MSC NETWORK NEWS Vol. 2, No. 1 Summer 2005 ***********************************************

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1 *********************************************** Salutations. Welcome to this issue of the MSC NETWORK NEWS, the newsletter of the MSC Network, Inc., which was established on 12 December 2003 as an organization organized for charitable and educational purposes under Section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of The purposes of the Network are to: 1. Foster fraternal relationships with other military and veterans groups. 2. Document, preserve and disseminate accurate historical information regarding Corps activities and achievements of its officers during war and peace. 3. Promote professional, social, and recreational activities for MSC Network members. 4. Support the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps in accomplishing its missions. News Notes President s Corner From the Secretary Treasurer s Report Chaplain s Pew Scholarship Fund From the Mailbag 2006 Reunion In Memoriam Membership Dues 2004 Reunion Coins Newsletter Submissions Table of Contents News Notes Phill Swinney has resigned as President of the Network. The Board of Directors has elected COL George R. Krueger, Ret. as President. We have a new MSC general, Colonel David A. Rubenstein, Commander 30th Medical Brigade, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, APO AE The MSC Network Reunion 2006 will be held September 2006 in San Antonio, under the leadership of Mike McGinley, Chairman. Mark your calendars. Our Scholarship Fund is growing. Please be generous. Remember, it s a great tax deduction. Recruit a new member and help our Network grow! Comments and questions should be addressed to Dick Ginn at: Dickginn@aol.com

2 President s Corner I'm honored by the confidence placed in me by the Board of Directors of the MSC Network and will do my utmost to support the organization in every way possible. Mike McGinley, the Chair of the planning committee for the 2006 MSC Reunion is hard at work laying the foundation for another successful reunion. George Krueger, President Editor s Note: Colonel Krueger retired from active duty in 1982 after more than 33 years of service. A native of North Dakota, he enlisted in 1949 and served in Kansas, Virginia, Japan and Korea. He was commissioned in the MSC upon completion of OCS in His principal assignments included: Executive Officer, Seoul Military Hospital; Assistant Chief of Staff, Personnel and Administration, U.S. Army Medical Command, Vietnam; Chief, MSC Career Activities Office; Commander, Academy Brigade; and Inspector General, U.S. Army Health Services Command. His education included a Bachelor of Education, University of Omaha; Army-Baylor Health Care Administration Course; and the Command and General Staff College Regular Course. COL Krueger and his wife, Ione have three sons, and they reside in San Antonio. As of this writing, George and bride are out of town, cooling off on a cruise to Alaska. From the Secretary. The following is a copy of a letter sent out to all those on the OFN list. Please feel free to use this information in recruiting new members. RECRUITMENT IS EVERYONE S JOB. As an MSC officer you will be interested to learn that there is an MSC organization. At the 2002 reunion it was voted to formalize an organization. We have been organized for two years, and the Secretary of State of Texas helped us in selecting our name of MSC Network, Inc. We are incorporated and have tax exemption from the IRS. The President is George Krueger, Vice President; Gordon Hennessy; Treasurer, Jim Vinci; and yours truly, Earl McSwain, Secretary. There are eight members who make up the Board of Directors and we have committee chairmen responsible for everything from A to Z. The officers, directors and committee chairmen are scattered all over the country. The purpose of the MSC Network, Inc. is to promote the history and traditions of the Medical Service Corps, to enhance continuing education, and to support social and recreational activities for its members. Enduring strength comes from core values of service, loyalty, honesty, and integrity. Camaraderie is one of the main ingredients of the MSC Network, Inc. It was an important ingredient in shaping our careers. Camaraderie was the prop frequently available to help us on our next venture. A scholarship program has been established, chaired by George Hammond. The committee is working on requirements for applicants to participate in the scholarship program. Presently the fund has approximately $8, It has been an MSC tradition for many years to have a reunion every two years. The 2004 reunion held in San Antonio was a whopping success with 250 attending. Distinguished 2

3 guest speakers included BG Baxter, Chief, MSC, Gen. Green, USAF, representatives from the VA, AMEDD Museum, and MOAA. A popular function was the golf tournament followed by a Mexican buffet, and to end the reunion, everyone enjoyed a wonderful banquet. Plan now to attend the 2006 reunion in San Antonio. The winter 2004/05 MSC Network Newsletter was the third newsletter published for all members. If you would like a copy, send your request to my address shown below. To continue to grow and to be able to implement education and recreational activities, it is imperative that our membership grow. Each new member and each renewal is vitally important. Come join us!!! Membership is $25.00 the first year, and $15.00 yearly to renew. Lifetime memberships are also available. Make checks payable to MSC Network, Inc., and mail to P. O. Box 39514, San Antonio, Texas Earl and Betty McSwain, Secretary emcswain@satx.rr.com Treasurer s Report. NET WORTH, MSC NETWORK 9 May 2005 Assets Cash and Bank Accounts Bank America $15, Cash Scholarship Fund 8, Total Cash and Bank Accounts 23, Other Assets Accounts Receivable Equipment Total Other Assets Total Assets $23, Liabilities Master Card 0.00 Total Credit Cards 0.00 Other Liabilities MSC Reunion Committee 0.00 Total Other Liabilities 0.00 Total Liabilities $0.00 Net Inflows/Outflows $23, James D. Vinci, Treasurer 3

4 Chaplain s Pew Traditionally, Memorial Day is a time for remembering. Recently, I was thinking back to a Memorial Day many years ago when, as a Scout leader, I supervised Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts in placing American flags in front of each headstone at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Although the full meaning of Memorial Day was probably not totally understood by some of the younger Scouts, they all knew we were doing something special to honor those who had gone before us. As we celebrate this uniquely American holiday, let each of us take just a moment apart from the picnics and festivities to pause and express a silent "thank you" to those special comrades who are no longer with us. God bless, Bob Bories, Chaplain Scholarship Fund The MSC Network Scholarship Fund was established during the general membership meeting in September The goal of the Scholarship Committee (COLs George Hammond, Ernie Sylvester, and Jim Hayes) is to raise $10,000 to establish the fund. They have issued a challenge asking for 100 officers to donate $100 each. COL Gil East donated $1,000, and many others have generously contributed. The fund is now up to $8,000. The Committee plans to submit criteria for scholarship awards to the Board of Directors for approval NLT the end of July Based on the criteria the Board approves, we could award scholarships for the 2006 school year and announce the awardees at the 2006 Reunion. The criteria we will recommend are: a relationship to a Network member, academic ability, exhibited leadership skills, service in the community, and, in rare cases, personal hardship. The final decision of criteria for award of scholarships will be up to the Board. This is a very worthwhile project for the MSC Network, and should also be a great recruiting incentive. The main thing is that for all of us who have been fortunate enough to attend college and, as a result, were able to pursue our military careers, it's a great opportunity to PAY FORWARD and help someone have the same chance!! Make your check payable to the MSC Network, and mail it to MSC Network, P.O.Box 39514, San Antonio, TX George Hammond, Chairman, Scholarship Committee From the Mailbag Earl McSwain received this note from a new member who had received a copy of our letter explaining about the MSC Network and asking for membership. Thank you for your very informative introducing me to the MSC Network, Inc. You re certainly right about the importance of the camaraderie aspect of being a Medical Service Corps officer. I have always cherished the memories of my service, and in particular, of the meaningful associations this exposure has provided to me, both on active duty, and now, in retirement. LTC (Ret) Bruce Covell, Margate, Florida 4

5 From Rick Jones: Patrick Henry Maher passed away from this life Saturday, August 21, Pat served in the United States Army from 1971 until his retirement in 1990, achieving the rank of Major. He taught and coached in Natalia, TX for nine years. A private burial will take place at a later date at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Albuquerque, NM. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in memory of Pat Maher, Class of 1966, St. Pius High School, 5301 St. Joseph Dr. NW, Albuquerque, NM From Johnny Johnson: Don Ebner passed away last night, January 24, 2005 at about Don and Marge (Don's second wife and the former Marge Obie, Media Division of the Academy) had just moved into the USAA Towers in October of last year. Don will be remembered as a Ph.D. educator and a true professional. From Jim Van Straten: Carol Ann Gillespie, Ron Gillespie s wife, passed away in Colorado Springs, CO on January 14, Several of you have sent messages asking how you can communicate with Ron and/or the Gillespie children during this time of sadness over the death of Carol. Cleo Allgood has informed me that Ron can be reached at the following address: Sunrise Assisted Living 2105 University Park Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO From Jim Hayes: Don't know if you had this or not but we just got a card from Rose Cohen (wife of Milt Cohen) that Milt passed away in California on November 18, He had diabetes plus many complications thereof. Milt was my preceptor at West Point and later XO at BAMC. I think he retired from BAMC and went to California. Another of the really good guys. From Art Irish: Commander Arthur S. Irish, USN, passed away on December 23, 2004 in Coeur D Alene, Idaho. CDR Irish s career in the U.S. Navy spanned 22 years with service in WWII and Korea. He was a Naval Aviator flying a variety of multi-engine aircraft during his career. He is survived by his son, Art, and daughter Laurie Irish-Duncan. One of the enlisted men who flew with him following WWII (who I had the honor to meet a few years ago) said upon hearing of his death; We will all miss him. He was one of those leaders that helped to shape our lives. From Earl McSwain: Robert T. Weatherall, MSC Colonel, Retired, died 29 April 2005 at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife Gerrie. Graveside services were held Friday, May 6, at the Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers remembrances can be made to the US Army Medical Department 5

6 Museum, c/o AMEDD Museum Foundation, Inc., P. O. Box 8294, San Antonio, Texas COL John A. Bastian III passed away April 5, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas. A rosary followed by a funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Schertz, Texas, on April 8, Henry L. Hammond, retired U. S. Army Colonel, died December 25, He served 31 years of active duty. Following retirement, Hammond served as executive vice president of the Army Medical Department Museum Foundation from 1985 through completion of Phase III construction in From Maureen Shafer: I received the mailing for the MSC Network on behalf of my father, COL (retired) Keith O. Shafer. I know the MSC group was very important to Dad. Dad passed away on 3/8/05 from complications related to lung cancer. He was buried at Fort Sam Houston on 3/14/05. Sadly, my mother, 1 st Lt Alice Claire Shafer died on 4/15/05 from pneumonia. She is also buried at Fort Sam (right next to Dad). Her tombstone will read until we meet again, which is for the WWII song and also her feelings after Dad died. Their obits are at All of their mail is coming to my address: Maureen Shafer, 4395 Liverpool Lane, Southhaven, MS is mscorgi@earthlink.net 2006 Reunion. The MSC Reunion will be in San Antonio at the DoubleTree Hotel at I 410 and McCullough, the last weekend of September Please circle that weekend (Thursday - Sunday) on your calendars, and inform all other MSC bretheren about the event. "More to come..." Mike McGinley, Chairman, 2006 Reunion Committee In Memoriam. Our Chaplain has received notification of the deaths of the following MSC officers. We offer our condolences to their friends and families. LTC Lester Boyd COL John A. Bastian III COL Donald Callaghan LTC Earl C. Cunnington COL Milt Cohen LTC William J. Dawson COL Donald Ebner COL Loren Fryer COL Henry Hammond MAJ Patrick Henry Maher 6

7 LTC Joseph P. Mansfield COL James W. Reiber COL Keith O. Shafer COL Robert T. Weatherall Please notify Bob of the death of any active or retired MSC. You can contact him by at George Krueger, who serves as Chairman of our Reunion Memorial Service, also needs a current list of those who have passed away. His is georgek1852@yahoo.com. Notices can also be mailed to MSC Network, P.O. Box 39514, San Antonio, TX Membership. Encourage fellow MSCs to join the Network. Ask them to contact COL Earl and Betty McSwain at emcswain@satx.rr.com. Membership is $25 the first year, and $15 yearly to renew. Two-year renewals are encouraged ($30) Lifetime memberships are also available. Members up to age 65, $200 Members 66-75, $150 Members 76 and over, $100 Make checks payable to MSC Network, Inc., and mail to P. O. Box 39514, San Antonio, Texas Dues. Members: please send your annual dues of $15 to MSC Network, P.O. Box 39514, San Antonio, TX Reunion Coins. There are some MSC coins remaining from the 2004 reunion. The cost is $6, which includes handling and shipping. MSC Network, P.O. Box 39514, San Antonio, TX Newsletter Submissions. Please forward items for the newsletter and any feedback to COL Dick Ginn, 6825 Spring Beauty Court, Springfield, VA 22152, phone or dickginn@aol.com HAVE A GREAT SUMMER! 7