Don't miss out on a chance to reunite with old friends and fellow alumni.

Embrace the bond that we all share - being a member of one of the greatest and history making army aviation concepts ever developed.

Plan to arrrive on Thursday, DON'T miss the FREE GUIDED TOUR of Fort Rucker and Army Aviation Museum on Friday.

The BATTLE is on, which unit will win? For that matter which Battery of which unit will win? Most reunions it is C 2/20th who has the most to attend, but this year Bravo Battery 2/20th seem to be stepping it up and is pulling the ahead. Want to see your Battery win? Pick up the phone and send emails to your friends. There could be a prize for the Battery who pulls in the most attendees.

Saturday, we have a trip to see the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation aircraft. DON'T miss a chance to see the Cobras they have been flying or a chance to see and maybe ride in a Huey (if we have enough who wish fly). While you are on the Reunion 2008 web site that is linked below, DON'T forget to let us know that you plan to attend by using the "ATTENDING" link and ALSO use the "HUEY FLIGHT" link to let us know your intentions

Reunion 2008 information web page

DON'T FORGET Be sure to contact the HOTEL of your choice and reserve a room now while they last at the GREAT RATE.

Or maybe you would prefer to use the Ft Rucker RV park, which is on post at Lake Tholocco

You can also find information on the

Rucker Web Site

or by calling (334) 406-1265.

Or maybe you would prefer to use the Ozark Travel Park, which is located 2.5 miles north of base camp. One of our ARA members says that this is a Good Sam Park and is rated 9.5 in Trailer Life. Ozark Travel Park

is located at 2414 N Hwy 321, Ozark, AL.Mile marker 47

Ozark Travel Park

or by calling (800) 359-3218.

We are not getting any younger and many of you have expressed interest in seeing old friends and Ft Rucker again.

Again the Operations center will be the QUALITY INN, 858 S. HWY 231 Ozark, AL 36360 (334) 744-7300.

We did not want to interfere with any of the other reunion/gatherings and wanted this to be the BIGGEST ARA Alumni/Blue Max gathering ever planned.

Let's give a good body count for our "REUNION MISSION COMMANDER" Col Wilder and show him and his crew how PROUD WE ARE to be ARA AFA and/or BLUE MAX. Let's make this a GREAT REUNION for everyone.

Let us here your thoughts ideas about this reunion

CLICK HERE

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There were only two ARA Battalions in the history of the Army that served in Vietnam.

The 1st Cav had the first ARA Battalion followed by the 101st AB.

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Below are Col Nelson Mahone the 2/20th ARA Battalion commander and Major Roger Bartholomew who was the C Battery commander at the time this photo was taken and later became LTC and the BN commander of 4/77th 101st for his second tour. Col Nelson Mahone died 16 March 1991 and was Posthumously inducted into Army Avn Hall of fame at Rucker. LTC Bartholomew was killed 11/27/68 on his second tour while attacking an enemy position North of Da Nang. There were several of the officers from 2/20th that either returned for a second tour in the ARA, some of which helped to form the 4/77th such as Col Bartholomew.

Major Roger Bartholomew and Col Nelson Mahone. Photo taken 1965 or 1966, taken by C "Chip" W Parker who flew with Col Mahone

Because Col Nelson Mahone was the first BN Commander of 2/20th 1st Cav and Major Roger Bartholomew returned to Vietnam as a LTC and the first Bn Commander of the 4/77th 101st AB Division, this photo is important to the history of the ARA.
Jerry Barnes had this stone placed in the Memorial Garden at the site of the National Vietnam War Museum in Mineral Wells. Jerry, thank you for your service to your country and your continued support to our ARA Alumni. It is an honor to have you on our team.

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F Btry 79th Artillery was just that, a Battery, activated in Vietnam and de-activated in Vietnam. Many of the former 2/20th Personnel and aircraft were used in this Battery. If you are looking for any of the Aerial Rocket Artillery (ARA) units, they are all here.

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1st Cav Div was in Vietnam from 1965-1971

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In 1971 when the 1st Cav Div stood down, F Battery 79th Artillery was activated in Vietnam using elements from 3rd Brigade and the de-activated in 1972 in Vietnam.

1971-1972

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On the 21st of March 1974 F Battery 79th Artillery (AFA) was activated at Ft Hood, TX and was de-activated December 1974. This was the last ARA or AFA unit ever in the US Army. As soon as we can get more information on F Btry 227 Avn BN we will post that on the web as well. We know Cpt Lichtenberger was original commander of this ARA or AFA unit.

1974-1974

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101st AB iv was in Vietnam from 1968-1971

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There is two units using the name Blue Max today. Both say they have the rights to the name but we will can not say who does or who does not have these bragging rights. Both sport the Blue Max logo on the aircraft and have made patches for the respective unit.
The first of these two units using the name Blue Max we will tell you about has gone to the extent of getting the FAA permission to use the radio call sign at airports and airfields in the US

C Company 3-3rd ARB Bn is the Blue Max of today and their home is Hunter Army Air Field, Savannah, GA. Formally the unit was C 1-229th out of Ft Bragg, NC Note the Blue Max on the aircraft. unofficial C 3-3 Apache Web page

If the unit has a web site they wish us to connect to we would be glad and proud to do so.

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The second of these two units using the name Blue Max name is B/ 3-101 out of Ft Campell, KY.

For their web site click hereHERE our use the aircraft or their patch above.

This link was added on November 8th 2007 when were were contacted by a member "Blue Max" B/ 3-101 from Ft Campell, KY.

We wish to welcome any and all members of "Blue Max" B/ 3-101 aboard past or present that wish to join the Alumni Group.

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Here is a link to a song, with a slide show that everyone who believes we need: "IN GOD WE TRUST"

It takes time to load but WELL WORTH THE TIME it takes. To hear and see it click on "the home of the brave" below.

This song was first preformed at a Las Vegas Diamond Rio concert. They got a STANDING OVATION, and get one every time they play it, BUT GUESS WHAT, radio stations wouldn't play it, why becasue it was considered 'politically incorrect' . For this reason, the song has never been released to the public.

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This link is to New Pledge of Allegiance written by a 15 year old becasue Pledge of Allegiance And The Lord's Prayer Are not allowed in most Public schools anymore Because the word 'God' is mentioned....

It reflects What MOST AMERICAN BELIEVE, If the word 'God' bothers you do not bother to go here!

CLICK HERE to read the prayer

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HERE IS A BOOK written about the ARA by an ARA pilot, click here to view and order

Read what some reader say about the book.

See interviews with N. G. Brown on YOUTUBE

THIS LINK will take you to N. G. Browns web site.

After you enter the site you can order the book from Barnes & Noble.com or Amazon.com, but if you would like to have your book signed by N.G. Brown, then click on the book icon above.

Use this link if you wish to print the form in HTML

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If you were in the ARA in Vietnam with the 1st Cav 2/20th ARA, 101st AB 4/77th ARA, were with F Battery 79th Arty AFA, F Battery 77th AFA or served with C 1-229th which is now C 3-3 ARB (Blue Max) today out of Ft. Bragg, you will be interested in discovering the following information! Maybe you were protected by the ARA and feel a special bond with the unit or maybe you're a student wanting to know more about Vietnam. Links to more of our web pages are listed below.

Electronic Membership and information form

If you would rather mail your information in here is a:Printable Membership/information Application to join the ARA Association

This link has no patches showing on form:Printable short Membership/information Application to join the ARA Association

To read some items on this web page and others on the web you will need Adobe Acrobat reader.

Click here and download FREE Adobe Acrobat .PDF Reader:

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In the links listed below you will find a "MEMBERS only link", to enter this site you must get a pass word. This pass word will only be given to members and those that are in good standings on their dues. If you are current on dues and can't get into the web site the pass word may have changed. To get the pass word please contact the office for the new pass word. If you due are past due you will need to re-up.

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VA Clarifies Flag Policy changed the Week of November 12, 2007

VA officials recently clarified the Department's policy about recitations made while the U.S. flag is folded at the gravesite of a veteran. The clarification includes the following: volunteer honor guards are authorized to read the so-called "13-fold" flag recitation or any comparable script; survivors of the deceased need to provide material and request it be read by the volunteer honor guards; and volunteer honor guards will accept requests for recitations that reflect any or no religious traditions, on an equal basis.

For more information on burial and memorial benefits, visit the VA Burial and Memorial Benefits webpage. While you are there read about other things you may want your family to know, such as that you can donate your Ameriacan Burial Flag and let them display it. Use the link below, which shows how it may be used.

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If you need to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs click on the seal below:

There are forms and much information to help you at the Department of Veterans Affairs link. Remember your spouse may be eligible to get benefits if you are 100% disabled veterans. If she survives you she may also get money each month after you are gone So please check out the VA web site. Some items of interest are: Health benefits & services, Vocational Rehab, Education, Homeless Veterns, Appeals, Compensation, Burial

Were you exposed to AGENT ORANGE in Vietnam?

CLICK HERE

Here is a list of Medical Conditions that have been linked to Agent Orange:

BIRTH DEFECTS, CHLORACNE, NON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA, SOFT TISSUE SARCOMAS, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, HODGKIN'S DISEASE, PORPHYRIA CUTANEA TARDA, MULTIPLE MYELOMA, RESPIRTORY CANCERS, PROSTRATE CANCER, SPINA BIFIDA, DIABETES, AND CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA.

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Index of Pages

Artillery History Photos	CONTACT MEMBERS	MEMBERS only link	Reunion news page link	ARA HALL OF FAME and stories	ARA KIA roster
2/20th Aircraft	4/77th links & Aircraft	F Btry 79th Aircraft	Maxwell System (XM3/M22 hybrid)	Last ARA Unit	Photos, Photos & more ARA Photos
First Cavalry Division Association	101st AB Association	Women who died in Vietnam	VIETNAM MAPS	Blue Max Little League Team	2-20 MLRS photos
other veteran groups	VHCMA	VHPA	2-20th Artillery Korea 61-62	AH-1G Cobra rebuild job offer	Virtual Wall
VFW	Purple Heart	American Legion	DAV	Amvets	VVA
Russ' family album	VVnW	2/20th Aircraft	4/77th links & Aircraft	F Btry 79th Aircraft	Maxwell System (XM3/M22 hybrid)

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Russ Warriner
Association Founder
10845 SE 178th Street
Summerfield, FL. 34491

e-mail: crewchief@aerial-rocket-artillery.org

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January 11, 2008