Decatur Museum Robbery Foiled

            Four hooligans broke into the Lost Battalion room in the Wise County Heritage Museum over the weekend of August 21st, 2004. Happily, their dirty deeds were undone when one of the thieves attempted to sell a samurai sword to classmates. Teenagers ranging from 16 to 19 years of age stole items from the displays including the samurai sword, a rifle bayonet, a military police arm band and Japanese money and then ransacked the rest of the room dedicated to the Lost Battalion.

            Decatur Police Chief Rex Hoskins said they received a tip of the attempted sale from local high school students. Once confronted, the teenagers admitted their involvement. Most of the items have been recovered, but will remain in police safekeeping while the investigation continues.

            Rosalie Gregg, director of the museum, told us that reaction to the event has been amazing. The Decatur Rotary Club has donated a security system to help prevent future break-ins. She also said that donations of money and equipment from other groups and individuals are coming in and are very welcome.

            When asked about insurance, she said the Museum only carries liability insurance; insuring the contents would be prohibitive. The museum still needs assistance to replace or repair display cases.

From reports in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Wise County Messenger Online

A Rousing Reunion!

            With fond farewells and "See you next year" filling the lobby of the Omni Hotel in Dallas, the Lost Battalion's 60th Annual Reunion came to a close August 15, 2004. Behind the scenes work and a show by a spirited Next Generation group highlighted the weekend, while old friendships and relationships were renewed. Twenty-two Lost Battalion survivors attended the festivities with their families and new generations who joined the annual gathering. From the oldest to the youngest (5 weeks old), members of this grand group experienced one of the best year's reunion yet.

      Michael and Becke Freitas, sharing the office of President of the Association for 2004, presided over the reunion beginning Thursday evening, August 12, with a reception in the Hospitality Suite they kept open through the reunion. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres were available to all attendees throughout the weekend.

Friday's breakfast was followed by a trip to the National Cemetery to view the new monument dedicated to and funded by the Lost Battalion. The Friday afternoon Silent Auction netted about $1,300 for the Newsletter fund. Thanks to all those who donated the more than 200 items sold and to those who purchased them. The after dinner music that evening was provided by a Fort Worth group, "Diamonds in the Rough".

	Saturday's Memorial Service honored 18 Lost Battalion members and 11 widows who died last year. Their names were read by Michael Freitas and flags and flowers were assembled by Frank and Leta Ficklin. The service included a moving address by Chaplain Hollis H. Bond, Captain, USN (retired), who reminded the audience of the love and devotion of such people who were remembered in memorials across time and countries. A special flag ceremony on folding the flag was presented by the Air Force with Val Poss explaining the meaning of each fold of the flag. The service ended with a special tribute of music performed by Tom Jackson to the tune of a song POW's popularized in their shows in camp, "At the End of the Day". The annual business meeting open to all members of the association, including the Next Generation, began the afternoon. Rosalie Gregg read the minutes of the 2003 meeting which were accepted as presented. Janis Thompson and Becke Freitas presented the other treasury reports which were also accepted as presented. Raffle ticket sales for jewelry donated by Hortense Offerle and Stanley Galbraith added $864 to the general fund for the 2005 reunion. Frank Ficklin made a motion to continue the $5 fee that was dedicated to the Lost Battalion museums in this year’s registration. It passed as well as a suggestion to change the breakfast meeting time to 9 a.m. from the current 8:30 a.m. A motion by Vivian Thompson to name her three daughters, Janis Thompson, Kay Thompson, and Linda Montgomery to the position of Executive Secretary for the Newsletter and Roster was approved. Susan Ficklin and Georganne Ficklin were elected vice presidents while Max and Val Poss will serve as Co-Presidents for 2005.

       Members of the Next Generation spent much of their free time in rehearsal for Saturday evening's gala, A USO Show. Members portrayed Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. Other guests included Rosemary Clooney, Betty Grable, Lauren Bacall, Elizabeth Taylor, Mae West, the Andrews sisters, Ginger Rodgers and Fred Astaire, Marlene Deitrich, Jimmy Durante, Betty Davis, Doris Day, Milton Berle, Minnie Pearl, Jack Benny, Judy Garland and James Cagney. The USO Show concluded with an audience sing-a-long of "God Bless America" led by Kate Smith. Afterwards, the Ronnie Martin Orchestra provided dance music for the rest of the evening.

By Linda Montgomery

Sorry for the Confusion

            Kyle’s’ daughters, Linda, Kay and Janis, want to take this opportunity to apologize for the confusion regarding publication of the LBA Newsletter. It seemed to be an overwhelming task in the days immediately following our father’s passing. But we’ve found that together we can keep up the tradition and are actually having some fun doing it.

            So if you have any news or something you want to share, please drop us a letter to:

                        Lost Battalion Association
                        PO Box 6500
                        Round Rock, TX  78683-6500

            You can also send us e-mail at [email protected]  We really look forward to sharing the news with you!

36th Infantry Division

            The 49th Armored Division was re-designated as the 36th Infantry Division on May 1, 2004. The re-flagging ceremony was held at Camp Mabry in Austin on July 18, 2004 and was attended by Pat Cook and Vivian and Janis Thompson.

            Governor Rick Perry presided over the service which returned to service the red and blue flag with the “T-Patch” in the center. The patch represents the original merger of the Texas and Oklahoma National Guard units in World War I, the arrowhead standing for Oklahoma and the “T” for Texas.

Do You Know Where …

            Occasionally we get mail returned to us without a forwarding address. We attempt to look for updates on-line, but aren’t always successful. In order to keep postage costs to a minimum, we have to choice but to remove their name from the mailing list.

            If anyone knows how to contact the following members, we’d appreciate it if you’d drop us a line or let them know we need an update.

                  Sharine Beeson (NG)
                  412 Vieux Orleans Cir Apt B
                  Lafayette, LA 70508

                  Edward “Eddie” Fung (F Battery)
                  503 Hagar Ct
                  Santa Cruz, CA 95064

Also Looking For

            The brother-in-law of Milton “Red” Lyon, Henry Beckham of Hilltop Lakes, TX is looking for two members of the 131st who were lucky enough to escape before capture. Four men, Glen Pace, Bert V. Brown, Roger Mauldin and Lyon had been repairing airplanes but weren’t able to board them due to lack of space. They were told to take the command car, go to the coast get a car and get away, which they did. Beckham has since located Pace, but is still looking for Brown and Mauldin.

            If anyone has information regarding these men, please drop a line to:

                  Henry Beckham
                  PO Box 1125
                  Hilltop Lakes, TX 77871

2004 Memorial Service

            This year’s memorial service was particularly moving. We’ve received many requests to share portions of the service which we’ll do as space permits. Here is the poem “Freedom is Not Free” as read by Chaplain Bond.

 “Freedom is Not Free”
   by Kelly Strong

I watched the flag pass by one day;
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young soldier saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform,
So young, so tall, so proud;
With hair cut square and eyes alert,
He’d stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers’ tears?

How many pilots’ planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers’ graves?
No, freedom is not free.

I heard the sounds of “Taps” one night,
When everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times
That “Taps” had meant “Amen.”
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.

I thought of a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea,
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom is not free.

A belated thanks and appreciation from the family of Jack D. Smith:

            There are no words to express our sincere appreciation and thanks to all of you wonderful people for the kindness and comforting support we received. The beautiful cards, prayers, e-mails, memorial donations and telephone calls which gave us added strength during the most difficult loss in our lives.

            I will be unable to attend the reunion in August 2004, but my thought and prayers will be with you all.

            My love and best wishes for a wonderful reunion.

            Thanks for caring,

            June Smith and Family

FROM THE MAIL BAG

            The responses from the mailing of the 2004 Roster have almost been overwhelming! A great big Thank You goes out to all of you that have sent such prompt and generous payments.

            We also appreciate the address updates; a clean mail list helps keep postage to a minimum. And please don’t hesitate to correct us if we have something wrong (Betty Saunders, (Kaplan, LA) you should have told us we had your name misspelled!).

            Another big Thank You for all the words of encouragement, the lovely letters and photos you sent. Maurice and Marcella Hurd (Gainesville, TX) sent us a newspaper article about Maurice and pictures of their grandson’s graduation from law school and their great grand-daughter. You must be very proud!

            Roger White (San Antonio, TX) was kind enough to send us several corrections. We don’t know how you ever published the roster without a computer. Amazing!

            Dorothy Willey told us that Lloyd was missing this year’s reunion under doctor’s orders – a bone density test found osteoporosis with a high risk of hip fracture. But to soothe the disappointment of missing the reunion, they had a mini reunion in San Marcos, CA and celebrated their 58^th wedding anniversary. Congratulations!

            O. C. McManus (Pasadena, CA) is concentrating on recuperation following a heart attack. Keep up the good work, O. C.

            Marion & Bob Conner (Rimersburg, PA) report that they’re also slowing down, limiting their excursions to church, grocery store and doctor’s office – gotta help the doc make those boat payments! Bob will be celebrating his 92^nd birthday this month.

            Also celebrating in September is Joe Fender (Houston, TX) –although he was unable to attend the reunion this year, he’ll be a sprightly 90. Speaking of sprightly, Doris Smith (Westminster, CA) reports that she’s raising her 9-year-old grandson with help from his aunt, Doris’ daughter.

            Helen and Dewitt Harris (Wills Point, TX) were also unable to attend the reunion. Dewitt is limited to his wheelchair making traveling very hard but they still have good days together.

            Ray King reports that all is well in Lubbock The LBA members there seldom see one another but do keep the phone lines busy.

            Received a nice note and donation to the newsletter fund from Robert Hanley (Lindstrom, MN). Thanks so much Robert!

            Ursula Rich (Pescadero, CA) sent us a memorial for Arlene Kirk, widow of John Kirk. She also shared information regarding the passing of her husband in 1994.

OTTO SCWARZ

Dear Members of the Lost Battalion

            It was a wonderful surprise to receive the card signed by so many of our friends in the Lost Battalion.

            Although I have difficulty traveling, my thoughts are ever with the Lost Battalion and the many friends that have always extended kindnesses to us over these many years.

            Having the members of the 131^st alongside us as we endured those dark three and a half years of captivity made that horrible ordeal more tolerable. Also, we survivors of the Houston can never forget how our “mates” opened their homes to us and made it possible for us to receive our VA benefits.

            Though I am unable to be with you, my thoughts and gratitude for having such warm friendships over the many years, have created such fond memories. Each and every one of you will always have our most sincere thanks for all you have given to enrich our lives.

                                    Our best always,

                                    Otto & Trudy

Calling All Books

            Several requests have been made for a list of books about the experiences of the members of the 131st and the USS Houston survivors. If you have such a list or have published a book about your war-time experiences, please drop us a note. Even if the book is out of print, it would be nice to have a comprehensive listing to share.

WE WANT TO KNOW

TO ALL HANDS: UPON THE DEATH OF YOUR LOVED ONE, PLEASE PHONE OR WRITE Janis Thompson AT:

            Lost Battalion Association
            PO Box 6500
            Round Rock, TX 78683-6500
            (512) 246-0083
            EMAIL: [email protected]

WE NEED PLACE, DATE AND CAUSE OF DEATH FOR OUR RECORDS.

ALSO NOTIFY:

            Rosalie Gregg
            1602 S College
            Decatur, TX 76234
            (940) 627-3732

TO RECEIVE LOST BATTALION MEDALLION.

CLEON STEWART

D Battery, 131st Field Artillery

July 11, 2004

Stroke

 Cleon was buried at Greenwood Memorial Park in Fort Worth, TX on July 15.

Memorials

Arlene Kirk

A. L. Redwine

Upcoming Reunions

USS Houston Survivors
Mar. 4-5, 2005
Doubletree-Allan Center
400 Dallas St
Houston, TX  77002
(713) 759-0202

Lost Battalion Association
Aug. 14-16, 2005
Omni Hotel - Dallas Park West
1590 LBJ Freeway
Dallas, TX  75235
(972) 869-4300