Scions Reunion 2025
IT’S TIME FOR THE 17TH AIRBORNE REUNION AND ONCE AGAIN
ALL ROADS LEAD TO GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA!
Come experience a fully-immersive three days of military history in historic Gettysburg. From the Civil War, to WWII, there will be many interactive opportunities for you to explore.
Highlights of our gathering include our Candlelight Memorial Service honoring our fallen troopers, our Annual Business Meeting, and the informative Powerpoint presentation about the history of the 17th Airborne Division by Scion and historian David Shortt. This year, we have a special event at the Carlisle Army History Center followed by dinner at the Letort View Conference Center
You can even earn a certificate (after you are jump qualified in the hospitality room) and become an honorary paratrooper!
We will be staying at the Historic Gettysburg Hotel (established in 1797!) which is located in the heart of historic Gettysburg and is within walking distance of the battlefields, historic area attractions and many local shops and restaurants. We heard you, and more “free time” is built into the schedule for you to spend time reconnecting and relaxing with friends!
The group room rate will be $199 per night.
Reservations can be made by telephone under the group name “Scions of the 17th” or at the following website until March 14, 2025:
https://reservations.travelclick.com/777420?groupID=4506224.
The address for the hotel is:
Phone: (717) 337-2000
One Lincoln Square Gettysburg, PA 17325
Details on the room rate will be posted shortly
Any questions, contact Patty Bowers at Scion17th@gmail.com or Ed Siergiej at scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com.
Airborne, all the way!
Schedule
Scions Merchandise will be available for purchase in the Hospitality Room (“Eisenhower Room”)
Please register with us in the Hospitality Room after check-in.
Please note: Itinerary subject to change as needed
Friday April 11th
4:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Hotel check-In
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner - on your own (Gettysburg Hotel or many nearby restaurants - see attached list of restaurants ) or hang out in the Hospitality Room.
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Meet and Greet in the Hospitality Room. Grab a drink and make a new friend!
Bring a photo and share the story of your HERO! Please keep time under 5 minutes so all can share.
4:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Hospitality Room open (Eisenhower Room)
Saturday, April 12th
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast - on your own
9:30 AM - 11:00 PM: Annual General Membership Meeting (Eisenhower Room)
11:00 PM - 12:00 PM: Lunch - on your own
12:15 PM - 4:15 PM - Carpool to Carlisle PA to the Army Heritage and Education Center to tour the Museum; to re-Dedicate the Battle of the Bulge Memorial for the 17th Airborne Division; to visit the Army Heritage Trail; to view 17th artifacts and documents pulled by the archivists of the Museum.
Address: 950 Soldiers Drive Carlisle PA 17013 (717) 245-3972 ADA Compliant
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Dinner - Letort View Conference Center at Carlisle Army Barracks $40 per persson
7:15 PM - 7:45 PM: New Member Jump Qualification - David Shortt
7:45 PM - 9:00 PM 17th Airborne History Presentation - David Shortt
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM: Hospitality Room open (Eisenhower Room)
Sunday, April 13th Palm Sunday
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast - on your own
8:30 AM-9:30 For those who would like to attend Sunday services, Historic Gettysburg Presbyterian Church (location of our Memorial Service later) and churches of many other denominations are nearby.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Free time to explore Gettysburg, or socialize in the Hospitality room
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Lunch on your own
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Candlelight Memorial Service - Gettysburg Presbyterian Church (candle bearers assemble at the church at 1:15)
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Free time to explore Gettysburg(see handout for suggestions) or socialize in the hospitality room. Dinner on your own (Hotel or many nearby restaurants)
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Videos:- The Scions year in review Bowers/Sergiej ?
9:00 AM- 10:00 PM: Hospitality Room open (Eisenhower Room) except closed during Memorial Service.
Monday, April 14th
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Breakfast - on your own
11:00 AM: Hotel Check-Out/Departure
To register for our 2025 Annual Gathering download the PDF document below
As part of our mission to honor the service of all veterans of the 17th and to educate others about the history and sacrifices made by the troopers who served in this division during WW II, we hold regional gatherings where troopers and their families can gather and share their recollections.
At present we hold a reunion to commemorate Operation Varsity, which has historically been held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (although we are investigating options to try a different location).
In addition to the reunions, we gather annually at Arlington National Cemetery to place a wreath on the memorial to the 17th Airborne, and at the World War II memorial on the National Mall in Washington DC. This occurs on the weekend nearest to Veteran's Day each year.
If you are interested in attending a reunion or the annual Arlington National Cemetery wreath laying, keep an eye on our "Thunder from Heaven" newsletter or send us an email!
On occasion, there are also trips to various locations in the United States and in Europe.