to come to the reunion but was unable to. He sent 3 coins to me. He wanted me and Danny to have one and someone who remembered him to have the other. John Bowden remembered him well. Ronnie wanted in some way to be represented at the reunion.
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WmWard-5.JPGIn Memory of Ronnie MishimaJohn Bowden with coin.

Ronnie Mashima was a cannoneer in Bravo Battery with me and Danny Fort. He wanted very much to come to the reunion but was unable to. He sent 3 coins to me. He wanted me and Danny to have one and someone who remembered him to have the other. John Bowden remembered him well. Ronnie wanted in some way to be represented at the reunion.
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WmWard-4.JPGThe 105mm howitzer, M1A1Yep...this is it. William Ward and John Bowden bring back memories of our famous cannon at the museum grounds.

Photo courtesy of William Ward.
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WmWard-3.JPGFiring RangeBarbara Bowden enjoys the firing range activity. J. William Ward admiring the new M-4 rifle held by a trainee.

Photo courtesy of William Ward.
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WmWard-2.JPGThursday Firepower DemonstrationWebmaster Dennis Dauphin takes a peek at the script for the Firepower Demonstration.

Photo courtesy of William Ward.
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WmWard-1.JPGFarewell Dinner - Friday Evening @ Hilton Garden InnOur Encore reunion ended with a superb meal at the Hilton Inn in Lawton. Saturday was depart for home day.

John Waldman and Danny Fort in their red arty shirts at right.
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Warriors.jpgMove to 1-19th FA training areaThree old warriors exit vehicles enroute to the 1/19th FA training area. L to R: Carlton Epps, Jerry Orr, and Dennis Dauphin
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The_End.JPGTHE END!Jerry Orr relaxes at home after all the weeks and days of preparation for the ENCORE Reunion.

Photo courtesy of John "Moon" Mullins, a good friend and fellow co-organizer.
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RW-9~0.JPGPATRIOT AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMThis is the "big eye" in the sky...the heart of the missile defense system. Once it locks on target, all hell will break loose.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB WILSON
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