Asheville, NC, experienced great weather; the Biltmore Estate was impressive and shared some delicious wine; the Blue Ridge Parkway was beautiful and displayed many local artistic treasures; and a few Blue Spaders lit up the blue spader reuniongolf links. The Crowne Plaza Tennis and Golf Resort was a gracious and accommodating venue for our August gathering.

Many first time reunion attendees and several new members joined us in Asheville. Camaraderie was nonstop in the CP; our Silent Auction was a success and the Supply Room provided convenient access to Blue Spader gear.

The Saturday morning, Association Annual Business Meeting was highlighted by the election of Brigadier General (Retired) Randy Dragon to serve as the new Honorary Colonel of the 26th Infantry Regiment. Meeting reports showed the Association to be in good financial shape and the need to attract and retain new members. HSGMOR Mike Abbey reported signing up 423, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Soldiers to one year deployment memberships upon their return from Afghanistan. Charlie Company Veterans provided an overview of the 2015 Cantigny Reunion. Paul Herbert, Executive Director of the First Infantry Division Museum at Cantigny, described the museum mission and operations with insights into what we will see next June.

Bravo Company Veterans have stepped forward as the pointmen for our 2016 reunion. They are looking at potential sites, to include the Fort Campbell, KY, area, where the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry is scheduled to reactivate in early 2015.

If you have reunion pictures to share send them to brownjmiii@aol.com and we will place them in the gallery.