Summer 2001

Dear Members of the 419th,

We are now in the hot days of summer and in Georgia the rains have helped our water levels. Unfortunately, many of you have experienced no rain and many of you have been flooded.

Two MBs were returned, Francis Vigneau (who has two addresses and I used the wrong envelope at first) and William T. Adams. Please advise if anyone has a new address on William T. Adams.

Your editors are most grateful for the news sent to us and after mailing the last issue, I found an item that should have been placed in it. It was in the original draft but in making a more readable copy, I omitted the item. Louise Gardner called to tell us that she and John are building a home in Birmingham, Alabama. Their daughter lives there and as soon as they let me know of a new address, you will be advised.

We do have a change of address for William T. Woodson Jr. which is 2445 W. Stonecrop Road, Wilson WY 83014-9683. The telephone number is 307-733-3697. Thanks for the donation to MB.

Charles and Juanita Ray included a donation to MB and hope to see us in July. Charles has had some heart problems and Juanita had surgery in December. A donation to MB was included in a lovely Easter card from Charles and Ethel Mohn. Charles still assists his 95 year old neighbor with grocery shopping and Ethel states that he feels some better on new therapy including a nebulizer.

After receiving the last MB, Moe Bilsky called to ask about Bill Coolidge's survivors. I gave the last known address and telephone number. Moe called again to say he had no results from that number. Moe and Marcia live in the center of Chicago and Moe retired happily about 20 years ago. They have two daughters and a son.

An E-mail from Wanda Cluck stated she had been in the hospital with pneumonia. She is looking forward to the reunion.

Suzi Bodzick, daughter of Walt and Grace Mummert, sent an E-mail stating that we had reported her father's death on December 30 in the MB but she wanted us to know that her mother died on January 9th. We join the Mummert family in sympathy. On March 22 an E-mail came from Dick Gammons, son of Pat Gammons, stating that Pat died suddenly on February 17,2001. Our sympathy goes to Pat's wife, Jane, and all the family.

An E-mail on April 11, 2001 informed us of the death of Woodrow Briner on that day in Phoenix, Arizona while visiting his daughter. His body was flown back to St. Francisville, IL for burial. Woodie had moved to Riverton, IL and lived with his daughter, Debra. Our sympathy goes to the Briner family.

Lois Hall informed us by E-mail in early April that Larry Gronefeld was back in the hospital with pneumonia. She sent numerous E-mails to keep us informed; he has been in rehab and therapy and seemed better in Lois' last note.

If you haven't been on the 419th web site recently, Joanna Gebhardt states that thanks to Rob Floerke (Vernon's son) "we have new content on the 419th site. Paul Gawthrop (from 419th) wrote a series of articles in his hometown paper "From Parkersburg to Heidelberg" with Sgt. Paul Gawthrop. His Own Story of His Thrilling Adventures in Germany" published May 1945. These are good articles. Thanks to Rose and Larry Lemberg we found that Sgt. Paul Gawthrop was on the address lists as late as '63 living in Marietta, Ohio. I found no card in the files but plan to keep looking.

Larry and Rose Lemberg send cute cards to us by E-mail; the Easter card was adorable. She also sends cute sayings and choice recipes.

Bill and Virginia Rapp have returned from their winter sojourn and are back in Oklahoma. She E-mailed that she hoped to see us in Stillwater in July but we are going to Guthrie this time. We did have a wonderful time in Stillwater a few years back. Joanna Gebhardt sent an E-mail on June 8 stating that she had been in touch with

Doria Grimes (the St. Amands' daughter) who stated her dad Gerry is looking after Laura who is now homebound. He plans to attend the reunion with his son Luke.

Joanna's aunt, Carol Gebhardt, is interested and hopes to come to Guthrie as a visitor. Carol told Joanna that her father went on post 419th duty to Pilsen, Czech, becoming Marshall Provost, wounded, received silver medal and Purple Heart, too. Isn't it wonderful what we learn when persons who know give us the information?

Our grandson Lee, Marvin's son, is doing an in-depth paper on the Battle of the Bulge. So you men, open up and I'll listen to the the things you tell at the reunion.

Get your reservations made now to attend the 419th reunion in Guthrie, Oklahoma from July 26th through July 29th, 2001. The Territorial Inn (Best Western) 2323 Territorial Trail. The mailing address is P.O. Box 977, Guthrie, OK 73044. A double room (two beds) is $65.70 plus tax and a single king size bedroom is $56.70 plus tax. Twenty ground floor rooms are reserved for us and reservations should be made by July 1st and can be called in at 1-800-528-1234. The direct line to the motel is 1-405-282-8831. The banquet meal is $14.00 including tax and gratuities.

Noel and Estelle Jacobs, along with their wonderful family are great hosts. We appreciate you for inviting us.

I admire Henry Ford, philanthropist, who gave some of the most beautiful Gothic styled buildings on Berry College campus here in Rome. He made many wonderful and true statements and this is one I like very much:

"If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a person will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience and ability."

We look forward to hearing from each of you and seeing you at the reunion in July.

Your Editors,

Jack and Juanita Waldrep

201 Greenview Road, S.W.

Rome, Georgia 30165-4307

Tel. 1-706-291-1393
     1-706-291-1830

E mail:jackwaldrep@aol.com