2010 Reunion
in D.C. Set for Sept. 9-12
Frank
Signs Contract with Hotel
The Crowne Plaza Washington National Airport, 1480 Crystal Drive in Arlington, VA 22202 will be the site of the 2010 reunion of the 33rd ABAA September 9-12, 2010. The choice of the hotel and the time of year for our reunion were determined by what would work best for the majority of the members, including such factors as costs and the temperature of DC in the fall as compared to what the capital is like in the summer and what rooms go for during that time of the year.
People familiar with Washington D.C. will recognize that the Crystal City hotel is close to Washington National Airport and thus just a short distance from the National Mall. What may not be realized is that the Crowne Plaza itself is close to the Metro system, so participants in the reunion will have easy access to transportation throughout the city. The decision to use the Crowne Plaza was made following a one-day trip to the Nation's Capital by Frank and Carole Schlatter in April, for the express purpose of making site visits on behalf of the 33rd ABAA to various hotels in the Crystal City area.
It might be noted here that the Crowne Plaza has a sister hotel in the vicinity: the Holiday Inn. Indeed, the sales staff provided Frank and Carole with accommodations at the Holiday Inn for the night they were in the D.C. area. A very nice hotel that would have provided us with a somewhat lower room rate than that we contracted for at the Crowne Plaza, it would have been an excellent choice except that it is some six or seven blocks away from the Metro---a bit of a hike, particularly for some of us who aren't as mobile as we used to be. Of the two venues the Crowne Plaza is the more attractive facility, and for our reunion the staff has reduced its normal room rates of $145 and up to $99 single or double.
The hotel provides transportation to and from the airport and, for our reunion-goers with automobiles, our contract stipulates that "Self-parking is available on a complimentary basis for your guests." (Other hotels in the area charge as much as $25 to $30 per day for parking.)
Currently, we have
contracted for each of the three nights, Thursday through Saturday:
15 two
double bed rooms
20 "King Executive" rooms
As happens each time that we make arrangements for our reunion at a hotel, the coordinator for the event has to make the best projections he or she can. When sending the hotel projections for the 2010 reunion, Frank wrote in a covering letter that he would be attempting to find out how many members of the 33rd ABAA think they might attend , saying that he would hope that a modification of the figures in the present contract would be possible if they proved to be out-of-line. To this end, 33rd alumni are receiving with the postal mail copy of this newsletter--or in a general letter for non-paying alumni---a postcard asking whether the individual (with spouse or other) definitely plans to attend or is considering attending.
The importance of getting some definite commitments, along with the strong possibility that others at least hope to attend, cannot be overstated, for such information enables us to plan the various activities of the reunion and the amount of transportation we will need for events in different DC locations. And it would be beneficial for us to start making arrangements for those activities at this time. So please see that you return the postcard ASAP.
Alumni members may recall that several venues were cited in an earlier newsletter that would be of great interest to those at the reunion. They included the US Marine Corps Museum, an absolutely 'must see and experience' place, that requires no charge for admission and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (which like the Marine Corps Museum, also has no admission charge).
Additionally, Frank still thinks there may well be the opportunity for us to visit the White House for a brief reception with the President.
The 33rd Army Band - now identified with the chorus as the USAREUR Band and Chorus - is clearly the representative of the many military bands that have served as ambassadors of American goodwill, particularly in Europe. Among the first of military organizations in the 1950's to be integrated and early in the 80's to incorporate both men and women into the same military unit, the band has a history of performing in countless parades and concerts, many of which were for top military personnel, dignitaries of numerous countries, and U.S. Presidents. Obviously, too, such occasions as the selection of the Unknown Soldier from World War II for the European Theater and the various D-Day commemorations that called for the participation of the 33rd Army Band enhance the nature of the service rendered by the band over the years. So it might be fitting for President Obama to meet with us.
As indicated, having some notion of how many of us there will be at our reunion--and the specific interests of the members-- will make it easier to develop plans for such activities.
________________________________________
FRANK DOES A DOUBLE TAKE ON
NORFOLK
He's now recommending Annual, Rather than Biennial Reunions
Because of Frank Schlatter's involvement with the Reunion Network, Inc. for Planners of Military Reunions and his previous contacts in arranging some of the earlier 33rd ABAA reunions, the Norfolk, Virginia Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) invited Frank and his spouse to their 2009 Military Reunion Familiarization Tour in mid-April. The three and a half day itinerary provided them with a much greater look at what Norfolk has to offer than their previous one day visit offered, and, as a consequence , Frank is now talking about the possibility of a reunion in Norfolk in 2011. (That's right -- just a year after we meet in DC.)
The host hotel for the event was the Norfolk Plaza Hotel, a very attractive hotel in downtown Norfolk, which is committed to providing lower cost accommodations to military groups, currently $89 a night and food prices that are more reasonable than in places like Washington D.C., Boston, and Chicago. The facility would be an obvious choice for a 33rd reunion in Norfolk. Among the activities that would be worth the time of 33rders would be a visit to the MacArthur Museum, a tour of the Naval Station, a visit to the Botanical Gardens, a cruise that takes in the Naval Base from a different perspective than a land tour, a tour of the Nauticus, a marine museum where the Wisconsin battleship is moored alongside and is also worthy of exploration. Additionally, of course, Norfolk is in the vicinity of Williamsburg, and Yorktown, and arrangements can be easily made for trips to these historic locations.
The 2011 reunion should also be considered as a planning session for Heidelberg in 2012. In any case, Frank hopes that the members of the association will give some thought to annual reunions inasmuch as so many of our members are no longer spring chickens and would like to have the opportunity to get together more often.
.
Erik Scotty Thompson (flute & piccolo71-72) wrote to provide his name and address for the association. His email address is sthompson@pullman.com. He lives in Pullman , Washington, and says he works with his wife Suzanne at his garden business located on their three acre homesite: livinginthegardens.com He emphasized that he is called Scotty.
KT Magnusson (63-65) said than when he got the latest newsletter, his wife picked it up, scanned it, and then commented: "My he does a whole lot of work." To which KT responded: "True." In a reference to our projected reunion in Washington D.C., he said he was interested, but not in August, saying it is way too hot and muggy during that month and proposed early September as an ideal time for him. He urged that we see what we can do set up a meeting with the President, suggesting that: "One never knows."
George Hines (70-72) wrote to identify his correct email address: geo.57.3101@gmail.com.
William Meynier, (pianist 71-72) wrote to thank the editor "for keeping track of all the alumni data". He then asked if the next time the directory was sent out whether it would be possible to provide the data in electronic form rather than hard copy. He noted that it would be a lot cheaper than printing and mailing it out. He suggested that a survey be forwarded to members to find out how many would prefer the e-file, pointing out that it would be more convenient. He went on to say that it would be easy to send out an updated e-file every so often rather than once per year and that the Passing in Review could be emailed as a pdf file . "Just thinking," he said. "We appreciate all you and Dee do for us."
In early March Frank Schlatter (56-58) wrote to Frank Gomes (55-56), saying: "I see by an AP release today that your town has been hit hard by the recession/depression. Hope you are managing to keep your heads above water." He cited the release that read as follows:
Mon., March 2, 2009
PORT ST. LUCIE,
Fla. - Just five years ago, Port St. Lucie was America's fastest-growing large
city. Then the foreclosure crisis slammed it like a hurricane.
"Today it sits in one of the hardest-hit counties in the nation...."
Frank G. responded to both Frank S's email and to what
Frank S had written in the previous newsletter with regard to health issues the
latter had experienced. He wrote as follows:
"I have been thinking of
you quite a bit lately, due to the last Passing in Review that came a
couple of weeks ago. I have been planning on emailing you but have been
remiss in doing so. It was a shock to hear of what you went thru. It
must have been quite a scare to go thru all that. I thank God that you
pulled thru and are doing well. As an aside, I also shudder to think of
what would happen to the 33rd Association without your leadership. It's
too scary to even think of it.
"As for our status here: so far we are doing fine. With the profit we made in selling our home in Massachusetts, we were able to pay cash for this house in Port St. Lucie, so we don't have a mortgage. That's a saving grace. The value of our home has gone down over $100,000 in the past year, but, again, thank God we are ok. We have no plans of moving for quite some time. We pray that when the time comes that this crisis will have passed and we will at least get out purchase price back. So many people here are having to sell their homes for so much less than what they paid for them. The circle of friends we have here are also doing ok and we are all surviving. But there are many, many people, even in our community, losing their homes. It is so sad to see it happening. Port St. Lucie has the most foreclosures of any town or city in the country The crazy thing is that even tho home sales were declining, developers were continuing to build. So now besides people losing their homes with no chance of selling, there is a huge glut of new homes just sitting with no one to buy them.
"We thank you for your concern. We also hope that all other 33rders are doing ok and riding out the disaster. We are also excited that the next reunion is back in DC. There is so much to see and do there. And since we were there in '99, many things have been added. Either time (June or August) is ok with us. If it was in June, we could probably stop on our way north. The only thing with that is that our van will be loaded with what we need for the summer in New Hampshire that we would be nervous leaving the van at the hotel. Either way, if everything goes as planned, we will be there. We have really missed being with our 33rd friends the past three reunions.
"And thank you for putting our twins story in the Passing in Review. We didn't expect that. We were just so excited about telling a wonderful story. Before we head north for the summer, we hope to get to Atlanta to visit with the other twin. We do continue to talk with both of them by phone."
"That's all the news from here for now. Again, thank you for your concern."
Don Wagner (99-03) wrote, requesting that he be added to the alumni list. He says he was assigned to the USAREUR Band from November 1999 to December 2003 as a tuba player. He is currently retired working as a DOD civilian with DISA.
Don provided his address and identified "a few tuba guys" who were with him during his time in the band. They include: SFC Santos Godineaux (2001-2004?)--now at Ft. Lewis, Washington; MSG Mike Goetz (1996-2002?); SFC Corey Dawson (2001-2004), now at Ft. Hood, Texas.
Greg Miller (57-59) has moved from Morrison, Colorado, to Seattle, Washington. In his communication he said that his email address will be fmmiller.miller42@gmail.com. Greg plans to continue with his consulting business as Cement Etc., Inc.
Stanley N. Cornett (85-88) wrote to report the news of the passing of Col (Ret) Finley Hamilton (85-90) on Tuesday, 14 April of this year. Hamilton was a former commander with the 33rd AB, from July, 1988 to July, 1990. He is said to have died peacefully at his home in Ellicot City, MD.
His obituary included the following information: He was 61 when he died of cancer. Born in Richmond, Kentucky, he attended elementary and secondary schools in that state and later graduated from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) with a bachelor's degree in music, earning his master's in music in 1975. He was an active member of Phi Mu Alpha.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant through EKU's Reserve Officers' Training Corps, and completed a career of 30 years in the Army's bands program. Between command tours, he served as director of instruction at the U.S. Army School of Music; staff bands officer, Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe; executive officer, U.S. Army Field Band; and staff bands officer, Dept. of the Army.
Among his honors was his receipt of the Adjutant General's Corps Regimental Association's highest award for service to the regiment, the Horatio Gates Medal in Gold. He was a member of the American Bandmasters Association , the National Bands Association, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the Texas Bandmaster's Association.
He was a guest conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Boston Pops Orchestra and Detroit Symphony. Mr. Hamilton is survived by his wife, Kathy; stepson Jose; and sister, Rebecca Hamilton Brown, of Ormond Beach, Fla.
Mr. Hamilton's memorial services were held at the Post Chapel on Fort George G. Meade on April 20, 2009. Interment was at Arlington National Cemetery.
Mark Brady (79-82) wrote as follows: "Just sitting here tonight scrolling through the old "Passing in Reviews" and I discovered that in the May 98 edition someone asked how Dan Caron came up with the nickname "Flam". It actually wasn't Flam, it was FLAMO! Dan was working with Tom Opoien and me in the instrument repair shop. We had a small burner and when using denatured alcohol you can't see the flame. Well, Dan, wearing his instrument repair smock leaned over the lamp to get a tool. Within seconds the pocket of the smock was on fire and Dan had "Flamed On" and thus the name "Flamo". Dan also had another nickname from his softball escapades. During a tough month of games, Dan managed to go "O for June" earning him the nickname "Dan-O". Hope this adds a little humor to the group." Mark commented that he retired in '96 as the Student Company 1SG, Lt. Col. Steele, the CO at the time.
Ken Briden (58-59) wrote to announce: "At long last, the concluding book of the IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM series is on its way. Paw Prints Publishing Co. is sending me some copies. The semi-bad news is that the cost of mailing supplies has gone up, so I have to charge $16 for this one. But the good news is that price includes shipping and insurance.
"If you enjoyed the first two, and if you enjoy historical fiction, especially about the settling of the Southwest, I think you will enjoy this one." You can contact Ken at kennethbriden.blogspot.com. Or you can reach him at 7704 Ramona NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114.
SP5 Don Smith (72) "was surfing the web and did a search for the 33rd Army Band and hit paydirt!" He says "I was a trumpeter in Heidelberg in '72 and remember "Chuck" Purrington (my roommate), Gary Maki, DickRabideau, Paul Tuttle and CO Field. I'm still alive and kickin' and giggin'. Please add me to your "found" list!
____________________________________________________________________________________
33rd Army Band Alumni Association Executive Committee
Chief Executive Officer: Frank Schlatter, 3111 Futura, Roswell, NM 88201.
Tel: 575-622-6898
Email: obfusa@rt66.com
Website: Dee Tonning, Webmaster, 2265 Tawny Woods Pl., Boise, ID 83706
Email: dtonning@aol.com
Directory (Membership) and Newsletter: Frank Schlatter
Annual dues are $15, payable to 33rd ABAA and sent to the CEO.
Website Address: http://www.rt66.com/~obfusa/33rd