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VETERANS OF THE FIRST ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION www.diehardengineer.com |
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| BOARD OF DIRECTORS Larry Blair, Chairman Neal Teschendorf Fred (Dick) Haas Earl Dove Dan Crowley |
Richard Hauri, Treasurer Brian Juneau, Secretary Kim Thompson, Editor; Publisher, Coordinator Terry Hueser, Web Master |
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Winter
News Letter
Our annual reunion in September was another wonderful event at the MainStay Suites in Pigeon Forge, TN. The hotel rooms, public areas and the food service were excellent. Our Host and their employees went out of their way to make sure we were taken care of. It was great to see the many 1st Engineer veterans, their wives and guests arrive at the CP on Sunday. The turn out was great. It was wonderful to see familiar faces. We had some long time members join us who have never attended a reunion and others that were new to our group overall. We welcome all of you and hope to see all of you at the 2007 reunion. As always the raffle was a great success. This is a great event after our banquet and also helps raise money for our group to cover many of the reunion costs. A very special Thanks for all the donations. We also had a special raffle drawing. It was for 3 complimentary nights stay at the Hotel during the reunion. This was won by Phillip and Dolores McPoyle. What a great way to celebrate their 47th wedding anniversary, Congratulations! A very special Thanks to Barbara Haas, Dick Haas’s daughter. She was kind enough to coordinate an excursion, including tickets and transportation, to a wonderful show. We all enjoyed ourselves and it was greatly appreciated “The achievements of an Organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual” It is always amazing how your travels throughout life allow you to make friends and memories that will always be cherished. At this reunion our members were divided between two hotels. The reunion was held at one and the below occurred at the other. This is one of those moments. As we were lounging around the CP one afternoon we acquired a new member and a wonderful gentleman who was in town to visit Dollywood. The following two paragraphs share with you a great experience “How neat. On the second morning of our reunion, I happened upon a man standing by a truck with a Veterans license plate. Me being my nosey self said, “Hi, are you a vet?” He said he was. I asked If West Virginia gave all their vets license plates. He said, yes they did. I asked if he was here for the reunion? He did not know there was a reunion going on. I asked what company he was with. When he said he was with the First Engineers – “C” Co. I told him all about what was happening and invited him to come on over. When I walked into and saw him there it was a great surprise. It was neat to feel like I had led him to some old friends. Hope he enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed seeing him there.” Submitted by John Keller “While in Pigeon Forge with family, I picked up the keys for the rooms and going back to my truck, I heard someone hollering behind me “Hey Buddy”. As I turned, I was thinking it was someone needing a few bucks for a meal. I was surprised to find it was a Vietnam Veteran, which turned out to be John Keller. I was surprised to learn that they were holding a Combat Engineer Reunion. He invited me to come join them. I was so surprised, I had never heard of this Reunion. After stopping to visit, I met Kim Thompson who made me feel like I had found a long lost friend. I am so happy that Mr. Keller took the time to see my Vietnam Veteran license plate and to invite me to take part in something so wonderful.” Submitted by Dennis Williams We extend a very special welcome to our newest members: Walt and Jean Hylander – C Co. Terry Berndt - HHC Ronald and Mary Smith – HHC Earl and Christine Culp – D Co. Roger and Sara Millar – D & HQ Dennis and Mabel Ann Williams - C Co. If I have missed anyone please let me know and I will make sure to include you in the next newsletter. A special Thanks to Colonel and Mrs. Theisen for joining our reunion. Not only was it a great honor and pleasure to have them with us but the insight we were given at our banquet on the current troop movements were very informative. A great speech! It was mentioned at our annual meeting that many of you would like to receive the newsletter and/or the roster via e-mail. I was able to collect addresses from those attending the reunion. If you would prefer to receive these by e-mail please let me know. Kim Thompson Phone 860-447-0676, email kim@diehardengineer.com For those of you unable to join us I have included some photos. For those who were able to join us, enjoy the memories.
2007 REUNION
Dates for our 2007 reunion are September 9th, 10th and 11th. The Reunion will be held at the Holiday Inn Select in Minneapolis/St Paul, MN. Holiday
Inn Select
3 Appletree Square Bloomington, MN. 55425 Complimentary Mall of America Shuttle Service. Complimentary Parking. Complimentary USA Today Newspaper delivered daily to guestrooms. The rates for the Hotel for the 2007 reunion are as follows. Single occupancy $114.67 per day, Total $344.01 Double occupancy $139.67 per day, Total $419.01 The above rate includes all tax’s and gratuities, 2 Buffet Dinners and 1 Banquet Dinner. If you wish to have a Hotel Suites you can request this when you make your reservations. The Suite will cost you $22.20 extra per day. To make your reservation please call: 1-952-854-9000 or Toll-Free 1-800-465 4329. When you call you must advise them you are making reservations for the 1st Engineer Combat Bn. Reunion for September 9,10,11, 2007. You may start making reservations NOW and the cut off date is August 26, 2007. Reservation requests after the cut off date will be accepted on space and rate availability. Enclosed you will find a form for the Banquet Dinner for September 11, 2007. You must fill out this form and send it to the address listed on the form. If you fail to do this you may not have a choice for the dinner when you get there. Please do not send money with this form. This form has to be sent into the Hotel by August 31 2007. Mark your calendar so you will not forget. |
Your Name ________________________________
Tuesday 11 September 2007 Evening Banquet
Choice
Each
Entrée Includes
Tossed Salad with Choice of Dressing, Wild Rice Blend, Fresh Steamed Vegetables, Rolls & Butter, Coffee, Tea, Milk, Water Dessert Chocolate or Raspberry Mousse Mail This Banquet Request to Nancy Solinger at above Address by August 31, 2007 |
| A little
tidbit for those of you with computer access, I was told a great Website
to visit is WWW.MILITARY.COM.
I have yet to visit the site but heard there is a great deal of information
to be had. As a reminder, dues ($10.00) are due in September of each year. They can also be paid a year(s) in advance. Please complete the below form and return to our Treasurer. Rich Hauri
PO Box 1157 Beloit, WI 53512-1157 Name_________________________________________________ Address_________________________ Unit/years served________________________ For a change of address, telephone number or to request a copy of the roster please fill out the request below and send it to me at the address below. Name:________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________ City:__________________ State:___________________ Zip:____________ Telephone:____________________ e-mail:________________________ Kim Thompson, 243 Niantic River Rd, Waterford, CT. 06385 Tel. (860)-447-0676, kim@diehardengineer.com. |
Chairman: 1-505-821-1386 Secretary: 1-828-265-9450
Treasurer: 1-608-362-0422
No Mission
Too Difficult --- No Sacrifice Too Great --- Duty First
Always First