EX-POW BULLETIN the official voice of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Volume 67 www .axpo w .or g Number 1/2 January/February 2010 We exist to help those who cannot help themselves Quincy, Massachusetts Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2009 table of contents January/February 2010 officers/directors 4 Is Quincy, Massachusetts “Veterans City USA”? commander/HQ 5 outreach/success 6 It seemed like it on Halloween weekend when more than 400 residents medsearch 9 attended the monument dedication in McIntyre Mall (across the street from andersonville 15 the resting place of Presidents John and John Quincy Adams). namPOW 16 Larry Norton and Ed Murphy, former (if there is such a thing) Marines, had pow-mia/civilian 17 put together a weekend to remember in honor of Ex-POWs CAPT Richard tiger survivors 18 Stratton and in memory of AF CAPT E Alan Brudno, two of Quincy’s own. It news 19 started with a trolley-bus trip with Quincy police escort to the homestead events, info, looking for 20 of President John Adams. It included visits to the Church of the Presidents voluntary funding 22 where wreaths were placed on the crypts of John & John Quincy Adams, Stories 23 the Memorial Clock Tower honoring Quincy residents who died in Viet- fan mail 26 nam, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. This was followed up by a new members 29 terrific seafood dinner most enjoyed by the “Inlanders” who sadly don’t members forum 30 have the opportunity for New England seafood. On Saturday, the monu- contributions 32 ment was dedicated, with much fanfare. And finally, we all were trollied to taps 33 lunch. You can read Paul Galanti’s take on the weekend on page 16. raffle/Ads 39 quartermaster 41 Thank you to the Vietnam Combat Veterans Combined Armed Forces (Quincy Chapter), Larry & Ed, former Quincy police Lt. Tom Bolinder and the Quincy police who were our escorts for the weekend. You guys sure know how to put on a show. Now let’s see what the other states can do! :—) Publisher Cover: Standing, L/R: Robert Noble, WWII POW; Vietnam POWs Mo Baker, PNC Maurice Sharp Gary Thornton, Dick Stratton, Jim Warner and Paul Galanti. In Uniform: 9716 54th Street CT West Quincy’s Finest. University Place, WA 98467-1118 (253) 565-0444 NOTICE ABOUT AXPOW’s CREDIT CARD: Our AXPOW Credit Card [email protected] through Bank of America is getting a new profile. We’ll be receiving new ads which have a different phone number and a different priority Editor code, but won’t have them until February. The new information will Cheryl Cerbone be published as soon as we get it, so be patient. We appreciate your 23 Cove View Drive using the AXPOW card; we make money every time you make a South Yarmouth, MA 02664 purchase! (508) 394-5250 (508) 760-2008 fax [email protected] Bring your grandkids! National Convention Deadline for the March/April 2010 issue is February 1, 2010. September 21-26, 2010 Albany, Georgia Please send all materials to the editor at the above address. Opening Ceremonies will be held at Andersonville National Historic Site EX-POW Bulletin (ISSN 0161-7451) is published bi-monthly (six times annually) by the American Ex-Prisoners of War, 3201 E. Pioneer Pkway, Arlington, TX 76010. Periodical postage paid at Arlington, TX and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send address changes to EX-POW Bulletin, AXPOW Headquarters, 3201 E. Pioneer Pkwy. Suite 40, Arlington, TX 76010-5396. Founded April 14, 1942, in Albuquerque, NM, then known as Bataan Relief Organization, Washington State non- profit corporation, “American Ex-Prisoners of War”, October 11, 1949, recorded as Document No. 133762, Roll 1, Page 386-392. NONPROFIT CORPORATION. Nationally Chartered August 10, 1982. Appearance in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the American Ex-Prisoners of War of the product or service advertised. The publisher reserves the right to decline or discontinue any such advertisement. © 2010 American Ex-Prisoners of War Ex-POW Bulletin Jan/Feb 2010 3 axpow officers & directors 2009-2010 National Headquarters - Clydie J. Morgan, Adjutant 3201 E. Pioneer Pkwy, #40, Arlington, TX 76010 (817) 649-2979 (817) 649-0109 fax [email protected] Officers North East Region Directors Mid-Central Region Franklin R. Koehler National Commander Grover L. Swearingen 243 Torrey Pines Dr. 408 Fair Park Avenue Kenny H Hanson Toms River, NJ 08757 West Union, OH 45693 9401 Lyndale Ave S #228 (732) 244-4629; (732) 505-8702 fax (937) 544-2459 Bloomington MN 55420 [email protected] [email protected] (952) 888-2703 – Voice [email protected] Laura McIntyre Deanie Schmidt PO Box 475 1001 Parkview Blvd. #316 National Senior Vice Commander Hardwick, MA 01037 Columbus, OH 43219 Morris Barker (413) 477-8260 (413) 477-0172 fax (614) 372-0788 710 Chapel View [email protected] [email protected] Waco, Tx 76712 (254) 732-5640 East Central Region South Central Region [email protected] Judy Lee James L. Lollar PO Box 248 292 VZ CR 3727 Madisonville, TN 37354 Wills Point, TX 75169 National Treasurer (423) 442-3223; (423) 442-4702 fax (903) 560-1734; (903) 560-1705 fax Sonnie Bill Mottern [email protected] [email protected] 279 Huckleberry Road Bluff City, Tenn. 37618 Paul E. Galanti Pam Warner Eslinger (423) 542-1824; (423) 542-3469 fax 21 Maxwell Road PO Box 117 [email protected] Richmond, VA 23226 Hammon, OK 73650 (804)389-1668 (580) 473-2783 National Judge Advocate [email protected] [email protected] Dave Drummond 1 Crane Court Southeast Region Northwest Region Manalapan, NJ 07726 Wm “Bill” Jeffers Bonnie Sharp (732) 446-4198 3522 Millbrook way Cr 9716 54th Street CT West [email protected] Greenacres, FL 33463 University Place, WA 98467-1118 (561) 969-6036 (253) 565-0444 National Chaplain [email protected] [email protected] James H. Beaver PO Box 2103 Sid Hecker Southwest Region Abingdon, VA 24212 7730 Laie Place Milton “Skip” Moore (276) 623-0875 Diamondhead, MS 39525 2965 Sierra Bermeja [email protected] (228) 493-7605 Sierra Vista, AZ 85650 [email protected] (520) 459-7295; (520) 533-3757 fax Jr. Vice Commanders [email protected] Charles Susino - Eastern Zone North Central Region 136 Jefferson Street John W Clark Lewis “Lew” Sleeper Metuchen, NJ 08840 1201 S Johnmeyer Ln 6636 E VillaDoradoTucson, AZ 85715 Columbia MO 65203 (732) 549-5775 phone & fax (520) 751-9628 Voice (573) 445-3621 (520) 490-1082 Cell [email protected] Carroll Bogard - Central Zone [email protected] 726 N. Carolina Place Larry Dwyer Mason City, IA 50401 814 Woodlawn Ave. (641) 424-4870 Muscatine, IA 52761 (563) 263-5249 PNC James Cooper - Western Zone Senior Director PO Box 65 PNC Jim Clark Douglas, AZ 85608 Committee addresses appear 214 Oakdale (520) 364-8582; (520) 805-9401 fax with their columns Bastrop, LA 71220-2330 [email protected] (318) 281-5505 phone & fax [email protected] of my life. Just to meet and shake hands with the President and Vice news President was a thrill of a lifetime. The ceremonies at Arlington Cem- from etery were equally impressive. Then, the reception at the May- flower Hotel, hosted by the Para- hq lyzed Veterans of America was out of this world. You remember, AX- The National Midyear Board meet- POW hosted this program in 1997. ing will be in Arlington, Texas on March 20, 2010. It will be held at Remember to make plans for the the Hilton on 2401 Lamar Boule- very special National Convention vard. If you wish to attend, you can National Commander we have planned for 2010 in Al- make reservations directly with the Kenny H Hanson bany, GA and Andersonville. If you hotel by calling 817-640-3322. Tell have been to Andersonville before, them you are attending the AXPOW you know what an exciting experi- meeting. The rates are $99 per ence it is. Those who have never night and includes breakfast. We Well, in my first few months as your been there will be in for a moving are having a dinner on Saturday National Commander, I have cer- and uplifting treat when they come night at the hotel. The cost for that tainly found out that “the thought- this year. is $25 per person. Please contact less are rarely wordless”. National Headquarters for more Speaking of Andersonville, I would information. It seems there is a segment of our use you to support the Anderson- organization that is bent on de- ville Traveling Exhibit. The hat was Attention Annual Members, this stroying it. My question is “Why?” passed at our convention in Boise will be the last issue you receive if The continuing threat of lawsuits for this project and more than you have not sent in your dues. really boggles my mind. $3,000 was raised. WOW! Past Di- Please do that now. rector Ed DeMent is heading up this I am very hopeful that we can have project for AXPOW in cooperation our 501(c) 3 classification by the with The Friends of Andersonville. Happy Valentine’s Day! end of 2009. With that classifica- Clydie, Marsha, Sally & Donna tion, we can put other fundraising Happy New Year! Your National Headquarters programs into effect. In the mean- time, we need to depend on the gen- Kenny erosity of our wonderful member- ship. Those members who keep the organization going with their much- need and generous donations are From the Whereas, (ETC); and the real heroes of AXPOW. Always ByLaws Committee: Whereas (ETC); therefore, be it remember our programs such as All requested changes to the Na- Resolved, that ___________ direct mail, voluntary funding, 50/ tional Bylaws are to be submitted 50 and credit card (where we get a as follows: One signature is required on reso- percentage of every purchase) are lutions and amendments.