Vol. IX, No. 1                                                                                            July 2006

Denver Reunion = Plenty of Pleasures

 Lots of stories, much laughter, warm abrazos (the special camaraderie of  former members of the USAREUR Headquarters Band and family and friends), a fun concert, the beautiful ambiance of the Adam's Mark Hotel and its helpful staff (more of Frank's adopted family), the delicious food at the hotel and elsewhere (the Cheesecake Factory, Marlowe's, the Paramount, Maggiano's), picture taking, a productive business meeting, free bus rides on the 16th Street Mall, the sidewalk talk sessions (and for some the shopping), the laidback atmosphere of Denver, cooperating weather --- all provided the 33rd Army Band Alumni Association's fifth major reunion with a bountiful feast of pleasurable moments.  It was a grand time.

Former 33rders (l. to r.) Front: Louis Driever, Doug Youra, Michael Kaye, Lorelei Giddings, Dan Rickard, Scott Phoenix, Frank Schlatter
Second row: Melanie Craig, Ken Briden, Melvin Good, David Yoshioka, Dee Tonning, Gene Karjala, Robert Holmes, Gordon Lougee
Standing: Phil Jones, Frank Shaughnessy, Ken Stickel, Bill Woodworth, Paul Stevens, Bill Steiden, Tony Bencivenga, Ray McCallister, Don Craig, Dick Hays, Roger Dickerson, Ken Erion, Michael Bradbury, Rick McFerron, Ken Winkle, Greg Miller, Gene Garza, David Lovine, Lowell Skabo

The Extended 33rd Army Band Alumni Association Family
Denver Reunion - June 2006

It's always a challenge to take pictures of large groups, especially if your space is limited or if the lighting is not quite what you'd like for it to be.  And when a large group photo is taken, invariably, someone always seems to get hidden from view.  But isn't this a very friendly group of people?  Scott Phoenix and Frank Schlatter run back and forth a number of times between their cameras and the posing group in order to take "official" photos of the assembled members of the reunion.

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  Joe Martin, who was not a member of the band, wrote that he was surfing and found the 33rd website.  Because he did USAREUR band assignments from 1st PERSCOM in the early 90s (taking over from Frank Harris when he retired), he checked the list for familiar names.  He wrote that he knew Mike Pyatt from the School of Music.  Also he knew that Don Varville (french horn) was in the 33rd in the late 80s, but noted that he is not listed as a former 33rder.  Joe said that he served with him at the School and saw him when the 33rd went to Berlin for the Allied Forces Day Parade in '87.  He complimented us on our "Nice website." 

  Mike Bradbury, 73-78, wrote to report that Sgt. Major Enrique German-Lancos had passed away sometime in the 80s, not long after retiring.  He was living in Sierra Vista, AZ/Ft Huachuca at the time.

  Jeff Kemp, 82-85, has changed his e-mail: kemp505@juno.com.  Jeff said he and his family were planning a trip to Heidelberg early in July, the first trip back since he left there in '85.

  Ken Stickel, 56-57, wrote in April to provide the following: "Earlier this month I went to a concert by the Sierra Vista, AZ. Symphony Orchestra.  During the intermission (long story) I met Ken Fox who said he had played in the 33rd in the late seventies.  He said that McConnell and Shellburne were the directors when he was there.  He was in the percussion section of the orchestra.  I went on the band's website and he is listed as Unknown.  So here is what I know.  He is the Asst. Director of Cochise College at Ft. Huachuca, AZ Center.  His phone number is 520 533 2391 and e-mail is foxk@cochise.edu.   I do not know his address.  Yahoo People Search shows his address at 3603 Plaza De La Rosa, in Sierra Vista, AZ, but I can't confirm that it is current.  I told him about our reunion in Denver.  He said he is working on his PHD and probably would not be able to come.

  "Just a few more lines to let you know I have changed 'careers'.  No, I'm still retired, but now I'm a volunteer chaplain at the new hospital here in Oro Valley.  We opened up in January 2005 and I've been a chaplain there ever since.  I still volunteer with AARP to prepare tax returns for the seniors in Sun City Vistoso.  This year Nancy and I have the responsibility for the planning of Sunday morning worship services at church.  The rest of the time I try to stay out of trouble.

  Steve Barnhart, 74-76, would have liked to attend the reunion, but, as he said: "I'm currently in the process of selling my house and will be in Texas by the time of the reunion.  So, I won't be able to make it this time.  Hope you all have a wonderful get-together.

  Charles Sanders, 63-65, wrote to indicate that he "happened to stumble across the web site of the 33rd Army Band Alumni Association."  He said that as of the posting of the roster, Fred Boots, CO in '62 was still alive.  He requested information for getting in touch with him, noting that Mr. Boots "was actually my CO in the 50th Army Band at Fort. Monroe back in '63.  I was transferred to the 33rd in Heidelberg in '64 when Byron Smith was CO at Heidelberg."

  Charles later provided information about himself.  "My current mailing address is 1844 S. Garfield St., Denver, CO 80210.  My cell phone is 303-909-6992 and the land line phone is 303-757-3687.  I was assigned to the 33rd Army Band in Nov. 1963 until my hitch was up in Jan. 1965.  I was a part time musician until I blew my last gig in 1980.  My bassoon has been in the closet ever since except to take it out once in awhile for old times sake. I returned to Cal State Northridge in '65 to complete my senior year.  Since then, I've been involved in some aspect or other of the graphic arts field until 2004 when I had to retire because of illness in the family.  I am married and have two daughters and 0 grandchildren.  I'm 5'11 1/2" tall, 150 lb, and I drive a blue Subaru.  I cut out drinking, I cut out smoking, and I cut out paper dolls,  Did I omit anything?"

  Still later, Charles wrote to indicate that he had been in touch with Fred Boots' wife, who informed him of Mr. Boot's passing only weeks earlier.

  Ken Briden, 58-59, wrote to say that he had discovered the 33rd Army Band Alumni Association.  He said:  "Well lo and behold, you never know what you might come across when you start surfing Google.  What a great surprise that the 33rd has its own web site."

  Ken's permanent address is 7704 Ramona NW, Albuquerque NM 87114.  Home phone:505-792-8200.  Mobile phone: 505-205-8929.

  His temporary address, until 10-06, is1491 Greenwich Rd. Muskegon, MI 49441.  Phone: 616-604-0430.  Mobile: 505-205-8920.

  After noting that he and his wife Vera are staying in Michigan through the summer to be near one of their sons and his family, he provided some history.  He wrote: "In Heidelberg:  April 1958 - August 1959.  Played trumpet and tried to stay out of trouble.  I would have been successful at the later if it hadn't been for Greg Miller and Richard Ersting.

  "After the service I returned to Texas Tech and received my Bachelor's in music.  My trumpet instructor happened to be a new kid on the block by the name of Dick Tolley, formerly with the 33rd Army Band in 56-57.  I became a band director in Lubbock for four years before getting wanderlust and venturing out to California to teach in a private music studio.

  " I got my California teaching credential from U.C.L.A. and became the band and orchestra director at San Jose High School in San Jose, CA.  I also became the music minister for the First Presbyterian Church and remained in that position for 24 years.  I received my MA from San Jose State University.  In the last few years of my teaching career, after I realized I was spending more time with other people's kids than my own, I asked out of the band director's role and began teaching computer applications.

  "In 1993, my wife and I felt called to go to Russia as Christian missionaries and we lived there for two years.  (I took an early retirement from teaching.)  Since then, I have been a full time missionary.  (I know that bit of information is going to come as a terrible shock to some of my old army drinking and carousing buddies, but it's true.)  I have been able to lead some twelve short-term mission teams to Russia in the ensuing years.  This is the first summer I have spent in the States since 1995.  I am semi-retired now.  Semi-retired means I have my office in my home and can set my own schedule.  I still work in the administrative end of missionary work, but I can take off whenever I feel like it.

  "I have been happily married for 40  years, have four kids and nine grandkids."

  Although Ken found us only a couple of weeks prior to the reunion, he managed to get to Denver to participate in the fun event.

  Yurek K. Hinz, 95-2005, wrote to indicate that he was a clarinet player for the USAREUR Band and that he left the army last summer after 10 years.  His telephone number is: CIV: (+49) 6202-80-6526 and his e-mail address is yurek.hinz@us.army.mil.

  Yurek now teaches at the University of Maryland, web site: <http://www.ed.umuc.edu/>

  Yurek provided a brief autobiography.  He was born and spent most of his life in Poland.  He worked as a professional musician for over 25 years in Europe and in the USA and received a Master of Music degree in 1989 from the Chopin Conservatory of Music, Warsaw, Poland.  In 1990 he was granted a full scholarship to study communications at Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA, where he received a Master of Arts degree in Radio Production and Directing two years later.  He graduated with a Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems from Bowie State University, Bowie, MD in 2002.  He holds the following professional certifications: Information Systems Analyst Certificate, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCSA 2003: Security, MCSE 2003: Security, CompTIA+ and CompTIA Security +.

  Following the reunion, Bob Holmes, 72-73, sent an e-mail to extend his thanks "for the FANTASTIC organization of the reunion!  Can't remember when I had more fun.  Thanks for all your work"

  Then, in a message to be forwarded to Don Craig, he wrote: "Hi Don:  It was GREAT meeting you and hearing your nice solo.  I still can't believe you found Des Grossen Kurfursten Reitermarsch, and have a copy of the original Alte Kameraden!"

  "I have some other great marches that I hope someday to play again:  Der Kaiserjager, Seyfertitz, Revieumarsch, Jagdgeswader Richtofen (Baron Von Richtofen's march) and anything in Die Grosse Marsch Bush.  The Richtofen and other air force and paratrooper marches have an individual quality of lightness, and are very nice.  The Sea service marches are also very interesting and have a distinct quality of their own. 

  "The tune I mentioned is GREAT.  The nicest clarinet trio with band I ever heard.  I attached the lead part, which is the Eb Clarinet part...

  " I don't know how much you like this Prussian, German and Bavarian stuff, but I really like it-- perhaps because I heard a lot of German military bands play over there, and their tone and smoothness was incredible.  They use primarily Flugelhorns-that lend themselves to a more lyrical and blended sound.  When I first heard one at a review we were doing at Patton with a German Army Band, I thought they had strings in their band!"

  "The whole Zapfenstreich (Tattoo) Ceremony is in the Grosse Buch, and I hope someday to get over there and hear one live."

  "Our big band plays primarily Oktoberfest tunes, and has gotten away from the traditional stuff, which is disappointing.  One thing our woodwind guys do is fight over who gets to play the 3rd Clarinet parts an 8va higher on the Soprano Sax!  It is quite an interesting effect."

  "We will be leading off the Spaten Breu wagon at the Munchen Oktoberfest parade in '07!!  Our standard march is Bayericher Defile Marsch."

  Also since the reunion, Scott Phoenix, 73-75, wrote to provide some ideas for the schedule of the next reunion.  Those ideas will be provided in forthcoming issues of Passing In Review.

  Jay Field sent us an e-mail informing us of the passing of  John Field, band director from 1969 to 1972 on Tuesday, June 20th.  A memorial service was to be held on June 23rd in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, with interment with full military honors held at a later date.

  Don Craig, 84-93, provided his "thanks for a very fine reunion" saying "it was great that I finally got to attend one.  At this time we plan to attend the Portland reunion.  By the way, I direct 2 bands here and I own and direct quite a lot of German music, plus my wife and I have several arrangements that we have written."

  He continued, saying that if we needed a director next time that he was volunteering.

  Gene Karjala, 57-58, said "It was a great reunion.  I felt I got closer to a lot more people this trip than the last one."

  And finally, Ken Briden wrote again offering his compliments for a well-organized reunion."  He continued:  "It was good to see everyone, though I don't think I would have recognized a soul if I had passed them on the street.  After I read the name tags, many of them [had] a vaguely familiar look. Thank God for name tags.  I haven't seen any of these guys for almost 50 years, and you would think that just the process of time would make some of them a little better looking.  It didn't work.  They were just as ugly as they were in days of yore."

  "It was good to see everyone, and the stories get better with each passing year."

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About the 33rd Army Band Alumni Association

    The 33rd Army Band Alumni Association is a not-for-profit organization that has been developed to provide a means for former members of the USAREUR Band to be in contact with one another via the quarterly newsletter Passing In Review and through periodic reunions.

     33rd ABAA CEO:  Frank Schlatter, 3111 Futura, Roswell, NM 88201.  E-mail: obfusa@rt66.com  Telephone number: 505-622-6898.  Fax: 505-622-1611.

    Webmaster for the 33rd ABAA internet site: Dee Tonning, 2265 Tawny Woods Pl., Boise, ID 83706.  E-mail: dtonning@aol.com.

     Local Coordinator for 2008 reunion in Portland the third weekend in June(?): Scott Phoenix, 1224 Pennington Ave., N., Newberg, OR 97132-1148. Tel.: 503-538-1674  E-mail: OR4Phoenix@aol.com

   The organization's web site:     http://www.rt66.com/~obfusa/33rd.  

Persons who are not former members of the 33rd Army Band but who are interested in participating in the activities of the alumni association are welcome as associate members.  Annual dues for all members: $15, payable to the 33rd ABAA and sent to the CEO.  The normal dues cycle is from January to January. but dues can be paid at any time.

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The Denver Reunion - A Good Time Was Had By All

  Some of us began the 5th major reunion when we arrived at the Adam's Mark Hotel on Thursday, June 15th, locating one another by the horses in the lobby or calling one another via the hotel phones.  Our early Denver experience was either walking or riding a free bus on the 16th Street Mall and locating the numerous dining establishments along that thoroughfare. 

  Friday morning was more of the same, banding together in small groups to eat and talk.  Registration and the gathering of  the clan in out hospitality room began at one o'clock, and introductions, rekindling of previous associations, and story telling were accompanied by photo albums and slides. Then, in the early evening, most of the reunion went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner, where we spread out across the restaurant.  For eighteen of us, that was followed by a fast four-block walk to the Denver Performing Arts Center where we were enthralled with the high energy dancing and music of "Movin' Out."

  Saturday morning was devoted to attending nearby museums, followed by lunch at Maggiano's Little Italy Restaurant.  One table of 18 to 20 enjoyed the family style meal; others at a second table took ala carte.  Neither table was disappointed with the servings.  (Indeed the meals served on the Mall and at the hotel were definitely satisfying and filling.)

  Conductors for our afternoon rehearsal, and, later, for our evening performance---which was well received by those not performing-- were Dick Hays and Bob Holmes.  The evening banquet, featuring grilled steak and salmon, was followed by the normal chaos that attends the taking of the "official" reunion photographs.  (It's never easy to get everybody together and properly staggered so that all can be seen.  But Scott Phoenix did his best to organize us.)  The late night hours were spent, as were numerous other hours, in conversations in the banquet room or at a sidewalk bar.

  Sunday morning's buffet breakfast was followed by our business meeting, during which the assembled reunion-goers decided to hold the next reunion in Portland, Oregon, in 2008 and the subsequent reunion in Charleston, South Carolina in 2010.  Volunteering to serve as the local hosts in 2008 were Scott Phoenix and Ken Erion.

  Some of the gang had to leave on Sunday.  Those of us who stayed enjoyed the lobby concert of Roger Dickerson, 58-59, with guest clarinetist, sax, and flautist Richard Chiaraluce, who plays with the Dorsey Band along with Dick Prestage, 57-59.  Also participating in the Sunday afternoon session was clarinetist Don Craig.

  On Monday, thirty reunion-goers took the California Zephyr through the scenic Colorado countryside to Frazer.  We traveled over the Flatirons and the South Boulder Canyon, passing through Utah Junction (Milepost 3), Leyden Junction (Milepost 12)--- the departure point for the Inter-urban Electric Line which served the Leyden coal mines that supplied Denver with home heating coal prior to World War II.  We rode the long stretches of "ribbon rail" (track welded into continuous 1,000 foot sections that took away from the clickity-clack of the conventional rail lines but resulting in a much smoother, quieter ride), and began to climb out of the valley via horseshoes around a bluff between Rocky and Clay: the Big Ten and Little Ten curves, where we had the chance to take pictures as the train wound up the 2% grade.

  We passed hopper cars just before Clay (Milepost 21) that serve as a wind break against occasional hurricane-force winds, passed Coal Creek Canyon and entered the first of numerous tunnels (a total of 31 between Denver and Winter Park).  According to the publicity blurbs, it was in the "summer of 1903, over a thousand men were at work on the tunnels and cuts of the canyon.  Most of the tunnels were drilled by hand as it was too difficult to bring machinery... The Moffat Tunnel measures an amazing 32,789 feet or 6.2 miles."

  After Tunnel 8 we could look down over a thousand feet above South Boulder Creek.  Just before Crescent (Milepost 31), we entered Roosevelt National Forest, where you could see South Boulder Canyon and Gross Reservoir, which supplies Denver with 14 billion gallons of water per year.

  The train subsequently runs through a broad valley.  Reaching Tolland (Milepost 47), we came to the place where in earlier days a locomotive fireman "would have shoveled 15 tons of coal into the engine on a single 23 mile trip over 'Hell Hill'"

  It was fifty miles west of Denver that we entered the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel, through which the first train passed in February 1928.  The sixth longest tunnel in the world, it required 2.5 million pounds if dynamite during the 48 months that it took to bore through the mountain.

  Shortly after passing through the Moffat Tunnel, we arrived in Frazer, where a bus met us to take us to the mall in Winter Park.  The time in Winter Park was spent in shopping, having lunch, and enjoying the mountain air.  Some of us did a bit of walking (hiking) and fed the fish at a private lake.  A few went horseback riding.  Lorelei discovered an outdoor model train in the back of a Winter Park home and immediately passed the word along to Frank, who is a model train buff.  Naturally, Frank and family took photos.

  Shortly before four in the afternoon, we returned to Frazer, where we were supposed to board the train at 4:10.  The train, we learned, was late.  And we subsequently learned it was very late--not arriving until shortly after 8 o'clock.  Unfortunately, Frazer does not have much to offer in the way of amenities for waiting passengers.  As a matter of fact, the station at Frazer is unmanned.  And if it were not for the camaraderie of the reunion-goers, the layover in Frazer would probably have been most unpleasant.  However, despite the frequently-expressed concern of 'when will that train arrive?', our modus operandi for the time continued to be associating in conversations with one another.

  We did not get off the train till shortly after 11, which meant that for some of us we had a very late dinner--the restaurant: the Paramount on the 16th Street Mall.  There we reviewed the fun-filled events of the reunion and looked forward to the next time when we would meet.

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IN MEMORIAM

  The obituary appearing in The Washington Post for Fred Boots, CO, 59-62 included the following details:  He was born in Champaign, IL, attended school in Wisconsin, enlisted in the army in 1942 and then left the Army in 1945 to return to the U of Wisconsin, where he earned a Bachelor and Masters degree in music.  He later became Assistant Professor of Music at San Jose State College in California and was later recalled to active service, becoming a Warrant Officer Band Leader with duty at Ft. Bliss, Korea, Tokyo, West Point (director of the glee club), Heidelberg, and Ft. Monroe.  He retired in 1971 as Assoc. Band Master of the U.S. Army Band.  Following retirement he was head of the Special Services Division of Alexandria Libraries and later served as the Quality Assurance Consultant, Library of Congress Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.  He is survived by Patricia, his wife of 58 years.  A graveside service with full honors is to be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, July 6, at Arlington National Cemetery.

  John Field, CO, 69-72 passed away on Tuesday, June 20.  A memorial service was held on June 23.  Interment with full military honors was scheduled for a later date.

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