TOGA 2024 Muster Starts in a Few Days

Fellow 3d Infantry Regiment Alumni-

The TOGA 2024 Muster starts in only a few days.  We look forward to seeing many of our teammates there in person.

You can see the public schedule by following this link:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AVONeJ8PBLXgPQ1E7YhgAmrAhRPL3IcEuu0NhUQjdSE/edit?usp=sharing

We’ll update the schedule (and correct errors) in real time, so you can check this to see the most current times and locations.

Here are some key points to know about the Muster:

1. The RCO, Colonel Tom Kilbride, has the Regiment participating in what amounts to an Organization Week (instead of a single day)
   1. He is emphasizing the Regiment’s connection to alumni
   1. There are a few events in which we’ll have participants
2. Your Board of Directors paid attention to the feedback you gave us in the survey following last year’s Muster.  Based on your feedback, this Muster:
   1. Is a bit shorter in duration than in the past
   1. Includes a staff ride to a battlefield in which our regiment fought
   1. Replaces the formal dinner with a more casual BBQ
   1. Will allow members who are not physically present to connect to our General Membership Meeting
3. The schedule is a bit different than we’ve had for the past several years
   1. The President’s Reception is on Wednesday evening (It will include a raffle with some great prizes!)
   1. The Review in C Hall and the wreath layings in Arlington National Cemetery are on Thursday
   1. The General Membership Meeting and the Spouse and Guest Gathering are on Friday morning
   1. The staff ride to First Bull Run outside Manassas, VA, is on Saturday
4. One of the events during TOG Week is the Ceremonial Olympics
   1. Thursday afternoon is the first round and Friday afternoon are the finals
   1. Mike Thompson and I have volunteered to participate and be graded on our ceremonial abilities during the Ceremonial Olympics
   1. TOGA will also provide two or three graders for the Olympics.  Rolf Ronken has already volunteered and I’m sure there are other former NCOs who will be very interested in doing the same
5. The General Membership Meeting is a bit different than in years past
   1. We will allow members who are not physically present to connect this year via Zoom  (We’ll publicize the link next week)
   1. We’ll also publicize a link you can use to view the slides being used during the meeting
   1. The RCO has a ceremony during the time when we’ll be meeting.  He has recorded some remarks we’ll play during the meeting and we expect the Regimental Command Sergeant Major to be present to respond to questions
   1. Because TOGA now has a ten year vision for its Musters and that vision includes having the 2025 Muster at Fort Snelling, MN, where the regiment was stationed several years ago, we’ll talk a bit about the next Muster during the meeting
6. The Regiment’s Dining Facility has finally reopened and we’ll get to eat there on Thursday
7. Colonel (Retired) Greg Gardner, the Regiment’s Honorary Colonel and the RCO when TOGA formed will be our speaker on Friday night

You can check out the flyer for the Spouse and Guest Gathering at this link:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1bjZEfEcYQGi-K1V6CE0b0ZHOhChKkgmS/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=105934845107508571576&rtpof=true&sd=true

You can see the proposed TOGA Bylaws amendments by going to our website at this link:  2024 TOGA Muster – The Old Guard Association!

We look forward to seeing you there.

Joe Buche

President, The Old Guard Association