Menton Day '05 (1st SFG(A)

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

The following activities will be conducted by the 1st SFG(A) on post. (Ft. Lewis, WA)


Wednesday, 07 DEC 05

0900-UTC: Combined Airborne Operation
1000-1300: 2/1 ODA Static Display at Grey AAF
1600: Wreath Laying and Opening Ceremony
1730: Informal Reception of Canadian participants
1730: No host Social – Group Language Lab
1730-UTC: Combined Airborne Operation- Night

Thursday, 08 DEC 05

0900-1300: Rifle and Pistol shooting competition
1100-1300: Barbeque lunch – Group Dining Facility
1300-1500: Jane Wayne Shooting Event
1300-UTC: Friendship Sporting Event

The formal ball will still be held 12/09/05 at an off post location.

[Go For Broke]

Wish I could be there...

Please give my regards to the Group and the Princess Pats. Excellent comrades all.

To fallen comrades...

V/R,

[jatx]

Gentlemen, not to hijack, but for those interested in learning something of the First Special Service Force's Black Devils (and why there is a Menton Day), I would direct you to http://www.execulink.com/~kiska/FSSFHomepage.index.html. It is an excellent site with many links.

[Rooster]

I missed the bus this year again!, all of recce pl went down with the para coy, I just got back from gagetown to find out I missed the bus by a day.
Oh well, better luck next year.

Have a good one boys.
Airborne

[bk1133]

I was TDY to Lewis and was able to see the static display. It was an incredible display of tools and men. The soldiers were professional and eager to display their knowledge and equipment. It is amazing how much you guys know. I also got to speak to some of the Canadian soldiers as well. I enjoyed it and only wish I could have spent more time there.

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

I'll try to update what I know, about what occured during the Menton Day(s) activities.

Firstly, I was unable to attend the events conducted prior to the Formal Ball on Friday evening at the Tacoma Convention Center. I had jury duty at the Kent, WA Superior Court. I did attend the Ball though.

I understand that the 1st Group guys won the all shooting events as well as the soccer game. (I'm not surprised that our guy's outshot the Canadians.)

I guess both airborne operations went off without a hitch, no injuries, etc. There were a lot of nice shiny new American & Canadian Para wings at the Ball.

The Canadians had a large group there; however, my personal favorite their "Drum Line," was unable to attend this year. (They do a black light gig, that is impressive, especially with those Red jackets and white domed hats.)

The Formal Ball I thought went well! There were over 900 people there, one of the reasons that the location was changed this year, from the Tacoma Sheraton hotel to the Center. The Center is very large and parking was easy. I understand that the new Cavalry unit at Ft. Lewis, was having a Formal Ball on another floor. (I did see a few Cav stetsons roaming around.)

I saw and talked to a couple of people (friends) I haven't seen for awhile, I would think a lot of people here might know them as well CSM Cary Pennington and his wife Linda and CSM McGuire (A Son Tay prison Raider.) They both looked well and fit.

As usual, the 1st Group made an action Tape/DVD (?) that they played showing the action shots of the 1st Group soldiers in action, weapons, room clearing, SCUBA, HALO and all the John Wayne stuff! They also showed the Canadians in action as well. It was well made and impressed the wives and civilians present.

I thought the 1st SFG(A) did a great job on the Menton Day event! One sad note, though, was as far as I could determine only (2) FSSF Soldiers were there.

I was a little disappointed this year, that there wasn't a special challenge coin minted for the Ball. (Last years was great!) This year, the wives of 1st Group apparently wanted wine glasses instead. So, everbody got a wine glass with the Green Beret, etc. on it.

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

An interesting article on Menton Day w/pictures from the local NW Guardian newspaper:

http://www.nwguardian.com/news/story...-4880777c.html