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Reunion News: Here's a listing of those attending the reunion who have confirmed reservation:
Bruce Barcik, Gene Bent, Ken Bickford, Ken Blair, Ron Bost, Duane Brown, John Capega, Walt Cherney,
Lyle Couch, George Duenow, Doug Freimuth, Kim Kizer, Jeffrey Laventure, Butch Owens, Dudley Sook,
Dave Stanion. If you haven't yet made your reservations, do it now. Time is running out.
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
and he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
And 'tho sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
all his buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer, for ol' Bob has passed away,
and this world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
No, he won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary, very quiet sort of life.
He held a job and raised a family, quietly going on his way;
and the world won't note his passing; 'tho a Soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
while thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell of their stories, from the time that they were young,
but the passing of a Soldier, goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution, to the welfare of our land,
some jerk who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow, who in time of war and strife,
goes off to serve his country and offers up his life?
The politician's stipend and the style in which he lives,
are sometmes disproportionate, to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary Soldier, who offered up his all,
is paid off with a medal, and perhaps a pension small.
It's so easy to forget them, for it is so long ago,
that our Bobs and Jims and Johnnies, went to battle but we know,
it was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
who won for us the freedom, that our country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
would you really want some cop-out, with his ever waffling stand?
Or would you want a Soldier, who was sworn to defend,
his home, his kin, and country and would fight until the end?
He was just a common Soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
but his presence should remind us, we may need his likes again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find our Soldiers part,
is to clean up all the troubles, that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor, while he's here to hear the praise,
then at least let's give him homage, at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline, in the paper that might say:
OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY.
Well, we're into the stretch with the reunion. Again, it is being held on July 17th, 18th and 19th at the Reno Hilton, Reno,
Nevada. If you're still undecided about coming, now is the time to make up your mind. Hotel reservations have to be made by
June 16, 1998 to guarantee a room. Most of the hotels and motels in Reno book all their rooms on the weekends. So if you
plan on coming don't wait till the last minute. The reservation number is 1-800-648-5080, be sure to tell the operator
this is for the 267th Signal Company Reunion. Room rates are $59.00 per night, one of the best rates I was able to find
and comparable to the cheaper motels. Due to a computer glich, the Hilton didn't have us shown as having a reunion in July.
That glich has been taken care of, so make your reservations as soon as possible. Also, those of you coming, get your checks
to me soon.
I plan on having t-shirts made for the reunion, they will be free to those attending (don't forget to get me your size). They're
Haines "Beefy T's" with a five color Company logo on them. If you can't make the reunion, but would like a t-shirt, they will be
available at $16.00 each. If you would like one, send me your size and a check and I will get one out to you. If you do decide to
make the reunion please e-mail or give me a call, so I can get you a schedule and arrange a t-shirt for you.
I'd like to welcome to our ranks Clell Creek, Bill Fitzpatrick, Jasper Sims and Douglas (Frenchie) Michaud. Clell Creek was
the First Sergeant with our Company, before it deployed to Vietnam, in Fort Carson, Colorado. He had orders to set-up an area in
Bien Hoa for the 267th, but they ended up being sent to Vung Tao instead. Leaving him without a company, he ended up with the 69th
Signal Company. Bill Fitzpatrick was with the 267th from November 1965 to November 1966. Jasper Sims was a squad leader with 2nd
Platoon from August 1967 to August 1968. Douglas (Frenchie) Michaud was with the 2nd Platoon from July 1967 to January 1968 leaving
early due to a death in his family. That now bring us to 75 alumni and ever growing.
Thanks go out to Walt Cherney for his help in putting an advertisement in a couple of publications about our reunion. Both Clell
Creek and Bill Fitzpatrick contacted me because of those ads. A special thanks to Duane (Charlie) Brown for the tips, one of which
lead me to Fenchie. I have a letter of inquiry in the mail for Charles Swenson. Jeff Laventure also cleared up the V.A. story that
was in the last newsletter. (see link below) Though it's not a idea to register with the Veterans Administration. You never know
when you might need them.
Well that's about all for now. Hope to see you in July.
Thanks again Jeff
VA Public Affairs
email Bruce Barcik