Hellcat News, (Kingman, Ariz.), Vol. 50, No. 12, Ed. 1, August 1997 Page: 4 of 24
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Page 4
HELLCAT NEWS
August 1997
495TH AFA (continued from page 1)
The why should be obvious. Our membership will continue to
drop, our ability to conduct business becomes more limited,
and interest in attending reunions seems to be dwindling for
reasons of health and energy.
The questions of when and how to effect closure are more dif-
ficult. Some have suggested making our year 2000 Reunion the
Grand Finale and cease operations. Others have indicated
downsizing now, i.e.: combining all artillery, infantry, tank and
miscellaneous units which would also limit our operations.
Then, at a later date, we would cease operations.
All of you out there are Association members. As such, you
should have an opinion and vote in this critical matter. You
may have different ideas on how to effect this closure. Now is
the time for you to express your thoughts. Write to me and
give me your views.
We are forever HELLCATS!
Div. Hdq.
Units
: '
George F. Grimshaw, Jr., 73 Manning Street, Providence, Rl 02906
Phone (401) 331-3694
Sincerely hope this column finds you and yours enjoying
good health, and all of life's good things! This will be the last
column before the National Reunion at the Hyatt Regency in
Columbus. As of this date, the following DIV HQ Unit
members have registered: Paul and Joyce Johnson, Leonard
and Trudie Owen, and Edward and Corinne Strianese (all of
DIV ARTY); and George and Eileen Grimshaw (Unit Rep of
DIV HQ G-2).
To repeat the request I made in the last several columns: I
strongly requested one (or more) of you to come forward and
volunteer to serve as an Alternate Rep. I received not one
offer. If several of you volunteer, you would only be obligated
to prepare a column either every other month or every third
month. Don't you think Eileen and I deserve a break after lo,
these many years! Thanks in advance (my phone # is above)!
As for a donation towards our Battalion Fund, we received
just one donation, from good buddy Joe Hollerbach and his
wife Reba. Thanks again! (Make your check out to me at the
above address. Thanks!)
From LaVerne (Mrs. Al) Lysinger: Dear Eileen and George,
this is to let you know we will not be attending the National
Reunion this year. We will miss seeing everyone. Hope next
year will be better. Al has DX (Demention Alzheimers) so we
are taking each day at a time. Take care. Love, LaVerne.
(All our love and prayers go out to you and yours. We have
many happy memories of other reunions with you both. Keep
in touch.)
Here is a classic expression of courage and faith:
HIGH FLIGHT
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, and danced the
skies on Laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed and
joined the tumbling mirth; Of sunsplit clouds. Put out my
hand, and touched the face of God. PEACE
17th Armored
Infantry Battalion
William Bill" Funke, 1312 Alford Street, Ft. Collins, CO 80524
Phone (970) 482-0255
Here is the last chance to shake you up about the Columbus
reunion late this month. August is not a favorite month except
for the chance to meet old friends, and new friends at the Hell-
cat Hooplas. Enough, already, about being too late to send in
your registration. That is a myth. I realize some have valid
reasons, health, weddings, etc., for not showing up, but most of
you are just looking for excuses. Sermon over. The ushers will
take up the collection.
Speaking of collections, if you have registered and have not
had a letter from me about the CP, the unit dinner, and funds
for same, please call me right this minute at 1-970-482-0255.
A long letter from Sherman Lans [C] in which he wrote about
his visit last summer with Phil Narten [C]. Phil, an art expert,
lives in England and while they were in the states Sherman
made sure he got to some museums in the Pasadena area.
Sherman has sent copies of his most interesting "Stories of
War" to Phil and some of his friends. A copy of the book will
be in the CP for you to peruse. Just remember where its true
home is.
Sherman also mentioned he recalls a Sgt. Wolf [C-3rd
platoon?] and the track driver Forrest [last name]. These were
omitted from the book.
The Lans couple won't be able to be in Columbus because he
is starting a second round of chemo for lung cancer. He says
they are expecting their first grandchild in July and [in his
words] "I wouldn't miss that event for anything!" Hang in
there friend, you will, as you say, be around for a long time.
Good friend Ann Gesin [HQ] wrote from Switzerland to let
us know it is beautiful [but chilly]. By now she is back in
Florida.
Walter Gaines [D] got tired of waiting to hear from Ben
Johnson, our latest recruit into D Company, so he used the
phone and had a great conversation with him. Way to go
Walter.
Gene E. Russell [A] of Lenexa, KS, responded mightily to
the request for material for George Hatt and Vernon Williams.
Gene was in the 17th from Barkeley to Herrlisheim and was in
T/Sgt Higdon's platoon and S/Sgt Walker's squad. He kept a
daily diary all the time he was a POW at Stalag 11B. Can you
believe this? He has the Nazi flag which flew over the Stalag.
Boy, what a wealth of information he sent, including high-
lights of the days from January 17 to April 30 when he re-
turned to the US Army 60 pounds lighter. If that is not
enough, buddy Gene sent along a copy of a list of 17th men,
sent to him back in 1945 by Henry Sadlo [A], of POWs by
name and rank. A lot of those names I had forgotten. If you are
interested in seeing it, let me know.
How about a story from Capt. Ebbage [B] about General
Patton. Ed Goeppinger [B] says it is well worth recording. It
has something to do about Patton getting stuck in his com-
mand car and Ebbage pulling him out. That is one they over-
looking in the movie. Rats and double rats. Trudy G. is having
* ™ m.. * 1L*,
#
4
Heidenheim Hotshots. Carl Lyons and Bob Luedtke (A-17) in
1945. Photo by Lyons (A-17)
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Twelfth Armored Division Association (U.S.). Hellcat News, (Kingman, Ariz.), Vol. 50, No. 12, Ed. 1, August 1997, newspaper, August 1997; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth410762/m1/4/: accessed June 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum.