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Letter from the Executive Secretary BOOKS VIDEOS AIRBORNE |
Midwest Chapter News On Sunday, January 28th, we had the honor of having Medal of Honor recipient Sal Guinta at our Heartland Airborne Memorial. We had purchased bricks at the Memorial for SSGT Sal Guinta and the two young men, Josh Brennan and Hugo Mendoza, who SSGT Guinta fought so hard to save. He was very impressed with the monument. We plan to add granite panels listing all Airborne Medal of Honor recipients from all branches of service to the Memorial. Monday, January 29, I went to an “At Ease” luncheon where SSGT Guinta was the guest speaker. While I was there, I met a young man, Jake Germain, who was with the 502nd in Afghanistan. He was medically discharged due to an IED. He is looking forward to joining the Association and the Midwest Chapter. Please check our website for information on the Medal of Honor addition we are planning. I am hoping that each unit that has a Medal of Honor recipient will help us raise money. The 101st has 19 Medal of Honor recipients: 4 from the 502nd Inf, 1 from 501st Inf, 7 from the 506th Inf, 2 from the 17th Cav, 1 from the 320th Arty, 1 from the 187th Inf, and 2 from the 327th Inf.
Terry Zahn
On November 11th, seven men from our chapter (Rich Baker, Rich Clausen, Dr. Frank DeVries, Jim Dooley, Spiro Moustakes, Joe Quedensly, & myself) went to the Strategic Air Space Museum to a Salute to Veterans dinner. Keynote speakers were former Senator & Medal of Honor recipient Bob Kerrey, and Major General Roger Lempke. This was a fundraiser for Operation Veterans Encouraging Recovery (OVER). Pastor Donald “Hawk” Kramer is President of this organization, which helps veterans needing assistance with rehab and adjustment. While we were at the dinner, we had an opportunity to visit Joe Beyrle’s display which is currently on loan to the Strategic Air Space Museum. I wonder if many people knew that Joe fought for both Russia and America during WWII. It was an honor and an experience to have served on the Board of Governors with him. Also on November 11, 2011, the Heartland Airborne Memorial Association officially kicked off fundraising for the addition of an Airborne Medal of Honor wall at the Heartland Airborne Memorial in Omaha. NE. Information is available on our website midwestchapter101stabncom. Fundraising efforts will begin with a letter of endorsement by former Navy Seal Bob Kerrey, who asked to be part of this endeavor. Our Veteran’s Day Ceremony was on Saturday. We had to move from the 11th to the 12th due to so many other events taking place on Friday. Unfortunately, that meant we had to compete with the Penn State-Nebraska game and cold, windy weather. There were only 50-75 attending, but there were lots of new faces which is very positive. Among the new faces were SFC Carlos Rosales and is wife Melissa and SFC David Anthony. SFC Rosales is now Cadre at Creighton University ROTC Program. He was sent here from the 101st, and he does represent us well. He is one sharp soldier. His last unit at Ft. Campbell was 2/320/ARTY. SFC David Anthony was attached to the 101st with the Rear Area Operation Center in Mosul, Iraq in 2003-2004. I am working to get these men into the Association & active – once an Eagle, always an Eagle. Guest speakers at our Veterans Day Service were Bill & Evonne Williams. They were in charge of the Honor Flights from NE for the WWII Veterans going to Washington DC to see their monument. They are currently involved in a program called “Remembering our Fallen” – which is a photographic memorial display. They hope to do one for each state. Displays from Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Colorado are complete and touring their respective states. Arizona and Illinois will be unveiled and sent on tour in early 2012. Bill & Evonne are not veterans but honoring veterans has been the highlight of their lives. As Will Rogers said, “Not all of us can be heroes, some of us need to stand on the curb and clap as they go by. Terry R. Zahn
At 91 years old, Spiro Moustakes (WWII, 326 Med Co.) continues to be an active member of our chapter and has been a valuable part of each of the Omaha Reunions. Spiro is currently in a Rehab Hospital following surgery. Please keep him in your prayers. If anyone has information about the WWII 326 Medical Company, Spiro would be very interested in hearing from you. Please contact me and I will put you in touch with Spiro. Before After With Medal of Honor Recipients An addition is planned for the Heartland Airborne Memorial. We are adding an Airborne Medal of Honor wall on the retaining wall behind the Memorial. The picture shows the proposed addition. We are accepting donations. They may be sent to: There are 19 Medal of Honor recipients from the 101st Abn. Div., 13 from the 173rd Abn. Div., 5 from the 82nd Abn. Div, , & 5 from the Navy Seals. I am still checking on the Marines Force Recon and the Air Force Para Rescue. The cost is going to be around $35,000. We want to have it finished by next summer. Please help out if you can – any amount will help. Respectfully, |
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