Vol. V, No. 4 January 2003
Reunion Committee Sets Tentative Schedule,
Calls
for Participants to Make Reservations
The Reunion
Committee for the gathering to be held in Heidelberg is still working up the
details to determine the registration cost for the reunion, but the basic
program has been set. The committee
is now trying to ascertain expenditures that will need to be incorporated into
the registration fee, which include the costs for our projected banquets
(individually expected to be somewhat less than what the banquets cost in
Minneapolis and in Washington, D.C.), the
bus transportation expenses for the tours that will be a part of the reunion,
and, the expense of the Neckar cruise if a group rate is available for
that activity. It is hoped that by
May or June, at the latest, we should have an official
registration fee for the reunion. At
that time, registration forms will be sent to all those planning to attend the
reunion.
The tentative schedule that the committee has established is as follows:
Tues., September 2: For those who
obtain airfares that are within their budgets (generally speaking, our travel
agent anticipates that most fares are reduced on September 3),
this can be a travel day to Frankfurt and then to Schwetzingen.
Wed., September 3: For most reunion participants this will be their
travel day to Frankfurt, Germany, and then to Schwetzingen, airfares arranged by
our travel agent from the international airport chosen by each alumni member.
Thurs., September 4: A paid
tour of Heidelberg and general sightseeing in the vicinity.
A social gathering in the evening at the hotel.
Fri., September 5: Individual
and small group sightseeing on the grounds of the Schwetzingen schloss.
In the evening: BANQUET #1 at Hotel Zagreb.
Sat., September 6: Sightseeing/shopping
in Heidelberg. Those interested in
participating in an early evening meal at the
Zum Guldenen Schaf, right in
the middle of the Hauptstrasse, would perhaps have the opportunity to enjoy what
Stan Cornett describes as "A
Walk Through the History of Musical Instruments." (According to Stan, the owner, Dr. Kischka, and family have a
collection of truly unusual ancient wind, string, and percussion instruments
that are exhibited and played for some banquets. The occasion includes some singing with sing-along. Cost:
46.50 Euro. Stan notes that they also have been known to demonstrate cross-bow
marksmanship for groups. These things are done in period costumes by their
staff, students, and occasionally professors from Heidelberg University.)
When the registration form for the reunion is finalized and those who plan to attend complete the form, we will need a count of those interested in having a meal at the Zum Guldenen Schaf. Those who choose to do something else during that time period would be free to do so. Later in the evening: the Castle Burning.
Sun., September 7: No organizational activity planned as of this writing.
Mon., September 8: A visit to the 33rd
Army Band. In the evening a BANQUET
at Patrick Henry Village followed by an ALUMNI CONCERT. Stan Cornett visited with LTC Palmatier regarding this
possibility, and according to Stan, LTC Palmatier seemed very open to doing such
a concert and didn't seem concerned very much about how many alumni wanted to
play. Stan says LTC Palmatier has
done this kind of thing before when he commanded the CONAR Band at Ft. Monroe.
So we have requested that the concert be scheduled and we will provide a space
on the registration form for those alumni performers interested in participating
with the current 33rd to indicate their interest.
It should be noted that instruments will apparently be made available in
Schwetzingen. Stan has suggested that
"it may be that we could arrange for some interested alumni to perform only
on a couple of tunes." He
went on to say that "Even if there
were no alumni performers I think it would be very cool to attend a concert
given on behalf of the 33d for the alumni."
Tues., September 9: A bus tour along the
Neckar to Heilbronn.
Wed., September 10: If feasible, a bus
tour south along the Rhine to Speyer, and then to Karlsruhe and Baden-Baden.
Thurs., September 11: A
cruise on the Neckar and that evening a BANQUET at the hotel.
Fri., September 12: (At
this point in the reunion, some may opt to travel home, recognizing that
traveling on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday will cost somewhat more than other days
of the week. Our travel agent has
indicated that fares are generally about $25 more per person on weekends.)
No
specific activity scheduled as of this writing.
It might be noted that in information Dick Hays
has obtained from Heidelberg, there are a number of cruises that take in both
the Neckar and Rhine Rivers. If the
editor has read the schedule correctly, there is, for instance, a river cruise
that begins in Heidelberg at 8 a.m. and goes to Mannheim, arriving at 10 a.m,
then continues on to Worms, arriving at 11 a.m. and from there it goes to St.
Goar/Loreley, arriving about 16:00
(4 p.m.). The return trip leaves
St. Goarshausen at 19:00 (7 p.m.) to pass through Worms at 21:30, Mannheim at
22:00, arriving back in Heidelberg at 22:30.
A cruise of lesser time and distance goes from
Heidelberg through Mannheim to Worms and returns.
It begins at 9:35 in the morning and ends at 19:00.
Sat., September 13: No specific activity scheduled.
Sun., September 14: Those
planning to depart from Frankfurt on Monday, September 15, should probably
travel to Frankfurt and check into a hotel there for easy access to the airport.
Mon., September 15: Travel day back to the
states, or for those staying over, a continuation of their European trip.
(Note: The hotel has informed us that it should pose no problem for
members to stay at the hotel beyond the time set aside for our basic reunion
dates.)
*****
EDITOR'S NOTE: I believe it is important to note that we have been able to develop as much of the preceding schedule as we have because Stan Cornett was able to travel to Germany in November to discuss our general plans with members of the current USAREUR Headquarters Band and to check out various facilities during the time he was there. The other members of the Reunion Committee therefore wish to extend their public "thank you's" to Stan for his efforts on behalf of the 33rd ABAA.
HAVE YOU GOT YOUR PASSPORT READY?
For those of you
planning to attend the reunion, it is probably not too early for you to check to
see if your passport is up-to-date, and if you haven't got a passport to get
one. Don't wait until the last
minute. We don't want you to miss
any part of the reunion!
Make Your Travel Arrangements NOW!
Diane Lam, our Travel Agent
at WEE TRAVEL, 1380 West Midway Blvd., Broomfield, CO 80020, telephone
numbers: 303/465-2118 and 800/327-4006 (Fax:
303/465-2465), has indicated that all those planning to attend the reunion
should plan to make their air travel
arrangements now.
"The sooner the better," she says.
You need to pay
for the tickets at the time the arrangements for tickets are made, or within 7
days of when the tickets are ordered. When
making the arrangements with Wee Travel, you can do so with a credit
card, but there is an additional $25 charge for that method of payment.
A cashier's check, a personal check or a credit card access check are all
appropriate methods of payment.
Because room
reservations with Hotel Zagreb are also being made through Diane, she will
want to know the number of persons for whom rooms will be needed and the
beginning and ending dates for your stay in Schwetzingen.
Room reservations can be made using your credit card.
Your early arrangements with Wee Travel will assist the Reunion Committee with finalizing plans for the activities now tentatively scheduled. Diane Lam will keep us informed of those of you who make travel arrangements with her. If you should decide to make your own air travel arrangements, that is, of course, your choice--but you will still need to make your room reservations through Wee Travel.
*****
The information received from Heidelberg by Dick Hays contained data pertaining to the Castle Road, which now extends over 975 kilometres, from Mannheim to Prague--just a part of which we intend to travel on September 9. Our trip will take us to Neckargemünd, comprised of Dilsberg, Muckenloch and Waldhilsbach, an ancient former free imperial town in a picturesque townscape with half-timbered houses and the "Karl Theodor" town gate (1788). We will proceed to Neckarsteinach, which the literature identifies as a romantic town with four castles (12th and 13th c.) and also half-timbered buildings, medieval streets, the remains of the city wall, and historical churches. From there to Hirschhorn, the "pearl of the Neckar Valley" some 23 km from Heidelberg, where is located a "Castle, former Carmelite monastery, Ersheim, oldest chapel in the Neckar valley." Next comes Eberbach, a "lively town on the Neckar with tradition and historical buildings. A town which must be discovered and experienced! Beautiful, artistically painted, half-timbered houses proudly line the streets and lanes. Huge walls and fortified towers surround the lovingly restored and picturesque old town." It is then past Zwingenberg to Obrigheim ("Consisting of Asbach and Mortelstein located on the left of the Neckar. 'Schloss Neuburg' hotel and restaurant high on a hill overlooking the Neckar") and thence to Mosbach, a "Town of half-timbered buildings with the heart of the town dating from medieval times. Places of interest: Palm's House, Simultankirche, town hall, town museum, Tempelhaus, Gutleutanlage, chapel with late Gothic frescos." The publicity also notes "Spring and wine festivals, summer events from July to September..."
Subsequent to
Mosbach is Neckarzimmern,
"Dominated by the oldest castle in the Neckar valley, Hornberg Castle (Götzenburg).
Located there is ‘Burg Hornberg’ hotel and restaurant.
Then comes Gundelsheim, "Popular resort for excursions and wine.
Picturesquely situated at the foot of Horneck Castle, the former Teutonic
Order castle." Opposite
Gundelsheim and "reached via the Neckar bridge" is Guttenberg.
The literature says the Guttenberg Castle is intact "from the
Staufer period in the ownership of the Barons of Gemmingen for over 500 years.
Extensive castle museum, castle inn with unparalleled view of the Neckar
valley. Claus Fenzloff's bird of
prey station in the castle; daily demonstrations with eagles and vultures in
flight." Then the tour
passes through Bad Rappenau to
"1000 years old" Heinsheim,
where are located the "Ehrenberg Castle (12th c.), a hill chapel (12th c.)
Heinsheim Castle on the Neckar, Baroque castle (17th c.)...”
Next is Bad Wimpfen, "a
modern spa, romantic holiday resort, famous silhouette, Hohenstaufen imperial
palace, medieval heart of the town characterized by romantic half-timbered
buildings and old churches." That
is followed by Bad Friedrichshall,
"Located on the Neckar, Jagst and Kocher rivers" followed by Neckarsulm,
a "Residential and industrial town (AUDI) with many recreational
facilities. Wine-growing community
steeped in tradition. Places of
interest: German Cycle Museum + NSU Museum in former Teutonic castle, St. Dionys
Baroque church, AQUAtoll subtropical leisure and adventure pool..."
And, finally, there's Heilbronn am Neckar, the "City of 'Käthchen' and wine.
One of the largest wine-growing communities in Germany with 500 ha
under cultivation. Centrally
located conference city. Places of
interest: town hall with astronomical clock, Kilian's Church with high altar and
Renaissance tower, Käthchenhaus, Hafenmarkt tower, Deutschhof with Minster of
St. Peter and Paul, Schiesshaus with Rococo hall, Wartberg with wonderful
panoramic view. Municipal theatre,
museums, Neckar shipping exhibition...traditional festivals, highlight is
'Germany's cosy wine village' in September."
*****
Harry Kushpinsky (Dec/ '85-Feb. '88): Harry
wrote to say he was a guitarist with the USAREUR Band, noting "It was a
great experience, and I'd like to hear from anyone who served with me."
Harry's e-mail address is Hairrymonster@aol.com
Bob Granzow (80's) has a new e-mail address: Granzow555@msn.com.
Michael Brooks (82-85) wrote to indicate that he also was assigned to the
33rd as a guitarist. He had three commanders during the time he was with the
33rd: Col. Shelburne, Capt. DiFiore, and Maj. Grogan. He played in combos and the stage band, and was a
percussionist in the marching and concert band.
Now retired from the army since '98, he has a new career with the Dept.
of Treasury, IRS and still plays with a jazz combo on weekends, enjoying it as
much as ever. He is currently
living at 4404 Greencove Ave., Evansville, IN 47714.
His e-mail address is mdbrooks@sigecom.net.
Don and Melanie Craig (75-80's)
(89-92) provided an e-mail address: Teamcraigdml@aol.com.
Also provided is a new address: 110 Gentle Hills Circle, Grand Forks, ND
58201. Telephone: 701-795-0132. Don
indicated that he had let "lots of things slide since we had the second
baby." He said he hopes to attend the reunion.
Newly lost 33rders: Mail has been returned
from the following 33rders: Dominic
J. Attina, Rick Braunhardt, and Col. Bryan Shelburne. If you know their whereabouts, please provide the
secretary-treasurer with the information.
___________________________________________________________________________________
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
___________________________________________________________________________________
Bismark Platz at Night - Heidelberg
Speyer Cathedral - From The Rhine
Speyer Cathedral - From The Street
Schwetzingen Schloss Grounds
The photographs above were taken by the editor of Passing in Review circa 1957-58