Saber Article Index

2016 Jan-Feb

MEDEVAC 15th Med\15th FSB
Mike Bodnar
307B N Main Copperas Cove, TX 76522
1704 254-542-1961
E-mail: mbodnar27@juno.com

1971-'72 MEDEVAC PSG James McDonald died is the notification from past 15th MED Assn. President Murray Gibbs. Present President Mike Smith sent him an e-mail saying to call James' wife. James' wife's address and phone is: Christine McDonald 2747 Taylor Ave Longview, WA 98632-4331.

The new 15th Medical Battalion Association Website appears to be thorough. Information there can be an aid to research. Well done.

Emil "Lefty" Ercolano of C 2-7 Cav 1968-'69 Garry Owen gotopop13@yahoo.com e-mailed, "Mike, thanks for putting in that little article of that incident on Hway1 on Oct 10 1968. My records were accessed but no mention of 15th MED. All I have are buddy statements, a letter from Lt. John Guillory, after action report from Collage Park, MD, and a picture of the truck. I was just service connected for TBI.

"Fighting with the Army Board of Corrections for a PH since 2010. Just gotta keep going. On another note, don't know if I sent you this but as a grunt on the ground this is how we felt about you guys. Played this audio at our Reunion in Arkansas in Aug 2015 and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Once again THANKS."

The 15th Medical Battalion will be 90 years old June 1, 2016! The 15th Medical Battalion was organized June 1, 1926 at Ft. Bliss, Texas.  The 90th Organization Day, or 90th Anniversary will be commemorated at the 18th Annual 15th Medical Bn. Association Reunion in Olympia, WA April 11-16, 2016.

Are you on Facebook? Do you enjoy the instantaneous interaction with a group afforded by Facebook? If so, you are invited to join the 15th MED Association Facebook Page. It was created by Velma Smith (wife of 15th MED Bn. Assn. President Mile “Smitty” Smith) in January 2014, primarily as a communication tool for the Executive Committee, but it has mushroomed into into a Facebook Page for all 15th MED veterans, and currently has fifty-three members. It is a private Facebook page, and membership is restricted to 15th MED veterans and their family members. Privacy for the page is set to "Secret" so that only members can see the page, who is in group, and what members post. To join, simply send an e-mail to Velma Smith at mvandco@msn.com requesting admittance.

You must have a personal Facebook page in order to join the 15th MED FB page. You can easily set up a personal FB page very simply, divulging no personal information other than your name. There is no way that you can review the 15th MED FB page without joining it. However, if you join and decide that it is not for you, you can click on the "Joined" box and then select "Leave Group." There is a lot of good exchange of information when a comment or question is posted on the Facebook page. It is a lot of fun! Check it out! Mark your calendars and make your arrangements to attend the 2016 Reunion! The 15th Medical Battalion Association’s 18th Annual Reunion will be held in Olympia, Washington April 11-16, 2016 at the Red Lion Hotel.

 Reunion Coordinator Larry Hatch has been extremely busy planning since the 2015 Reunion and reports the following agenda: The theme of this year’s Reunion is “Western” because the Pacific Northwest has many ranches and farms. As such, there will be awards for the best dressed in Western garb at the BBQ banquet featuring the “Oly Mountain Boys” nationally awarded blue grass band. So, cowboy and cowgirl boots are in order along with a ten-gallon hat. Tours at the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field, LeMays Auto Collection (over 2,500 vintage vehicles), 1W Helicopters, and Olympic Flight Museum are on the agenda as well as great dining places. Saturday will feature meetings, group pictures, opening ceremonies, awards, presentations, and an exciting auction. Cabela’s is booked at 6:00 pm for an evening of eating game meat (if desired) and shopping. Hotel reservations are required 1LT March 13, 2016. To reserve rooms, call 1-800-733-5466 and request group rate of $94 plus tax for “15th Medical Battalion Reunion”.” On-line booking use Code MILI0411.

The full schedule, registration forms, and other information on the Reunion is on our new 15th MED Website, www.15thmedbnassociation.org. , thanks to Webmaster Ron “Huey” Huether. Completed Reunion registration forms need to be sent to Treasurer David Huser (920) 737-3244 at 4339 Windemer Ln, Hobart, WI 54155 or vvhuser@gmail.com  as soon as possible. If you do not have access to the Internet or have any questions at all about the Reunion, please contact Reunion Coordinator Larry Hatch at (360)491- 6486, or campingout@comcast.net . He will mail paper copies of Reunion information including registration forms to you. As always, the Reunion promises to be a great time to reunite with old friends, to make some new friends, and to in general be a good time!

Always remembering our 1st Cav troops on duty around the world; over and out.

FIRST TEAM!
Garryowen,
Mike Bodnar C 2\7 '69
MEDEVAC 1-7\70
SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE

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