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"TAPS"
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Robert J.
Thomas,
15 May 2008, Combat Photographer
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Robert J. Thomas Robert J. Thomas, 87, of Whitehall, passed away in his home on May 15, surrounded by family. He was the loving husband of Gloria E. (Nicholas) Thomas. Born in Walnutport, he was the son of the late John and Clara (Levan) Thomas. Robert served honorably in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a paratrooper. Stationed in the Pacific, he was with the 503rd Airborne Division when they made the jump on Corregidor. He was a member of the 503rd Parachute RCT Association, World War II. Robert was a layout operator for Western Electric for 30 years before retiring in 1981. He was the retired owner and operator of Lehigh Striping Company, Allentown, which he began in 1958. Robert was a life member of V.F.W. Post 7215, Walnutport, and a life member of the Pioneers. Robert loved sports and fishing. He loved his fishing trips to Canada with his son Richard, and loved spending time with his grandchildren. Survivors: Wife; children, Richard C., James R. and his wife, Jacqueline M., Cathy H. and her husband, Richard H. Jeanes, all of Allentown; grandchildren, Brad T. and his wife, Kathryn Jeanes, Keri A. and her husband, Dr. Steven Kachmar, Zachary R. Thomas, Tiffany L. Thomas, all of Allentown; great-grandchildren, Dylan and Emma Jeanes; brother, Norwood of Walnutport; sister, Marion Dingee in California. He was predeceased by brothers, Ralph and Gordon, and by a sister, Anna Parry. Services: In keeping with his wishes, there will be no services. Arrangements by Stephens Funeral Home Inc., Allentown. Until 16 June, there is an online guestbook at http://www.legacy.com/MCall/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=109852251
Lloyd Bradford |
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John D. Reynolds John passed away on Wednesday, almost instantly and unexpectedly, at home. I will sure miss this guy.
Chet Nycum OBITUARY
John Duane Reynolds, of Joppatowne, known as “Sam” to many of
his friends and family, died Feb. 20. He was 84. A lifelong Harford County
resident, Mr. Reynolds was born in Havre de Grace. He was a son of Maple P.
and Grace D. Reynolds.
John's greater contribution to the 503d PRCT was to become
his authorship, over a period of approximately a decade, of A regular column
in The Static Line, THE THREE WINDS OF DEATH. The column kept 503d PRCT
Members connected throughout the years prior to the internet. John was a
supporter and contributor to this website.
Lloyd Bradford |
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Hugh J. Breslin, Jr.
On February 3, 2008; Major Hugh J. Breslin, JR., Retired U.S. Army; of
Bowie, MD. Major Breslin served with the 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment
Combat Team during WWII, participating in the Philippines Islands campaigns,
with the Headquarters 8th U.S. Army as G2. Duty Officerprior to the outbreak
of hostilities in Korea in 1950. He retired from the Army effective July 31,
1962. Beloved husband of Dorothy M. Breslin; devoted father of Barbara Gass,
Kerry Brimmer (Kirk), Father Paul, Hugh III (Alice), Chris
(Nancy) and Tim Breslin; dear brothr of Maryalesia Watson. Also loved by 14
grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on February 19 at St.
Pius Roman Catholic Church, Annapolis Road, Bowie MD. Interment at Arlington
National Cemetery on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 1:00pm. |
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Al McGrew After a long battle with ill-health brought about during his years as a POW of the Japanese, Corregidor's ultimate survivor died at 0315 hrs, 28 January at his San Diego home. (If the revisionists claim that people are still dying from the effects of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, then I claim that Al McGrew died from being a Prisoner of War.) He is survived by his wife Marjean, and children Steve & Vicky. Al was active in all matters Corregidor, and had been designated an Honorary Member of the 503d PRCT by virtue of his long and close association with the members of the Association. Funeral/memorial services are not set yet but will probably be next Tues Feb 12, at the earliest. He will be cremated and ashes put at Ft. Rosecrans, the National Cemetery in San Diego. It's an old Coast Artillery site and is one of the most beautiful National Cemeteries--overlooks the Pacific, which is so appropriate for Al. Some ashes will go to their mountain property, which he loved. Al was the earliest supporter of the Corregidor Website, and I say unashamedly, it would not have been here without him. America has lost one of its national living treasures.
Paul F. Whitman,
Al was born Alfred Curtis McGrew and attended school in Columbus, Ohio. Upon completion of High School he worked in the 3Cs. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Hayes, was sent to fort McDowell and in January 1941 sailed to the Philippine Islands aboard the Republic. He took Basic Training at 92nd Garage on Corregidor and was assigned to Battery D, 60th CA (AAA). He was transferred to Btry H, 60th, CA at Middleside and was taken prisoner on May 6, 1942 at the surrender of Corregidor. Prison Camps included: 92nd Garage, Bilibid, Camp O'Donnell (Capas), Nichol’s Field, Cabanatuan 3 and 1 in the Philippines and Omori, Nishan Flour Mill, Kawasaki and Suwa in Japan. He was transported to Japan on the “hell ship” Noto Maru in August 1944 to Moji, Japan. Al was liberated in Yokohama September 6, 1945. He later became an Honorary Member and friend of the U.S. Army 503rd Parachute Regiment Combat Team (RCT)who liberated Corregidor from the Japanese in 1945, and the 4th Marine Regiment who had defended it. Al returned to Columbus and in 1948 met and married Marjean Herres of Bellefontaine, Ohio (the love of his life for 59 years). They moved to Riverside then to San Diego to be nearer the ocean and raise their two children, Vicki and Steve. Al was forced to retire from Control Data Corp. after 27 years when the manufacturing division left San Diego. Al traveled back to Corregidor, Philippines many times after his retirement and collected photos, documents and data on those who served on Corregidor. On his many trips back, he sat in the ruins thinking of the great times and the bad times as well the many young friends who were lost. As a long-time amateur historian, he assisted many family and friends in their search for information on their loved ones serving and/or captured in Corregidor. Al’s approach to life was to use humor as a base for survival and survive he did several times in his life. For fun, Al enjoyed scuba diving, golfing, table tennis and traveling with his wife around the U.S. in their R.V. After a short, final battle with cancer, Al died at home on January 27, 2008 surrounded by his loving children and his wife. Memorial Services will be held at 12 noon, February 19, 2008 at St. Columba’s Church, 3327 Glencolm, San Diego, CA 92123 to be followed by a reception in the church hall and finally by Military Services at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, at 3:00 PM.
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
February 19, 2008
OBITUARY - AL CGREW, 85 - WWII PRISONER TORTURED BY JAPANESE Mr. McGrew shrank from 130 pounds to 80 pounds before escaping.* His humor kept him grounded, family and friends say. “My dad never talked about the war when I was growing up,” said Vicki Maheu. “He didn't join the POW group until 15 years ago.” Growing up poor in Columbus, Ohio, Mr. McGrew and his best friend, Spencer Bever, joined the Army as a way to see the world. He thought of drilling for oil in Arabia or South America, he said in a 1991 interview. “With no basic training we were shipped to Corregidor,” he said in that story. “They needed manpower, even untrained men.” After being beaten, strung up over a fire and enslaved, Mr. McGrew escaped the camp in the summer of 1945.* “We always felt like we were lucky,” said Christie, who served in the Marines. “So many good men that we felt were better than we were died.” In 1948, Mr. McGrew met and married Marjean Herres in Ohio. They had two children and eventually moved to San Diego. He retired from Control Data Corp. after 27 years when the manufacturing division left San Diego. In addition to golf, tennis and traveling to Corregidor, Mr. McGrew talked about his experience as a POW to history classes at University of California San Diego, high schools and other organizations. “He enjoyed being a tour guide there and an amateur historian and being contacted by people all over the world looking for information on Corregidor,” Maheu said. A memoir of his experiences was published recently in San Francisco, Maheu said. In addition to his daughter, who lives in San Diego, Mr. McGrew is survived by his wife, Marjean, of Serra Mesa, and his son, Steve McGrew, of San Diego. Family members will leave some of Mr. McGrew's ashes at Rosecrans and the rest will be spread in Corregidor. Tanya Sierra (Union Tribune of San Diego) (*Al didn't escape from the Japanese camp. Along with other prisoners, they would leave it at night, "Hogan's Heroes" style, through a gap in a fence. They would then steal food from nearby market gardens, and then return before morning roll call.
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John L. Bryant My dad, John L Bryant Jr was a member of the 503rd RCT when it served during WWII. He passed away on 1/18/2008. The funeral will be in McDonough, Ga sometime the week of 1/21/08. Haisten Funeral Home, McDonough, J. W. Bryant |
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Maurice "Sleepy" Linton
LINTON, MAURICE SIMPSON 88 of Altamore Springs, passed away Saturday, December 8, 2007. Maurice was born in Jacksonville, FL to William L. ad Maude (Flynn) Linton. He moved to Central Florida with his family from Jacksonville in 1924. Mr. Linton graduated from Orlando High School, attended Rollins College and retired from the U.S. Army. He was a World War Veteran, past president and member of the 503rd Wartime Parachute Infantry, 101st and 82nd Airborne Division; president of the Florida Chapter of the 101st, lifetime member of the VFW, Orlando Athletic Old Timers Club, Florida National Guard, Company K 124th Infantry and recipient of the Bronze Star. He attended Grace United Methodist Church. Mr. Linton is survived by his loving wife Margee (Bowden) Linton of Altamonte Springs; daughter Nansue (Ron) Cowan of Lake Mary; son, Maurice S. (Diane) Linton II of Altamonte Springs; daughter, Mary Catherine (Mike) Gorman of Apopka; son Michael Larue Linton of Altamonte Springs; son Leonard (Lorraine) Okrie, Jr. of Maryland; 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 15, 2007 in the Dobbs Funeral Home Chapel. Services under the professional direction of Dobbs Funeral Home, 430 N. Kirkman Rd., Orlando 407-578-7720 Margee Linton
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John Mara
On Negros as we moved up to pass through D Co., John came over to me to show me his legs. A mortar shell had impacted near him and both calves were covered with bloody spots from fragment penetration. I looked at him and asked him "What about your neck?" He said "What's wrong with my neck?" I was looking at an entry hole and an exit hole on each side in the posterior part of his neck. It had to pass very near the spinal cord. His legs were stinging so that he did not realize the bullet hole in his neck. Another great one. John Mara, John Lindgren, and I had some wonderful visits at a few reunions -- John Mara did not come to many so we really enjoyed his presence. Like my visits with Roscoe Corder, when he came it was a real treat. Of the 2nd Bn officers who left Noemfoor Island on the USS Custer, only know of four who are still alive: Ed Flash, Tom McNerney, Roscoe Corder, and myself. Of course, some who have not participated in the Association may still live. I am reminded of a Confederate War veterans reunion at Shreveport, La. about 1936 when I was a 14 year old Boy Scout. A group of Scouts helped attend to the old men. There were very few, perhaps a dozen, in their 90's, and all feeble. Even so, the senior veteran demanded that he ride a horse leading the parade. The doctors present said "No", but gave in when they feared he was going to have a stroke. Then it became the WWI vets who seemed so old to us during WWII. Now we are the ancients. So be it. The only regret I have is the treatment of our military today. Some of the dirty bastards guilty are veterans themselves. William T. Calhoun (Col, US Army, Ret'd),
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Frank Foster
Following graduation from Williston High School in 1944 he enlisted in the Army, completing paratroop training at Fort Benning in December that year. In March 1945 he deployed to the Philippines and saw extensive combat with G Company, 503d PRCT in the Negros Island campaign. After occupation duty in Japan he returned to North Dakota in 1946 and studied civil engineering at the State School of Science, Wahpeton, and North Dakota State University, Fargo. He met his wife Marvyl in 1947 while both were students in Wahpeton. In 1952 he began working for L. W. Burdick Engineering in Williston as a design engineer, land surveyor, and draftsman, buying into the firm in 1964. He was a principal in Webster, Foster, and Weston Engineering until selling his interest in 1974. Frank developed FM Parkway Mobile Home Park in Williston beginning in 1970, and managed it until 1996. Frank was active in the Civil Air Patrol, Sixth Infantry reenactment group, and Elks, where he served as Exalted Ruler. He enjoyed aviation, traveling, photography, computers, recreational vehicles, and hunting and fishing, He and Marvyl lived seasonally in Mesa AZ beginning in 1979 and resided there full time in recent years. He is survived by Marvyl, a brother, Robert, a sister, Ruth, both of Williston, and children, Steven (Trudy), O’ Fallon Il, Linda Viall (Ken), Mesa AZ, Duane (Myrna), Scottsdale, AZ, and Susan Markowitz, Birmingham, AL, and eight grandchildren. His entire family was present during his final days. He is remembered as a devoted husband and father.
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Bennett M. Guthrie
In Memory of a Great Paratrooper
Ben's post-war years were spent teaching science classes in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. |
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Charlie Rambo Captain Charlie Rambo was Regimental HQ Co. Communications Officer .
Services for Charlie will be
held in the
post chapel at 11 am, August 15, Ft. Meyer, Virginia.
A retired Army colonel, Mr. Rambo joined the State Department in 1965. He oversaw operations in Latin America and the Middle East and headed up State's first counterterrorism operation. During his tenure, Mr. Rambo also promoted government-sponsored sports programs as a conduit for communications between the United States and other countries. He attended the Sapporo and Munich Olympic Games in the 1970s and the 1980 Lake Placid Games as a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Before retiring from the State Department in 1979, he was director of communications for the Western Hemisphere. He continued to work as a consultant until 1991. Mr. Rambo was born June 26, 1918, in Phoenixville, Pa. He was a direct descendant of Peter Gunnar Rambo, who came to Philadelphia from Sweden in 1640 and was an interpreter between Peter Stuyvesant and the Indians in Philadelphia and New York. He attended Drexel University as an electrical engineering student before entering the Army in 1941 and volunteering for the first parachute unit. After completing jump school, he was shipped overseas as communications chief and later regimental platoon leader to the 503rd Parachute Battalion, which became the 503rd Parachute Regiment, the first parachute regiment in the Army. Throughout World War II, he served in active combat with the 503rd in the Pacific theater under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, including during the New Guinea and Philippines campaigns and the liberation of Corregidor Island. During combat, he participated in the lowest altitude jump, 150 feet, made in the Pacific theater. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and the Master Parachutist badge. He also was honored by Portugal's government for his work related to sports programs. He retired from the Army in 1965. Mr. Rambo was active in many organizations. He was a former member and on the board of directors of the U.S. Olympic Committee and was a past president of the United States People to People Sports Committee, the 503rd Parachute RCT Association and the Returned & Services League of Australia. He also belonged to the American Rocket Society, the Hawaii State Society, the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association and the White House Communications Association. An accomplished self-taught classical Hawaiian steel guitarist, Mr. Rambo performed professionally until three years ago. He began playing the instrument at 13 after meeting guitarist Les Paul at a concert in Philadelphia. After the concert, Paul took the teenager to a music store, where he first played. There, Mr. Rambo bought a steel guitar with earnings from his newspaper route. Survivors include his wife, Lorraine Rambo of Arlington; two children, Barbara Rambo of San Francisco and Bruce Rambo of Turkey; a sister; and two grandsons. © 2006 The Washington Post Company |
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Alfred D. Allen
Debra Donnelly |
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John Mullaney My son, John, died at 3AM this morning.. Jim Mullaney
Published in The Courier-Journal on 3/27/2006. |
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Guy "Tank Pilot" Crull
The Tank Pilot passed away this morning at around 8:00, Wednesday, 8 March. I can only say that he will be surely missed. I prayed over the last week that the Lord would take him peacefully…. He was quite a man, my hero, my father. I did have the opportunity to tell him that before he passed and how much I loved him and how proud I was of him. I had a chance to look at the web site bearing my fathers name. I only wish there was a way to have an honor guard befitting of my father… don’t get me wrong the American Legion does a fine job, but I guess like any daughter I feel he should have more. I will see that he does have the honor guard there for him.
Services
at Davidson Anderson Chapel, Visitation 5-6 March 10.
Patty Donath
Guy has authored an article for the Rock Force Website.
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Bob Flynn
The services for the burial has not been set as yet but his wife says it will be simple with few guests. Bob will be cremated and the internment will be at the White March Cemetery, I assume is located in Lansdale PA. Please advise the 'troops.
Chet Nycum |
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Dale E. Gerzmehle
He had been suffering from cardiac and respiratory problems. When he was able, I would talk to him about the stories I read on your websites and show him many of the wonderful pictures. Despite his condition, he remembered those times quite clearly. He was very proud of the 503rd PRCT, as I and my family are of him. Any recollections from fellow comrades would be very welcome.
Dennis Gerzmehle
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ttfnj
John 'Jungle Fox' Lindgren
Jungle Fox was less than light on his feet and his sobriquet was a satirical tribute to John's almost total lack of jungle stealth.
Nonetheless, John commanded respect just by
being in a room (another of his nicknames was "Senator") and it was easy to
imagine him in a purple edged toga. He was an astute observer of
life, and writing of his time on Corregidor, he contributed the
most illuminating truth of them all, the statement which the Website uses as its frontispiece
The closer you get to the John Lindgren
John was an active e-mailer, made
it a point to keep the circle amused, and always had a kind way to
sink the pompous. He always closed off with "ttfnj."
Paul Whitman |
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Bruce 'Tennessee' Samples
I appreciate it if you can post his name to your Taps column. It joins the names of many other fine men.
Karson Snyder Bruce Samples was one of the finest we had. There are those who drug along but stayed with it. I have seen various statements about those who who fought in battles. Some estimate 15% in ordinary units and 20% in crack units. I don't know percents, but I do know some looked to their safety while others participated. I call these participants "warriors." For example Lloyd G. McCarter had always been at the top of my warrior list. I saw him in action too many times to be unsure of this. With this in mind, I can say with all my heart that Bruce was a warrior. In "Bless 'em All" I give the account of the wounding and death of Homer Patterson. I was at hand on Way Hill when the radio call came in from the 2nd platoon squad that they were pinned down on the trail to Rock Point at a point below Btry. Grubbs. They had a badly wounded member. Bailey told me to go get them. I grabbed one of my squads which had just came in from a patrol and Roy Jensurd, my platoon medic, and rushed down there. Patterson was lying on the ground, and the rest of his squad was firing into Grubbs Ravine in the vicinity of RC-6. My squad deployed along the trail and joined in the firing. My immediate attention was on Jensurd and Patterson. After a few minutes in which we were receiving no fire I turned my attention to my men, the other 2nd plt. men and the draw. Immediately I saw men lying flat with their heads down but firing away. Others were looking down into the draw seeking a target. Those were our warriors. I have often wondered about Bruce Samples and other warriors. Thank you for telling me of his death. If Bill Bailey were still alive he, too, would gave been appreciative. In later years we discussed our brave, and Bruce Samples was one of his favorites. However, we both realized that there were those who had never attracted attention, but suddenly amazed us by suddenly performing a heroic act. Bill Calhoun |
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Don Abbott
I want
to let you know Don died in his sleep last night due to his Parkinson's. He
is now in a more peaceful place. Libby was with him. She seems to be holding
up well. Don will be buried next week at the National Veteran's
cemetery in Portland (my father, Don's brother is buried there too)
with full military honors. If you could get the word out to the 503rd
people I would appreciate it.
DON ABBOTT WAS A LT. IN "D" CO. (NADZAB & NOEMFOOR), THE
EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN "E" CO. (CORREGIDOR) AND COMPANY COMMANDER OF "A" CO. (NEGROS)
- AFTER HE RETIRED, HE RENEWED HIS CONNECTIONS WITH CORREGIDOR,
TRAVELLING THERE SEVERAL TIMES AND DOCUMENTING MANY OF ITS UNKNOWN STORIES.
IT WAS THROUGH HIS KNOWLEDGE , ENTHUSIASM AND SUPPORT THAT THIS WEBSITE AND
THE HERITAGE BATTALION EXISTS.
Paul Abbott |
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Jack Herzig
Jack passed away on August 21st. He succumbed to colon cancer.
Jack was a fine human being, a loving husband to me and to my family,
who were his stepchildren and grandchildren. I miss him.
Aiko Herzig |
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Henry E. Zimon
Henry joined the 503d at Fort Bragg and went overseas with the regiment in October 1942. He was in "G" company for some of the time with us but was in Regimental headquarters, too. When I left "H" Company in October 1945, Henry took over command of the company from me. Jim Mullaney
I am writing
to seek your advice on how to best get the word out about the death and
upcoming funeral of my father, MAJ Henry E. Zimon, who served with the 503d
in the South Pacific with many of you. He died last Saturday here in the
I served a
full career, retiring in 1999 as a Colonel, and now my daughter is carrying
on the tradition of service as a Captain in Thanks in advance very much for any advice or assistance you might be able to provide. You may certainly forward my email to anyone who might be helpful in what we are trying to do. We are all honored and humbled at your heroic service!! God bless, Hank
Dr. Henry A.
Zimon
I wrote in July shortly after my father's passing on July
16. At that time I promised that once the arrangements for Dad's internment
at Arlington were final, I would write back so that you could distribute the
information to anyone who might have an interest in attending and just so
that all might be aware. Several have responded since then, and I
appreciate very much hearing from you.
Major Henry E. Zimon will be honored at Arlington National
Cemetery on November 10, 2005 with a Memorial Service at the Fort Myer Old
Post Chapel at 11 AM followed immediately by his interment in the cemetery
with full military honors. The family plans to host a brief reception at
the Fort Myer Community Club following the interment and invites all
attendees come.
More details on the reception will be announced at the
Chapel. We extend a sincere invitation to all of Dad's fellow servicemen,
friends, colleagues to join us on November 10. If anyone needs assistance
with transportation please contact me and I will do what I can to arrange
assistance. Please feel free to forward this email (or contact by other
means) to other individuals or web sites that could be useful to pass the
word on Dad's funeral. Thanks again to all of you for your service in the
past, and for keeping the history and traditions of the 503d and the
airborne alive and well. Most sincerely,
Dr. Henry A.
Zimon |
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"Sleepy"
passed away Saturday, 8 December, 2007. His formal announcement reads
as follows:-
I
received a call from John Reynolds giving the sad news of John E.
Mara's passing. 'Jack' was a very able officer, and my assistant
platoon leader at one time. I thought a lot of him. Mara was one of the two
who wrote substantiating affidavits for Lloyd McCarter's CMOH, opening
himself to the extreme disapproval of Col. Jones.
Alfred
D. Allen 85, went home to be with the Lord on Monday April 24, 2006 while
surrounded by his loving and faithful family. He was born in Chicopee April
11, 1921 and was a 1938 graduate of Chicopee High School. He is survived by
his beloved wife of 59 years, Wilma (Paschall) Allen. He also leaves his
three daughters, Debra Donnelly of Springfield; Brenda Long of Ludlow; Wilma
Turgeon of Indian Orchard. Alfred will be missed by; his three loving sons
in law, Ben, Mark and Barry; a sister, Margie Curtright of Arizona; his five
grandchildren; David and Daniel Kelley; Jonathan and Joel Belanger; Rachel
Turgeon and five great grandchildren all of whom who will see him again in
heaven. He was a Christ like example to everyone who met him. He was a
WWII Veteran with the Headquarters Co. 3rd Battalion 503rd Inf. Regiment
Parachute. He recently received the Bronze Star in 2004. He worked as a
firefighter at Westover Air Force Base for ten years and went on to become
an elementary school teacher in East Longmeadow for over 30 years retiring
in 1990. He served on the Chicopee School Committee for a total of 18 years
and on the Board of Alderman for four years. He was instrumental in
bringing organized soccer to Chicopee in 1961 and brought teams from all
over the world to compete at Szot Park and the former Brooks Field. There
are no calling hours and the funeral will be private. The family invites
family and friends to attend a public memorial service on Tuesday May 2nd at
the First Central Baptist Church 50 Broadway Chicopee Ma 01020 at 6:30 pm.
Memorial donations in Alfred's name may be made to the First Central Baptist
Church Missionary Fund.
I
just tried
to call Bob Flynn. A friend of his (John Maxwell) answered the phone.
He told me that Bob had passed away Wednesday Feb. 1. He told me that
Bob had been sick for a long time, and never let on to anybody how bad he
really was. 
