Chapter News
Printed Newsletter: Membership in the St. Louis Gateway Chapter Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge includes a subscription to the Chapter Newsletter. Published 6 times each year, the newsletter features lists of upcoming events, reunions, photos, membership and educational information, chapter business and articles of interest.
Note from President Kent Stephens - November
Back a few years ago I told myself if I could live until the year 2000, I would be one happy camper. WELL, the year 2009 is just around the corner and the Good Lord willing it looks like I just might make it to start another year. Sure hope you all will be around to help me celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
The year 2008 has been another very successful year for the St. Louis Gateway Chapter. Can you believe that in January 2009 the Gateway Chapter will be starting our 16th year? Just seems like it was only yesterday when we held the first planning meeting in January of 1993. What a great 16 years it has been! Our Chapter has grown to be one of the largest VBOB Chapters in the National organization.
The past couple of months have been really busy as Don Korte and Dr. George Despotis have published the VBOB book titled “Victory Through Valor". The book was launched at the book signing this past October 4 at the Royale Orleans Banquet Hall with over 200 in attendance. Many books were sold at that rime.
Plans for the proposed GI Statue to be erected in Jefferson Barracks Park are on hold at this time. Donations for the GI Statue are coming in. It is hoped that we will be able to erect this GI Statue, dedicated to all those who served in WWII, in the very near future.
The annual election for offices of President and Treasurer will be held at the November 11 meeting. Anyone interested in running for either of these two offices please contact any of your officers.
The annual Veterans Day parade in downtown St. Louis is Saturday, November 8. The Elks Club will be honoring all veterans with lunch on November 11 at the monthly Chapter meeting. This is the Elks way of showing their appreciation to all the VBOB veterans. Thanks to the Elks Club for being so generous.
Tuesday, December 16 is the annual VBOB Memorial Ceremony at the monument site in Jefferson Barracks Park. Join us as we honor those members of the Gateway Chapter who have passed away this past year. Colonel Robert Wells, Retired, Air Force will be our guest speaker. The ceremony will start at 10:00 am and is followed by the annual Christmas luncheon at the Royale Orleans Banquet Hall.
As this is the last newsletter of the year 2008, let me wish to each of you "A Blessed Thanksgiving, A Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year" from all the officers of the Gateway Chapter.
God Bless America and God Bless our Troops
Educational Committee Report
We have no new requests for speaking teams and stand at a total of 380 presentations since we made our first presentation 12 years ago. Millie Knize has done a great job contacting schools and scheduling our speaking teams. We need some volunteers to fill out our teams due to illness of some of our excellent speakers.
We have sold out of the 500 VHS tapes of our “Everyday Heroes of the Battle of the Bulge” but we do have a number of copies in DVD format still available.
Membership Report
New Members:
#802 – William Crawford
#803 – Scottie Ooten
#804 – Robert Prapotnik (Associate Member)
#805 – Del Bordner
#806 – Wilson R. Reed
Gateway Chapter Book Signing Draws a Crowd
A crowd of several hundred was on hand for the launch of the long-awaited book, “Victory Through Valor”, based on interviews of Gateway Chapter members. The event was held at Royale Orleans on October 4 and featured presentations by several members of the Gateway Chapter Speaking Teams, followed by an informal book signing by several dozen of the people featured in the book. The launch was the first opportunity for everyone to see the book and pick up copies which had been pre-ordered.
Over 100 Gateway Chapter members and their wives were interviewed as part of the Despotis World War II Veterans Project. Founded in 2004 by Associate Member Dr. George Despotis, the Project has interviewed over 170 veterans and their wives in an effort to preserve their oral histories for future generations.
The organizers would like to thank Mr. Forrest Miller, owner of Royale Orleans, for generously donating the use of the room and providing refreshments and a bartender to dispense the soft drinks. A big "Thank You" as well to the Ladies Auxiliary for providing two large sheet cakes and countless home-baked goods.
Books are available at the monthly meetings for either pick-up or for delivery via the USPS or you can print the form and mail it to the Chapter.
American GI Statue
The proposal to commission a WWII American GI Statue in Jefferson National Park is becoming a reality! read more
Chapter Members Visit DC Monuments
Approximately 35 Gateway Chapter members were among a group of St. Louis-area World War II veterans who were flown to Washington DC as part of the Franklin County Honor Flight Program on September 17. The group met at the McDonnell USO, where tickets and ID badges were handed out. The flight left Lambert Airport at approximately 4:45 am, carrying 99 veterans and 44 caregivers. After arriving at Reagan International Airport, our group was greeted by several hundred cheering people in the terminal. We then boarded several buses and proceeded with a police escort to the World War II Memorial where we toured the memorial and met with former Senator Bob Dole.
After a box lunch, we were given a guided tour of the DC area by bus and then on to the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Iwo Jima Memorial. We ended the day at Arlington Cemetery where we saw the changing of the guard. After a sumptuous buffet dinner, the group proceeded back to the airport for the flight home. On the plane, the organizers had arranged for Mail Call where each veteran received a piece of mail from relatives or school children. Upon arrival back in St. Louis around 10:00 pm, our group was met by several hundred cheering friends and relatives. It goes without saying that a good time was had by all.
There are a large number of photos from this trip on the Franklin County Honor Flight website at www.franklincountyhonorflight.org (Click on Sept 17 Flight).
It was announced at the October meeting that long-time Chaplain Glenn Hillgartner was retiring from his position. Glenn is a Lifetime and Charter Member of the Gateway Chapter, and has served as Chaplain since shortly after the chapter was formed in 1993. Glenn was responsible for developing the ceremony which is performed at the funeral parlor when a member has passed on, and has made countless visits to hospitalized members over the past 15 years. Thanks, Glenn, for a job well done!
Glenn Hillgartner Steps Down as Chaplain
Glenn Hillgartner resigned as Chapter Chaplain. Assistant Chaplain Gene Ganz has agreed to take over duties as Chaplain and has assumed the Chaplain's responsibilities. He is currently in the process of looking for someone to fill the Assistant Chaplain position. Best of luck as our new Chaplain, Gene.
Chapter Featured in Article by News-Democrat
Link to the News-Democrat article by Scott Wuertz who attended the book signing event at Collinsville Public Library on November 15: read online article.
Soldiers' Memorial in St. Louis
The Soldiers’ Memorial, located between Market and Pine and 13th & 14th Streets, is the first of the two war memorials in St. Louis completed in honor of World War I veterans. Notable features include the massive stone columns with carved stone panels between the columns that bear the faces of war veterans. The building was designed by St. Louis architectural firm Mauran, Russell & Crowell in a stripped Classical style, with a severely simplified form and limited ornament. It was dedicated by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1936 and officially opened to the public on Memorial Day, 1938.
Soldiers´ Memorial is one of the civic buildings completed by the Plaza Commission. Four monumental sculptural groups representing figures of Loyalty, Vision, Courage and Sacrifice by sculptor Walker Hancock stand, with their horses, on the north and south sides of the building.
The Museum is dedicated as a memorial for veterans and as a museum for preserving a historic collection of military artifacts. The Memorial building is open to the public and has meeting space available for schools, veterans groups and associated organizations. The Memorial participates in events such as the Stand Down Program for homeless veterans, which is held in September, and the annual Veterans' Day observances for which the Memorial provides meeting space and logistical support.
Museums hours are Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm; Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm.
Sources: wikipedia; http://stlouis.missouri.org/government/solmem.html; http://stlcin.missouri.org/history/structdetail.cfm?Master_ID=1446