“Corning, NY Red Devil Reunion”

The reunion was well attended and a good time was had by all. The weather was beautiful and we had a nice spring rain to freshen things up. Art and Shirley Nagle were first to arrive, several days early I might add. They had taken an extended trip east including Washington, DC. They finished their trip earlier than expected so just came to Corning, checked in, and relaxed.

Attendees were Richard Becker, National President 82nd Airborne Division Association, (served in the 11^th Airborne Division Field Artillery.) Richard and Beverly Bowen, E 508 55-56, Fred Clark, A 508 51-54 & his son Paul, Walter & Joan Ducharme, HQ 320 54-56, Alan & Jean Edsall, SVC 508 45-46, Robert & Margaret Figueiredo, D 508 51-53, Louie Fila, A 508 51-53, Ray & Linda Fitch, HQ-HQ 508 55-56, Charles Hadfield HQ-HQ 508 55-56 & guest James McDonald, Ken Hamill, E 508 55-56, David Hathaway, D 508 51-53, William & Shirley Hurtubise, A 320 55-56, Rodger & Leone Jacobson, HQ 320 55-56, Richard Kaley, HQ-HQ 508 51-54, Joseph & Helen Keleman, SVC 508 54-56, Joseph & Helen Keller, K 508 51-54, William & Margaret Kirsch, HQ-HQ 508 53-55, Richard Knapp, L 508 & B 320 AFA 51-52 & family members Edward Knapp, Nicholas Knapp, Daniel McNamara and Barry Reade, Clarence McClusky, L 508 51-52, Harry Meyer, E 508 55-56, Gerald & June Nadeau, HQ-2 508 51-53, Arthur & Shirley Nagle, E 508 ARCT 51-52, Richard Radich & son Michael, A 320/11th 56-58, Richard Rothwell, C 508 51-53, Ralph Smith, L & 519 QM 508 51-53, Michael & Blanche Soisson, E 508 55-56, Robert & Dorothy Sorensen C 508 51-52, Arthor & Bessie Stuckey, G 508 PIR 42-46, Bruce Tyler A 320 55-56, John Whipple, E 508 51-54,

Last to arrive were Fred Clark and son Paul. Mrs. Clarke has had cancer for two years and they had taken her to CA to visit her daughter. Mrs. Clark developed some health problems and couldn’t make the trip home so Fred flew back for the reunion. He got held up in Chicago because of the weather and just got to make a last minute appearance at the Banquet.

Charles Hadfield and his guest James McDonald (Both Charles and James were Artillerymen at some point in their Military service) from St. Catharines, ON also arrived just in time for the Banquet. I’m glad they made it as they presented me with a statue of St Barbara the Patron St of the Artillery. This was a terrific follow up to the presenting of the St Barbara Award to Richard Becker.

Art Stukey is a WWII Vet and a great craftsman. He has made wood cutouts of all fifty states and gives them away as gifts when he attends reunions and special events. He presented Leone and I with a Wisconsin cutout complete with a bear for our wild life, cheese for the dairy industry. He also gave us a large framed poem titled “Thoughts from a Troopers Dad.” It is written by Don Saam a local guy for his sons John and Bill Saam who were serving in Desert Storm at the time.

A side note to this is that the sons were in different units and they wanted to serve together. When all else failed one son took his discharge from the service and then re-enlisted in his brothers unit and they finally got together. This is the poem.

(This was written for Bill and John who served in Desert Shield in 1990 by their dad Don Saam)

The sky walkers float silently by

Like mushrooms in the clear blue sky;

Graceful as birds, drifting down

To reunite when on the ground.

In the heavens, in the clouds

The 82^nd drops in crowds;

They grunt and groan and sweat and bleed

Paratroopers!!! The special breed.

They hang suspended, falling… and

The parachutes hold them like a giant hand;

The hand of God, it seems then

Cause birds were born to fly…not men.

Like the wings of a butterfly. Fragile, yet strong

The canopy carries him swiftly along;

His life hangs suspended while up there

By a few yards of nylon, a small breath of air.

There must be fear; however small

Cause it’s not natural to jump and fall;

The fear recedes, he’s feeling fine

He loves the snap of that static line!!!

The C-141 grows small

As the paratrooper starts to fall;

A peaceful quiet surrounds him now

The sweat and wrinkles leave his brow.

He loves the sky, he loves the jump

And prays to god for a gentle thump;

When mother Earth comes up to meet

His hip, his thigh, his knee and feet.

The ride is ended, the jump went well

He was in heaven, he’s now in hell;

This is what they trained him for

First the drop, and now the war.

Airborne!!! Airborne!!! You hear them shout

As the tools of war and death come out;

America’s finest, these young men

They’ve fought before, they’ll fight again.

As boys, from city and farm they came

Some for glory, some for fame

Now they’re men, strong and steady

Sleep well America, you’re Airborne’s ready.

I guess it takes a special breed

To do what you boys do;

I’m proud that you came from my seed

And your mother, she’s proud too.

I received an email from Gerald Peters who has been instrumental in getting all the A Btry 320/11 together. He also sent a picture of the Survey Section taken in Germany in front of a large snow bank shown below.

From left to right are; James C Nichols from Tracy, CA, William G Shane (not Found yet) from Clearwater, FL in the 50’s, Willard D Preston from Batavia, NY, James Tanner from Hastings, MN, Bart D Witka from Corbett, OR and Gerald Peters from Tulsa, OK.

Email from one of our new 320/11^th Troopers

Hi Rodg,

I really enjoyed your phone call last week . I would like to get your newsletter so send me a subscription information and I'll put a check in the mail . As for Thompson I think his middle initial is W and his birth day is June 17 the same as mine I am not sure of the year maybe 36, 37 or 38. Tanner called the same day you did and we had nice long chat .

There is another guy in the San Diego area Barry Brodfuehrer you might try to locate him. I am going to write Marks and Peters and I would like to have Vanderwaals Email address. I also I have a Division Artillery book but it doesn’t have the 320th Let me know when and where the reunions are and I’ll try to make at least Oregon. Jim Nichols. (Editors note) Bart Witka should also make it to Eugene, OR as he only lives 100 miles away.

Note with Application to join the Association from Cecil Rendon “A” Btry 320/11^th AFA in Germany 56-58.

Hello Rodger,

I enjoyed your Newsletter very much. So much that I’m enclosing $20.00 with the membership application.

The day after I received your newsletter I got a call from Rilton Courvell (We served in same outfit in Reese Barracks, Germany). We had a long telephone conversation and a good one. It saddened me to find out that Otis Trusty had passed away. He was my truck driver in Germany. (Editors note. You got some bad information Cecil. Otis is alive and well in Saylersville, KY. Phone 606-349-5210)

The next day I called Lefty Daggett (same outfit again) and we also had a nice long conversation. I’ve been thinking and wondering about Lefty for many years. Last time I saw him was in 1964 in Phung Vin V/N. It was wonderful to talk to these guys.

Rodger thanks again for your efforts. Keep up the good work,

Sincerely,

Cecil

Email from Sarah Ellis

Hello All,
Just wanted to let you know that my brother Sam Styers, passed away very peaceful at 6:55 AM today in Hospice Home in Winston-Salem, NC after such a struggle with the brain cancer since last Tuesday following the last radiation treatment. I was alone with him at that peaceful moment. Now there is no more suffering. He probably weighed less than 80 lbs. The Hospice Angels were so good to him and the family, for which we were so grateful, as caring for him last
week was more than we could manage. Thank you for your prayers.
Sarah Ellis

Ed Note, Sam and his wife Sue had attended several of our Ft Campbell Reunions with Sarah and we will miss him. Rodg

Thursday May 27 2004 started out as a beautiful normal spring day. I had been working in the garden all morning getting things all neat and orderly. My daughter Sonia and her husband Dave across the street were having a graduation party on Sunday afternoon for their son Chad.

Our daughter Lori from Littleton, CO and our granddaughter Kari and husband A.J. from Oak Harbor, WA were flying in for the party. All our children and many of our family and friends would be gathering at her house. Naturally I wanted my flower gardens to rise to the occasion so I was really hustling around getting everything in perfect order.

Leone and I had plans to leave on Tuesday morning for a Reunion Planners Convention in Washington, DC. This was to be the greatest convention yet. We normally have about 26 planners and spouses but this was to be double in size as we would tour the new WWII Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and all the other sites in the area.

Well lunch time came and I had two slices of Pizza, rested a little and went back to work mowing what little lawn I have.

It started as a slight discomfort in my midsection and within a few minutes I was almost on my knees with pain. However being a tough Paratrooper I kept on working and thought it would eventually go away but no such relief was in sight. I finally gave in after a little over an hour and went to the house and washed up to rest. Well no rest came as the pain wouldn’t quit. Standing at virtual attention was the most comfortable position I could find.

I was the On Call driver for the rescue squad so I called my crew leader to let him know I was too sick to drive the rest of the day. He asked a series of questions and as I hung up the phone the Pager went off and the call is for my address. My crew leader had made the decision that if I was too sick to drive I had better be in the Hospital because he thought it may be a heart attack.

The Rescue Squad took me to the ER and after several hour’s of testing the ER Dr could tell me all the things it wasn’t but couldn’t tell me what my problem was for sure. He sent me home and said if not better tomorrow to come back. Well I wasn’t better on Friday but I was to sick to go back. I toughed it out all day and night and Saturday morning I woke up with a little less pain. I tried to eat a little breakfast and it hit me all over again.

I told Leone I was taking a shower and going to the hospital again and I wasn’t coming home till they did something. Well they found my white blood count spiked way up and that I had Gall stones and gangrene had set in. Surgery was set for Sat evening until they found reason to believe that I had possibly had a heart attack at some time in the past.

Surgery was canceled and they do more testing. Sunday morning test results were, no heart attack but now I’m jaundiced also but surgery is on schedule again. By now this is late Sunday morning and two Automobile accidents and a ruptured appendices have delayed my surgery several more times.

Now, Mother Nature is getting her two cents worth in and the weather has turned bad and we are under a tornado watch as I go into surgery at 1 PM Sunday. Well, they got through surgery okay and left a big long scar as a memento. When I finally come to from the surgery at about 5 PM I’m in my bed in the hallway of the Hospital with beds lined up as far as I can see.

The tornado watch had elevated to an alert and they had to move everyone to the hallways and away from the windows for safety. Within a short time however the alert was lifted and I was moved back into my room. By now I’m feeling a lot better and the late afternoon sun is starting to shine through the clouds and in my window.

Wow what a relief. It was just like completing a perfect PLF after a horrible jump where everything that could go wrong did.

My Doctor was in to visit shortly and gave me all the good news. He said things were worse than expected and the big scar was a result. He said they would have to do another procedure on Monday morning to remove a lot of gall stones from the common duct between my liver and what had been my gall bladder. This was done in a half hour procedure Monday morning without a hitch.

I have to give credit to my family, church and you, my friends for all the prayers you sent up for me. It has been proven again that prayer can continue to bring great results. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

I’m proud to say that I have healed up well and no serious problems accept that my concentration has been terrible. I’m having some problems with vertigo again that plagued me five years ago and also had to go back for a sleep apnea test. This has now been evaluated and I sleep with a mask on and a little compressor blowing in my face all night again.

They say that hind-site is 20-20 and we can now see that I possibly had two warning attacks in October 2003 and March 2004.

I have done very little computer work and answered almost no Email since getting home until now. I have been in the garden on a limited basis daily since getting home. This is where I get my peace and quiet time and relax.

I am beginning to answer some email and the phone calls that came in while laid up.
May 28 04

Email note From Marvin Smith HQ Btry 55-56.

Hello Rodger:

We finally got hooked up to DSL here in Ohio. The following is our new e-mail address:

rmsmith35@greenapple.com

I received the 1st Qtr 04 News Letter and read it from beginning to end, enjoyed it very much.

Hope this finds you and Leone in the best of health. At the present time Randi & I are A OK.

Airborne, Marvin Smith HQ Btry 55-56

From our friend Moe Trottier “B” Btry 54-56.

I went to Washington DC to watch the WWII dedication. It was awesome and a real tearjerker. When I got home I had a lot of messages.

One was from Bruce Tyler telling me that Latham Wells “A” Btry GFA is in the VA at Shreveport LA. He had cancer of the lung and they removed a quarter of his lung and they think they got it all. That was two weeks ago.

He then got pneumonia and spent 2 weeks in ICU They say he is doing as well as can be expected. His phone number is 1-318-221-8411 if you want to call him.

My 94 year old aunt passed away recently. Yours in Comradeship Maurice P. Trottier

Email from Ray Soule Hq Btry 55-56.

Hi Rodger and Leone...

Just got back from our driving trip to the SW, saw a zillion of your old company trucks over the road. (Ray is referring to Schneider National Truck Lines from Green Bay, WI that I drove for, for many years)

Sherry and I are planning a trip to the Orient and it will be gone during the time of the Eugene, OR reunion.

On our SW trip Sherry and I talked about my going to the Eugene reunion and I thought it was in August or September. I was going to call Bill Brannon and see if he wanted to go, I could pick him up and we would drive down together. Oh well... maybe next year.

Here is the information that you wanted:

raymondls@aol.com

US 56-252-583

Wenatchee, Washington

Induction Point ... Seattle, Washington

other stuff:

Ray and Sherry Soule

6187 Silverbeach Dr. NW

Bremerton, WA 98311

360.377.5406

360.479.5953 (fax)

It is time for a glass of wine... see ya!

Ray

(Editor note),

Leone and I were visiting Ray and Sherry on one of our truck driving trips in 1986. Ray and Sherry had been on a trip to Japan in 1985 and had been back to Camp Wood to visit. They had taken quite a few pictures and while viewing these we also talked about the1955 Thanksgiving Day Dinner Roster and about all the guys we remembered and the good times we had. We also discussed that it would be fun to get back together with all our Camp Wood friends and the reunion idea was started.

It wasn’t until the spring of 1987 that I actually started looking for our first guys and of course the rest is History.

We have received several calls from Don Smith A Btry 51-53 from Portland, OR. Don and several others in the area have decided to call all the 51-53 guys in the North West to personally invite them to the Eugene, OR reunion.

Since I couldn’t get the Ft Benning Reunion going for this year just maybe this could be the next best thing and all could get together in Eugene. Don’s email address is papagolfdon@aol.com and phone # is 503-244-1822 in case you want to contact him. If any of you have maintained contact with any of our old troopers from the North West and have current phone # or address please let us know. Also if you even remember the least little thing about anyone let us know as I will gladly continue to track them down.

This is a note from Helen Keleman wife of Joe Keleman Svc Company 54-56. Joe and Helen attended the Corning, NY reunion and this note is a follow up of a story we were told about Joe and his three friends escaping from Communist Hungary as teenagers.

Helen sent me a four page copy of the story and pictures written by Joe and Helen’s daughter Patricia and published in the Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin-Summer 1999. I will print the full story in another issue when space permits.

Dear Rodger and Leone,

I am very sorry this letter & the article I promised to you took so long to get to you. I could give you a hundred reasons. All seem feeble now, but for nearly two weeks I’ve been very ill with a Kidney infection. I am able to continue some of my house hold-chores, although I still get quite shaky.

Never the less, once again thank you for the great time in Corning. If ever you’re in the vicinity of Myerstown, PA, please stop by and give us a call. We’d sure love having you and Leone visit.

Hope you enjoy the article. This is your copy . You do not need to return it to us.

Sincerely,

Helen and Joe Keleman

Note from Del Ferranti, SPT Company 51-56 regarding my recent Gall Bladder surgery. He had sent an earlier message that he had a Dr’s appointment to check his Gall Bladder.

Rodge, keep the chin up, at least they caught it in time. About my time to go under the knife, well I think it is16 June but who knows. They changed it once already. Mine is also the gall bladder. Maybe we can blame it on the 508/320th food. Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.

Leone and I just got off the phone with Walter and Joan Ducharme. Joan had Carotid Artery Surgery last Friday (the 11^th of June) and Joan is doing well. So well in fact that they plan on leaving for a three week trip to Florida in their new truck and fifth wheel camper Saturday June 19 2004.

Earlier in the year Walt had seriously considered giving up the camper and staying home. His Doctor encouraged him to check out the fifth wheel rig and to keep on trucking. His Dr thought that it would be better for both of them to keep traveling and staying active so they are still on the move.

Walt and Joan did trade both the truck and camper and made their first trip with the new unit to the Corning, NY reunion. Leone and I went out to the camp ground to visit them and get a tour Just before departing Corning. The fifth wheel setup is a lot easier for them to hook up and unhook and get around.

Walt and Joan will be taking their daughter Janet and two grandchildren with them to Florida as there is a wedding involved also but I don’t get all my details straight so will leave it at that.

Email message from Harold Madden “A” Btry Commander 1954-56

Hi Rodger;

Jean and I hope you are on the mend and will soon be 100% whole. We are in good shape for the shape we are in.

We made a trip to France for the 60th Commemorative recognition of D Day. We went on a Stephen Ambrose Tour. The events were very well done, however the logistic support for our touring members left much to be desired. The most solemn event was the opportunity I had to visit the three grave sites of men from the same battery I was in during the BIG War. There were three others there originally; however, their remains have been returned to the United States for their final burial.

We had six members of the Band of Brothers with us for several days. We had seats in the 4th row for the formal D Day Program. There were people there from all over Europe, Canada and the British Isles. I don't have plans to go over there for the 75th celebration.

Get well, then keep well,

Hap Madden

Dear Rodger,

As you already know Barbara and I were unable to make the Corning, New York reunion due to a Cruise to Europe in May.

One of the highlights of this trip was getting off the ship in Le Harve, France and taking a bus tour of the Normandy Beaches. Other than the Museum at Arromanches and the Airborne Museum at Sainte-Mere-Eglise,the area was just what one has seen in pictures or on television, however the Cemetery at Colleville Sur Mer over looking the ocean and cliffs [where the Rangers landed], while being a spectacular view was the most moving experience I have had in some time.

To walk the Hallowed ground between the White Crosses and read the names of men who gave their all for the Freedom our country cherishes, quickly makes one feel proud to have been a part of an all volunteer Airborne unit which then and now is still our country’s first line of defense against aggression.

While our Country now seems so divided over our foreign policy and the loss of lives in what some consider a use less conflict in Iraq, let me say our Country was worth fighting for in World War II and its still worth fighting for today. I guess I get carried away by the negative reports our News Media continues to flash in our faces every day. We knew back when we were active there was possible peril in our chosen profession and while the true Enemy isn’t so easy to ascertain today as it was then, we were still all united.

God Bless this United States of America and our sons and daughters who proudly serve when they are called upon. In spite of its faults we are still the greatest nation on the face of the Earth.

Thank you so much for Bob Hart’s Email and phone numbers, we have talked to each other and Bob is sending me names and addresses of other “A” Btry 320th members during 1951-53.

I hope you are getting over your operation, as you are our point of contact for these old has been Troopers.

Thanks Again,

Clomer Joe Robinson

8872 Thunderbird Dr.

Pensacola, Florida 32514

Email- cjrbjr63@cox.net

Tel.- 850-479-7446

A get well note and a bit of humor from Charlie and Bonnie Longwell. “A” Btry 55-56

Hope today finds you much, much improved!!!!

Thinking about you,

The Longwells

Part of being sane,

is being a little bit crazy.

Life is like a camel,

you can make it do anything except back up.
She was only a whisky-maker,

but he loved her still.
I know it's just a diet,

but my body thinks it's famine.
Punctual people,

have nothing better to do.
It's too bad that stupidity,

isn't painful.
The best way to make a long story short, is to stop listening.
I had plastic surgery last week,

My wife cut up my credit cards.
This house is protected,

by killer dust bunnies.
A TV can insult your intelligence,

but nothing rubs it in like a computer.

Rodger:

Hope you mend well and are up to your old speed real soon!

Shannon Cash

H/H Btry, 2/320th Arty. (63-65)

Email from Jack and Sis Hartman, Hq Btry 51-54 with an attachment about the Guards for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This from Jack;

An example of the true Character of our U.S. Military...Why the News Media and some of our Congressmen and Senators only want to recognize the worst in the very few that dishonor the Uniform of the U.S. Military. May God Bless and protect all those brave men and women
serving and defending our beautiful Country......
WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU !!!!!!!!
keep safe..........Take care and God Bless. Jack

Did You Know.....
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1.
3. Why are his gloves wet?
His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.
4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time, and if not, why not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face, and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
5. How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30."
Other requirements of the Guard:
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol off duty for the rest of their lives.
They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.
After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn.
The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet.
There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.
Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV.
All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.
Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
On the ABC evening news, it was reported that, because of the dangers from Hurricane Isabelle approaching Washington DC, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment.
They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!"
Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment; it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person.
Funny, our US Senate/House took 2 days off as they couldn't work because of the expected storm.
The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.

(Ed note; I have received this information several times already but today while working on the newsletter it was the right time and right place. I want to thank each of you that sent it previously.)

Rodger

While updating the 508 email database this morning I had the occasion to call Alfred L Dovre from Hq Company Camp Chick. While visiting he asked about Dick and Maryanne Legener. Dick was our Liaison L-19 Pilot and a very good friend from HQ Btry 55-56. Al asked about Leonard R Dennis from Camp Chick also. We had never located Leonard but a search of the internet turned up with one in FL. I called and left a Red Devil message on his answering machine. Hopefully this will be another good lead.

I had a great visit with Maryanne and she is busy as can be. Maryanne say’s to tell you all hello from her and Dick. Dicks condition is unchanged. All her children and Grandchildren are home with her in Green Bay at this time. Some of them are from Georgia and Florida. She has a son and a daughter that live permanently in Green Bay so when we say the family is home they are all there.

One of Maryanne’s daughters is hard at work redoing her flower gardens that have been getting overgrown the last few years. I would love to be there to help out but distance is a problem.

News-Flash!! “B” Btry and MP Company 1955-56. I just got off the phone with Dardis W Chechovsky’s sister-in-law in Oklahoma City, OK. Dardis is still as elusive as ever but we may get some mail forwarded to him.

Dardis is still in the Los Angeles, CA area but moves around quite a bit. A few of you knew him real well and I would like to see you guys try to correspond with him. Send your letters to; Dardis % of Nick Chechovsky,

1520 N Valley Dr

Oklahoma City, OK 73127-7023

Phone 405-354-3948

Email wchechovsky@yahoo.com

I will also send the Newsletter to them and hope that they will get it forwarded to Dardis.

E-Mail Information. First, I am using the Plaxo system to help me keep updated on my email addresses. When you receive the request for updates please take notice that the space for Business Address has your unit and years in it so please only change that information if it is incorrect and you then let me know you changed it

If you don’t have email yourself but do have a family member close by that will print out and give you a message I would appreciate that address also. I send out messages at times between newsletters in case someone is ill or has passed away or we find someone new.

I am way behind on email updates and will be calling many of you as I don’t even have your correct address any more. If you have email PLEASE SEND me a message so I can copy the address directly off your message and I won’t make so many mistakes.

When you do get an email asking for information, please send me any changes you have. Telephone area codes and zip codes change and you don’t even think about them as you haven’t moved. If I send you the newsletter without the proper address the Post Office sends it right back as UNDELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED. The address may have changed because of fire #’s, you changed apartments in the same building etc. Thank You.

News from around the Flagpole at Ft Campbell; by Joe Montoya

A lot of new things are happening with the 101st Airborne Division. If you have been keeping up with the news, you should know that the Army is being re-structured. There will be a new Infantry Brigade added, for a total of four and the Divarty will increase by one Battalion of 105MM Artillery.

According to what I read in the Field Artillery Journal, as published by the Field Artillery Association at Ft Sill, each battalion will consist of two firing batteries of eight guns each, a Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, a target acquisition platoon, a fire support coordination cell and a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle platoon. Lots of new toys for the troops to play with. Isn't modern technology wonderful.

It is rumored that the new Infantry Brigade will be the 506th Infantry of "Band of Brothers" fame. The 506th's last active status was with the 101st from 1956 to 1972 when it went off line, soon after the Division returned from Vietnam. I can't think of a better unit to reactivate. I don't know how the infantry units will be organized.

I received an email from Jim Nichols in Tracy, CA few minutes ago saying that he remembered that Bobby L McFalls was from Kings Mountain, NC. I of course punched in the necessary information and a few other tricks I know and we found Bobby in Charlotte, NC. He says to tell everyone hello. He can be contacted at 704-399-1479. He does not have email.

Due to the cost of printing and postage we will no longer put the registration sheets in the newsletter. We mail out 450 newsletters and only 50-75 of these forms are used.

I’m asking those of you that plan on attending the Eugene, OR reunion to send in your request for the reunion packet ASAP. We will be using a two tier registration fee from now on. After the cut off date on the registration sheet the registration fee goes up $10.00 per person. We need to get more of the registration out of the way early as Leone and I will be flying out. We need to get the name-tags made up and we are always getting people that want to pay at the door.

We will have the Red Devil Reunion T-shirts to sell but will only bring to the reunion what you order and pay for ahead of time. All sizes up to and including XL are $15.00 each. XXL’s are $18.00 each. If you aren’t coming to the reunion and want a shirt we can also mail them to you at the above price plus $2.00 per shirt S/H.

The T-shirts are 100% cotton pre shrunk. They have a pocket with the Bug Patch printed on it in red, white and black. Red Devil Reunions is printed in red over the pocket. The red, white and blue Regimental patch is on the shoulder. On the back is, “508 Red Devils” and under that a list of the units that made up the ARCT in the 50‘s.

This will have to be changed as we have now found all the “A” Btry 320/11^th guys and a lot of newcomers from the 60’s 70’s 80’s and up to the present day troopers. Changes will come about when the next batch of shirts are printed.

Hurricane Charlie; We have only heard from one of our 320^th Association Members in Florida since Charlie blew into Punta Gorda and Charlotte, County. Jack and Ruth Damron lost their roof and also suffered major structural damage. Luckily they weren’t injured but lost almost everything to water damage.