Dick Hays (57-58), 33rd ABAA President, and Frank Schlatter (56-58) , Secretary-Treasurer, joined by Stan Cornett, former C.O. of the 33rd Army Band (85-88), have begun an exploration into the numerous details that need to be addressed for the success of the Heidelberg Reunion in 2003. The first task has been in determining the time frame for the Reunion, and, based upon the results of the survey conducted with members of the association, we have decided upon a ten-day trip with the first week in September serving as the basic time for the exciting get-together.

As this issue of Passing In Review is being prepared, the committee is investigating hotels in the vicinity of Heidelberg. The committee has been looking for the most reasonably-priced hotels with the best features for the reunion, and, according to Frank Schlatter, "Thus far, we haven't been overjoyed with the limited selection that appears to be available to us. Most of the hotels with sufficient facilities for our reunion are simply out of our price range. We would like to keep the cost of the accommodations for couples at $100 or below, if we can. However, at this time, we have found only one hotel that appears to offer such rates. It is the Ibis Hotel, which is by the bahnhof. The cost for a double room at the Ibis is presently about $83. We have been informed that the rate for 2003 will be established in September of 2002. One of our concerns about the Ibis is that it does not appear to have banquet facilities, which means that for whatever major meal functions we would wish to have we would have to hold them elsewhere."

In addition to the cost factor, the committee's early efforts have been directed toward finding a hotel that is within walking distance of downtown Heidelberg. More recently the committee members have given some thought to hotels that are closer to Schwetzingen, where the USAREUR Band and Chorus are now located. Naturally, if we should decide upon a hotel in that area, there would be the drawback of being 30-40 minutes from downtown Heidelberg, though as most of us are aware, public transportation between towns in Germany is generally excellent.

In any event, the matter of hotel selection is a major concern, and the committee recognizes that the sooner we settle on a site the easier it will be for us to work on the other details related to the reunion.

Of course, there are numerous other details with which the committee will need to be concerned. They include air transportation to and from Germany, surface transportation between Frankfurt and Heidelberg, bus transportation for sightseeing, the arrangements for various outings and for meals that the reunion-goers share together.

Among the activities now being considered are a boat trip on the Neckar; a sight-seeing bus along the Burgenstrasse ("The Castle Road") to Heilbronn; a bergbahn ride up to Konigstuhl, perhaps for a meal, if it's not too expensive; a visit to a glass/crystal blowing factory between Heidelberg and Hirshhorn along the Neckar, a visit to Patrick Henry Village, where we might have a meal or two at the Officer's Club; and a visit to the current band and chorus facilities in Schwetzingen. Then, too, if there should be opportunity to track the band and chorus to one or more of their gigs, that would certainly be a welcome addition to our reunion. Those of us who were in Heidelberg for at least one September may remember that in the first week of the month occurs the commemoration of the burning of the castle, and we will surely want to include that event in our activities.

Obviously, the reunion committee has just gotten started with its work. It is hoped that by the next newsletter we will have some definite details available for those planning to participate.

Money in Germany: As of January 1st, 300 million Europeans in 12 countries, including Germany, began to use new currency: the euro. Advertisements produced by European Central Bank and appearing in popular magazines indicate that euro banknotes come in seven denominations and can be recognized easily by their look and feel, for the larger the banknote--according to the ads--the higher the value. The seven denominations are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. Eight denominations of euro coins are available, "each having a common side and a national side." The euro equals about 90 cents USD. Concerns about money exchange may be addressed at a later time (along with the matter of obtaining a passport for the trip and considering whatever other personal aspects of the trip that may be identified).

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. The organization's website: http://www.rt66.com/~obfusa/33rd. Webmaster for the site: Dee Tonning, 2265 Tawny Woods Pl., Boise, ID 83706. E-mail:dtonning@aol.com

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 secretary-treasurer.

Current officers of the association

President: Dick Hays, 820 Nickel Street, Broomfield, CO 80020. Tel: 303-466-7006 E-mail: Corangle@aol.com

Secretary-Treasurer, Membership, and Newsletter Editor: Frank Schlatter, 3111 Futura, Roswell, NM 88201 Tel: 505-622-6898 Fax: 505-622-1611 E-Mail: obfusa@rt66.com

Included with this issue of Passing In Review is a set of pictures of some memorabilia that Paul Stevens (63) recently turned over to the 33rd ABAA Secretary-Treasurer. Paul had received the material from Byron Smith, C.O. from 62-66, who had collected such memorabilia during his tenure with the band. Paul also provided Frank with two CD's that he had recently transcribed from tapes of a USAREUR Band concert at the Stadthalle in Heidelberg on 27 November 65. Though Frank was glad to receive all the material from Paul, the transfer of materials to the Secretary-Treasurer again prompted the view that a central depository for 33rd Army Band archives is needed, the most likely facility being that of the USAREUR Band and Chorus. To that end, it is hoped that arrangements can be made with the historian(s) of the current band and chorus to provide them with the Smith memorabilia and perhaps to begin the development of a library of recordings of the band, if one does not already exist. It would be wonderful to have the beginnings of such collections in place when the 2003 Reunion occurs.

Frank Gomes (55-56) wrote in November that on his 68th birthday he had the misfortune of falling and breaking an ankle, putting him in a cast for six weeks, then three weeks of therapy. Frank reported that "no surgery was required so the healing process was quick (although at the time it didn't seem quick)." He also noted his interest in the approaching reunion, saying: "I have wanted to get back to Heidelberg ever since I left in 1956. We are...hoping we will be able to take in a little more of Europe while we are there. I'd love to go back to Italy with all its history and fascinating places to visit."

In December Frank wrote to indicate that he plans to retire in two years and to move to Florida (the Stuart area) where he expects to spend seven months a year. The other five will be in their trailer in New Hampshire.

Catherine Burge (88-90) has expressed her interest in getting together with other 33rders in the Denver area, saying that she would love to meet with the secretary-treasurer and Dick Hays "and others if you can schedule a weekend time for the get-together." [Ed.Note: We've tried on a couple of occasions to have a Denver meeting, but, as yet, we have been unable to get the entire gang together. Perhaps in March another try will be made!]

Gabe Villani 56-58) also wrote in December. He said: I am...working with an 18 piece band which has 14 musicians and 4 singers. We do all the old big band charts and work a lot. The band's web site is www.michaelroseorchestra.com. Anyway, Saturday night on a break we started talking about the army and I mentioned the 33rd. The singer, Paul Harris, was shocked and told me that he was also in the 33rd, playing French Horn during the Vietnam days. He was in an outfit that was destined to go to Vietnam and heard that they were looking for volunteers to go to the band. He volunteered and was sent to Paris. He said that the French kicked out all the U.S. Army people so he was shipped to the 33rd. I am going to put him hip to the web site Thursday when we work again."

Mike Getzin (88) wrote to say that he had retired from the USAREUR Band in June at Tompkins Barracks in Schwetzingen. He requested that band members check out the following website for the World Clarinet Alliance, which he founded six months prior to his retirement: www.wka-clarinet.org

Howard Prielipp (01) informed us that he was now stationed at Fort Hood, having arrived from Heidelberg with his wife on 10 September and had just found our 33rd ABAA website. Prior to his assignment with the 33rd, Howard had spent three years with the 2nd ID Band in Uijongbu, Korea. He plans to return to the classroom as a teacher, "specifically, as a music teacher in DoDDS (hopefully back in Germany)."

Fred McCall III (68-70) wrote in January to let us know he had been found. [Ed. Note: The editor of the current directory wishes to express his regret that he did not get Fred's particulars into the current directory, so please make note of them here. He was the principal euphonium player with the band. His E-mail address is Rosefred1978@aol.com and he now lives in Cucamonga, CA, where he is a member of the 562nd Air Force Band, the ANG Band of the Southwest.]

Fred stated that the first sergeant during his time with the band was Jim Taylor. He noted that CWO Edmonds and CWO Field were his CO's. He said: "Some of the happiest moments of my life happened in good old Heidelberg. What a great band! I was so very proud to be part of that great organization."

Frank Gresham (72), who lives in Germany, wrote to say that he looks forward to seeing us in 2003.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

If you are a paid-up member and do not receive a copy of the directory, please contact Frank for your copy.

_____________________________________________________________________________________