97th Engineer Battalion (Construction)
Reunion 2011 Report
Page Four
Saturday Evening, 97th Engineers Reunion Banquet:
Reception, Talking Up A Good Time:
Group Photo in the Hearth Room:
At the end of our reception hour, all hands gathered in front of the fireplace for a photo. Ladies first, but with our active duty soldiers:
Introduction and Invocation:
Don Ricks, 1961-63, opened the dinner with an invocation:
Memorial Service:
Terry Wilkes lead the gathering in a moment of silence and then explained the significance of the memorial table and its meaning as we honored our fallen brothers. It was a somber moment for all:
Let's Eat!
Before anyone entered the dining area, several photos record what the room looked like as we walked in to dinner. Natalia Farris provided beautiful centerpieces for each table, and a close-up shown how they were perfect in every way. Elli Wilkes/Hamlin shows off the whole theme for our tables, alternating red and white table decorations.
An added treat was the gift of a seemingly small item, but it shows the detail everyone was willing to consider when planning our reunion. Lloyd Mullins provided a bag of candy (M and M's) for each person. If you look closely at the candy, there is a 97th Engineers unit crest on certain candies, and the words, "97th Engr Bn" on others. Nice touch, Lloyd. Thank you.:
CSM Terrance W. Murphy, our guest speaker, attended to represent BG Bryan Watson, and he started the event for us, followed by SGM Anthony Agee:
Awards and Recongition:
Following dinner, Don Ricks took the opportunity to present awards and to recognize special people. First recognized with a letter of appreciation was Natalia Farris, an amazing capable woman in her abilities, which helped raise our reunion several bars higher than it would have been, otherwise. We all appreciate your time, sacrifice and contributions, Natalie. You and your husband, Jesse, were a blessing.
The gathering was pleased to recognition Lee Burdette, who provided the reunion banner and a personal gift hat (black) for each attendee. These hats were worn proudly each day.
2LT Will Massey, our excellent escort for two days, was not shy. Upon recognition, he promptly sang the Engineer School song, much to our unpreparedness to record the event. Will received an engineer challenge coin and was our guest at at the Farris home and at the evening's dinner:
The last presentation went to a young lady who demonstrated excellent discipline and stamina as she went everywhere with the adults, Elli Wilkes/Hamlin. Elli received a stuffed bear, signifying our affection for her, placed in our hearts by her natural sweetness, humor, and patience. Thank you, Elli, for being there to make our days fun. Unfortunately, there is no photo of the presentation.
Guests and Speakers:
Don Ricks introduced an outstanding soldier, who quickly made us feel comfortable and a part of the military community family, Command Sergeant Major Terrance W. Murphy, who represented BG Bryan Watson who was unable to attend. CSM Murphy presented a warm welcome to the post and told the attendees their efforts to visit the post were welcomed and helpful to the soldiers who train and work there. Following his remarks, he introduced SGM (P) Anthony Agee, from the Engineer Personnel Developmental Office, who "said a few words" to the group. Both of these guests, and two other high-ranking non-commissioned officers and their wives, added greatly to an enjoyable evening.
Open Microphone:
Terry Wilkes took off his tie, put on his engineer hat, and became the master of ceremonies. After speaking, he offered the microphone to anyone who wanted to speak. Several men stood and related memories or told funny stories of their times in France. We all enjoyed this special time.
A Surprise For The Men:
One of the last remarkable events occurred when Jesse and Natalia Farris asked for time to present a gift to the men of the 97th Engineers. Jesse brought a large carton to the front, and he and Natalia commenced to give each veteran a specially labeled bottle of red wine. The gift is amazing, and definitely a keeper, as the bottle's main label is exactly like our reunion poster located at the web site. Below is a photograph containing the wine bottle and its labels, with one of the two labels listing each man present (Melvin and Gladys Santiago were not able to attend). From each of us, Jesse and Natalia, thank you. We will cherish this bottle of wine:
Conclusion and Departure:
After the reunion dinner, everyone returned to the motel safely, and the next morning we exchanged photographs and said out goodbyes. While we went in different directions, our group had become close. Many suggested a follow-up reunion in the near future, say two years hince? Think about it. As your reunion coordinator, it has been my pleasure to facilitate so many coming together again.
I would like to share with you a representative sentiment from two of our members, who have since returned to their home (I have received several and appreciate all your kind comments). This is the way we all feel, I am certain. I thank God for your safe travels to and from this event. Don Ricks:
"Hi Don: Just thought you should know that Pat and I really enjoyed the reunion beyond our beliefs. As you know, we had talked ourselves out of going, only to hook up with Ernie and Mary at almost the last minute. Our wives were good friends when we all lived off post. So this was a great reunion with old friends, and we made a whole bunch of new ones. Everyone greeted each other like long lost relatives. I remembered many of the guys when I started talking to them, and a lot of memories were restored when we sat around and talked about some of the people who did not attend and missed the greatest event of the year. THANKS to you and all of those who helped you along the way. We are looking forward to having another reunion in the future. I still have a hard time believing all that the Army did to make this such a good learning experience for all of the family members who had a chance to see some of the way that we started out at Fort leonard Wood. Take care, Ed and Pat Patoka."
ESSAYONS!
Comments:
I hate looking at the reunion pictures, I know damn good and well I really wanted to be there. At first I thought I was going to have a knee replacement, but just 3 weeks ago found out I had Lung Cancer. So back and forth to VA trying to track it down and find out how they were going to treat it. Never been through so many scans in my life. Every time I pass a nurse my veins hide, scared they are going to get poked again.
Anyway guys, I am glad you all had a good time, I forgot to warn you about Moon Mullins, was a great guy in the Army and sounds like he hasn't changed. I do look forward to the next one.
Regards, David (Peep Sight) Samaha
Don, I can't thank you enough for all the time and effort You put into our reunion. The entire meeting was a total success. I am blessed to have been able to spend time with the members of the 97th. I made and renewed friendships that endured over the past 50 years. [Philip Strother]
Don,
I wanted to personally thank you for inviting the women to join in the reunion. It was very rewarding to me to see the men Philip had talked about through the years and to see the activities at Fort LeonardWood was Wonderful. I felt as though I was sharing in time missed with Philip in France, and it meant very much to me. Thanks again for inviting the WOMEN.
Marilyn Strother [It was our pleasure to have the ladies make this reunion so nice! Thanks, Marilyn, for this opportunity to state this fact. Don]
Hello Don
Carole and I did arrive home safely,we did run into some really scary weather, rain,wind and hail. Had to pull off in a little town and hid under the canopy of a service station for about 20 minutes.
I want to thank you Don for a wonderful event. Although I was never a direct part of the group in the 60’s I still felt that I was an integral part of their units. Carole and I had a great time and want to thank you again for a very well organized and carefully thought out event. I thought the military took excellent care to all of our needs and then some. I should hate to see that you have to use your own funds to pull this thing off and I would be willing to add something to the kitty if need be. Also my thanks go to all of your committee and anyone that had a hand in making this a great event , and that includes Donna whom I am sure was very busy with it all. With all that being said "ESSAYONS" GO 97TH.
Ron Ropel
97th Engineers
1956,57
and Carole
Don, Thanks so much for the wonderful reunion! You did an amazing job of organizing and coordinating this experience for us. I know it took hours of you time and energy. It was so good to see all of you after so many years...a time to cherish and remember for the rest of our lives. Thanks is a very small word for how much I enjoyed our time together and for how much I appreciate all your efforts.
It was so nice of Jesse and Natalie Farris to provide the cookout for us. How very thoughtful! The food was delicious and the fellowship was even better. I am sending them a thank you note also.
My trip home was relatively uneventful except for some very severe thunderstorms and wind storms coming thru Bowling Green, Kentucky. All traffic had to stop for a while. When we were able to proceed, we all had to dodge all sorts of debris on the road including downed trees and tree limbs. I hope everyone else made it home safely.
Again, thanks so much for a lovely weekend to remember.
Sincerely,
Joe Greear
Don, Thanks for EVERYTHING!! Harold and I greatly enjoyed our days together with the other attendees. We have not had a chance to survey the added pages, as we only got home Wednesday evening and have been very busy with catch-up chores. Can't wait to view the posting.
Thanks again to you and Donna.
Harold and Donna Rotenberry
Hi Don & Donna, First I would like to say we arrived home safely being chased by massive storms that followed us all the way home. We would like to thank both of you for the hospitality that you showed us at the reunion. We cant say how long its been that we have been treated with such respect & friendship. We would come back tomorrow to do it again. We really enjoyed all the fellow friends that we haven't seen in almost 50 years. I feel like we now have people that we will be able to communicate with for many years to come. All this would not have been possible without the time & effort that you put in this reunion. Thanks again.
I would also like to say that we stopped at Frankie Jones & his wife Pat on the way home and enjoyed a reunion with them. Many Thanks. Mel & Gloria Ripley
Don, I echo David's comments. I too wish I could have attended the reunion but I had to have back surgery as my left leg quick working. I am recovering and doing well.
Don, you did a great job putting on the reunion. I know it took lots of hard work and time. I sure hope we can meet again for a reunion.
I have fond memories of Ft Leonard Wood - took basic training then brick mason training before going to Co A, 97th Engrs. Returned to Ft Leonard Wood (1961-1963) with the 554th Engr Bn as Company Clerk; left the Army and joined again after one month and was assigned to the 82th Engr Bn as Personnel Specl, then to Co N, 4 th Trng Regt as Admin Supv teaching clerk typist. Returned to Ft Leonard Wood in 1968 - 1970) as a CPT first as Chief, Mail Br then Assist Secretary to the General Staff, then as Secretary to the General Staff and finally as Chief, Officers Br. Had a lot of good times at Ft Leonard Wood (except for the weather.)
We will be praying for David's quick recovery.
Again, thanks for all you have done with keeping the memories of the 97th Engr Bn alive!
Also, if you need any financial support for the reunion please let me know.
Go Army!
Larry L. Castleman
Hi Don, if pictures and the article are any indication, the reunion was a huge success, and to no small measure to you and your organizing committee. I can't imagine what it must have felt like - stepping on the same ground y'all [and me] did 50 years earlier [52 for me].
What a bunch of good looking people—what a display of cheer and goodwill—you guys did a hell of a job—it made me misty-eyed.
But times have changed, we all have changed, the Army has changed. Some times, perhaps on an idle Tuesday afternoon I reflect, I reminisce, that I wish I was born 50 years later and be in this man's Army now. Looking at ourselves now - and then at our Vassincourt pictures - we looked like 'antiques'. But never-the-less, we did our part. Just the other day I fondly remembered the days I ran the Supply Point (the hangar) just outside our compound by the Polish Labor Service dog kennels, under Sgt. Tillman's supervision. The area next to the hangar still had WWII metal interlocking landing strip grids left over from times earlier. Heck, one day I rode with him in his car, and he blew a tire. He drove a Dodge with push-button transmission (on the dashboard) - do you remember those? Had the tire changed for him in no-time-flat - and an "in" with him thereafter.
I'm rambling --- all I can say now: I missed a good one --- Go Army. Best wishes to you all in these trying times: God bless America, Harold Eickmeier
P.s. I was shocked looking at the pictures --- I thought I was the only one with gray/white hair.
Pps: I also had one of those "Vassincourt" jackets.
Don, After being chased around Missouri and Illinois by tornados, Karen and I are safely back in California where all we have to worry about are earthquakes. First of all let me say what a joyful time we had reconnecting with all the fellows and meeting their wives, secondly I think it was a joyful time because of your efforts. So Karen and I thank you so much. I can only hope we can do it again in the future. To all the members of the 97th stay safe and I hope to see you real soon.
Ron and Karen Stilley
Don: It sound like every one had a wonderful time and great memories, You did a great job of making this happen for such wonderful people, and I want to thank you for giving me the honor of meeting such nice folks. I, too, will never forget all the stories I heard - what it was like in the army many years ago. Thank you again for giving me this opportunity.
Donna Ann
Don, What a great time we all had and what a great job You, Donna and the committee did in planning, coordinating and the like to bring all this together. Each and everyone of us really appreciate all the hard work that you all put in to this.
I will forever be thankful that Jackie and I had the privilege of attending the event with such a great group of people. It was beyond anything I could have dreamed, but I should have known it would be a wonderful experience, after all they are Engineers and friends of the Engineers of the 97th.
I am looking forward to the next one which I hope is soon ( I agree with Melvin Ripley—I am ready to go to the next one now). This rates as one of my favorite events.
Jackie and I want to thank each and every one of the guys and their wives for such wonderful friendship. We also wish to thank the ARMY for the excellent way they took care of us. We hope to see everyone again soon... Lloyd and Jacqueline Mullins, Lexington,KY.
P.S. Don, you did an outstanding job, and I am really happy to finally meet you after seeing and admiring your site for so long. I have shown it to many of my friends and they all say it is the most outstanding site they have seen......take care ..Lloyd and Jackie Mullins,,, give Donna a big kiss for us.
Via letter, dated May 26, 2011:
Don, I want to thank you so much for all the work you did putting our reunion together, and a special thanks goes to Donna, too. She is a sweet lady. Everything went like clockwork. I don't think you missed a beat. I had a great time as well, as I know everybody else did too. Want to thank the Army for giving us the VIP treatment. Enjoyed our escort, Lt Massey. He was a lot of fun to be around. The pep—talk from BG watson make me proud to have been a member of the Army Engineers. My only wish would be to again be young, so I could join up. I have to agree with you about Natalia and Jesee [Farris] being "First Class People." I can't believe all they did for us.
Again, thanks for everything,
Lee Burdette
Hello, Don: Ella and I got back Friday evening, spent a lot of time in some terrific storms both while driving and while in hotels. Spent the weekend doing Memorial Day events, including watching all nine chapters of "Band of Brothers".
Don, we want to thank you and Donna and your committee for the truly extraordinary reunion you guys put together. It's quite difficult to say which was best—the way Ft. Leonard Wood personnel delivered terrific events and a whole-hearted welcome; the friendly and decent people of the 97th who attended the reunion; or the hospitality of Jesse and Natalia, their friends and the Mullens. We decided it's too difficult to differentiate the best parts of a super, cumulatively successful happening. Chapeau to all of you! We talked about it all the way home and have been singing its praises to friends and family since we returned.
One inspired aspect that stands out was your inviting the wives. Ella had a great time and enjoyed every single, exciting minute. She believes all the women truly enjoyed themselves and got a sense/taste of Army camaraderie.
We met a lot of nice people, and you are fortunate to have so many good friends. And this is just one of the many units you served with. Lucky guy. Please take a breather and put your feet up for a moment. Well earned, soldier.
Best regards, Lawrence and Ella Ervin
Editor's Note: Thanks for all the comments from those above. What a great cap you have placed on the event by those very comments (no pun intended, Lee). The men in the photo strip below say it in a graphic way, wearing proudly the hats given to us by a kind-hearted engineer named Lee Burdette. Their individual calmness and relaxed pose represent and reflect the success of our small but yet large-hearted gathering. Thanks to all for being there and for sharing yourself in such a meaningful way. May God bless you, and especially David as he faces a serious matter.
Harold, and all the others who wanted to be there, we missed you, too, and look forward to your presence the next time. That goes for all those who find these remarks and want to have a great time with a group of good old engineers and their ladies (children, grandchildren, etc.).
Don Ricks
