Hellcat News, (Kirkland, Wash.), Vol. 31, No. 3, Ed. 1, December 1976 Page: 7 of 19
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Abilene Library Consortium and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum.
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Armored
Ordnanc*
JOHN M. McNAULL A/134th
Rte. #6 - 699 Co. Rd. 1775
Ashland, OH. 44805
BOOSTERS
Jesse R. Gunzburg [A]
As we write this news letter it is the
forepart of October and the weather is
just the nicest kind of early fall — such a
beautiful day with the tree leaves
turning all colors and lots of flowers still
blooming. The garden is still producing
lots of good eating, with many
vegetables still to be gathered in for
winter enjoyment. You know what fall
is, don't you? That's the time of year
when Mother Nature blushes before she
disrobes. But, we are reminded that soon
the trees will be bare and snowflakes
will be in the air.
Our local county fair is now past
history, and on the very first day we had
a pleasant surprise when Vic and Wanda
Challen (56th) came to our display area.
Their daughter (Gloria) and family live
here in Ashland and Vies were visiting
the fair particularly to see Gloria's 4-H
club display. We had a nice chat with
them, even though we were involved in
the farm machinery parade at the time.
We saw them as they were arriving,
visited with them while we were waiting
in parade formation, and said our
farewells at the exit gate. This is one
nice thing about attending the reunions
— you get acquainted with people from
all the other units (and each one equally
as nice as the 134th) — just serving in
the 12th gives us common bond for
wonderful friendships! When the
Strangs (B) and us were returning from
Springfield we stopped for a snack at an
L&K restaurant outside Columbus,
Ohio, and who should walk in but David
and Evelyn Glontz of the 494th, so you
never know when or where you're going
to meet up with a Hellcat and Hellkitten,
with each meeting equally exciting.
On Labor Day, I was out checking
over the garden when a car came down
the road very slowly, stopped, backed
up, and pulled into our driveway. To my
pleasant surprise it was Gerald and
Eunice Bright (Hq) from Ft. Wayne, Ind.
They stayed to eat evening lunch with
us, and we took advantage of every
minute to have a good visit, the
conversation naturally turning to the
great time we had at the Springfield
reunion. They had been visiting Gerald's
brother in Pennsylvania and started
westward early enough to spend a
couple hours with us. To any of you —
the welcome mat is always out; we enjoy
company and Ashland is not that hard to
find on your Ohio map. We had a card
last week from Gerald and Eunice and
they were in Abilene, Texas, at the time.
I'm sure they'll have a lot to share with
us later about their trip back to our old
stomping ground.
We had such a nice lengthy letter from
Irene Murphy (Howard (A) can't write, I
guess), and even though we enjoyed her
letter immensely, we were disappointed
that they couldn't be with us during our
county fair; we had talked about this at
the reunion. They were with us last year
at fair time, but decided it was too far for
now because of Murphy's recent illness,
so they were going on a short trip into
upper Michigan and were planning to
enjoy their camper, bicycling, boating,
and God's beautiful coloring in that area
during the fall season.
The September issue of "Hellcat
News" carried the notice that Ed Gent
(SV66) had passed away. Ed was at the
Rochester reunion and he and I sat down
and together sent a card to Tony Rask
(A), telling him that we had a drink for
him. Tony and I wondered out loud why
Ed wasn't at the Springfield reunion,
and I am sure Tony was equally shocked
when he read of Ed's passing away. A
letter from Florence Putman (A)
recently told of her mother's death in
August, while Thelma Strang (B) lost
her mother in September. Both mother's
had been in rest homes for quite some
time, and all of us express our sympathy
to them. Remember several years back
when Florence's mother was at our
reunion? She had a ball! Guess it's later
for all of us than we think, so don't put
off attending reunions; get out now and
see those old buddies!
As of September 9th, the 134th had
103 paid-up members, and if you haven't
sent in your dues yet, please do it right
away. These are the 1976-77 dues — and
no organization can exist without active,
paid-up members. Hate to keep bringing
this up, but the 12th (and particularly
the 134th) needs and wants YOU as a
member — what better way is there to
keep in touch with your friends and
buddies of the war years? And, please
check your roster to see if you have
names and addresses of men who are not
now members — we've got a lot of
booster money, and let's use it to get
someone's name on the list — that's your
way to help keep in touch. Send that
address to us — we'll follow up with a
letter!
Ken Warnes, our Association
Secretary, sends us all the information
that you fellows write him with your
dues. Wonderful!
So, from Donald A. Tiffany (B), says
he was trying to paint his house but the
weather wasn't cooperating very much
— suppose the years have slowed him
that it takes a few more days of sunshine
to get that house done? Don's son was
home on a 30-day leave and then will go
to Korea for 13 months, assigned to the
2nd Infantry Division. Don's planning to
attend a reunion soon, and with the
get-together in Philadelphia next year,
this should be it, because Philly is right
down Interstate 81 from his home town
of Binghampton, N.Y. — and you can't
get it much closer. So, Don, we're
looking for you to be there "with bells
on". Now, Don, you mentioned that Joe
DeMichele has retired, and you
wondered if any of the guys remember
him. Well, we don't see that name on our
roster, so how about sending his address
to us — we need him as a member of the
134th!
Cont. on page 16
St ^ S 5 k?
Happy Holidays
from
THE FARMERS
Hobart and Mary Jane
A/714
Although our country has said it)
200 times and our association 30"
times. . .let's hear it once more:
MERRY CHRISTMAS
EVERYBODY!
Bob Saehloff
495th AFA jg
M
The Season's Greetings
Happy Chanukah
Merry Christmas
Shalom - Peace
Alan Horowitz ^
C-82nd S
HANK & JOAN DOJUTREK
C-495TH
SEE YOU ALL IN
PHILADELPHIA
OOiK-OO
w
CHRISTOPHER MUGAVERO Sv/23rd
413 N. Park Drive
Rochester, N.Y. 14609
BOOSTERS
James. H. Walters (B)
Chris Mugavero (SV)
John Burdzy (SV)
Oscar L. Lea (SV)
"B" Company Reunion was held over
the Labor Day weekend, at the Holiday
Inn in Champaign, Illinois. Hosts were
Harold T. Bell and lovely wife Jane.
Those present were Alex Santos, Casper
and Jo Burgener, Bill and Wanda Elliot,
David and Ruth McBride, John and
Dwayne McBride, Bill and Jean
Newman, Sylvester and Georgia
Brinker, Ray and Joyce Ploucher, James
and Lydia Cittadino, Jerry and Carol
Wees, Robert (Doc) and Betty McElroy,
Wallace S. Holbrook and Harold and
Ruth Crowell. A wonderful time was had
by all, in fact it was the first time they
were with Alex Santos, from Loredo,
Texas, in a good many years. The best
part was that there were no elevators in
the building. Glad to hear you had a ball.
Frances Hancock deeply expresses
her gratitude for the past issues of the
Hellcat News, which were of great
interest about her late husband's
friends. Fred was one of our past
representatives and a darn good one too.
We all sure miss him. Fran wishes to
send her warm regards to A1 and Edith
Lipschultz (152nd) who were very nice to
her while on their trip to Europe. She'd
like everyone to know she has remarried
and her name is now Mrs. Forstrom. Our
congratulations and many years of
happiness.
Don Dietz (B) wrote they were sorry
they couldn't make Co. "B" Reunion, but
hope they can next year, however they
were happy to see such a good turnout of
their company at Springfield and had a
wonderful time. Lee Winand (SV) and
Betty surprised them while on vacation
and paid them a visit. They took them
over to see Clair Mummert (HQ/17th)
and Ruth and enjoyed being together
tremendously. They added they'd like
more of us Hellcats and Hellkittens visit
them and enjoy the beautiful Dutchland.
Don promises a good tour for that's one
of his great hobbies. All is fine and hope
to make both Eastern and Big Reunion in
1977.
Lee Winand (SV) and Betty did a lot of
travelling last summer and visited
buddies between Steam Shows. Their
first stop was over to John C. Smith's
(SVO) house. Sorry to say has not been
too well since suffering two heart
attacks and muscular dystrophy in his
arms and legs. His wife Joyce had an
operation, but is doing fine now. Lee also
stopped in to see Norman Brouse
(B/92nd) in Lewisburg, PA. had a very
nice time. Then they went to the Dietz's
and the Mummerts'.
A note arrived from Leater C.H.
Humphrey (B) and Marie who had a lot
of fun in Springfield and happy to have
had the opportunity to meet others. As a
matter of fact while writing this news
report they were expecting a gang from
Co. "B" tour their beautiful Smoky
Mountains in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Hope you all enjoyed yourselves.
Dues and news arrived from Oscar L.
Lea (SV) who's had quite a bit of hard
luck this past year. In May he was
operated on at Walter Reed hospital,
which was successful, but had two heart
attacks after that. While he was still in
the hospital his wife Alice had a heart
attack and spent 32 days there leaving
the hospital same day as Oscar. As if
that wasn't enough to bear, Alice went
to get up from her chair, not realizing
her leg had gone to sleep and turned her
ankle and broke it. She's now in a cast.
Sorry — hope you both have a speedy
recovery. Missed you at the Reunion.
John Burdzy (SV & 66th) sent Dues
and hopes to make a Reunion sometime
soon. At the present time the excitement
at their house is that son Brian got his
driver's permit. John is teaching him
how to drive, and who knows, mom may
soon have to give up her car. All is well
although John was ill awhile, but
fortunately is fine now.
James. H. Walters (B) paid Dues and
wrote that he has lot of pictures from the
old company in Europe and plans to send
them to Ken Warnes. You may rest
assured Jim they will be returned as you
asked. Please identify the people in the
photos before you send them. Thanks!
Dues were sent in by the following
Hellcats: George W. Bogert (SV), Irving
C. Letson (SV), Dr. Robert C. Miller, (C),
Leo Rettger (A), Augustine J. Ryan
(SV), James R. Saas (SV), and C.W.
Wyss (HQ). Good work fellows, keep
them coming please.
Russell Jensen (SV) and Margaret
were very busy this summer and were
up to their ears with corn, in fact he gave
us some and was really good. They
attended the Annual Duck Hunters'
Clambake and had a wonderful time.
They are looking forward to our 31st
reunion.
Harold Crowell (B) and Ruth gave us a
call recently telling of the wonderful ball
they all had at the "B" Company little
Reunion and made us promise to meet
them next year. We'll certainly try our
best.
Franklin C. Garnett (C) seems to be
getting along fairly well so says his
lovely wife Mollie who called. He wanted
to be assured of the date for our next
Reunion, and hopes to be there.
Jo and I are fine and want to take time
out to thank all of you who have phoned,
or written, please keep up the good
work, sure like hearing from all of you.
We extend our sincere good wishes for
Very Happy Holidays and please pay
your Dues.
EDITORS Request: Why not sign up
Alex Santos, who is not a member and
also how about working on Wallace
Holbrook who as of the date this went to
press is a wee bit behind in the Dues
Dept., along with others. I guess the
color of the Dues envelope did not make
any difference to a lot of Hellcats. Next
year I will have to make them purple,
maybe they will remember them better.
Thanks Chris for your space. Ken
Warnes.
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Twelfth Armored Division Association (U.S.). Hellcat News, (Kirkland, Wash.), Vol. 31, No. 3, Ed. 1, December 1976, newspaper, December 1976; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth410055/m1/7/?rotate=90: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum.