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IF YOU HAVE A SHORT LIFE STORY AFTER
BAYREUTH, BAD KISSINGEN OR BAMBERG DAYS AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE IT WITH ALL, PLEASE TYPE ONE AND SEND BY US MAIL OR
E-MAIL ONE AND WE WILL POST IT HERE.
Gene Cargin: Short Story
I was inducted into the Army, December 2, 1960 at Sioux Falls, S.D. I received my basic training at Fort Leonardwood, MO
before being assigned to the 82nd Engineers in Supply for permanent duty.
In the fall of 1961 our unit was assigned to overseas duty in Germany. I went in the advance party to get things together
in the barracks before the others arrived. I was with the unit for one year and eleven months and we lived in three different
locations before I was discharged in November of 1962. I made a lot of good friends during those two short years and have
wondered what became of everyone. While in the Reserves, I did meet a couple of the fellows during summer camp at Camp McCoy,
Wis.
After discharge I returned to my former job at Cleghorn, IA as a mechanic of cars, trucks and farm machinery.
On June 18, 1966 I married my wife Donna and we continued to live in Iowa until moving to Worthington, MN in 1969. I worked
for 32 years at a Chrysler Auto Dealership as an ASE certified technician for all vehicles systems.
Donna and I have two daughters, both married, and two grandsons ages four and one year. We spend many weekends visiting
the boys watching them grow.
I retired on September 1, 2001 but have taken another job driving a county bus to the smaller towns in the area. I transport
mostly elderly people into Worthington for shopping, medical appointments, etc.
Gene Cargin, June 12, 2006
Merlyn Schultz : Short Story
I left Germany in Dec. 1963 for New York. I can't
think of the ship I came home on but the name William
O.
Darby sticks in my mind. It was the sister ship to
the David C. Shanks that brought me home from Hawwaii
in Dec. 1957.
We had a great Christmas dinner of beans
and franks on the Darby in 1963. In February 1964 I joined the USAF as a Munitions
Speacialist and retired June 1, 1978.
I met Louise Thompson and we were married July 17, 1964. We have three
children Nancy age 41, Marty age 39 and Stacy
age 35. We have 8 grand children and the oldest one
graduated this year.
We retired in Okeene, Okla. &
have been here ever since.
I went to work for Amtane Propane Inc. who sold out to Cal Gas Inc., then to Amerigas Inc.. Amerigas did
everyone so dirty they had to shut down in the small towns do to lack of
employee's. I went to work for a oil company in
Watonga,
Okla.(John Thompson Enterprises) until May 1998.
I found out two weeks ago I have lung cancer but they belive we have caught it in time. I feel great and
my spirits are high. Had my first treatment of Kemo
today.
Merlyn Schultz 6/5/07
Robert MacDonald: Short Story
I left Germany in December '63 for the US of A on the USNS Geiger. After 10 years of traveling the
country with a parachute team went back to school on the GI Bill received a degree in marketing. Shortly thereafter,
started a construction business in the Boston area. Married a New Jersey girl I met at a drop zone in '73, settled down and
had three boys. The oldest boy Scott works at the largest nightclub (Avalon) in Boston at night and a auto mechanic by day.
The second boy is in school studying to become a Physican Assistant. The youngest, Brendan, was planning
to make the Army a career but passed away at Norwich Military University. Last summer made 65 parachute jumps for my 65th
birthday to raise money for military personnel at Norwich. This year I plan on riding my Harley to Pepperall Airport
and jump a vintage WWII B17 bomber to help raise money for military cadets.
That's about it for me. Will receive my first Social Security check next week. Party time!!!
Robert MacDonald 5/06/07
Donald (Ben) Lucy: Short Story
We have one child, a son. We have three grandchildren, two boys and a girl. I have been in farming
all my life. We moved to Louisiana shortly after my discharge and spent four years there. Then back to Missouri
where I farmed for myself. We moved to North Carolina in 1991 and are still here. We lived in Edenton, NC on the
East coast for a number of years and survived Hurricane Isabel in 2003 without too much damage to our home. Our son
and his family live in Archdale, NC so we moved to Statesville, NC to be closer to them when we retired in 2004. However,
I still work part time in agriculture. I don't know when I will fully retire. I am a cancer survivor, post 8 years
since diagnosis. We are active in our local church. We love to go antiquing and exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway
when we can.
Donald (Ben) Lucy 4/25/07
Roy Petska: Short Story
Left the service came back home and married my only girl friend (Donna) ,went to work on my old job
at mirro alumin, Didn't want to make a living there, Was just about ready to go back in and Anheuser Busch, called me so I
went over there and stayed for 38 years, I'm retired now but Donna is part owner in a realestate company, do a lot of traveling
Been to Ireland last year, this year going to germany. Been to hawaii mexico, Donna was to India. So We keep pretty busy.
Well thats my short story
Roy Petska 4/18/07
Lloyd Murphy: Short Story
After I got out the Army I went to work as a Welder. I worked on bridges and dams for a few years,
then went to work in maintenance at aircraft plant. I went to work For the U.S. Airforce in 1970 and retired
from there in 2000. I was the deputy chief of Operation and maintenance in the Civil Engineering Squadron. I got married
in 1964 and have one daughter,one son, and one grand daughter.
Lloyd Murphy 4/18/07
Don Lamer: Short Story
3 years (March, 1962 thru March, 1965) in the Army Corp of Engineers (spent 30 months in Germany
September, 1962 thru March 1965) 35 years (March 1966 thru October 2000) with the Auto Club of Michigan: (AAA
Insurance Company) Positions held: Claim Rep, Claim
Supervisor, Regional Staff Assistant, Assistant Branch Manager , Branch Claim Manager, Regional Supervisor, Special Assignment
to expand Structured Settlement Program, Special Assignment as the Claim Technical Editor/Communications Coordinator,
Claims Examiner and Prepared Training Manuals & conducted numerous seminars involving ‘Survivor’s Loss Claims
& Self Employed work loss claims & usage of CPAs
Took advantage of an Early Retirement offer from AAA in October 2000
Up until retirement was a past President and served on the board of directors for the Michigan
Adjusters Association for over 10 years
Up until retirement served as an Arbitrator for over 6 years with the Arbitration Forum
Following retirement from AAA have been "contracted" by AAA to prepare a Survivors Loss training
manual and conducted a training seminar
In 2003 and 2004 have conducted 2 separate special Claim Audits for AAA involving survivor’s
loss & work loss claims and more recently catastrophic medical "No Fault Losses"
In 2004 up until May 2005 was an Independent Contractor and handled computation of Medicare
Set Asides to facilitate settlements in Worker’s Compensation claims
In May 2005 "Retired" and spend most of my time getting on my wife’s nerves!
On a personal note: I was married in Bad Kissingen Germany on November 14, 1964 to a local Bad
Kissingen Freulein. We are still married (that say’s a lot for her tolerance level)! We have no children; however, our
two puppies keep us rather busy! (They like to start our day and go for walks between 3 and 4 A.M.).
Don Lamer 2-3-07
CLEO (BUTCH) DAVIS
Hi Guys, I’ll try to tell you a little bit about me, since Army days. I married a girl from KY. Her
name is Julia Ann. We’ve been married 44 years. We had a son born 2/6/63. His name was Terry Alan. He passed on to be
with the Lord 7/20/96. What a great loss it was for us. We live here in KY. Been here since 1984. We both are retired trying
to take care of each other and growing older together. HA! HA!I have gone so far over the hill now that I don’t remember
the hump. HA! HA! HA! I have been disabled since 1994. I would love to hear from any of you. All I’m good for now is
to talk. HA! HA!
May God bless you all Cleo (Butch ) Davis
CLINTON M. BELL (SHORT LIFE STORY)
"Clinton
Bell joined the Regular Army as a high school dropout in July 1964. His first assignment was with the Army Security
Agency where he attended Morse Code Interceptor training at Ft. Devens, Mass. Private Bell departed CONUS in January
1965 for his first permanent party assignment with Co A, 82D Engr Bn in Bad Kissingen, Germany. In this
assignment he was a RTO and Jeep driver for the 2nd Platoon Leader, with subsequent assignment to the Commo Section.
During this assignment Bell applied for WO Flight Training and was accepted. After promotion to SP4 he attended
the 7th Army NCO Academy in Bad Toelz, Germany graduating with honors and received 7th Army allocation promotion to E5 as
part of this achievement. He continued to serve with Co A as assistant squad leader and training NCO in BK and
later on when the company moved to Bamberg. In September of 1966 he departed Germany for assignment to WO Flight School
at Ft. Wolters, Texas. He and several other "prior service NCOs" resigned from flight school for personal reasons
and Bell was assigned to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO as assistant squad leader in the 5th Engineer Battalion, where he performed
many different duties. Bell volunteered for duty in Vietnam and arrived in-country May 1967 with subsequent assignment
to the 86th Engineer Battalion as 12B40 Asst Squad Ldr in Co B. After his promotion to E6 in October 1967, he was
assigned as Team Leader and NCOIC of the war's first Rome Plow Team and was dispatched to several long term field assignments
including deployment with 11ACR and 9ID during the 1968 Tet Offensive. Upon return to Ft. Leonard Wood in June
1968, he was assigned as Career Counselor and 5th Engineer Battalion Re-enlistment
NCO. He attended the Army Recruiting and Career Counselor Course in April 1969 at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana
graduating first in his class as honor graduate. Subsequent to this training, he was contacted by the Sergeant
Major of the ARCC School and offered an instructor's position with the school. He accepted and arrived
at Ft Ben in July of 1969 where he served at the Adjutant General School until September 1972 when he entered College to pursue under-graduate
studies finishing his BS in Business Administration December 1973 graduating Cum Laude. He was promoted to
E7 while attending college in November 1973 and subsequently assigned in January 1974 to Ft. McPherson, Georgia as Installation
Career Counselor at FORSCOM Headquarters. Bell sought and received a direct appointment to the Army Medical Service
Corps and was commissioned to Second Lieutenant on July 2, 1974...being a Senior NCO one day and the most junior officer in
the Army was an experience ! Bell attended Officer Basic Training
at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas with subsequent assignment to Ft Lee, VA in September 1974 to Kenner Army Hospital. During this
assignment he served as Ombudsman, Chief of Personnel, along with several additional duty assignments, completed the Adjutant
General Personnel Officer's Course, and also completed a Masters in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University,
Richmond, VA. Bell was reassigned to the 56th Medical Battalion at Ft. Ord, CA and served as Commander of the HQs Company
and Battalion S-1. During the first 60 days of his assignment, he led deployment of the unit to Germany under auspices
of REFORGER and remained deployed for 6 weeks in a field environment supporting field medical training and active delivery
of medical care to REFORGER units. During this assignment, Bell was promoted to Captain, attended the Adjutant General
Senior Personnel Management Officer Course, and using several criteria including leadership and other accomplishments
in course of military duties, was recognized by the Division Commanding General as being in the top 3 of 150 company
grade commanders at Ft Ord in 1979. Bell arrived at Ft. Sam Houston, TX in December 1979 to attend the Army Medical
Department Officer Advanced Course. Upon completion in June 1980, he attended the Military Comptroller Course at
Ft. Ben Harrison, Indiana with subsequent assignment as Comptroller of the Frankfurt Army Regional Medical Center serving
in this capacity until May 1981 when assigned to the 196th Station Hospital at SHAPE Headquarters, Mons, Belgium. Here
Bell served as Chief Financial Officer for the SHAPE Medical Center supporting all member NATO nations until August 1985;
achieved Regular Army Commission; and selected for promotion to Major. He was then assigned to Madigan Army Medical
Center serving in serial assignments as Force Development Officer, Adjutant General, Director of Information Services, and
finally Administrator for all non-clinical services of Madigan's large Surgical Department including 190-beds, ICU, outpatient
services and surgical residencies. During this assignment he completed a Masters in Health Care Administration subsequently
retiring from active duty December 1988. Civilian Bell then joined a Blue Shield Plan in Bellingham, Washington
as Vice President of Operations, becoming their VP and Chief Information Officer in 1997. He left this company in December
1998 due to his spouse's illness and stayed with her until her demise in 1999. He then joined a Third Party Administration
company specializing in Medicare services as Vice President of Operations and remained with them until December 2005. Clint
remarried in January 2005 and has found peace and happiness after the death of his long time wife and friend of 32 years;
he is now learning to play the guitar all over again after 40 years, considering options for the future, and just enjoying
life. He and his wife Wendy will be touring Italy in September and October of 2006 and will unfortunately miss the upcoming
82nd Engineer reunion due to this pre-planned trip to Europe. They make their home in Bellingham, Washington."
Peace to you and yours Eddie,
Clint
JIM OTTEVAERE (SHORT LIFE
STORY)
After I was discharged in late June of 1964, I spent most of
the summer bumming around with good friends and fellow 82nd Hq Co alumni, Jim McHugh and
Bob MacDonald.
Between 1965 and 1972 I attended college (Indiana University), got married to
Marilyn, (wife of 40 years). Had two children, Jim, (an MD) and Dawn, (a PhD). They
have blessed us with four grand children, (two boys and two girls).
I started my business career working for Kaiser Jeep, later called AM General, in international contracts and marketing,
selling U.S. military vehicles and hardware
to friendly foreign governments. In 1978 I formed my own company to design and manufacture weapons systems for the U.S.
and foreign governments. By the early 1990s the company had grown large enough and successful enough to attract attention
from several major defense contractors. In 1994 I sold the company to Lockheed/Martin, and retired.
Since then I have spent my time pursuing several of my life-long hobbies and avocations. We spend our winters in horse
country at our home in the Palm Beach Polo Club in Florida and
the summers are spent on our small horse farm in Michigan. Too many horse related
injuries and a bout with cancer have retired me from competitive riding, but we still keep and train a few “pet”
horses. I also spend as much time as I’m able at my cabin on the Manistee
River, near Grayling Michigan, fly fishing the AuSable water shed, a pursuit that
started back in 1952. Jim McHugh, Bob MacDonald and I have remained fast friends. We are usually able to visit several times
each year. Even after all these years we are still able to tell new stories of our experiences and to remember more names
of our friends and acquaintances. Admittedly, the stories have become more vainglorious, and some of the names may well have
come from an old war movie, but all the same, we have maintained an affectionate connection to those coming of age years in
the “Old 82nd”.
David C Turner (Short Life Story)
I was discharged from Fort Hamilton in Jan. 1965 and returned home to Lansdale, Pa,
approximately 18 miles west of Philadelphia.I met my first wife and got married in 1966.We had two girls, Lisa, born in 1967 and Michele, born in 1972.
I was involved in our local ambulance squad and went on to become an instructor in
both firefighting and rescue services. I taught courses for many years at our local fire academy. I am still a volunteer firefighter and have 30 + years of service.
I was hired by Merck & Co. which is a large pharmaceutical company, in 1969.
I held many different jobs at Merck, until I retired at age 55 in Dec. 2000.
I was divorced in 1993 and remarried to my present wife, Sue, in 1996. Sue and I just celebrated our 10 year anniversary in April of 2006. We
purchased a 1962 Corvette in 2003 and have been restoring it since then. It is now complete
and we take it to many car shows in the area.
David C Turner 5/6/06
NATHAN STOUT’S (SHORT LIFE STORY)
Just to let you know who I am.
When I left Bad Kissingen, Germany I went to a unit that was going to Vietnam so I went with them in Oct.
1965 and was there until Jan 1967. From there I went on leave for 30 days and then I moved my family to Ft. Leonard Wood.
Was only there a year and went back over seas, but this time it was to DMZ in Korea. Was there 13 month and then went back
to Ft Leonard Wood.
From there I was sent to Alaska so we moved up there for 4 years. Boy that was the best duty that I had in
my 21.5 years and after that we moved to Ft. Hood Texas. 13 months later I was back in Germany and we were there 3 years.
From there we moved to WA. State. I was 1st Sgt of A Company 15th Engineers for I was on the E-8 list,
however in Aug. 1980 I said its time to retire and I didn't make E-8. That’s ok for it was time to go. I retired as
a E-7 PSG.
We now make our home in WA. State. After I got out I did a little of this and a little of that. I didn’t
get rich but I sure as hell had a lot of fun. My wife, Peggy, and I have been married 45 years in June of this year. We have
2 kids Frank & Debra and 5 grandkids now.
Retirement is great, but I still do some clowning around as Whiney The Clown for Hospitals and Retirement
Homes. It’s a lot of fun to see the people smile and forget about all that pain they are in and I forget just how much
pain that I am in from this arthritis I have. Arthritis is one bad boy!
Thank you for your time. As for me, time is all I got.
Nathan Stout 01/04/06
DON JACKSON SHORT STORY
HI, JUST A NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT ME.
l LEFT THE ARMY IN NOV. 1963 HAVE BEEN AN OPERATING ENGR. SINCE, FOR OVER 40 YEARS NOW RETIRED. KAY AND I HAVE
5 CHILDERN AND 8 GRAND KIDS, THEY WILL BE HERE FOR THANKSGIVING EXCEPT THE ONE THAT LIVES IN L0UISIANA. KAY ALWAYS MAKES
A GREAT DINNER. I'M GOOD AT THE EATING PART.
DON JACKSON 11/22/05
THOMAS BURROWS SHORT STORY
That is correct, I was assigned to "A" Company,82nd Engrs down in Fort Leonard Wood after I returned from
a tour over in Germany with the 10th Engr. Bn. 3rd Inf.Div I was assigned to the motor pool and was the company dispatcher
under SFC Hazelgrove. I used to go home to chicago every weekend that I could get a pass to see my girl who is now my wife
and has been for the last 43 years. Two weeks before I was suppose to get out (Oct 1,1961) I was extended and we all
shipped out to Germany. No need to tell you that was a big kick in the ass. Ended up in Bayrouth with V11 Corps driving a
truck and mostly field duty in Graf. Came back to the States 4 months later (by ship) and got out Jan 1962. One
of my Pals while in the 82 Engrs who was also from Chicago was a guy named Ross Anthos, he was also in the motor pool and
drove the low boy that hauled the TD-18 dozer around. Lost touch with Ross over the years. My closest friend was a guy named
Eddie Waun, we went thru basic togeather, went to germany the first time togeather and when we came back to the states and
ended up in Fort Leonard Wood I went to the 82 Engrs and he went to 921 Group HQ down the road from us. He didn’t have
to go back to germany as we did. I have been trying to remember you but the memory isnt what it used to be. I don’t
even remember which platoon I was in while I was with A company, 82nd engrs. If you go to classmates.com to the school listings..go
to Chicago Vocational High School, class of 1958 and look at my profile, from there you can go to photos, I have a few posted
from my Army days, let me know if I look familiar to you.
You know, I must have been in 1st platoon also as I believe Sgt Gagnon was my squad leader. I don’t
remember who my platoon leader was as I had so many over the 3 and a half years I was in. The Sgt I remember the most was
Sgt Hazelgrove who was my motor sgt and the guy I worked for every day and also was very instumental in getting me a pass
every week that I wasn’t on the duty roster so I could go home to Chicago to see my gal. Usally Ross Anthos would make
the trip with me and I would drop him off on the northside of chicago where he lived and proceed to go home to my place on
the south side. Yea, back in those days it was Route 66 all the way. (two lane blacktop) Took 8 hours to get from Leonard
Wood to Chicago. Had an old 52 Merc at the time that finally gave out and a few times Sgt Hazelgrove let me use his 57 red
and white ford which was like brand new since he never went anyplace. I seen my old Pal Ross Anthos name and phone number
on your listing and plan to call him this afternoon, havnt talked to Ross in over 40 years, hope he remembers me. Thanks for
the E mail.
Tom Burrows
WIllie (Money) Monelyon short story
Hello All
Whats happening I have been trying to find some of the fellows
from my time in different times,and places in the military,but was never succesful.My wife went in to google search today,and
typed our name in she was at work and a little bored,and up popped the 82nd.
engr.website with my name their.I was never
so surprised in my whole life. I had contact with Jody Potts until the late 70s.He was stationin Aschaffenburg,But lost contact
after he moved.I also had contact with Willie Neal we were in Vietnam in the
19th.Engr.together.65/66
We also met again around 1977or1978 he was stationed in Dexheim 12th.engrs.He
was a 1st sargent their,But they had to cut off his left arm just below the shoulder.He got in a
fight and hit a
guy in the mouth,And it became infected,because he waited to long to go to a doctor.They shipped him back to walter reed,and
I never heard from him again.
I got out of the military in 1974 and stayed in Germany.I started working for the government
as a civilian.I just retired last September with 31 years 45 total with military time. i
am a cetified chef cook.but i retired as a club manager for the air force at rhein main airbase.
Now i am
just living the good life and enjoying myself. I go back to the states every year for about 4 weeks for vacation say hello
to everyone and come on back.
Money Monelyon 8/16/2005
EDDIE J. COZART SHORT LIFE STORY
Hello All
This is a little story of me after I left the Army Sept. of 1963.
Was discharged in New York City and
road the bus home to Oklahoma. Man that was a long trip the slow way.
Got a job at a helicopter plant here in Frederick
in Oct. of 63 and worked there till May 64. Didn’t like that job to good due to being inside and no cooling system in
the plant. A friend of mine Dad had combines and went on the wheat harvest and they asked me to go so I said bye bye to the
helicopter plant. That was a miss take due to it was so hot on the harvest that summer.
Got back home in Oct from
the harvest and there were no work around here so thought it best to get out of Oklahoma and go to Texas. Wound up in Ft Worth
in Nov. of 64 and went to work at White’s auto centers as a salesman. Worked at White’s till March of 66 and got
on at General Dynamics that was an airplane plant that built the f-111 in Ft Worth. I was a crane operator there
that moved the planes down the line in the plant. Got Married to my first wife in 66 and had 2 girls with her. Worked
at G.D. until there was a large layoff in 1972. Went back to work at White’s Auto centers in 72 as a manager of one
of there departments. I new this guy that had 5 Curtis Mathis T.V. stores in the Ft Worth Metroplex and he asked me to come
to work for him as his General manager in 73. So I took him up on his offer. The owners son grew up and was starting to give
me headaches so I saw it was best I move on to something else. That was in 1980 when I left the Curtis Mathis Stores.
My
Brother-in-law and I were in the Car Bs. Part time from 1970 to 1980 in Ft Worth. We leased ½ of a car lot there and the owner
of the lot would sale our cars while we were not there for 1/3 of the profit.
I got a divorce from my first wife in 1979
and them I re married in 1980 to Maurine my wife now. She had 2 children. We have all together 16 grandkids now.
So by this my X Brother-In-Law decided it best we part on the car lot so I sold out to him in 80.
Went to work for
Kelly Springfield Tire Company in 1980 and can an Area Sales manager for them. I had most of Texas as my sales area. I just
sold to larger tire dealers in my area and worked a lot with large trucking fleets for national account bs.
Goodyear owned
Kelly Tires and in 1995 they offered a bye out and early retirement to all sales reps. and I took it.
We were still living
in Ft Worth when that took place so I needed a part time job so in 96 went to Work driving a school bus in Arlington Texas
(that’s next to Ft. Worth) Worked there till 2001 and they had teachers retirement an was vested so get a little retirement
check from them…WOW…That’s when we moved back to Oklahoma to take care of my folks. My Dad passed away 2
years ago but my Mom is still kicking and seems to be doing just fine. My Wife is from Oklahoma also so didn’t have
much trouble on getting her to come here.
Since being here in Oklahoma don’t do much but mow lawns for us and my
Mom. Also was mowing the church lawn till this year . I told them I had had enough of it. So we have hired a guy to mow there
now. Thank God it was a large lawn.
That’s about all…………Eddie J Cozart
DATE JULY
18th 2005
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