2021 Reunion Description and Schedule

The 2021 Alpha Troop Association reunion will be held at the TownePlace by Marriott Hotel, Sept 15-19, 2021. The address is 120 Fair Brook Place, Clarksville, TN 37040. Rooms are limited. The room cost is $109 plus taxes and service charges for a single bed room (approx. $149) or $129, for a room with two beds (approx. $177). Call now to reserve your room (931 896 2005 or 800 257 3000) and don’t forget to mention “Alpha Troop” to get the discount. You don’t want to miss out on this one, so call now to make your room reservations. If you change your mind later or the CoVid situation changes for the worse, you can always cancel. Just keep in mind that we have a huge room for the Hooch. Social distancing should be no problem. Additional CoVid protocols are incorporated into the banquet dining experience (see below). You don’t wanna be left out and we would certainly like to see you there.

So, here we go. Our reunion was scheduled to coincide with the annual Clarksville “Welcome Home Veterans” event because of the variety of events they offer and, of course, its close proximity to Ft. Campbell. You may be interested in reviewing what the Clarksville “Welcome Home Veterans” events looked like in the past (2019 event) and review details of the upcoming 2021 events. If interested, and you have internet access, go to: https://www.WelcomeHomeVeteransCelebration.com/.

The following displays will be available for viewing throughout the reunion, at the Oak Grove Gaming facility, 777 Winners Way, Oak Grove, KY 42262 (approximately 15 miles from the hotel):

The American Veteran Traveling Tribute Wall - 360 feet long and 80% the size of the Vietnam Wall memorial in Washington DC, the AVTT Wall will be open 24 hours a day beginning at 9:00 am Thursday, September 16th till 9:00am on Sunday, September 19th.
Korean War Memorial - the traveling Korean War Memorial features 19 soldiers in formation, with 3 additional soldiers around a campfire.
Field of Honor® Tribute to Veterans is a display of flags sponsored in honor or in memory of veterans, first responders, family and friends. These 3 foot by 5 foot flags will line the field behind the AVTT Wall. It promises to be a beautiful and moving sight.

The reunion schedule tries to incorporate many of the events/displays open to the public, as well as a tour of Ft Campbell and our traditional business meeting, memorial service and banquet dinner. Since all of the “Welcome Home Veterans” events are within 10 miles of the hotel, using our personally owned vehicles (POVs) makes it easy to access the events throughout the reunion. Busing will be provided for those events that have enough interest to justify the cost.

Wednesday, Sept 15

5:00-11:00pm – set up/open the Hooch/reception/check in

7:00pm-9:30pm – Event #1 - Opening dinner ($38 per person, bus transportation provided) - This dinner will be at Valor Hall Conference & Event Center, 105 Walter Garrett Lane, Oak Grove, KY 42262 (270 640 7144) and will include a panel of speakers discussing the 30th anniversary of Desert Storm. Sponsored by the Mission BBQ Company. Approximately 14 miles from the hotel.

Thursday, Sept 16

8:00am-11:00pm – Hooch open/check in

8:30am-10:00am - Event #2 - Hero Breakfast ($16.50 per person, no bus transportation) - Held at First Baptist Church, 499 Commerce St., (downtown) Clarksville, TN 37040 - This breakfast will pair JROTC cadets and students from the local high schools with veterans and active duty soldiers for a guided discussion and meal. Sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project. This event offers no bulk transportation, so your personal vehicles would be required. Approximately 7 miles from the hotel.

The venue is about 15 minutes from the hotel. If you would like to attend this event and wish to go on the Ft Campbell tour, you must arrange to be back at the hotel by 10:15am, or you may miss the bus.

10:30am-4:30pm - Event #3 - Fort Campbell tour ($30 per person, bus transportation provided) - A charter bus will transport us to Ft Campbell where we will have lunch, tour Pratt Museum and experience the Squad Advanced Marksmanship Trainer (SAM-T). Arrangements to tour the 2/17th Cav HQ and the Alpha Troop Hangar at Sabre Field are currently under consideration and will be granted, pending approval.

The following events are also available throughout the day:

All day – the Vietnam Wall, Korean War Memorial, Field of Honor displays at the Oak Grove Gaming facility, 777 Winners Way, Oak Grove, KY 42262. No fees, no bus transportation.

2:00pm – For those not attending the Ft Campbell tour, there is a showing of the movie, "The Girl Who Wore Freedom" at the Roxy Regional Theatre, 100 Franklin St., Clarksville, TN 37040 (931 645 7699) - An Award-Winning Documentary telling the stories of D-Day from the people who lived through German occupation and Allied liberation of Normandy, France. This is located in downtown Clarksville, approximately 8½ miles from the hotel. Fee to be determined (TBD), no bus transportation.

Dinner – on your own

5:00pm - Veteran Picnic at War Memorial Park (no fees, no bus transportation) - Veterans and their families are invited to the War Memorial Park, next to the Valor Hall Conference & Event Center, 105 Walter Garrett Lane, Oak Grove, KY 42262 (270 640 7144) for hamburgers and hot dogs prior to the Remembrance Ceremony at Oak Grove Gaming. This is located next to Ft Campbell, approximately 14 miles from the hotel.

6:30pm - Remembrance Ceremony/wreath laying at the American Traveling Tribute Wall (no fees, no bus transportation). A Massing of the Colors, tributes and wreath laying to honor those names listed on the American Veteran Traveling Tribute Wall, the Traveling Korean War Memorial and the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile exhibit. This is held at the memorial display site on the Oak Grove Gaming grounds, 777 Winners Way, Oak Grove, KY 42262, approximately 15 miles from the hotel (1/2 mile from Valor Hall).

Friday, Sept 17

As with Thursday, the following events are also available throughout the day - the Vietnam Wall, Korean War Memorial, Field of Honor displays at the Oak Grove Gaming facility, 777 Winners Way, Oak Grove, KY 42262. No fees, no bus transportation.

8:00am-10:00am – Alpha Troop Association business meeting & elections, in the Hooch

9:15am-12:45pm - Event #4 – Lucilles’ Marketplace ($25 per person, bus provided) is an eclectic downtown Clarksville marketplace located at 2231-L Madison St., Clarksville, TN 37043 (931 896 1700), approximately 9 miles from the hotel. As you enter, grab a cup of coffee or a signature drink from their coffee stand and stroll the aisles of the many vendor booth spaces. Merchandise ranges from vintage finds, handmade goods, rare antiques, gift items and new upholstered furniture. They offer shopping carts for all your finds, wide aisles because you can expect a crowd, and handicap accessibility. With over 200 vendors, you might need a break or a bite, so before leaving, lunch will be offered at the Cafe. A $15 gift card is included in this package for your meal.

10:00am-12:00pm – Alpha Troop Memorial service, in the Hooch

11:00am – Event #5 - Valor Luncheon and Recognition ($27.50 per person, no bus transportation) - Featured speaker, former POW Dave Carey, will tell his story of hope after being a prisoner of war for more than 5 years in Vietnam. Quilts of Valor will also be presented at this catered meal held at First Baptist Clarksville, 499 Commerce St, Clarksville, TN 37040, approximately 7 miles from the hotel. Note: If you are attending the Memorial Service at the Hooch or going on the Miss Lucille’s Marketplace tour, do not sign up for this one….there is a time conflict.

12:00pm-1:00pm - Event #6 – Pizza party, in the Hooch ($5 per person, no transportation needed)

2:00pm – There is another showing of the movie, "The Girl Who Wore Freedom" at the Roxy Regional Theatre, 100 Franklin St., Clarksville, TN 37040 (931 645 7699) - An Award-Winning Documentary telling the stories of D-Day from the people who lived through German occupation and Allied liberation of Normandy, France. This is located in downtown Clarksville, approximately 8½ miles from the hotel. Fee to be determined (TBD), no bus transportation.

4:00pm - Eternal Flame Ceremony (no fee, no bus transportation) Public Square, downtown Clarksville, TN 37040 honoring Veterans past and present. Approximately 9 miles from the hotel.

4:00pm-6:00pm – Hooch closed for banquet setup

6:00pm-10:30pm - Event #7 – Banquet dinner ($48 per person, no transportation needed). Our banquet dinner will be buffet style and held within the Hooch. Due to current Covid restrictions, the dinner seating arrangements will provide for the seating of only four at each table, with plenty of spacing. Additionally, host assistants will plate our dinners, as we point out what we want. These logistics may change, as the hotel changes their policies. Our current menu entrees include Ribeye Steak, Chicken Alfredo and Salmon. Please indicate your preference on the registration form to help us prepare the correct quantities. There will be a cash bar, a dance floor and DJ. Our guest speaker is currently intended to be the Alpha Troop Commanding Officer that took the troops to South Korea, Captain Brett Kubica. By the time September rolls around, Alpha Troop will have undergone a “Change of Command”, so Captain John Ziebler may also attend and participate in the presentation.

Saturday, Sept 18

As with previous days, the following events are also available throughout the day - the Vietnam Wall, Korean War Memorial, Field of Honor displays at the Oak Grove Gaming facility, 777 Winners Way, Oak Grove, KY 42262. No fees, no bus transportation.

8:00am-11:00pm – Hooch open

08:30am-11:30am – Event #8 - “Welcome Home Veterans Parade” ($10 per person, bus transportation provided). This annual parade takes place on the streets of Downtown Clarksville. JROTC Cadets, marching bands, military vehicles and floats will gather to honor our veterans and say a very special Welcome Home. Veterans can march or ride in the parade. The parade does not start until 10:00am. The bus is scheduled to depart much earlier, so that those wishing to participate in the parade (walk or ride) will be at the staging area in time for the set up. If you wish to attend the parade, but not take the bus, you can depart and return in your own vehicle, as you wish. As with any parade, parking may be a challenge.

11:30am-1:30pm – Lunch, on your own

1:30pm-4:30pm - “Veterans Reception” (no fees, no bus transportation) at one of Clarksville’s local Veteran owned breweries. The TN Valley Brewing Company, 2088 Lowes Drive H, Clarksville, TN 37040 (931 320 9192) will host this get-together for a moment of relaxation and visiting friends. Approximately 4 miles from the hotel.

4:30pm-6:30pm – Dinner, on your own. Last minute update: Oak Grove Gaming is offering a buffet dinner (beef tips & chicken breast) if you desire to participate (no fees, no transportation) for $39.

If you take advantage of this option, you can easily walk to the concert afterwards. You will have to register for this one on your own, at their website, www.WelcomeHomeVeteransCelebration.com.

6:45pm-10:00pm - Event #9 – Live concert ($25 per person, bus transportation provided). Charter bus transportation to a live concert at the Oak Grove Gaming amphitheatre for a wonderful evening of music, featuring CMA’s Male Vocalist of the Year, Grammy Award winner and American patriot, Lee Greenwood.

Sunday, Sept 19

8:00am-10:00am – Hooch tear down and farewells

There is a possibility that we will have a Huey or two at the “Wall”. It’s not set in stone, but we’re working with the Clarksville Visitor’s Bureau to make that happen. When was the last time you flew in a Huey???

Download a registration form here.