Summer 2002
Dear Members of the 419th,
In less than a month Jane Ober and her children, the Gebhardts,
will host our reunion at the Hampton Inn in Lancaster, PA. July 17th
through July 21st are the dates and the location of Hampton Inn is
545 Greenfield Road. Reservations may still be made by calling 717-299-1200.
A letter from Lucile Christensen told of the death of her
husband Clarence on July 15, 2001 due to congestive heart failure.
Our sympathy goes out to Lucile and her family.
Edith Grubb sent an Easter card when Tennessee was being deluged
by water; she stated "the water came to the front steps but had no
damage to her home". She also sent a St. Patrick's Day greeting thanking
us for the MB.
Steve Lesigonich sent a donation to MB and stated
he enjoys having it. He was discharged with hearing loss before going
overseas. He wants to be remembered to all 419th members. He
and his wife have three sons and a daughter who live nearby.
Alfred Berube has a new address: 10 Oak Street, Apt. 211,
Lewiston, Maine 04240. A donation to MB was included
with a "Say hi to all the boys". A donation to MB was included
in the Easter card from Charles and Ethel Mohn.
J.C. and Eleanor Orange wrote that they could not attend the
reunion as their son and his wife would be home on leave from Africa.
A donation to MB was given.
In the last MB the name of Joseph Pierce Johns' wife, Catheree,
who died on Dec. 9, 2001, was inadvertently written as Catherine
Johns. We are sorry for the typo and my proofing did not catch
it until after the MB was printed.
Lois Hall kept us up to date on the condition of Larry
Gronefeld by E-mail when he was in and out of the hospital. David
Gronefeld called stating that his dad died on March 3. We send
deepest sympathy to the Gronefeld family. A later E-mail from
David paid a beautiful tribute to his father; copies of this
tribute will be at the reunion because we know that Larry Gronefeld
was always proud to be an American.
Rose Lemberg sends E-mails and often reminisces about the
reunions she and Larry were able to attend. She states she
often goes to her 419th albums; we have threatened to go across
the state line to Alabama to see them!
Virginia and Bill Rapp E-mailed us several times; maybe they
will get to the reunion yet. They have visited the 419th website
and enjoy that.
We often receive E-mails from Wanda Cluck and sometimes when
I need lots of help, I send her a few. There is nothing better than
experience in writing the MB.
We keep the E-mails numbered and therefore some have earlier news
than the ones already mentioned. One was received from Sam Messina
stating that his father, Saro F. Messina, died July 8, 2001.
The group sends sympathy to the Messina family. Saro had lung
surgery in December 2000 and never really gained back his strength
according to Sam.
Herman and Leila Dalke wrote that due to their family reunion,
they will be unable to make the reunion this year. They appreciate
what the Gebhardt family, especially Mom Jane Ober, are doing
and thank them for it.
Joyce Gronefeld-Huff wrote us that her mom Norma loved
the reunions and playing cards with us; her parents looked forward
to the reunion time all year long. Yes, the Gronefelds loved
the 419th reunions, loved to host the reunions and Joyce,
they are greatly missed.
Jim and Patti Boston had hoped to attend the reunion, but
due to Jim's heart condition, he doesn't want to go too far away from
home.
Bonnie Porter kept me posted on Al's condition by E-mail,
telephone and letters. She called and told me of Al's death on
March 9th. Our sympathy goes to Bonnie, her father Harold
Laity and her children. Bonnie has not been well but has
appointments this month with her three doctors. Her daughter. Cathy,
has finished her RN training and is working at a hospital and waiting
to take state boards. Hats off to Cathy! Bonnie included
a donation to MB.
Louise Gardner called from Alabama and we had a nice chat.
She and John are getting along fairly well, but I think she
misses her Georgia address. Just kidding, Louise; I've never
heard any jokes about folks in Alabama!
Gerald St. Amand wrote that the doctor has ruled out therapy
for Laura as not productive. They still enjoy going out to
eat; he takes Laura in her wheelchair. He plans to attend the
reunion.
Vermel and Marie Temple wrote in May they could not attend
the reunion, but all would be in their thoughts. A clipping they sent
from the Raleigh, NC paper stated that Ben N. White, Jr. had
died on May 10. Our sympathy goes to the Ben White, Jr. family.
In June the Temples sent another clipping that Alberta Ball,
wife of Col. Arthur Ball (who died earlier) died on June
3rd. We send our sincere sympathy to the family of Alberta
Ball.
When I asked if anybody knew about Charlie Winters in the
last MB, I received a call from Maxine Garmon of Edmonton,
KY stating that Charlie's telephone number is 1-817-275-2556 and
he still drives a car but states "It is difficult to walk". She also
stated that her husband, James, is not well.
On May 27 I had an E-mail from Monta Lynn Brown, daughter
of Noel and Estella Jacobs, who stated that Noel was
taken to the hospital on May 18th with breathing problems and chest
pains. He was moved to the ICU unit and kept on morphine for pain.
On June 3rd Monta Lynn called to say Noel had died; our dearest
sympathy goes to the Jacobs family. Estella, we will have you
in our prayers that you will gain more strength in the coming days.
Our love goes to all who helped the Jacobs host two wonderful
reunions in Stillwater and Guthrie, Oklahoma.
The latest news from Rome, Georgia is that Jack was
diagnosed with lymphoma in early April. He had his first chemotherapy
on April 15th, second on May 6th and was due to have his third and
last on May 28th. An elevated temperature at the doctor's office revealed
lung involvement; after ten days of high fever, we have been at normal
range now for five days. A CAT scan will be made June 21 st and we
go back to the oncologist on Tuesday June 25th. Please have us
in your prayers that health will return to 201 Greenview Road.
Our wish for each of you is a Jane Merchant quote: "May
you have honeysuckle pearled with dew each spring and shimmering hummingbirds
to dart about your home each summer and may you forever have a rainbow
in your heart."
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