SSG John K. Weber / SFC Matthew R. Kahler, Chapter XV
173rd
Airborne Brigade Association
President: Trudell
Guerue Vice
President: Bill Andersen
Treasurer: Dave
Nordan Secretary: Jack Running
November 19,
2014
Editor: Steve Anderson
Chapter XV’s next
meeting will be held December 17, 2014@ 7:30PM
Hearthside Pizza, 1641 Rice St., St. Paul (Rice St. & Larpenteur
Ave.). The Chapter regularly meets on
the 3rd Wednesday of each month. The Hearthside has very good food at
reasonable prices—if you are looking for a place to eat, stop in and give it a
try.
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 23 Chapter
15 will perform the Presentation
of Colors during half time proceedings of the Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay
Packers football game at the University of MN football stadium.
November 27 Annual Thanksgiving Pow Wow at the American
Indian Center in Minneapolis . There are
4 grand entries one each day of the 4 day event. For exact times call Jack Running at 651-387-3762.
December 6, Annual Special Forces Christmas Dinner At
Officers Club at Ft Snelling. $35 per person. Choices A) Prime Rib
(B) Roast Stuffed Chicken Breast (C) Walleye Reservations Due by
11-26-2014. Call Matt Mitlyng h
763-208-6488 c 763-257-9404 or email mmitlyng@comcast.net
December 6, “BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD” ARS BELLUM
FOUNDATION BENEFIT FOR VETERANS WITH PTSD. The benefit is a concert by Hip Kitty prices start at $20 and go up from there. For more information go to www.eventbrite.com open the
window and then click on “try it now”.
The next page will ask for what event enter “beyond the battlefield” and
the complete price list will appear with all the different events taking place
that evening such as meeting with actor Glenn Morshower (West Wing / Transformers/ Xmen) and an art exhibition This is a very worthwhile
event. Michael Kemp who is a member of
Chapter 15 is an ARS BOARD COUNSEL MEMBER and Iraq War vet.
December XX Pow Wow at Magnet School, Jack will contact
members when the date is finalized.
CALL TO ORDER
1930 Hours
ROLL CALL
Scott Whaley, Steve Anderson, Bill Andersen, John Anderson,
Jack Running, Trudell Guerue, Dave Nordan, Noel Johnson, Mike Kemp, Mike Sandford (Returning after a
multi year absence, welcome home).
GUESTS
None
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
ONCE again President Guerue spoke of his volunteer job as a
driver for the VA and how many vets he has the opportunity to meet, this past
month he met three men who were talking about the “Herd” and invited all to
attend our meetings. He encouraged
everyone to wear your hats, pins and put bumper or window stickers on your
vehicles.
On October 25 the Mid
West All Airborne Alliance dedicated a plaque honoring members of the 551st
Parachute Infantry Battalion for their heroic service during WW2 and a plaque
honoring special units that fought directly for America or surrogate units such
as Hmong, Lao and Cambodian Khmer. The dedication took place take place at
Airborne Circle located on the grounds of The Ft. Snelling National Cemetery
and was attended by many former soldiers from Lao and Hmong Special Guerilla Units (SGU’s). We were unable to find any living member who
served in the 551st. The model maker who cast the plaques made three
separate models for each of the three groups who were in attendance for them to
be taken back to their respective community centers where most meet.
Treasurer Report
Dave
reported the Chapter is in very good financial condition but due to the cold
weather on Vets Day we had to pay for some services that we did not use. However the biggest single expenditure was
for folding chairs and Dave was able to negotiate with the vendor to get them for
free next year. Thanks to Dave and
thanks to our vendor as well. Dave then
hit us up for next year due’s—he is relentless…..
Mail
Dues or donations to:
Chapter XV
173rd AB Brigade
PO Box 583131
Minneapolis, MN. 55440
Single year
membership is $24.00
Life
Membership $173.00
Annual
membership runs Jan 1 to Dec. 31.
A motion was
made and passed on a voice vote to send $ 100 to the Central High School Band
even though the weather was to inclement for them to attend.
A motion was
made and passed to use money received for parking by the recent Color Guard to
provide repair money for a vehicle needed to haul our equipment to various
events.
Another
motion was made and passed to send the balance of what the band would have been
paid to the people who provided the sound system and music.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
VP Bill Andersen reported that after 3 ½ months his wife
Jenny is out of the hospital. No other report.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Jack reported the Chapter had one Pow Wow last month, the
Magnet School in St. Paul and a Color Guard for the National Indian Housing
Convention held in St Paul. The Chapter
was also present for the funeral of a 101st Soldier at Ft Snelling..
MIDWEST ALL-AIRBORNE ALLIANCE
(MWAAA)
The association is looking to place two plaques in
2015. One that has been selected is for
the “Alaska Defense Command “ which could be the 172nd Brigade who
wore a patch with the Polar Bear and
Airborne tag or could be the 23rd Infantry Division who also
wore a patch with a Polar Bear. We’ll
have to sort it all out. I missed what
the other unit is.
About MWAAA any and all former Airborne Soldiers are welcome
to attend MWAAA meetings, Brad Nichols, President (served with 82nd
and 101st). The group meets
the Third Thursday of each month at the
Richfield MN. American Legion on 65th and Nicolet So. All A/B are welcome. There are no dues and
everyone has a vote. Meeting starts at
1800 hrs. Come early and have a bite to eat the food is very good and the
“stories” are usually original.
NEW BUSINESS
Trudell asked if the membership had anything they would like
brought up at the national Board meeting to be held in San Diego over
Presidents Day weekend.
One question would be in light of the surprise resignation
of our Treasurer we wondered if it might be due to the workload that position
requires. Even at our Chapter level a
lot of time is spent keeping track of every dime we take in or spend. (Unlike the Federal Government who can’t find
untold billions of dollars that were shipped to Iraq on pallets supposedly to capitalize
Iraqi banks). We wonder if the National Directors
could hire a management company to do the bulk of the work.
Another question that was raised is why it is the National Board of Directors are the
only members who travel overseas to visit the troops—we propose that at least
one of those members always be a Chapter President.
Discussion between Chapter 20 SF and Chapter 15 173rd
to combine newsletters has begun but we have a little snag. Chapter 15 only distributes by e-mail and
Chapter 20 uses a combination of USPS and e-mail. Perhaps we can build a hybrid or something
–will discuss more when we can get together.
VETERANS DAY 2014
It was another very
cold day where our band could not play and our guest speaker missed a turn
and ended up lost. However we were able
to hold a modified abbreviated program that turned out very well. Special thanks to Tom Eckhoff who has family
member that provided a sound system with recorded music of all the branches of
the armed forces as well as contemporary music while people waited for the
program to begin. Also thanks to Silver
Tongue Guerue for doing a very good job of conducting the event.
The family of Lance Corporal Dale Means was in
attendance. Dale was KIA in Afghanistan
when his vehicle hit an IED. His funeral
Flag was raised over the ceremony site in an early morning observance by
members of the Mid West All Airborne, many members of this organization knew
Dale and his family, notably, his
Grandfather Ranger John Roy (ret) and his mother Dale Lyn. Dale’s wife and Sister were also in
attendance.
POW/MIA
No report as Jerry is doctoring.
OLD BUSINESS
We are still trying to get some modest benefits for the Lao
and Hmong people who fought (as surrogates) for the USG during the secret war
in Laos. Many of the problems they face
in receiving recognition is because their numbers are so small. Neither, DOD or the CIA kept records of who
served in the Special Guerilla Units. As
a result the Lao and Hmong have taken it upon themselves to investigate the
many that have come forward in anticipation of receiving a benefit. The credentialing process requires the
applicant to account and verify ALL of his service time, their commanding
officer(s) units served, when and where they were. Everything that can be done to make sure they
are not being dishonest. There have been
a few cases of charlatans that have been caught through the credentialing
procedure.
Quite frankly even the most modest benefit being requested
has reached a wall because their numbers are so small they do not have the
endorsement from veteran service organizations.
A quick example would be the number of Lao and Hmong that might be
eligible for a benefit is around 11,000 souls in contrast there are 14,900
American Legion Clubs in the United States and many have never even heard of
Hmong and Lao soldiers so their message does not get to become an agenda item
for these organizations. I was unable to
determine how many VFWs are in the USA.
You can see they need our help.
Anything you can do would be of great service to our fellow vets who
fought so bravely in our behalf. Two
bills that help are, HF 3192 authored by Representative Jim Costa of
California. A companion bill in the
Senate is S 200 authored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich of Alaska. If these bills would become law it would
allow these courageous soldiers to be buried in National Cemeteries the bills
are simple and can be found at WWW Thomas.gov
Until
recently I was unaware of Khmer Veterans Project that appears to run parallel
to the effort we seek for the Lao and Hmong.
Hope to be able to meet with members of that organization soon to
coordinate efforts to bring some form of benefit to these deserving groups. Senator Begich lost his bid for re-election
and congressman Costa retained his seat in the house. I do not know what happens when the chief
author of a bill is not around to shepherd the bill through their respective
unit of Government.
MISCELLANEOUS
MINNESOTA
WEAPONS COLLECTOR SCHEDULE
|
Next 2014 MWCA Shows:
December 13 -
14 St. Paul RiverCentre
|
Harold C Deutsch History Roundtable Schedule Dec. 11, 2014 Christmas at Bastogne - The German Offensive on Christmas '44 Leo Barron and Don Cygan, authors of No Silent Night, and Veterans of Bastogne will reveal a much overlooked battle and a turning point of the Battle of the Bulge. Jan. 8, 2015 The Myth of the German Offense - Success that led to Failure John Mosier, author of The Blitzkrieg Myth, and Veterans of the Eastern European Front will show the flaws in the German Offensive tactics that eventually failed. Feb. 12, 2015 Italian Struggle - Not the Soft Underbelly Tim Brady, author of A Death in San Pietro, and Veterans of the Italian Campaign will discuss the brutal fighting of the U.S. Operations moving from Salerno towards Rome. March 12, 2015 The Logistics of War - Beans and Bullets to the Soldiers Dr Jerry Brown, Professor of History at US Army CGSC, and Veterans of Supply Operations will show the importance of Logistical Operations in winning Wars. March 26, 2015 Return to the Philippines - The Road to Japan Dr Nathan Prefer, author of Leyte, and Veterans of the Leyte Campaign will discuss the Command controversy and tactical operations of General MacArthur's Return. April 9, 2015 Air War in the Mediterranean - British and American Operations Col Robert Ehlers, author of upcoming book The Mediterranean Air War, and Veterans of Air Units in the Southern Theater will show the importance of the Southern Front of Operations. May 14, 2015 Retrospective Look at Goals of 8 WWII Leaders Dr Gerhard Weinberg, author of A World at Arms and Visions of Victory, will review the territorial and other aims of eight World War II Leaders on this 70th Anniversary of V-E Day. |
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©2014 Harold C. Deutsch World War II History Round Table |
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GOOD AND WELFARE.
.
Also Keep MaryAnn Running and Pat Roy in your prayers—we
could use some good news.
|
AIRBORNE
MAY GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!!!!!
|
Other Airborne Organizations
CHAPTER 20 SF
Meets at the Glockenspiel located on west 7th St. in St
Paul—7pm. First Tuesday of each month come early and enjoy a great meal.
Contact Mat Mitlyng 763-208-6487
Screaming
Eagles Minnesota contact is Troy Lindstad he can be reached by email
at or the more conventional telephone
method –call 952-448-4933.
Midwest All Airborne Alliance (MWAAA) usually holds their meetings at the Richfield American Legion Post (66th and Portland Ave So) the 3rd Thursday of each Month. No dues any and All Airborne Soldiers welcome—1800 hrs. Check out the new MWAAA website at WWW. midwestallairborne.com
MARKET PLACE
Patriot Assistance Dogs
Psychiatric Service Dog Program
In need of donations!!!
Please call Linda Wiedwitsch
218-841-4114
Looking
for an Inspirational Speaker?
Contact:
Gold Star Mother Jill Stephenson
Some Gave
All, All Gave Some. Freedom Is Not Free
Call: 612.868.7446
E-mail: iambenkoppsmother@gmail.com
Force
Options is offering several MN Concealed Carry Permit classes.
If
you need some snow plowing done in St Paul area
Call Dan @ 651-776-0434. ( Dan is a
chapter member)
BOOK
AVAILABLE “Blood in our Boots”
Written by
Chapter 15 member, Ed Haider. Most of
the stick were dead, the C-47 was on fire and going down when he Jumped into
the night sky over Sicily with “X” Bn. 505.
Ed reveals the torture and mistreatment he endured as a POW.
Call 651-488-9797.
Custom
Motor Cycles made by
Rigid Motor
Werks
Call John Staads
(chapter XV 173rd & SF chapter XX
member) 507-220-4015
Need
E-Commerce Help?
Business
Development Specialist
Ralph Treo 651 271-4188
E-mail Trejotrio@comcast.net
ARTISAN
Custom crafted
Illustrations, Sculptures, Graphics and Murals at a reasonable
price. Call John C. Ortiz 651-529-6651
or E-mail johnortiz36@comcast.net
(John does incredible work, this editor purchased a piece
made to order a couple of years ago.
WWII
DEMONSTRATION TEAM
For calendar information or if you wish to train for static
line jumps call 580-335-3344. Visit their
website www.wwiiadt.org
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