ASSOCIATION HISTORY & REUNIONS

We who served in Austria are unique in many ways. Once we are gone there is no one to follow in our footsteps. The Berlin wall has finally collapsed and with it maybe the occupation of Germany will come to an end. The wall in Austria came down in 1955, and thus ceased USFA.

In 1988 the first reunion of USFA Veterans was held in York, Pennsylvania. All who attended enjoyed themselves and a reunion back in Austria was planned for 1989. This reunion did happen with the help of the Austrian Government and Army. Those who went back enjoyed an event of a lifetime. In October of 1990 the reunion was again held in York, PA. Our Association was officially formed, the Constitution adopted, and officers elected. The 1991 reunion was held in Huntington, West Virginia, followed in the fall with another trip back to Austria. The 1992 reunion was held in Orlando, Florida; the 1993 reunion in Nashville, Tennessee; the 1994 reunion in Baltimore, Maryland; and the 1995 reunion in Cincinnati, Ohio. Also, in October of 1995, a group of veterans returned to Austria for the commemoration of 50 years since the liberation and 40 years since the ending of the occupation. The 1996 reunion was held in Norfolk, Virginia; and the 1997 reunion was held in Louisville, Kentucky. There was no reunion in 1998. The 1999 reunion was held in Richmond, Virginia. The year 2000 reunion was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

We have revived and publish the "New USFA Sentinel" which is sent to members several times a year. We also have USFA Patches, pins, caps, emblems, and tapes of our return trip to Austria in 1995. These tapes show most of our former camps. All of these are available to members only. If our association is of interest to you, please reply as soon as possible in order for you to receive the next newsletter which will be mailed soon to members only. If you do not reply, your name will be kept on an inactive list, but no future mailings will be sent to you.

SUMMARY

1988	• Founded by Bill Billet. • First reunion held in York, PA.
1989	• Return trip to Austria. Met with President Kurt Waldheim.
1990	• Association formed and incorporated. • Reunion again held in York, PA .
1991	• Reunion held in Huntington, WV. • Second trip to Austria and meeting with Dr. Waldheim.
1992	• Reunion held in Orlando, FL.
1993	• Reunion held in Nashville, TN.
1994	• Reunion held in Baltimore, MD.
1995	• Reunion held in Cincinnati, OH. • Third trip to Austria commemorating 50 years since the ending of WW II and 40 years since the end of the occupation. Raised the last American flag at our former bases of Stifts Kaserne, Camp McCauley, Camp Truscott, Camp Roeder, and Saalfelden in honor of all those who served in Austria. A flag was presented to the current Austrian military commanders at each installation. The other flag is retained by us for display.
1996	• Reunion held in Norfolk, VA.
1997	• Reunion held in Louisville, KY.
1998	• No reunion held.
1999	• Reunion held in Richmond, VA.
2000	• Reunion held in Colorado Springs, CO.
2001	• Reunion held in Mobile, AL.
2002	• Reunion held in Baton Rouge, LA.
2003	• Next reunion will be held in Harrisburg/Hershey, PA September 24-27