News from the Outposts

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

Meeting Announcement: Fort Myers, Florida, will be the location for the Outpost 2 2009 Spring Reunion on Friday and Saturday, 24-25 Apr. The hotel will be the newly renovated Holiday Inn at 2431 Cleveland Avenue, which offers a special rate for the Society guests of $50.00 per room per night. Choose a room with two queen size beds, or a room with one king size bed. There is a large outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center and a business center. The Café 2431, located right on the premises, offers breakfast and lunch, and a comfortable lounge. For entertainment on Friday evening, seats have been booked at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre at 1380 Colonial Boulevard for the musical show The Wedding Singer, with full buffet dinner including gratuity for $47.00 per person. Saturday’s dinner at the hotel will be held in a private dining room with a meal choice between two main courses for $18.00 per person including gratuity.
Other optional activities include the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Winter Estates, the “Imaginarium”, the Southwest Florida Museum of History, the Shell Factory, and the Captain JP Paddle wheeler, four-hour, Caloosahatchee River cruise with buffet lunch.
Outpost 2 Members should mark their calendars now for Friday and Saturday and plan to attend the Spring Reunion.
Frank Ervin S-T

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

Meeting Announcement: The next OP 5 meeting will be 8 Mar from 12:00-4:00 p.m. at the Ramada Inn at 2216 West Landis Ave., the northeast junction of Landis Ave and Route 55 (on the left side of Exit 56A), about thirty minutes from both Atlantic City and Philadelphia. The meal, with coffee, tea, or iced tea, cookies and brownies
for dessert costs $35.00. Sodas or other drinks can also be purchased. If members want to stay overnight, the room rate is $75.00 per room; call the hotel at 1-800-230-4134 or 856-696-3800 and mention “3ID OP5.” Send checks for meals to V/P Joseph Hampton. Checks must be received before 1 Mar. Pass the word along
to all who served in the 3ID—all are welcome. Other area attractions include casinos, shopping malls, and a
WWII airport museum. Make plans early since restaurant space is limited.
Joe Hampton, V/P

Outpost 7-Washington D.C.
Contact:   John Insani         johninsaniarmy@aol.com

Activity Report: NO CRUTCHES! MARNE amputees, who stood without crutches, and other wounded soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan stood shoulder to shoulder with those who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam as OP 7 continued its tradition of honoring fallen comrades by conducting impressive wreath laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day 2008. Wounded Warriors included Maj Bruce Gannaway (below-the-knee amputee); 1stLt Mark Little (double below-the-knee amputee); Lt Matt Coyne, SP Mike Brown (below-the-knee amputee); Sgts Coffin and Sgt Jones; and SPC’s Lonsdale, Trimm, Jones, and Schichtl.

ABOVE: At the Division Monument,
LR: John Insani, 1LT Little, SFC Robert Baum, OP 7 Member, and Martha & Ray Hergenreder


Wounded Warriors pay respect at Tomb of the Unknown

The absence of loyal members Gen “Dutch” Kerwin and Sgt Cecil Underwood for whom TAPS sounded after our meeting last May was duly noted. Those unable to attend, but present in spirit included Chaplain Parker Thompson, Cath Bacon, Lee Lewane, Werner Michel, Tim Stoy, and E.K. Williams. Carlos Ruis had planned to attend but his wife, Liza, reported that he had been hospitalized that morning. Arthur Cox and Len Werth were also unable to attend but were well represented by their Marne Spouses.
The Outpost first placed a large wreath decorated with blue and white flowers at the Third Infantry Division Memorial in front of the Arlington Amphitheater. OP S/T Insani addressed the group, noting the meaning of Veterans Day, a day of personal remembrance to honor veterans; both those who died for our country and those who served and were wounded or injured and who came back in different physical shape than when they entered the service. Special recognition was accorded to Chaplain Thompson, and to Mrs. Tilly Smithers and Hank Bodson for their special contributions to the Wounded Warriors program, and to SFC Baum and SFC Vanwoert from the 3rd ID Liaison Office at Walter Reed for arranging for the wounded warriors’ attendance at the OP Veterans Day gathering.
Following the ceremony at the Division Memorial, OP members and guests moved through a crowd of tourists to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers where, escorted by the Tomb Sgt of the Guard, and headed by our amputees and disabled warriors, they formed a cordon of twos down the steps leading to the Tomb.

Maj. Bruce Gannaway chats with OP 7 members and families at Arlington.

 SFC Robert Baum, Hedy Werth, and SFC Ophelia Van Woert at Arlington

As Taps began to be sounded, OP members placed a large blue and white floral wreath with a blue banner at the Tomb. Following Taps, Marne Wounded Warriors did a slow about-face at the foot of the Tomb and then led the OP back up the steps to the amphitheater where they met with a group of French veterans also at the Tomb for a wreath-laying ceremony; the French vets expressed their high regard for the MARNE DIVISION.

Following the ceremony, the Tomb Sgt of the Guard remarked, “The way they marched up and down the steps, one would never know that these soldiers were amputees.”

Adjournment The next meeting will be on 30 May 2009 for Memorial Day wreath ceremonies at Arlington; details to follow.
John Insani, S-T

OP 13 Fall Meeting. Standing L-R, Louis J Bresinski, John B O’Grady,
Robert E Jablonski, Karl H Schultz, Richard G Stevens, Verland A Loveland,
Terry L Tennant, William H Cottrell, Tom G Chilcott, Gordon W Draper, Tom
Neisy, Paul Oleynik, Roland G Arndt, Cecil D Gilbert, John Miller, George
Knight, and Richard A Faulkner. Seated, L-R, Amy McKenna, Matt
McKenna, William L Yekin, and Edward J Kustron. Photo by Dick Faulkner

Meeting: The OP 13 Fall Meeting was held 11 Oct 2008 with 38 members and guests present.
Old Business: It was reported that the goal of $2000.00 for the division monument for the Great Lakes National Cemetery has been met. The project is presently on hold until the stone arrives, probably not until spring. The date for a dedication ceremony will then be set; and all members will be notified.
New Business: An election for officers was held and the results are as follows: P/ George Knight, VP/ Terry Tennant, ST/ Amy McKenna, Quartermaster Tom Chilcott, Chaplin Lou Bresinski. All positions are for two-year terms.
Kudos were expressed to Terry and Dorothy Tennant for their hard work for the OP—hard work immensely appreciated by OP membership.
Adjournment: The Spring Meeting is scheduled for 16 May 2009 / 12:00 noon, at “Bakers of Milford”.
Terry Tennant, VP, and Amy McKenna, S/T

3ID Plaque at Mt. Soledad.

Activity Report: The outpost recently held its sixth dedication ceremony in remembrance and honor of the Third Infantry Division. Having already dedicated two plaques and three monuments, the most recent ceremony was held at Mount Soledad in La Jolla, CA and conducted by OP/P Andrew Scullion on October 25, 2008. OP/ Sergeant-At-Arms Louis Bravos posted the Third Infantry Division colors.

 OP 22/P Andy Scullion

A Color Guard presented the National Colors and fired a rifle salute. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, an active duty chaplain gave the invocation, focusing on those who have served in the Third Infantry Division. OP/P Scullion made the dedication speech, clearly explaining the magnificent history and achievement of the Third Infantry Division from the beginning through its nine decades of existence and the current important role it has in the world safety. The active duty military chaplain gave a tearful benediction honoring those in the Third Infantry Division. The ceremony concluded with two buglers playing Taps. After the ceremony, OP members assembled at the Su Casa Restaurant in La Jolla for a relaxing and enjoyable time of camaraderie.
The outpost’s plans for the dedication of a fourth monument honoring the Third Infantry Division are in process.
Martin A. Markley, S/T

Audie Murphy Outpost #35 Summer Meeting

Audie Murphy Outpost #35 held its summer luncheon meeting hosted by Dave and Edith Martin at Golden Corral in The Colony, Texas, on August 2, 2008. The following members and guests were in attendance: Frank Avaritt, Joe and Lynn Ball, , Lula Coble, Joe and Lucia Hilderbrand, Dave and Edith Martin, Joanne Sherard, and James Timmens. Dave and Edith did a wonderful job in arranging our meeting. Thanks to both of you. Thanks too to Lucia Hilderbrand and Edith Martin for providing the red, white, and blue floral decorations.
Following a social hour and luncheon, Joe Ball opened the meeting with the Invocation by Frank Avaritt followed by the “Pledge of Allegiance,” led by Dave and Edith Martin. The group then sang “Dog Face Soldier.” Frank Avaritt drew James Timmens’ name for the door prize, a photo album with the 3rd I.D. Patch mounted in a “gold” setting. For his kindness in visiting our wounded warriors receiving treatment at Brooke Army Medical Facility at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Joe Ball presented James Timmens with an American flag flown over Baghdad Airport in honor of the 3rd Infantry Division and its certificate of authentication. Please see the article displayed on the Society’s website ( www.3rdiv.org ), entitled “Visiting Wounded Soldiers at Brooke Army Medical Center.”

Following review of the Outpost’s spring meeting minutes, Joe Hilderbrand moved to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Dave Martin, and passed on a voice vote. Under “New Business,” Dave Martin moved to donate $500.00 to the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division Scholarship Foundation, seconded by Lucia Hilderbrand. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Following the Secretary/Treasurer’s report by Lynn Ball, Joe presented updates on our 2008 and 2009 Society reunions, the 80th Division’s Reunion, Society membership profile, new headquarters building at Fort Stewart, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, San Antonio Medic Training site, 3rd Infantry Division’s Service in Vietnam, Battalions of the 3rd returning to the ZI, 7th Infantry Regiment’s 200th birthday, 30th Infantry Division’s reactivation, and current levels of violence in Iraq. (Joe’s reports are available upon request.)

Joe announced the outpost’s fall meeting to be held in Georgetown, Texas, hosted by Ron and Marilyn Miloch on November 8, 2008, and the spring meeting in San Antonio, Texas, hosted by James Timmens, with wounded soldiers from Brooke Army Medical Center invited as honored guests. The meeting closed with the Convocation by Frank Avaritt.

Lynn Ball, S-T

Meeting Announcement. The next meeting will be held on 25 Apr 2009 at the Brass door Restaurant, 2154 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon, CA. Doors and an open bar open at 11 for visiting and socializing, with lunch beginning at noon. Outstanding Army JROTC cadets from San Francisco and Oakland will be recognized and presented achievement plaques from the OP and checks for $350 each. Meeting notices will be sent to members, though all are welcome. Contact the OP / P for more information.
John Shirley, P

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

Next meeting for Outpost 60 scheduled to be held on May 16 th at Ryan's Family Restaurant located on the Manchester Expressway in Columbus, Georgia. Meeting gets underway at 11:15 am EST sharp.
 Lunch (buffet style) will follow.

For those that didn't make our last meeting at Ryan's, from Interstate 85, get on  I-85 going South headed for Columbus. About 45 miles then look for the Manchester Expressway exit. Here you turn right onto the expressway for about 1 1/2 miles. When you see the St Francis Hospital on your left, make a left turn at the traffic light and then about a 100 feet make a sharpe right turn to Ryan''s parking lot.  For those coming from the Alabama side, take Highway 80 East. When you cross the river, stay in your right lane and take the first exit to your right. Before getting to the traffic light, get into your far left lane and then turn left at the light. Go to the fourth traffic light and then get into your right lane. Ryan's will be on your right just before the fifth traffic light. If you miss this light. turn right at KFC and then another right (approx 100 ft) just behind them.

Looking forward to seeing all. If you would, I would like to have a rough idea of how many will be showing. As always, the dress code is casual, your spouse or guest are welcome to attend. The food is very good.
Rock of the Marne
Bob Bailey OP 60 Sec./Treas.

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.

Cris Curry and MA OP Prize Kayaks

Hosts of Soldiers and their families took time to offer their thanks for the Society’s contribution to the fantastic Fourth of July “Family Day Celebration.” The service project team included most of the MA-OP officers and their families and friends, most sporting Society T-shirts P/Carl Smith, V-P/ Chris Curry and family, T/Ray Eagan, and several volunteers from the local American Legion. Special thanks to Associate Members PJ & Melinda Schnier for organizing and running the entire HMAC support sponsorship. Special thanks must also go to the Ft. Stewart Commissary: it donated the soda that OP-MA was able to hand out from their food tent. The MA-OP contribution supported  the Hinesville Military Affairs Committee (HMAC) effort to provide free meals to Soldiers and their families on the Fourth of July event. The HMAC goal was to provide 10,000 free meals for the event.

Together, 40 organizations, e.g. agencies, church, and veterans groups contributed to the effort, with MA-OP providing about 1/4 of the meals. Along with having the opportunity to serve food to the nation’s finest, MA-OP also purchased two kayaks complete with oars and flotation devices as prizes for two lucky Dogface Soldiers (the two names will be selected from all units, allowing those forward-deployed Soldiers to also be eligible for the prizes). Though the “ROE” [rules of engagement] for the event was no solicitation by any organization, Society T-shirts, the large banner over the tent, good food and prizes helped MA-OP support Soldiers and their Families and model Society values.

Adjournment. Family Appreciation Day has come and gone, volunteers went away exhausted, but it was a great day and a successful service project with visible results: Soldiers and their Families went away smiling, full of food, and grateful. When the 4th Brigade returns, the MA-OP will support another cookout for those great Soldiers and their Families.
Ray Egan, T
        

 
OP 5845 Report:

Meeting: There was no outpost meeting during this period.

Notes: On 25 April we traveled to Dormans, France to participate in an initial planning session to prepare the 100th anniversary observance events for the 2nd Battle of the Marne in 2018. On 26 April we participated in a ceremony in Chateau-Thierry to remember the victims of the German occupation during WWII.

On 28 April we were received in the Augsburg City Hall to coordinate for the dedication on April 28 of next year of a memorial tablet marking the city’s surrender to the 3ID.

On 7 May we traveled to Alsace to participate in 8 May V-E Day ceremonies in Colmar, at the American monument above Sigolsheim, and at the French military cemetery adjacent to the monument the morning of 8 May. We lay a wreath in honor of the division at the American monument. We were very happy to once again meet Colonel du Bocage, former president of the Rhine-Danube Association. Unfortunately, despite the ceremony being in honor of our American soldiers, the French failed to play the US National Anthem. Realizing their error, the authorities apologized and said they would ensure that would not happen next year.

The evening of 8 May we participated in the ceremony in Ostheim, which was liberated by the 7th Infantry in 1945. Significant this year was the reading of the names of nine division soldiers who were killed in action during the fighting to liberate the village. This was the result of the hard work and thorough research of Jean-Jacques Sturm, longtime friend of the division. We also lay a wreath in Ostheim. Here also we encountered the problem of not having the US National Anthem played. We asked them to please do so in the future, especially when honoring US soldiers killed in action.

We were received by Mayor Fritsch in the town hall which contains a set of the division colors as well as a large framed photograph of Iron Mike O’Daniel. There is a street in the village named O’Daniel Street in Iron Mike’s honor. The colors, picture, and naming of the street were all the result of Jean-Jacques’ dedication to our proud division.

Coordination has already begun for the 65th anniversary celebrations on the Obersalzberg, in Colmar, in Sigolsheim, and in Ostheim. We hope that some of our WWII veterans will be able to join us to mark that truly significant anniversary. We also met with veterans’ affairs officials for Alsace and the Vosges and the prospects for further Marne Trail plague dedications look good.

- Monika Stoy, P