October 2002
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Fifteenth Infantry Regiment Fifteenth Infantry Regiment www.sergeantsmajor.org/cando 15th Infantry Regiment Association Newsletter October 2002 REGIMENTAL DINNER-BUFFALO, NY By John Burke The Tenth 15th Infantry Regimental Dinner in conjunction with the Society of the Third Infantry Division Reunion was held September 13,2002 at Buffalo, NY. A total of 205 attended. There were 159 Can Do Dragons and quests. In addition there were: 39 from various Field Artillery units who had supported the 15th Infantry Regiment in past campaigns; one from the 7th Infantry Regiment with 3 guests; and 3 from the Belgian Battalion. The Can Do Dragons present represented WWII, Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam, Gulf War, and the current Ready Forces. Due to illness of the Association President, Leonard Lassor, the Past President, John Burke, acted as the evening’s master of ceremonies (MC). The evening began with Posting of the Colors performed by a detachment from the 3rd Battalion from Fort Stewart, GA. The soldiers, led by 1st Sergeant Jeff Moser, performed in the traditional Can Do manner. After the posting of the colors the entire assemblage pledged allegiance to the flag of the US. The Association Chaplain, Charles Trout, delivered the Invocation at the commencement of the dinner as well as the Benediction at the conclusion. Program events included recognition of several distinguished members who have contributed to the history of the Regiment as well as to the growth of the Association. These included four Association Founding Members: Maurice Kendall, Edward Dojutrek, Michael Halik, and Whitney Mullen. Recognition was made of those individuals named by the active Army as Distinguished Members of the Regiment including Clayton Craig, Robert Hawkins, Maurice Kendall, Whitney Mullen, Jerry Sapiro, and John Shirley. Chaplain Charles Trout was also recognized for recently being inducted into the Infantry Officer Candidate School Hall Of Fame at Fort Benning, GA. Special recognition was made of two contingents from overseas. One was a group of three Belgian veterans who had served with the Belgian Battalion as part of the United Nations Forces in the Korean War. The other group was particularly unique. Julian Mitchell, a 7th Infantry Regiment veteran of the Korean War, had as guests three young men from France. These young men are part of a Rock of the Marne Memorial and Re-enactment Organization. The organization takes part in numerous ceremonies through out Europe commemorating the actions of the Third Infantry Division. They were dressed in authentic WWII uniforms. John Burke presented a summary of the activities of the two active battalions since the last Regimental Dinner and their current situation. Both active battalions are currently engaged in intensified training, with the 1st Battalion in Kuwait and the 3rd Battalion gearing up for deployment to Kuwait next month. The featured speaker for the evening was Richard G. Stillwell, Jr. Richard’s father commanded the Regiment in Korea from November 1952 to May 1953. The theme of Richard’s address was what he believed his father would have had to say regarding traditions and service to unit if he were still living and had the opportunity to address the Association. All in attendance were inspired by Richard’s comments. Henry Burke, acting on behalf of Leonard Lassor, presented a President’s Appreciation Plaque to Lloyd D. Whitmer for the great work he has performed as Treasurer for the Association during the past Year. Ed Dojutrek, Association Vice President, presented remarks on behalf of Leonard Lassor and also vowed to assume responsibilities of the ailing President. Richard Guimond, Assistant Treasurer, conducted the annual Raffle Drawing. Winners awards were for $300, $200 and three $100 prizes. The winners are shown in another section of this edition of The Dragon. Prior to the retirement of the colors and the benediction, Mrs. Pennie Burke thrilled the assemblage with the singing of “I’m Proud To Be An American”. She is truly a Can Do Dragon. An announcement was made that the 1st Battalion was preparing to host the 2003 Can Do Rendezvous in early April and that the next Regimental Dinner with the Society Of the Third Infantry Division would be in St. Louis, September 2003. This concluded the evening. Check Your Address Label. This may be your last Dragon If your address label shows 2002 your dues were paid to October 2002. If so, this is your last Dragon. Contact the Treasurer and renew your membership th 2 The Dragon, 15 Infantry Regiment Association Newsletter October 2002 The Dragon Officers The Dragon is the quarterly publication of President Commander, 3rd Battalion the 15th Infantry Regiment Association. It Leonard L. Lassor LTC Stephen Twitty is published in January, April, July and 7 Berkshire Lane HQ 3-15 IN, Bldg. 522 October. Neither its editorial nor articles Dover N.H. 03820-4532 692 William H. Wilson Ave., Ste 101 content carry official endorsement of the 603-742-9195 Ft. Stewart, GA 31313 Association. Input for the Dragon is due [email protected] 912-767-7720 the 15th of each month prior to publishing. Vice President Asst. Secretary-Treasurer 3rd Bn Lenny Lassor.….……….……….President Edward Dojutrek CPT David Kinlaw, S1 Michael J. Horn………………….…Editor 3303 Far View Dr HQ 3-15 IN, Bldg. 522 Lloyd D. Whitmer …...……...….Treasurer Austin, TX 78730-3300 692 William H. Wilson Ave., Ste 104 512-343-0900 Ft. Stewart, GA 31313 Objectives of the Association 912-767-9923 Secretary Leon Lebowitz Chaplain………………Charles C. Trout To perpetuate and foster the history 3403 Cascadera Dr. 10191 Birchwood Dr. and traditions of the Regiment. Austin, TX 78731-5811 Huntington Beach, CA 92646-5432 To provide opportunities for uniting 512-452-8601 714-836-4981 past and present members of the [email protected] [email protected] Regiment into a close and cooperative alliance. Treasurer HCOR………….….………...Jerry Bates To promote morale and high espirit de Lloyd D. Whitmer 1903 Mallison Way corps among members of the 7500 Mose Road Alexandria, VA 22308-2760 Regiment. Navarre, Ohio 44662 703-360-5417 To acquire and maintain a repository 330-756-2803 of regimental historical memorabilia. [email protected] Historian…………....LTC Timothy Stoy To assist in the maintenance of 950th TC, Unit 22419 GAFSC monuments dedicated to the units of Membership APO AE 09069 the 15th Infantry Regiment. John Burke 5704 Hastings Square Trustees Send dues and new addresses to: Columbus, GA 31909 706-563-8909 Patrick D. Heagerty Lloyd D. Whitmer [email protected] 4837 Carey Drive 7500 Mose Road Manlius, NY 13103-1606 Navarre, Ohio 44662 Publicity and Asst. Treasurer 315-682-6459 330-756-2803 Richard R. Guimond [email protected] 7001 142ND Ave #324 – Annual dues $10 for regular members and Largo, FL 33771-4709 Roger Lochman $5 for active duty members, due October 1 727-530-5342 1616 Frederick each year. [email protected] Collinsville, IL 62234-1067 Life membership: To age 60 = $150; Age 618-345-1067 61-69 = $120; Age 70-79 = $100; Age 80 Commander, 1st Battalion and above = $50. LTC John W. Charlton Whit Mullen HQ 1-15 IN, Bldg. 9055 1106 McPherson RD Send or Email news items to: Ft. Benning, GA 31905-1641 Burlington, NC 27215-4420 706-544-1633 336-584-5516 Michael J. Horn [email protected] Editor of The Dragon Asst. Secretary-Treasurer 1st Bn 1833 Walker Ridge Drive CPT Richard D. Conkle, S2 Pat O Connor, Jr. Marietta, GA 30064 - 4193 HQ 1-15 IN, Bldg 9012 ’ 803 Trafalgar Road 678-581-0392 Ft. Benning, GA 31905-1641 Towson, MD 21204-3805 [email protected] 706 544-2918 – 410-321-8235 [email protected] th October 2002 The Dragon, 15 Infantry Regiment Association Newsletter 3 NOMINATIONS FOR ELECTION OF Chaplains Corner OFFICERS By LTC Chuck Trout, Sr. In accordance with the Constitution and By Laws Association As we begin to prepare for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Officers are elected every two years. The next election will be Christmas Holidays, we should take time and thank the Dear conducted at the annual business meeting during the 2002 Can Lord for the many people in our lives that supported us with Do Rendezvous to be held in the spring of 2002. their love and loyalty as we served our country. Allow me to Nominations are sought for a full slate of officers as follows: quote from a page of a diary, written to Tom, a teen-age soldier who served in Korea with the Third Infantry Division. President Vice President Dear Tom, I remember our first date. You told me we were Secretary going to see a live performance of the stage show Oklahoma. Treasurer You said you would pick me up at 6:30 and that I had to be Four (4) Trustees ready on time because they closed the doors to the theatre when the performance began. I was not ready when you We need two or more nominations for each office. arrived to pick me up, we were late, and could not enter until the half- The term of office for elected officers is two years. The time intermission. I though you would say, "Never again, President is limited to one term. The Vice President and four that's it." BUT YOU DIDN'T! Trustees are limited to two terms. There is no term limit for the Secretary or Treasurer. A term begins with installation of office Then when you got your first car, I bugged you to death to at the Regimental Dinner during the Society of the 3rd Infantry drive it down the lane. You finally gave in and I hit a fence Division Reunion. As an exception the Treasurer's term of office causing eight hundred dollars damage to your car.