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President's Message

It is with much sadness that I must report the loss of two young Cacti in Afghanastan-Sgt. Christopher L. Muniz, New Cuyama, CA, and Spec. Ronald H. Wildrick, Jr., Blairstown Township, NJ. Three others were also injured in the action. We extend our prayers and sympathies to the families of all impacted by the deaths of these men. We have several members that will represent the Association at each of the services. We pray for those still in the combat zone and hope all will return safely.

            We look forward to 2012 and all that the new year brings. We are looking forward to the 2/35th returning to Schofield in late April. A new battalion commander has been appointed and the 25th Division will have a new CG. I am sure these events will be exciting for all involved. We will keep you posted on these activities in case some want to have another R & R in Hawaii.

            We continue to seek new members and to retain our current members. Hopefully, some of the actives will join. We have set up a Scholarship Reserve Fund to better enable us to provide financial assistance for those selected. We are working with the monument company in Ft Benning and hope to begin construction in 2012. If you have not visited Ft. Benning, make plans to do so this next year.

            Mark your calendars for the next reunion to be held in Englewood, Colorado, just south of Denver, September 28-30. More and more have made the reunion the focal point of their annual vacations. Come early and stay later.

            I wish the best to all in the coming year and look forward to seeing you in Englewood for our Cacti reunion. Find someone new and bring them.

Jim Beddingfield
President
35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment Assn., Inc.

            Below is the link for Mike Tryon's obituary. As you know, Mike was very passionate about the Cacti Monument at Ft. Benning. His family has asked that donations be made to the Monument Fund in lieu of flowers. Please send donations payable to 35th Infantry Regiment Association, marked "Monument Fund" to Steve Rainbolt, Secretary, 35th Infantry Association, 2250 Rolling Hills Lane, Plainfield, IN 46168. I am sure the family would appreciate any condolences.
Call if you have any questions.

http://www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1373649&fh_id=11896

New Officers Elected

  Bill Henson has moved from the Secretary position to Executive Vice President

  Steve Rainbolt has been elected to serve as Association Secretary

  Ray Maylen will serve as our Senior VP WWII & Korean Affairs

  Moving into the Senior VP Public Relations position is Mike Slyck

Congratulations to All !

Cacti Monument Donations Have Reached $28,000!!

Not Just a Monument Honoring the 35th's Service, But a Monument to Cacti Generosity.

Your 35th Infantry Regiment Association has reached its goal for contributions and is now moving into the final design phase in preparation for installation.

Special thanks need to go to Mike Tryon for bringing this project to the Association, for promoting it and for tirelessly working to make it a success. And working along with him from the beginning has been John Lorts, our Cacti Times Editor. Both of these guys deserve a handshake and a hand salute.

And while these guys deserve the recognition for their work, I speak for the entire Board of Directors in expressing our deep gratitude and appreciation for you, the Members of the 35th Infantry Regiment Association. You have made us all proud!

Wounded Cacti Receive Treatment

We have two Cacti soldiers who were wounded in Afghanistan in the attack that killed Sgt White who are recuperating at Brooks Army Medical Center. Visits to these soldiers will demonstrate our support for them and their mission and will help to build their morale. If you are able to make a visit, please let me know and I will forward the necessary information to you for a visit. If you know of others who would like to visit these soldiers, please let them know. Thank you for supporting our troops.

Got a news story about one of our members?

We would like to present current articles on the guys who make us the best Infantry Regiment Associations around. Please submit articles to Past President Pete Birrow, at his email address. (Email Pete)

The Fall 2011 Issue of the Cacti Times, John Lorts, Editor and Bill Henson, Associate Editor, is out.

Here's a sample of page one of this issue. If you haven't seen the electronic color version Click Here to see what you're missing. Members may email Steve Rainbolt, our Secretary, to Sign Up.

WAR STORIES SECTION

The War Stories Section has turned into a huge success with almost 50 stories written by our Cacti Members. Got a “Cacti Story?”  It can be a battle story,  A funny or sad story. Just put it down the way you remember it. If you want a “creative license” to embellish a little you got it. Only rule is not to be malicious. Submit them to Wiley "Tiny" Dodd by Email, today!

Cacti Watch

The Association is proud to offer the 35th Infantry Regiment "Take Arms" Watch. Order one today and wear it with pride. Ordering Information.

Vietnam KIA Photos Needed

Dick Arnold, Doc Hall, and Pete Birrow have been gathering KIA Photos for a number of years. Their work has added immensely to our mission to memorialize our war dead. But we still need a few more. Click Here to view a list of Vietnam KIA photos needed. If you're a fellow Cacti, or a friend or family member, please consider sending a photo to Dick Arnold at his Email address.

Vietnam War - Gravesite Location Project

Doc Hall and Pete Birrow have been compiling a list of gravesites for our Vietnam KIAs for some time now. Through personal visits and searches on the web they have located hundreds. The information is now available by Clicking Here. If you have personal knowledge of a gravesite not found on the list, please contact Doc Hall at his Email address

Cacti Scholarship Program

All of our Cacti families are encouraged to apply for scholarship awards. To be eligible the applicant must: Be a child, stepchild, grandchild or great-grandchild of an Association member or a 35th Infantry Regiment member who was killed in action.  Be a graduating high school senior.  Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).  Relatives of Association Board members are not eligible.

For more information see the Scholarship page of this website, or contact the Association Secretary, Steve Rainbolt. Steve's email address can be found on the Officers page.