WOLFHOUND LEGACY
James Dietz Print!!!
US 27th Infantry Regimental Historical Society
THE WOLFHOUND PACK
OUR PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Hello Wolfhounds,
I hope everyone is in good health. I’m glad winter is almost over. With all the snow and cold weather we’ve had in January in several areas of the country, we are ready for some relief..!!
First of all, I want to remind you about the 27th Infantry Regiment Historical Society Wolfhound Reunion in Colorado Springs, CO on August 12th -18th , 2024. So this is your “SAVE THE DATE” card or letter. Second, I would suggest you click on our website www.wolfhoundpack.org and make your hotel reservations now. Just select Reunion and follow instructions, or call 719-599-9100. Mention the Group name “27th Infantry Regiment Historical Society” to get the special room rate of $155.00 + tax. The Embassy Suites in Colorado Springs is our Hotel for the week. Remember you can come for the entire week or any part of the week; however, come to the reunion. You will meet new Wolfhounds from all eras and form friendships that will last a lifetime. If you haven’t received the reunion packet by the third week in March, let us know. The packet will include registration and tour information. Since the reunion is in Colorado Springs in 2024, I would really like to see some “active” soldiers attending. The future of this organization is in your hands
I’d like to let you know what’s been happening in the last several months. A week before the last reunion in Tampa, Fl I attended Wolfhound Regimental Week at Scholfield Barracks in Hawaii. Usually a few more Wolfhounds attend also; however, the Reunion was the next week. I was only able to stay 3 days before flying to Tampa; however, I got to do several things with the troops. I met several of the key officers; 1/27 LTC Ryan Case and CSM Joshua Horsager and 2/27 LTC Pete Lesczynski and CSM Dan Roney and Kolchek XVII among others. I was there to help welcome 4 children from the Holy Family Home to Hawaii.
At the beginning of the week, I attended the opening ceremony at Oahu’s Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery. I have several pictures on my Facebook Page under albums and the Website www.wolfhoundpack.org I got up early with the troups for their early morning run toward the Stress Shoot. ( I was driven to the Stress Shoot site though – no way I could run that far!! ) After the stress shoot, they go straight into the medical lane. I won’t go into all aspects of the competition; however, there was Ultimate Frisbee, Basketball game, Tug-O-War, Weapons Bag, Rope Climb & I might have forgotten a couple. There are more pictures on my Facebook and Website. I also visited the Post Cemetery with my guide CSM Doug Heston (retired). We saw some very interesting graves too. We visited the Tropic Lightning Museum, which was quite interesting.
The day I had to head back I attended the Holy Family Home Reception Ceremony at the Daniel K. Inouye Airport. We greeted 4 children from the Home along with Peace Bridge and Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers. There were several events I had to miss. After the ceremony and some speeches, I headed back to Illinois. The next day my wife, Susan, and I left for the Wolfhound Reunion in Tampa. I really would like for the Wolfhound Regimental Week to be moved back to the original time so more Wolfhound Veterans can attend.
Well, the Reunion in Tampa was interesting to say the least. We had some very good tours; Historic Tarpon Springs, Calypso Lunch Cruise, and Ybor City Historical Tour with a great tour guide. We had another successful auction with some “crazy” bidding. Wolfhounds never let the reunion down when it comes to the auction. The store had some new items also. I got a good lookin’ vest. We also had the unveiling of the “Wolfhound Legacy Portrait” Past, Present and Future Wolfhounds. If you still would like to own one, please contact the Wolfhound Store. I have one in a beautiful frame.
If you noticed, we were just one newsletter short in 2023. That was due to additional expenses we were not anticipating. However, in 2024 we hope to recover some of those expenses with a raffle that involves a specifically designed rifle and limited sales. More information will come later. You also should have received a Wolfhound calendar without a letter and a returned envelope for a donation for mailing the calendar. Oops..!! Doug did a very nice job putting the calendar together; however, we just forgot to complete the mailings. You also probably received a postcard reminding you to mail the donation. Please send your donations. We are also looking for pictures of Wolfhounds from the past, no matter how long ago. We would like to have some names, locations, and captions if possible too.
In March you will receive the registration form for the Wolfhound Reunion in Colorado Springs the week of the 12th – 18th of August and we’ve made a little change. There will be a note on the bottom of the form stating (NOTE: Cancellations received after July 30, 2024 will be honored only if expenses have not been already incurred. If there are, the appropriate fees will be deducted.) I mentioned at the Tampa Reunion, invite a new Wolfhound, or if you found another Vet you served with, invite them. Invite a Wolfhound to keep this organization moving forward.
If any of the Vietnam Wolfhounds haven’t visited the Website that Gary Huber put together several years ago, I would suggest you go to it. There are many wolfhoundsfrom the 1st & 2nd Battalions on it. (www.vn.alumni.wolfhoundsonline.org) I would like to see someone from the Wolfhounds from the Global War on Terror make a website similar to that. If anyone has any interest, let us know.
I might be repeating myself; however, we must keep a current roster of this organization. If you or someone you know have moved or changed phone or email, LET US KNOW so we can keep you informed. Also if you know someone has gone to the Wolfhound Pack in the sky, please let us know that too. We try to get a unique Wolfhound wreath to their funeral.
Don’t forget the 74th Annual 25th IDA Reunion will be in the Washington DC Area on Sept 29th to Oct 6th 2024.
See you in Colorado Springs, CO Aug 12th – 18th, 2024
Tom Harlan – President
Once a Wolfhound – Always a Wolfhound
Wolfhound Memorial Bricks
Easy's Dream to Honor Fallen Wolfhounds to Become a Reality: Each 27th Infantry Regiment Wolfhound Killed In Vietnam While Serving in the Regiment Will Have a Memorial Brick Placed in the Memorial Brick Patio at Schofield Barracks from Easy Smith
Many of you know I have been working on a project raising funds to ensure that there would be a Memorial Brick for each Wolfhound killed in Vietnam and that it may not happen in my lifetime. Well, thanks to some generous benefactors who wish to remain anonymous there will be a brick placed for each of them in the Brick Patio at Schofield Barracks.
In other words, I am announcing that MY DREAM is about to become a reality to honor Wolfhounds killed in Vietnam while serving in the 27th Infantry Regiment.
I want to personally thank each and everyone who has supported me along the way on this project whether it be financial or any other kind of support.
Take care, Easy!!!!!
William R. I. "Easy" Smith
Pres., 25th Infantry Division Association
Past President, 27th Infantry Regiment Historical Society
A 1/27 25th ID 1967
Make Your Voice Heard
We are building out our website, but we need your help. Our Wolfhound Reflections project (initiated by HSM Hugh O'Reilly, furthered by HSM Jerry McKinney and Easy Smith, and reproduced and published here with the help of Jacob Kelly) records experiences, thoughts, and contemplation by many Wolfhounds. But we need more. We need your stories and pictures. We will be adding a section for Reflections by family members and friends, so we need their help as well.
We are a Historical Society, and as such, our mission is to record and preserve the history of the Wolfhounds of all eras. Many of you have photos and documents which are important to our history. We urge you to share these items to help us record our legacy.
This is your organization, your history, your legacy. If you have ideas or suggestions, please make your voice heard.
And finally, if you are looking for Wolfhounds you served with, please don't give up. If you come into contact with or find a Wolfhound, let the rest of us know about it. Someone else may be looking for that person too. Remember, you may hold the key to helping another Wolfhound find a missing piece of his or her puzzle.
We value your feedback!