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__________________________________________________________________________________
4. WAIVER AGREEMENT:
In consideration of the 17th Signal Battalion Association accepting my application to voluntarily attend
the Association Reunion, I hereby acknowledge and understand that certain risks may arise as a
result of my participation in these events. According, I , the undersigned member/guest, assume
any and all risks which may be associated with these events wherever they may occur. I hereby
waive and release all cause of action(s) and claims for damages of any nature whatsoever which I
may have against the 17th Signal Battalion Association and any other related organization(s) such as
the United States Government, their officers, directors or employees arising out of or connected with,
any participation in the reunion related activities.
______________________________________________________ ________________________
Member Signature Date
______________________________________________________ _________________________
Guest/Spouse SignatureDate
______________________________________________________ __________________________
Guest Sinature Date
______________________________________________________ ________________________
Guest Signature Date
Make check out for the total on the previous page to the !7th Signal Battalion Association and mail this
completed form with the check to your Association Secretary at:
Sam Lietz, 403 Queens Row Street, Herndon VA 20170
Please call me with any questions at 703-437-9758 and leave a message stating 17th Signal Battalion
Association —I will get back to you as soon as possible!

PLEASE RESPOND BY 1 September SO THAT FINAL HOTEL/BANQUET/FOOD PREPARATIONS
CAN BE MADE WITH THE HOTEL.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEINGYOU IN KILLEEN!!!! SO GET ON
YOUR BOOTS AND SPURS AND THAT 10 GALLON HAT
AND COME ON OUT TO ENJOY OLD FRIENDS,MAKING
NEWFRIENDS AND SEEING THE LARGEST MILITARY
INSTALLATION IN THE FREEWORLD! !

REUNION REPORT. The 2006th, our 11th Reunion was held as planned in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from September 14th to September 17th, 2006. Speaking for the members in attendance "a great time was had by all". Many members began to arrive on Monday or Tuesday and got the Hospitality Room up and ruining late on Wednesday under the management of President Sam. It was great to see all the old friends again and to meet new ones. Our resident photographer Bernie Owens was unable to attend this year so Don Roupe volunteered to assume the duties of Official Photographer. He was every place with his ubiquitous camera. We will get some of his pictures posted here when we receive them. On Thursday afternoon we had our first Board of Directors Meeting and completed plans for the remainder of the reunion. In the late afternoon we had Open Bar Happy hour, that evening we enjoyed dinner at various restaurants and finished up in the Hospitality Room. On Friday morning the golfers left before sunup to accomplish their ritual of ground pounding and verbalizing severe profanity. On Friday morning we had an excellent talk by Ranger, Bob Grau. Bob explained many of the intricacies of the Revolutionary War and Philadelphia and its involvement. Our hotel was so located that it was an easy walk to many of the historic places, such as Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell and Betsy Ross's house ( where she did not live).Saturday morning began with our Memorial Service lead by Chaplain Emmett Autrey,remembering our comrades that had departed our worldly abode since the last reunion. Next on our Agenda was the General Membership Meeting. We elected a new slate of officers. In the late afternoon we had pictures taken for the Memory Book, another Open Bar Happy Hour and then our Banquet, raffle and 50-50 drawing. There were a lot of great prizes and everyone that won were very happy with their winnings. On Sunday morning at the Final Board meeting the most important item was the location of the 2008 Reunion, which will be held in Killeen/Fort Hood, TX area.

Below are some of the pictures from the Reunion.

Our Distinguised Speaker, COL John Koivisto, Executive Officer of the 17th Signal Battalion 1998-1998. Speaking on "The Army's Role in the Global War on Terrirism (GWOT)

Arlo Janssen presenting the Golf Awards

Membership Application

Dues Due Dates
List to be updated

Aviation History
of the 17th Signal Battalion

Written by Robert N. Dempster, April 1988",LTC USA (Ret)". Prepared for the 17th Signal Battalion Association WEB Site by Arlo Janssen in September 2006.

ROBERT J. STEERE
(ANN)

 

1652 Central Ave.

Harrisonburg, VA 22801-2759

Phone 540-442-1470
Email n1qeq@aol.com

JANSSEN, ARLO D.

(MARY ROSE)

9919 Longford Ct.
Viena, VA 22181-6070
Phone 703-281-3170
Email adjanssen@aol.com

VICE PRESIDENT

FOR

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

AUTREY, EMMETT A. (DEAN)

 

 

4507 Mesa Circle

Amarillo, TX 79109

Phone 806-359-5263

koogrnkitn@suddenlink.net

TAYLOR, HAL

(PENNY)

SMITH, AL

(MARILYN)

1112 Strathmore Ave.
Dothan, AL 36303-2447
Phone 334-792-0664

MEMBER AT LARGE

PLACE ONE

RIDING, DARRELL

(JUDY)

2016 Trailwood

Burleston, TX 76028

Phone 817-295-5888

gnidir2@earthlink.net

MEMBER AT LARGE PLACE TWO

 

HOSPITALITY

MOORE, BRIAN, LTC (DESIREE)

MEMBER AT LARGE PLACE THREE

VALOF, JOSEPH

(ANITA)

1 Wessonville Village Way
Westboro, MA 01581
Voice 508-366-9668
FAX 508-366-8825
igcatty@earthlink.net.

SPECIAL COUNSEL

TO THE

ASSOCIATION

VELLMURE, HENRI J. (THERESA)

7835 Stanway Place
Boca Raton, FL 33433-3327
Voice 561-750-0371
vellmureh@bellsouth.net

102d Signal Bn. Reunion in Wiesbaden Germany 2008
My wife Dorit and I have just returned from an extended tour of Europe with the highlight being the 102d reunion in Wiesbaden, Germany 21 to 25 April 2008. The reunion was made possible by the good graces of LTC Salo, the CO, and implemented by CPT Hughes. The premier event of the 3 days of the reunion festivities was the Friday evening banquet attended by the current active members of the 102d and veterans as well as DA civilians and German nationals working for the 102d. Present also was Col. Brendler, Commander of the 2nd Signal Brigade, the parent unit of the 102d as well as LTC Foxworth, a Chaplin. The event was formal dress and everyone looked superb in uniform or business attire.
LTC Salo gave a presentation documenting the rich history of the 102d and was followed by Col. Brendler. Both are gifted and inspirational speakers. As part of the ceremonies, Dorit and I were asked to take the floor with the two officers and were feted and presented various mementos. An excellent AV presentation was featured, put together by CPT Hughes, showing the 102d then and now. Much sparkling conversation followed among all the guests followed by music and dancing. I had the honor of helping with the cutting of the cake (with a sword), accompanied by the Col. Brendler, Col. Salo and CSM Letriz. CPT Hughes and her staff took many pictures and she has promised to post some on our site shortly. It was truly a night to remember.
Leading up to this gala event was 3 days of intense activity which included dedication of the 102d conference room to LTC William Felty, the first CO of the 102d, simulated firing of rifles and pistols, rides in a number of combat vehicles, a visit to a dependents school facilities, dining in a mess hall (not called that anymore) and a demonstration of hand to hand combat methods. Preceding the banquet on Friday was a boat trip up the Rhine River during which I had excellent conversations with many of the 102d members.
One of the premier spectator events for Dorit and I was parade field presentation of a Streamer to the 102d for excellence in unit performance. It was presented by General Smith, commander of the 5th Signal Group. He witnessed me standing on the sidelines taking photos and asked me to stand with him in front of the assembled troopers while he explained my presence. He later presented me with the Commander's Coin at a mess hall presentation. He is a very charismatic officer and interfaced strongly with the troops.
During my 3 days I made some observations of the current 102d. The current mission is regional and orientated toward IT functions as opposed to the theater wide and RF orientation of the past. It is significantly smaller (130 versus 700) reflecting this new mission and more centralized with reference toward personnel in that most are located at Wiesbaden. Wiesbaden in 1957 was a terminal site for the 102d with about 20 personnel present. The moral of the current unit is extremely high and reflective of excellent leadership and the volunteer Army in general. Almost every soldier told me that they wanted to be in the Army and specifically in Germany as opposed to the general feeling of the troops in the draftee Army of the 50's.
The amenities extended to Dorit and I were nothing short of spectacular. It began with a woman German police officer meeting us at Frankfurt airport with a sign featuring our name. I must say I took a deep breath at that point figuring that we were about to be arrested (possibly for selling cigarettes in 1957). As it turned out she was the significant other of a 102d trooper and volunteered for the pickup. She led us through the customs and helped make the arrival procedure speedy. She repeated that for our departure. Nice touch. We were chauffeured everywhere by enthusiastic young troopers.
The person who had the proverbial rose pinned on to make this event happen was CPT Hughes. She was tireless. Dorit and I witnessed her still in fatigues removing wine corks for the banquet minutes before the start and then running to the ladies room to change into her dress uniform. Next morning at 0900 she gave us a beautiful album of all the reunions events, obviously working all night to produce it.
We had planned to meet Don Roupe and his wife in Wiesbaden but upon arrival CPT Hughes informed us that he had medical problems that forced him to cancel his trip.
We are deeply indebted to the members of the 102d for the camaraderie and generosity shown to us over the reunion timeframe. We, for our part, had the time of our life. Unit members constantly asked us questions of how it was and how did we meet which we were glad to share. All laughed when we related how the girls down at the Java Junction EES snack bar on the autobahn constantly were on the lookout for officers with the 102d DUI on their shoulders and then called Hohenstadt Radio Station to warn us of an impending surprise inspection.
God Bless the Army and the young troopers who serve in the 102d.
Walt and Dorit Gelnovatch
Hohenstadt Radio Station 1957-1959
102d Signal Bn. (MW&RR)

Cassidy Adcox sent these pictures of her fathers from WWII. Barracks looks like Camp Crowder tar paper shacks, single story with 2 pot belly stoves. The big building is apparently French.

A new roster was mailed on May 01, 2006 showing all Active Members
New Members will be listed below as soon as they join the Association.
Newsletter # 27 was mailed at the same time.
If you have not received either of these two publications please contact the Secretary

Below are listed members that have joined the Association since our reunion in September 2006

Loomis, Wayne A. and Shirley. Wayne was a member of the 17th Signal Battalion, 175th Signal Company in 1959 & 1960. They are currently living in Lorena TX and can be reached by Email at wloomis@hot.rr.com. They are members # 544.

Pierlina "Rind" DeLester also joined our association at the 2006 reunion. Rina was married to Homer Felker who served with the 175th Signal Company from 1955 - 1958. Rina joined us via Email from friends urging her to join them at the reunion. Rina now lives in Joplin, MO and can be reached a X-4MFARM@prodigy.net.
She is member # 546

Dale & Peggy Calnon responded to a phone call from Bill Moore to join our association. Dale served in B Company, 102nd Signal Battalion from 1957-1959 as a Specialist Five. Dale and Peggy now live in Pennsylvania.
They are Members #558

James P. Freese who served with the 17th Signal Battalion in Karlsruhe from 61-62. Jim was in Headquarters Company as a SP4 and left the Army in July 1962. He stated in his application that “I’ve thought of all those many years gone by and good lasting memories still lasting". I wanted to connect for some crazy reason, maybe I could scare up a roster of names of HQs Company from that time and see if any fellas are still around.” Jim does not yet have email but does get his snail mail at 7807 State Route 56, Apartment A, Athens Ohio 45701 or phone at 740-591-8017 if you can help Jim reconnect with his old crew from the 17th!

He is Member # 560

Ron Raucci was a SP4, a Communication Center Specialist. The one thing that I will always remember when I was with the 17th was that we had no doors or heaters in our jeeps, it was great in the summer but the winter was brutal. Also my frequents trips to Heidelberg on message runs was fun, we spent a lot of time in the field and when we wern't’t we were in the motor pool working on our vehicles. I also recall a time when I had the opportunity to fly to Laon , France with a Warrant Officer who was piloting a single engine plane, we were delivering a message and I was the courier. I only had the chance to work my MOS at the Com. Center at Nuerit Kaserne two or three times. I was transported to Karlshrue, Germany by boat, the USNS Upshur, we landed in Bremerhaven and went the rest of the way by train. I also recall once when I had to guard a prisoner on the way to the stockade at Mannheim, Germany. Some of the guys I remember were a Frank Ferando, Ed Ashworth, Tom Joyner and a Paul Ledford. I don’t recall our CO’S name but the Exex. Was a Lt. Good, and a real nice person. I hope this information helps, if I think about anything else of interest I will let you know, one thing I would like to say was that my time with the 17th was great and the German people were very friendly.

Ron served with A Company 17th in 62-63 He is Member # 561

We are looking for Member Number 562

Can you find 'em?

Since the publication of the Spring 2006 Newsletter we have learned of the passing of Three of our members.

John M.Krnyevich, Member # 501 passed away on June 9, 2006.

Rosco Peterson, Member # 524 Passed away in June 2006

Braxton C. Wallace Member # 216 passed away in August 2006
Braxton was our oldest member. He was a guard at theTomb of the Unknown Soldier before W.W.II. Braxton was 91+ years old. He was our oldest member.

Jowarren B. Shively Founding Charter Member 32 passed away on September 19, 2006 Joe was 88+ years old.

Dorothy Oliff the wife of Charles, passed away March 09, 2007

Ike Huff a member of the 440th passed away on April 01, 2007

.
James McKain who resided in Seymour, Indiana passed away onOct. 18, 2007 . Jim was in the 29th Sig. Bn.
Survived by his wife Marilyn McKain, One daughter, Connie, married name escapes me.
Lung cancer was the culprit that cut his life short.

1SG, Ret. Rene L. Gaudette,(MBR NO. 349), passed away on June 17,
2006. He is survived by his wife Anna and daughter Heidy.

Ron Strand , Member # 11, passed away during the summer of 2007. He is survived by his wife Judy.

WE EXTEND OUR SINCEREST CONDOLENCES TO THEIR FAMILIES