Western mini was a success
The 99th Infantry western mini reunion met Ma 25-28 at Asilomar state Park, Pacific Grove CA.
Sixteen veterans from the western states including Texas, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California, along with family members were in attendance.
Hap Lauer and his wife also attended. He is the son the late Gen. Walter Lauer, who was commanding general of the 99th Infantry Division.
Everyone enjoyed socializing, meals, and meetings. Speakers included George Neill L/395, author of "The Infantry Soldier," who described the many difficulties encountered in writing an authoritative book on his personal history of a front line infantryman in the 99th Division. This endeavor also afforded him many meaningful personal contacts with readers, especially those who had close relatives in the 99th.
Dr. Harold Raugh, a command historian at the Presidio and Defense Language Institute on the Monterey Peninsula provided a very informative evening with a talk on the "military experience on the Monterey Peninsula." Twenty-two members of the group toured the 17-mile drive at Pebble Beach, a guided tour of the present Ft. Ord by Dr. Raugh and the National Steinbeck Center and new Agricultural Wing in Salinas CA.
The occasion was a great opportunity to renew acquaintances as well as become better acquainted with previous attendees of the western mini.
Gene and Abbie Eldredge were hosts for this reunion.
