1/83 Artillery Update
October 27, 2014

1/83rd Unit News

1. Reunion News

Well we are back from Branson. We had 60 guys and 55 guests attend (almost doubling 2012 attendance) and, based on the feedback we received, most everyone enjoyed themselves. As happened in Savannah in 2012, we learn some things each time we do this and we will incorporate what we learned for the next reunion.

Reunion Pictures are available on our website, click here. All pictures that I have received are available at that link.

We started some fund raising events (PX, Silent Auction and Room Raffle) this time that were hugely successful due to the generosity of those who attended plus a few others who did not attend but still contributed.

We asked everyone attending to complete a Future Reunion Questionnaire. 4 things were overwhelmingly voted for:

1. Keep Reunions at every other year.

2. Keep the same time of year as we have done so far.

3. Keep the Reunion to 3 days.

4. Next Reunion will be held in the Washington DC area.

Since we have just spent the last 22 months planning Branson, we are now in Reunion hibernation mode until January.

2. Unit Merchandise - Some items that we sold at the Reunion PX will be available throughout the year with all proceeds going to the Reunion fund.

a. Unit Crest Patches (same patch as has been available 3.25"h x 2.75"w - $6 each. Here is a photo.

b. Unit Crest Decals (Decal is round 3.5" x 3.5") - $5 each. Here is a photo.

c. 1/83rd Caps (Adjustable) - $18 each. Here is a photo.

If you are interested in any of these items, send me a check. Make sure you supply your mailing address.

3. Letter from Home - At the Reunion, Jim Gannon (67-68) shared a letter he received from the US in 1967. The family who wrote the letter did not know Jim, his name was apparently selected by folks at home. This shows that there were people who supported us. I think you will enjoy reading it and want to thank Jim for sharing. Click here to view.

I added the letter to the website in a new section under Reminiscences called "Letters from Home". If anyone has a similar experience they would like to share let me know.

4. New Email Address - Charles (Silas) Waybright has a new email address. It can be found on the Roster.
(Note: this is not a repeat from the last Update, their address was changed but they have reverted back to what they previously used)

5. Support Requested - Bill Bailey (76-79) is battling some health issues and could use your prayers and support. Bill was with the 1/83rd in Germany and has been very helpful to members of our group in his role as a County Veterans Service officer so please reach out to Bill with your message of support. Messages of encouragement can be sent to Bill by getting his contact info from the Roster.

6. Don Aird (70-71) sent some photos of FSB Barbara he saw on the 2/94th website and asked if anyone remembers the 1/83rd ever being on the Firebase.

7. Norm Gallagher (66-67) sent a suggestion about creating a time line of 1/83rd movements from Ft Sill to Standown in 1971. Here is his email and our resulting dialog.

Hi Bill,

 I had an idea I wanted to run by you. Pete Etchamendy and I talked extensively by phone the other day and a big part of the conversation was trying to fill in timeline blanks from Ft Sill through Nam. Thankfully, Pete documented his pictures carefully and took notes so some of the gaps were filled.

 What about circulating document in which the guys post dates and events they remember, and others comment and add to the timeline to correct or expand, leading eventually to a comprehensive document with lots of detail. Perhaps a two or three man group could volunteer to keep the documents moving and iron out discrepancies for (say) 6 months, then you could post it online for occasional updating. I would volunteer to help, I need to fill in the big holes in my memory!
Norm

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Well that is something I have been trying to get for years. There is some unit history on the website you should look at as well.

I have been asking the guys for years to give me write ups of their time with the 1/83rd and their experiences and have very little response. That is the way with a lot of this, a lot of the guys say they would like to see something but when I ask for help, the silence is deafening.

If you and Pete want to contribute your time to the effort I would welcome it. I can also mention it at the Reunion but suspect it will be like all my many prior attempts. A dedicated group to work on this, representing all the years we were there, would be nice if we get it. Do you and Pete want to head a group like that if we can get volunteers?
Bill

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Hi Bill,

I should have figured you would have addressed this idea. I see now what has been done, but I think I was thinking more of a timeline rather than a narrative. Something like a listed calendar with notes like "08/23/1967 B battery convoys to Ham Tam for operation 'What's happening?'", etc.. Brief and in outline form. Something for reference rather for reading to help guys like me with little memory. I also would limit the timeline to the unit start at Sill, getting ready for deployment, until the unit was disbanded or re- deployed (a Vietnam timeline for the 1/83)

I don't know if Pete has the time but maybe I can work with him and his good notes and you and your notes to build a tentative timeline that could be sent out for comments with a deadline for responding. Responses could be added to the timeline and the list sent out for another iteration. If we can get a relatively complete timeline, then perhaps it could be sent out again in case people want to add narrative to build a narrative history.

I don't know how well it would work, we may get the same result you got. It would just be handy to be able to connect the dots of the dates.

Norm

I would love to see what Norm is suggesting but it will take some volunteers to tackle this. If you are interested in being a part of this team, notify Norm, his contact info is on the Roster.

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Be sure to let me know what is going on in your life so we can share it with everyone in this section. See the latest 1/83rd News by clicking here.

Photo of the Week

General News

Interesting Links and More

2. American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial – Washington DC

4. Dennis Mack (66-67) sent this WW II story you may never have heard of about Ulithi Atoll.

5. How they make Baseball Bats

Website Updates

1. If you come across anything that you think may be a good addition to our website let me know. Also, if you have any questions or suggestions regarding the website, let me know.  

2. Check out all the latest updates by looking at the website Table of Contents.

Vietnam Veterans of America Update

2. VVA Update for October 9

3. VVA Update for October 16

4. VVA Update for October 23

3. VVA website

1/83rd Unit Crest Patches, Decals and Pins

If you want an 83rd Artillery Unit Crest Pin, I have a link on the website where you can order them from one of the 3 vendors listed. I have bought from all 3 of them and they are identical in quality, all are very good. Please note that Uniform Accessories will ship 2 for one price where the other 2 only ship 1 for almost the same price.

1/83rd Roster

I am sure that each of us has someone they would really like to reconnect with. If we all pitch in, we may find many more of our old buddies. Here are some ways to do that:

1. If you are in contact or have contact info for any 1/83rd guys please contact them and tell them about our group or at least tell me and I will contact them.

2. Look through the roster on the website and if you know of others who are not listed, let me know who they are. Also, if you see any incorrect or missing info (including your own entry) let me know.

3. If you have copies of old orders tucked away someplace, send me a copy so I can make sure those names are on the roster.

4. Sometimes all it takes is a name and location and we can find someone but the more details we know the better our chances.

Please make sure that your email system allows emails to be received from both of my email addresses, bill_t_08012@yahoo.com  and artillery_83rd@yahoo.com

Please note that there are no blank spaces in email addresses. What you see in mine between words/characters is the underscore (_) character.

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