• Mike Reetz (66-67) sent this picture along with this note...

"Friends of mine in Gettysburg go every year to the National Cemetery and place wreathes on the graves of December 7 Pearl Harbor victims. We started doing this several years ago. Then I found Sgt. Everett's grave and we'd place a wreath on his grave.

This year, I of course, do not live in Gettysburg any longer. So my friends went and placed the wreath on Everett's grave in my place. Very nice of them. Great bunch of guys and gals.

Mike"

Friend of Mike's at Msgt. Everett's grave in Gettysburg.

Ed. Note. What a nice tribute started by Mike and continued with his friends. Lest We Forget.

• Paul Picciuto (69-70) sent these pictures of his Dad Tony celebrating his 100th Birthday. Tony is a WWII Veteran of the Pacific Theater.
Happy Birthday Mr. Picciuto!

  Quilts of Valor presented Tony with a quilt and the mayor presented him with the key to the city.

Paul handing his Dad a beer on his 100th birthday.

A neighbor has 3 homemade cannons and is shooting volleys with Paul's Dad and brother ready to pull the lanyard.

Check out these other News Items that I posted previously on Paul's Dad...

Look for the 8/12/21 News Item on this page.

Look for the 8/1/20 News Item on this page.

• Melvin Bowen (66-67) sent these pictures. His wife Jo Ann did an oil painting of a photo of Melvin's. It is of "B" Batteries guns firing in support of the Aussies.

From L-R on the gun in the foreground are Melvin Bowen, Royce Morris and Tom Merriman.

Melvin's wife Jo Ann holding her painting.

• Mike Davis (69-70) recently got to take part in his hometown Memorial Day parade. Here is what Mike had to say along with a few pictures of the event.

"I got to be part of our Memorial Day Parade today. Colonel Phil Stinson and I got to ride in a 1930 Chrysler. The Colonel wasn't with our unit, but he was a chopper pilot in 1969, and we've became good friends. Anyway I just wanted to share this day. It was very special for both of us."

• Ross Wood, one of our Aussie members sent this message regarding Vietnam Veterans Day 2021.

"I sent you a thanks for your kind and annual email for the commemoration of our Vietnam Veterans Day earlier today. As you appear to be aware we are under a strict lock down, enforced by the N.S.W. Police and in parts of Sydney and rural New South Wales, the police are supported by Australian Defence Force personnel, it is not permitted to travel in the area where I am further than 10 km (6.21 miles) from home. 

Earlier today I was able on my way to one of the local ovals where I walk my dog, for my one hour permitted exercise per day. I was able to stop at the local War Memorial and take the attached photo (See below). Berowra War Memorial 18 August 2021.

As you are aware, Vietnam Veterans Day in Australia and New Zealand is the commemoration of the Battle of Long Tan, which was fought to the east of 1 ATF in the rubber plantation of Long Tan on Thursday afternoon 18 August 1966. Many of the infantry that I knew that fought in the battle believed the artillery support saved their lives. 1st. Australian Field Regiment that afternoon comprised, 103 Field Battery R.A.A, 105 Field Battery R.A.A. and 161 Field Battery R.N.Z.A. all armed with 105mm L5 Pack Howitzers and Battery A 2nd 35th Medium Artillery Regiment armed with 155mm M109 Self-Propelled Artillery. In the three hours the guns were in action they fired 3,198 rounds of 105mm ammunition and 242 rounds of 155mm ammunition.

The Field Gun to the right of the Memorial is a World War II 25pdr QF MK II"