News
From The
508
MAY 2005
Dear 508 Veterans,
Family Members,
or Friends of the 508th
GEORGE STOECKERT (HQ 1st).
508 Man of the Year
GEORGE STOECKERT was named 508 Man of Year
at the recent Airborne Awards ceremony held in April at Atlanta, Georgia. Over
the years, GEORGE has been instrumental in keeping HQ 1 a vibrant group, and
GEORGE has (of course) been active with the 508 PIR Association for many years.
Let GEORGE know how much his attitude, work, and dedication to the 508 PIR are
appreciated.
MANY INTERESTED IN CONTINUING THE LEGACY
OF THE 508 ASSOCIATION
During the final association reunion in Gainesville,
Florida two significant issues were raised:
1. Approximately 100 people expressed concern and
interest with the future of the 508th PIR. A concern was the ability of members,
relatives and friends to continue communicating with each other sharing the
legacy of the Association, and enjoying the camaraderie, they shared over the
years during 508th PIR Assoc reunions. Primarily, the young people wanted to see
some continuation of the 508 type assemblies.
2. Insufficient time was available to visit the Camp
Blanding Museum and Memorial Park and to view the 508th PIR memorabilia.
During the STATIC LINE Awards Festival, 508th PIR attendees assembled informally
to discuss the above issues, and potential remedies.
The consensus was that initially an attempt be made to establish an informal
organization comprised of 508th PIR WWII Veterans, their families, and friends.
Eventually, forced by attrition, this initial organization and its legacy would
evolve into a membership comprised of the sons, daughters, grandchildren,
relatives, and friends of the WW II 508 PIR Veterans. Thus, the 508th PIR would
live on.
The
consensus included a tentative concept for assembling as many people as possible
on October 20,2005 to participate in a ceremony at Camp Blanding, Florida to
commemorate the activation of the regiment in 1942 and the retirement of the
association in 2004.
At that time, the museum and memorial park could be visited and detailed plans
developed for the formation of a facsimile of the 508th PIR Association. (Note
to editor: this marks the end of GEORGE'S blurb.)
As things stand now, the anticipated date for the "508
related event" mentioned above are October 19-23, and the assembly will be held
in the vicinity of Camp Blanding, Florida. Look for more information (firmed
dates, fees, registration, etc.) about this event in future columns (as well as
the 508 PIR website-508pir.org). At present, the organizers of this event need
to have a "ball park" estimate as to how many folks plan to attend this meeting.
If interested in attending this 508 related event, please fill out the following
form and mail it to:
RICHARD J. O'DONNELL, 760 Conestee Dr, West Melbourne, Florida
32904-1812
Diablo!
Bill Nation
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