Sep/Oct 2005 - Korean War Veterans Association

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RIGHT: Former 176 President, founder, and “Godfather” holds the wreath to honor Korean War veterans (Photo by Hank Nicol) 42 Chaplain Bob Leep, Bill Odonnell, and 176 President Frank C. Mendes share a solemn moment aboard the Coast Guard vessel Bosun¹s Mate 2d Class Terrell Horne gave us an orientation on the 47-foot motor lifeboat on which we were to go out. The boat is built to survive 30-foot seas and 20-foot breakers. Horne passed out lifejackets, not the fore-and-aft pillows we wore three years ago, but new orange and black (my high school colors) beauties. They could pass for team jackets as well as save your life. “Coasties” should wear them around town. Every high school kid would want to sign up. I put on the only extra large in the pile, but had to give it up to Times-Standard reporter Chris Durant, who is a more honest XL. I expected the crew to be wearing the government version of topsiders, since it might be difficult to swim in the bloused combat boots they all wore. Our Skipper, Bosun¹s mate 1st Class Hank Nicol (unseen) takes a photo of Ray Marquardt taking a photo (L-R) Coast Guard crew members BM-1 Ryan Sanford, Fireman Evans Drew, Seaman Jean Charles, and Seaman Frederick Ryals hosted 176 members (Photo by Hank Nicol) BELOW: 176 members leave the vessel with their “sea legs” intact (Photo by Hank Nicol) Ryan Sanford, said they were for kicking heavy machinery without being being kicked back. I made an insurance stop where I learned why BM-2 Horne had the lifeboat specs down pat. They are posted above the paper dispenser in the men¹s head (and I expect in the women¹s as well). We boarded and pushed off. The deck crew was Seaman (Seawoman? Seaperson?) Jean Charles and Seaman Frederick Ryals. Fireman Evans Drew was engineer. They carried us out to about the midpoint of the channel, where the boat marked time while we held our brief ceremony for those who died in the Korean War. An orchestra being unavailable, and the deck being small, Bill Odonnell Jr. played appropriate music on his block blaster. President Frank C. Mendes dedicated a wreath with, “We have not forgotten our soldiers,” he observed. His words were halting, and I saw several handkerchiefs out. I was busy with the camera, but I, too, suffered damp eyes. I thought not only of those who died in the war, but also of Richard Anderson, Andrew Terry, and John McLain, who survived the war, but who were recent and personal losses to me and the rest of the Christmas Hill Gang. Chaplain Bob Leep gave a prayer to “honor those who served our country,” and Frank cast the wreath onto the outgoing tide. I didn¹t take the two pills as I promised, only one-and-a-half. The water did only a slow roll. I survived, the ceremony was a success, and we returned to shore safely. BM-1 Ryan Sanford didn¹t let us go without thanking us for our service. That has happened a lot recently. I¹m not used to the new generation¹s remembering us better than our own did. Our war was forgotten while we were still fighting. At least nobody jeered when we came home. September - October 2005 The Graybeards
187 Wester estern n Massachusetts [MA] 187 James K. Stathis Members presented a Korean War Veterans Commemorative Ceremony at the Court Square in Springfield, MA, on July 31, 2005. 195 founder Kenneth Camell (L) and Joe Anello, Chapter member and former POW in Korea, discuss past experiences The Veterans Memorial in Springfield, MA 187’s Secretary, Al Natario, speaks in Springfield, MA 195 Queen City [CO] Kenneth Camell 195 member Chuck Makey, President Kenneth Giest, and members Jerry Johnson and Jacinto Runes pause for a photo Chapter members had great times at the past two luncheon meetings. The Chapter meets every month. The meeting includes a guest speaker, who is followed by lunch. Then, we hold a business meeting and a social period. Plans were made for the Chapter to participate in at least five parades this year, beginning with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 12. Our new President, Kenneth Giest, is a professional bag piper. As such, he attracts a lot of attention to our parade unit. 195 members Frank Montijo, Sal Rivera (Secretary), Walt Walko, and Don Simmons enjoy a delicious lunch and pleasant conversation 195 Executive Committee members discuss plans and finances (L-R) Calvin Keil (3rd VP), Nancy Millinsifer (Notification and Coordinator), Lyle Carter (Treasurer), Chuck Kammerer (Past President), and member Henry Bohne 195 members Bob Brockish, Kenneth Camell, Chuck Kammerer, and Kenneth Giest, in Piper regalia, pose for a pre-parade photo 43 The Graybeards September - October 2005
Page 2 and 3: The Graybeards is an official publi
Page 4 and 5: 4 September/October 2005 COVER: The
Page 6 and 7: BUSINESS Executive Council Meeting,
Page 8 and 9: BUSINESS Thanks for Supporting The
Page 10 and 11: 10 POW/MIA Update Progress Report
Page 12 and 13: The Editor’s Desk Art Sharp 12 A
Page 14 and 15: Bills Pending in the 109th Congress
Page 16 and 17: 16 H.R. 994 - Rep. Thomas M. Davis
Page 18 and 19: 18 on the Secretary of Veterans Aff
Page 20 and 21: Unit on Parade From time to time, w
Page 22 and 23: The new bridges and the new mountai
Page 24 and 25: Gents At The Gathering (L-R) Col. B
Page 26 and 27: 26 Old Letters Stir Up Memories We
Page 28 and 29: Korean War Veterans Armistice Day N
Page 30 and 31: Propaganda Corner I Am A Helpless F
Page 32 and 33: Korean War Veterans’ Mini-Reunion
Page 34 and 35: Battery “A,” 300th Armored Fiel
Page 36 and 37: Chapter News EDITOR’S REQUEST: To
Page 38 and 39: The Chapter installed new officers
Page 40 and 41: 121 Gr Greater Cincinnati [OH] Bob
Page 44 and 45: 246 Ozark k Mountain Region R 8 [MO
Page 46 and 47: 264 members and their families rode
Page 48 and 49: Bob May offers opening remarks at t
Page 50 and 51: 50 On the Home Front One of the rem
Page 52 and 53: Update Tell America Chapter 30 - In
Page 54 and 55: Anything But Jolly On Christmas Hil
Page 56 and 57: TELL AMERICA from page 52 Chapter 1
Page 58 and 59: Feedback/Return Fire This section o
Page 60 and 61: 60 War period, so I have no persona
Page 62 and 63: Canadian Corner 62 Hats Off To Derb
Page 64 and 65: 64 Prisoner of War stories are intr
Page 66: 66 had been, that we had been given
Page 69 and 70: spond with me, please contact me an
Page 71 and 72: Forgotten No More And when we go to
Page 73 and 74: The Graybeards September - October
Page 75 and 76: plus other cultural/industrial faci
Page 77 and 78: We have here an impressive group of
Page 79 and 80: Official Membership Application For

Sep/Oct 2005 - Korean War Veterans Association

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