Blue Ridge
Official Publication of the
80th Division Veterans Asssociation, Inc.

Post Reunion 2005 - v86, #346

Brett Post # 3
The Brett Post #3 enjoyed their monthly meeting on June 9, 2005 at Dc Nunzio's Restaurant at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, Latrobe PA.

There were 16 in attendance, all enjoyed reminiscing and remembering about Memorial Day services.

Bruno Inselmini was honored with a bench being dedicated in his honor in the Veterans Memorial Plaza, Latrobe. This bench was made by Gary Lamolinara in honor of his Uncle Bruno, who served with the Cannon Company of the 318th Infantry.
P Louise Fritz Acting Sect

CO H 319th Infantry Post 33
Again it is difficult to get this report for the next addition of the Blue Ridge Magazine out on time. Trying to write and watch the Katrina hurricane at the same time is a hard task. I know our prayers are with the people of Louisiana and Mississippi.

The Division reunion was a great success. In attendance were Bill and Wilma McKnight, Nick and Ginny Grossie from Seattle, and Iowa, were Louis Kudrna with daughter Karol. My son, Jerry and dear friend Theresa McDonald were there for the gathering. Jerry's daughter, Shalaya visited us on Friday. Of course yours truly was also present. A guest, Barbara and another visitor from Florida, joined us for the trip and pig roast.

Jerry rented a 13-passenger van and as the driver, took us to all spots in Ohio, especially the German section. We could not have made it without Theresa, as she was the navigator and aid to the seniors while getting in and out of the van. She also appropriated a step-stool that helped the seniors. One stop was to the village of Rosco. It was a quaint little village about three block long and cobble streets with old beautiful; homes on the upper side. Not one of us attempted the stairs to the homes. The village was established along the canal to service the boats and passengers traveling the canal. The shops included a blacksmith, printing press, candle and pottery shops and other supplies. The Doctor's home was of great interest; I'll describe later. lime being of the essence, we only visited on side of the street. We found Roscoe on the Ohio map near Coshocton. It was worth the visit.

After making it back to the hotel, with a short visit to the Van Buren's where Mrs. V presented us with a box of her delicious cookies, we changed quickly, refreshed ourselves then is was off again. We took a trip to Germantown with a bumpy ride over the cobble streets to Schmidt's restaurant. German food and desserts, yummy! Desserts were four inches high and thick cream puffs as large as softballs were drooled over. The atmosphere was definitely German, even the beer.

The dedication ceremony was well planned with band music befitting the ceremony. After the service and a change of clothing, the group headed for Ohio State University then for a refreshing stop at a German brewery—why not? The evening dinner and dance was well accepted, a hand with real Tommy Dorsey type music of the 40's filled the room. Yes, the dance floor was full most of the time. I even had a fling on the floor. Don't ask Theresa as she may think differently.

We topped off Friday and Saturday evening by playing some sort of a game called Pig. I'll not mention the winner as the IRS may be listening. Yes, there was some loser's, right? Jerry, Theresa?

Missed were Irv and Hilda, Orin and daughters. Leadbetter-Texas. Maybe in Columbus or Georgia we will meet again.
God bless, Ohly

Company L 319th Inf.
Another Reunion is behind us and Company L as usual had a good attendance. We signed in 18 people, which included 12 veterans, 5 Ladies and a nephew of Frank Soloninka. As a group we had a great time and spent most of our leisure time reliving the funny things that happened both in the United States and in the ETO. It's strange but as the years go by, the horrors of war are forgotten and only the comedic things are remembered especially hearing about the Lieutenant diving into a "slit Trench" when incoming was heard.

Freddy Ecklemann again brought his Dad and has been the case over the last few years was extremely helpful in the Hospitality Room. Freddy watches over his Dad like a little old Mother Hen. By the way, Fred smiled five times and laughed once during our Reunion.

The visit to the Mott's Museum was interesting and while the trip to the Longanberger Basket Company was educational, the men saved a lot of money because there were no baskets for sale and the ladies were itching to buy baskets. Fact is Maria had set aside $200 just to purchase baskets.

All company members who attended appeared to be in as good a shape as can be expected for our age group. John and Betts Flynn left the Reunion to fly to Washington DC to visit friend and to see the WWII Memorial and Bill and Billie Krehbiel left the Reunion to visit family in Michigan. Jim Young informed us that he had divested himself from most of his pecan business and maybe soon you will not he able to purchase Young Pecans at the Sam's Club or at your favorite grocery store. Lou and Richard Blatz are their usual jovial selves and Rudy and Carol Berman lit up the dance floor with their smooth dance movements. Bill Siebert looks so young that it's hard to believe he was in the war with us. He can easily pass for 60. Frank Soloninka appears to be handling the loss of Helene quite well and I'm sure it was hard for him to be with us but without her for the first time. We really missed her presence.

The food at the Dinner and Dance on Saturday night was good and the band played our kind of music but the evening was partially ruined by a member of the 80th Division who was seated at a table next to our tables. He thought he would he funny by imitating Adolph Hitler. He didn't do this on the spur of the moment; he came fully prepared with his little mustache and a hair comb-over to put on his act. It was a disgusting display, in poor taste and totally offensive to members of Company I. who lost family in the Holocaust. Had I been commander, I would have had the Sergeant at Arms remove him from the ballroom and take away his membership card and destroy it. He deserves no better and is a disgrace to the 80th Division and dishonors all members who fought and died in our battles against the German Army.

Before I left for the Reunion, I received an E-mail from Dom Chism's Daughter Donna. She wrote that Don is in an Assisted Care facility in Elko and has found a Cribbage partner to play the game he is so fond of playing. If you would like to contact Don, it can be done through Donna, who will get any messages to him. Donna's E-mail address is dCHISM@CTNIS.COM. I'm sure Don would like to hear from you. Maria and I really enjoyed being with you at the Reunion and hope that all of us and more will be together again in Columbus GA. in 2006.
Hank Einolf

Lane Hall Post # 42
Hello everyone well the summer is almost gone and I hope all of you have had a pleasant one, and those that made the reunion, hello again. I was so happy to he able to attend this year and get to see some of our old friends.

Some of our friends that I have heard from before the reunion. On may 9th, Mary Brinker had a total knee replacement and everything went well.

Hilda Latusek, also had surgery during the month of May. She had two cataract operations and she can see well enough to read big print, which she missed very much.

Spoke to Paul Burgio in May also, and he told me he had fallen, he is feeling pretty good now and he is quite busy caring for Mary, and they are both now feeling hurly well. He asked about everyone, and when you can, give him a call, he would love to hear from some of you. I know he misses Jimmy Sanropietro who frequently stopped by to see he and Mary.

I received an e-mail from Alice Noxon on June 6, telling me that Frank Bettenrcourt passed away on Sunday June 5 at 2 p.m. our prayers and condolences go to his wile Mary and his family.

Alice Noxon also mentioned the Gonzalez's in e-mail to me; Manny and Elva are doing pretty well, but mentioned that they will no longer be able to attend any of the future reunions. they were not able to attend this year. ‘I hey extend their best wishes to everyone, and would like to hear from sonic of their old friends, we wish them both well.

REUNION NOTES:
I was so happy to he in attendance this year, since I had not been able to attend last year. It was so good seeing everyone, and sorry for those who were not able to come.

We missed Lee and Ann Hatcher very much this year. They were always a prominent member of our group, but Lee has not been well and has been in and out of the hospital in the past few months. Lee and Ann, our prayers are with you and you were missed very much.

Received a note from Bill Hansen with a donation for the memorial fund. I sent it on to Bob Murrell for Bill. Bill was also unable to attend the reunion this year, and Bill, we wish you well.

Ed Hargra also sent a note, saying he was not able to attend this year either. Had a great deal of work to do for the Creede Museums annual fundraiser. Sent on a lovely picture of his grand daughters wedding.

For a list of those attending see the Roll Call. Please keep in touch and call me anytime with any news you may have about our members or yourself. Frances Poletti 28 Arnold Lane, Rowayton, CT. 06853 203-855-1928

Florida Post 47
We have received some encouraging news from the Holiday Inn Hotel in Indian Atlantic, Florida. They expect to be up and running by March 2006. The exquisite two-story hospitality room was destroyed by the hurricane and has now been replaced with one single story hospitality room with comparable facilities.

I will be down in Florida in October to keep updated with the progress of the renovation of the property and will keep you informed in my next Post 47 report.

We received the sad news of the death of Chaplain Col John 0. Woods. He went to his Eternal Reward August 7, 2005. Kay and I were able to attend his funeral service in Greenville, PA. Before the service members of the 80th Division Association gathered to pay their respects and conduct the 80th Division Veterans Association Memorial Service. There were seven members present, along with wives, Bob & Helen McDonald, Clarence & Naomi Brockman, Robert and Doris Murrell, Russell Sick, Elmer Dorsten, Felix Cistolo and Kay and I. The funeral service held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church was very impressive. He will be laid to rest on October 26, 2005 at Arlington National Cemetery.

Post 47's next meeting will be October 27, 28 and 29, 2005 at the Hampton Inn, 3434 5. W. College Rd., Ocala, FL 34474. Phone number 352-854-3200. The room rate is $63 per night. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Francis Rajnicek Sect.

Rcn Post #37
Eleanor Schoney wishes to thank Art and Grace for writing the last column while she is laid up. Sends Congratulations to Ruth and Jake Clouser of Bernville, PA and says she gets to kiss the bride and loves them both. Also thanks Joe Hege for the labels. To Harold Davis for his collection of jokes and cartoons. Says ‘no news is good news! She urges all to write so she has something to say in her Newsletter She has gone back to embroidery and weighs 158 pounds. Urges all to pay their dues and to attend the reunion in Columbus, OH. Sounds like she is a bit down as you folks aren't writing her. Remember she has been doing this and holding the Post together all these years. She needs to read letters from the Rcn Folks. She signs off with Sticky.

New York Post 43
Annual meeting at Turf Inn, Albany, NY went off with out any problems. Al officers were reelected. Had a good White Elephant Raffle. Folks seem to like this. We combine this with our 50-50 raffle.

Fall gathering will be in Geneva, NY at the Lakefront Ramada Inn, Oct. 10-13 2005. This is a Monday through Thursday event. We have a very nice buffet set for Thursday noon followed by our gathering and the 50-50 and White Elephant Raffle.

This is at the end of Seneca Lake, one of the larger Finger Lakes in New York State. The other is Cayuga Lake. This is former Indian country and these lakes are named after Indian Tribes. There are about 50 excellent wineries in this area and great sight seeing area along with great wines and fruits to stock up on for the winter.

We need your support and we do need reservations for rooms as well as food or Thursday noon. Hope to see you there.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS IN ADVANCE—SPRING MEETING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN ALBANY.
Ed Bredbenner, Sect

633 AAA (AW) Battalion
The 633rd AAA (AW) Battalion joined the Division in the vicinity of Evron France on 9 August 1944. This association continued throughout the ten months o action seen by the "Blue Ridgers." Each succeeding month the total of enemy plane damaged or knocked out of the skies increased as the 633rd AAA fulfilled its assignment of protecting ground troops and installations from air attacks. Always on the alert and ready to give the Luftwaffe a warm reception, the 633Rd rendered man hostile air missions over the division area ineffective.

However, the number of planes damaged or destroyed tells only a part of the story of the 633rd's assistance in the advances across Europe. Equally noteworthy among the achievements of this organization was the achievements of this organization were the overhead ground support given to the infantry on many occasions. At Mt. Toulon, Mt. St. Jean, Morville Sur Seille, St. Avold, Masseler, and in the breaching of the Siegfried line, the 633rd fired 424,209 rounds of 50 caliber tracer ammunition in front of the advancing doughhoys and helped pave the way through stiff resistance.

610th Tank Destroyer Battalion
On 9 August 1944, shortly after the 80th Division reached the shores of France, the 610th lank Destroyer Battalion became a part of the "Blue Ridge" forces. IT participated in the bloody battle that closed the Argentan-Falaise Gap and destroyed seven enemy tanks, two 88's and numerous German vehicles in that engagement. During the Moselle River operation, the 610th helped repel strong enemy counterattacks and accounted for seventeen tanks. It added to its score in the drive through the Maginot Line, by knocking out thirteen pillboxes in one day. In support of the 80th Division's counterattack against the Ardennes Bulge, the 610th took a heavy toll of the defending Nazi tanks.

808th Tank Destroyer Battalion
Becoming attached to the 80th Division on 25 September 1944, the 808th Tank Destroyer Battalion early proved its worth by providing anti-mechanized defense and maintaining roadblocks. By its timely and accurate firing of all assigned missions during the all out push across he SEILLE River, it materially aided in the success of that operation. Until its released from the Division on 21 February 1945, the 808th continued to make the enemy feel its strength.

811th Tank Destroyer Battalion
From 3 February 1945, the 811th Tank Destroyers have moved forward with the 80th Division. Besides accomplishing its primary mission of destroying the enemy armor, it has rendered invaluable assistance in demolishing enemy pillboxes and material. Many times the "dough's" went riding into battle on the decks of the 811 tank destroyers. So successful were the tank destroyers in deriving enemy personnel from buildings many "dough's" referred them as "town destroyers".