OCT—NOV

PATRIOT BULLETIN VOL 10-3 OCT—NOV 2009

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...This Month’s Patriot Story...

KENNETH KASSNER

PATRIOT KASSNER IS COMPLETING HIS THIRD TOUR IN IRAQ AND AT THIS WRITING HE IS SOMEWHERE ENROUTE HOME WITH HIS MARINE RECON BATTALION, AND WILL SOON BE BACK IN CALIFORNIA AT HOME STATION. THIS IS HIS LATEST OF SEVERAL TIMELY AND INTERESTING REPORTS — BEGINNING ON PAGE 8.

LEADER BOARD 2-3

NEW MEMBERS 4

ADJUTANT’S CALL 5

NEWS / FEATURE / PHOTOS 4 - 12

DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS NEWS 10

BIRTHDAYS / BOOSTERS 12 - 13

TRIBUTES / TAPS 14 - 15

CHAPTER CALENDAR 16

INSIDE:

YOUR NEXT PURPLE HEART EVENT DATES 21 OCT — 12 NOON, STAFF MEETING, MUSEUM AT CAMP MABRY, MOPAC & 35th ST 24 OCT — 10AM, CHAPTER MEETING, CAMP MABRY, HEADQUARTERS, BLDG. # 8 2 NOV — 6:30AM, “BREAKFAST AT JIM’S,” HWY 183 AT BURNET RD 4 NOV — 12 NOON, STAFF MEETING, MUSEUM AT CAMP MABRY, MOPAC & 35th ST 11 NOV — VETERANS DAY PARADE & CEREMONY, CONGRESS AVE, STARTS AT 9AM

visit our website: www.purpleheartaustin.org

LtCol KEN KASSNER

...This Month’s Meeting Starts At …

10AM, SAT, OCTOBER 24th

IN THE AUDITORIUM CAMP MABRY, HQs Bldg #8

The guest speaker for our next regular chapter monthly meeting will be John Knox, a local expert who will present a briefing on the “History of the American Flag.”

...Next Month Come Participate In…

VETERANS DAY PARADE

&

CEREMONY

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11th

THE PARADE WILL FORM UP ON THE CONGRESS AVE BRIDGE. PLAN TO FIND OUR MARCH UNIT BY ABOUT 8:00 AM NEAR THE NORTH END OF THE BRIDGE, LOOK FOR OUR PURPLE HEART BANNER. PARADE UP CONGRESS AVE-9AM CEREMONY AT CAPITOL—11AM COME, WEAR PURPLE, MARCH WITH OUR PURPLE HEART BANNER OR THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM TO RIDE ON THE “DUCK.” PURPLE SANTA WILL BE THERE WITH US.

THE ENTRANCE TO CAMP MABRY IS AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE INSTALLATION, WEST OF MOPAC ON 35TH STREET. PICTURE ID IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY. FROM THE GUARD POST, PROCEED UP MAIN ROAD TO STOP SIGN, GO RIGHT TO SECOND STOP SIGN, TURN RIGHT AGAIN AND FOLLOW THAT MAIN ROAD UNTIIL YOU SEE THE POST CHAPEL ON YOUR LEFT. THE HEADQUARTERS, BLDG #8, IS THE NEXT BUILDING BEYOND THE CHAPEL

COMMANDER’S MESSAGE We wished all of you would have been able to attend our last meeting on Saturday, September 19th. We were honored to have Cheryl Fries of Arrowhead Films present their latest documentary film “A Touch of Home.” The film highlighted the adventures of 627 Red Cross Girls (aka: Donut Dollies) from the Vietnam War. We enjoyed donuts and coffee to help bring us back to that time in our lives. Arrowhead Films will present their opening night at St. Edwards University, Jones Auditorium, Ragsdale Center, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at 7:00 P.M. The presentation requires tickets, but there is no charge for the tickets.

Our next meeting will be Saturday, October 24, 2009, Camp Mabry, Building 8 (HQ) Auditorium. We will have a special presentation on the “History of the American

THE PATRIOT BULLETIN IS PUBLISHED, NORMALLY MONTHLY, BY THE TEXAS CAPITAL CHAPTER 1919, The MILITARY ORDER of the PURPLE HEART of the U.S.A., Inc., 5701 PAINTED VALLEY DRIVE, AUSTIN, TEXAS, 78759, FOR ITS MEMBERS. TO SUBMIT MATERIAL, OR COMMENTS, OR TO REPORT CHANGES OF ADDRESS, NOTIFY EDITOR, MILT CARR, (512) 343-7940. THE CUTOFF DATE TO SUBMIT MATERIAL FOR PUBLICATION IS EXACTLY 3-WEEKS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE NEXT CHAPTER MEETING. YOU CAN VIEW OUR NEWSLETTER IN COLOR, GO TO WEBSITE www.purpleheartaustin.org , FIND NEWSLETTER IN THE MENU.

Flag;” presented by John Knox and others.

We are already preparing for the upcoming Veterans Day Parade and Austin Duck Adventures has again promised the use of one of their Amphibious Ducks. This year we are asking that everyone honor our WWII Patriots by allowing them special seating at the front of the Duck.

Special Notice: On Saturday, October 10, 2009, Harold and Rose Weeden will be hosting the Rakkasan (Army—Airborne) reunion at their residence. They were the ones that hosted our June event. They are requesting any Rakkasan; any other Airborne service member and anyone that would like to join us in honoring them with our presence. The event will start at noon, but anyone is welcome to arrive earlier and get to know the other Patriots. This time they will be serving BBQ.

The only request is that you bring your friends/family and lots of stories.

REMEMBER — TRACERS WORK BOTH WAYS,

SO DOES KINDNESS — BUT, NEVER IN WAR

JOHN BURKHARDT Commander, Chapter 1919

Chapter Notes

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THIS ISSUE HAS SOME VERY INTERESTING ENTRIES FROM AND ABOUT CHAPTER 1919’s GROWING NUMBER OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETERAN PATRIOTS, ALSO PHOTOS AND REPORTS OF THE LAST MEETING AND OTHER EVENTS, AND….

LOOK FOR YOUR NEXT

PATRIOT BULLETIN TO ARRIVE IN THE MAIL IN LATE NOVEMBER WITH ALL THE DETAILS ABOUT OUR

HOLIDAY’S PARTY ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6th.

AGAIN THIS YEAR, THE PARTYS WILL BE COMBINED FOR THE

CHAPTER / CHILDREN

GROWNUP’S & KIDS CELEBRATE IN SEPARATE ROOMS. PLAN NOW WHAT

CHILDREN / GRANDKIDS YOU WILL BRING SO PURPLE SANTA

CAN HAVE GIFTS READY

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Summer is diminishing, and we can finally look forward to the cooler temperatures of Fall. Our September 19th meeting was informative, and very well attended. I passed out an article that contained important influenza information entitled: Texans Preparing for Pandemic Influenza; detailing how to prepare, prevent, and obtain treatment. Elaine Rey is Region V President, for a second term. Congratulations Elaine! She spoke with our group, providing us with vital information she learned from the National conference. The good news from National is that LAMOPH lifetime membership will remain at $50! Membership is open to wives, daughters, step-daughters, granddaughters, step-granddaughters, so take this opportunity to JOIN NOW. Our National President this year is Gwen Gilliard, and she will be attending our Department of Texas Convention in June 2010. Also, this year’s new National Secretary is Ms. Dar Schuff. The National office LAMOPH is asking each member to turn in their birth date and year, for verification purposes. In Unit 1919, I will collect your information and send the information to National Membership Officer Pat Richards. Elaine also reported that this year’s Region V conference will be October

30, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She encourages all to attend. Next, our ladies voted for the Unit to purchase an updated Constitutions and Bylaws refill for Parliamentarian Lucille Bennett’s position; and we voted to provide a $25 gift card from “Outback Steakhouse” to support the raffle at the Region V conference. The guest speaker at this meeting was Cheryl Fries, from Arrowhead films. She presented an outstanding made-for-TV documentary about the role of the Red Cross girls during the Vietnam War.

Our next big event: NOVEMBER 11TH: VETERAN’S DAY PARADE. Wear purple and meet on the Congress Avenue Bridge at 8 am The parade begins at 9 am and the traditional ceremony follows at the south entrance of the Capitol at 11am. Please make plans to participate in this wonderful event.

Please come to our next meeting: October 24, 10 a.m., at Camp Mabry Museum.

As always, keep our soldiers and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Betty, President, Unit 1919

COMMAND AND PRINCIPAL STAFF

CHAPTER / UNIT

1919

OFFICERS, MOPH CHAPT 1919 NOTE: AREA CODES NOT LISTED ARE ( 512 ) COMMANDER JOHN BURKHARDT 497-5857

SENIOR VICE COMMANDER LEE HAGAN 908-4289

JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER FRED HUDGEONS 258-4564

ADJUTANT MILT CARR 343-7940

FINANCE OFFICER JIM BROWN 773-8274

SERVICE OFFICER JIMMIE SALAZAR (830) 868-9237

PUBLIC RELATIONS TONY GEISHAUSER 527-8495

JUDGE ADVOCATE JAY KIMBROUGH 450-9400

CHAPLAIN RUFUS DYE 926-5691

AMERICANISM OFFICER ERNIE BANASAU 894-0644

WELFARE OFFICER LEE HAGAN 908-4289

SERGEANT AT ARMS JON MEDINA 363-7705

OFFICERS, LAMOPH UNIT 1919

PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, CHAPLAIN BETTY CEPEDA 278-0292

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT MARISOL CONTRERAS 791-7532

JUNIOR VICE PRESIDENT KATHERINE CONTRERAS 272-4582

TREASURER-PATRIOTIC INSTR. JULIE BRIDGEWATER (972) 754-4393

TRUSTEES, 1-2-3 Yr MARY CONTRERAS 282-0467 “GINNY” BANKSTON 252-1512 LAURIE HUDGEONS 258-4564

PARLIAMENTARIAN LUCILLE BENNETT 345-2534

HISTORIAN ELAINE BURKHARDT 479-5857

Unit Notes

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...THERE IS INFORMATION HERE, AND IN THE DEPARTMENT NEWS ON PAGE 10, THAT COMES FROM NATIONAL CONVENTION. BUT, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FROM THIS ISSUE IS: DON’T MISS OUR NEXT MEETING ON OCT 24th, AND PLAN NOW TO BE WITH US ON VETERANS DAY.

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NEW MEMBERS Since last month’s report, we have had three new members added to the rolls of Chapter 1919. Congratulations and welcome to:

Brian K. Allen, 1SG, B Troop, 4-9 Cav, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, wounded June 6, 2009 in Mosul, Iraq. Brian is now our “most recently wounded Patriot.”

Richard V. Cruz is an Army Vietnam veteran. Richard was wounded August 21, 1967 when assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.

Eric L. Govea is an Army Iraq veteran. He was a member of Company C, 204th Forward Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, wounded June 26, 2003 when his convoy was hit with multiple rocket propelled grenades (RPG).

Applications still in-process at National Headquarters at “press-time” for this newsletter:

Jacob Valdez, Army, Iraq. Jason Haglund, Marine Corps, Iraq.

...Recipient of Army’s 2009 Award... PATRIOT JOHN TEMPLER ...General Douglas MacArthur Award..

After new member, John Templer, attended our Purple Heart Day Celebration he sent us several pictures, including one of him posed with the Army Chief of Staff, and that immediately caught our attention. John is a currently serving Captain at Fort Hood and obviously stays rather busy, so it took him until now to send us this added information explaining the photo.

GENERAL GEORGE CASEY AND PATRIOT TEMPLER ON CAPT JOHN TEMPLER IN PENTAGON PURPLE HEART DAY IN CEREMONY, MAY 8, 2009 AUSTIN, AUGUST 2009

The General Douglas MacArthur award is given annually to 28 company grade officers from all three components of the Army who represent the Army’s ideal for: “unequaled technical and tactical competence, mature understanding of their leaders, subordinates, and peers, and commitment to Army values.” The award is a 15 lb. Bronze bust of General MacArthur.

..More Schools Soon To Be Adding. MOPH’s

ROTC LEADERSHIP AWARDS

There are eight university level ROTC programs and 18 high school Junior ROTC programs in Chapter 1919’s area for which we normally coordinate the presentation of our distinctive leadership award to a selected cadet in each of those schools at the end of each school year. Junior ROTC is becoming more popular in this area and you can look for those high school numbers to increase. Next year Cedar Park will have a new Navy High School JROTC unit. There are also more distant plans for addition of Marine Corps Junior ROTC at Lake Travis and Pflugerville’s Henderson High School.

—Lee Hagan, Chapter ROTC Awards

ADJUTANTS CALL

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MEMBERSHIP CARD REPLACEMENT: After going into great detail in the July issue about how Patriots can order a replacement card from the mail order list in every issue of our national PURPLE HEART MAGAZINE (by sending $3 for item #876), now the National Adjutant informs us the price tag just went up. It now costs $5 to replace a membership card.

CHANGES AT NATIONAL CONVENTION: The requirement that Life Memberships be restricted to “age 18 and over,” was eliminated. Mostly what this means is that now children under 18 can again be signed up as Associate Members. This and other changes are being written into newly revised Bylaws that will be posted on the national MOPH website soon, consult: www. purpleheart.org.

CHANGES IN OUR CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP: Through all our history up until just a couple of years ago our entire membership was a good old boys club, with the youngest among us having been wounded on some foreign field of battle decades ago (and in most cases quite a few decades ago at that). Now Chapter 1919 is up to 40 Iraq and Afghanistan wounded, they make up the most rapidly growing segment of our membership and they are all young. Some are in process of transitioning from active duty to civilian life when they join, but, others are still active duty Soldiers and Marines, and many of those are careerists who intend to stay in. Taking a look at this month’s newsletter illustrates what I’m talking about. This month’s “New Members” article introduces Patriot Brian Allen. Brian is the First Sergeant of a Cavalry Troop who joined MOPH by applying on-line, directly to National only a few weeks after he was wounded. He and Commander

Burkhardt (and yours truly, the Adjutant) had a lively and wonderful exchange of e-mails before National could even confirm Brian’s membership. This month’s “feature story” highlights Patriot Ken Kassner, enroute home from his third tour in Iraq. New Member, Patriot John Templer, came from Fort Hood to attend our Purple Heart Day Celebration and, when we requested, he sent us a photo of himself in the Pentagon with the Army Chief of Staff. It took us until this month to get the

follow-up explanation (this Army captain is a super achiever) on that photo on page 4.

OPERATION PURPLE SANTA 2009: Donations (cash, children’s Christmas toys, or household goods) will be gladly accepted at this upcoming October 24th meeting and at the Chapter Christmas Party on December 6th. For details, consult the “Purple Santa” page of our chapter website, or call Purple Santa’s head toy collector, Rufus Dye, 926-5691.

PHOTOS FOR CHAPTER RECORD: Patriots are invited to furnish one or more photos, either studio portraits or snapshots, from sometime during their war when wounded, and preferably in uniform, for our

chapter records. This growing portfolio is being maintained as a Power Point slide show that is displayed from time to time at chapter meetings as appropriate. Also, for those WWII wounded Patriots who have not already done so, Commander Burkhardt is having those photos recorded in the National WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. Mail photos to me at the return address of this newsletter, or e-mail digital photos (attach as .jpg files please) to adjutant@purpleheartaustin.org.

—Milt Carr, Adjutant, (512) 343-7940

CHANGES IN OUR CHAPTER

MEMBERSHIP UNTIL JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO OUR ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP WAS A GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB, MADE UP ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY OF PATRIOTS WOUNDED QUITE A FEW DECADES AGO. NOW MOST MEMBERS SIGNING UP (40 SO FAR AND GROWING) ARE YOUNG, IRAQ OR AFGHANISTAN WOUNDED, AND MANY OF THEM ARE CAREER SOLDIERS AND MARINES WHO, DESPITE MULTIPLE TOURS IN COMBAT, HAVE NO INTENTION OF LEAVING ACTIVE DUTY — AND THEY ARE AS PROUD TO JOIN US AS WE ARE TO HAVE THEM BECOME A PART OF MOPH. THIS NEWSLETTER HAS ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE POINT BEING MADE HERE. SEE THE KEN KASSNER FEATURE STORY, PAGES 8 & 9; THE JOHN TEMPLER ARTICLE ON PAGE 4; AND WHAT THIS PAGE HAS TO SAY ABOUT OUR NEWEST MEMBER AND MOST RECENTLY WOUNDED PATRIOT, BRIAN ALLEN.

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...Scenes From The… LAST CHAPTER MONTHLY MEETING

… Saturday, September 19th, in the Audie L. Murphy Academy Bldg, Camp Mabry…

COFFEE, DOUGHNUTS, AND SOCIALIZING FOLLOWED BY THE MEETING IN THE FOYER FOR EARLY ARRIVALS IN THE AUDITORIUM

PATRIOTS ATTENDING THE MEETING INCLUDED, RODOLFO ALANIZ, ERNIE BANASAU, WILL BEATTY, JAMES LOGAN BROWN, JOHN BURKHARDT, JOHNNY CAMPBELL, MILT CARR, SEAN CARR, JOE CASTRO, RICHARD CONTRERAS, MARCO CORDON, FRANK CORTEZ, RAYMOND DIAZ, RUFUS DYE, JESS FARMER, ALFREDO GARCIA, LEE HAGAN, FRED HUDGEONS, FRED LORD, RAMIRO MARTINEZ, BRIAN MCCLUSKEY (A NEW MEMBER ATTENDING HIS FIRST MEETING), HOWARD MCKINNEY, DAVID PENNINGTON, HAROLD RADEMACHER, FRED REY, W.E.”PETE” SNELSON, ROBERT WARD, AND SEVERAL OTHERS THAT ESCAPED THE SIGN-IN LIST

GUEST SPEAKER, CHERYL FRIES, FROM ARROWHEAD FILMS, PRESENTED THEIR LATEST DOCUMENTARY, “A TOUCH OF HOME,” A STORY OF THE 627 RED CROSS GIRLS, “DONUT DOLLIES,” WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM

PRESIDENT BETTY CEPEDA MEETS WITH THE AUXILIARY UNIT BEFORE HEARING THE GUEST SPEAKER

PAST CHAPTER COMMANDER FRANK CORTEZ PRESENTS RAY DIAZ WITH HIS “PAST CHAPTER COMMANDER’S HAT”

AT THE MOPH NATIONAL CONVENTION IN ROGERS, ARKANSAS THIS SUMMER, CHAPTER 1919 RECEIVED THE “BEST CHAPTER NEWSLETTER IN THE NATION” AWARD AND THE CHAPTER “DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD” FOR 2009. SO AT THIS, OUR NEXT MEETING, COMMANDER BURKHARDT PASSES THOSE MEMENTOS TO ADJUTANT MILT CARR AND WEBMASTER, HOWARD MCKINNEY, TO CELEBRATE THE OCCASION

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...Chapter 1919’s Representation At... OTHER EVENTS

National POW / MIA Recognition Day in Austin

...Texas State Cemetery, 11AM, Friday, September 18th...

...Reunion In Austin, Texas, Sept 6, 2009 Of The... Thu Duc Military Academy

...The“West Point” of the former South Vietnam… The Military Academy of the Republic of Vietnam had commissioned over 60,000 officers for its armed forces in its 25 year history before the communist take-over in 1975.

Graduates not escaping the country were systematically tracked down and sent to “re-education” camps where many died. Some among the survivors subsequently immigrated to the U.S. after release. Austin currently has an estimated 20,000 population of Vietnamese-Americans and was the chosen site for this year’s reunion. Patriot Patrick Reilly (c), represented Chapter 1919.

ATTENDEES ASSEMBLED FOR THE CEREMONY. THE HONOR GUARD, PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS, ARE IN FOREGROUND

REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE CEREMONIAL “WREATH LAYING,” POSED FOR THIS PHOTO BY JOHN BURKHARDT

THANKS TO COMMANDER JOHN MITERKO OF VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER 915, AND COMMANDER DON DORSEY OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF VIETNAM VETERANS FOR SPONSORING THE EVENT THIS YEAR IN AUSTIN. CENTER PHOTO, BEHIND THE PURPLE HEART MONUMENT, CHAPTER 1919’S PATRIOT AND VIETNAM EX-POW, KEN WALLINGFORD, IS FLANKED BY PATRIOTS JOHN BURKHARDT AND RAYMOND DIAZ. IN LEFT PHOTO, BURKHARDT IS WITH PATRIOT BOBBY BRISCOE, MINERVA BOWIE GARCIA (WOMEN VETERANS COORDINATOR), AND BOB LARSON (PRESIDENT, NAUS CHAPTER). RIGHT PHOTO, BURKHARDT, DIAZ AND LARSON VISIT AFTER THE CEREMONY WITH CITY OF AUSTIN MAYOR, LEE LEFFINGWELL

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KENNETH R. KASSNER Marine Corps, Iraq

Patriot, Chapter 1919 Dateline: Sal Sinjar, Iraq, news from LtCol Ken Kassner, USMC—a periodic contributor to PATRIOT BULLETIN. Patriot Kenneth R. Kassner is a native Texan, born in 1968. He graduated from the University of Houston and then was commissioned in the Marine Corps. He has served in a variety of assignments including deployments to Somalia and Croatia and has been wounded twice during multiple tours in Iraq. He became a member of our MOPH Chapter 1919 in 2006 when on an ROTC assignment as Assistant Professor of Naval Science at the University of Texas. In July 2008, he assumed command of 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. He and his Marines are currently deployed to Ninewa Province, Iraq, and he sends us this message.

Dear Fellow Patriots, Since its arrival to Iraq’s western Ninewa Province in March, the Marine Corps’ 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion—the WOLFPACK—has been conducting reconnaissance and combined security operations with units of the Iraqi Army (IA) and Border Police (IBP) to interdict foreign fighters, their facilitators, and smugglers crossing into Iraq from Syria and deny them freedom of movement throughout the battalion’s expansive battlespace. To be sure, our extensive and continuous presence throughout Iraq’s northwestern frontier has served to disrupt the enemy and any criminal elements suspected of supporting the insurgency. Operating continuously in our assigned area instead of homebasing on an elaborate Forward Operating Base, or FOB, the battalion’s mission can truly be characterized as “expeditionary”. For the last five months, the Marines and Sailors of the WOLFPACK have been maintaining a constant presence throughout the task force’s battlespace, conducting daily combat and security operations, only periodically rotating onto a remote airfield in the middle of the desert where the battalion’s command post (CP) and supporting units are located in order to conduct routine maintenance on their light armored vehicles (LAVs), plan for future operations, enjoy a water-bottle or shower-stall shower, use a computer to send an email home, or simply relax for a couple of days before continuing operations for several more weeks. In some respects, living and working in western Ninewa Province’s austere operational environment with its open deserts, cavernous wadi systems, jagged rock formations near Sinjar Mountain, weekly sandstorms, and summer temperatures that have exceeded 115 degrees have served as a badge of honor for the young Marines and Sailors of the WOLFPACK—including those of us in the

over-40 club—as they know few other units in Iraq today have been conducting their missions in a similar, expeditionary manner. More to the point, the Marines recognize that their constant presence throughout the battlespace has helped develop a stable security environment by deterring any enemy activity. Throughout the last few months, not only has 3d LAR Battalion been aggressively conducting operations to target the enemy in its sector of Iraq, the task force has also been extensively working with the IA and IBP, enhancing their professionalization, facilitating some of their training requirements, and supporting many of their planned operations. Our increased activity working “by, with, and through” the Iraqi Army and Border Police is one indication of the many advances this country has made since the war began in 2003. In working with the Iraqis, the Marines and Sailors

of the WOLFPACK have developed close relations with the soldiers and police of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), whose warfighting and law enforcement capabilities have dramatically increased since my first deployment to Iraq in the summer of 2004. Together with the ISF, 3d LAR Battalion has overwatched the border areas between Iraq and Syria, interdicted cross-border activity and smuggling operations, targeted enemy cells that emplace roadside bombs—better known as improvised explosive devices—searched abandoned villages suspected of harboring enemy forces, and patrolled the area for known and suspected insurgents. Conducting combined operations with the ISF has truly been one of the greatest experiences for 3d LAR Battalion, and the effects of our partnered relationships have enhanced the IA and IBP professionalization and advanced the security in the region. In addition to conducting security operations, in recent weeks, the battalion has focused many of its efforts to build a stable, prosperous society for the people—Arab, Kurdish, Yezidi, Turkoman, or other—in western Ninewa Province by developing a robust civil affairs campaign to improve the governance, economics, and life-support facilities in towns

LTCOL KEN KASSNER CO, 3RD LAR, 2009

3rd LIGHT ARMORED RECON BATTALION DISTINCTIVE UNIT

INSIGNIA

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and villages throughout the local area. These projects have included school renovations, road repairs, financial grants to small businesses to invest in the local economy, and the distribution of food bags to some of the more needy families in our area. The gratitude expressed by the people whom we help and those with whom we work in these economically poor areas and the smiles on their faces, particularly the children, serve to further motivate our commitment to enhance the civil developmnet in our slice of Iraq. As we drive throughout the battlespace, the kids regularly race outside from their sand-brick homes to catch a glimpse of the Marines and wave their hands at us. Their beaming grins serve as another testament of the progress that has been made in Iraq. Despite all these signs of advancement in the region, there are still some significant challenges that remain for the Iraqi civil and military leadership, including the neutralization of small pockets of insurgents that aim to destabilize the security in the area; countering and managing the effects of a 4-year long drought that has devastated the agricultural landscape and forced many farmers and shepherds to abandon their homes and migrate to the cities, where unemployment and migration greatly affect these urban centers; and stabilizing the geopolitical tensions that exist between the different ethnic groups in the region. Nonetheless, in this western region of Ninewa Province, there have been many positive developments in the Iraqi military, civilian, and governing sectors that I have observed since first deploying with the WOLFPACK to Iraq in 2004 and, until my Marines and I return home in October, we’ll continue to work with the Iraqi Army and local governing officials to ensure a secure, stable environment. This deployment serves as the fifth rotation of 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF), and it’s my third tour of duty with the WOLFPACK here. Indeed, since the war began in 2003, great strides have been made to stabilize the operational environment, enhance the capability and credibility of the Iraqi Security Forces, and assist in the enhancement of civil development. Throughout the many phases of OIF, the WOLFPACK, like the other U.S. forces here, has clearly distinguished itself, and I’m proud to have served with this storied unit through most of its deployments to Iraq. As currently scheduled, 3d LAR Battalion will be the last light armored reconnaissance unit to rotate to Iraq. So, the WOLFPACK will close this chapter of Marine Corps history for the LAR community. In turn, this letter will serve as my last report to you from Iraq. Indeed, I greatly appreciate the opportunity given to me by the PATRIOT BULLETIN staff, particularly Patriot Milt Carr, for the opportunity to periodically send you my updates from the war. My thanks also go to you, my fellow Patriots, who have served their country with honor and pride and supported my battalion with thoughts, prayers, and concern. Semper fidelis (Latin for “always faithful”; The Marine Corps’ motto).

For updates on Task Force 3d LAR in Iraq, visit the WOLFPACK website at www.i-mef.usmc.mil/div/3lar. In patriotism, Ken Kassner LtCol of Marines Commanding Officer Task Force 3d LAR Sahl Sinjar, Iraq

LtCol KEN KASSNER AND HIS LAV IN NINEWA PRIVINCE

SEPTEMBER 2009

APROACHING SAND STORM

BN CDR KASSNER WITH TWO IRAQI GENERALS VISITING WITH A SHEPHERD BOY

3rd LA RECON BATTALION REVILLE

ON PATROL

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DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS NEWS ...For Every MOPH Chapter & LAMOPH Unit…

MOPH PHONE NUMBERS

COMMANDER JOHN FOOTMAN (254) 681-8807

SENIOR VICE COMMANDER RAUL CAMPBELL (210) 681-1285

JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER SAMUEL LUNA (281) 395-9152

CHIEF OF STAFF JACK PALMER (254) 554-7045

ADJUTANT FEDERICO REY (512) 339-8034

FINANCE OFFICER WAYMON FAULKNER (817) 834-4181

SERVICE OFFICER ROCKY HERNANDEZ (254) 628-1323

SGT-AT-ARMS OCTAVIO LAGUNA (409) 423-4977

JUDGE ADVOCATE C.W.(BUD) NETTLES (936) 462-8519

INSPECTOR ROBERT HERNANDEZ (254) 694-4215

WELFARE OFFICER PETER ROSIE (210) 826-8714

NATIONAL EXCECUTIVE COMMITTEEMAN DELEON WESTON (915) 821-3880

ALTERNATE NAT’L EXEC COMMITTEEMAN HARRY SMART (210) 648-4529

AMERICANISM OFFICER RAUL CAMPBELL (210) 681-1285

CHAPLAIN DON WILSON (817) 595-2626

LAMOPH

PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY MAMIE CAMPBELL (210) 681-1285

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT KATHY FOOTMAN (254) 681-8807

JUNIOR VICE PRESIDENT GLORIA LUNA (281) 395-9152

TREASURER BETTY CEPEDA (512) 278-0292

SGT-AT-ARMS INEZ BROOKS (281) 650-2886

TRUSTEES 1-YR, DOE SMART (210) 648-4529 2-YR, DEE KIRKLEY (936) 615-5420 3-YR, CATHERINE JOHNSON (936) 294-0808

FOR MOPH CHAPTERS: We had a great National Convention in Rogers, Arkansas. Now it is time to focus on our main goals.

#1. Get Ready for Veterans Day.

#2. Let’s get everyone in our Chapters involved. Remember to feel a part, we must be a part.

#3. We need to show our colors and have a great representation in this year’s Parades all across Texas.

#4. We need to let our Veterans know that the Purple Heart Organization, along with all other Veterans Groups, are behind them 100%.

#5. We need to get out and recruit new members. National has assisted us with a permanent $50.00 Lifetime Membership fee, so let’s take advantage of this and let everyone know what we have to offer when they become a Lifetime Member.

Let’s remember that “our” Mid-Year Conference will soon be here. Look for more information in the December Newsletter. It promises to be a great Conference with lots of new information for our Chapters and Units. Chapter 1936 has been working very hard to make this Conference one of the best. Make plans to attend and enjoy yourself and receive all of the latest knowledge Department of Texas Military Order of the Purple Heart has for you.

We’re coming into the fall season with the approaching Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays. The weather is starting to cool which gives us a chance to visit friends and be involved with Viola Drives, attending more of the Chapter’s meetings, becoming involved with more of your Chapter’s events.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and their families.

God Bless “Our” Troops,

God Bless America,

John D. Footman Department of Texas Commander

FOR AUXILIARY UNITS Ladies of your respective Auxiliary Units, I hope you each have had the opportunity to visit with a member who attended the National Convention in Rogers, Arkansas. For those who were Unit delegates, I hope you brought the workshop information back home and that you brief the convention news to your group. Our Constitution and By Laws have been updated and each Unit should have a copy. Order a set now and plan to have “mini” workshop sessions at your meetings, its more fun in a group! INSPECTIONS: One of my responsibilities is to “inspect” each unit (not my own- Sr. VP will conduct it). Please be assured that the inspection serves only as a “guide” to assist and offer helpful suggestions to the Unit. It is not meant to be a report card.

REGION V Conference: Region V President, Elaine Rey, invites us to attend, on Oct. 30 & 31st, a one day conference at the MCM Elegante Hotel, Albuquerque, NM. For Reservations, call (505) 884-2511 and mention MOPH for the $69 room rate. All Units are asked to bring/send a raffle item(s). Gift cards are very popular and require little space and wrapping. Everyone is invited to attend. More info to follow.

NOV & DEC: It’s time to plan for food gift baskets for veterans and their families for holiday gift giving. December will be here soon and with every year more and more young children look forward to “gifts from Santa”. Gather members of your Units and “shop” together for holiday gifts for the young. “Candy Canes & Cards” are a big hit for veterans in hospitals and nursing homes. A “special” thanks to Dept. Sr. Vice President Kathy Footman for her assistance during our recent visit to Nacogdoches Unit 1952 for their September meeting. Congratulations to Auxiliary Unit President, Dee Kirkley, and her Auxiliary members for their successful meeting. To Agnes Randall and her “hospitality” committee for a delicious breakfast—thank you. Extending my wish to each of you for a FUN Halloween in October, and a PATRIOTIC November .

Mamie Benitez Campbell-President LAMOPH Department of Texas raulmamie@aol.com

Page 11 PATRIOT BULLET IN

In Memory Of Patriot WILLIAM J. DALLAS ARMY AIR FORCE, WWII, EUROPE, POW 303rd BOMB GROUP, 8TH AIR FORCE WOUNDED IN THE AIR OVER GERMANY

RUFUS DYE 5/09

In Memory Of Patriot

CARL H. KLEIN ARMY, WWII, WOUNDED IN FRANCE

2nd BN, 38th INF, 2nd INFANTRY DIV

DONALD MORRISON 6/09

COMPUTER USERS, READ PATRIOT BULLETIN

ON YOUR HOME MONITOR

Save us some budget dollars while viewing these chapter newsletters on your computer at home. Notify us and we will suspend mailings of your paper copies and will instead notify you by e-mail each month when the next issue of PATRIOT BULLETIN is posted on our Chapter Website. That is usually about ten days before the paper copies begin arriving in our member’s mail boxes at home. If you are ready to do so now, please notify the adjutant by e-mail at adjutant@purpleheartaustin.org in order to make sure that we record your e-address correctly.

101st AIRBORNE DIVISION “STRIKE FORCE”

VIETNAM 1966

JIMMY & GUADALUPE MARTINEZ 8/08

IN MEMORY OF ROBERT McHANEY

ARMY, VIETNAM A GOOD SOLDIER

A GOOD TEACHER, AND A GREAT FATHER

MARY McHANEY 3/09

Prequel

to

Tributes

PRESIDENT, DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS LADIES AUXILIARY

MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART Mamie Benitez Campbell PHOTO FROM THE 2009 CONVENTION NACOGDOCHES

...News Heard Around The Coffee Pot At…

CHAPTER 1919’s PURPLE HEART COFFEE BAR, AUSTIN VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC

We have been giving free coffee, orange juice and snack packets at the clinic for a dozen years now (45,000 cups of coffee last year), and our coffee bar attracts a lot of favorable attention, everybody knows about that. But, server, Henry Papke, says all the Patriots and Ladies need to know that he and the other clinic volunteers also receive a lot of praise for the many other things Chapter 1919 does too, and that praise comes from doctors and staff at the clinic as well as the disabled vets who benefit. Henry especially wanted to mention the new 32” flat-screen TV donated to the pediatric wing this year, as well as the refrigerators and microwaves (pictured here upon delivery) all donated in recent months. Many of the 13 other closed-caption TV’s throughout the clinic were provided by Chapter 1919 in earlier years. We also helped the DAV purchase a new van to transport the Cedar Park Clinic patients and a host of other projects as well—and it’s not just at the VA. Henry says also tell everyone about the direct help provided to two recently discharged local area vets (welfare program helped pay a big utility bill and bought new car tires) caught struggling from layoffs in this present recession.

Page 12 PATRIOT BULLET IN

PATRIOT BIRTHDAYS Of the TEXAS CAPITAL CHAPTER 1 NICHOLAS SCHOON 2 CHARLES E. BONNEY 2 JOSEPH ZORNICK 3 DANA M. BECKER 4 FRED E. LORD 4 ARNOLD E. (A.E.) KAUFFMAN 5 THOMAS A. LYKE

6 JOHNNIE L. MATL 7 JOHN A. HENNEN 7 ALVIN LANGHAMER 7 FOY W. WATSON 8 JOHN E. (JACK) ESHELMAN 8 JOHN T. (JACK) HODES

9 RAYMOND T. (TOM) HARP 9 CLARENCE F. SEIDL 10 STANLEY B. WILLBANKS 12 CHARLES H. (TIM) McCOY 14 ANTHONY W. (TONY) MOORE JR. 17 JAMES R. (J.R.) RICHIE

17 EDWARD (ED) GARR 18 JOHN E. PRICE 18 ARTHUR W. (ART) TRANTHAM SR. 19 GEORGE C. CARRUTHERS 21 JASON ROBEN 22 DONALD W. SLOAN 23 SERVANDO C. VARELA

23 LESLIE D. GOEBEL 23 RAYMOND L. (RAY) MCKEE, SR. 24 LARRY D. BARBEE 25 MAXIMO (MAX) VASQUEZ 26 CRAIG GREENBAUM 26 FRANCISCO RENE (FRANK) CORTEZ

26 BUREN H. (LEW) LEDBETTER 27 CLEBURNE A. MEDLOCK 27 ALFREDO, (AL) GARCIA JR. 27 JAMES A. GORDON 28 PEDRO, (PETE) ESPINOZA JR. 28 EDWARD A. DAY

29 JOHN E. LAW 29 ROY D. MCCOY 29 SHERMAN W. BRAND 29 JONATHAN L. (DOC) MONNICH 30 JAMES P. BRYANT 31 MICHAEL E. (MIKE) MOORE

31 LYNN E. HICKS

31 JUAN A. GAUNA 31 MILTON B. (MILT) CARR 1 JOHN P. BLACKWELL 2 KENNETH R. KASSNER 2 LUKE A.P. CONNALLY 2 WILLIAM H. (BILL) DECKER JR.

3 CHARLES A. CAVANAUGH JR. 4 SCOTT R. FEIL 5 JOSEPH D. (JOE) HARTNESS

5 BOBBY R. BRISCOE (CONTINUED IN NEXT COLUMN)

OCTOBER

happ y

b i r t hda y

BIRTHDAYS FOR THE LADIES AUXILIARY

Our Birthday Ladies Are:

OCTOBER 2 JOSEPHINE MAYS 21 ROSALIE DYE CASTILLO 23 ELYSSA REY 24 NETTY MALMQUIST 31 VALERIE DYE NOVEMBER 14 DEBORAH KAY WEBB 17 SUE LICHTENBERGER 26 PAULINE HUTH 28 MONICA CEPEDA 28 CLAUDINE FARMER

—BETTY CEPEDA, Unit President

NOVEMBER

(NOVEMBER PATRIOT B’DAYS CONT’D) 6 JOHN EVAN 6 WAYNE S. HOTALING 7 FRANK 10/08 PLUMMER 7 GUSTAVO E. GUERRERO 7 ELLIS L. QUIETT

8 DAVID W. (DAVE) SCHELLENGER 8 ALBERTO BOSQUEZ, JR. 9 GEORGE J. COMBS 10 SETH R. ORELL 10 CRAIG A. SMITH 14 DENNIS M. BIGGS

19 EMILIO CASTRO-RIVERA 20 KRISTOPHER L. (KRIS) RODRIGUEZ 21 JAMES W. PISTOLE 23 WILFRED TIMMERMANN 23 JACK D. FISCHER 24 MICHAEL E. WYANT 25 ELTON G. JOCHEN

26 JAMES T. (JIM) TRAMEL 26 JOHN D. ELI 27 BRIAN K. ALLEN 27 JIMMIE S. SALAZAR 27 JOHN (PETE) TOWNLEY 28 CLINTON M. EVETTS

28 ERIC L. GOVEA 28 PONCIANO MORALES III 29 RUSSELL D. HOLLOWAY 29 LLOYD D. KINDLE 29 HENRY F. (HANK) NEWKIRK JR. 30 JOHN M. BRYANT

30 OSCAR J. GUZMAN 30 RONALD R. HUGHES

INDIVIDUALS LESLIE ALLEN 1/09 JOHN ALVARADO 8/09 ERNIE & VIRGINIA BANASAU 8/09 WILL & MARY ANN BEATTY 6/09 STEPHEN BODNAR 5/09 CHARLES BONNEY 10/08 JOHN BRAND, D.min., J.D. 5/09 WILLIAM A. BRANT MEMORIAL 6/09 JAMES L. BROWN 1/09 JAMES P. BRYANT 8/09 JOHN & ELAINE BURKHARDT 6/09 MICHELLE BURKHARDT 1/09 MILT CARR 3/09 SEAN CARR 12/08 JOE CASTRO 9/09 BETTY CEPEDA 8/09 JIM CHAMBERS MEMORIAL 5/09 BOB COOK 5/09 BOB COOK 90th B'DAY HONORARIUM 6/09 JOE CRUZ 3/09 MILLIE DALRYMPLE 9/09

ROBERT S. DALTON 2/09 BRUCE DAVIS 10/08 PAUL DEVAULT 5/09 RAYMOND DIAZ 7/09 WALLACE E. DOWNEY 10/08 PHILIP DREISESZUN 12/08 RUFUS DYE 8/09 JOHN ELI 9/08 JOSEPH F. FRIEDMAN 12/08 VIC FRYSINGER 1/09 GONZALO GARZA 3/09

RANDY & VIOLA GREENE 8/09 JACK HADSELL 3/09 LEE HAGAN 7/09 JOE & GAIL HARTNESS 9/09 BOB HARWOOD 5/09 HERMAN HAYDON 5/09 BOB HEFFORD 12/08 FRED & LAURIE HUDGEONS 5/09 CHARLES KELLEY 7/09 THE KERR FAMILY 9/09 CARL KLEIN MEMORIAL 9/09 LEW LEDBETTER 8/09 JOE LEVINSON 12/08 HAROLD & MAUREEN LEWIS 12/08 JIMMY & GUADALUPE MARTINEZ 8/08 JOHNNIE & JOHNNIE MATL 3/09 MEMORIAL, "PAPPY," MASCOT 12/08 "GENERAL PATTON," MASCOT #2 12/08 RAY MCKEE 9/09 KERRY MERRITT 04/09 GEORGE MIGL 1/09 DONALD MORRISON 5/09

BILL NEWBERRY 3/09 CHAPTER 1919 OFFICERS 8/09 HENRY & DELORES PAPKE 10/09 EDGAR L. PARKER 12/08 GARY PENDER 12/08 FRANK & KATHY PLUMMER 10/08 FRED RETTIG 8/09 FRED & ELAINE REY 9/08 MARLIEN RICE 2/09 MINNIE RICE 2/09 EDWARD & ONEITA SCHMALREID 1/09 CLARENCE SEIDL 2/09

BOOSTERS Help support Chapter 1919’s programs by becoming a “Booster” and adding your name to this distinguished list for one year following. Send check contribution of $10 or more payable to Chapter 1919, MOPH and designate for “Boosters” to: Adjutant, Milt Carr, 5114 Balcones Woods Drive Suite 307 #175, Austin, TX 78759-5212.

Page 13 PATRIOT BULLET IN

JAMES D. SEYMOUR, JR. 5/09 CARLOS SOZA 8/09 HARRY SWAN MEMORIAL 12/08 GABRIEL TAMAYO 12/08 MIKE TARPLEY 5/09 CHARLES TARVER 3/09 W.R. TIMMERMANN 2/09 VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC DONATIONS, Daily SERVANDO & MARY VARELA 8/09 JACK WARDEN 5/09 HARVEY & LOUISE WEBB 08/09 HAROLD WEEDEN 11/08 ROBERT & JUNE WHITMAN 2/09 JOE & MARY ANN ZORNICK 3/09 ORGANIZATIONS ACES 3/09 MOPH SERVICE FOUNDATION ODD FELLOWS LODGE 23 12/08 TEXAS MILITARY FORCES MUSEUM, Mo VFW POST 3377 VFW POST 856 Quarterly VFW POST 856 Quarterly

BUSINESSES AUSTIN DUCK ADVENTURES 11/08 HILL'S CAFÉ INSTY-PRINTS S [ELLER FAMILY] 4360 S CONG MCKINNEY E-SYSTEMS & ASSOC., INC. 6/09 MIKE'S PRINT SHOP 6448 HWY 290E RANDALLS FOOD MKTS, INC, QTRLY SYSCO FOOD SVC OF AUSTIN, QTRLY

ALL-STAR DONORS SPECIAL RECOGNITION IS DUE TO EACH OF OUR SUPER BOOSTERS, INDIVIDUALS WHOSE GIFTS HAVE TOTALED $100 OR MORE — AND CORPORATE LEVEL DONORS WHO HAVE GIVEN $1,000 OR MORE DURING THE PAST YEAR.

PATRIOT BULLETIN SALUTES — John Alvarado, Jr. — Mike Barton — John H. Brand, D.min,J.D. — John & Elaine Burkhardt —

—Jim Chambers Memorial —Millie Dalrymple— Bruce Davis — Paul & Phyllis DeVault —Raymond Diaz— — Wallace E. Downey — Rufus Dye, Jr.— John Eli — John Nolan Friedman Memorial — Jack Hadsell — — Robert H. Harwood — Herman C. Haydon — Carl H. Klein Memorial — Buren H. (Lew) Ledbetter — — Harold & Maureen Lewis — Jimmy & Guadalupe Martinez — Kerry Merritt — Ponciano Morales,III — — Henry&Delores Papke — E.L. Parker — Fred&Elaine Rey — Ed&Oneita Schmalreid — Mike Tarpley —

CORPORATE LEVEL: — Harold & Elrose Weeden — Gary Pender — VFW Post 856 —

For a donation of $25, or more, we will place your message in subsequent publications of this bulletin for the next twelve months. Special Note: Your contribution may be tax-deductible to the extent of the law prescribed in the Internal Revenue Code. —MILT CARR, (512) 343-7940

In Tribute To All The Men Who Served In COMPANY “G”

187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team “RAKKASANS”

DURING THE KOREAN WAR

HAROLD WEEDEN 11/08

TO THOSE WHO SERVED

Semper Fidelis

WILLIAM NEWBERRY 3/09

To those who gave their lives 103rd Infantry Division

Europe, 1944-45 JOHN BRAND, D.Min., J.D. 5/09

HANG IN THERE MEN OF MOPH 1919

“HAVE A GREAT YEAR” RAY McKEE 9/09

In Memory of Members of MACV Advisory Team 79

who were killed or wounded, and to those who survived the conflict

Vietnam —1964 - 1965 HAL HUTH 12/08

IN MEMORY Of the 27 crew chiefs and pilots Who died in a single plane crash

In England during WWII 439th Troop Carrier Group

JACK HADSELL 3/09

IN MEMORY Staff Sgt JOHN J. BROWN

A Good Soldier, A Great Father

JIM BROWN 12/09

In Memory of the Pilots of the 18th Fighter / Bomber Group

Who Lost Their Lives During The

KOREAN WAR RUFUS DYE 8/09

IN TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO SERVED IN KOREA

IN 1950—1952

HAROLD [TEX-HOSS-HAL] LEWIS 12/08

Tributes Page 14 PATRIOT BULLET IN

In Memory of “Troopers” Ron -Charlie -Dick -Johnnie

KIA - Korean War - 1950 Eighth Cavalry Regiment

First Cavalry Division

JAMES LOGAN BROWN 1/10

In Memory and Gratitude CPL BENNY MATIAS, JR.

9th Infantry Division 12-11-68-RVN CPL JOE GARCIA

173rd Airborne Brigade 6-4-69-RVN Who gave their all to their country and will

never be forgotten RAYMOND DIAZ 6/09

In TRIBUTE to the Men of Company “M”

223rd Infantry Regiment 40th Infantry Division

KOREAN WAR JOHN & ANN LINGO 5/09

In Memory of those pilots of the 367th Fighter Group

—WWII Europe That made the supreme sacrifice

RUFUS DYE 8/09

In Memory of Patriot ARTHUR RICE

SURVIVOR OF THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH

WORLD WAR II MINNIE RICE 5/09

In Memory of the pilots of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing

VIETNAM WAR That Made the Supreme Sacrifice

RUFUS DYE 8 /09

In Memory of My Fallen Comrades 5th REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM

ARMY, KOREA 1950-1953

LEST WE FORGET JAMES P. BRYANT 8/09

IN MEMORY OF

J.M. HICKS P.O.W. IN JAPAN FOR 36 MONTHS

DURING WWII

JACK HADSELL 3/09

To Honor

Col Bill Brant WWII

Vietnam

HIS FAMILY 6/09

In Memory OF

BETTY DYE AND ALL OTHER PATRIOTS AND LADIES OF THE CHAPTER & UNIT 1919

WHO HAVE PASSED ON

RUFUS DYE 8/09

In Memory and Honor of the Heroes of ADVISOR TEAM 1, I CORPS, VIETNAM-1971

And Of The Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom Thank You For Sacrificing Your All To Ensure

Peace and Freedom for all Mankind

JOE & GAIL HARTNESS 9/09

MEMORIAL

IN HONOR OF HAROLD’S BIRTHDAY

PATRIOT HAROLD MARBURGER

MARCH 22nd

BETTY MARBURGER 3/09

Page 15 PATRIOT BULLET IN

More Tributes

In Memory Of Patriot

SAMUEL BIER ARMY AIR FORCE, WWII, EUROPE, POW

465th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force RUFUS DYE 5/09

USMACV Advisors to the ARVN Infantry, Airborne

and Ranger Battalions, the lonliest, scariest, and deadliest

job in that war. GRUNT 10/08

Deceased Chapter 1919 Patriots and Ladies

FY — 2010 FLETCHER W. HARRIS JR.

FRANK SEGURA

In Memory Of Patriot

WILLIAM A. BRANT ARMY, WWII, EUROPE

1st Infantry Division, Wounded, Normandy RUFUS DYE 5/09

In Memory Of Patriot, and 2004 National Commander

ROBERT LICHTENBERGER ARMY, VIETNAM, WOUNDED, CU CHI

20th Artillery, 1st Air Cavalry Div by both RAY DIAZ and RUFUS DYE 5/09

Syke’s Reg’lars 20th U.S. Infantry

Non-Stop Bull Run to Iraq (Five battalions on The Line in Vietnam)

Tant Que Je Puis

The Honorary Regimental Colonel 10/08

TAPS Patriot Fletcher W. Harris passed away on Father’s Day, June 21, 2009 at age 85. Fletcher was born on Galveston Island and except for his WWII service, was a life long resident of the island.

Company B, 115th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division was part of the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, and they took heavy losses. Lieutenant Fletcher Harris was sent ashore at Omaha Beach two days later, June 8, 1944 as a replacement officer and he remained in combat with them until wounded on July 11th. In fierce close combat near St.-Lo, he lost his right hand to a German hand grenade..

He was medically evacuated to McCloskey General Hospital in Temple, Texas and while there met and married a nurse, Imanell Baker. After returning to Galveston, Fletcher first worked as a drafts-man for Union Carbide, and then had a long career in insurance and real estate, continuing a business originally started by his father. He was also very civic minded and active in the community he loved so well. He served as a city councilman, reserve police officer, and as a civil defense coordinator; and came to refer to himself as a “civic busy-body.” He joined the Military Order of the Purple Heart and campaigned for five years for the establishment of the Purple Heart stamp, first issued in 2003. In 2008 he attended Chapter 1919’s George Washington’s Birthday Celebration in Austin. Fletcher is survived by his three children; daughters Vivianne and Laura, a son David, and each of their families.

Fletcher had numerous articles published during his lifetime, and he sometimes ended them with favorite quotes. This is from one of them. “WAR IS AN UGLY THING, BUT NOT THE UGLIEST OF THINGS. THE DECAYED AND DEGRADED STATE OF MORAL AND PATRIOTIC FEELINGS WHICH THINKS NOTHING IS WORTH WAR IS MUCH WORSE. A MAN WHO HAS NOTHING FOR WHICH HE IS WILLING TO FIGHT; NOTHING HE CARES MORE ABOUT THAN HIS OWN PERSONAL SAFETY; IS A MISERABLE CREATURE WHO HAS NO CHANCE OF BEING FREE.”

—from the 19th Century Philosopher, John Stuart Mill

IN REVERENT MEMORY OF THE 1,534 “SKY SOLDIERS”

WHO DIED IN VIETNAM 1965 — 1971

173rd AIRBORNE BRIGADE MILT CARR 3/09

In Memory of Crew Members of the 12th ARMY AIR FORCE

57th Bomb Wing, 321st Bomb Group 448th Bomb Squadron (B-25’s)

That Made the Supreme Sacrifice in WWII

TOM MATTHEWS 9/09

2LT FLETCHER HARRIS CAMP WOLTERS, TEXAS

SUMMER 1942

CY-2009 TEXAS CAPITAL CHAPTER 1919 EVENTS CALENDAR

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID

AUSTIN, TX PERMIT NO. 504

The MILITARY ORDER of the PURPLE HEART of the U.S.A. TEXAS CAPITAL CHAPTER 1919 5701 PAINTED VALLEY DR AUSTIN, TEXAS 78759-5527

“ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED”

NEXT MEETING

OCTOBER 24TH

JULY ’09 AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

NO MEETINGS

SUMMER BREAK !

3rd BREAKFAST 5th STAFF NOON SAT, 8TH, 11AM PURPLE HEART DAY

CELEBRATION “The 227th Anniversary

Of the Purple Heart” FOOD AND DRINKS FREE FOR PATRIOTS, FAMILY &

GUESTS

CAMP MABRY MUSEUM

7th BREAKFAST 16th STAFF NOON

SAT, 19th, 10AM MONTHLY MEETING

CAMP MABRY ACADEMY BLDG #82 (Across St from MUSEUM)

Lunch Afterward at Luby’s Cafeteria

MOPAC at Steck

5th BREAKFAST 21st STAFF NOON

SAT, 24th, 10AM MONTHLY MEETING

CAMP MABRY Headquarters, Bldg # 8

In the Auditorium Lunch Afterward at

Luby’s Cafeteria MOPAC at Steck

2nd BREAKFAST 4th STAFF NOON

WED, 11th, 9AM VETERAN’S DAY

PARADE up Congress Ave, then

CEREMONY FOLLOWS AT 11AM

SOUTH STEPS OF THE CAPITOL BLDG

7th BREAKFAST

SUN, 6th, 1—3 PM CHAPTER / UNIT HOLIDAY PARTY

Combined with CHILDREN’S PARTY

BOTH PARTIES HELD IN ODD FELLOWS LODGE #23

6809 GUADALUPE

JANUARY ’09 FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE

5TH, BREAKFAST

21ST —STAFF NOON

SAT., 24TH, 9AM MONTHLY MEETING “G.I. BREAKFAST” CAMP MABRY CAFETERIA Guest Speaker will be:

SHERI SOLTES, TEXAS HEARING & SERVICE DOGS

2ND, BREAKFAST 18TH —STAFF NOON

FRI, 20TH, 6PM GEORGE

WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY

DINNER PARTY At “The Austin Club” Great Entertainment, Great Food, and, a

Great Time at a Great Party

2ND BREAKFAST 18TH —STAFF NOON

SAT, 21ST, 10AM MONTHLY MEETING

CAMP MABRY MUSEUM

Lunch Afterward at

LUBY’S CAFETERIA MOPAC at Steck

6TH BREAKFAST 22ND—STAFF NOON

SAT, 25TH, 10AM MONTHLY MEETING ANNUAL ELECTION CAMP MABRY MUSEUM

Lunch Afterward at

Luby’s Cafeteria MOPAC at Steck

4TH BREAKFAST 20TH- STAFF NOON

SAT, 23RD, 10AM MONTHLY MEETING, AND OFFICERS INSTALLATION

PATRIOT WEEDEN’s IN DRIFTWOOD

MEMORIAL DAY 11AM, MAY 25TH, AT

PFLUGERVILLE COOK-WALDEN CAPITAL PARK 14619 N IH-35

NO MEETINGS

SUMMER BREAK !