STEERING COMMITTEE SETS TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR '99 REUNION

All "Found" 33rd Alumni Called Upon to Respond to Questionnaire, Contribute $10 for Operating Expenses

In a five-hour session on April 18 in the Executive Board Room of the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, the members of the 33rd Army Band Alumni Association Streering Committee for the '99 Reunion had the pleasure of meeting together to work out many of the details for the gathering of the 33rd Alumni next March. Those who came together for the occasion were Jim Kracmer, Barry Spessler, David Nutter, Bryan Shelburne, Herbert Bilhartz, Fred Boots, Alma and Bill Steiden, Andy Eschelman, David LoVine, Jane and John Tauber, Rick Mc Ferron, and Frank Schlatter. Aside from their primary task of planning the reunion, those in attendance enjoyed meeting one another, renewing past associations, and reminiscing about previous times with the 33rd.

Between now and the reunion, members of the Steering Committee have taken on various responsibilities for the association itself and for the reunion. In order to defray the operating expenses incurred until the '99 reunion, the committee is requesting that all "found" members of the 33rd Army Band contribute $10. These funds will cover our telephone bills and the expenditures involved with producing and mailing the newsletter, putting together a directory of 33rd Alumni members that will be made available to all former 33rders, and such other costs as are related to the organization.

A TASK FOR YOU:
COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE WITH THIS NEWSLETTER

Included at the end of this newsletter is a questionnaire that all "found" members of the 33rd Army Band are requested to complete. It is very important that the Steering Committee have some idea regarding the number of people who are planning to attend the '99 reunion and to find out your thoughts with respect to the activities being planned for the association. In addition though, as you will note, there is a section of the questionnaire which seeks information about you, data to be used in the directory that we will be producing. (Note for all 33rders whose biographies appeared in the booklet produced for the 1997 reunion: You too, are requested to supply the information sought for the next directory.)

All former 33rders are requested to return the questionnaire, with your $10 checks, no later than June 15, 1998. The check should be made out to Frank Schlatter-Reunion Account. Both the questionnaire and the check should be mailed to Frank Schlatter, 3111 Futura, Roswell, NM 88201.

Two "War" Stories from Mike Bradbury (73-78)

(Mike writing via e-mail to Frank Schlatter): You asked for a couple of stories on other band members. Instead of picking on somebody (right or wrong!), how about a couple of my favorite war stories?

It was '73 or '74 when the band went to Sarajevo (Yugoslavia at the time). We were told we were the first uniformed American military unit to go there since they'd gone communist. We had a ball playing tag with whatever they called the equivalent of the KGB. We were followed everywhere by ugly men in military haircuts and bad suits and ties. I mean they really stood out in a crowd. We used to run around the corner and slam up against the wall and when they came running we'd jump out and say "Hi -- wanna go get a beer?" Pissed them off greatly, but what could they do? Anyway, the most memorable thing of that trip for me was playing with the Moscow Army Band. They were marching about 100 strong, playing original score Tchaikovsky from memory on the march with every heel hitting the ground at EXACTLY the same time, and playing it well. It just sent shivers up and down my spine, and we felt sorry for them as the practice must have been merciless. Their "political" officer would just barely tolerate contact between the units, and it was the ONLY time I can think of where we were unable to break the bounds and be able to sit down and have a good time with each other. Every attempt was treated by the iron-handed political officer as trying to spy on them. What a load!

Another story comes from probably around '75 or '76 when the band went to Amman, Jordan. We got bussed out into the middle of nowhere to play for the Royal Jordanian Officers Club. It was a night concert, and at the time there were only five of us that had transferred into the band from a combat arms MOS. (I started out as an MP in the 529th Honor Guard unit there in Heidelberg,) Anyway, part way through the concert, one of the clarinet players (NOT from a combat arms unit -- straight out of the School of Music) commented: "Look at all the pretty lights. Aren't the fireworks for us nice?" It was live incoming tracer rounds from the Israeli border, and a few of us who were hip wanted no more than to "get us the hell out of here". The concert was quietly ended sooner than expected as the Jordanians were slipping out, and we soon would have had no audience. There was never an official announcement, and I believe to this day that a number of the band members either don't know it or don't believe it. We were all sick from the food (they tried - oh well) and for one dollar American you could buy as many watermelons as two guys could carry. I remember that we carried them up to the hotel room, put them in the bathtub and let the water run 24 hours a day to keep them cold. When we were leaving, we still had an ample supply, so we carried them up to the roof (10 stories) and threw them off the back, then stole the flag and left. Upon our return, my wife, as a treat, had watermelon ready for all of us. Still don't like watermelon to this day.

Richard Prato (60-61) has written to say "Excited about the '99 reunion, we plan to attend!...After hearing from you I have located some slides of the 33rd in parade and the NATO Tattoo in Arnhem, Holland... I'll put together a little slide show for '99.

Randy Lauscher (85-89), now at Ft. Benning with the 283rd Army Band but scheduled to move to Ft. McPherson in December of 98, noted that he has some snapshots of the band that may be useful.

Bill West (81-84) has located a number of items related to the 33rd in his time period. The picture of the band on the Old Heidelberg Bridge in this issue came from Bill. He also sent along a story of the band taken from The Stars and Stripes of November 17, 1982, and an article by Capt. Vincent DiFiore (82-84) that appeared in Soldier Support Journal. (We'll share them at a later time!)

Beth Sanders (83-84) claims she is not hiding, but "switched over to the Air National Guard--the 561st Air Force Band".

Alan Frantz (75-77) wrote to provide background on numerous individuals, as did Greg Browne (67-70), who said to say hello to Mr. Bilhartz, for whom he played in the 62nd Army Band in 66-67. And Steve Barnhart (74-76) also provided data on numerous folks who were in the 33rd during his tour with the band. In addition, Robert Granzow, class of 77, provided more updates.

You may not know it, but Teresa Faye (Neer) Collins (73-74) was the first woman to integrate the Army Band Field, and the news made Stars and Stripes. So now you know.

SGM Richard B. Wilson (92-97) learned of our association through Sgt Maj Lane Wood, and Dick also sent numerous bits of information about other 33rd alumni.

Does anyone remember how Daniel Caron (74-83) came by the nickname "Flam"? Dan says he is "glad to be among the found".

And wait until you hear what David LoVine has been doing since being in the 33rd.

Tom Kolbe (56-60) sent a number of wonderful stories about the band in Arnhem, Beirut, and Epinal. The following is just one paragraph from Tom's reminiscences:

We changed into fatigues after the (Epinal) ceremony (for the selection of the unknown soldier from the European theater) and left directly for Heidelberg from the cemetery. Traffic forced the bus to crawl through Epinal and a brave soul (I think it was Gabe Villani- if it wasn't Gabe, I don't care - drummers were always up to something) went out the rear window of the bus. The brave soul (probably a drummer for sure), bought beaucoup bottles of wine, and maybe some cold cuts and bread - but definitely wine. He managed to get back into the bus before we cleared the town. When the rear of the bus broke into song many K's down the road, J.P. (Cochrane, the C.O.) told Joe O'Brien (the First Sergeant) how proud he was of the band's morale.

An Internet Site with 33rd Data You Will Want to Check Out!

Greg Browne (67-70) has identified the following internet address as one you should take a look at. The material is from a post newspaper of December 1969. He says the pictures on the page load a little slowly, "but they were a wonderful discovery to me". He thinks that the marching pictures in Paris shows Mr. Edwards (saluting) with the drum major, MSG James A. Taylor. The address is:

For those of you who do not have internet access, some of the material that is given on the website referred to by Greg reads as follows:

A hushed silence fell over the concert hall. The conductor mounts the podium and raps his baton for attention. He sets the tempo and the 33rd Army Band begins another concert.

Under the direction of CW3 John D. Field, the unit is the official band of the United States Army, Europe. In this capacity, the band's primary function is to provide ceremonial music as required by the commander in chief, USAREUR.

The band was formed on June 25, 1949, in Mannheim, but moved to Heidelberg in December 1952 to provide music for USAREUR headquarters and it became known as America's finest military band overseas.

This reputation does not depend entirely on its ceremonies or parades, but is enhanced by its many concert performances in the Heidelberg area and throughout Western Europe. The resplendent appearance of the bandsmen in dress blue uniforms, and the glitter of highly-polished instruments coupled with the universal appeal of well-blended music make this unit a favorite with all audiences.

This story was written by Clifford Gates. An additional note by the Paris picture reads: "One of the big moments in the band's history came when its members marched in Paris during the 50th anniversary of the WWI armistice in November, 1968. At far right in the first row is the then French President, Charles DeGaulle."

Got a 33rd Story? A Picture to Share?
Passing in Review Wants to Hear from You!

Passing in Review wants your stories and pictures for our future issues and for use on our website. Send your information to Frank Schlatter, 3111 Futura, Roswell, NM 88201. E-mail: obfusa@rt66.com Tel. 505-622-6898 Fax: 505-622-1611