Veterans of the U.S. Army's 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery, known at the "Triple Deuce," gather at the National Guard Armory for a reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
ST. GEORGE — Approximately 75 military veterans gathered at the Army National Guard Armory in St. George on Saturday for a “Triple Deuce” reunion – those who served in the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery.
Retired Staff Sgt. Kelly Kleinman, who organized the event, said it marked the fifth time the group has officially gotten together. After a 2019 gathering in Cedar City, there was no reunion held in 2020, although there was one in Beaver in 2021, he said.
This year, Kleinman said, there are two reunions planned, with the other one scheduled for Richfield in early May.
“We cover from Richfield to St. George and everywhere in between,” Kleinman said.
At Saturday’s event, a lunch consisting of hamburgers and Dutch oven potatoes was served, courtesy of Bryce Christensen Excavating, with Kanab Custom Meats donating the meat and the Pendleton crew cooking the potatoes. Attendees also bought potluck side dishes and desserts to share.
As they ate, the veterans visited with each other, reminiscing and sharing stories about their time together in the service as members of “Southern Utah’s Golden Boys.”
A slideshow that played on a loop showed various vintage photographs taken by Donald Ira Pendleton over many years, starting in the early 1970s.
The group also heard from a few speakers who briefly talked about benefits available to veterans and their families. They included Court Pendleton of the Utah Dept. of Veterans and Military Affairs; Misty Peterson with Veterans’ Outreach; and Thomas Lamb, outreach coordinator for The Vet Center in St. George.
A raffle was also held, featuring a variety of donated prizes, including commemorative wooden mortar shells crafted by Scott Shirk of Redleg Custom Woodworks.
Toward the end of the three-hour event, just about everyone present gathered to pose for a group photo outside the building.
“It really does my heart good to see those who I have served with gather together and renew old friendships and make new ones,” Kleinman said afterward. “I was able to see veterans that I hadn’t seen in 30 years.”
The next reunion is scheduled for May 7 starting at 10 a.m. at the Richfield National Guard Armory, 620 W. 200 South, Richfield.
“We would like to encourage all former members of the Triple Deuce to attend,” Kleinman added.
For more information about the group and its activities, visit its Facebook group page.
Photo Gallery
Souvenir hats available for sale to veterans at the "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery cook potatoes in Dutch ovens for lunch at "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery visit with one another during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery purchase raffle tickets during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
The Utah National Guard Armory was the site of "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Items to be raffled are on display during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Organizers sell souvenir hats, T-shirts and raffle tickets at "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery visit with one another during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery visit with one another during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery visit with one another during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery eat lunch during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery eat lunch during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery eat lunch during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Photos on display during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery visit with one another during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery pose for a group photo during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery pose for a group photo during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery pose for a group photo during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery pose for a group photo during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery pose for a group photo during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery pose for a group photo during "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Retired Staff Sgt. Kelly Kleinman welcomes veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery to the "Triple Deuce" reunion, St. George, Utah, March 19, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.