33rd ABAA Members Encouraged to Make
Arrangements
Now for Portland Reunion in July
Scott Phoenix and Ken Erion, co-arrangers for the next 33rd ABAA reunion, are now encouraging members of the association to begin making their reservations for travel, room accommodations, and the reunion itself to be held this July. The schedule for the reunion and the Reunion Registration Form, along with a Special Events Order Form appear at the end of this newsletter and can be printed by following the instructions accompanying them. In those materials you will note that the dates for the reunion are July 4-7. The reunion registration fee per person is $85 until May 3, after which the registration fee will be $100. The rate for the reunion hotel is $105 per day. Those attending should be sure to ask for the 33rd Army Band rate. That rate should be good from June 30 to July 10.
Site for the reunion is the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower, details concerning which can be obtained at the following URL: http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/PDXPHHH-Hilton-Portland-Executive-Tower-Oregon/index/.do
Obviously, the various special events scheduled during the reunion are optional expenses. The Brunch River Cruise on July 5 is $34 per person. The projected excursions on July 6 are still being explored, as Ken Erion is looking into prices and the practicality of stretch vans (seating 15) for the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. St. Helens.
Finally, if enough individuals sign up for the trip to the Oregon Coast (Cannon Beach and Tillamook) on Monday, July 7, the use of two vans may be a suitable alternative to a large bus.
________________________________________
2008 Directory Included with Newsletter
Included with the issue of this newsletter that was mailed to association members is the most recent edition of the 33rd ABAA directory. If you should notice any mistakes within the directory, you are encouraged to forward them to Frank Schlatter, 3111 Futura, Roswell, NM 88201 so that accurate information can be supplied to the membership when the next newsletter is produced. As Frank has repeatedly noted, as a result of members moving, getting telephone or email addresses changed, etc., the directory tends to have missing or erroneous information shortly after it is produced. So it is helpful if members send the editor of the directory whatever current information they may have.
________________________________________
.
Rolf Emurt of Neudenau, Germany, wrote the newsletter editor in November with a request for some information from knowledgeable 33rd ABAA members. He wrote that on August 5, 1977, a band concert was held in the little village of Siglingen near Heibronn. He tape recorded the concert and has now 'translated' it into digital, but he doesn't know the titles for the 15 tracks. He asked whether someone could help him, saying that he could "send small pieces of tracks as mp3." If you can help, his address is as follows: Rolf Emert, Siglingen, Amselweg 12, 74861 Neudenau, Germany. His email is: RolfEmert@web.de.
Leslie M. Singer (64-67), who played flute with the
band, wrote to indicate that he had learned of our website from a former 60s
member of the band and to indicate that he had been living in Germany for the
last 40 years. He presently lives close to Heidelberg.
In late
November of 2007, Leslie wrote an extended email to provide us with an
update:
"After my tour ended in 1967, I was transferred to Fort
Stewart in Savannah, Georgia, for the last two years of my Army term. It
definitely was quite different to any of my previous assignments; for one thing
it was hot and my coming from Pennsylvania, I just wasn't ready for it.
The 80th Army Band was quite a bit smaller than the 33rd and there isn't too
much to say about those two years except that I became the assistant band
director and was also director of the band chorus. I was active in the
local amateur theatre, a member of the Savannah Episcopal Church Choir and gave
flute lessons to several Army dependants."
"In January of 1969 I received my discharge from the service and in February of that same year I moved to Hannover, Germany, where I lived for almost 20 years. My original intention after returning to Germany was to do some traveling and also learn the language. Since I needed to earn a few Marks in order to travel and pay for my daily living, I took a job in a large photo company near Hannover (Unicolor). It took me about a year and a half to learn German fluently, and at the same time I was learning a trade that I never thought I had a talent for. By 1974 I was Assistant Manager of the Amateur Photo Department, but because of my background from the trade school I attended in Hershey, Pennsylvania, I was asked to take over the Accountings and Shipping Department as Department Manager."
"In 1981 I changed jobs and worked for a professional photographer in a company directly in Hannover. Photo Centrum Zimmerman is one of the best Professional Photo Digital Companies in Northern Germany. Our main projects were for advertising for Professional Industrial Fairs. The photo and now digital enlargements and displays from Manfred Zimmerman, my boss and other photographers, can be seen at almost any Industrial Fair in Europe, Asia and even the USA. I was employed in Hannover for almost 10 years."
"In 1991 I was offered a job in a photo company in Mannheim, Germany (DigiLab), and since I always wanted to work further south near Heidelberg and also because the $$$s were OK, I accepted the position in Mannheim. I was employed in that company until my retirement in 2005."
"During the 39 years that I have lived here I have naturally done quite a bit of traveling throughout Germany and Europe, but at the same time I have made it a point to see many places of interest in the USA as well. My travels have taken me to Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Greece, Holland Belgium, Denmark, France, England (mainly London) and this past summer to Scotland. Back in the 80s we also took a trip to Egypt staying mainly in the Cairo area. It was one of the most interesting trips that I have ever taken and one that I wouldn't mind going on again if it weren't for the security question."
"Strangely enough it took me almost 15 years to discover London. For some reason I never had the desire to go there. What a mistake on my part! But since my first trip I have become so fascinated with the city that we now fly to London 2 and 3 times a year. Since I am very interested in theater, in particular opera, ballet and the musical theater, London with its more than 50 theaters is the perfect city for me. I can't tell you how often I've stood at Buckingham Palace just to see the changing of the guards or have strolled through Hyde Park."
"I can't say that I have seen all of the US States, but I've traveled to most of the important and interesting spots all through the states. Three of the most interesting trips we have taken were a drive down the East coast (New York - Florida) or a trip that went from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park; the 3rd being a 2 1/2 week trip through California. Future plans include a 4-week round trip in May - June of 2008. Our starting and ending point being Las Vegas. From there we will be going to Phoenix, Sedona, to the Petrified Forest, Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, Arches, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. It is a trip that we have been planning for several years but have always put off for something else."
"That about sums up in Readers Digest form the happenings in my life these last 39 years. Frank, I just hope I haven't bored you. I have attached a few photos from over the years that you might like."
William (Bill) Meynier, (71-72), who was a pianist with the band, is now working as an Army contractor in the Army Central Regional Environmental Office in Kansas City.
Gene Garza (69-70) wrote to express his regrets that he would not be able to attend this year's reunion because of a commitment with his community band to play a concert on July 4th. He said "Too bad. I've never been in Oregon. Keep me posted for future reunions."
Robert Holmes (72-73) wrote in November to provide an update regarding his addresses, and then provided the following: "I talked to my sail buddy Don Fife (he came into the 33rd several months after me--we both played in the trumpet section in 1973.) He sounded like he might come to the reunion with me! I don't know the logistics of our stay, but possibly we will sail there or drive and stay on a charter boat--just attending the reunion without staying at the hotel."
"Last year in Denver, I was given the privilege of directing a good half of the program. I would love to do some directing again this year if there is an opportunity. Played in the Munich Oktoberfest parade and the Stuttgart Kanstatter Wassen (Stuttgart's version of Oktoberfest) in Sept. with a polka band that started at the college I attended and has been going for over 30 years. We also play a big San Francisco Oktoberfest every year."
"Also just directed the San Francisco "Deutscher Mucik Verein" concert band last week in a concert in Santa Rosa, CA. What fun!!! The band is 70 years old this Jan."
"Appreciate that Leonard, Charles "Chuck" Purrington was found!! Chuck was lead trumpet while Don and I were in the 33rd, and we often wondered what happened to him. I'll write him and see if he will consider coming to Portland!! (Frank, no email address?) Chuck was an incredible player who used to drive to Switzerland for lessons with Edward Tarr!"
"Is Lorelei attending this tear? I told her last year I would have to bring my accordion and we would sing "Die Lorelei" this year!!!"
Doug Youra (57-58) wrote to say that all is well with the Youra clan, for which he remains "eternally grateful. He said that it "Gets a little frightful when half the obits are people younger than I." He also wrote that "Other than low-water levels, we had another good year at the cottage. Fishing (when I could launch the boat) was productive and we continue to feast on Mother Nature's bounty. Although I didn't catch as many perch this year I still have packages in the freezer from previous harvests, and we enjoy fish fries at home on a regular basis."
"I only needed one outing this fall to restock the freezer with our favorite mushrooms and they also grace our table on a regular basis. None of my brothers has learned (or retained) the art of picking them, so whenever we get together, I generally treat them to a meal. Brings back many memories from when we were kids at home. Music continues to occupy much of my free time, In addition to serving as Music Librarian for the Allouez Village Band (80 members strong), I've played at several functions in other groups...."
"Looking forward to the Portland reunion, Haven't registered yet, mainly because my plans are still incomplete. Have a brother, nephew and niece within 50 miles of Portland, and I don't know if I will be bunking up with them rather than the hotel...plus, I've invited my two younger brothers to accompany...but, I plan to attend the Main Banquet, hopefully play in the 33rd Geriatric Band, plus renew many acquaintances."
Hubert E. Harris (early 50s), who is "77 Yrs. Young" is still playing. He noted that when he was in Germany, Mannheim was the quarters where the band lived as the 427th, 33rd, and 80th Army Band, for which he played clarinet, tenor and baritone sax. At the time he said the band was under the leadership of Mr. B. Durant, then Mr. Harry H. Hollowell.
Hubert wrote that "there is a lot of history with the 247th and 33rd bands that's never been told. Our Band association met every year for many years in different states. The number in attendance was so few that they had to stop meeting, but we still get Band Briefs from our Brothers Paul F. Lecompt (50-52), Secretary, and Walter D. Medley (49-52). I received a call from a former member of the 33rd Bob Arledge (69). It's been a while back now. I can't find his tel. phone number."
Nancy Waidelich (formerly Nancy Dutton & Nancy Cook) (75-77) wrote in late December to relate how sad she was at the passing of Richard Goodrich, whom she called "Boss", "was one of the band members I hung with most, and was one of the four of us who escaped to spend the day in London while on tour in Cardiff, Wales, the summer of 1975. Richard was also very protective of us girls when we were out on tour, and would not let us ladies go off on our own, but would always accompany us throughout the various cities we visited, to protect us. I have so many wonderful memories of fun times spent with Richard, as I know many others also have. I want to get in contact with Karen to express my condolences."
"I'm still serving as an insurance analyst/actuary for the Texas Dept. of Insurance , a career that I love, that also gives me an opportunity to travel throughout the U.S. several times a year for various conferences, and also permits me to telecommunicate from home several days a week, which is great. I'm also involved as a volunteer with several Austin organizations (Capital Area Food Bank - sorting food, helping in the offices), American Youth Works (mentoring at-risk youth), Hands On Austin (trail & park restoration & cleanup). Alas, I am no longer playing the clarinet (though I still own one, but donated my spare one to a co-worker whose daughter was starting in band at middle school). I decided last year that I wanted to learn how to play the guitar (acoustic), so that, along with my keyboard and my iPod nano addiction, are my musical stylings now. Then, with what spare time I have, I am trying to learn Spanish."
"I would love to attend the next reunion, but will have to check on my schedule at work. If I can attend, I will let you know. The work that you are doing to keep us all in touch is so valuable...I know several veterans through my work that wish there were something in place for them to connect with their previous units. You are proof that where there's a will, there's a way.
Kevin W. Pfleuger (72-75) wrote to request that his status be changed to "found." He provided information about himself, which, if possible, will be added to the current directory. Otherwise, the data will be supplied in the next newsletter. Kevin indicated that he had been residing in the Berea, Kentucky area for the past 22 years.
David Lovine (74-76) wrote to provide a URL that shows his current schedule, saying he is "outta here for 2 months." He indicated he would be seeing us in the spring.
Joseph Turrise (67) and his wife Renate, are shown below at the Zum Seppel on a recent trip to Heidelberg. (Your webmaster apologizes for the picture quality.)
____________________________________________________________________________________
To make a copy of the following forms, right click (with your mouse) on a form, then select the "print" option from the drop down menu that appears. Repeat this process for each form you wish to copy.
