® The Veterans breakfast club SUMMER 2018 NEWSLETTER • VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 Map of Itinerary travel with the vbc to europe! September 11-25, 2018 Travel with the VBC on our WWII Battlefield Tour of Europe this September as we follow the footsteps of the Band of Broth- ers, from Normandy to the Eagle’s Nest in the Bavarian Alps. WWII veteran Warren Goss, who landed on Utah Beach on D-Day and fought his way to Germany, will accompany us and be our guide as we tour the Nor- mandy beaches and other sites. We’ll also see Paris, Ver- sailles, Eindhoven, Holland, Bastogne, Belgium, Luxembourg, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, and Berchtesgaden before celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich! The Trip of a Lifetime. Land Tour Rate: $5,495 Optional Roundtrip Air: $1,150 Deposit Due: June 30 For questions, details, and the full itinerary, go to Warren had the photo on the left taken after the Normandy Invasion in June VeteransBreakfast Club.com or contact Todd at 1944. He sent it to his mother with a note on the back: “I made it.” On the right [email protected] or 412-623-9029. is Warren telling his story at a VBC event. DETAILS INSIDE (Page 4) a word from our director event details inside Our 10th anniversary year has featured 1968. Stan Williamson recalled his 20-year VBC 10th Anniversary Celebration, unforgettable stories so far: two 101-year- Navy career that took him to 55 countries. WWII Battlefield Tour of Europe, VBC old veterans—Austin McGrath (Navy And Eric Howze spoke movingly about his Breakfasts, VBC at Night, “Bridging the SeaBees) and Joseph Wilbon (Army Air struggle with homelessness after returning Gap” panel discussions, and more! Corps)—shared their memories of WWII. from Iraq. These were just a few of the re- Tom Holzer told us about his M42 Duster markable memories shared at our spring in Vietnam. Lee Vega testified about what events, not to mention the hilarious Boot her five years in the Army taught her. Ma- Camp stories. We have much more to come ALL ARE WELCOME! rine Gus Melis came forward about his this summer. All our events are open to the combat experiences for the first time, in- public, and everyone is welcome. Join us! Breakfasts begin at 8:30 A.M. $12 for cluding the horrible Battle of Dai Do in breakfast at all locations unless otherwise Todd DePastino noted. Just to attend is free. Executive Director find our updated schedule, photos, stories and more at veteransbreakfastclub.com RSVP to 412-623-9029 or [email protected] • 200 Magnolia Place Pittsburgh, PA 15228 veteransbreakfastclub.com The Veterans Breakfast Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. RSVP FOR upcoming ALL EVENTS TO lauren@veteransbreakfast Morning events club.com or 412-623-9029 SATURDAY, JUNE 9 WEDNESDAY, JULY 18 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 8:30-10:30am 8:30-10:30am 8:30-10:30am FREE BREAKFAST at the RMU Yorktown Hall (former Breakfast at the 911th Airlift Wing Spring Valley Community, Fayette Holiday Inn, 8256 University Blvd, on September 11 MWR Club, 911th County 100 Spring Valley Road, Moon 15108) Airlift Wing, 2475 Defense Ave- Farmington, PA 15437. Just off nue, Coraopolis, PA 15108, United Farmington-Ohiopyle Road/Rt.- TUESDAY, JULY 24 StatesBreakfast and stories at the 381. Follow signs to the dining 8:30-10:30am MWR Club! COST: $15. RSVP RE- hall. RSVP to Lauren at 412-623- Christ United Methodist Church QUIRED. MUST PRE-PAY BY Sep- 9029 or lauren@veteransbreak- (44 Highland Rd, Bethel Park, tember 2. Send names and birth- fastclub.com 15102) dates of all attendees with check for $15/per person, payable to “Veter- WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1 ans Breakfast Club,” 200 Magnolia 8:30-10:30am 8:30-10:30am Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15228. All Christ Church at Grove Farm (249 Seven Oaks Country Club (132 Lis- attendees MUST present valid pho- Duff Rd, Sewickley 15143) bon Rd, Beaver 15009) to ID with birthdate to enter base. Directions: I-79 to Exit 68, east Retired military may enter without on Mt. Nebo Rd 1/2 mile, right on SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 sending birthdate ahead of time. Duff Rd. 8-10am For more info, call: 412-623-9029 NEW LOCATION: Ramada Hotel Email: todd@veteransbreakfast- TUESDAY, JUNE 19 & Conference Center, 1450 S Ath- club.com 8:30-10:30am erton St, State College, PA 16801. Christ United Methodist Church This event is underwritten by the (44 Highland Rd, Bethel Park, generous support of the Pennsyl- 15102) vania State Society Children of the American Revolution. Veterans will WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 eat FREE, non-veterans cost is $16. 9-11am FREE BREAKFAST in John- FRIDAY, AUGUST 10 stown! Conemaugh Township 8:30-10:30am Fire Department, 1942 Kring St, Comfort Inn Conference Center Tire Hill, PA 15959 (Richland (699 Rodi Rd, Penn Hills 15235) American Legion Post #849 pro- viding breakfast). WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 8:30-10:30am 9:30-11:30am WEDNESDAY, JULY 11 Memorial Park Presbyterian Church FREE BREAKFAST! Carnegie 9-11AM (8800 Peebles Rd, Allison Park Library of Pittsburgh-Main in Oak- FREE EVENT: Mars VFW 331 15101) land (4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, Mars Valencia Road, Mars, PA PA 15213) 16046. TUESDAY, AUGUST 28 8:30-10:30am TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Salvatore’s Banquets (5001 Curry 8:30-10:30am Rd, Baldwin 15236) Christ United Methodist Church (44 Highland Rd, Bethel Park, 15102) 2 vbc | SUMMER 2018 upcoming thank you to the following for your recent donations! 6th grade Jefferson Middle School vbc at night events American Merchant Marine Veterans, Three Rivers Chapter - In memory of Allan DePastino free food, cash bar Hartley Baird Kelly Barber THURSDAY, JULY 12 FRIDAY, JULY 20 Joe and Rosemarie Capone 7pm 6:30PM Fred Castro - In loving memory of WWII veteran “Should We Bring Back the McMurray VFW Post 764 (460 William “Bill” Sharkey Draft?”: Valley Brook Rd, McMurray, Al DeFazio & Valeria Vacula - In loving memory of my brother, Pat DeFazio, Battle of the Bulge A Community Conversation at PA 15317) Ethel Deiuliis the Senator John Heinz Patricia Doherty - In loving memory of WWII veter- History Center MONDAY, AUGUST 6 an William “Bill” Sharkey 6:30PM VBC “Bridging the Gap” Event Gayle Woodward Ferree and Family - In loving in partnership with the Senator Spoonwood Brewing (5981 memory of WWII veteran William “Bill” Sharkey John Heinz History Center Baptist Rd, Pittsburgh, PA Jane Frankel - In honor of Joseph Zimbicki’s 100th At a time of a growing Civil- 15236) Birthday! ian-Military Divide, when one- George Freas half of one percent of the pop- Antia Gervasi & children - In memory of Louis Vin- ulation serves on active-duty in cent Pugliese, Navy, Aug. 19, 1929-Jan. 10, 2018 the armed forces, an increasing Blair Jacobson Chuck Jenkins - In memory of the 14 Marines of Del- number of voices are calling for Congratulations to Harry Van Riper, ta Co., 1st Bn, 5th Marines KIA in Battle of Hue City re-instating the Draft. Those Chuck Jenkins - In memory of the 19 Marines of in favor argue that the Draft recipient of Penn- Delta Co, 1st Bn, 5th Marines, KIA May 12, 1967, Oper- would distribute the burdens sylvania American ation Union I, Semper Fi of military service more equi- Legion 2018 Post Lynne Johnson tably across the nation, while Chaplain of the Bill Laughner those against contend it would Andy Loeb Year Award! weaken our military and divide Margaret Mailey & Rhonda Rombach - In loving the country further. This pan- memory of WWII veteran William “Bill” Sharkey el discussion convenes experts Bob O’Gara Ned Pfundt - In memory of George Kokiko and veterans to look at all sides Pittsburgh Banjo Club - In honor of Bob Fritsch, of the issue, as well as the his- Korean War veteran tory and possible futures of the Alfiero Pollice Draft. Please join us for this Bob Riordan lively conversation. Everyone David Schreiber - In loving memory of WWII veter- is welcome! Light refreshments an William “Bill” Sharkey will be served. Lee Silverman Sandy & Dom Simonetti - In loving memory of WWII veteran William “Bill” Sharkey Connor Smith - G/2/5 Forever! Charles Smithers Sharon Steinmetz Bobb Stevens Timothy & Mary Lou Sullivan - In loving memory of WWII veteran William “Bill” Sharkey Guy Tressler III - In memory of WWII veteran Guy Tressler Turbo-Air Refrigeration - In loving memory of WWII veteran William “Bill” Sharkey Walmart Bethel Park Edward Wieszczynski veteransbreakfastclub.com | 3 vbc LAND RATE: travel with the $5,495 per person The VBC is celebrating its 10th birthday! Double Occupan- cy, Single Supple- vbc to europe! ment $999 Optional Roundtrip Group Air from Pitts- burgh to Paris: $1,150 (American Airlines via Phila- delphia) Deposit Due: June 30 Travel with the VBC on our WWII Battlefield Tour of Europe this September as we follow the footsteps of the Band of Brothers, from Normandy to the Eagle’s Nest in the Bavarian Alps. Todd DePastino, Director of the Veterans Breakfast Club, will serve as the His- torian on the trip, accompanied by local guides and experts all along the way, including D-Day veteran, Warren Goss. The Trip of a Lifetime. For questions, details, and the full itinerary, go to VeteransBreakfastClub.com or contact Todd at [email protected] or 412-623-9029. ITINERARY AT A GLANCE Day 1 Sept 11 Overnight travel to Paris Day 2 Sept 12 Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Montparnasse Tower, Welcome Dinner Day 3 Sept 13 Musee de L’Armee, free afternoon in Paris Day 4 Sept 14 Versailles, then Normandy and D-Day Museum, hotel 1k from Omaha Beach Day 5 Sept 15 Utah Beach, Roosevelt Café, Brecourt Manor, Ste.