1/83 Artillery

News & Events

2018

• Tom Bailey (67-68) also sent this info and photos on the Vietnam Wall of Southwest Florida mentioned below on the Dec 12 update.

• Tom Bailey (67-68) sent this note...

"Look on Page 44 of the VVA magazine (November/December 2018 issue), the article “Wall Replica No.5:  Southwest Florida.  The photo and the last section is about Gulf Coast Chapter 1037 and the replica of the Wall that is constructed in Punta Gorda.   That is the Chapter I joined when we brought our home down here.  Great group of guys that are very active in the community and an educational program with local schools."

Tom also added this...

"I am not in the photo. It was taken in 2015 (I think) at the dedication of the wall. I wasn’t a member here yet.

It is quite the thing. Everything is identical except it is ½ size. We have quite the veterans population down here because of the retirees. The Educational Program is amazing. 3 or 4 times a year different schools bus in their 8 graders for a tour of the wall. Our veteran’s group sets up 4 different stations where we present them with information about the wall.

At one station we talk about the history and the names on the wall and give them cards with the names and information of individuals on the wall including the location of the names.

We then give them tracing paper and pencils and help them find the names on their card and trace them out.

At the third station we have an actual jeep and trailer and a an assortment of military memorabilia including a radio, fatigues, helmet, boots, grenades, flak jacket, web gear with the works. Kids get to touch and handle everything at this station.

At the last station a few of the Vets tell the kids of what they did and give them a little insight of what it was like."

• Tom Bailey (67-68) was presented with a Quilt of Valor at a recent VVA 1037 meeting.

Tom in middle with his wife Bonnie

• In recognition of Thanksgiving of bygone days, Rich Webekind (66-67) sent these grim reminders. Bon Appetite!

• Neal Schwartz (68-69) sent photos of these plaques that he made.

Since the text is a bit difficult to read in the photos here is the text.

I was that which others did not want to be.
I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do.

I asked nothing from those who gave nothing and
 reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness…should I fail.

I have seen the face of terror; felt the stinging cold of fear and
 enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment’s love.

I have cried, pained, and hoped…. but most of all, I have lived times
 others would say were best forgotten.

At least someday, I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was…. a soldier.

• Frank Scozzafava (66-67) sent this clipping from a recent edition of the American Legion Magazine.  As you know, Secretary Wilkie is the son of Robert Wilkie Sr. who was the CO of Service Battery in 1966-67. Secretary Wilkie also visited our last Reunion in San Antonio where he spoke to our group and conducted a question and answer session after his remarks.

• Jerry June (67-68) and his wife Diane recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations to both of them on such a happy occasion.

Here are some photos of the big event (both past and present).

• Rex Hon (66-67) recently sent a couple of gifts to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. Here are some photos along with the Secretary's reply to Rex.

• Some 69-70 "A" Battery guys held a mini-reunion in Perrysburg, Ohio in June.

Dan Bowling, Clarence Tiffany, Paul Picciuto, Dan O'Brien, Tom Sellers
(L-R)

Paul and Julie Picciuto, Dan & Donna O'Brien, Dan & Nina Bowling, Tom Sellers, Clarence Tiffany & Lois McKendree

• Rex Hon (66-67) recently visited Don Eikenberry (66-67) during a stop in Oakley, Kansas.

Don and Rex (L-R)

• Allen Morley one of our Aussie members sent this photo. Allen and his wife Diane attended our 2016 Reunion. Here is what Allen had to say...

"Happy Memorial Day. We went to visit with friends in Boalsburg PA after the last reunion. That little town is where the idea of Memorial Day started. My friend and my wife Diane are in the pic next to the town board explaining Memorial Day and the town connection.

This day is important to remember those who served and those buried in far off fields. We have willingly fought alongside the US, although you guys always did the heavy lifting. My thoughts are with friends in the 1^st/83^rd.

Bill I have almost recovered from my accident. I was grateful for the many 1^st/83^rd veterans who sent me well wishes. I replied individually to them all. Thank you for providing the link.

Best wishes,

Allen"

• Rex Hon (66-67) recently did a Motorcycle trip to Pike's Peak. Here is what Rex had to say...

"Hi Everyone

I made it to the top!!  It was the most scary motorcycle ride I have ever been on!!!  I did not think I was going to make it! The last two miles had steep grades and 5 and 10 mile an hour curves. Snow everywhere. No place to turn around. I had to keep going up. In places there was only one or two feet of dirt to the edge of the mountain.

I had to keep the RPM my DR 650 Trail Bike at about 5000 to 6000 to keep the engine running at the high altitude. I never got out of 1st gear. It was hard to breathe at 14,000 feet.  I was lucky to make it. Going down was a lot easier.

That is one ride I will not ever be doing again. Too scary."

• Rex Hon (66-67) sent this photo of 2 Red Cross girls at Nui Dat.

• Rex Hon (66-67), Don Eikenberry (66-67) and Gary Eitel (a friend of Don's) just did a road trip in Texas Hill Country. They rode the "Three Twisted Sisters “ in the South Texas Hill Country.

Gary, Don, Rex (L-R)

Don, Gary and Rex (L-R)

Don and Gary (L-R)

• Dennis Donati (70-71) recently received this award from the VA for his ongoing volunteer service at his local VA facility.  This is a special thing that Denny does for his fellow Vets and is great to see him receive this recognition. He is humble about receiving such an honor but I know it is richly deserved. Congratulations Denny!

• Paul Dickson (67) another of our Aussie mates and Editor of the Eyes and Ears Newsletter split his time now between Australia and Mexico. Paul sent these photos of a Remembrance Day 2017 ceremony in San Miguel de Allende. Mexico.

Paul

• Bob Billiards (67-68) one of our Aussie mates sent this picture of his 21st Birthday right before going to Vietnam. Bob has his Father and Mother on his right and wife Cathy and an uncle on his left.

• Tom (Beetle) Bailey (67-68) recently participated in the annual Wreaths Across America on December 16, 2017 along with other members of Gulf Coast Chapter 1037 VVA at the National Cemetery in Sarasota Florida.

• Wally Wallace (66-67) sent his 2017 Christmas Card with some of his 1966-67 buddies.

Wally, Dave Ferguson, Allen Saltzman, Bob Swiggett, Rich Magin (L-R)

• The Rich Webekind (66-67) clan, 2017 edition.

• Barney Downey (70-71) with a BMW he got last year and friend.

• Veterans Benefits

(Courtesy of the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs)

• Veterans ID Cards Now Available

(Courtesy of VFW Magazine)

Click here for a PDF version of this photo if you want to download it.

• The Mysterious Case of the "Missing" 5-ton Wrecker

Read the story of how some industrious members of the 1/83rd attempted to solve a problem in Ammo handling in early 1968, it is a great tale. Here is the story.

This story, written by Brigadier General Richard F. Allen (US Army Retired), was recently published in the 2018 edition of "Army", the magazine of the Association of the United States Army. Click here to read.

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