President's Corner

Hi fellow 44th brothers and sisters, Deborah and I hope this newsletter finds you all doing well.

I presume everyone is preparing for our reunion in Branson, MO. September, 16th, 17th, and 18th 2026. Ron Powell and I (reunion committee) have been trying to put together an event that has a little bit for everyone.

It was also decided that the association would assist in the cost of the reunion to help keep fees down, and to use some of our existing funds on ourselves. Now this does not mean room cost, this will still be a member’s expense, but more toward the cost of refreshments and incidentals that are incurred. The Board of Directors have authorized the committee to use some association’s funds for the reunion. If necessary, the board would consider allowing more, keeping in mind we do get some return on the auction, which will help offset cost. At this time we are thinking reunion fee should be no more than $50 per person. Perhaps less, but we will have to see how things add up.

There is host hotel information further in this on the Bulletin Board. Whenever possible, it is important that we stay at the host hotel, this helps in many ways, with head count and other estimations necessary to make things go smoothly or as smooth as possible. And please make your reservations as soon as you can.

The committee is looking into a tour Thursday morning for a couple of places and then letting folks enjoy the area on their own that afternoon. There is so many live shows, shopping areas, and other amenities it would be hard to select a one size fits all at a place like this. As a matter of fact there are two live venues right next door to our host hotel, just walk over. We will try and have their schedules to put into the next newsletter.

Don’t forget to start gathering stuff for the auction, it is such a great way to support the association and have a little fun doing it. If you cannot attend the reunion, you can still send item(s) to be auctioned by sending things to any member who is attending. Please check with that member first.

I know many of you have a presence on Facebook in various different 44th Engineer pages, please use that opportunity to recruit new members. Invite alumni of the 44th to our reunion in Branson, and to become a member in our association. You can direct them to here, our website https://44th-engineers.com there is a down-loadable sign-up form on the HOME page. Also use this time to make sure your membership is up to date by checking the front of the mailing envelope this newsletter came in. A paid up, in good standing membership will allow you to submit a proxy vote to be presented at the business meeting, just in case you cannot attend. Plus your paid membership helps the association continue its mission in serving its members. Oh, and we do accept donations and it is very much appreciated!

Hope to see you all at Brason, MO.

Sincerely,

Rex Hurd

President

44th Engineers Battalion Association

r_and_d100@hotmail.com

When you have a chance check out Members Forum, there is a lot of folks wanting to make contact with old buddies and such. Take your time, there are a bunch, and they are listed from latest received to oldest.

Welcome to visitors below.

Welcome to Visitors from the Association's President

I hope you will find this website entertaining as well as informative. Make sure you view all the pages and hopefully you will find something to appreciate.

A special note to those who are alumni of the 44th but are not members of the association. I understand that many of you were attached to the 2nd Infantry Division and I understand your connection to that unit. What you may not know is that the 44th has a rich and glorious history that is second to none and you can be proud to have served with it regardless of when that was. The Korean War veterans that started this association wanted to preserve the traditions, and with the more recent history of the deployment to Iraq has just added to this storied past. What the 44th did in Iraq was arguably no less valiant than when it landed in Inchon with Gen. Douglas MacArthur and its involvement at the Chosin Reservoir. Please understand that the landing in Inchon & the Chosin Reservoir is as much part of our shared history as what was done in Iraq and it is up to us, those that served with the 44th to keep the memories of it alive and to pass them on to the future generations for as long as we can. You can read more on our History page within this website.

A personal note: I was too young to have served with the 44th during the Korean War and too old to have been deployed to Iraq, but as an alumni of the 44th I feel that the soldiers that were there in these campaigns (and others) were my brothers. I feel this way about all that have served with it regardless of when or where. For the 44th always did what it was ordered to do and did it with its own distinctive style.