BITS ‘N PIECES

NOV 2001

MAJ Max M. WHITTLESEY, Sr. passed away after two years of failing health on October 19, 2001.  He retired from the U.S. Army Finance Corps in February 1963. He proudly served his country for twenty years.

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DEC 2001

The status of dues payments has been added to the web roster. Please take a look at your record and let me know if there is any error or omission. If you have a problem getting access to the web roster, just holler for help.

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Oscar NIPPER, Garry FOSTER & Stew RIDGEWAY have new e-mail addresses that are posted to the web roster.

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CWO Roy E. MORIN writes that he enjoyed membership with RAFINO. "Please remove this old guy from the rolls. There are not too many in my age group left and the younger members and I do not have too much in common." (Editor: I am advised by our data master Bob Flewelling that we currently have 86 members who are 84 or older.)

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Al DURNING was told by a USSA representative that members are re-instating their USAA Medigap policies because doctors won’t accept Tricare for Life. Al has the following information for anyone who may be having problems. "I think there is a misconception on the part of these doctors. Prior to my turning 65 I was on Medicare disability and had Tricare as my supplement. I ran into a Physical Therapist that would not accept Tricare as a secondary payer, so I was out of pocket for the amount owed. The reason was that if they had applied for Tricare approval for me they would have had to accept all the Tricare people from the War College. They were not willing to do this since Tricare authorizes extremely low payments for physical therapy."

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Retirement is a rough life as witnessed by the following report from Bob CAETANO:

"While waiting for our massage appointment in Cancun in late November 2001, I was proudly wearing my Reunion 2000 T shirt. We started talking to this lady sitting next to us. It turned out that she was the daughter of SGM REYNOLDS who was a long time Finance NCO. She and her 2 brothers were born at Fort Lewis, WA. She said that her father had passed away a couple of years ago and is buried in Annapolis. I don’t think I ever ran across SGM REYNOLDS, but someone out there might remember him. He was stationed at Fort Meade in the 60’s and later on at Fort Huachuca. Unfortunately we were called for our appointments and I didn’t see her again."

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SGM Jim TOURGEE has advised that an article on the inside page (page 2) of the 17 DEC 01 Army Times is about the widow and daughter of SGM Robert RUSSELL (a finance family member who died at the Pentagon). It seems that a California couple saw the widow and daughter on TV and made some type of financial arrangement so that Bob’s family could keep the house that they were in the process of renovating in Maryland.

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Betty PERRY, widow of Art PERRY, died 18 December 2001 at the ARC.

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Donna KEYES provided information that she just had a call from Maggie SHROYER last evening (18 Dec 01) and she has given me permission to give you the info about Jim SHROYER. Jim had moved from rehab at Chula Vista retirement into their apartment, and the last of September he fell and broke his hip. Had surgery at Beaumont and went back into nursing/rehab care at Chula Vista. However, he seems depressed and does not want to eat nor drink fluids. I asked Maggie if I could keep in touch with her and she said, yes. The reason for this question is that way back we were very close. In fact, the 5 years I lived in Maryland, they spent one weekend of every month at my house, and then when we moved here, who knows why, drifted away and no communication. Maybe she needs a long time/caring friend again?

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The following e-mail message was received from Stan and Monica GILLESPIE in Hq. USAREUR.

I plan to retire from Civil Service in 2002, sometime after my eligible date of 27 Aug 02, and return to San Antonio, Texas. We’ll see. We are both enjoying good health and wish you the same. Have a wonderful holiday and stay in touch.

Email: stan.gillaspie@hq.hqusareur.army.mil or sgillaspie@yahoo.com

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Verne HANSON and Hugh RAMEY have an e-mail address that is entered in the web roster.

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LTC James R. LITTLETON is a new member.  His file is open in the web roster.

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JAN 2002

Due to a mix up MAJ. John R. WALKER was omitted from the RAFINO Report #27 roster. He has now been added to the web roster. (Editor: Sorry John.)

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Roster change; please change LTC R. G. FRIEDMAN, to Sam FRIEDMAN.

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When she received the RAFINO Report #27, Mrs. Ellen STEWART called to advise that her husband LTC Kenneth M. STEWART died 27 September 2001.

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FEB 2002

We will not be able to be at the Reunion in Indy as we plan on being in Berlin for the Berlin Veterans Reunion and a side trip to Prague. Sure do hate to miss the good times in Indy. Carlton DAVIS

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Guilford & Vera GRIFFIN have joined us on the great Internet super highway.

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If you know SGM Felix BOUDRIA, you might drop him a line. His wife, Mary, is dying in a hospital near their home in Louisiana. She is not expected to recover. His e-mail address is: fboudria594@cs.com.

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Bob RADOMSKI reported bad news. We received a card from Genevieve’s niece that Ms. Genevieve M. LACKAS, widow of the late COL John LACKAS passed away in February 2001. Genevieve and Mary Lou pinned my gold bars on back in October 1951 at the Finance School. That was 50 years ago.

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Dan NEWMAN sent in a physical update. "I visited with an Oncologist today, 15 Jan. Bad news is that I’ll have a spigot put in a vein and receive chemo treatments once per week for 24 weeks. Good news is that it isn’t a very nasty chemo that they’ll be using. He doesn’t think my hair will fall out or that I’ll have nausea."

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Bob RADOMSKI had his operation on the 15th of Jan. All went well. The pain in his right side seems to be gone but he is still taking pain pills. He plans to get ideas about the next cruise at the 2002 Indianapolis reunion. People were talking about a Hawaiian cruise in late August or early September 2003.

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Carl ROTZ sent us his cruise schedule for 2002 and 2003 with the additional report on his health. He said: "Keep the RAFINO Internet page going - it is worthwhile to us. I was supposed to have an operation last Thursday to clean out a herniated disk in my back which has been causing weakness in my left leg and could lead to "dropped foot." They hooked me up, but could not get the breathing tube down my throat - cancelled the operation until next Thursday 7 Feb when my throat should be healed and they will try a different breathing tube insertion process. They do all this on an out-patient basis, but keep me in the hospital overnight. Other than that, Martha and I are both doing fine." (Editor: Carl, our prayers will be with you on the 7th.)

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Be sure you wear the proper SPF (sun screen) on your tour. I had five chunks lopped off my body for autopsy/biopsy or whatever, all due to my many years on the bay, grease-free. (Editor: This warning came from John STOSE when he heard about our trip to Argentina.)

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Ray ALLRED responded to the e-mail test as follows. "Will no doubt see you in Las Vegas. Wife, Lenore, gives me a hard time each time she reads about the reunions that I have failed to take her to. Life has been good to us and all is well." (Editor: Ray, we will miss you at the 2002 reunion in Indianapolis. You realize of course that Lenore is correct in giving you a hard time. Maybe we need to send her a bigger bat.)

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Anne and I are anxiously awaiting departure in our Born Free motor home for a few weeks. At the moment I am recovering from an epidural to the spine. The old back is in bad shape—six vertebras. The latest episode began Dec 22. I sat too hard twice years ago. Now I pay, ouch. Take care, Bill BERNHARDT

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Donna Marie CALLINAN, 75 of Ponte Vedra Beach died 21 November 2000. She was born February 27, 1925 in Fargo, North Dakota, where she was a champion ice skater. She was a 1946 graduate of North Dakota State University. She was married for 52 years to the late COL Patrick M. CALLINAN, a career Army officer. The Callinans lived in Indianapolis, Indiana for 30 years before moving to Ponte Vedra. During those years, she was deeply involved in youth education, first as a kindergarten teacher and then as a director of Catholic Education.

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COL W. F. ASHENFELDER now has a new address in "a very pleasant retirement community" in Peoria, Arizona. His note said that he and Thirza had been married over 69 years when she died on 3 October 2001.

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LTC Dan NEWMAN sent in this report:

Guess it’s time to advise everyone of a little bump in the road for the kid. I hope to be discharged from the hospital today. (Jan 2002) I had a section of cancerous large intestine removed. Good news is that there’s every reason to believe that the issue can be controlled with chemo treatment. This entire situation is rather strange, as I’m much too healthy for something like this to happen! A word of advice for any of you folks over 50: If you haven’t had a colonoscopy, get one immediately."

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Ms. Marion C. FORD, widow of LTC Clarence died 2 JUL 2001. This information was sent by LTC Edward A. FORD based on information from her daughter Jeannine.

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The TRICARE Pharmacy page has been updated to include information on how users can obtain the drugs which require preauthorization from TRICARE. Beneficiaries who need to know if a drug they need requires preauthorization can now find that information in one online location. That web site is:

http://www.pec.ha.osd.mil/PA_Criteria_and_Requests.htm.

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SGM Merle DAYE called in to get some addresses and provided the following good news. His doctor has put him on visits every six months and he is doing great.

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COL Warren MURRAY and LTC Imre VOLGYI have new e-mail addresses on the web roster.

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COL Sam HOUSTON has renewed his membership in RAFINO and is now on the web roster. (Editor: Welcome back, Sam. We missed you and hope to see you at the Reunion 2002.)

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MAR 2002

Glenna WOOD, a long time Finance widow (Joe died in 1982) will turn 90 on 20 Mar 2002 and just had quadruple by-passes. Doing very well. As I was taking her to Emergency on 29 January she had a heart attack. I have made arrangements for her and hopefully she will go into assisted care 25 Feb 02. (Editor: This information was provided by Georgia Miller & Donna Preuss Keyes.)

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Mr. James J. NITCHMAN died 24 Feb 02. Jim NITCHMAN, Jr. provided the following information. I found him the morning of the 24th (Sunday). It was a heart attack. I think it was more of a broken heart than a heart attack. He was never the same after Mom died. A memorial service in Indianapolis will be at St. Luke Catholic Church Saturday March 2nd.

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When she received the RAFINO Report, Phyllis KROMER advised us that LTC Elvin F. KROMER died 6 Jul 2001.

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MSG Joseph F. CHABICA JR. died in Bradenton, FL 15 March 2002 of lung and liver cancer. Joe would have been 80 years old this June.

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COL John CLANCY died 19 MAR 2002 at age 86. He had been the business manager for Indianapolis Archdiocesan Schools. Previously, he was deputy commander of the U.S. Army Finance Center at Fort Benjamin Harrison, retiring as a Colonel in 1971. Burial will be at 1 pm, 8 April, at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Hank NEILL and Judy just returned from a ten day trip to Hawaii (somebody has to do it...) to attend the Independent Community Bankers of America convention followed by a few days leave on the big island of Hawaii. What a wonderful place that is! Hope to see you at the reunion in Indy this summer.

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Forrest G. MCKEON writes:

"Sorry to be late, but its better to give you a definite answer than none at all. I’m 89 this year. I hope you have a successful reunion. It’s not that I feel incapable of the travel and the meeting, but I have a conflict coming up. I plan to go kayaking on the Columbia River with a grandson whom I have not been able to see very much. He’s 14 and is larger than me. So before we both get much older, I want to do something he likes - and together."

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Ruff WARREN writes:

"We spend most our time in KY near Ft. Knox with winters in Naples FL where we are now. Spend some time here with Al & Nancy LABARBERA. I retired in 1980 at the ripe old age of 44. Put together my own outfit in 83 which is still going strong. I attended the first RAFINO reunion plus one other but have missed the last few. We plan to attend 2002 reunion this year. Hope to see you there. Keep up the good work." (Editor: Ruff now also has an e-mail address.)

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Frank EDE just got over a viral flu, and did really well. He got over it in a week. His doctor has changed his treatment starting this week. The doctor said he was taking him off the chemo because his blood counts are too low. Frank and Carol are doing some traveling and Dan South thinks that they may make it to the reunion.

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APR 2002

The following was sent by Kathy Miller: "This is to let you know my dad LTC (R) Emery H. DRAEGER passed away in June of 1999. I apologize for not informing the society sooner. Please accept the check for past dues, mailings, etc. [$30] He was very meticulous, & conscientious about such matters, & would have been upset by my tardiness!!  (I guess that’s why he was good at finance. He once said being accountable & seeing that troops got paid was important to him.) Have a great reunion in 2002."

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LTC. (Ret) William L. CLARKIN, formerly of Severna Park, MD, died on March 12, 2002 in Duluth, GA. Beloved husband of Phyllis M. Clarkin; father of Christopher J. Clarkin; grandfather of Elizabeth S. Morrill and Ashley M. Clarkin. Interment Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium at a later date.

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Sid JOHNS sent in the following e-mail: Having spent a few weeks in the hospital at the end of the year followed by several weeks of follow-up home nursing care, today, for the first time in several months, I accessed the RAFINO web site. Having been interviewed by a Social Security representative yesterday and told about Medicare, Parts A and B, I still had some questions about the interface between Medicare and TFL. The Social Security worker’s pat answer was, "I don’t know anything about the TRICARE system or benefits." I read with much enthusiasm your information on this subject. The article also explained why I received 20 checks in the mail from TRICARE reimbursing me for many of my co-payments made in FY 2001. When I heard about the reduction in the catastrophic cap, I thought it was effective starting with this FY. In your articles it mentioned that it was effective retroactive to 1 October 2000. I reached the cap near the end of FY 2001; so will probably be bombarded with a mountain of reimbursement checks over the next several weeks, since for each check a new explanation of benefits is printed and sent. The reimbursement system seems to be working!

Also, I received an interesting e-mail from an acquaintance. It talked about an appeals court ruling concerning veterans who served in Vietnam during the period from 1962 through 1970. It said that anyone who served there during that time period may be eligible for medical payments from the government due to the possible exposure to agent orange. I had thought that the problems with health many veterans were experiencing was limited to those who were "out in the boonies" with the combat troops. However, it appears I was not informed correctly. "I had my Agent Orange Screening exam, and they said I was free, but I was put on the ‘Agent Orange Registry.’ I was told that if I come down with prostate cancer or diabetes, the government will assume it was due to agent orange, whether or not it was." Do you have any additional information on this?I came down with diabetes in the early 1980’s and was the first known case in my family. The message I received says that about 1600 veterans in the target group have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and several thousands with diabetes. (Editor: Sid, there is some information on the web in RAFINO Report, Current issue, Bits N Pieces, 4 June item.)

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CWO3 Robert K. BRANCH Sr. sent the following e-mail:

I will be turning 80 the 23rd of April 2002 and am in fairly good health. I currently have Diabetes Type 2 but still get around and still drive—but no long distances.  My second wife (Alison) passed away on 15 September 1999 and living alone is for the birds. I am fortunate to have a daughter and son living close by and a daughter in Las Vegas who visits regularly. I am not sure if my dues are paid up for 2002...I do wish to remain a member and would appreciate knowing if I am delinquent.  Would appreciate hearing by E-Mail of any of my friends who remember me during my Finance years. (Editor: Because this is a recurring story I am including my answer to Robert here. I told him how to access the roster then told him that he would find from the roster that he did in fact owe $10 for 2002 dues.)

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On a beautiful Monday, 8 April, Colonel John CLANCY, was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with the always impressive full military honors. In addition to family who traveled from various locations for the occasion, there was a fine representation of RAFINO folks as best I could identify as follows: MG Bob Gordon, MG and Mrs. Paul Burns, MG and Mrs. Dick Fazakerley, COL Hank Neill, COL Russ Chapin, COL Charles Schudt, COL Fred Schrader, LTC and Mrs. George Seamans, plus Sjelja and yours truly.

I should admit that there could well have been others of the FC family whose faces I may have missed. Best wishes, Chick

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LTC Rod HEWLETT has asked for our assistance to locate unit patches and crests. "I am retiring from the US Army National Guard in June after 27 years of combined federal and guard service. During my enlisted regular army days, I was assigned to 21st Finance Section at Cp. Humphreys, Korea (76-77) and 12th Finance Section at Fort Knox, KY (78-80). I am attempting to put together a memory board of my career and LTC (P) Kacsor (Finance Command) suggested I contact you to see how I may obtain a unit patch and crest for the units listed above. Any help you may be able to provide will be appreciated." (Editor: Send any information that you have to Rod at RHewlett@dbq.edu.)

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Ken JEFFREY sent thanks to Dave all the way from Australia for the helpful info. "This is to confirm my email address and to say Hi! to Claud and yourself. We have wonderful memories of Indianapolis. The friends we met there were really special people. We both (Ken and Gloria) would love to come to the reunion but it is a long journey and we have obligations at that time that we can't avoid. Some things one remembers well. I’ll never forget the chiggers I picked up fishing at Fort Ben. Our daughter Fiona is due to present us with our first grandchild on 4 July! This would make it a date to remember!?! We will fix up the finances next month when our son Andrew visits the States." (Editor: The new e-mail address for Ken will be on the roster shortly.)

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LTG John KJELLSTROM asks for a hold on e-mails and explains why as follows. "Catscans, biopsy and examination have dictated that I be operated on at Wuesthoff on Friday, April 19 for squamous cell carcinoma in neck gland area. It is the same type that was cause for ear surgery earlier. Kay will come down for a few days to be available. The Dr. advises that I will probably have 5 days of radia-tion therapy for 6 weeks following the surgery. Will advise you all when I am back on the net and feel up to it. Pray for us all please. Kell" (Editor: I am sure that the hold does not cover cards, good wishes & prayers.)

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LTC William W. COFFEY died 13 April 2002. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery on 2 May 2002

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Martha ARNDT died 27 April 2002. Visitations are planned for 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM Wed, 1 May at the Dmain Funeral Home at 5308 Backlick Rd. The funeral is planned for 10 AM Thurs, 2 May at the Church. Internment will be in Arlington Cemetery at a later date.

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Bruce Hall forwarded information that he received a call from Terry ARNDT—Martha is in Fairfax Hospital on life support and the doctors are not optimistic that she will be able to last through the night. We are asking that everyone keep Martha and Terry in their prayers. Terry and Martha were on a trip to Ashville, NC to celebrate their wedding anniversary. While there, Martha began to not feel well—thinking a touch of the flu or maybe some food poisoning. They decided to go home early and by the time they arrived at home Martha was hardly able to get out of the car because she was so weak. Terry decided to take her to the hospital, but Martha collapsed before he could get her out the front door so he called 911. They advised him to give her CPR because her blood pressure and pulse were abnormally low. The doctors worked on Martha for over two hours trying to raise her blood pressure before they were successful. They think she has some type of infection (unkown/unspecified) in her body. Terry thinks it is unrelated to the rare blood disease that Martha has been struggling with for a number of years but they are not sure. Tests have revealed some swelling of the brain and they suspect there may be some brain damage.

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TROA sent this information out in an e-mail broadcast. This is only part of the longer message. TROA NAME CHANGE UPDATE: We’ve created a new section on our Web site to help you fully understand the reasons behind the name change – and why it’s so important for you to vote "Yes." We urge you to go to the Web site to learn more about the name change and what it means to you.

http://www.troa.org/namechange.

As you have probably read by now, after almost two years of study, TROA’s Board of Directors has unanimously endorsed a proposal to change our association’s name to Military Officers Association of America. We strongly believe this change is necessary. Changing our name won’t change our mission.  In fact, the new name more accurately reflects our current mission: to serve all officers; active duty, second career, and retired, throughout their lives. And by removing the word "retired" from our name, we know we will be able to increase our recruitment and retention of active duty and second career officers. The result will be to secure our future as a strong, effective association in the years ahead.

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Mary Lou and Bob RADOMSKI leave for Tahiti on Friday, 26 April. They will be on a cruise ship on their 50th anniversary the 3rd of May. They were married at the WWII Chapel at Fort Ben, and will return on 8 May. On 13 May Bob will have his right hip replaced. The left one goes in Oct 02 or Jan 2003. They will be ready for the Reunion in Indianapolis.

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MAY 2002

What happened to John KJELLSTROM:

4 1/2 hr surgery on 4/19 Details: right superficial parotidectomy, right Type III neck dissection and direct laryngoscopy and some impact on salivary gland by Dr. Thomas Holt with assistance by partner. Wuesthoff Hospital care was outstanding. Pathology report quite favorable with 3 of 41 lymph nodes with squamous cell carcinoma. Saw Dr. Holt on Monday, April 29th and he took zillions of sutures and metal clips off right side of head, neck and upper body. Dr. Holt is pleased. Am being referred to radiologist for possible therapy. Dr. Holt says it is better to have radiation now than find out 8 months ago that galloping monsters are at it again. We all agree with Holt and will see a radiologist soon and they will probably do something after head, neck and throat are healed. I feel good and am only using pain pills at night to help me sleep. Have been to Club for dinners or lunches on Wed, Sat and Sun and will go to cocktail party tonight but only drink nonalcoholic beverages. Can ride bicycle, drive car, swim lightly, putt and chip balls, but no swings. With only 3 of 43 malignant, the suggestion is that we caught it soon but must remember that those 3 were the same that were found in my ear 8-10 months ago. Feel relieved by all this but concerned about impact of radiation—time will tell. Kay was here for 6 days last week and Dorothy has been a great help with TLC!!! KELL

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Teddye MOONEY, wife of George MOONEY, died 4 March 2002. George also has a new E-mail address.

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Mary BOUDRIA, wife of SGM (Ret) Felix BOUDRIA died 8 May 2002. Their mailing address is: SGM (Ret) Felix R. Boudria and Family, 4005 Lark Street, Bossier City, LA 71112-4019. Her daughter Kelly furnished the following information: "Just wanted to let you all know that Mom passed away in her sleep during the early morning hours of May 8. We are all at peace now knowing that she is with God and is not scared or in pain anymore. Her wishes were that she be given to medical science for research so that young doctors and nurses can continue to learn to help the sick." Kelly

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Major Jack INGLES was assigned to the 9th FDS in Pusan, Korea during the last part of July until he was evacuated with Polio in the middle of August. He would like information about who was in the 9th FDS at that time. If you can help Jack, please e-mail him at Bootskasey@cs.com.

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Elouise BLOMGREN of Athens, GA, died Monday, May 20, 2002. Born in Geneva, AL on October 13, 1917 to the late Mohler and Octavia Breckenridge, she moved at an early age to Louisville, KY. She was a graduate of the Louisville Kentucky High School for Girls and the University of Louisville, where she was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. She also attended the Erskin School of Drama in Boston, MA. She was recently honored by the Secretary of the Army with the Nathan Towson Medallion for her distinguished service as the First Lady of the United States Army Finance School between the years of 1967 and 1971, when her husband was Commandant of the United States Army Finance School, Ft. Harrison, IN. The Blomgrens retired to Athens, GA in 1991, where Mrs. Blomgren was an active member of the Ladies Bridge Club at Jennings Mill Country Club. Colonel and Mrs. Blomgren would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in November.

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Donna Keyes sends word that Wilbert A. (Doc) TIEMAN had a massive stroke 20 May. He is in SICU at a Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. Donna will keep us informed.

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Reunion 2002 invoices have been mailed to those who have indicated an intent to attend the reunion. If you do not receive an invoice in the next few days drop an e-mail to Bob Flewelling. Bob is linked to e-mail on the home page of this web site – just click on his name in the Officers & Staff listing.

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Mo Denny reports that Jerry WINNINGHAM has liver & pancreatic cancer and has been placed on Hospice care (terminally ill). His home address is P.O. Box 224; Markleville, IN 46056. He loves to receive mail and would welcome cards from all who knew and worked with him.

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An update on Doc TIEMAN. As of late Sunday, 26 May he has been moved into a private room. The prognosis looks good, but long down the line. No real paralysis, but a weakness in his left hand. He is quite coherent, according to Marcia. Has been in terrible head pain, but it is easing up. Bleeding in the head has stopped and they think the body has absorbed the blood, thus no surgery required at this time. Talking about moving him into rehab next week.

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Col Charles WALKER will give up the position of Commandant and Chief of the Corps on 10 July 2002. His replacement will be COL. Robert SPEER. Charlie will be assigned to the United States Army Personnel Command in Alexandria, VA where he will be a member of the Special Review Board. Col Walker plans to retire after 30 years of service on 1 June 2003. He and his wife Joyce plan to make their home in Northern Virginia. Funds have been set aside for the Commandant to make the trip to INDY for a portion of the Reunion and make a presentation/update as always.

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JUN 2002

Charles SWEITZER, 347 Walnut Street, Columbia, PA 17512 is searching for former members or Unit History of 10th FDS. Searching for all Info. Please E-Mail him at CSDS347@aol.com. He is putting together a unit history and could use our help.

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Duane G. INGALSBE retired from the Red Cross 29 Apr 2002, so the Red Cross email address is no longer valid. His new email address has been entered in the web roster. He may do something parttime —if he can find something really interesting—but nothing full-time.

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CW4 Robert H. VISER died on 25 May 2002. He was buried in a family plot in Indiana. Bob’s wife Kathryn telephoned Chick that although Bob had been quite inactive and house bound due to physical limitations, he was in reasonably good health. However, six weeks before he passed away there was a sudden need to hospitalize him. The problem was not pin--pointed during a six week stay in the hospital. He was moved to a nursing home but died the following day.

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Chick CECCHINI offers a brief commentary on CW4 Viser: Bob was a Finance Corps institution in himself. Hardly a retired Finance officer alive today who attended the Finance School at Fort Ben has not been taught by Bob. He was "tops" in the Fiscal field. He served on active duty up through the time he was the ranking WO in the Army. Bob was a model WO and a great member of the FC. A "good man" and a good friend has left us.

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Regarding Kathryne VISER: For the information of old friends of the Visers, you should know that Kathryn suffers severely from macular-degeneration. She plans to move into a retirement facility very soon because of it. Know that she cannot read her mail. Telephone calls are just fine.

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Donna Keyes sent this update on Doc TIEMAN. He was moved Friday 7 June to the Rehab at Parklane. This is a nursing home/rehab facility I understand is excellent. Right next door is what used to be called the USAA Towers, now just the Towers.

George KRAMER lives there and was notified of Doc’s arrival, so was there to greet him when he arrived. Isn’t that neat! Doc took a couple of steps on his own on Thursday and evidently the edema in the brain has subsided as Marcia did not mention any more headaches.

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Chick CECCHINI says: "I can now tell you confidently that my recovery from the jaw replacement surgery back about a year and a half ago is totally complete. For the past few weeks I have been the proud owner of a set of quite useable lower teeth (did the debugging and test chewing on some delicious steaks—and came out the winner!). Except for the standard semi-annual check-ups required over the next few years, followed by annual check-ups after that, I understand I’m home-free. My sincere thanks for your persistent concern and encouragements. I look forward to seeing you at the reunion in Indy. Love from Sjelja, Chick

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Cub reporter Donna KEYES reports on George KRAMER. Did not know I would be back to you so soon with another health report. Had a good talk with George last evening, Saturday, 9 Jun and he tells me the first part of May, he had his thyroid removed and a hernia repair. Said he is doing fine and recouping very well. George visited with Doc yesterday and indicated he, too, is coming right along. I hope I won’t have any more health calamities for quite awhile!

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Jack ROGAN added the following notes to his request for assistance in accessing the web roster: "We were very sorry to learn of Bob VISER’S death and Kathryn’s vision problem. They were good friends of many years, and Bob and I were faculty members in the Department of Comptroller Training in the fifties. We were also saddened to learn of Elouise BLOMGREN’S passing. They were neighbors when we were at Fort Ben in the late sixties-very nice people!"