News from the Outposts

Larry Driscoll, Tom Sheehan, CSM Mark Bowman	Larry Driscoll, Jim Drury, CSM Mark Bowman
Wally DeJongh, CSM Mark Bowman, Larry Driscoll, Chuck Stonis	John Keller, Tina Keller, Larry Driscoll, CSM Mark Bowman

Outpost 1 had its Fall Meeting Sunday, October 25, 2009 at Spavone's Restaurant 266 W. Lake St, Bloomingdale, IL. President Larry Driscoll brought two honored guests to the meeting. CSM Mark Bowman of the 33rd Infantry Brigade of the Illinois National Guard who just returned from Afghanistan  and gave a very informational talk about the situation in Afghanistan. Also attending was Jim and Pat Drury, Central Region VP, who gave an inspirational speech, and Private 1st Class Tom Sheehan of the 3rd Marine Division. Attending the meeting were Carl Qualetti, Richard and Annette Koepke, Chuck Stonis, Wally Dejongh, Rich and Robert Heller,  John Keller and his daughter Tina, and Gordon and Dorothy Lowrey. Discussion was held regarding a Central Region event or Meeting in the Spring of 2010.

Outpost 2-John S. Cole/Tampa, FL
Contacts: Angelo "Jim" Tiezzi  Ajimmjitezzi@aol.com
                 Frank Kane               ThanFranKane@aol.com

Outpost 2 Member Mitch Chockla

Fifteen Veterans and Guests of John S. Cole Outpost 2 met for a fall reunion on Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the Armed Forces Military Museum in Largo, Florida. The Museum shows military history from a WWI trench, the WWII attack on Pearl Harbor, D-Day landings, Korean War, Viet Nam War, and the Cold War.
Following the Museum visit, the group had lunch at Finley’s Irish Pub & Eatery in Largo, from a menu of traditional Irish dishes including Corned Beef and Cabbage, Shepherd’s Pie, and Bangers & Mash. Outpost 2 picked up the lunch tab at Finley’s for each member and each guest.
Attending members included Jim Bloodworth, Mitch Chockla, George and Jean Dexter, Frank Ervin, Bob Gibson, Ken Gindlesberger, Eileen Heard, Will Jenkins, Bob Kauth, Joe Kolac, Joe Maley, Dorothy McDaniel, Klaus Meindl, and Raul Reyes.

L-R: Joe Maley and Jim Bloodworth, at Outpost #2 meeting

Outpost President, Frank Ervin, led a moment of silence for members who could not be present because of illness and spoke of plans for future meetings and reunions of the Outpost.
A drawing of raffle tickets netted $75.00 for the Outpost because the winner, Bob Kauth, donated the proceeds back to the Outpost.
Submitted by Robert Gibson

Meeting. A regular meeting was held at Tony Roma’s restaurant Fayetteville, NC, October 12th to the 14th. President Alta Milling attended including Henry and Pennie Burke, Horace and Juliet Burnett, Bob and Joy Farrington, Ralph and Millie Merritt and their son Lee; Whitney Mullen, Tom Twomey, and George Winders.

Minutes. An informal “social” meeting was held. During the meeting, there were several reports and lots of discussion. Alta Milling called for or made the reports on Army deployment rates, the reunion, membership (retention, recruiting, and the need for officers), and the OP history (chartered in 1985).

New Business. A national award was presented and several issues were discussed. Don Hotz, who attended the reunion, presented a Presidential Award plaque to Alta Milling who had not been able to attend, for assisting with The Watch on the Rhine. A motion was made and a vote taken to decide that the OP would donate ten two-year gift memberships, five for active troops and five for those Wounded Warriors. Finally, ideas for the next meeting location were discussed, but no decision was made; the officers will check out some ideas and inform members regarding the next meeting.

Adjournment. Henry Burke closed our meeting with a prayer asking God to keep our troops in His Hands; the next meeting site has not yet been determined.
—Alta Milling, P
Post meeting update: After the meeting, Alta made a visit to the Dorn VA Hospital to show charter member Mr. Cooper the plaque, and number of others attending visited the museums in the area.

Outpost 5-George G. Frost/NY and Northeast
Contacts:   Pat Williamson  army3rdivtanker@gmail.com
                   Joe Hampton    kvetfamily@cs.com

OP #5 held a Christmas luncheon on November 22, 2009 at the 76 House in Tappan N.J.. We opened the meeting with a prayer and the pledge to our flag. After eating we had an informal meeting. Pat Williamson gave an update on happenings in the Society.

Ray Anderson talked about the importance of recruiting new members to help keep the Society alive. Then John Fisher introduced the new Society Sergeant of Arms Bart Viruso, and spoke about Troop Support, Recruiting and Benches for Warriors Walk.

Bart Viruso gave the financial report, Al Julia talked about the freedom Team Salute. We had a special guest, Maj. Neubauner, who talked about our deployed troops and the future of our troops in the war against terrorism.

Future meetings: In August, we are thinking of having an picnic at West Point and in November another meeting at the 76 House. We would also like to hold a meeting in April if anyone has an idea for a meeting place, contact Pat Williamson at army3rdiv.tanker@gmail.com  or Joe Hampton at kvetfamily@cs.com.   

Outpost 7-Washington D.C.
Contact: Ray Hergenreder mhergenreder@cox.net

Dedication of 3rd I.D. Monument by Outpost #13 Members

The stone monument is finally here! The idea (by George Goldstone) began approximately four years ago, and it has taken the hard work of Terry Tennant to see it on the ground, finally. Thanks to all those who have helped Terry and who have donated to the GLNC (Great Lakes National Cemetery) Monument Fund. The stone is blue granite from the state of Georgia. It weighs just under 2000 pounds. It now stands in the Great Lakes National Cemetery at the memorial walk. It is a beautiful place, and any eligible person may be interred at any national cemetery that has space available. After the dedication ceremony, there were many people who went home deciding to change their will and burial arrangements. I know my husband and I did. We both looked at each other when we drove in and said, “This is the place we want to be…it felt like coming home.”

Please check it out if you have the chance. We truly believe you will not be disappointed. And if you are not from Michigan, you might consider looking into the National Cemeteries in your state.
Our newly elected President, Richard Faulkner, is looking forward to serving and already has many fantastic ideas. We would like to thank George Knight for all his years in service as the President of OP#13. He did a wonderful job and he will be missed.

Outpost #13 will hold its spring meeting on May 15, 2010, at 12:00 noon, at “Bakers of Milford” in Milford, Michigan

Submitted by Amy McKenna

Finally, P/ Don Wingerbert recognized the members who had attended the 89th Annual Reunion at Ft. Benning. Everyone reported having a very good time and at a very successful reunion.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m. just after the OP 50/50 raffle, which added $51.00 to our treasury. The next meeting is set for Wednesday, 6 May 2009.
Richard L. Martinet, S/T

OP 88: L-R: Vera & Warren Langley, Andy Maffucci (kneeling), Jerry Grondahl, Jeanne Gold, Harold Nelson, Joan Annello, Jim Smart, Donna & John Shoemaker, Kathleen & John Starcevich, Joe Annello, Lou Schindler, Martha & Walter Bjerkelund.

Meeting. A luncheon meeting was held at the Academy Hotel in Colorado Springs on May 15. Ten members and six spouses were in attendance.

Minutes. P/ Joe Annello gave a brief OP status report and urged members to become more active, stressing that it was imperative if the OP were to be kept alive. He also provided updates from members who could not attend the meeting: a letter from Ed Nelson about his wife and comments from Evie Fitzsimmons, widow of Fred Fitzsimmons. P/ Annello then presented a plaque to Andy Maffucci for his dedication as the S-T for the past thirteen years. VP/S-T Lou Schindler also gave a financial report.

New Business. Since many members live quite a distance from Colorado Springs and since the cost of gasoline is so high, it was decided to provide a small stipend to those from outside of Colorado Springs to defray their travel costs; several members took advantage of this offer for assistance.

Adjournment. After a very successful meeting, members voted to try to have another luncheon in early September prior to the Division Reunion in Georgia.
Joe Annello, P

Joe Annello presents service award to out-going S-T Andy Maffucci.