Hellcat News, (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 63, No. 9, Ed. 1, May 2010 Page: 4 of 24
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Page 4
HELLCAT NEWS
May 2010
last week. He sounds great and talked a lot about his friend
George Webb [B] and how he never missed sending cards
on special days. He also talked about Captain Ebbage [B]
for whom he always had great respect. Dan, we will try to
stop by and see George as we travel to Indianapolis in August
(another sneaky way of getting in a plug) since he doesn't
live far off the interstate.
This has seemed like a trip down nostalgia lane so far, so
in keeping with that theme, do you remember? "Car in ditch.
Driver in tree, The moon was full, And so was he." Did you
ever wonder how many men bought Burma Shave because
of these road signs? "At intersections look each way, A harp
sounds nice, but it's hard to play."
It is still not too late to send ideas you think would help
the CP in August to be helpful to you, and suggestions for
the Memorial Service would be considered also. The reunion
chairperson. Barb Campbell, has scheduled an interesting
program for the Ladies Luncheon on Friday of the reunion.
A great style show of garments from the 1860s to the 1960s
along with narratives to go with them. Maybe some of you
female types could pick a new wardrobe for the fall season,
especially if you are into "retro" stuff.
Incidentally, Barbara has nothing to do while she prepares
for the big party. Barb is busy teaching, grading papers,
planning a meeting with John Critzas and the Vanderhoefs,
chairpersons of last year's reunion, and thrown in for good
measure is the wedding of her son in June. If you have any
left over vitamins or pep pills, send them to Barb. She is
going to need them.
Incidentally her son completed his 5th deployment as a
captain of an Armored unit of the 1 st Inf. Div. That division
is at home in Fort Riley, KS, and Fort Riley was the early
Army home of a lot of Hellcats who were Cavalry before
being sent to the 12th Armored Div.
You may recall the piece about John Shibley [C] who,
even though he was wounded, got a fellow Hellcat who
was badly wounded back to an aid station. That Hellcat
was Claude Shelton. [C]. How do we know this? Another
Hellcat to the "rescue." Bob Bassett [C] was the provider
of that bit of information. Thanks Bob. There are stories out
there and information that is locked in the brains of a lot of
you. Come on now, turn loose.
Here is another example of the power of the Hellcat News
when folks take the time to write and send pictures. This
from Ralph Langley [C]. "Bill, seeing the photo of Louie
Karris and wife Betty on the front page of the February
Hellcat News gave me a great deal of pleasure. Louis and
I took basic training together, as well as going overseas as
replacements for the 17th AIB, but in different companies.
I just got off the phone with both of them. That made us
all feel good." Ralph didn't just think, "oh yes, I knew him
well." He did something about it. Here is the question again,
"Do we make a difference in other peoples lives with simple
acts?" Case closed.
We had our monthly visit with Wes Ferguson [A] in
mid March. He is excited about going on the trip to Europe
with the Hellcat tour. Wes and I volunteered to help with
the "send off" group for the WWII Vets going on the April
Honor Flight to Washington, but can you believe it, the man
in charge told us they had more volunteers than could be
used. Doesn't it renew your faith in the goodness of people
when more come forward to help than are needed? Right
now we are planning to go and just be part of the festivities
at their sendoff. Have you inquired about making the trip on
a flight from your area?
In the April issue you were told about Barry Becker seeking
information about his father Alfred Becker [B]. We are still
hoping some of you might help in Barry's quest. He was
referred to Ed Goeppinger [B] and true to form, Ed honored
his letter with a long discussion about what was going on at
the time Alfred came into the 17th. He also talked about how
some came in and in a few hours received wounds that took
them out of the war. Here is another example of someone
being important in another's life. Ed here is your HHO.
Now here is a strange one for you. An email came from
Dorothy Wood [B] which started out, "I have a problem
with Merle." Well, that made my heart race as all sorts of
bad things were thought of, but happily none of them were
true. She just wanted to let us know that Merle, as do all of
us, tends to put off until tomorrow things like writing to the
reps. Her letter said there was really no news except they
recently spent 10 days in San Diego, went to see the Oakland
As in training. He plans to be in Indianapolis in August for
the reunion (another plug). They do a lot of running around
trying to stay ahead of the game etc. No news? Really now.
Just thought of something. Maybe the Hellkittens should be
encouraged to write if their spouse isn't going to do so.
I have mentioned before that one of B Company's most
famous, Hal Gould, the actor on the Golden Girls show,
Shakespearean actor, etc. etc., was in the mortar squad of
that company. Then he was Harold Goldstein. Recently
we were watching a couple old shows and the name Harold
Goldstein was mentioned. Isn't it interesting his real name
was used during the program?
What a nice letter Frances Finley [C] sent recently. She
was checking in after a long winter. She was at her son's
home in Florida from Dec. 17 until the middle of March and
then went to her sister's in Memphis. She went to Florida
for the warm weather and was part of the coldest winter
in Florida for 140 years. At least she didn't have to wade
in snow. Here is a gal who is gathering no moss. She went
back to her Georgetown "family", and in April she went to
Raleigh for her grandson's confirmation, and will go back
to Raleigh in June to meet up with her two daughters and
daughter-in-law for a trip to England. Good for you Frances.
Maybe we will come close to you with a reunion and you
can join us then.
She also mentioned how much the friendships formed
in the 12th and how they benefited from their times at the
reunions (another plug) and the memories they kept with
them. Do we really make a difference in other's lives? The
answer is obvious. Hope you are ready to make someone's
life better in Indianapolis in August.
A couple more bits of the past before we part. "Brother
speeder let's rehearse. All together 'good morning, nurse.'"
Here is the finale. "The midnight ride of Paul for beer, led
to a wanner Hemisphere." Corny? Absolutely, but were they
not fun?
Have a great May and consider your activities in August.
Cheers!
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Twelfth Armored Division Association (U.S.). Hellcat News, (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 63, No. 9, Ed. 1, May 2010, newspaper, May 2010; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth410346/m1/4/: accessed July 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum.