Former, current ‘Big Red One’ officers come together at Fort Riley

Past and present Soldiers of the “Big Red One” toured Fort Riley facilities April 28 prior to celebrating the 98th Annual Officers of the 1st Infantry Division Dinner, April 29 at the Geary County Convention Center in Junction City, Kansas.

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On April 28, veterans toured places such as the 1st Infantry Division Museum and Division Headquarters, where they met with current service members, socialized and discussed the changes that have taken place since their time in service with the 1st Inf. Div.

The visit culminated on April 29 with the annual dinner, which allows for officers from across the division’s history to gather and remember their time in the “Big Red One.”

“The dinner and tour is a great opportunity for veterans of different generations to share stories, for veterans who served together to exchange stories, to meet each other and to renew acquaintances,” said Kevin West, Society of the 1st Infantry Division member and chief of force modernization for the 1st Inf. Div.

A few years ago it was decided to move the dinner from Washington D.C. to Fort Riley for the 100th anniversary of the 1st Inf. Div., which will be officially observed on June 8. The change of venue gave past members of the 1st Inf. Div. a chance to visit the Big Red One, reminisce and meet the current troops.

“For those of us that served here during the Desert Storm period, coming home is a fun time to reflect; it brings back great memories of our time at Fort Riley,” said retired Lt. Gen. Thomas Rhame, former commanding general of the 1st Inf. Div. “It’s a great reunion for those of us that were in the division through Desert Storm.”

With the recent return of the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Inf. Div., from Afghanistan to Fort Riley and present battle focus and the 100th year celebration of the oldest division in the Army, the tour and dinner at Fort Riley are on point.

“This has been a wonderful opportunity to interact with our 1st Inf. Div. combat veterans,” said Lt. Col. John Lemay, mission support officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Inf. Div. “Talking to an earlier generation who has served their nation and served in the nation’s 1st Inf. Div. about the shared experience of being a Soldier in a war — though a different war it was that they fought in — that has been very valuable for me and I have enjoyed it tremendously,” Lemay said.

After reviewing the updated facilities and talking with Big Red One troops, veterans had nothing but positive remarks and esteem for their comrades at Fort Riley.

“To come back and see all the changes is really gratifying to see how they improved things, especially for the Soldiers,” said retired Col. Ed Speare, a prior personnel adjutant general for the 1st Inf. Div. “It shows there is a real commitment to make Fort Riley a great place. It is really nice to see that things are in great hands with a new generation of people.”