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Oregon-Washington Cascade Chapter News: We are proud to announce that the Mt St Helens Chapter has merged with the Oregon Cascade Chapter in order to combine forces with yearly events Memorial Day 2009 Parade - Kent, Washington - - Brian Kraft F58th L75th carries the Screaming Eagle Flag every year in this parade. Flowers will be placed at Willamette National Cemetery and the Oregon Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in honor of our fallen comrades. The 18th Annual D-Day Picnic will be held July 18, 2009 in Sandy, Oregon. A J Baker Ranger Base and West Coast Airborne Assn. are joining us for this BBQ. For more information, please call Jerry Gomes at 503-668-6127.
Welcome! New chapter members: Greg Apraham Recon 2/327 VN of Tumwater, Washington met John Reid 173rd, 3/506, by seeing his Screaming Eagle cap while shopping in Olympia, Wa. Eugene Hallas D Co. 2/327 of Columbia Falls, Montana who attended the 101st Reno Reunion and met Ed Casciato who has written the following account: Thirty Six
Years Later During the National reunion in Reno last August, Carol Casciato, Chapter President Ed Casciato’s wife, and Kay Gomes, Chapter Secretary Jerry Gomes' wife, attended the wives luncheon on Friday. While there, Carol met another attendee, Juanita Hallas, whom she “hit it off” with. The two ladies decided that their husbands should meet each other that evening. Later, in the hospitality room, they got together and introduced Ed to Gene Hallas. While the two men were looking at Gene’s photo album from Vietnam, Ed saw a photo of Fire Base Sarge and said he had taken virtually the same picture and had it in his album. As it turned out, Gene was was a rifleman of D/2/327, and was on FSB Sarge during Lam Son 719 in early 1971. The bunker he occupied was located just down hill from a quad fifty mounted on top of the hill near the 81mm mortars. Ed was there at the same time, a squad leader with E/2/327 mortars. His bunker was next to the quad fifty on top of the hill. In comparing photo albums they found that many of their pictures were nearly identical, including photos of the same Donut Dollie, taken on the subsequent standdown. Both were amazed to realize that the national 101st Airborne Division Association reunion had brought them together more than 36 years later. Much talk and not just a few war stories passed between the two over the next few days. On their way home to Montana after the reunion, the Hallas’ were able to stop in Salem Oregon and spend a few days with the Casciatos at their home. Gene and Juanita have subsequently become members of the Oregon Cascade Chapter. ROTC AWARDS Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard, Major General Raymond Rees was honored guest at University of Portland ROTC Dine Out Ceremony May 2009. Rees served with the 101st 2/17th Cavalry in Vietnam. Chapter ROTC Awards were presented to the most outstanding Airborne ROTC Cadets at the following universities: Washington State University - Cadet Philip Robbins University of Oregon - Cadet Brittney Griggs University of Portland - Cadet Eric T Bauer (101st Veteran) Oregon State University - Cadet Jon Chandler University of Portland - Military Order of the World Wars Award - Cadet Julia Gomes
Mary Brenner of the Screaming Eagle Association made beautiful certificates, Sam Bass sent Screaming Eagle Coins and magazines and Bill Wingett made his famous plaques. The awards were very much appreciated by the Cadets. Jim Norene, G-502 WWII is anticipating a return to Holland and England in May. Eindhoven and Hungerford are two places he is planning to visit to rekindle memories of '44 and '45. We'll Rendevous with Jim upon his return! Bon Voyage! Curtis "Tex" Hardin, our Cottonwood, Ca. member got together with Gene Carne and Foster in North Carolina. The three vets all served in the 3/506 in Vietnam in 67-68. Tex, Jenny and Savanna are traveling the US in their "bus" so watch out- they may arrive on your doorstep at any time! Jim Mendoza, also of the 3/506 LRRP Team was recently found and Gomes and Mendoza have spent a few hours on the phone remembering their Vietnam Days. Ft Benning Ranger Reunion in August is in their plans. Joe Mann Monument Dedication - October 14, 2008 - Fairmount Memorial Association Spokane, Washington. Pfc. Joe Mann was born July 8, 1922 in Reardan, Washington and gave his life on Sept 19, 1944 in Best, Holland. Mann was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during an enemy attack. The Spokane Police Department History Book Committee and Spokane Law Enforcement Museum along with the family of Joe Mann cooperated in securing this monument. We have heard from THE HERD! The N.W. Inland Chapter of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Association is headed by Eldon Meade of Spokane, Washington. He reports many Screaming Eagles running lose around Eastern Washington that we need to hunt down. To contact Eldon, call 509-370-3598. In Remembrance: Cpl Jessica Ellis was killed by an IED in Iraq May 11, 2008. She served as a medic with the 2nd BTSB for two tours in Iraq. Her parents, Steve & Linda Ellis of Baker, Oregon are in our thoughts and prayers. A recent article in the Fort Campbell Courier recalls Jessica as always smiling and able to brighten everyone's mood. "Everybody gets to dance. We all get a chance" are two lines from the Brooks and Dunn song "Only in America." Books & Dunn traveled to Ft Campbell to sing for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team in honor of Jessica. "She's missed," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Witherspoon. "She will never be forgotten." Sick Call:
Al Bernardi had a slight stroke but is doing very well and is happily home being taken care of by his lovely nurse Norma. Ralph Younce has been up and down with medical problems, but on the mend. Submitted by Jerry Gomes, Secretary Treasurer Oregon-Washington Cascade Chapter
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