2023 Officers of the First Division Dinner 

Fellow Big Red One Veteran Officers:

Please join us on Saturday, April 29, 2023 for the 102nd Annual dinner of the Officers of the First Division at the Courtyard by Marriott, Junction City, Kansas.  The guest speaker will be announced soon.

The Dinner is an Annual event for Commissioned and Warrant Officers assigned or attached to the First infantry Division during combat operations, including KFOR and SFOR, and those officers currently serving with or supporting the Big Red One.  Founded in 1919 after World War I, The Dinner is held on the last Saturday April with a program that remains largely unchanged - cocktails at 1800; mess call at 1900; regimental colors on display; former commanders on the dais; the band playing regimental marches; an update from the current CG; and a toast to our fallen comrades followed by taps and Auld Lang Syne.  Why attend?  One previous participant remarked, "The dinner was an amazing event, just being in the room with all of these professionals was awesome and humbling."

Attendance and Guest Policy.  Each member attending the Dinner can bring one guest, in addition to their spouse, such as a child, or someone with a close relationship to The Division.  Surviving spouses of member officers, as well as spouses of deployed officers, are also invited.  All attendees to The Dinner are welcome to attend the chili luncheon on Saturday, the cocktail reception prior to The Dinner, and to join the veteran officers in the unit Command Posts throughout the weekend.

Unit Command Posts.  Command posts will be located in suites throughout the hotel and convention center based on regimental and unit registration.

Schedule of Events.  A Fort Riley tour and unit visit is available on Friday; specific details will be available by early April.  Command posts will open at 1700 on Friday.  The Dinner Committee meets at 1000 on Saturday.  The Chili Luncheon will take place at 1200 on Saturday.  The Cocktail Reception starts at 1800 on Saturdayand is followed by the Dinner at 1900. 

Hotel Rooms.  The dinner will be held at the Courtyard by Marriot in Junction City, 310 Hammons Drive.  Regular room rates are $93 per night plus tax.  You may reserve your room online, or by calling the hotel at 785-210-1500.

The Dinner Ticket.  Tickets for the Dinner are $65 per person.

Donation.  Dinner tickets barely cover the cost of dinner, chili luncheon, hotel amenities, and meals for the band and color guard.  We continue to rely on your generous support for the costs of printing, mailing, postage, and website maintenance.

Donations may be made with the online registration system, or by check payable to Officers of the First Division.

Please mail checks to: Kevin West, 321 N. 16th St., Manhattan, KS 66502

What to Wear.  Active duty: dress mess or blues.  Veteran officers and guests: tuxedo, dinner jacket, cocktail dress, blazer, or dark business suit.

Duty First!

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