Veterans spend day at Fort Leonard Wood for annual reunion

By Mr. Stephen Standifird (Leonard Wood)June 8, 2017

Veterans spend day at Fort Leonard Wood for annual reunion
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Veterans spend day at Fort Leonard Wood for annual reunion
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Veterans of Company B, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment comment on Vietnam era weapons on display in the Engineer Museum in the John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex Friday. The veterans all served at Landing Zone Professional, a temporary Army base n... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

A dozen veterans who served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment during the Vietnam War and their Families toured the Engineer Museum in the John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex Friday as part of their annual reunion.

The Soldiers, who all served at Landing Zone Professional, a temporary Army base northwest of Chu Lai, Vietnam, between May 1969 and March 1970, try to get together for a reunion once a year, said Donna Mason, who assisted her husband, Don, with coordinating the visit.

This is an event done annually for the past 15 years, said John Brown, who was a medic with Co. B in Vietnam.

"It is about getting together to talk old times and to keep in touch," he said. "Mainly, it's about camaraderie."

Frank Heet, a sergeant with Co. B, agreed.

"Most of us guys built a bond together," he said. "We went through something that holds us together like brothers. I treat most of these guys like Family."

Troy Morgan, Engineer Museum director, led the group on the tour. He said these types of tours and reunions are very important to not only the museum, but the post, as a way to give back to the community.

Following the tour, Col. Tracy Lanier, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood commander, addressed the group.

"I want to say thank you for your service, and welcome home," he said. "I would not be in this position without you."

Lanier further discussed his career, current statistics about Fort Leonard Wood and answered questions about training here.

He added how it is important for veteran's groups to get together to "check on your battle buddy."

The tour also included eating lunch at a dining facility with Soldiers in training.

"(The food) was not like it was when these guys were in the Army," Mason said.

Heet and Brown both said they would like to get together more, but life tends to get in the way.

"As long as we are able, we will keep getting together," Heet said.

"You guys are always welcome back to Fort Leonard Wood," Lanier said to the group.

Related Links:

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood Facebook

Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON Newspaper

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood