105th Annual Officers of the First Division Dinner

Please join us on Saturday, April 25, 2026 for the 105th Annual Dinner of the Officers of the First Division at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Manhattan, Kansas. We are pleased to announce that our speaker for this year's dinner is Lieutenant General (Retired) Michael Dodson.

Established in 1919 after World War I, this event is held annually on the last Saturday in April. It recognizes the service of Commissioned and Warrant Officers currently assigned to the Big Red One, as well as those who have previously served with the First Infantry Division during combat operations, deployments in the Balkans (KFOR and SFOR), or rotational deployments to Europe, Africa, or Korea.

The program for this year will commence with cocktails at 1800 hours, followed by the mess call at 1900 hours. Additional highlights of the evening include the display of regimental colors, musical performances of regimental marches, a briefing from the Commanding General, and a commemorative tribute to fallen comrades, concluding with taps and Auld Lang Syne. As noted by a previous attendee, "The dinner was an exceptional occasion; being in the company of such dedicated professionals proved both inspiring and humbling.

For a more detailed history, please see Colonel (Retired) Greg Fontenot's article originally published in the Spring 2016 Bridgehead Sentinel.

Why attend?

One previous participant remarked, "The dinner was an amazing event, just being in the room with these professionals was awesome and humbling."

REGISTER FOR DINNER

Attendance and Guest Policy

All attendees to the dinner are welcome to attend the chili luncheon on Saturday, the cocktail reception before the dinner, and join the veteran officers in the unit Command Posts throughout the weekend. Each member attending the dinner can bring one guest, in addition to spouses, 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.

Unit Command Posts

Command Posts (CPs) will be located in suites throughout the hotel and convention center based on regimental and unit registration. CPs serve as the social hub for the weekend and are places where members and guests can visit and enjoy drinks.

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. Room are available starting at $119 per night with breakfast included. 

HOTEL REGISTRATION

The Dinner Ticket

Tickets for the dinner are $70 per person.

Donation

The Dinner ticket barely covers 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 with 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 or blues.
  • Veteran officers and guests: tuxedo, dinner jacket, cocktail dress, blazer, or dark business suit.

Duty First!

 Please see link below to make your hotel reservations:  OFD 2026 Hotel Reservation Link