After growing to nearly 10,000 members in it's heyday, the Second (Indian-Head) Division Association's numbers have dwindled over the last several years due to so many World War II veterans passing away.

The trend is something association officials want to bring to a halt.

They hope to do that by spreading the word about the association to veterans nationwide who served in the unit during the Korean War, said Mike Davino, membership committee chairman.

"There is great camaraderie among Korean War veterans," Davino said.

The association is especially targeting veterans who served from 1965 to 1975.

"We're getting more and more members from that era," he said.

The association represents veterans who have served in the 2nd Infantry Division in four of the nation's conflicts, as well as those who have served during peacetime, which includes Korea on Freedom's Frontier since 1965. Active membership is open to individuals who served or are serving with the Second Infantry Division and its attached units. Associate and honorary memberships are also available. In addition to active U.S. members, the association also has members from the Dutch and French battalions that were attached to the Second Infantry Division during combat operations, and Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) soldiers who served with the Second Infantry.

The objectives of the association are:

• To perpetuate and memorialize the valiant acts and patriotic deeds of the members of the Second Infantry Division

• To promote and maintain friendships and camaraderie created by active service with the Second Infantry Division and its attached units

• To set examples of patriotism

• To pay homage to our honored dead

• To provide scholarships for qualified young men and women

Although membership is open to active duty soldiers, they are usually focused on doing their jobs and don't have much time to contribute, said Charles Main, who's been the president of the Great Northwest branch of the association for the last seven years.

"When they're on active duty, they're concerned with being on active duty," said Main, who routinely ventures out to Fort Lewis and speaks to units about membership. "When they reach 65, their career comes to a halt and their looking for something to do, that's when we're here for them."

The association's 89th annual reunion is set for Aug. 18 to 21 at the Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel in Danvers, Mass. For more information on joining, visit www.2ida.org.