Hellcat News, (Godfrey, Ill.), Vol. 37, No. 1, Ed. 1, September 1982 Page: 26 of 34
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Page 26
HELLCAT NEWS
Sept. 1982
William "Bill" Poulos and Andrew Winters at Bill's
home. Two 152nd buddies having a friendly visit.
493rd
Armored
Field
Artillery
PAUL H. GOSSER
RR 1, BOX 1794
LEECHBURG, PA 15656
[412] 845-1225
BOOSTERS
John C. Friesema — A
Henry J. Beltram — Hq
John H. Babcock — C
Mel Farrand — B
Tommy H. Maddox — A
Otto K. Schmalfeld
Thos. J. Williams — B
Charles Zincon
L. Ordette Higgins — C
Vernon Waites was in the
hospital for major surgery at the
very time we were having our
reunion in St. Louis. Owen Schu-
macher called the other day to
report that he had been in touch
with Sara Waites and that Vern
was recovering satisfactorily. His
home address is R.R. 2, Box 316,
Edgefield, S.C. 29824. He will
appreciate cards and notes.
I am writing this three weeks
after the St. Louis reunion. If
everyone had as good a time as
Peg and I, the reunion was a huge
success. John Critzas and his
committee did a terrific job. The
biggest improvement was the way
he handled the seating arrange-
ments at the Saturday night
banquet. There was no delay or
confusion whatsoever.
Details of the reunion and a
complete list of attendees is print-
ed elsewhere, so I won't dupli-
cate. The 493rd had something
bigger and better than any other
unit at the reunion. It was our
hospitality room. Frank Czeiner
did a terrific job of planning and
stocking. He brought a huge
carload of supplies all the way
from New Jersey. Bill Poydence
was there early to help set up and
helped constantly over the three
days. But the guy who really put
in the hours was Ed Cotter. He
remembered everyone's favorite
drink and was always on hand
when a glass got empty. This isn't
enough thanks to three guys who
really made the reunion memor-
able for the rest of us, I'm sure
everyone who was there agrees
they were great. I wouldn't want
to forget to thank Nellie Czeiner.
She acted as secretary-treasurer
and did an excellent job.
This year the hotel charged us
$110 per day for the hospitality
room. With the tax this came to
$355.17 for the three days. The
supplies came to $362.59, so our
total was $717.76. Some extra
effort on the part of Nellie and a
last-minute appeal by Cox and
Kurtz brought in $732 altogehter.
The tiny surplus took care of the
tips for the maid and bellhop.
Frank always brings a lot of extra
supplies but we are only charged
for the bottles that are opened.
He takes back the unopened
stock. Again, thanks gang for a
job very well done. We all appre-
ciate it.
I saw Poydence the other day in
Apollo. He is already planning to
get to the reunion next year extra
early so the hospitality room will
be waiting for the first arrivals.
Everyone was enthusiastic
about the plans for next year's
reunion in Nashville. Bill Ar-
buckle is general chairman.
Wolcott and Davenport are on his
committee. Everyone from the
493rd is on his expanded com-
mittee. We all offered to help
however we can. We'll have a lot
more details later but it isn't too
early to start planning to come to
Nashville. One of the highlights
will be a trip to Camp Campbell.
Davenport was up on an advance
trip and located the old 493rd
area. All of the buildings are still
standing but are in bad shape. It
will be great to walk around there
again.
The reunion in 1984 will be in
Denver, Col.
At the reunion I asked mem-
bers and wives to write notes I
could use in this column.
Joe and Lois McMonagle wrote,
"thanks for the hospitality room."
Vi Foster, Jack and Irene
Kurtz, along with Marion and
Hannah Davenport wrote "Great
time as usual. Thanks to Nellie,
Frank, Cotter and Poydence for
the time they spent. Hope to see
you all in Nashville."
Vern and Virginia Wolcott said
"just like fine wine, these re-
unions seem to get better and
better. Our hospitality room was
the best at the reunion. We'll be
in Nashville. See us there"
Fuzzy (Bill) Cox was back for
his second reunion and kept
everyone entertained with his
stories about PW life. He com-
mented: "this is the greatest
fellowship you can have, meeting
old friends and recalling all those
experiences." He too, particularly
thanked the hospitality room com-
mittee. Most of us are beginning
to show some wear and tear, but
not Cox. However he does it, he
sure looks well preserved after all
the years.
Leroy Welch was at his first
reunion and commented: "I see
what I have missed through all
the years." Matt and Rose Roman-
azzi attended with Leroy and
visited at the Welch home, which
is about an hour from St. Louis.
Bob Head, who is now president
of the Association, somehow locat-
ed Matt Romanazzi from service
battery and invited him to the
reunion. It was Matt's first, and
he wrote "I had no idea I would
meet so many old buddies again
after all these years. Thanks to
Bob Head, the committee and
everyone who made it possible."
Rose Romanazzi added "We hope
to make more of these reunions."
Former Rep. Ill
James H. Moulder, former
494th Unit Rep., and Artillery Bn.
Director on the Executive Coun-
cil, sent the following mes-
sage to Ken Warnes, prior to the
reunion: "Ken, I am forced to stop
for the time being, as Unit Rep
for the 494th, and member of
Executive Council. I would like to
see Paul Gosser take over as
Arty. Director on the Executive
Council. Know this is sudden, but
within the past week (last Sun-
day, July 18th) I had a heart
attack - a little above moderate.
As my doctor says "You did a
good job to the entire front part."
Still in intensive care unit, wired
for everything; self-destruct but-
tons, etc. Now faced with a week
or so here. Then, to Sacramento
to see extent of total damage.
Then a lot of thinking about what
I must do. Doc said first thing is
quit doing everything you can.
Maybe in six months to a year, I
could resume. For those fortun-
ate ones - an experience like last
Sunday isn't funny. /Signed/ Jim
Moulder."
Jim's address if 965 Malick
Avenue, Yuba City, CA 95991, for
the information of Hellcats or
Hellkittens wishing to send a
message his way (Ed).
Louis Lapinski was at his first
reunion in 37 years but says he'll
be back.
Bill and Elizabeth Arbuckle said
"Fantastic." Come to Nashville
next year. We'll try to make it a
memorable time for all."
And Tilly Julson summed it all
up with "One great reunion. C. U.
next year!!!"
Nobody else volunteered to
take this job, so I kinda got
drafted for another year. It's your
column. Don't hesitate to send
contributions, suggestions or cri-
ticism. One of the three artillery
unit reps is picked each year to
serve on the Associaton board of
directors. Moulder's (494) term
was up and Mielnik (495) has been
on before so I find myself repre-
senting the artillery on the Board.
Again, let me know what you
think and want. I will certainly
welcome any suggestions and will
make sure they are passed on.
We haven't decided yet when
we will be going back to Florida,
but it will probably be around
October 1. All first class mail is
forwarded so I'll get your letter
regardless of which address you
use.
1. Pay your 1983 dues now.
2. Think NASHVILLE.
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Twelfth Armored Division Association (U.S.). Hellcat News, (Godfrey, Ill.), Vol. 37, No. 1, Ed. 1, September 1982, newspaper, September 1982; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth410696/m1/26/: 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.