Membership Application | Association Membership History
Membership Growth
The 31st U.S. Infantry Regiment Association did not always have a presence on the Internet. The first website was established by Gigi Carbo, Ron Todd's niece and a student at the University of Texas. It was a no frills site but, an enticement for people to log in and relate their personal experiences with the regiment. Through this venue, postings were reviewed and responded to with an invitation to join the association. The association grew because of that early web presence. One cannot forget the impact that this individual had on the growth of the association through the Internet.
Over time Gigi's life took precedence over the website. It was at that time that Karl Lowe enlisted his son, Kris into service. Kris was just graduating college, and computer savvy. Through his effort, a new site was constructed that was artistic, prominently displayed the regiment's history. It had many interactive features that the original site did not offer. Guestbook entries and message board postings again resulted in contacts and once again, because of the web presence, the membership grew.
Although the Internet is foreign territory to many, there is no doubt of the impact websites have on organizations such as ours. When Gigi first created her pages, the format was simple web design. Karl and Kris brought the site to a new level, with talented programming utilizing the latest presentation utilities.
Karl's career intensified, and Kris started a family. It was time to pass the torch of managing the 31st Regiment Association web site. The new site, launched in 2006, is a more simplistic view of the creation of Karl and Kris. The content they created that so richly preserves the association remains in place. The reconstruction of the site was accomplished using tools that will hopefully allow anyone to take over the maintenance of the site despite their level of programming ability. The intent is that we will maintain a web presence and through that presence continue to grow the membership of the association.
Through the Internet presence (the websites of the 31st Association and the websites of our members and comrades), and through the hard work of many members of the association we continue to grow. In addition to the web presence, there are other activities that enhance the association membership and its continued growth. In 1995 Karl Lowe launched Pro Patria Press, distributing the quarterly newsletter of the association. Since 1997, the newsletters were reproduced; folded, enveloped and stamped by Dalton Render. One thousand newsletters, four times a year, for 8 years... a huge effort and undertaking by one that is dedicated to the growth of the association.
In 1994, with only 394 members on the books and many of those having passed on or discontinued their active membership, the organization began to grow. We are well over 1200 members today. We have lost many of our brothers, and the current enrollment does not tell the full story of our growth.
The efforts of our members; all our members, not just those mentioned here are what it takes to make the 31st U.S. Infantry Regiment Association what it is today. Every contact made with a brother, strengthens the organization and ensures that it will be preserved for the future... the young men and women of today, who are stand ready to protect our way of life, as we did so many years ago. Through these efforts we pass to them, the importance of the brotherhood, we show them what it means years later to understand the history of our regiment. To be able to embrace your brother years after your time and find that the bonds formed so very long ago are as strong as ever.
With each new contact made, with each new web presence, with each new venue to reach out to our brothers - we are strengthened and we grow.
A heartfelt thank you to all that have brought us this far, a heartfelt thank you to all that have picked up the torch, and a challenge to our youth... recognize what exists, embrace it and join with us to preserve, and protect our history.
"Pro Patria"
