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 Thank you to everyone that forwarded our newsletter to other members of the 75th Community. Dale and I have had great feedback asking to be included on the newsletter distribution. We have several initiatives we are working on to include a “then and now” display board in the Memorial. Please email or send by regular mail a photograph of you at the beginning of your military career and one now or at the end of your career for inclusion on our display. Also don’t forget to send in your 75th Association membership dues; $20.00 annually or $200.00 lifetime. Dues should be sent to our Treasurer Phil Kraus at 2939 Nancy Belle Lane, Missouri City, Texas 77459. Phil’s email address is pkraus9997@aol.com. The 70th Annual Reunion is being held in Tulsa Oklahoma from 14 to 18 September 2016 at the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton, 6100 S. Yale Ave, Tulsa OK 74316. 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 13th. The National Executive board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday evening. I have been personally reaching out to former member of the 75th to attend the reunion this year so we can increase attendance at the reunion events as well as to continue to have all those interesting discussions going in the hospitality room. If you are planning on attending have someone you would like to see attend please let me know and we will check our database and see if we have contact. The beat goes on. May will be a big month for the Training Command in Houston with the retirement of Colonels Bill Gazis, Larry Lamb, Mike Lonigro, Scott Reval, and Doug Snyder. The 75th Training Command is still positioned well to remain relevant for the foreseeable future. The Chief of Staff of the Army has stated he wants fewer training exercise but larger in scale. This plays right into the strengths of the Training Command. The Training Command has weathered the first round of strength cuts and reorganizations in support of the military downsizing initiatives. The Armed Forces Day Military Ball held in Houston every May is quickly approaching. The ball this year will be held at the Marriott South Hobby Airport hotel on 21 May 2016. Tickets are $75.00. For more information contact Liza Garza, or go on line at http://www.hmac.us . Former 75th Training Command Commander, MG Jimmie Jaye Wells will be one of the guest speakers.
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter Speaking of reunions, here are some more photos previous reunions:
2014 Reunion Saint Louis Riverboat Cruise: CSM & Mrs. Kraus, BG & Mrs. Osterman, Charlie Woodman, and others
The Ladies’ Auxiliary
National Executive Council Meeting
MG Young with the Ladies
Charlie and Eleanor Woodman
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter From the Desk of the Chaplain CH (COL) Ronald V. Duncan, USAR, retired DEALING WITH THE TIMES Recently I was asked by a person if I thought these times we are living in are among the worst in history. My immediate response was it is hard to compare, but personally, I don’t think so. In times of confusion of thought, chaotic stock market, turmoil in many parts of the world, extreme hungry by a majority of all the population, and the total disregard for life it would be easy to run to a conclusion of despair. Yes it is true we are facing unprecedented problems in our global picture-warming, insurrections, migration of the populations because of war, hatred widespread, and more persons are aware of these situations because of technology. Yet in the midst of these difficulties which are only a sampling, we still find the resiliency of the human spirit making tremendous strides on many fronts. We know from experience that the bad news of the world garners the headlines because bad news sells: More people watch and pay attention to all that is wrong. By the time we have seen what is wrong, we have little emotional energy to search for the good and the great. So what shall we do? Limit your intake of bad news. Being adequately informed of the world around you should have limits. I love ice cream, however, if I have no limits on how much ice cream I can or should eat, than I will over indulge to my detriment. This past week I witnessed again the power of the community to come around a family dealing with the death of a loved one. In the midst of dealing with the trauma of death, you see the comfort, support and encouragement of family and friends genuinely displayed. It is powerful and awesome! So the lesson is look for ways to encourage and show support for those in your sphere of influence. Finally, I would highly recommend you check your faith quotient. Where do you place your faith? Is it in the goods of this world? Is it in your influence? Is it in your wealth? None of these will stand when the hard times come, they might temporarily assist or help, but in the end what you believe is true is vitally and eternally important. Dealing with the times has always been an issue for humanity since time began. It seems the ones that successfully navigated the difficult times, knew exactly from whence their strength came. Do You? ---------Chaplain Duncan presided over the funeral services for SGM (Ret) Wilbur Sampson, former 75th Training Division G-4 Sergeant Major 29 April 2016 here in Houston. Internment services with military honors were held at th3 VA National Cemetery.
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter
75th Division Association Man of the Year, Mr. Kitts, rendering a salute at last year’s Reunion Taps Ceremony
From the Desk of the Assistant Secretary – COL (Ret) Dale Egger Greetings from here in rainy Houston! After all this rain, we are looking forward to this year’s reunion in Tulsa, OK. Please make your reservations as soon as possible as detailed in the registration forms above. With this being the 70th reunion of the 75th Division Veterans Association, having an accurate headcount as early as possible will assist us with this year’s event planning.
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter Here are a couple more pictures from previous reunions. Be sure to attend this year’s reunion and get your picture in future Bulge Buster Newsletters.
Bill Brunger, John Pildner, and CSM Phil Kraus
Tom and Betty Harris and COL (Ret) Bob Samborski
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 recently received several boxes of manuals and exercise control pamphlets from the MAC time frame. If you have old military items that you no longer want please consider donating them to the 75th Division Memorial. Our collection is still growing and is accepting donations. Please contact the Memorial staff if you would like to volunteer or make a donation.
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter
75th Division Veterans Association Bulgebuster Newsletter