Post by Tad Salyards on Jan 19, 2006 20:40:51 GMT -5
Hello, pards.
I hope that this message finds everybody in good health as it has been some time since I have spoken to many of you. Please allow me to provide some honest observations as a relatively inactive member of the 33d. I only get to attend 2-3 events a year these days, so please keep in mind that my event sampling is poor. No disrespect is intended to any person, I make these comments purely for the benefit of the 33d and its membership, all of whom are brothers to me.
Some of the best times of my life have been spent with the members of this unit. The experiences I have had and the people I have met helped turn me into the person that I am. The dedication of the people who constitute this group is mind boggling. All of these things being said, most of my best memories of the 33d are at least several years in the past. This could be for a variety of reasons. Memories sweeten with age, personal opinions and values change as a person grows, we are subject to the larger trends of our hobby, and we also succumb to the twists and turns that life deals us. Regardless of the causes, many of us can agree that the 33d’s prime is in the past.
Regardless of why this is the case, it needs to be asked what the goals of this organization now are. Part of this discussion must include certain undeniable facts. For example, the 33d’s traditional leaders and membership is aging. Many of its members are no longer able to subject themselves to the same conditions that they used to. The 33d is also not pulling in the younger recruits it needs to sustain the old traditions. Younger units, such as the Hard Head Mess, are the effective torch bearers of what the 33d was. This does not devalue the accomplishments of the 33d, in fact, it elevates them.
As I am a remote member of the 33d, and because I do not reside in Wisconsin, I do not feel comfortable suggesting a future course for the 33d. My own plans are to attempt to rally my own statesmen, the Minnesotans, and to form a group here that will keep the old fires burning. I’m too far away to attend an annual meeting with the 33d, and it makes sense for me to get something going in my own neck of the woods. Rest assured, we will come play with the best units in the Midwest, including the 33d.
As far as official business goes, I am ready to hand the keys over for the web site. I attempted to invigorate it while under my watch, but changing interests made me a poor tenant and I ultimately failed at this task. If he is willing, I recommend Bob Braun as the acting webmaster so that he can continue to grow the site with his history of the real 33d while the fate of the reenacted unit is being decided. I realize that this might not be possible as Bob might not want the job, so I can also transfer the site to any other individual agreed upon by the membership. As a continuing member of the 33d, I will continue to pay the fees for hosting the site as my contribution to the unit.
Gentlemen, I hope the meeting goes well and look forward to seeing you all this season.
-Tad
I hope that this message finds everybody in good health as it has been some time since I have spoken to many of you. Please allow me to provide some honest observations as a relatively inactive member of the 33d. I only get to attend 2-3 events a year these days, so please keep in mind that my event sampling is poor. No disrespect is intended to any person, I make these comments purely for the benefit of the 33d and its membership, all of whom are brothers to me.
Some of the best times of my life have been spent with the members of this unit. The experiences I have had and the people I have met helped turn me into the person that I am. The dedication of the people who constitute this group is mind boggling. All of these things being said, most of my best memories of the 33d are at least several years in the past. This could be for a variety of reasons. Memories sweeten with age, personal opinions and values change as a person grows, we are subject to the larger trends of our hobby, and we also succumb to the twists and turns that life deals us. Regardless of the causes, many of us can agree that the 33d’s prime is in the past.
Regardless of why this is the case, it needs to be asked what the goals of this organization now are. Part of this discussion must include certain undeniable facts. For example, the 33d’s traditional leaders and membership is aging. Many of its members are no longer able to subject themselves to the same conditions that they used to. The 33d is also not pulling in the younger recruits it needs to sustain the old traditions. Younger units, such as the Hard Head Mess, are the effective torch bearers of what the 33d was. This does not devalue the accomplishments of the 33d, in fact, it elevates them.
As I am a remote member of the 33d, and because I do not reside in Wisconsin, I do not feel comfortable suggesting a future course for the 33d. My own plans are to attempt to rally my own statesmen, the Minnesotans, and to form a group here that will keep the old fires burning. I’m too far away to attend an annual meeting with the 33d, and it makes sense for me to get something going in my own neck of the woods. Rest assured, we will come play with the best units in the Midwest, including the 33d.
As far as official business goes, I am ready to hand the keys over for the web site. I attempted to invigorate it while under my watch, but changing interests made me a poor tenant and I ultimately failed at this task. If he is willing, I recommend Bob Braun as the acting webmaster so that he can continue to grow the site with his history of the real 33d while the fate of the reenacted unit is being decided. I realize that this might not be possible as Bob might not want the job, so I can also transfer the site to any other individual agreed upon by the membership. As a continuing member of the 33d, I will continue to pay the fees for hosting the site as my contribution to the unit.
Gentlemen, I hope the meeting goes well and look forward to seeing you all this season.
-Tad
