97th ENGINEER BATTALION (Construction)
DYNAMIC YEARLY E–NEWSLETTER, 2015
PART 1
Updated: 5 December 2015
MEMORIAL DAY, 25 MAY 2015:
If there were a symbol of Memorial Day it should be the folded flag given the family upon the death of a veteran. The echoes from taps and rifle salute fade like memories, but the triangle of white stars on a field of blue remains. It’s instantly self explanatory and uniquely American; it identifies and celebrates someone who served when the country called.
They may have died young in battle then escorted home for this last dreamless sleep, or arrived after having lived their full number of years; it matters not as it speaks to a critical moment in time when heroes were needed that they stepped forward.
Bill Mauldin, the creator of the iconic World War Two dogfaces Willie and Joe, wrote about those exposed to actual combat in one form or another as belonging to “The Benevolent and Protective Brotherhood of Them What Has Been Shot At.” Those in the brotherhood form the front row in the chorus of our country’s most admired champions. Behind them stand their supporting forces, sustaining family, and, ultimately, all of us.
They did not join the military to die for their country. Ours is not a nation that demands nor celebrates suicidal jihad, but one that desires all her sons and daughters return home whole to enjoy an untroubled life. No, they saw their soldierly experience as a means of advancing the desire shared by all Americans, from the exalted like Washington and Lincoln to the humble like Willie and Joe, to make ours the more perfect union.
It’s wrong to think that those who repose in Elysian Fields scattered about the globe “gave their life” - even in that last moment before oblivion took them they strove to live another day – rather their divine gift of existence was cruelly snatched away. In that terrible moment their oath to country was forever redeemed by forces hostile to us, their sublime contribution greater than we dare ask of anyone.
Today when we stand on consecrated grounds with the blissful white stones stretching out like a great fan in perfect symmetry, listening to the flag they defended snap in the wind and watch the silent searchers looking for a father or son or sister, it is our moment to acknowledge not just the sacrifice of those at rest here, but of our moral debt to them.
Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg informed us, “… that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
The smartly folded flag and the rituals of honor paid are more than just symbols of a nation’s gratitude; they are a reminder that from the exploits of these courageous men and women great deeds are expected of us.
Harry Puncec is a retired printer and long–ago soldier living in Lakewood, Colorado
Additional reading: Distinguished retired Marine addresses crowd at Bergen military appreciation day
LIST OF ARTICLES: (click to go direct)
RATIONALE FOR A SINGLE, YEARLY–CONCEPT NEWSLETTER:
Why change something that has been so effective as a forum?
Some of the more obvious descriptive words come to mind when I look into the mirror are: Older, wiser, tired looking, burned out, and just a strong feeling I have done enough are a few ‘reasons’ I might choose to expound upon, but I won’t bore you. Predominantly, my real life–changing reasons are marriage, selling a home, moving, combining households, and family matters. I trust most of you understand this. As Donna says, ‘There’s more to life than a computer.”
While I expect adjustments during the year, let’s see how it works! You will have an index to make it easier to access articles.
Donald M. Ricks, Editor/Webmaster
WHAT IS THE PLAN?
During the next month we hope to get to several projects Larry and I and recently worked on, like a PDF file containing early Vassincourt photographs from 1LT Daniel Klinck, updating the Robert Atkins file for the year 1956, to include documents related to the search and rescue operation for a 32d Group soldier named Gerald H. Dunnigan.
Bill Downey expects to have material from the National Archives to share sometime early this year.
Formal Mess documents were prepared by Larry Castleman for workup in the next week. We will also publish the Rules of Crud, a gentleman’s game during the Formal Mess.
There are numerous photographs backing up and will be worked into the site as time allows. We also have several interesting documents that address the development and manufacturing of our unit crest.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET TOO OLD TO DO ANYTHING ELSE:
Perhaps this is start of something presumptuous, but if the shirt fits you can put it on (so to speak). There must be something in there that relates to aviation (Your Army Air Force is in there):
WEB SITE MAINTENANCE MATTERS:
On January 25, I sent out a request for assistance in the form of a donation from anyone who might possess a large external drive. The purpose of my request was to improve the increasingly worsening situation of the separation of site files and “working or original files.” This had become an uncomfortable and awkward situation that made it difficult to locate and store needed records for easy access. The external drives I had continually purchased were quickly not sufficient to support consolidation of files, thus they were being fragmented into other similar drives. Since they were not together, it became time-consuming to find an item.
Within a few days there were several offers of financial assistance and questions about how the responder might help. On the third day, my friend and fellow OCS classmate, and flight school classmate, and later platoon-mate in the 4th Platoon at Phu Bai, Glenn Stewart, stated in an email that he had a large drive he could send. In a few days he had mailed the item to my home address. In the meantime, Jack Bentley offered to purchase from the Catkiller Store, which had sufficient funds, a 2TB external Western Digital drive. Both more than satisfied the requirements and arrived on the same day, Thursday, January 29; and by the close of day on January 31 all the web site files were consolidated and were being automatically backed up onto the 4TB donation drive from Glenn. An existing 1TB external drive is now set up to contain consolidated site and working files for the 97th Engineers.
I appreciate all the offers of help and encouragement and now enjoy the tools necessary to effectively maintain the web sites properly. This disk, too, is now backed up on the donated drive. All files are consolidated and separated from my personal files.
In the coming days, though I am in good health, I plan to well document what I do and, as an added security of data possessed, I will provide a briefing letter stating the operation, location and function of the assets someone would need should I no longer be able to serve as the webmaster.
Our files are already archived at three locations: within the two dedicated web site external drives, the web sites themselves (which are mirrored by our web site host, JustHost), and each October our site files are provided as a complete archive with the US Army Center of Military History. Too, I never depart my home on a trip without my MacBook Pro and the main drives and a series of backup flash cards or chips in my bags. I am anal about doing extra work to safeguard our files. I agree with concerns expressed about the worst-case possibility of theft or fire.
My objective to consolidate and make it easier to manage what I do is now complete, thanks to Jack Bentley and Glenn Stewart. The smaller drives previously used were just not working. I believe the solution of two larger portable drives will work well into the coming several years, especially as our history initiatives seem fulfilled. My desire is to have an off site backup separate from my home computer and time capsule system is fulfilled. The ultimate objective of having all original files and the web sites on at least three separate external disks (one a full backup capable device) is also fulfilled.
Donald M. Ricks, Webmaster
FORT RILEY MINI–REUNION AND PLAQUE DEDICATION, MAY 3–4: **UPDATED 24 APRIL**
Attached is the latest information from BG Michael A. LePeilbet on the Ft. Riley, 97th Engr Bn Reunion. Looks like a good time at Ft. Riley. If you are going to attend, please let me know.
Larry Castleman
“Larry:
Things are coming together. You have the menu. However, instead of buffet, the dinner will be served, plated, to our tables. Salad then the meal then the desert. The cost for the meal total is $527.82. Not to worry, I am getting money from our web site fund [thanks for the donations] and Lloyd Mullins, plus everyone’s $25.00 per person. The money should be enough. I am covering the rest.
Neil Jednoralski and I have put together a brief itinerary for us. We will:
- May 3, 2015, All Day, Check in to the motel (Candlewood Inn)
- May 3, 2015, 1800 to 2100 Hours, Pizza Dinner at the Candlewood Inn
- May 4, 2015, 0830 to 1000 Hours, Leave Candlewood in the Motel Van for Tour of Post to include the old 97th Battalion area.
- May 4, 2015, 1000 to 1130 Hours, visit Museum.
- May 4, 2015, 1130 to 1230 Hours, Have lunch at food court on post.
- May 4, 2015, 1300 to 1500 Hours, More tour of Museums.
- May 4, 2015, 1500 to 1700 Hours, Return to Motel to get ready (Dressed) for Dinner.
- May 4, 2015, 1700 to 1800 Hours, Happy Hour, Pictures and socialize.
- May 4, 2015, 1800 to 2000 Hours, Posting of the American Flag, Invocation, POW/MIA Ceremony, Dinner and desert.
- May 4, 2015, 2000 to 2100 Hours, Guest Speaker, Dedication of 97th Engineer Battalion (Construction) Plaque and Drawing
Please bring your cameras and take lots of pictures. Don Ricks said he will put them on the web site for us.
If there are any concerns or changes to be made, let me know. The times are approximate (But Close).
Till then, Take care and God Bless. ‘No Task Too Great’
Sincerely,
BG Mike, ‘Can Do’”
UPDATE: 24 APRIL: **NOTICE**
It is a little fuzzy but readable. See you in Kansas!
For those that have not paid can pay at the reunion. Don’t mail to me now for I'm leaving day after tomorrow and won't be here to receive your money.
Thanks, take care and God Bless. ‘No Task Too Great’
Sincerely,
BG Mike
COLONEL WILLIAM 'BILL' R. DOWNEY II PRESENTED AN AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE MEDAL:
Congratulations, Colonel Downey, for being a deserving recipient of the Ambassador for Peace Medal, which is an expression of appreciation from the South Korean government to US service men and women who served in the Korean conflict:
As you know, Colonel William ‘Bill’ R. Downey II, USA, Retired, served during the Korean War and earned a Silver Star. I submitted the necessary paperwork on his behalf for the Ambassador for Peace Medal. The Korean Government issued the Award Proclamation and sent it to me. I was hoping to give it to him at the mini–reunion and plaque dedication scheduled for early next month at Fort Riley but, unfortunately, he will not be able to attend. Because he can not be with us on May 4th (he has other commitments), I mailed the medal and proclamation to him.
Sincerely,
Brigadier General Michael A. LePeilbet, USA, Retired
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, MAY 2015:
Two significant events occurred during the month of May that included members of the 97th Engineer Battalion. These are in order of occurrence:
Artillery Officer Candidate School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma:
The Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, certificate reads: “Brigadier General Michael A. LePeilbet, California Military Academy OCS 1977, having demonstrated the attributes of an outstanding soldier and leader and having distinguished himself among men, shall forever be remembered in the Artillery OCS Hall of Fame. Forthwith from the First Day of May, Two Thousand Fifteen.”
97th Engineer Battalion Plaque Dedication Reunion, 3–4 May 2015:
Several 97th EBC members and their guests gathered at Fort Riley, Kansas, on 3–4 May 2015 to dedicate a miniture version of the battalion’s original plaque that now hangs in the Regimental Room of the Engineer Museum at Fort Leonard E. Wood, Missouri. Through the efforts of BG Michael A. LePeilbet, J. Neil Jednoralski, Lloyd Mullins (wife, Jacqueline), Ray Scrimpsher (wife, Judy), Bill Schoonover, Vernon Orme, and a host of others at Fort Riley, that task was accomplished in a No Task Too Great manner!
Guest speaker for the banquet and dedication event was LTC Alexander “Xander” L. Bullock, Commander, 82nd Engineer Battalion (the dedication ceremony was conducted by LTC Bullock, assisted by Lloyd Mullins):
All work and no play was not in the plan as these men and their ladies got together:
Mostly behind the scenes are important members of a staff of Fort Riley area men and women who helped make the ceremony a success, and the 97th EBC extends our sincere “thank you” to these decimated people:
General LePeilbet presented Certificates of Appreciation at the close of the ceremony on 4 May, as follows:
- LTC Alexander Bullock (guest speaker)
- CPT Kevin Coulter, Chaplain (outstanding spiritual leadership)
- Neil Jednoralski (exceptional job performance as reunion coordinator)
- Fort Riley Conference Center (excellent catering of the reunion dinner)
- Manager, Candlewood Suites (host motel)
GILBERT HAROLD ROTENBERRY, DECEASED 25 JULY 2015, ABINGDON, VIRGINIA:
[A note from Harold’s friend, Joe Greear:]
I am saddened to send you this link. Our fellow soldier, Harold Rotenberry, passed away Saturday evening, July 25. He had been struggling with lung problems for the last few years. Could you please post this on the web site so that others will know about his passing.
Regards,
Joe Greear [Company A/D, 97th EBC]
Our prayers are with Harold Rotenberry’s family.
MASTER SERGEANT JOSEPH R. CLUBB, COMPANY A:
Photographs serve as excellent reminders and memory joggers, as long as there is someone alive to recall the subject (s). The passage of time is not a managable condition of life for us, and there is nothing we can do about it but record our thoughts and images for later generations. As one of the common complaints of those who research family lineage, there are fewer and fewer photographs as one progresses backward on the lineage chart. So special are those rare photo discoveries, and it is even better when we are able to put a face to a name.
Several months ago we received an email from Edwin R. (Dick) Clubb, the son of Master Sergeant Joseph R. Clubb. Dick’s father served at Vassincourt with Company A, 97th EBC is the early years and with 1LT Daniel Klinck. A ever alert and inquisitive BG Mike LePeilbet asked the right question to make a contact, and as a conclusion to that encounter this gentleman was directed in a round about way to the site and to Dan Klinck. Here is how we came to know the son of Joasph R. Clubb:
This conversation all started when I was at the California American Legion convention in Ontario, California, on June 28th. I was taking pictures for our Alabama American Legion Post and the District when a gentleman walked up behind me and inquired about the Officer’s Artillery brass (crossed cannons) on my Legion cap. We spoke briefly, he asked if I had ever been to a reunion at Fort Sill and I hadn’t. We exchange cards and I continued to concentrate on taking pictures (he probably thought I was rude but I was just preoccupied). Anyway when I got home I “Googled” him. Do you know a Michael A. LePeilbet? He was also in the 97th EBC. That is how I found Daniel N. Klinck and eventually you. My dad was with the 97th EBC from January 1956 until December 1957. Go figure,
Dick Clubb
There is more to the story than at first thought, for Dick Clubb noticed the business card sent from the webmaster and also acknowledged the “Catkiller” link, which in itself is not a strange point to ask about. No, the connection from this unusual web link eventually prompted Dick to reveal that he also served in a similarly famous Army Aviation unit in Vietnam. He not only served in the 219th Aviation Company and flew their little war bird referred to as a Birdogs, but he also served as the commanding officer. Here is the previously mentioned photo of Company A’s non–commissioned officers in 1956, followed by MGST Clubb’s retirement ceremony photo:
MAJ ROBERET A. ATKINS, SR., BATTALION COMMANDER, FEBRUARY 1955–20 NOVEMBER 1956:
My name is Sandy Wallace, daughter of Col. (Ret.) Robert A. Atkins, Sr., and I’m writing to add a little information noted on the 97th Engineer Battalion website regarding my Dad. Dad died on June 21, 2014, following a very short illness and was buried with full military honors with our Mom (who died just 16 days before Dad) in Section 51, Row 18, Grave 36 at Leavenworth National Cemetery, located in Leavenworth, Ks. (not at Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery, located in Ft. Leavenworth). I've attached a few photos that you're welcome to share if desired. One of Dad's prize possessions was his three-war veteran hat which he wore everywhere. Dad was retired from the Army on Jan. 31, 1971, then spent 10 years with the Kansas State Penitentiary, serving in numerous positions, including as Acting Director and Director of the penitentiary. In post-retirement years, Dad was also a very active volunteer with Boy Scouts in the Leavenworth area, his church and many local organizations. Dad had a life motto by which he lived his life: "The first third of your life is for learning, the second third for earning and the last third for returning." Our family was so blessed that our hero lived for 90 years.
Thanks for the work you do on the 97th Engineer website.
Sincerely,
Sandy Atkins Wallace
Sandy send several photographs of her father, which are posted below. She also sent two additional ones that are at Colonel Atkins’ obituary section. Thank you, Sandy, for sharing these memories with us. Anyone who has not read the obituary of this American hero should enjoy the history of this beloved man:
COMMANDER’S FAREWELL CARD GIVEN TO 1LT DANIEL N. KLINCK, 1957:
This postcard, which folds into three sections, was mailed home by 1LT Daniel N. Klinck on 22 April 1957. Daniel speculates that perhaps each officer received one as the general departed:
HARRY ON WOMEN IN THE MILITARY DECISION BY DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CHIEF: (5 December)
I’m sure you’d noticed that every 'solution' creates a new problem to be solved? I’ve seen it over and over again. Today's comes from the Defense Department deciding that every job in the military should be opened to females. Ooookay, now what? The new head scratcher is should girls be registered for the Draft. Now that they CAN serve anywhere, SHOULD they be treated the same as the boys when they turn 18? And if so should we draft them if a real war comes along?
I doubt that many vets are supporters of the whole thing. To us the all male world was sorta natural after a while. You wanted to talk to a woman you went over to the U.S.O. or visit the Red Cross in downtown Verdun to see one, or if truly desperate visit a G.I. bar. Some guys had wives and you could spot them easily, they were the cheerful, civilized ones.
And that’s away from combat. Imagine women with us building a treadway bridge under fire?
Nothing makes me feel older than this issue, women in the military. I recall the good old days (HA!!!) in our beloved 97th Engineers, and barracks life. As I recall it was rather primal, no artwork on the walls nor flowers in a vase in the Orderly Room. Besides having lots of guys walking around in their skivvies much of the time you were treated to our badly degraded language skills. Not only was the level of discourse, well, coarse, but it was heavily salted with the 'f' word and 'mf' was used a lot. For me upon return to CONUS and freedom it took a real effort to relearn how to talk in mixed company.
That’s it for now. I’m going to sit here and imagine how inserting a couple dozen women into the outfit would have affected my time in France. Would I have reenlisted??? Na!
Harry Puncec
