February 2005
Dear Members of the 419th,
The holidays have come and gone and we trust 2004 was
a good year for you. Greetings were received from Wanda Cluck,
Francis and Helen Roush, Frank and Virginia Gruden, Gene Wells (stating
Dec. 13 he was 89 years young), Pierce and Jewell Johns, Edith Grubb,
Gerald St. Amand, Jim Bierce, Charles and Ethel Mohn, Harold and Lola
Carmichael, and Ernest Word, who included a donation to MB in
his card.Thanks to each of you for keeping in touch.
Since our last MB I received a letter from Helen
Lesigonich stating that her husband Steve Lesigonich had
passed away on Sept. 5, 2004 due to stomach cancer. In mid October
a letter from Winnifred Kreigsman came stating that her husband
Albert Owen Kreigsman had died on July 21st. "He suffered
with myadisplastic for three years requiring a weekly blood transfusion."
A donation to MB was included.
Sara Boone, daughter of Mabry Huggins
wrote in late October that her father Mabry Huggins was killed
in an automobile accident April 12, 2002. Our sincere sympathy goes
to the families of Mabry Huggins, Steve Lesigonich and Albert Owen
Kreigsman.
A note of thanks for the MB with a donation enclosed
came from Charles and Juanita Ray in October. Gaston Patterson
sent a donation in October thanking us for the MB. Two
MB's were returned: Marion Dietrich and Duncan Soubie.
If any of you have a current address, please advise.
We have frequent calls from Bonnie Porter who
hopes to attend the reunion in Washington in June. E-mails from many
of you are appreciated. Jim Bierce called and left a message
that the Division reunion held in Washington was well worth the trip
to the World War II Memorial.
A letter written December 25, 2004 from Doria and
Vincent Grimes (Doria is Gerald St. Amand's daughter) and Gerald
St. Amand gave the following data: She enclosed the brochure and
directions for our next reunion, stating there is a complimentary
shuttle from Dulles Airport. Mention "419th" when making reservations
and the group rate of $79.00 per night applies for June 9 - 11. Check
out is June 12th. A block of rooms are being held until May 20, 2005.
Tentative events are: Thursday - check-in and welcome at
meeting room. Friday - 10:30 complimentary shuttle to the new Smithsonian
Hazy Center (3.5 miles away) to tour World War II aircraft, the Space
Shuttle Enterprise and more. Optional Group dinner. Saturday - 10
A.M. - 419th Annual Meeting. 11 A.M. - Bus to WWII Memorial in Washington
for wreath ceremony and photos. P.M. - Free time in Washington or
return to hotel by bus. 6 P.M. - Banquet in hotel. Doria states to
feel free to call Doria and Vincent Grimes at 703-978-5002. Doria's
E-mail is doria.grimes@noaa.gov.
If you don't get the motel brochure and transportation
information enclosed, please advise and I will send one to you.
Sometimes when stuffing envelopes, one may leave something
out. That brings up the subject of omission; Luke St. Amand's
name was omitted by me as attending the last reunion; please forgive
the omission Luke and I'll try to do better. Gerald St. Amand
has hosted many reunions, but this one will be the highlight of our
lives seeing the beautiful World War II Memorial. Please try
to attend if at all possible.
This MB almost was just a letter with information
about the reunion due to the "storm" that has hit the Waldrep
household. On the 10th of January, Jack was attending the dinner
meeting of the American Legion when he started coughing and passed
out. The men called 911 and then got me at home 2 ½ miles from the
Legion. Jack obviously had the stomach virus, aspirated and got pneumonia.
I developed the vomiting and diarrhea two days later and was at home
for four days while the children took turns at the hospital. He was
dismissed to extended care at Chulio Hills Nursing Facility
on January 20th. Each day we see some progress and he is eating a
little better but with this "stuff" you have no appetite.
Please keep us in your prayers that he will recover
enough to get back home as most of you know, all of us had rather
be "home !"
Remember to place on your calendar our reunion Thursday
June 9th to check out on Sunday June 12th. This will be held at the
Washington Dulles Airport Marriott, Washington DC. Address of the
motel is 45020 Aviation Drive, Dulles, Virginia 20166. Telephone 703-471-9500,
at $79.00 per night for 419th members.. Our hosts are Gerald St.Amand
and Doria and Vincent Grimes.
A quote from Morris L. West: "Even though life can
certainly be difficult, its joyful moments should never be taken for
granted." We wish for you happy planning for the reunion and a
pleasant spring.