Fellow Red Devils, Hope everyone is doing well, as with the approach of the 35th Anniversay of Just Cause. Here below is the BN CDR's message he sends annually. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! Make sure we are checking up on each other. RED DEVILS FURY FROM THE SKY !!! ****************************************************************************************************** Hello and MERRY CHRISTMAS to the RED DEVIL FAMILY....... I hope this message finds everyone in great health; joyful about the upcoming holidays; and excited about the RED DEVIL reunions scheduled for the year 2025. I want to thank everyone that went above and beyond making the OCT 2024 Battalion Reunion at Bragg such a roaring success!!!! With a very special "shout out" to CHRIS PETTY & MARK SMITH......and a huge THANK YOU to ANGELA & JOE AGUIRRE for opening their home and being the perfect examples of southern hospitality. 35 years later, as the faithful date of 19 December approaches, I know most are frequently thinking of Operation: Just Cause and what it meant to each of us. I suspect that we all remember with great RESPECT & HONOR our 2 RED DEVIL brothers that made the supreme sacrifice. I am so gratified at the manner the RED DEVIL Family has ALWAYS remembered Michael Deblois and Troy Coats. I can not remember a reunion or memorial that has not been dedicated to Michael and Troy......and all our fallen RED DEVILS. In my opinion, this love, respect and compassion speaks volumes about the caliber of men that make up our RED DEVIL brotherhood. I am honored and gratified to be a part of this family. I suspect most know, but just in case, recently Mr Bob Deblois, Michael's father, passed away. I think it also fitting to inform you his wife, Michael's mother, is being cared for in an assisted living facility. They are/were two of the finest humans I have ever known. Please include them in your thoughts and PRAYERs. Speaking of FAMILY.....I was most happy, at the Bragg reunion, to see the overwhelming support of the RED DEVILs to open our gatherings and Family to include ALL RED DEVILS. This is especially important when you consider the enormous effort,time and expense that so many PANAMA RED DEVILs have invested in representing us at 1-508 events, conferences and reunions over the past 35 years. The efforts of many have always tried to keep the Panama RED DEVILs at the front of any event.....regrettably, in spite of their incredible efforts.....there still seems to be resistance/reluctancy to fully embrace us. It is because of this resistance/reluctance of others that make the Panama RED DEVILs willingness and total acceptance of other RED DEVILs joining our Family and Reunions that much more important. The fact that an overwhelming number of Panama RED DEVILs see the value and brotherhood to opening our ranks, once again reflect the caliber and compassion ofthe Panama RED DEVILs......THANK YOU ALL for that! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL......I hope to see you at the next reunion.....RED DEVIL....fitz ****************************************************************************************************************
BN CMDR's Letter 31st Anniversary of Op: JUST CAUSE
To My RED DEVIL BROTHERS,
As we approach the 31st anniversary of Operation: JUST CAUSE, I suspect your thoughts, prayers and memories of SGT Michael Deblois and PFC Troy Coats become a bit more frequent and like me, always ending in sadness and "what ifs?". Many of you will also remember the loss of PFC Timothy J. Uderitz (22) on 9 Jan 1991, during one of our many night airborne operations at Gatun DZ; acting as yet another vivid reminder of the cost of FREEDOM. I am comforted knowing that the surviving Panama RED DEVILS will always LOVE & RESPECT our RED DEVIL BROTHERS as evidenced by your continuing efforts to communicate, linkup, attend reunions and care for each other. GOD BLESS YOU. My 2020 Christmas wish and prayer to our Heavenly Father is that the citizens of this great nation will regain their love and respect for America and serve her in some loyal and devoted manner as each of YOU have. At 72 years old, my fondest life memories are being a part of the RED DEVIL FAMILY.... I LOVE EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.... RED DEVIL.... fitz