Vol. VII, No. 1                                                                                       May, 2004

   Plans Developing for New Orleans Reunion
Tentative Schedule and Registration Fee Established

   Members of the 33rd ABAA who intend to participate in the New Orleans reunion will want to start making plans for the occasion, if they haven't already done so.  The dates for the event are August 27-29, and the site for the reunion is the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel, 739 Canal at Bourbon Street. 

   Room rates are $89 for both single and double occupancy.  Reservations are to be made directly with the hotel no later than July 30, 2004, in order to be guaranteed the special rate.  The toll-free number for the hotel is 888-696-4806.  The hotel can also be contacted by calling 504-962-0500.   When making reservations, be sure to indicate that you are with the 33rd Army Band Alumni Association..  We have been informed that those who arrive a day early or who stay over on August 29th will have the same rates for those dates.

   Reunion Registration Fee:  The registration fee for the reunion is $70.  The fee will cover the cost of the Saturday evening banquet, the Sunday morning breakfast, the hospitality room, the admission to the D-Day Museum, and, hopefully, whatever additional  costs  are incurred in holding the reunion.  Please make your check or money order for registration payable to the 33rd ABAA and send it to Frank Schlatter, 3111 Futura, Roswell, NM 88201 no later than August 6, 2004.

                The Tentative Schedule of Events for the Reunion

__________________________________________

Additional Information for the Reunion   

Hotel Pamphlet.   A brochure for the Astor Crown Plaza Hotel is included with this newsletter.  It provides you with some added data regarding the site for our reunion. (Not included with website version)

Shuttle from Airport: The hotel does not provide shuttle service.  However,  shuttle transportation is available to and from the airport.  The cost is $26 round trip, $24 round trip for 2 or more people.  When purchasing your ticket(s) at the airport, proceed to the baggage claim area on the ground level and once you have retrieved your luggage, proceed to the Airport Shuttle Ticket Desk, located across from all baggage claim carousels.  Shuttles depart every 15 minutes from the airport.

Parking at hotel:  Parking facilities in New Orleans are at a premium. The cost for overnight parking at the hotel is $28 per night. 

National D-Day Museum.  The museum's exhibits encompass the June 6, 1944, invasion of Normandy, the Home Front during WWII, and the D-Day Invasions in the Pacific.  Exhibit galleries incorporate text panels, artifacts, and personal account stations in which visitors may listen to the stories of WWII veterans and others who supported the war effort.  There are also film showings: D-Day Remembered (Normany) and Price for Peace (the Pacific).  The films each run about 45 minutes and are shown daily on an alternating basis beginning at the half hour (9:30, 10:30, etc.). The films are also available for purchase at the Museum Store.

According to the museum's web site, visitor facilities include PJ's Cafe, the Museum Shop, and wheelchairs.

Contemporary Arts Center.  At 900 Camp Street, the CAC is a multi-disciplinary arts center, which is dedicated to the presentation, production and promotion of art of our time.  Since 1976 the center has been home to artists' experiments in painting, theater, photography, performance art, dance, music, video, education, and sculpture. Situated at the gateway to New Orleans' Downtown Arts District, the CAC houses 10,000 square feet of gallery space dedicated to rotating exhibitions throughout the year.

Confederate Museum.  At 929 Camp Street, the oldest museum in Louisiana holds. the second-largest Confederate collection in the nation.  Civil War memorabilia on exhibit includes flags, uniforms, weapons, medical instruments, and personal effects of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Generals Beauregard, Lee, Bragg and other Southern leaders. Admission is $5 adults, $4 for senior citizens.  

STREETCARS. Those planning to attend the reunion will note a number of references to streetcars in the schedule.  The parts of New Orleans that we will be interested in visiting are accessible either by bus or streetcar, and, for this reason, the reunion will not be chartering buses to get us from one place to another.  You should be advised that "Visitour Passes," which will enable you to ride, at will, on streetcars and buses, are sold at the hotel.  A one-day Visitour Pass is $5, a 3-day Pass is $12.  Of course, you need not purchase such passes if you will only be using public transportation once or twice.  The cost for basic bus lines is $1.25.  The cost for streetcars varies.  The St. Charles Line costs $1.25 and the Riverfront Line costs $1.50.  However the Canal Street Shuttle is just 25 cents.  Transfers are normally 25 cents, but senior citizens can obtain transfers at no cost.

   The route of the St. Charles Line forms a 13.2-mile crescent from Carondelet at Canal Street and, according to the web site for the city of New Orleans, it passes "through the oldest and most majestic section of uptown New Orleans, around the Riverbend to Carrollton at Claiborne Avenue.  Swaying along St. Charles Avenue through a tunnel Live Oaks, the streetcar passes dozens of antebellum mansions, historic monuments, Loyola and Tulane universities, the sweeping grounds of the Audubon Zoological Gardens, shopping centers, fine restaurants and hotels."

   The New Orleans web site also relates that "the Riverfront Streetcar [will] take you to New Orleans' most exciting attractions.  From the quaint shops of the French Market to the new Aquarium of the America and beyond, shopping, dining and sightseeing are just a streetcar ride away."  So if you want to hop on and off the streetcars at various locations, you will probably want to obtain a Visitour Pass.  

URL for New Orleans Official Tourism web site:  http://www.neworleansonline.com

   __________________________________________________________________________________

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.

     33rd ABAA CEO:  Frank Schlatter, 3111 Futura, Roswell, NM 88201.  E-mail: obfusa@rt66.com  Telephone number: 505-622-6898.  Fax: 505-622-1611.

    Webmaster for the 33rd ABAA internet site: Dee Tonning, 2265 Tawny Woods Pl., Boise, ID 83706.  E-mail: dtonning@aol.com

   The organization's web site:     http://www.rt66.com/~obfusa/33rd.

   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 CEO. The normal dues cycle is from January to January.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Terry Miles, a former Army musician who served from 1979-85, wrote to request contact information for a number of individuals with whom he served in different units.  Terry indicated that he had created unit pages for the 8th Inf. Div., 8th Army, and 81st Army Bands at the military.com web site.  Terry's e-mail address is terribletee56@juno.com.

Paul Smith (54-55) wrote to provide his new e-mail address:  paulwakforest@wmconnect.com.

Scott Phoenix (75) provided the directory editor with some updates on names within the directory.  He also included some information for folks traveling to Europe and expecting to visit the Normandy beaches.  He said he would highly recommend an outfit called Battlebus--web site at www.battlebus.fr.

   The address for Battlebus on the continent is as follows: Battlebus SARL, Siret No: 443 483 037 00018, 14400 Bayeux, France.  Telephone No.: 02-31-222-882.  Owners: Paul and Myriam Woodadge..

Paul J. LeCompt (50-52) provided some additional information about a picture in Passing In Review that included Barbara Arnold.  He said that to Barbara's right is Jesse Jackson, and to Jessie's right is James A. Taylor, now deceased.

Frank Gomes (55-56) wrote, expressing his regret at not having been able to go to Heidelberg in September of 2003.  Frank provided his correct e-mail address, which  should read as follows:  fbgomes@adelphia.net.

   Frank noted that the reunions have provided him and his wife with associations they very much enjoy, noting that it has been a pleasure to be in contact with Dee Tonning and Phil Jones and looking forward to seeing them at the New Orleans reunion.

Fred McCall (68-70) who played euphonium with the band, wrote to get some information regarding his band colleagues. He then sent a batch of pictures of the 33rd, along with some other band memorabilia, including a CD of the 562nd Air Force Band-CA ANG, from which he retired in March. 

While cleaning out some files, William Aikman (66-68) found some TDY orders of 16 August 1968 for members of the 33rd Army Band to travel to Moenchen-Gladbach, Germany.  The purpose of the trip: "Completion of Band Commitment."  The list of names has proved very helpful in expanding the listing of 33rders in our directory.

Kenneth Winkle (59-61) updated the directory entry for his telephone number because of a revision in the area code.  The number is 262-654-8436.  Like some (most?) of us old-timers, Ken said the mail and electronic versions of the newsletter are both good, but he enjoys handling the material and highlighting data.

David Sage (88-95), percussionist and 1SG with the band wrote to provide information on how alumni members of the 33rd ABAA may contact him.  David is the Supply Tech, USPFO for GA. DSN: 338-6373.  Comm.: 404-624-6373 or fax: 404-624-6263.   His e-mail: david.sage@ga.ngb.army.mil

Mike Getzin (86-88) said that he understood the 33rd ABAA couldn't find him after he retired from the band in '88.  He said he can now be reached at mikegetzin@hotmail.com.  His telephone number in Beckley, WV is 304-256-3944.  Mike suggested that folks check out the site for clarinetists at  www.wka-clarinet.org, saying that "it now gets over 4000 hits monthly and covers much for the Mil Bands."

Nancy Waidelich, formerly Nancy Dutton  and Nancy Cook (July 75-Aug 77), not only wrote a wonderfully detailed letter in January, but she also later forwarded us some pictures.  Nancy served at the Presidio in San Francisco following her stint with the 33rd.  She left the army in 1980 and in 1985 moved to Austin, Texas, where she is now an insurance analyst for the state of Texas.

   In her letter she said: "What a trip down memory lane it was this morning to peruse through the newsletter and photographs on the alumni web site.  I was so sorry to read of the passing of several of my former bandmates, especially Mr. McConnell.  I remember helping Mrs. McConnell out over at their home with some housecleaning duties after she had to have surgery.  A really sweet lady.  I also have fond memories of Sgt. Elkins' wife--she attended nearly every performance and was a sweetheart as well.  I even remember the Elkins' clock collection and how Sgt. Elkins told me one time that whenever they get assigned housing, they had to get housing on the upper-most floor, as the sound of all the clocks chiming at the same time can really freak out the upstairs neighbors (so you try not to have any!)."

   Of her trips while with the band, she considers the more memorable ones to have been the 2-week stint in Cardiff, Wales in 1975, the 3-days in Paris in '76, and the 1976 Bicentennial Tour to Amman, Jordan in July of that year.

   She recounted that when the band had one day off while in Cardiff, she and several other band personnel decided that they did not want to spend hours on a bus to go to the white cliffs of Dover, a trip that the sponsors had arranged for the band.  She continued, saying: "Unbeknownst to Mr. Bilhartz (sorry, Mr. Bilhartz!), the four of us caught the 5:30 a.m. train, arriving in London at 7 Sunday morning.  It was gray and slightly rainy, but we did our best to see as much of the town as we could before catching the train back to Cardiff.”  She noted a second memory of Cardiff was performing when Prince Charles attended.  She wrote that "He, Prince Charles, was standing in front of us, in between two evidently high-ranking military officers.  When we began playing the Welsh National Anthem, the two officers flanking Prince Charles snapped a ready salute.  Prince Charles, in full military get-up, just stood there, took a slow look to his left, took a slow look to his right, and then sheepishly raised his right hand into a 'bird-watching' salute.  Needless to say, a lot of us lost it at that moment...it's sure hard to blow air into an instrument when you're about to bust out laughing!"  [Ed Note: We'll save some of Nancy's additional details for the next newsletter.]

Linda (Vrancheff) Granzow -- ex-8th ID Band sax/bassoon player married to 33rd AB trumpet player Robert (80's) -- provided a couple of corrections for the directory.  Included was an update regarding Randy Fries (horn player from the 80's) who is now deceased.  Linda expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the editor and webmaster "to recognize those who have gone before us", saying that "we living should always remember our dead, particularly considering that we're all veterans and have much more in common than not.  Linda stated that they are finding with retirement "that lots of things are getting planned way in advance--like extended vacations to cooler climes than in AZ [where they live]."  They will miss the New Orleans get-together.  She then expressed the hope that "perhaps a regional meeting or conference of alumni in the Southwest can be pulled together sometime." [Ed Note: Former 33rders in various sections of the country are encouraged to use the directory to contact others in their respective regions of the country for just such purposes.]

Max (Maxie) Smith (85-88) wrote to request being included on the 33rd ABAA roster.  Max was a guitarist with the band, a SGT-E5 at the time.  He said it was nice to see all the great info.  Max's e-mail address: sixstringjazz@sbcglobal.net.

William (Woody) Worthworth (56-58) told of how he thinks a great deal about the Heidelberg days.  He said he enjoyed--and envied parts of--the report provided on the September trip to Germany, asking whether the area had changed a lot (to which the answer is "yes") and wondering if the returnee was "at all disappointed" (to which the answer is "no").  He promised lots of questions when he and the newsletter editor next get together. 

   Woody wrote that he "was saddened to hear of Tom Kolbe's death. I had some of my greatest adventures with him."  Bill identified one of the major factors for the holding of reunions when he wrote that he was glad to have seen Tom in D.C. at the 1999 reunion.  He and Tom spent several hours in Washington reminiscing. 

Tom Henson (74-76) of Houston, Texas, expressed his pleasure and surprise at finding the 33rd ABAA web site.  Tom played clarinet with the band and remembers those days "with fond memories of both the people and the place."  He noted that it had only been recently that he had learned that his commanding officer, Herbert Bilhartz, lives in Medina, Texas.

   With his wife Mary, Tom plans to go to Austria, Germany, and France for 10 days in June, the first time he has been back since leaving in '76.  Since his wife has never been there previously, she insisted that they visit Heidelberg.

   Tom currently is an e-mail administrator for Baker Botts LLP, and he is the principal/solo clarinet with the Lone Star Symphonic Band in Houston.  He said he took up playing clarinet "about 2 1/2 years ago after a very long--25 year--break."  He spoke of the amount of work it took trying to get back in shape after such a long break, but now feels that the hard work has been worth it.  He's looking forward to being in contact with some of the other alumni members with whom he served.  Tom's e-mail address is Tom.Henson@bakerbotts.com.  His home address is 5875 San Felipe #4, Houston, TX 77057.  His home phone: 713-783-1965; his work phone: 713-229-1642.

Chris Payton (92-96) wrote recently to identify himself and to say that he loves the Alumni web page that  has been created, noting, though, that he didn't see his name on the roster.  Chris said he retired in May 2003 from the band.  He now works with HQ MEPCOM located in North Chicago, IL, commuting to Belleville on weekends. He indicated that he saw an "unknown" by Cpt. Milburn's name and informed us that he is in Atlanta, commanding the Fort McPherson Band.  Chris can be reached via e-mail at cpayton@mepcom.army.mil.  His home address is 501 Millstone Dr., Belleville, IL 62221.  Home telephone number: 618-235-2819; cell phone: 618-791-6851.

Talmadge Hobbs (82-85) both wrote and phoned, expressing how thrilled he is to see so many names of those with whom he served in the 33rd AB. He says he is still playing 8-10 times a year with the Sons of Jubal, Baptist Ministers of Music in Georgia. Talmadge can be reached at  Talmadgehobbs@iglide.net.  His home  address is 734 Callaway Dr., Forest Park, GA 30297.  His cell phone number: 404-433-7073; his home number: 404-228-0164.

Nollie W. Neill, Sr. (54-55), who had provided a picture for the January Passing In Review, called for the editor to reprint the picture since it had been mislabeled and had been wrongly cropped--leaving out Louis Driever.  [Ed Note: The corrected picture is included below.  The proper labeling should be as follows: In the foreground (#1) at the left is Loren DeFlippo, to his left (#2) is Louis Driever,  Then to Louis's left (#3) is Paul Smith, next to whom is Nollie Neill (#4), and then Maurice Maine (#5).  The others in the picture are unidentified.)

______________________________________________________

  IN MEMORIAM

Dominic J. Attina (56-59)                                                              William Revere (55-56)

James A. Taylor (55, 68-70)                                                                     Randy Fries  (80’s)  

_______________________________________________________

        (l.-r.) Richard Goodrich, Richard Keane, and Linda Burke  -  Mons, Belgium 1976  

  1970 Band with Taylor at right