KINGSFORD, Mich. (WZMQ) – This weekend, the Kingsford Armory was the proud host of the annual 107th Engineer Battalion Retiree Association reunion. The event, which rotates locations among the armories where the battalion’s units are stationed, saw current and former members of the battalion gather for a formal dinner and an opportunity to reflect on their shared history.
“This is the culmination of the event,” said Major Matthew Brolsma. “This is the formal dinner of our annual 107th Engineer Battalion Retiree Association reunion. It’s an event that the association puts on every year. The location rotates from all the various armories that our units are stationed at.”
The 107th Engineer Battalion, with its headquarters at the Ishpeming Armory, boasts a proud history dating back to 1881. The event at Kingsford Armory, home of the 1432nd Engineer Company (formerly known as Bravo Company), brought together both currently serving soldiers and retirees along with their families.
“Actually, there’s quite a bit of camaraderie going on,” Major Brolsma noted. “The retirees reminisce and share stories of annual training, previous deployments, and it’s a great opportunity for our young soldiers, NCOs, and officers to learn from the retirees. There’s a ton of history there going back 50–60 years. The 107th has a very proud history and lineage going back to 1881.”
Captain Trevor Kay also highlighted the significance of the reunion, emphasizing the strong bonds within the battalion. “So today we have the 107th Engineer Battalion reunion, which has been happening for well over 60 years, and today it’s being hosted in Kingsford. Essentially, this is a time for the 107th Engineering Battalion members, current members, and former members, to get together and do everything we can to support our fine organization here.”
He added, “Families are always invited. Spouses are always invited. What it comes down to is exactly that: camaraderie. So we’ve all got this great organization that we’ve been able to rally around and carry forward into the future, and understanding where we came from helps us understand where we’re going.”
The reunion not only served as a way to honor the past, but also as an opportunity to look ahead. Captain Kay mentioned ongoing collaborations with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, with plans extending into 2025 and 2026, underscoring the battalion’s continued commitment to serving the community and the state. “The greatest thing I’d like to share about this event is that this is a great display of what it means to be a Michigan National Guardsman in the 107th Engineer Battalion. It’s all about living here, working here, serving our community, serving our state, and this is the epitome of that.”
The reunion at the Kingsford Armory was a celebration of the enduring legacy of the 107th Engineer Battalion, highlighting the unique bond that has strengthened the unit across generations. As Major Brolsma put it, “This event is held every year, and we have a stronger battalion for it.”
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