28th ANNUAL NATIONAL VBOB REUNION
"Hail Christopher", Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge (VBOB) members
and friends arrived on Tuesday, Sep. 9th, 2008, in your namesake city of Columbus,
Ohio, for the 28 Reunion of VBOB at the Ramada Plaza Hotel. The reunion was
sponsored by the Litsinberger Chapter, Centeral Ohio; President Richard H. Wheeler
and wife Katherine.
Tuesday, Sep. 9th, 2008, Nancy and Bill Monson greeted all registered VBOB members and family attending the Reunion with a packet designating schedules, time, and places to visit. In the evening a "Welcome, Wine and Cheese Reception", compliments of the Ramada Plaza Hotel, was held in a ballroom of the hotel.
Wednesday, Sep. 10th, 2008, attendees were bused to "Motts Military Museum" a privately owned museum, in the village of Groveport, Ohio. This museum is under the management of Warren E. Motts, Founder/Director. Prior to entering the museum, there was a brief wreath laying ceremony. The wreath consisted of golden autumn leaves with ornaments of fruit and vegetables from the current harvest. This wreath was placed at the foot of the flagpole in honor of our fallen comrades who paid the supreme sacrifice. Prior to walking around the building, my roommate Jim Barlow, secured a wheel chair for me, as I cannot walk any lengthy distance. My roommate was my man "Friday". He graciously pushed me around the building and the outside grounds. The museum contains many items of historical interest and memorabilia from the American Revolution to present day Armed Forces. On the grounds are military vehicles which are well maintained for display. Also a replica of the boyhood home of Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker (bom in Columbus, Ohio), a WW I Ace, is on the grounds, open to visitors.
From Motts Museum we had a bus tour
of the City of Columbus. We passed through the historic German Village, the
Brewing District, and not to miss, the Italian District. The University of Ohio
has a huge campus in Columbus, second largest campus in the U.S., covering many
miles in and around the City of Columbus. Wherever you look, there is some kind
of school, research labs or other buildings related to Ohio U. These school
buildings offered teaching in liberal arts; business administration;
education; physics; pharmacy; nursing; medical technology, just to name a few
of the curriculums available to students and graduate students.
Thursday, Sep. 11th, 2008. Throughout the City of Columbus, the Stars and Stripes where flown at half-mast in respect to honor the thousands killed and injured in the disastrous terrorist attack on Sep. 11th, 2001.
Attendees were bused to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Members were divided into groups, each group had a Tour guide. Groups were led by the Tour guide to the various sections of the huge airplane hangers. At this point, my roommate Jim Barlow got this writer a motorized wheel chair. 1 could never have walked to see and observe the various huge airplanes of the U.S. collection. WP AFB loans these motorized vehicles to visitors unable to walk any lenghty distance. This was a life saver for me, as my legs are very weak. Once I got on the motorized wheel chair, I was off. I left my roommate behind. I was able to maneuver around the huge displays of American and foreign aircraft in the three huge hangers. I finally caught up with my roommate in the lobby of the entrance just prior to our departure from WP-AFB.
Friday, Sep. 12th, 2008. VBOBers and friends were furnished school buses for the ride to Orange Middle School. As each veteran entered the school theater a "Buddy", eighth grade student, was assigned to stay with the veteran during the program and lunch. VBOB President "Dee" Paris opened the Program with a welcoming remark to thank the students for their invitation to visit their school and attend and participate in their Program. Presentation of "Colors" was made by the Color Guard of Delaware Hayes ROTC. Master-of-Ceremonies was Mrs. Nancy Poliseno, Eight Grade teacher. Guest speaker was Colonel Tim Garrell, Ohio National Guard. Mrs. Nancy Poliseno directed Eighth Grade "Buddies" to make presentation of gifts to veterans. The gift was a hardback pamphlet, prepared by the eighth grade students, that included writings of essays, prose, verses, and poetry directed to the veterans.
While certain VBOB members were assigned
to classrooms to discuss their experiences in the "Battle of the Bulge"
and answer questions submitted by the students, the remaining veterans stayed
in the theater to tell of their experiences and answer questions put forth by
the student body. Matt Uher and Roland Lane conducted the sessions in the theater.
Veterans and their "Buddies" enjoyed a delicious lunch bag sandwich,
cookies, and a bottle of water, in the lunch room of the school. After lunch
veterans and "Buddies" parted ways.
In the evening, veterans and friends enjoyed a delicious "Octoberfest"
buffet dinner in a ballroom of the Ramada Hotel. Music was furnished by a typical
Bavarian group dressed in a woodman's shirt and leather shorts playing German
folk songs. During the dinner Ralph Bozorth made a video presentation of photos
of veterans in their service uniforms and as they are today.
Saturday, Sep. 13th, 2008. General membership meeting was held in a ballroom of the hotel. President "Dee" Paris opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Nominating Committee Chairman John Bowen announced the slate for 2009-10 year. Nominees were published in the August 2008 issue of 'The Bulge Bugle". Nominees were approved in toto by the membership. President Paris announced that the 2009 Reunion would be in Tucson, Arizona, in October 2009. George W. McGee, President of Southern Arizona Chapter, made a video presentation of the Tucson area and list of places and events in the proposed program. President Paris adjourned the meeting.
The VBOB 2008 Annual Banquet was held in a ballroom of the Ramada Plaza Hotel. President "Dee" Paris, 9th AD, was Master-of-Ceremonies for the banquet. At President Paris command the Delaware Hayes High School ROTC presented the "Colors". The national anthems of Belgium and Luxembourg were played followed by the U.S. National Anthem. At President Paris command the "Colors' were retired. Mrs. Nancy Poliseno, Teacher, Eighth Grade, Orange Middle School, led members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Invocation was by John Bowen, VBOB Recording Secretary. Kate Nolan, ANC, 53rd Fid Hosp, made a toast to those who paid the supreme sacrifice; Ethel Zimmer, ANC, Damall Gen. Hosp, made a toast to the families of those who served; and Bill Ruth, 3rd AD, made a toast to the people of Belgium and Luxembourg. Dinner was served. President Paris introduced guest speaker, RADM Wily Temmerman, Defense Attache, Embassy of Belgium. RADM Temmerman expressed the Belgium Government thanks to the American veterans who freed their country from the tyranny of German occupation. Entertainment was furnished by the "Rhymetime Barbershop Quartet". President Paris adjourned the banquet with the singing of "America". There was a closing video presentation by Ralph Bozorth of the lives of veterans endured during the BOB.
Sunday, Sep. 14th, 2008. Members and friends enjoyed a pre-paid breakfast in a ballroom of the hotel. Now we take our leave for another year, farewell and a safe journey home to our new friends and old timers.
God willing, see you at the 2009 National
VBOB Reunion at Tucson, AZ, October 2009.
Many thanks to the Reunion Committee led by Bill Ruth, 3rd AD, and the committee
members who worked to make this Reunion a success. President Paris presented
to Bill Ruth a large "Energy" Bunny for his endless work to insure
a successful Reunion. Also thanks to Ralph Bozorth for the video presentations;
and let's not forget Dave Shaw, stewart of the Hospitality Room.
"AMIT1E POUR TOUJOURS" (friendship forever)
Marty Sheeron 53rd Fld Hosp, 9/22/08