Earlier this year when the Heidelberg Reunion Committee established the dates for the Heidelberg reunion, we did so on the basis of the best information we had available at the time, and it was our understanding that air fares to Europe dropped on the first of September. Our travel agent has since informed us that air fares for a number of airlines do not get lowered until September 3. As a result of that information (and because we want the reunion to be as affordable as possible to the largest number of 33rd Army Band alumni, the Heidelberg Reunion Committee has adjusted the dates for the reunion to run from September 3 to September 12.

You probably realize that this issue of Passing In Review is later than it is supposed to be, for it should have been developed a couple of months ago. However, the editor found himself wrapped up in a number of activities that prevented him from getting the newsletter done at the scheduled time. But he hopes to get things back on track by developing another issue of Passing In Review in December, when it is anticipated that more information about air fares and other aspects of the reunion will be available--after Frank Schlatter and Dick Hays get together in Denver over the Thanksgiving holiday to plot strategy. Any members of the 33rd ABAA who have recommendations for us to consider regarding the reunion should forward them to either Frank or Dick in the immediate future.

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.

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

Vicki Holeman (79-81 wrote to say that her name is Vicki Holeman Eschelman now, and she is "not sure how it should be listed" since it was Holeman when she was in the band. She requested the addition of her e-mail address to the Directory. (It is Irishbreez@aol.com.) She indicated that she would like her directory entry to be accurate but was unsure how her last name should now be listed. She then went on to say: "I'm laughing. I still don't know my name! It seems the good times in Heidelberg slowed my brain down!"

Lou Driever (Jan. 55-Jul. 56) and his wife Betty have a new address: and telephone number. They now live in Urbana, Ohio. For the details, members should contact the secretary-treasurer, or write to Lou at one of the following e-mail addresses: bldddriever@ctcn.net or bixlives@hotmail.com. Lou said that they are looking forward to seeing everybody in Heidelberg next September.

John Tauber (Nov. 56-Oct. 57) has a new e-mail address: mjtauber106@radicus.net. John said that their lives have been very busy, trying to scale down to a smaller house. They've added another grandchild to their clan, "now a total of 14." He said that when they have family gatherings they now have to rent a hall.

Jack McNair (69-72) wrote to say that he had made contact with Jasper Bowman, piano player with the 33rd back in the early 70s. Jasper's e-mail address is: jasbow@exit3.com. According to Jack, Jasper would like to attend the reunions. Jasper's address in Southwick, MA can be obtained from the secretary-treasurer or by contacting Jasper personally.

An inquiry was received from Brian Salesky, Executive Director, The Holiday Concert Project (e-mail bsalesky@optonline.net regarding Linder Chlarson (63-64). Mr. Salesky wrote: "For several years, in New York City, back in the 70's and 80's, my wife, Diana Skinner, was a colleague of composer Linder Chlarson. We have lost touch with him and would like to renew our relationship. His name came up on your deceased member list, and we were wondering if this is the same Linder we know. Can you shed any light? [ED NOTE: Any 33rd ABAA members with information regarding Linder are encouraged to respond to the inquiry.]

Bryan Spangelo (74-76) wrote to say that he found our website "quite by accident." He noted that he was pleased to report that he had served with the 33rd, and he requested that we take him off our missing list. Bryan is now an Associate Dean in the College of Sciences at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. His e-mail address is: spangelb@unlv.edu.

Joseph Smith (May 82-Aug 83) wrote to apologize for being out of touch for a few months. He said: "On September 11, 2001, I was bombed out of my home in New York City; I lived 4 blocks away from the World Trade Center. Although my building was spared, the neighborhood was destroyed and the air was heavily polluted for months. As a result, I had to abandon my home and have re-settled in San Francisco."

Joseph provided his current postal address and e-mail address. The latter is: joseph_smith_sf@hotmail.com.

He also said: "During the past year as I've been getting back on my feet, I've been fortunate to be involved in a recording project with old friends here in the Bay Area who specialize in the 'techno' genre. I'm in on flute, vibes and keyboards, and I'm very happy with our work so far." He promised to send a CD when it's released later this year. He looks forward to joining with the gang in Heidelberg in 2003.

An inquiry was received from a Barbara Darden regarding any family of Gene/George J. Herbst (56-57). Barbara said that George was her father's cousin, and because her dad had just died she wanted to know about his children and how to get in touch with his family. If you can help Barbara out, her e-mail is bhdarden@hotmail.com

William (Bill) Lesher (54-55) "stumbled onto the 33rd Army Band Site" in early September. He said he was excited to see himself in the photo labelled "1955 Band". He played trumpet with the band until he was transferred to the 7th Army Band in Stuttgart. Bill requested information on who had the original of the 1955 Band photo that appears on the website--a photo that the editor of the newsletter apparently returned to the original owner. Bill provided his address in Norristown, PA. His e-mail address is: wwlesher@juno.com.

A couple of days later Bill wrote to say the following: "I think the timing of this is just incredible. I recently got my passport in anticipation of a visit back to Heidelberg. I think it's absolutely fantastic that the Alumni Association is planning a reunion in Heidelberg. I had even speculated that a visit to Patton Barracks would probably be impossible in light of the security prevalent at military installations these days. But the June 2002 Newsletter suggests that such a visit might be a possibility. That would be a real kick for those of us who were stationed there. I want to go on record as being very interested in participating in such a trip....The first time I arrived in Heidelberg was in September and it was a simply beautiful time to arrive in Heidelberg (lots of beautiful students from around the continent at the university - I married one of them..."

Bill noted that after his assignment with the 7th Army Band he returned to civilian life and continued playing trumpet. "The venues included musical theater pit orchestras, jazz groups, dance bands, concert and parade bands and area symphony orchestras. A highlight of this period was a performance, as a balcony trumpeter, in 1976 of Walton's "Bellshazzar's Feast" with Atlanata's Westminster Choir and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra." After a day job interfered with his musical activities "the trumpet fell into disuse for about eighteen years. It was reactivated again around 1999 and is again in use, playing in an Italian symphonic band in the Mid-Atlantic states area..

"I'm looking forward to a return to Heidelberg and am dying to see if the jazz club (Cave 54) in which so many of us jammed every night, half the night, is still there. Many fine musicians played and grew in that unique venue just across the Hauptstrasse from the Holy Ghost Church. Ah, what memories!"

Tony Bencivenga (64-66) wrote that he is planning on making it to the Heidelberg reunion. He noted that he believed Tom Jeffrey (63-67) would soon be moving from New York, back to Virginia Beach. Tom? Are you there? Or are you still in New York?

Frank Gomes May 55-Apr 56) wrote as follows in late September: "After five months of wondering if we would ever sell our house and would we be moving to Florida, the time has finally arrived. We have sold our house... The movers will come to take our furniture and put it into storage until we call for it in February, at which time we hope to be moving into our new home in Port St. Lucie.

"We will be staying at our daughter Debbie's house in Medway until the beginning of January. Then we leave for Florida and will be staying in Stuart with friends...until our house is ready in February....What this means is that along with our furnishings, our computers will be in storage and we will be out of e-mail contact until some time in February....When we are moved in and our computers are once again up and running, we will again mass e-mail everyone to let you know what is happening with our e-mail addresses." In the meantime, Frank provided his daughter's address and telephone number. Anyone wishing to get in touch with Frank should contact the secretary-treasurer for the details.

Steven Goff (95-98) wrote in early October to say that he and his wife really want to go to the reunion in 2003. He provided his e-mail address: saxman@toast.net. He and his wife "just moved back over to Caldwell on a bigger lot, and we are building a house for my mother-in-law next to our house. It is out by Lake Lowell [in Idaho]." Steve included his postal address and phone number, which can be obtained either from Steve or by contacting Frank Schlatter.

Alex Nestor (76-78) wrote in mid-October to say: "Just thought I'd send you this e-mail to say I am alive and kicking (as opposed to 'unknown'). Mark 'Elmo' Ellis just sent me the link to your website. I am the guy behind the bass drum in this picture: http://www.rt66.com/~obfusa/33rd76.jpg

He went on to say that he and his wife have three children and that his oldest daughter had just gotten married. He currently works as a webmaster at the School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas (http://som.utdallas.edu). His e-mail address is: smubldg4@hotmail.com.

Scott Phoenix (75) recently expressed his desire to attend the 2003 reunion but noted that he teaches at the time. He then said, "Maybe, just MAYBE, I can make it by taking unpaid personal leave, and would LOVE to, but no commitment as such for a few months. [ED. NOTE: One of the concerns of the Reunion Committee has been 33rd ABAA members like Scott, for we knew the early September dates would, in all likelihood interfere with teachers being unable to make it to Heidelberg. Yet other times provided some very negative aspects also.]

An inquiry was recently received from a Bill Menk regarding Paul Held (86-88). Bill has been trying to locate Paul and would appreciate receiving any information that might assist him in his search. Bill Menk's e-mail address is: wmenk@mcasd.net.

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The following pictures were taken by the editor of Passing In Review in 1957. The first shows the oldest town hall in Gemany, located in Michaelstadt, some 56 kilometers northeast of Heidelberg. The second was taken in Annweiler, some 60 or 70 k's southwest of Heidelberg. The locations are circled on the road map of the region around Heidelberg.

The pictures are provided in this issue of the newsletter simply to provide a preview of the kinds of sights we plan to see during the reunion.