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News
From The
508
January 2010 (Volume 1) |
OCTOBER 2010 REUNION UPDATE –
Coordinator host Jason Wolcott reports that he has been working with the
Oklahoma City Visitors and Convention Bureau who are excited about the
reunion and the fact that their city has been chosen to host the 508ers.
The Visitor's Bureau is proving to be very helpful in arranging outings
and other activities. Jason has bids out to several local hotels and
promises to keep us apprised of his progress
GET WELL WISHES - WALTER BARRETT is recovering from hip
replacement surgery and doing well. Cards can be sent to Walter at 2841
Wesleyan Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27106-5847.
DARRELL GLASS is recovering from back surgery. Cards
can be sent to 1609 Mimosa Place; Fullerton, CA 92835.
OUTSTANDING CITIZEN – NORBERT STUDELSKA was named
“Outstanding Citizen 2009” by the Grafton, Wisconsin Chamber of
Commerce. Festivities included a vocal performance by American Idol
Finalist Danny Gokey.
TAPS – Jason M. Johnston, 24, of Albion, N.Y.;
assigned to 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th
Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.; died
December 26 2009 in Arghandab, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when
insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
Interment was in Mount Albion, NY with full military honors.
Two other B Company Paratroopers were wounded in the
attack and one of them was evacuated to Walter Reed Hospital while the
other Paratrooper is recovering in a field hospital.
Company I recently paid farewell to two of its
veterans. FRANK J. SOSNOWSKI, 84, of Port Richey, FL, died November 15,
2009 following a massive heart attack. Tragically, His wife GRACE died
just three weeks later. Both were laid to rest in St. Adalbert Cemetery,
Niles, IL.
FREDERICK GLADSTONE died on December 30, 2009 in
Brunswick, GA. Funeral services were held on January 5, 2010 with
interment in St. Andrews Cemetery in Darien, GA. Fred was 88 years of
age.
LOUIS MANION, 84, (Hq 2nd) passed away on November
4, 2009 in Louisville, KY. He is survived by wife of 63 years, MARTHA
JEAN MANION. Condolences can be sent to her at 4716 Beech Dr.,
Louisville, KY 40216-3324.
GOT BOOTS MADE FOR WALKING? Family and Friends Honorary
Member, Emile Lacroix will be conducting his 28th annual “In the
Footsteps of the 82nd Airborne Division” march on February 20, 2010.
This year’s route covers more than 20 miles and will emulate that of the
504th PIR and begins at the La Gleize Museum which features a Tiger tank
on display.
Emile, a Belgian citizen, has spent his entire adult
life honoring the 82nd Airborne Division in the Ardennes. He is
responsible for putting up nearly all the 82nd monuments there. If you
have the stamina and want to experience some of the same terrain that
the 508th fought in, this one is for you!
SEARCHING - GARY NELSON, brother of LAWRENCE V. NELSON,
Co F, sent a note describing how LAWRENCE had dropped into Normandy and
Holland, then trucked into the Bulge where he was killed Jan 30, l945
somewhere near Menendorf. If anyone recalls where F Company was that
day, or other pertinent details, please contact GARY NELSON, Box l46,
Stanley, ND 58784 or call him at 701-629-1133.
ANOTHER ADOPTION – The hearts of Europeans continue
to embrace our war dead. Recently, Belgian-born Nathalie Hayes received
the news that her request for adoption of a grave in Henri Chapelle had
been processed. She has been named as caretaker of the grave of PVT
CLABORN A. STEELE. PVT STEELE, a member of Company A, was killed in
action on 8 January 1945.
NATHALIE’S brother, DOMINIQUE POTIER, an ex-paratrooper
in the Belgian Army, is especially pleased with this assignment as he is
a great Friend of the 508th and a constant source of 508th research
updates.
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN HONORED – Although not a
parachutist himself (“We Air force people are taught to stay ‘inside’
the aircraft”, he says), Dick O’Donnell has been made the first honorary
member of the 508th Airborne Chapter, 82nd Airborne Division
Association, Inc. Dick is grateful for the efforts of Chapter Chairman
Ken Hamill for his efforts to get this honor accorded by his Association
and the 82nd Association as well.
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SEND NEWS FOR THE COLUMN
TO:
Dick O’Donnell
760 Conestee Drive
Melbourne, FL 32904
PH: (321) 759-6174
e-mail:
Jumpmaster@508PIR.org
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