PASSING IN REVIEW

It has been three months since the first issue of Passing in Review was disseminated, and thus it is time for issue #2. Aside from the fact that the Christmas season is nearly upon us, and most of us are apt to be busy with family and friends during this wonderful party time, the editor of the newsletter wants to encourage one and all to "report in" so as to provide some data regarding what's been happening since the first Passing in Review and also to give the other members of this select organization some idea of what's on your schedule in the months to come.

A number of you have made one or more contacts with the editor, and, for your efforts, you get a sharp military salute--the kind he hardly ever gave between 1956 and 1958. You are the ones who have provided the news for this edition!

Located Personnel:

First, Alma and Bill Steiden located several of our missing members for us. Found by them were:

Gordon Farrington, Lapeer, Michigan 48446

Jim McGinnis ('56-'59), Toledo, OH 43615-6010.

Bill Ryder, Houston, TX 77079.

Alma and Bill also learned that George Jones and John Weber had passed away.

Next, Dick Hays found Chan Johnson for us. Chan and his wife Ria, whom a number of you will know, live in Las Vegas, NV 98110. In conversation with the Review editor, Chan indicated that they have two sons, Mike, 39, who was born in Heidelberg, and Rick 31. Chan retired from the Army in 1974, and after they moved to Las Vegas worked the hotel casino scene.

Lou Driever provided the particulars for Paul (Pinky) Smith, Avon Lake, Ohio 44012.

Then, it should be noted that Fred Boots has e-mailed to identify two other former 33rders: LTC Finley Hamilton, former 33rd CO, e-mail address: hamiltf0@hoffman- emh1.army.mil, who Fred believes may assist us in securing lists of former members; and Col. L. Bryan Shelburne Jr., former USAREUR Staff Band Officer and former CO of the 33rd Army Band--and present Leader and Commanding Officer, The United States Army Band (Pershing's Own). Fred has indicated that Col Shelburne expressed interest in furnishing support for the 1999 reunion that we have projected for Washington, D.C. (More about reunion plans later.)

Changes of address and telephone numbers were provided to the newsletter by: Richard Tolley and Charles J. Nier. Those who do not have their addresses in Granbury, Texas and Chicago and who wish to contact them may wish to get the particulars from the newsletter editor.

(Editor's Note: Unlike the hard copy issue of the newsletter which is sent to 33rd alumni only and which contains street addresses and telephone numbers, the Passing in Review reproduced here has excised such information.)

We've lost contact with Elmond Williams, whose mail is now being returned from the address given in the Reunion booklet. If you have any idea where to locate him, please provide us with the particulars.

Two hotel chains, the Marriott and the Sheraton, have been checked for potential sites of our next reunion in March of 1999 ( a time of year when rates are more reasonable). The Marriott people, who were responsible for some of the arrangements with our previous reunion in Albuquerque, can offer us 60 rooms for the weekend of March 25 -28, 1999 at the Georgetown University Conference Center. The discounted group room rates that were quoted to us from the Marriott chain were for the first or second weekends in March--which are no longer available to us--at $99 single occupancy, $114 double occupancy. The rates for later in March will quite likely be higher. (Their current "rack rates" are $154 single, $169 double.)

The second facility, the National Sheraton in Arlington near Fort Myer, is one that has been highly recommended by Fred Boots. In a telephone conversation of December 5 with the Sheraton convention coordinator we were cited a price of $89, single or double, for the first and second weekends in March, and we have therefore requested that the facility set aside a block of 50 to 75 rooms for us for the second weekend of March 1999. (We are anticipating that we will in all likelihood double the number of 33rders attending the second reunion.) This cost for rooms is, of course, somewhat more than that we were able to get in Albuquerque, but, clearly, the Washington, D.C. area is not the same as New Mexico's Duke city. (It might be added that weekend rates in the D.C. area--that is, from Thursday through Monday--are cheaper rates than from Monday through Thursday. Hence, our focus has only been on weekend rates.)

In light of the foregoing, unless there should be a dramatic development in arranging for less expensive accommodations at a different time, you are all urged to mark your calendars for the second weekend in March 1999--that's Thursday, March 11-Sunday, March 14, 1999.

*****

SOMETHING MORE TO THINK ABOUT!

Fred Boots has indicated that if our reunion should fit into the U.S. Army Band's operational schedule, it might be feasible for some of the former 33rd Band members to augment a concert, or, at the very least, the 33rders could be seated in a special section of the audience and thus recognized publicly. You will be kept informed via the newsletter as a yet- to-be-formed steering committee works out the details for the Reunion.

The newsletter editor would like to have the names of those of you who are interested in serving on a steering committee that might meet in Washington, D.C. some time in the spring or summer of 1998. Please indicate the best times in 1998 for you to travel to D.C. for the meeting. Send this information to Frank Schlatter, 3111 Futura, Roswell, NM 88201, or via e-mail: obfusa@rt66.com. (Tel. 505-622-6898.) We will consider arrangements for a steering committee meeting once the results of this solicitation are known.

Other News--33rders 'Passing in Review':

Dick and Shirley Hays have been busy with the bands with which they play, and they are currently preparing a concert with the Golden Eagle Band for the Christmas season. Dick said they've also had a new hardwood floor installed in their kitchen which gives them great pleasure. (No, they're not eating off the floor!)

Gabe Villani ('56-May '58) wrote in late October to say that he was now "living on planes and working in places away from home."

Floyd Clements forwarded a copy of the booklet The Selection of the Candidate- Unknown from the Trans-Atlantic Phase of World War II, printed in 1958, a portion of which is included later in this newsletter

Lyle Auten wrote in August, noting that he had been in the hospital three times since May. He wrote to confirm the remarks made in the booklet by Alfred Purvis. Lyle said of the band in Mannheim that he and Martin Helmus "were also in that band in 1949." They attended the band school in Dachau, Germany, for six weeks and then went on to Mannheim. Lyle left the 33rd in May of 1954. When he received his discharge from the army in 1968 he stopped by in Wisconsin to visit Mr. Sartell--the CO of the 33rd when Lyle was in Germany. Lyle was discharged from the service at Camp McCoy. He remembers the 33rd as "one of the very best bands." However, he identified the band at Ft. Monroe as even better. (Hmmmm.)

Bill Casey gave Frank Schlatter (11/56-6/58) a helping hand across the Atlantic, when Frank called Bill and asked for some English newspapers and magazines that Frank needed for a play he was directing for the Roswell Community Little Theatre in early September. The play was Dear Delinquent. First produced in 1957-8, it has for its setting a wealthy apartment in London. Bill's contribution to the play added some valuable authenticity to the production. (Frank is currently serving a one-year term as president of the local theater. As of 1 January 1998, when Frank's term as executive secretary of the New Mexico Council of Teachers of English ends, Frank expects to gain some time to devote more attention to our 33rd activities.)

George Mantzke wrote to express his hope that before we have another reunion there will be "more names and addresses from the gang from 1954-56." He said he strained his brain trying to remember names, but to no avail. Help, anyone?

Ray McCallister (12/20/56-7/15/58) indicated that he joined the 33rd with a piano MOS but changed to trombone to make room for Dan Jordan. He played trombone in the parade band and tympani in the concert band--probably after Chas. Morgan left. Ray "played drum set in the Smokey Paul group after Gabe V. went home, played string bass when needed in the jazz band & combos, and piano at some of the early Berchtesgaden performances and regularly at the Officers Ladies Club functions." He says he got a good re-up talk but still went home on a ship.

Doug Youra wrote in October to indicate that he had "finally finished putting an album together of the reunion." He went on to say: "As expected, the memorabilia is only significant to me, although my youngest brother (20 year veteran) took a keen interest in it. My daughter also looks forward to seeing it. She's a music major, elem. music teacher, and I've whet her appetite about how music has been so instrumental (no pun intended--but not the worst one I've penned) in so many of my compadres' lives." He noted that he was glad to have received some communications from a few of the other guys (Gene Karjala, Gabe Villani, Ray McCallister, and Dave Yoshioka), indicating that "the practice of exchanging pictures continues--a good way to place one's self on the opposite side of the viewfinder."

Jim McGinnis, Gordon Farrington, and Chan Johnson--all expressed regrets that they had not learned of the '97 reunion in time to attend. They are very much looking forward to the next one.

Fred Boots, who has provided the newsletter with important information for our next reunion, has a full plate of activities to keep him occupied. He is on the committee planning musical events for the West Point bicentennial celebration in the year 2002, he has just been awarded a contract to work the equivalent of three days each week for the Library of Congress, he and his wife will be helping plan the convention for the year 2000 for the National Federation of Music Clubs, and in March the American Bandmasters Association elected him to create and fill the position of permanent Historian. "In August," Fred wrote, "the present secretary-treasurer brought me 18 cubic feet of files to screen, arrange, and integrate with the active files presently at the University of Maryland in College Park." Fred consequently was reluctant to become our "principal player in the Washington area" for the planning of the 1999 reunion, though he is available to help in other ways.

An Historical Occasion for the 33rd

From the publication The Selection of the Candidate-Unknown from the Trans- Atlantic Phase of World War II, printed by Headquarters, United States Army, Europe, Historical Division, is the following on pages 23-28. (Data related to the 33rd have been emphasized by the newsletter editor.)

The Selection Ceremony

At 1000 hours on 12 May [1958] final preparations for the selection ceremony began when one casket guard from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force relieved ADSEC casket guards at each of the four corners of the casket canopy. Positions were taken facing the 13 Candidates-Unknown. Twenty-five minutes later, the USAREUR 33rd Army Band, under the leadership of CWO John P. Cochrane, moved around the west side of the Court of Honor and assumed a position in the southwest corner of the mall, near the base of the steps leading to the canopy area. Shortly thereafter, 10 pallbearers--2 from each of the armed services-- marched through the memorial, formed into 2 columns, moved diagonally around each end of the canopy shielding the 13 caskets, and positioned themselves on each side of the steps leading to the mall area.

After the pallbearers had moved into position, the 529th Military Police Company--constituting the USAREUR honor guard and under the command of Capt. Paul M. Timmerberg--moved into position south of the memorial in the Court of Honor and prepared to receive the massed colors of the United States and its five armed services. At 1030 as the 33d Army Band played the hymn, "Fairest Lord Jesus," the color guard moved to the top of the steps leading down into the Court of Honor, and the honor guard came to attention to receive the colors. The color guard then descended the steps and proceeded into position between the two platoons of the honor guard. As the Army band played music appropriate to the occasion, the honor and color guards marched to a position west of the memorial. A few minutes later, the chaplains designated to conduct the ceremony...moved to a position east of the casket canopy and faced the mall area. At 1050, Gen. Williston B. Palmer, Deputy USCINCEUR; Gen. Henry I. Hodes, CINCUSAREUR; Gen. Frank F. Everest...and other distinguished guests entered through the center of the memorial and moved around the east end of the canopy area to seats in the guest stand located on the Mall. During this time the band played appropriate Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish hymns. [A footnote at this point cites "Fairest Lord Jesus," "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth," "To Jesus' Heart All Burning," "Mother Dear, O Pray For Me," "En Kelohenu," "All the World Shall Come to Serve Thee," "Abide With Me," and "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name." ] At 1055 hours, as the 33d Army Band played the hymn "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," the honor and color guards moved to a position in the rear of the casket canopy, facing the Candidates-Unknown, and assumed the position of parade rest.

Promptly at 1100 hours, the USAREUR honor guard was brought to attention and Chaplain Ellenbogen offered the invocation. The 33d Army Band then played one verse of the hymn, "Faith of Our Fathers," during which two buglers quietly left the other musicians and assumed positions for the rendering of "Taps." One moved to the base of the flag pole at the extreme north end of the mall; the other ascended the stairs and positioned himself at the west end of the canopy, facing the 13 Unknowns. Chaplain Schulz then stated the purpose of the ceremony and introduced Maj. Gen. Edward J. O'Neill as the person to make the selection.

General O'Neill moved briskly to a position near the bottom of the steps parallel with the center of the canopy area, saluted the entire row of caskets, and bowed his head in prayer as Chaplain Schulz offered a prayer of guidance. General O'Neill then ascended the steps diagonally to the east end of the canopy, and, facing westward, walked slowly past the 13 Unknowns, momentarily pausing in front of each casket. When the general reached the casket at the extreme west end of the canopy, he descended the steps to his original position and for a brief moment faced the mall, his back to the canopy area. His aide-de-camp, Capt. Tom Kanelis, came forward and handed the general a beautiful stand-up wreath of red and white carnations on an evergreen background, which was to be used to designate the selection of the candidate. The design of the flowers was a perfect white star on a crimson background. General O'Neill ascended the steps slowly to the fifth casket from the east and, after standing the wreath in front of this casket, stepped back and saluted. He then returned to his position on the visitor's stand. Thus at 1108 hours, the trans-Atlantic Candidate-Unknown of World War II had been selected. The stillness of the ceremony was broken by Sgt. Larry R. Shull's playing of "Taps," which was echoed by the bugler standing at the base of the flagstaff. The 33d Army Band rendered the National Anthem, after which Chaplain Kelley delivered the benediction. Following the closing prayer, the two buglers quietly returned to the band and the honor and color guards marched eastward around the memorial to the accompaniment of funeral Miserere.....The band continued to play the Miserere as the cortege moved out and the spectators dispersed.

Question for those who attended the Epinal ceremony: The book identifies Larry Shull as one of the buglers, but who was the other one?

On page one Beth Rhodes-Fresquez, Donna Tempero, and Carole Schlatter were identified as "aide-de-camps." Wrong! They should have been tabbed as "aides-de-camp"! (Bet you didn't know that, did you?)

Secondly, the sounds of the 33rd were recorded in Arnhem, not Arnheim. (You have Tom Kolbe to thank for that correction. Thanks, Tom!)

33rd Historical Accounts Solicited

If you have some information regarding an activity of the 33rd from an earlier time--such as when the band went to Arnhem or to Lebanon--please see that the newsletter gets it!

Included with this issue you'll find a sampling of the numerous pictures taken during the Albuquerque reunion. The group shot showing husbands and wives attending the reunion was taken by Image Masters of Albuquerque. One of the pleasures we are sure to share at the next reunion will be our review of all the photos of the first reunion that are transported to the second gathering of the clan. Those of you who have a tendency to be disorganized, set aside a little time to put your pix together in an orderly fashion, please! Otherwise, you may find it difficult to pass inspection, and you wouldn't want that, would you?

Finally, those of you who have names of former 33rders who have as yet to be located, please forward those names to the editor of Passing in Review so that we can initiate or continue our search for those individuals. There are lots of 33rd alumni out there yet to be found, and whatever assistance you can provide in locating them will be most appreciated. Send whatever information you have regarding the "lost" 33rders to Frank, address provided earlier in this issue of the newsletter.