Hellcat News, (Cincinnati, Ohio), Vol. 57, No. 2, Ed. 1, October 2003 Page: 1 of 24
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★ Rhinetand
★ Ardennes-Alsace
★ Central Europe
HELLCAT NEWS
Published by the
12th Armored
Division Association
VOL. 57
OCTOBER 2003
NO. 2
President's
Message
Hail and farewell fellow Hellcats, Hell
kittens and 2nd Generation members of
our association. Our 57th Annual Reun-
ion, which took place in Hampton, VA, is
now history and at this writing, according
to my registration numbers and the hotel
room count, more than 400 members will
have attended the Hampton Reunion.
Thanks to the hard work and efforts of
Bob and Ellen Payne [B/92nd CAV RE-
CON] setting the stage for everyone to
have a good time.
Let me tell you a little of what they did. We over booked the
Miss Hampton Harbor Cruise so they procured a long rope and
another boat so we could drag another 100 Hellcats et al behind
them. Since I am writing all this before it actually happens, I'm
just guessing how it will be.
Those of you who, for whatever reason, were unable to attend
the Reunion at Hampton most certainly missed a great oppor-
tunity for another chance to greet and discuss our history with
your comrades. Believe it or not, one of our guys got married at
the Reunion and the hotel provided a cake for 350 people (should
have been more cake because all the Second Gens gobbled it up).
You folks reading this have to know that I really am looking at
my crystal ball and speculating what a good time we will have.
Jim Feezel will have to fill you in with all the actual facts about
the Reunion in his November President's column.
Besides the wedding, "Muscles" Emery of C/66th AIB was
honored by the Alumni Association of his Alma Mater at our
Saturday night banquet. Ward McGill made a number of award
presentations and probably bored everyone to sleep after the
dinner. Don't know what music is in store for us but I can bet no
one will be dancing the "Beer Barrel Polka."" We all go to sleep
about 8:30 anyway. (Sorry 2nd Generation ...maybe you guys can
make the noise for us.)
At our Friday morning meeting, Bill Funke [A/17] I am sure
did an admirable job with his telling of the infamous story "The
Origin of Taps," after which Taps was played by the bugler
(trumpeter) and we honored by Battalion those men who left us
in the past year. All in all, the ceremony is sad but necessary.
As a parting thought, may I say that we have all worked very
(continued on page 3)
off icers Elected at Hampton Reunion
The following were elected to office at the National Reunion
in Hampton, VA, for the year 2003-2004.
They are:
President: James Feezel [HQ/23]
Vice President: Ward McGill [B/66]
Treasurer: Jim Stone [D/43]
Directors for two-year terms:
Bill House [B/17]
Earl Norris [A/714]
134TH ARMORED ORDNANCE BATTALION
Donald J. Hering, 1029 Guthrie Road #2, Waukesha, Wl 53186
Phone (262) 547-0610
Hello everyone out there! I'm writing this the end of August but
fall will be in the air by the time you read this. It has been hot and
humid here in Wisconsin and the governor has declared a drought
for our farmers because we had no rain in August. Always predict
it but seems to pass us by.
As I am writing this we have 20 members of our 134th AOB
registered for our National Reunion in Hampton, VA. Talked to
Marietta and Dale Bryhan [A] who are in the process of moving
further south near Harlingen, TX. They now live near Dallas. The
move will bring them closer to their daughter which is a good idea
at our ages. They are both OK but will be missed at the reunion as
they usually attended all the Nationals.
Our dear Hellkitten Anna belle LeoGrande, wife of Carl
[MD/B], is having a rough time right now and we are sure they
would appreciate hearing from their many friends in the 12th ADA.
She is a wonderful gal but they too will be missed at the reunion as
they were regular attendees at the Nationals.
If you recall, our president, John Critzas, asked the unit reps to
encourage their members to send donations so that each KIA
member of a unit is remembered forever at our museum in Abilene
with a gold brick in a prominent place. Donations can be in any
amount - large or small. It will be very appreciated. Nathan Hoff-
man and Dale Kline sent in very generous donations and I have
received checks also from Don Tiffany, Laverne Turnquist and
Henry Taylor. Let's honor our five KIAs for the supreme sacrifice
they made for all of us. Thank you all!
(t
This picture of a 3/4-ton truck from the 12th Armored's 134th
Ordnance was taken by Henry Taylor on April 3,1945.
Talked with Lee Mizen [A] who was so happy to hear our
daughter insisted on us flying rather than driving. We would rather
drive but with health problems and the fact that we are not getting
any younger makes flying a good idea.
Had a wonderful trip to the scenic Northwest with our daughter,
Mary, in August. We flew to Seattle where she rented a car, then
drove down to Portland, then went over to the ocean highway and
drove back up to Seattle. Did sightseeing along the way and went
near Aberdeen, WA where we tried to connect with our Hellcat
buddy, Gail Campbell and his wife, Maxine, of C Co., but they
(continued on page 3)
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Twelfth Armored Division Association (U.S.). Hellcat News, (Cincinnati, Ohio), Vol. 57, No. 2, Ed. 1, October 2003, newspaper, October 2003; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth410260/m1/1/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum.