Vol. IV, No. 3                                                                                                                           July 2001

Minneapolis Reunion Activities Please All

Forty people attended the June reunion in Minneapolis, enjoying the numerous events that President Lorelei Giddings and Vice-President Gene Karjala, coordinators for the event, had arranged for the four day affair. Interestingly enough, those alumni who served with the 33rd in the late fifties composed the largest contingent at the reunion. Included from that time period, most of whom were accompanied by their wives, were Irving Christnagel ('55), Frank Gomes (55-56), Marvin Schatz (56-57), Phil Jones (56-57), Ken Stickel ( (56-57), Lowell Skabo (56-57), Ray McCallister (56-58), David Yoshioka (56-57), Doug Youra (56-57), Dee Tonning (56-57), Frank Schlatter (56-58), Gene Karjala (57-58), Richard Hays (57-58), Ken Tschanz (57-58), Greg Miller 57-59), Frank Shaughnessy (59-61), Ken Winkle (59-61) and Mallory Pickens (60-62).

Thursday afternoon and evening were spent at the Doubletree Hotel and the nearby Mall of America in renewing acquaintances and making new ones. Friday morning we went to historic Fort Snelling, touring the buildings and grounds of the old fort and questioning the people there who acted the parts of individuals from the early days of the fort. For lunch, we adjourned to the Fort Snelling Officer's Club, where a room was set aside for us, and then we took the bus downtown where we had the choice of attending the just-opened "Degas and America" exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts or the St. Paul Science Museum. Those of us who went to the art museum were among the first visitors to view the exhibit, and one of the docents indicated that someone in our organization must have been very well organized indeed to set up the tour for us (thanks, Lorelei!). Regardless of whether one was with the group that went to the art museum or to the science museum, where they viewed a presentation in the Imax Theater, the experience proved to be a valuable one.

Back at the hotel on Friday evening we enjoyed the banquet and then had an open discussion regarding the association's plans for the next reunion to be held in Heidelberg. We decided that the Heidelberg reunion should be held in 2003 rather than 2004, and when we realized that we needed some information from experienced organizers for events such as we were projecting, Lorelei made arrangements for a local travel agent to visit with us during our banquet on Saturday evening.

One of the highlights on Saturday was a pleasant two-hour afternoon cruise on a Mississippi paddleboat. Of course, another highlight for the day came when those who had brought their instruments to the reunion played under the direction of Gary Lamb. It was NOT a complete band, to say the least, composed as it was of two saxes, two clarinets, two oboes, two flutes, one trombone, one Sousaphone, and two drums. No wonder, then, that during one of the marches our director turned to the audience and said: "Use your imagination!" It was all good fun, anyway!

On Sunday morning we had some additional discussion related to Heidelberg 2003, and we voted by acclamation to have Dick Hayes (57-58) of Broomfield (just north of Denver) serve as President of the organization. The position of Vice-President was left vacant--at least temporarily. Frank Schlatter (56-58) will continue to serve as Secretary-Treasurer.

We missed you who were not there, and we truly hope that you will not miss the next reunion. We have, as yet, to determine just what time of year the Heidelberg reunion will be held (your assistance in making that decision is called for on the questionnaire accompanying this newsletter). Nevertheless, we know that the 2003 venture will be an unforgettable one, regardless of the time of year it is held and no matter how many of us will make the trip. We also know, though, that the more who are there, the better the experience is apt to be!

___________________________

CRAIG, DONALD (75-80's) and Melanie (89-92) .

CRUDUP, ANDREW B (86), now 1st Sergeant 282nd Army Band, Ft. Jackson, SC

DRIEVER, LOU (Jan 55-Jul 56) .

ELKINS, KEN (71-84) .

GOFF, STEVE (95-98) .

MEYERSON, DON (Feb. 54-Aug. 56) .

PRESTAGE, DICK (57-59) .

SIMPSON, DELMER R. (69) .

WALTON, STEVE (Jan. 94-Jun. 97) AND HILARY(Smyth) (Sep. 92-Sep. 96) 

____________________________

Jennifer Martz (94-97), bassoon. Her biography can be found at the following URL: http://www2.southwind.net/~smartz/jenny/

_______________________________

Somewhat earlier this year Dee Tonning and Frank Schlatter were notified that our 33rd ABAA Website had received an award from Military.com. The award, with a special medallion, is now featured on our site's homepage and reads as follows: "Congratulations on being selected as a top military site! Our editors have selected your site as one of the best military sites on the Web. Military.com recognizes your site as a valued resource for the military community. We salute you and your efforts. In appreciation, we would like to present you with our Distinguished Military Site Award! Earning this award entitles you to display the award on your site for the remainder of 2001."

To Dee Tonning, our webmaster, go the laurels for this accomplishment, for Dee is the one responsible for maintaining the site.

___________________________________________________________________________________

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

Well, Minneapolis is over and what a great time we all had. Many thanks to Lorelei, Gene and Frank and their many helpers who are probably too numerous to name. Besides, I don't know them all, or will overlook someone. We are now beginning to plan for the reunion in Heidelberg in 2003. We hope more of the former 33rders will be able to join us and meet with the current 33rd Army Band.

I will be happy to hear from anyone, especially if you can give us help in the planning. My addresses and telephone number are shown above.

Richard P. Hays, President

(oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone - 1957-58)

_________________________________

We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes. But do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be pleased to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gun-fire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy had enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him one musician. The Captain chose a bugler.

He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody we now know as "Taps" and used at military funerals was born.

**************************************

Steve Goff (95-98) wrote: "I play the saxophone and in February I retired and moved home to Caldwell, Idaho. Now I work for Hewlett Packard playing with computers all day. Great job! Second only to playing music!"

Scott Phoenix (75) : " I have just noticed the award for the site. Congratulations to you.... This is a well-structured and maintained site, all right. Sorry I won't be able to make this reuninion to meet you two. I have a attend a training session in reading technique for my school district."

Linda (Vrancheff) Granzow for Bob Granzow (80's ) in absentia: "Just wanted to take a minute to echo Jack McNair's comments in the latest "Passing in Review". It's always a pleasure to get the 33rd Alumni Bulletin and catch up on the happenings! And I do appreciate that you passed on my note, not just to Lorelei, but to all the membership. Don't know where the '03 reunion will be held, but I actually am hoping to snag an early retirement (have worked over 24 years for the Federal Government now) and be semi-retired at that juncture. That will at least make it easier for Bob and me to catch more "down-time" and not have to squirrel away vacation hours like a couple of misers.

"Thanks again for your efforts and for a good read every go-round."

William (Woody) Worthworth (Jul. 56-Jun. 58): "Humble apologies for being such a lousy correspondant. I think I explained to all of you some time ago that the Minn. gathering presented a problem for Diane and me. She is just finishing her teaching year on June 20 and for years we've planned to spend our 25th wedding anniversary (June 26) on a European trip (Diane's first time abroad, mine since '58), so we're doing the British Isles (saving Germany for '03, I hope?).

"Had Minnesota been a week sooner I might have considered attending alone. Wish I could be two places at once. Hoist a stein for me when you sing "Alt Heidelberg." I hope the next reunion is there."

Identification of Alumni in Washington, D.C. Photo

At the reunion in Minneapolis, some of us who had also attended the reunion in Washington, D.C. attempted to put names to all those who appeared in the official photo taken in '99. We believe we were successful in identifying most individuals, but found that we couldn't put names to several of those shown. If you have a picture from the D.C. reunion and can identify those we have failed to name, or if you notice that we have misidentified someone, please send that information to the newsletter editor.

The individuals named in the D.C. photo, from left to right--

Front row: John Tauber, Doug Youra, Lance Linebaugh, Bruce Ubbens, Frank Schlatter, Frank Gomes, William (Woody) Woodworth, and Tom Kolbe

Second Row: Alan Frantz, David Nutter, Col. Bryan Shelburne, Col. Gary Lamb, James Westerhouse, unknown, Sam Coltart, Richard Prato, Fritz Schaufele, Larry Land

Third Row: Laura Wachowski, Nick Atttina, Barry Spessler, Dave Yoshioka, Rollie Anfinson, Marvin Schatz, Lorelei Giddings, Dee Tonning, Steve Barnhart, unknown

Fourth Row: Ken Stickel, Ray McCallister, George Masche, unknown, Mike ("Fish" Kaye, Gordon Lougee, Tom Kerkman, Andy Eschelman

Fifth Row: Leon Alexander, Jim Kracmer, Charlie Nier, HOUCK?, Lou Driever, Gene Karjala, Gordon Farrington, Jeff Gottwig, Rick Braunhardt, Rick McFerron

The following names are from the listing of those who paid to attend the reunion but who have not been identified in the picture: Donald Blackburn, Bob Davies, Tom Jeffrey

_____________________________________

Identification of Alumni in Minneapolis Photo

The following listing of names, from left to right, will identify those pictured in official photograph of the alumni attending the Minneapolis reunion.

First Row: Frank Gomes, Marvin Schatz, Ray McCallister, Lorelei Giddings, Gene Karjala, Mallory Pickens, Dee Tonning

Second Row: Dick Hays, Frank Schlatter, Lowell Skabo, Ken Stickel, Ken Winkle, Gary Lamb, Irving Christnagel, Dave Yoshioka

Third Row: Doug Youra, Phil Jones, Frank Shaughnessy, Michael "Fish" Kaye, Greg Miller, Dan Caron