BULLETIN APRIL Veteran Corps Meetings Schedule: Executive Board: Executive Board will meet on the 2 nd Tuesday of each month at 1930 Hours NOTE:

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1 VETERAN CORPS, 69TH REGIMENT, INC. THE FIGHTING SIXTY NINTH PO BOX 48 MASSAPEQUA PARK NEW YORK TELEPHONE THE69VETERANS@GMAIL.COM REGIMENT WEB SITE BULLETIN APRIL 2016 Veteran Corps Meetings Schedule: Veteran Corps 69 th Regiment Mission Statement The mission of the Veteran Corps 69 th Regiment is to preserve and expound the history and traditions of the Regiment, to provide a venue to inform and foster camaraderie among veterans of the 69 th, and to assist the Commander of the active unit with the morale and welfare of the soldiers and their families. Executive Board: Executive Board will meet on the 2 nd Tuesday of each month at 1930 Hours NOTE: All members are invited to attend Exec Board meetings. Veteran Corps members may participate with sharing ideas and suggestions, but will not be able to vote at these meetings; updates are presented at the general membership Regular Scheduled Meetings. Regular Scheduled Meetings SCHEDULE CHANGE See next page 1

2 REGULAR SCHEDULED MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS 2016 NOTE CHANGES! Please give your attention to the following schedule of meetings. Listed below are the both the Executive Board and Regular Membership meetings for the next 4 months: Meeting Date Day Time Exec Board of Officers 4/12/16 Tuesday 7:30pm Regular Membership Meeting 4/17/16 Sunday 2:00pm Exec Board of Officers 5/10/16 Tuesday 7:30pm Veteran Corps Memorial Day 5/15/16 Sunday 11:00am Membership Meeting CANCELLED 5/31/16 Per Membership vote to cancel Exec Board of Officers 6/14/16 Tuesday 7:30pm Exec Board of Officers 7/12/16 Tuesday 7:30pm Annual Membership Dues 2016 = $10.00 Please make every effort to make sure your membership dues are current for 2016! Those who have paid their respective dues and have not received their membership cards as yet will receive them with this Bulletin. IMPORTANT!! VETERAN CORPS MAILING ADDRESS CHANGE MEMBERSHIP DUES AND 50/50 PAYMENTS SEND TO: VETERAN CORPS, 69 TH REGIMENT, INC. P.O. BOX 48 MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y /50 - Drawings: MONTH 1ST PLACE 2ND PLACE March Sean Donovan Tom Gormely 2

3 COMMANDER S REPORT: Report out St. Patrick s Day 2016! Thursday 3/17/16: Saint Patrick s Day events went well with ample seating in St Patrick s Cathedral for our annual Memorial Mass, noting an increase in the numbers participating in the parade; the Corned Beef Dinner at the armory went well, although the number of dinners served was less than we expected. All of this does not just happen, Jose Flores who has been in charge of the parade phase for the past few year arrives at the armory prior to 6:00am, gets the flags and banners to the Parade, makes sure the boxwood is distributed to the active unit and the Veteran Corps prior to the parade. The wearing of the boxwood is traditional and is symbolic of the boxwood worn by the 69 th in the battle of Fredericksburg in December Mike Guiry has been providing the boxwood for the entire battalion for years and I would like to acknowledge both Jose and Mike for their efforts Thank you! As for the dinner at the armory, although we now cater it, there is still much preparation to be done. Here we were a little short on manpower but the reliable Bill Henry arrived at the armory at Zero Dark 30 to ensure all was in order. This includes the entire set up of the chafing racks, receipt of food from the caterers, and organization of the serving line so that the food was served hot and in an orderly manner. Thank You Bill and your team! For the other myriad of issues to be readied for the day: chairs for the Mural Room, replenishment of beer and getting ice (via hand-truck to haul back 50lbs of ice) and finally collection of dues from members who prefer to pay them on St. Patrick Day. To all of this we owe our thanks to - Dennis Hearn. Thank You Dennis! And to all who attended the mass or participated by marching in the parade or attended the armory for the dinner or just showed up to say Happy St. Patrick s Day or even those who were not able to participate this year (but may have reminisced about past St Patrick s Day s and thought of us) I Thank You All!!! 3

4 VETERAN CORPS - 69 TH REGIMENT MEMORIAL DAY Sunday, May 15 th 2016 Our next and extremely important event will be our Veteran Corps Memorial Day Ceremonies at both Old Calvary Cemetery and then at the Armory. It is mentioned in this Bulletin because the May Bulletin will not give you the necessary time for your planning. This is our most solemn ceremony planned every year. It is where we remember those who ever served in the 69 th and have passed since last year are flagged. I invite and encourage all to attend. Day Date: Time: Place: Dress: Additional Armory Memorial Wreath Ceremony: Monthly Meeting: Sunday, May 15 th hours Old Calvary Cemetery, Greenpoint Ave. Maspeth, NY. Civilian, Military Casual 1:00pm 2:00pm LTC SEAN FLYNN S ON THE SOLDIERS OF TODAY: On Wednesday, March 16 th while at the armory with Dennis Hearn, LTC Sean Flynn visited us to wish us well as he was moving on and would be turning over the colors to a new commander the next day. I really appreciated that visit and he had also sent me an that I did not see until I got home. I happen to think it is a well written analogy on the progress of today s soldier. I am often asked how are things going with the active battalion and I usually respond Things have changed, not the same as when you were here. Wow, is that the understatement of all times. Here is the Read on CURRENT AND FORMER LEADERS OF THE 69TH, GENTLEMEN, DESPITE THE DECIDEDLY NON-COMBAT NATURE OF AN EVENT LIKE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY, WITH ITS PARADE AND ITS POMP, THE DAY HAS BECOME AN ANNUAL BENCHMARK FOR THE STATE OF THE BATTALION AND, TO SOME DEGREE, THE ENTIRE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD. FOR EXAMPLE, THE BATTALION THAT MARCHED UP 5TH AVENUE ON MARCH 17, 2001 WAS A LEGACY FORMATION. THEY CARRIED OUTDATED EQUIPMENT LIKE THE M-16A1 RIFLE AND THEY MARCHED WITH THE IGNORANT COMFORT OF A MILITARY FORCE NEVER EXPECTED TO SEE COMBAT. JUST ONE YEAR LATER, HOWEVER, THAT LEGACY GUARD FORCE WAS GONE. THOUGH THE MAJORITY OF THE SOLDIERS MARCHING UP 5TH AVENUE IN MARCH 2002 BORE THE SAME NAME TAPES AS THOSE IN 2001, THE SOLDIERS OF THE 4

5 BATTALION WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME MEN AGAIN. THEY MARCHED WITH THE CONCRETE DUST OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER INFUSED INTO THE MESH OF THEIR JUNGLE BOOTS AND WITH EVERY BREATH THEY TOOK CAME HINTS OF THE ODOR OF THE MASS GRAVE THAT WAS CALLED GROUND ZERO. TWO OF THE COMPANIES AND DOZENS OF INDIVIDUAL SOLDIERS WERE NOT EVEN THERE, MOBILIZED FOR A YEAR OF FEDERAL ACTIVE DUTY AT WEST POINT AND AT PICATINNY ARSENAL - A FORESHADOWING OF THINGS TO COME. THE BATTALION THAT MARCHED UP 5TH AVENUE IN 2005 WAS A SMALL REAR DETACHMENT, LED BY A CAPTAIN AND COMPRISED OF MANY OLD AND BROKEN SOLDIERS, SOME OF THEM VIETNAM VETERANS, WHO DID NOT MAKE THE CUT TO DEPLOY OVERSEAS THE YEAR PRIOR. THOSE VETERANS MARCHED WITH A HEAVY HEART FOR THE LOSSES THEIR COMRADES WERE SUFFERING IN IRAQ AND, FOR MANY, A SURVIVOR'S GUILT THAT WOULD ULTIMATELY FORCE THEM TO RETIRE FROM SERVICE WHEN THE MAIN BODY CAME HOME. THE BATTALION THAT MARCHED IN 2009 WAS, PERHAPS, ONE OF THE MOST EXPERIENCED AND VETERAN FORMATIONS TO EVER CALL THEMSELVES THE FIGHTING 69TH. HUNDREDS OF SOLDIERS HAD SEEN COMBAT IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, THEIR NUMBERS FAR OUTPACING THE MEMBERS OF THE 69TH THAT HAD YET TO LEVEL THEIR WEAPON AT AN ENEMY THREAT. THE BATTALION THAT MARCHES TOMORROW WILL BE DIFFERENT STILL. THE FIGHTING 69TH OF MARCH 2016 IS NOT THE VETERAN FORCE THAT MARCHED IN 1946, 2006 OR IT IS, HOWEVER, THE BEST LED, THE BEST TRAINED, AND THE BEST PREPARED BATTALION THAT HAS EVER WORN THE SPRIG OF BOXWOOD. OUR EQUIPMENT IS FIRST RATE AND IDENTICAL TO THE EQUIPMENT OF OUR ACTIVE COMPONENT COUNTERPARTS. OUR RANKS ARE CROWDED WITH AGGRESSIVE AND PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY FIT SOLDIERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD THAT JOINED FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF DEFENDING THEIR COMMUNITY AND THEIR NATION IN COMBAT. OUR LEADERS, ESPECIALLY OUR NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, HAVE MORE FORMAL SCHOOLING AND COLLECTIVE COMBAT EXPERIENCE THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME IN THIS GENERATION. OUR TRAINING HAS BEEN INTENSE AND OUR SOLDIERS ARE WELL DRILLED IN TOUGH, LIVE FIRE CONDITIONS TO PERFORM THE DECISIVE ACT OF THE INFANTRY - TO CLOSE WITH AND DESTROY THE ENEMY OVER THE LAST HUNDRED YARDS. AND WE HAVE NOT YET CRESTED. OUR UPCOMING ROTATION AT THE JOINT READINESS TRAINING CENTER WILL PROVIDE THE ULTIMATE CRUCIBLE FOR OUR FORCE - ALLOWING US TO EXPAND ON OUR SQUAD AND PLATOON DRILLS INTO BATTALION-WIDE COMBINED ARMS MANEUVER PROFICIENCY. BY OCTOBER OF 2016, UNDER THE COMMAND OF A COMBAT-PROVEN BATTALION COMMANDER AND SIX COMBAT-TESTED COMPANY COMMAND TEAMS, THE FIGHTING 69TH WILL BE AT ITS PEAK READINESS. THIS MARKS THE START OF OUR AVAILABLE YEAR. SHOULD THE ARMY NEED AN INFANTRY BATTALION FOR DEPLOYMENT, NONE WILL BE MORE READY THAN NEW YORK'S OWN FIGHTING 69TH. I PASS THE GUIDON TOMORROW PROUDLY, CONFIDENT IN THE READINESS OF THE BATTALION AND IN THE CAPABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE OF LTC MAKAY, WHO IS EASILY ONE OF THE MOST SEASONED INFANTRY OFFICERS TO COMMAND THE BATTALION IN THE 5

6 GWOT ERA. I KNOW YOU WILL SERVE EACH OTHER AND OUR SOLDIERS WELL. GENTLEMEN, AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, IT IS A RARE PRIVILEGE TO COMMAND ANY FORMATION OF SOLDIERS. THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMAND THIS MOST AMERICAN OF BATTALIONS, COMPRISED AS ALWAYS OF THE STRONGEST MEN AND WOMEN FROM NEW YORK - THOSE BORN HERE AND THOSE THAT HAVE COME HERE FOR A CHANCE AT A NEW LIFE - HAS BEEN THE MOST HUMBLING EXPERIENCE OF MY MILITARY CAREER. I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK THE 69TH COMMAND TEAM, BOTH THOSE CURRENTLY SERVING AND THOSE THAT HAVE SERVED HERE IN THE PAST 26 MONTHS, FOR YOUR UNWAVERING LOYALTY AND DEDICATION TO THE 69TH AND TO ME PERSONALLY. IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO COMMAND YOU AND YOUR SOLDIERS. FAUGH AH BALLAGH! WOLFHOUND SIX SEAN M. FLYNN LTC, IN, NYARNG COMMANDER 1ST BATTALION, 69TH INFANTRY NEW YORK ARMY NATIONAL GUARD Vice Commander s Report CSM(ret) Jose A. Flores: Recognizing One Man s Contribution and Years of Service Tom Fitzsimmons On Saturday, April 2 nd, 2016, members of the Veteran Corps, Wantagh American Legion, friends and Fitzsimmons family members gathered at the Wantagh American Legion to recognize Tom s years of service and contributions to both organizations. LTC (ret) Ken Kelly, who is past member of Division Headquarters, is the current Commander of the Wantagh American Legion and organized this tribute. Present, were local community and political leaders. Congressman Peter T. King, representing New York s 2 nd District and member of the Fighting 69 th Veteran Corps, presented Tom with the Congress of the United States Citation and a U.S. Flag which had flown over the Capital building. Steven Rhoads, Legislator District 19 Nassau County, presented the Nassau County Legislative Citation. Col Walter Montagno and 1LT Bert Cunningham presented the Regimental Headquarters 69 th 10 year Long & Faithfull Service Medal. In addition, Mrs. Fitzsimmons and the family were recognized for their support of Tom over the years with the time he spent with each organization in various activities and continues to do so.. It was an enjoyable evening and an opportunity for friends to gather, reminisce of day s long gone military service, etc. A good time was had by all! See 6

7 pictures (also more pictures posted on the Veteran Corps Webpage). Rep Pete King / Tom F. Members of the Veteran Corps Lillian Fitzsimmons/ J. Flores / Tom The Fitzsimmons Clan Letters and Conversations: Jack Munday: I received a short note from Jack s son Scott recently. Along with the note was a copy of an autobiography written by Jack. He had previously sent me an excerpt from it about his time with the regiment during WW II. This time Scott sent me the complete copy. It s great and humorous reading. FYI - Jack will celebrate his 98 th birthday on May 4 th and has a brother who celebrated his 100 th birthday this past March 25 th. May God Bless all the Mundays! Art Carney: Received a very interesting letter from Art indicating that he liked the new format of the monthly Bulletin. Not only you Art, I have received many positive remarks about the new format. He also thinks the Tuesday night meeting will be inconvenient to those who do not live or work in the city. We also thank you for the contribution to the Family Support Fund, Thank you Art. 7

8 Louis Glatt: Lou is a former officer in the 1 st Bn 69 th INF and today has some medical issues that prevent him from playing an active role in the Veteran Corps. He sends his best too all and mentioned Jose Flores. We thank Lou for his generous contribution to the Family Support Fund. Scooter Barclay: Received a note from Scooter to keep the History events going, he thinks that segment is really great. We hope to continue with our emphasis on the World War I participation of the Regiment relating to the 100 th anniversary of our involvement in that war. Mrs. Richard E. Crotty: We have received a note as a follow up of a telephone message from her announcing the passing of her husband LTC Richard E. Crotty. We believe he was in the 69 th prior to going to 3 rd Brigade. First, please accept our sincere sympathy on the loss of your husband. Aside from the announcement of his passing in this copy of the Bulletin, he will also be remembered on May 15 th at our Memorial Meeting at Calvary Cemetery. His name will be read and a flag placed at our Memorial Monument in remembrance of him. James P. Downey: We have received a letter along with a very generous contribution to the Family Support Fund from Jim. Thank you it is appreciated. Francis Murphy: Had a great conversation with Frank today. He is the Chairman of the Board for the Veteran Corps and is recovering from a nine day stay at St Frances Hospital. He does not want to be placed on the sick list but I do ask that you say a little prayer for his speedy and complete recovery. Carlos Acha: Had a call from Carlos just prior to St Patrick s Day, wishing me a happy one. He also sends his regards to all especially mentioning Jose Flores and John Gundy. He has fond memories of his days with us. He lives in Texas, not far from Scooter Barclay, someday we may get them together. Tom Gormely: Tom, It was great seeing you at my party, I appreciated you making the long trip on my behalf. Also I wish to thank you for the contribution to the Family Support Fund. Again, thank you for everything. SERVICE OFFICER S SICK REPORT: Maurice Savage 3 McCartney Drive, Albany, NY John Marino 1078 N. Broadway, N. Massapequa, NY Harry Snyder 1119 Harper Ave., Woodlyn, PA Jack Munday (Makin Vet) 85 Misha Lane, Sanford, NC May we join in prayer that our sick have a complete and speedy recovery! In case of illness or death of a member, please call our Service Officer, Frank Sherry at (516) or leave a message on our recording machine at (212) in a timely manner. If known, please list the Company and dates of service in the Regiment. Please direct all correspondence to: Veteran Corps, 69 th Regiment, Inc., P.O. Box 48, Massapequa Park, NY Other contact information: address for the commander is: tomandlilfitz2@verizon.net 8

9 IN MEMORIAM: Brian Danis Address not listed Active Battalion Feb 2016 Thomas B. Gordon Kenneth E. Crotty Robert Rose (HM) Cathy Frevola (Daughter) 119 S. Bicycle Path, Selden, NY Mrs. Kenneth E. Crotty 125 Sylvan Drive, Stuarts Draft, VA Mrs. Robert Rose 104 Leming Avenue, Reedville, VA HQ 69 th Inf 28 Feb 2016 HQ 69 th Inf 4 Mar 2016 ADA 42 nd ID 5 Apr 2016 ROUGE BOUQUET: Go to Sleep, Go to Sleep, Slumber well where the shells screamed and fell Lay your rifles on the muddy floor You will not need them anymore Dangers past; now at last Go to Sleep! Joyce Kilmer HHC 165 th INF (KIA 30 Jul 1918) REGIMENTAL HISTORICAL EVENTS: In order to add some interesting facts about the history of the Regiment, Jack Hallanan suggested we add this section to the Monthly Bulletin. This month s presentation is provided by Bert Cunningham, Regimental Headquarters Historian and Custodian of the Regiment artifacts. THE MEXICAN BORDER CAMPAIGN PART 2: ON TO TEXAS ARRIVING AT CAMP WHITMAN IN BEEKMAN, NEW YORK IN JUNE, 1916, THE RGT. HAD TO SET UP ITS OWN SITE SINCE IT WAS A NEW FACILITY. THEY DID SO IN RAIN AND MUD: SHADES OF THE FUTURE IN FRANCE. WHEN THE 69TH HEADED TO TEXAS IN JULY, IT WAS UP TO STRENGTH WITH 1300 MEN AND WAS UNDER THE COMMAND OF COL WILLIAM HASKELL. AFTER A 2600-MILE TRAIN JOURNEY, THE RGT. REACHED THE MEXICAN BORDER ON JULY 18TH. NOT SEEING ACTION AGAINST PONCHO VILLA, THE RGT SPENT TIME IMPROVING MARKSMANSHIP AND HIKING. THE 9

10 HIKES WERE ACTUALLY AN IMITATION OF A DESPERATE ADVANCE OR RETREAT. THEY WERE CONDUCTED IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS; MEN CARRYING FULL PACKS AT A THREE-MILE-PER-HOUR PACE. COL HASKELL, IT S REPORTED, WANTED THE RGT. TO BE A MODEL OF EFFICIENCY. A LETTER IN THE ARCHIVE, WRITTEN BY EUGENE GANNON YEARS LATER, SAID OF ONE MARCH: THE DUST WAS INCHES THICK AND THE SUN WAS MURDEROUS. WE DID NOT LOSE A MAN. WE LATER FOUND OUT IT [THE MARCH] WAS A TEST HIKE TO CHECK OUT OUR ENDURANCE, GANNON WROTE. THE SHOWING WE MADE WAS THE TALK OF THE BORDER AND IT WAS THIS UNBELIEVABLE PERFORMANCE THAT MADE US THE FIRST PICK FOR THE RAINBOW DIVISION AND FRANCE. THE MEXICAN BORDER EXCURSION WAS A TEST FOR THE 69TH, OTHER NATIONAL GUARD UNITS, AND OF GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING. IT ALSO HELPED THE 69TH ESTABLISH A NEW SPIRIT OF COMRADESHIP. FATHER DUFFY, THE 69TH S CHAPLIN SINCE 1914, WAS WITH THE MEN, AS HE WOULD BE IN FRANCE, UNDER ALL KINDS OF CONDITIONS AS HE LABORED TO KEEP UP MORALE. HE ALSO IDENTIFIED A TALENTED YOUNG CALVARY OFFICER FROM BUFFALO WHO HE THOUGHT WOULD MAKE A FINE ADDITION TO THE RGT. HE LATER HELPED GET THAT YOUNG OFFICER, CPT WILLIAM DONOVAN, TRANSFERRED TO THE RGT. THE 69TH RETURNED FROM TEXAS IN MARCH, CONGRESS AUTHORIZED A DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST GERMANY AND ITS ALLIES ON APRIL 6TH. THE FIRST NY NATIONAL GUARD UNIT ACTIVATED FOR THE WAR AS PART OF THE NEWLY FORMED 42ND DIVISION, THE RGT. WAS RE-DESIGNATED THE 165TH INFANTRY REGIMENT. LATER IN 1917, THE 165TH INFANTRY, IN FRANCE, WOULD BUILD A NEW CHAPTER IN ITS DISTINGUISHED HISTORY. ### I wish to thank all who assisted in the preparation and distribution of the Bulletin. TOM FITZSIMMONS COMMANDER tomandlilfitz2@verizon.net 10