"Ass Kicking Alpha" held their 6th Reunion in Colorado Springs, CO, over the weekend of July 15-17. Forty Currahees from the Vietnam era of 1967-1971 attended, together with family members and friends.

The Hospitality Room opened up Thursday evening for the early arrivals. This gave them a chance to start celebrating. Stories were being told and pictures looked at and taken. Their wives were also able to resume their friendships. Everyone that attended seemed to have a good time.

On Friday morning the Reunion officially opened, time for the veterans and their guests to register, pick up Reunion T-Shirts, and start celebrating. The Hospitality Room was the home base for all the organized activities and personal/small group reconnecting. Snacks and refreshments (with an occasional drink) kept us going.

The first night we had an awesome "Country BBQ." The A Company Guidon that had flown in Afghanistan was placed by E. C. Cano, and after-dinner door prizes and raffle were done; then group pictures starting with the Currahees in attendance; and then time for the family members and friends to have their pictures taken. After they were done, it the laughter and conversations began again.

On Saturday the Hospitality Room was opened up again for last-minute registration and for selling more Raffle tickets and socializing. Some also used this day to go site-seeing and shopping in small groups.

That evening 40 Screaming Eagles and their guests sat down to the Alpha Company Dinner. This evening's meal was the "Barrons Buffet" and was as good as the night before. Some of us even tried to get recipes from the Chef, but again, he wouldn't give them up.

Next, John "JB" Brown conducted the very emotional and moving "Fallen Currahee Ceremony." Following the ceremony Ed & Beth Krohe handed out specially-made 6" x 9" Currahee Flags, and Fred May also handed out the A Company Vietnam Challenge Coins, to first-time attendees, and explained about them.

More door prizes were handed out, game winners announced, and prizes awarded. The Raffle started up again, and the silent auction winners were announced. All the gifts were great, and everyone liked what they got.

A special poster mirroring the company arch in Vietnam and its counterpart in Afghanistan was signed by all the veterans and sent to the active duty company. The night ended with free time to relax, have a few refreshments and more visiting.

At the Sunday morning Farewell Brunch, the A Company Guildon was retired and entrusted to the care of Bruce Moore until our next Reunion. The "Pikes Peak Buffet" was just as good as the previous meals we had eaten. There was time for last-minute visiting, pictures, hugs, and goodbyes until we meet again in Topeka, KS in 2013.