A family reunion

by Stan Lowe, Chairman (Retired), Wyoming Veterans’ Commission
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 2:41 PM MDT

Military reunions are marvelous events to rejuvenate aging veterans’ spirits.

They bring together warriors who fought battles in which they relied on each other for protection and survival. It bonded them more tightly than any other human experience, molding them into a close-knit “other family.”

Through the years, they felt a yearning to reunite with their “family,” just to see those guys again and relive those dangerous times together. For some of them, it seemed to satisfy a therapeutic need.

All of them, of course, were grateful that they came back from the fighting, but sometimes they secretly felt guilty while reflecting in quiet moments on those who never came home.

“Why him, not me?” some would ask themselves.

Frank Mowery and his wife Claudette, of Casper, some years ago hosted a reunion in Casper for his old outfit that was in Korea, the 61st Field Artillery Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division.

Both outfits continue to meet. Frank and Claudette are going to another 61st conclave this year.

After the Casper meeting, Claudette wrote a piece that was published in “SABER,” First Cavalry Association’s publication. It captured nicely the spirit of the occasion and the enjoyment had by those who attended. It was beautifully written. Let me share parts of it with you.

They come from many places n from East Coast and West n from Vermont to California.

They come from different stations in life n from different professions. Life has been generous to some n tough to others.

They come as strangers in some cases, for this is their first reunion after 45+ years. Others have reunited for many years.

They leave as buddies n comrades. That special “something” they have known n renewed.

I have witnessed that strange phenomenon. It is like no other I have ever experienced. It is as though the energy of the individual joins with that of the others, and they become one. One unit of energy and heart as the stories unfold. The events and experiences they have shared are recounted. Each storyteller giving a different twist to his memory of June 9th or November 25th or whatever night or day they are recalling.

In the telling and remembering, they become one family of men n different branches perhaps but still one family. They recall how they doctored one another for frostbite or insect bite n the practical jokes to keep up morale.

How they scrounged and invented and how they survived. They remember their lost or fallen comrades, and quite often there is a tear.

The final night of their reunion arrives, and the men include the family members who accompanied them. This is truly a thrilling event. Everyone is dressed in his finest.

The faces and bodies of the men have changed n but, if you look closely, you can see in their eyes that boy or young man who has experienced all that they are here to remember.

The energy in the room is high. As the meal and ceremony comes to an end, the men continue to hold on. Just one more story n one more memory. It is as though each man is held to the group by a magnetic force.

You see them say good-bye n pull away n and many are pulled back again n by that force. They hug and touch and say good-bye again.

For most, they will meet again next year. They will meet and share a brief moment of life and miss those who can’t attend n those who have passed on.

It matters not if they meet in Peoria or Portland or Timbuktu. The event will be the same n the touching of lives and hearts and remembering.



Thank you, Claudette. Your excellent article’s theme reminds all veterans and their families n who also served on the home front n of that familiar saying, “For those who have served, freedom has a flavor the protected will never taste.”

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