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The 14h Reunion was recapped in the Association's next
Newsletter, as follows:
NEWS LETTER
NOVEMBER 1988 ISSUE 40
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CHARLESTON REUNION ANOTHER SUCCESS
It didn't take any strain on our part to make Charleston a success.
Jim Smith, B, and Grady Murray, Hq 1st had everything planned out - and
the gears well greased.
The Marriott had a beautiful setting and was comfortable. The food
was good and there was much to see and do in Charleston. We packed their
dining room with 647 for the banquet. That's with guests. The official
registration was 621.
A golf outing was planned for Thursday morning but it was rained
out. The stuff came down in buckets. Bob Richards, A, had done a superb
job of organizing the outing and everyone was eager. The weather man
just had his signals crossed.
At the Welcoming Brunch on Friday, we were greeted and welcomed to
Charleston by Councilman Raymond Anderson and Dick Trammell from the
Convention and Visitors Bureau.
O. B. Hill, our Chairman, Hq 1st, reminded everyone to get their
reservations in for the European tour in June of 1989. He also passed
out KIA lists to each company for details of home towns, where killed,
etc. This is for all our campaigns. It will be shown in the Netherlands
War Museum.
Our next gathering was for the Banquet where our colors were
posted. The color guard was "Archie" Archambault, Med, Ralph Busson, H,
Rock Merritt, Hq 1st, and Clem Crain, D. Phillip van Elteren
expressed warm greetings from the Netherlands. On behalf of the
Mayor of Beek-Ubbergen we were invited to be their guests in September
1989. It is the 45th anniversary of their liberation.
[cont'd, pg. 2]
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[from pg. 1]
Tom Shanley was our speaker. He recalled high points of our training and
combat experiences. The attendance award was won by B Co. with 39 men
present and accounted for. We all applauded the Andy Grindos, E, who
were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
There were 4 lucky saucers at the banquet. The fortunate owners of
the saucers received door prizes . These prizes were fashioned and
donated by members wives. A beautiful sea shell wreath as well as a sea
shell lamp was donated by Dot Smith, B. A lovely pine cone wreath
came from Wanda Risnes, G. A soft and intricately designed afghan
was donated by Lu Montgomery, Med. These ladies spent hours and days
making these unique gifts and we thank them.
Joe Condray, Hq 1st, was recognized for his seven years service in
our color guard. Phil and Betty Smith, C, were congratulated on their
marriage. They attended the reunion as part of their honeymoon.
The evening was finished by a smashing performance by the 82nd
Chorus. They were suited in WWII style jump uniforms. The encore was God
Bless America in which we all joined. While they were entertaining, it
was gratifying to see the doors to the banquet room jammed with the
hotel staff. Paratroopers still attract attention!
The Sunday Memorial Breakfast started at 9:00 A.M. President Glass
read a letter from Shields Warren, 1st Bn, in which there was much
praise for the 508th. He remarked how great it was to serve with men who
in the attack had only to be pointed in the right direction. Then the
officers only had to try to keep up. Shields was unable to attend
because of family plans.
The Memorial candles were lit by Harry Kennedy, Hq-Hq. There was
one for Normandy, Holland, the Bulge, those comrades lost since '45, and
the last for our British, Polish and other airborne comrades. We
adjourned then until next year.
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