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| | VOLUME 3 ISSUE 4 | FALL 1998 |
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
We were very gratified by the turnout at the 1998 DQS Reunion held in Knoxville, Tennessee. A total of 29 States were represented by those in attendance and we had 2 individuals who traveled from Canada to be with us. TN, IN, OH, MI, IL & TX were the states with 5 or more of our members attending; Texas also was represented by the 7 soldiers from Ft Hood (1/44 ADA) who made significant positive contributions to our activities. The final attendance count was 95 from the DQS Roster, 7 from Ft Hood and I mother, who came in place of her son who was unable to attend, for a total of 103! A very nice turnout, which was augmented by the presence of several wives, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings and friends.
It is always a pleasure to meet the parents of DQS members and it is very meaningful to us when they take the time and make the effort to join us at our reunions or other activities. We should note that the mother of Ed Willmarth accompanied Ed and his granddaughter, Chafly, to this year's reunion and that Hazel Liddle called and came to visit with us to represent her son - James Stewart of El Paso, Texas - who was not able to attend. We enjoyed the attendance of these ladies and our conversations with them very much! In the past, we have enjoyed meeting and spending time with the parents of Hugh Roberts and with the father (Anzio '43) of John Huelsenbeck- as well as other family members (brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, sons, daughters, etc.) and friends of our members. We always welcome those who care about our guys!
No, I'm not forgetting our wives and special friends. They play a very important part in our organization and in our daily lives and, along with our children and other loved ones, are often qualified to think of themselves as 'veterans' of the 'wars' of our Vietnam service.
BLESS THEM & ALL WHO SUPPORT OUR DQS VETS!!
I would like to mention some of the efforts that were expended in support of our 1998 Reunion and that are symbolic of the efforts that are routinely expended to provide for our reunions or to add depth to the experiences enjoyed at our reunions. Among these would be: Buddy White - who arranged and made provisions for the participation of the group from the 1/44 ADA from Ft Hood, was instrumental to our ability to make the addition of a holly tree and inscribed stone to the Mitchell Stout MoH Memorial, hosted the Fish Fry and other acts of generosity-, Hugh Roberts - who procured the flag, which was flown over our Nation's Capitol in honor of Dennis Hayworth, to be given to Dennis' family, arranged and provided for the Reunion Stamp Cancellation and provided the reunion buttons- Joe Belardo - who acquired books to be made available to DQS members at the reunion, put together (again) the Candlelight Memorial Service and its content; George Nageischmidt - who provided the components for and constructed the outstanding speaker stand and speakers for use at this reunion and future DQS reunions- Jim Smith - who provided the POW-MIA table setting and program. Others made contributions to the 1998 reunion and some have already begun efforts toward the 1999 reunion and beyond. SUCH IS THE SPIRIT OF DQS!!
It is selfless efforts such as these and the efforts of others - who bring displays and decorations, donate to and bid at the Chinese Auction, provide information and etc. for distribution to fellow DQS vets or who volunteer their time at the reunions - that allow us to enjoy the reunions as we know them. These efforts come at little and in fact, usually, no cost to the Association. MANY THANKS TO ALL!
It should be noted that our reunions are structured such that there is normally only a very minimal or no negative economic impact on the fiends of the Association. Through the actions noted above and others, including negotiations, the actual expenses directly related to our reunions have primarily been home by those in attendance and the generosity of some of our individual members. To ensure that we are able to serve all and that we do not draw from the 'generosity well' to often, we need to ALL make our Dues Donation a yearly event!!
 | BATON ROUGE - 1999 | |
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