Issue 54 July/October 2009
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July/October 2009 OP Harry Survivors Association Newsletter Issue 54 IN THIS ISSUE in Dayton was moved here. One of Edison’s workshops and development centers is there. The whole Greenfield 18th Reunion Report . page 1 Village is circled by a railroad; coal-fired steam engine President’s Corner . page 2 pulling tourists for an oversight of the whole facility. One Notes from the Chaplain . page 3 could ride in totally restored model T automobiles as well TAPS . page 3 as horse drawn vehicles. Many of the people on the side- Thanks To Donors . page 3 walks were dressed in period costumes. Business Meeting Minutes . page 4 Editor’s Ramblings . page 5 There was even an old Inn where folks used to stay after 18th Reunion Attendees . page 4 riding in a wagon or on horseback and needed some food Pictures of the18th OPHSA Reunion 2009 . page 6 and rest. The food was seasonal and based on what was the crop of ‘in season’ local food sources. A sweet little lady in period dress stopped at our table to tell us that they had a large pair of rooms upstairs that could provide 18TH REUNION REPORT a place to sleep for the night, one room for the ladies and one for the men. The men were promised that there Dearborn, Michigan. The OP Harry Survivors Associa- would be no more than four men per bed and they were tion, whose members survived a series of battles for a also promised that they would be properly introduced to strategically critical Outpost weeks before the truce in the the people they would be sleeping with. Korean War, had their 18th reunion in June at the Hyatt The next day the Association held the Memorial Service Regency Hotel in Dearborn. for our young men who never had a chance to grow old. The attendance was somewhat reduced from previous For those who were killed in action or were missing in years, probably due to the stressed economy and escalat- action we lit memorial candles for units engaged in the ing cost for hotel and air transportation costs. (Father battles. The Chaplain memorialized those Survivors who Time is also a contributing factor.) have passed away since the last meeting with memorial books that will be sent to the families. The hotel was excellent, as was the food and the weather. Any members who had some memories of OP Harry The first day (registration and the welcome dinner) was were encouraged to speak of their experiences. After a occupied with meeting old friends, handing out programs short intermission the ladies went to their own get and attending the welcome dinner. Reunion chairman together while the members set up for the yearly business Jerry Cunningham, gave a briefing of the upcoming meeting. The minutes of that meeting can be found on events, introduced past presidents in attendance and page 4 of this Survivor. introduced our members and guests who were attending their first reunion. After the meal many drifted off to the All gathered in another meeting room to view some Hospitality Suite for more talk! scenes from Dini Films International OP Harry documen- tary film whose working title is “At all Costs”. Producer We were free the next day to tour the area on our own. Glenn Palmedo-Smith showed the sequences on a large The immediate area could be called “Ford Town”. Some screen with a digital projector to the intense interest of folks went to the Ford Museum that was only a short those who were getting a first glimpse. The interviews drive from the hotel. Some of our ladies got together and showed high quality in both picture and sound. We are drove to Detroit in search of quilting and fabric stores. encouraged that the final editing and the addition of (They found them). Some went to the Ford Greenfield many background photos will make a story that will Village. honor all participants of the battles, the Greeks, 5th RCT, Henry Ford was a collector of everything of historical 65th Regiment, 15th Regiment, and the other units that value. The Wright Brothers bicycle shop and their home ©Copyright 2008, Outpost Harry Survivors Association Page 2 took part in the battle from tanks, artillery, supply, signal PRESIDENT’S CORNER and medical resources as well. BY JOHN FERRARA Saturday evening began with a social hour in the bar at the top of the hotel. There was a beautiful view of the Dress blues would have not surrounding area. Our very special guest Major General been out of order for proper Anthony Cucolo, Commanding General of the 3rd dress at our past reunion in Infantry Division with his aide Captain Rick Turner Dearborn. Our accommoda- joined us for the social hour and dinner. tions, meals and social atten- General Cucolo, after dinner, spoke of the challenges dance were five star all the inherent in building the new structure of the Division. We way. Those who visited the were certainly challenged in attempting to understand the Ford Museum Greenfield Vil- new structure that he, with the help of Captain Turner lage were treated to Americana discussed with a chart showing the revised 4-brigade at its best. anatomy. Artillery, Air Support and Armor are now inte- The banquet dinner and guests gral with each brigade. The nature of the foe has changed of Honor, General Cucolo and and so must our methods. The brigade organization is General (ret.) Singlaub, were flexible allowing command to configure the brigade for most impressive. I felt very proud of General Cucolo, as the specific mission. Commander of today’s 3rd Division, and feel confident General Cucolo, on behalf of the National Infantry Asso- militarily that our country is in good hands. ciation, presented the Medal of Saint Maurice (the patron On a personal note, I now know that we had the leader- Saint of the Infantry) to our OPHSA Vice President, ship we needed in Korea. After speaking with General David Mills. David was wounded and captured on OP Singlaub, he stopped for a minute and said, “I know Harry in early ’53 and spend the last weeks of the war as you”. My heart skipped a few beats and my eyes filled a POW until released in “Operation Big Switch” after the with tears. What a memory jolt of a past particular truce. moment, a throw-back in time and place. During the reunion many folks spent time in the hospital- Even though Dearborn was great, it was very costly. Like ity room. The conversations never stopped except for a our back own home back home expenses, everything is little sip, now and then. on the rise. We can remember times, long ago in a Far East country, Yes, we are going to have another reunion and many when a “little sip” wouldn’t do it. Those young men of more to come. For now we are looking at several option that distant time didn’t know if they would survive. Some as to locations, cost, and cost cutting expenses. As soon suppressed those thoughts with alcohol, others with as we complete our study and settle on a location that is prayer, and others just believed in luck. In extreme cases fair to all, you will be receiving information and registra- some succumbed to deep depression and committed sui- tion information in a separate mailing. cide. We need your input as to how we can cover costs and be There are many horrors that take place in a War! For financially solvent. It has been suggested that we go to a those of us who survived the Korean War we turned our dues system. Also a variety of raffles, and last but not backs on that time in our lives and did what we could to least, donations. Our membership numbers 270. Just live a good productive life. Attending just one reunion of think what our income could be if all contributed some- the OP Harry Survivors Association shows that we share thing, the horrors but also share the lives we lived after that War. We have frequently met many people who would Whatever it takes to keep us going is worth it for what we never have been born had we not survived. have done and are doing now is building a foundation of memories. Our future is our past history. The final get together was on Sunday morning for the farewell breakfast. We wished each other safe trips home Your president, and then scattered to our various destinations. John F. Ferrara. Page 3 NOTES FROM THE CHAPLAIN TAPS BY ED HANRAHAN We regret to inform you that we have lost one of the eleven We thank you FATHER, for attendees at our first reunion another successful reunion. in 1991. Daniel E. Braucher The accommodations were passed away May 12, 2009 in excellent, the food great and Willow Brook, IL. the camaraderie, as usual, overwhelming. Dan, as a 1st Lt., served with the 15 Infantry, Company G We had the whole day, Friday, during the OP Harry battles. off. It was a real treat. Some people went to Motown, May our fallen comrade rest (Detroit). Some went to the in everlasting peace. (Ed.) Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village which included an IMAX theater, Ford River Rouge Factory Tour, all in one location. THANKS TO DONORS If you had a walking problem, electric carts were avail- The list of names that follows are the members who able. I was zipping around the huge complex in one of helped us pay the bills for this reunion.