1/83 Artillery

Family News & Events

2013

• Ian "Bagzar" Stiles and friends.

• USA Today recently did a nice article on our Bob Bösl (68-69).  Bob, formerly a Medic with the 1/83rd, is now a Physician. This story tells of the great work that Bob does in Starbuck, MN. Click here to read this very nice write-up.

• The Orange County (California) Register recently did a nice article on our Mike Reetz (66-67) and his wife Shelley.  As many of you know, Mike in his alternate persona of Brig. General Horace Porter of the Union Army and Shelley (aka Mrs. Sophie Porter) are Civil War Living Historians in Gettysburg, PA where they now reside.  Click here to read this very nice write-up.

• The "Skinnie", the publication of Skidaway Island, Georgia recently did a nice article in their "He Served" section on Otto Aliffi (66-67). Click here to read and see a photo of Otto in action during his boxing days.

• Rich Magin (on the left) and "Wally" Wallace (both 66-67) recently reconnected after 40+ years. Looks like they have weathered the years pretty well!!

• Bill Wiseley's (66-67) son Shannon has retired after putting in 21 years in the Army. We wish him well and thank him for his service to our country.

• Stan Kalwinski (67-68) recently welcomed a new Grandson. Jack Payton Kalwinski, grandson of Stanley & Alice Kalwinski was born on 9-1-2013. Parents and grandparents doing great. That makes 5 grandkids, 1 girl and 4 boys, ages ranging from 20 years to 2 days old. Congratulations to all.

• The recently promoted Brigadier General Horace Porter (aka Mike Reetz (66-67) hard at work performing one of his more strenuous assignments with the girls volleyball team at Gettysburg College!

• This, more serious portrait, was obviously taken after the General's wife (Shelley) became aware of the General's recent "work" pictured above. Notice, Shelley is smiling whereas the General seems more subdued in this photo!

• Bruce Taiji (67-68) will be getting married on September 13, 2013 to Susan Devault in Columbia, Tennessee. Congratulations and much happiness to Bruce and Susan.

• Gary (Doc) Hill and Barney Downey (both 70-71) recently reunited in Michigan after 42 years. The last time they were together was when Gary (a Medic) was tending to Barney. This set of circumstances was a much happier meeting!

Barney and Gary (left to right)

• Don Eikenberry (66-67) and his wife Trudy attended their Grandson Mitch's graduation from Army Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood on August 15. Mitch completed Basic during the time between his Junior and Senior year of High School. Congratulations and Best Wishes to Mitch on his accomplishment.

• Here is the real power in the Dan O'Brien (69-70) household, Donna (Patton) O'Brien.

• Rex Hon (66-67) at the Four Corners Monument in June 2013.

• On Friday June 7, George Rose (66-67) and his wife Jeri attended their Grandson's graduation from Marine Boot Camp. Pvt. Casey Gannon will be heading to Camp LeJeune in 10 days. They are very proud of Casey. Congratulations to Casey and we wish him safety in his Marine career.

Jeri said "Needless to say we are very proud. The graduation was a great wonder to watch all in itself. What a touching moment for so many."

• Don Eikenberry (66-67) and his wife Trudy recently went to Oklahoma to help support the victims of the recent tornadoes that have ravaged that area. They were part of a group from Kansas who rode over 800 miles to help. Another example of the tremendous people who are part of the 1/83rd family.

Ed Note: Since Don is a very good friend of mine, I could not resist pointing out that his military training has once again proved valuable as seen in this photo. I did, however, remind him that his current equipment is not like any we had on KP at Nui Dat!!

• Ken Blank (69-70)  with his Daughter and Granddaughter at Memorial Day commemoration at his VFW.

• Mike Reetz (69-70) and his wife Shelley recently visited Washington DC.

Click here to see Mike's alter ego Lt. Col. Horace Porter along with Mrs. Porter.

• Don Eikenberry (66-67) recently competed in the Southwestern Grand American Trapshooting competition in San Antonio. He was the  "B" class winner in Doubles. Click here to view the winning scores. Look for event 3, April 9. Congratulations Don!

Ed Note: Apparently Don's trigger finger got stuck!

Don in Action

Don and his team

• Ted Belajac (69-70) welcomed a new Grandson, Joshua on March 27. That makes 6 Grandchildren for Ted. Congratulations to all.

• Angelo Giordano (69-70) recently welcomed a new Grandson, Jack. That makes 10 Grandchildren for Angelo. Little Jack will soon undergo major surgery so please keep him in your prayers for a complete recovery.

• I just received this note from George and Jeri Rose (66-67).

"Just had to brag, our oldest grandson, Casey Gannon, left today for Parris Island to start his boot camp. We are both scared for and proud of this young man. He is our future in the service.
Jeri (George) Rose"

Let's keep Casey in our prayers for a long, safe and rewarding career and be thankful that there are still young, brave men who love their country.

• Our sympathies go out to the family of Loyal Yocum (69-70) who recently passed away. Click here to see Loyal's obituary. Condolences can be sent to Loyal's family by contacting Bill Taggart

• Bill Taggart (66-67) welcomed his 2nd Grandson, Daniel Patrick Taggart on February 19. He weighed in at 9 lb. 9 oz. and 22.5" in length. That makes 1 Granddaughter and 2 Grandsons. Mom and baby are doing fine. Congratulations to all.

PS. Eagles tryout scheduled for next week!!

• Tom Bailey (66-67) welcomed his 1st Grandson, Brady Thomas Bailey on January 22. He weighed in at 7 lb. 6 oz. and 21" in length. That makes 2 granddaughters and 1 grandson. Mom and baby are doing fine. Congratulations to all.

• Our sympathies go out to the family of Merlin (Shell) Schaller (68-69) who recently passed away. Click here to see Shell's obituary. Condolences can be sent to Shell's family by accessing this contact information on the 1/83rd roster.

• Bill Wisely (66-67) welcomed his 7th Granddaughter, Winter Jane Wiseley on January 7. She weighed in at 6 lb. 2 oz. That makes 7 granddaughters and 1 grandson. Mom and baby are doing fine. Congratulations to all.

Also, Bill's son Shannon will be retiring July 13th this year after putting in 21 years in the Army. Here is Shannon receiving the Bronze Star for service in Iraq. Bill and his family and all of us at the 1/83rd congratulate and thank him for his service.

• Our sympathies go out to the family of Bruce Taiji (67-68) whose wife Judy recently passed away.  Condolences can be sent to Bruce and his family by accessing his contact information on the 1/83rd roster.

• Rick Ploetz (69-70) welcomed his 2nd Granddaughter, Juliette Katherine Ploetz on January 2. She weighed in at 9 lb. 8 oz. and was 20 3/4" in length. Here is a picture of Rick, his wife Sandy and his 2 Granddaughters, Gwyneth (22 months) and Juliette (1 day). Congratulations to all.

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