Veterans Of The First Engineer Battalion
Welcome to the Veterans of the First Engineer Battalion web site Home Page. This site is dedicated to all who have served honorably in the oldest and most decorated engineer battalion in the US Army. Our roots go back to 1846 and the War with Mexico. Our organization’s purpose is to tell the story of our great battalion and bring together current and former members of the “Always First” battalion. Members of this organization can share its rich history and traditions, regardless of when they served. We Diehards have a special camaraderie that few military veterans are able to experience. Membership is open to anyone who served honorably in the First Engineer Battalion during any period from WW II to the present. Click here to become a member or renew your dues!
Please enjoy your tour of this website by clicking on any of the links at the top or bottom of this page. If you have suggestions about its content or want to submit photos, please contact us or find us on Facebook at: Veterans of the First Engineer Battalion. Leave a note at our Guestbook after you’ve browsed the rest of the web site. Names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of our webmaster and board members are a “click” away at the Organization page.
“Always First!”
Motto of the First Engineer Battalion
“No Mission Too Difficult! No Sacrifice Too Great! Duty First!”
Motto of the First Infantry Division
Newsletter
Please click here to download and read our latest newsletter!
Events
2026 Officers of the First Division Dinner
25 Apr 2026
Manhattan, KS
Contact: <ofd1919@gmail.com>
Please join us for our 105th annual dinner. Additional information about the dinner and lodging is available at this website.
To register for dinner, please click here.
To book a hotel room, please click here.
Attendance and Guest Policy
All attendees are welcome to participate in the chili luncheon on Saturday, join the cocktail reception prior to the dinner, and visit the unit Command Posts throughout the weekend. Each dinner participant may bring one guest, in addition to spouses, such as a child or another individual with a close connection to the Division. Surviving spouses of member officers and spouses of deployed officers are also cordially invited.
Unit Command Posts
Unit Command Posts will be situated in meeting rooms adjacent to the ballroom according to regimental and unit registration. These serve as the social center throughout the weekend, providing members and guests with a place to gather and enjoy refreshments.
Chili Luncheon
There is a come-and-go chili luncheon included in the dinner ticket cost on the dinner day, and members often lead book presentations and discussions.
Schedule of Events
--Command Posts are open throughout the weekend.
--The Dinner Committee meets at 1000 on Saturday.
--The Chili Lunch takes place at 1200 on Saturday.
--The Cocktail Reception starts at 1800 on Saturday
--The Annual Dinner of the Officers of the First Division begins at 1900.
Hotel Rooms
The dinner will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Rooms are available starting at $119 per night with breakfast included.
The Dinner Ticket
Tickets for the dinner are $70 per person.
Donations
Ticket sales barely cover the costs of the dinner, chili luncheon, hotel amenities, and meals for the band and color guard, so we continue to rely on your generous support for the costs of printing, mailing, postage, etc.
Donations may be made online when dinner registration goes live or by check payable to Officers of the First Division. Please mail checks to: Officers of the First Division, 321 N. 16th St., Manhattan, KS 66502
What to Wear
Active duty: Dress Mess of Blues.
Veteran officers and guests: Tuxedo, dinner jacket, cocktail dress, blazer, or dark business suit.
Duty First!
Society of the First Infantry Division Reunion
24-28 June 2026
Belvoir Hotel, Springfield, VA
Contact: Joshua A. Sandlin <sfid1919@gmail.com>
We are currently awaiting the necessary information from the hotel before we can finalize and distribute the registration details. The Reunion will be held in Springfield, Virginia, from June 24th-28th, 2026. The name of the hotel is Hotel Belvoir, the address is 6550 Loisdale Rd, Springfield, Virginia, 22150.
In the meantime, you may reserve your hotel room using the link below:
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR HOTEL ROOM
If individuals prefer to call, they may contact our Central Reservations Line at 1-800-774-1500 and let the agent on the line know that they are looking to book the “Society of First Infantry Division Room Block” Code: 90F.
The cutoff date to secure your hotel room reservations at our group rate is 22 May 2026. We encourage you to get your registration early to take advantage of the group rate! *After 22 May, hotel rooms will be based on space and rate availability.
If you make reservations and then need to cancel them, you will need to call the hotel directly at 703-971-8900.
As soon as I receive the required information from the hotel, I will promptly send out the registration materials.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. I look forward to seeing all of you at the reunion.
Duty First!
Joshua A. Sandlin
Society of the First Infantry Division
P.O. Box 2307
Fort Riley, KS 66442
785-579-6761 - desk
785-477-3065 - cell
Veterans of the First Engineer Battalion Reunion
13-16 Sept 2026
Naperville, IL (near the First Infantry Division Museum at Cantigny)
Contact: Dale Greenfield <dale.greenfield@yahoo.com>