20 November 2010
Bits and Pieces
from the 2010 Reunion
The 54th reunion was held in
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Marvin Edwards and his wife Carol
served as our hosts and did a wonderful job! The hotel
facility was lovely and the staff could not have been
friendlier and more helpful. Each morning we enjoyed a
delicious hot breakfast from the breakfast bar, and the two
evening banquet meals were great! Our numbers continue to
dwindle, but we still had approximately 42 attending the
reunion. We had 14 troopers in attendance, Burl Martin,
Bill Calhoun, Richard Leslie, Nelson Gatewood, Tony Sierra,
Russ Nelson, Paul Scheuerman, Gordon Bates, Bob Wagner, Bill
Walker, Chuck Breit, Frenchie Hazarian, Fred Stabenow and
Tony Lopez. Of course, let’s not forget our widows, Ruth
Castillo, Sas Mosey, Sandi Kubicek, Bev Wasmund, Elmae
Dugas, Edna Pittenger and Jean Lohin who had a great time
visiting and catching up!
Our Saturday night banquet was
highlighted by a lively auction of 503rd nail
head plaques donated by Sas Mosey, a wooden engraved
Airborne plaque donated by Terry Boggs and a Born to Be an
American, 503rd Airborne plaque donated by
Yolanda Goad, daughter of Tony Lopez. Special thanks go to
our auctioneer, Janet Mahoney, and our high bidders, Fred
Stabenow, Burl Martin, Caffery Dugas, Nelson Gatewood and
Yolanda Goad.
We had two excursions while in the DFW
area. On Thursday, a group went to the Sixth Floor Museum
at Dealey Plaza, highlighting the life, death, times and
legacy of President John F. Kenney. It had a wonderful
exhibit. The taxi rides home may have been the highlight of
the trip with 2 taxi drivers arguing over who takes the
group and another taxi taking the group to the wrong Wyndham
Hotel. It was an adventure, to say the least!! Saturday’s
trip to Grapevine Mills was considerably calmer and everyone
had a delightful time being able to shop ‘til they drop! As
always, we so appreciate the family members, caretakers and
everyone else who attended the reunion with a loved one as
well as those who attend because they love the 503rd!!
Sunday morning we sadly bid each other
farewell until next year…
FROM THE NOVEMBER 2010
NEWSLETTER
The 503d Heritage Battalion and its website:
Paul Whitman,
the webmaster is looking for folks with direct lineage to
the 503rd WWII. He would like to get them actively involved
in the 503rd Heritage Battalion. Please let me know if you
can help in this capacity.
The website is great! If you haven’t
checked it out, you need to!
http://corregidor.org We have had several people who
have found out about the 503rd and contacted us as a result
of going to the website! Thank you, Paul, for all you do.
FROM THE NOVEMBER 2010
NEWSLETTER
The Pacific War Museum
Thanks to Sandi and Ed Kubicek,
who visited the museum, I am in contact with the museum! As
soon as I figure out how to scan the information that has
been sent by various members of the 503rd, I will be sending
a package to the museum. If anyone has 503rd memorabilia or
artifacts to donate to the museum, please send them to me.
You may recall that its 2009 meeting, the 503rd voted to
donate the banners, flags and memorabilia to the Pacific War
Museum.
10 September 2010
Medal of Honor to a
member of the 503d Lineage
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2010 – The Medal of Honor will be
awarded for the first time to a living veteran of the
wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, White House officials
announced today in a written statement. Army Staff Sgt.
Salvatore Giunta is to receive the nation’s highest
award for his service and extraordinary bravery in
battle. The event occurred Oct. 25, 2007, in eastern
Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley. Giunta was a specialist
at the time and rifle team leader. He served in Company
B, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment,
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based out of
Vicenza, Italy.
(See More)
14 August 2010
Quick report from attendees of 173D Airborne Brigade Reunion…
As you may recall several 503rd
members were honored guests at the 173D reunion in Myrtle Beach,
SC. Margee Linton said that the 503rd has never been
honored like they were. Paul Hinds felt like a celebrity and
thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship, entertainment, food and events.
We look forward to hearing more about their experience in Dallas!
2-6
June 2010
503rd Members feted as
special guests at the 173D Airborne Brigade Reunion
What began as an idea to showcase the 503rd PRCT in the April
edition of 2/503d Vietnam Newsletter has grown to several of our
members attending the 173D Reunion in Myrtle Beach, SC, June 2-6!
The May edition of their newsletter gives bios of: Chuck Breit;
John Cleland; Paul Hinds; Charley Hylton; Sleepy Linton and Chet
Nycum. Chuck, John, Paul, Charley and Chet will participate in an
interactive presentation called “Operation Corregidor” on Friday,
June 4, 4:00-5:30 p.m. Dee, Clara (I think), Ginny, Edith, Margee
Linton and other family members will be accompanying the men to this
reunion. This opportunity was made possible by Lew Smith, editor of
the 2/503d Vietnam Newsletter as well many members of the 173d who
have given financial support to make this happen! Thank you, Paul
Whitman, webmaster of the 503rd Heritage Battalion, for putting
Smitty in touch with us! Those attending will have lots to share
with us and we look forward to hearing about their trip!
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