75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter Greetings to all from the 75th Division Veterans Association! From the Desk of the Secretary COL (Ret) Bob Samborski It has been a while since we have published a newsletter. Dale Egger and I are sending this out via email to the addressee’s we have in our database. We ask that you forward this on to other members of the 75th community to ensure widest possible distribution. We would rather members get this twice than not get it at all. The 70th Annual Reunion is being held in Tulsa Oklahoma from 14 to 18 September 2016 at the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton, 6110 S. Yale Ave, Tulsa OK 74316, phone 844-543-4409. Our room rate is $84.00 per night. Please make your reservations soonest. With this being a milestone year we hope to have a large turnout with special commemoratives at the banquet. The hospitality room will open starting on Tuesday September 13 th. The National Executive board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday evening. The 69th Annual Reunion in Houston went very well. MG Young, Commander of the 75 th Training Command was our guest speaker and his comments about the current state of the Training Command were well received. We had 9 World War II veterans in attendance and all of the commanders from the 75th Training Command which made for an entertaining evening at the banquet. Another highlight event at the reunion was a French Legion of Honor award ceremony. Three members of the 75th Infantry Division and one member of the 36th Infantry Division received their Legion of Honor award. The “Taps” ceremony held on Saturday afternoon prior to the banquet has long been a personal highlight of the reunion. The opportunity to remember our friends is significant and emotional. Chaplain Duncan has added his personal touch to this ceremony making it even more special for me. Below is an outline for the “Taps” ceremony held in Houston. Come join us in Tulsa to see the next event Chaplain Duncan has prepared.
CH (COL) Duncan 75th Division Veterans Taps Ceremony
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter Memorial Service – Conducted by Chaplain (Colonel) Duncan Invocation National Anthem sung by Gaither Vocal Band Old Testament Reading –Psalm 8(ESV) O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings[b] and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! New Testament Reading-2 Corinthians 1.3-4(ESV) 3 Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. Message-“Stones of Remembrance” Joshua 4.6-7 CH (COL) Duncan, Retired Reading of Names to be Remembered TAPS* Benediction “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thess.3.17 *Service members stand, come to attention, and present arms. From the Desk of the Assistant Secretary – COL (Ret) Dale Egger Greetings, I am proud to be selected to be a part of the leadership team of the 75th Division Veterans Association. Last year’s reunion was my 3 rd reunion and it was very special to me to see friends from throughout this great command’s history.
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter
One of the great events was the presentation at the Simulation Center which linked the 75 th Division’s actions during the Battle of Colmar Pocket with the current simulation training capabilities of the 75th Training Command.
From left to right: Presentation on 75th Div in Colmar Packet; Simulation Capabilities Presentation; Picture of MSG (Ret) Roger Morris, CSM (Ret) Phil Kraus, 1SG (Ret) Alan Schoppe, and CSM (Ret) Ron Garrisson.
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter The 75th Training Command hosted an impressive Legion of Honor Ceremony conducted by Marie-Laure Reed representing the Houston French Consul-General to present the Legion of Honor Medal.
French Legion of Honor Ceremony, Headquarters 75th Training Command
French Legion of Honor Medal Awardees, (L to R): John Pildner, Ray Maldoon, Jacques Stoltz
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter As in previous years, the highlight of the 75th Division Veterans Association Reunion was the Banquet, which includes the Man of the Year Award Presentation.
John Pilder presents Man of the Year Award to Chaplain (Colonel) Ron Duncan as Tom Rizzo reads the citation.
Banquet attendees: Chaplain (Colonel) Ron Duncan, Ernie Ingles, and Woody, Tom and John
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter Another key aspect of each year’s reunion is the time for veterans to gather, socialize and share memories from across the years.
Woody shares a “war story” with his family.
The Fischers
Another fun event was the 75th Division Association Golf Tournament. Also, there were tours of the Houston and Galveston area. We will send out a list of tours in the Tulsa area in the next Bulgebuster Newsletter, as well as additional information on the reunion. Hope to see you there!
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter The 75th Division Veterans Association Memorial is maintained by a staff of volunteers including CSM (Ret) Phil Kraus, COL (Ret) Bob Samborski, MSG (Ret) Bob McKracken, COL (Ret) Dale Egger, and Dale’s son, Joshua (age 9). The Memorial is still growing and is accepting donations. Please contact the Memorial staff if you would like to volunteer or make a donation.