1
2nd Missile Battalion, 71st Artillery
(Taiwan) Association
271 Shady Oak Drive
New Market, AL 35761
Volume 3
Newsletter 3
October 1999
The 1998 Reunion, A Wife’s Perspective
By Karen O’Connell
Gosh, it really was fun, wasn’t it? I was ready to do it
again, right away. I have never met so many wonderful
people all at once. There was so much gratitude. So much
friendship. So much fellowship. The deep-felt emotions
were in abundance.
Many of the wives had experienced the same things: our
husbands unable to speak about their adventures; curiosity
about what really went on; wondering why they felt the way
they did. When we had the opportunity to speak with each
other, we discovered these similarities. We had as much in
common as the men. And, we all expressed the same relief
that there was finally “closure” for them.
The reunion served to help us all, in the long run. Thank
you so much for making it happen. We are deeply indebted
to you - all of us.
The Next Reunion
The next reunion is tentatively scheduled for 12-15
October 2000 in St. Charles, MO. St. Charles is a few miles
West of the St. Louis Internal Airport. It is a charming river
city and the oldest city on the Missouri River. We plan to
take in an evening dinner/theater on a Riverboat and tours to
the surrounding wine country, as well as free time to visit the
local shops and historical sites;.
Charlie Trost, Bob Mackintosh and their wives will
make a site selection trip to St. Charles 30 Sep. to 2 Oct.
1999. They will be selecting the hotel and activities for the
Oct. 2000 reunion. If any of you would like to meet us there
and take in the local Octoberfest on 2 October, send Bob
Mackintosh a note, or call (256) 379-3496.
823 Campaign Badge of Honor
Those of you who were not presented this ROC medal
can purchase the full size replica or the gold-tone miniature,
shown below. (Order form is on the back page.) The 823
Badge of Honor, USA Assn. is trying to get the ROC
government to make annual presentations to qualified US
Servicemen, but this is work in process. You may want to
purchase your own copy before then. The gold-tone minia-
tures are available now, and the full size medal should be
available very soon.
Miniature 823 Campaign Badge of Honor
Courtesy of Dave O’Connell
New Association
In May 1999, we filed Articles of Incorporation with the
State of Alabama to form a patriotic association. We are
now, officially, the “2
nd
Missile Bn, 71
st
Artillery (Taiwan)
Assn. Inc.” 271 Shady Oak Drive, New Market, AL 35761.
Membership is open to members of 2/71 who served in
Taiwan, as well as our support units, and family members.
The primary purposes are to commemorate and memori-
alize the service of the members of the 2nd Missile Battalion