The 1097th Reunion 10-12 October 2009, Newport News Park has come and gone but not to worry, another fiesta is planned for October 9 - 11 October 2010. I was there for the BBQ on Saturday but could not make the rest of the event. I highlighted in RED those that attended as per the bio sheets I had people fill out and a lot from memory. If I forgot to highlight your name please drop me an e-mail, pirata@colonialpanama.com and I will highlight you. I only have about 25 names highlighted out of the 60ish that attended so you have a better than average chance I forgot you highlight you. I posted pics of the event on the facebook page so please check them out. A special thanks goes out to Keith Morrison for doing so much work to make this reunion a reality. Thanks to Roger Justice for making the T-Shirts and Hats, which will be availble soon on this site. Lastly thanks to John Crenshaw and everyone else not mentioned for bringing the whole thing together.
I added a 2010 Reunion Countdown Timer on this page. I also added letters on the Raiders of the Past list. CLick the letter you are wanting to find someone and you are taken to the start of that letter and so forth. It should make navigation easier.
I have the unfortunate duty of informing you that Steve Studer passed away Tuesday after a short battle with cancer. More info here.
8 Sept 2009 - Raise a glass lads, this page is officially 10 years old.
The Raiders officially have their own Facebook page now: Facebook Page. I added some pic links of some pics that have been sent in the past month or so but have been too busy to add but they can be found here.
I have the burden of informing everyone that Ronald "Pops" Noles was murdered last week, Aug 14th 2009. He was 2 months shy of retiring from the Army. A copy of his obituary is located on the Raisers of the past list and a copy of the story resides here: Click Here.
I just joined Facebook and at Tom's suggestion, he is making a 1097th Facebook group. I also spent mast of last night and all day today shooting fishing for 1097th bites based off the Raiders list. If you know anyone on facebook that is a former Raider please send them my way. PS: I am still trying to find Paul Graveline as I have been told by several people he is the "one" who had the gold mine of pics from the 1097th.
First names, please if you can add first names to anyone's name that is lacking or any additional info please mail me this info. I have found over the past 10 years having this site that the option to search for names of long lost friends has brought hundreds of names to the Raiders list. The first names help keep the searc worthy of finding more long lost friends and ntworkin this page to all of the Fromer Raiders.
30 June 2009 UPDATE The River Raider Blog-Underway is up and ready for your input and comments. Check out the blog for updates on the upcoming reunion, river raider stories and keep up with your friends.
This page is dedicated to the former 1097th Transportation Company (Composite Watercraft). The unit was inactivated July 1999 after nearly 50 years of service, including combat tours in Vietnam and Panama. Activated: 1 September 1953
Vietnam: 1965 - 1969
Relocated to Panama: 1977
Operation Just Cause: 1989 - 1990
Reorganized: 16 February 1991
Operation Safe Haven: 1994 - 1995
Relocated to Rodman Naval Station:1995
Inactivated: July 1999
