National Capital Area Chapter

101^st Airborne Division Association

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2002

 

President          -    George Malleck, PH:703-892-1679 e-mail gmalleck1@home.com

Vice President  -   Patrick O’Reilly, 703-369-4607 e-mail Porairborne@hotmail.com

Treasurer          -   Robert Ponzo, PH: 703-527-3084 e-mail RobertPonzo@msdw.com

Secretary/         -  Sylvia Schonberger, PH 703-425-9412, e-mail Sylvia@casafairfax.org

Membership

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Chapter President George Malleck and his wife Ann hosted a Christmas party at their home on the evening of December 8, 2001.  There was plenty of food, drink and good cheer to go around.  Members from as far away as North Carolina attended along with local members.  It was a great opportunity for members to get together and get the holiday season off to a good start.

 

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The annual Snowbird reunion on February 7-10, was held in Orlando, Florida and hosted by the Sunshine State Chapter, and as usual was a great success.  Joe Byerle, Ray Hirschner, Ralph Payne and Dick Schonberger of the local chapter joined more than 400 other participants. This event was marred by the untimely passing of Bill Welch, the Chapter President and prime mover for this event the past few years.  Bill, who had a history of heart problems succumbed on Friday, working on his main project.  Needless to say it was a shock, but based on the family and surely Bill’s wishes, the weekend went on.

 

If you have not been to a Snowbird reunion I would highly recommend it.  The hotel configuration really supports the function and the Sunshine Chapter really rolls out the welcome mat including a great hospitality room with buffet lunches and evening snacks prepared and served by the chapter throughout the weekend.  Snowbird also serves as the mid-term Board of Governor meeting to help the BOG stay abreast of Association matters and to prepare for the main business meeting at the annual reunion.  During Snowbird, too you are in the proximity of all the attractions of Orlando and Kissimmee.

 

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It with the deepest regret that we announce the untimely death of Karen Fatherree.  A memorial service was held in Washington, DC. Our sincerest condolences to John and his family.

 

 

Dusolina Ponzo, mother of our treasurer Bob, died last month after a long illness. Our condolences to Bob and his family.

 

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NEW BUSINESS:

Memorial Day 2002 observances will take place in Washington, DC. from Friday May 24 through Sunday, May 26.  The host hotel this year is the Doubletree Hotel, Crystal City.  The Doubletree Hotel is an upscale facility close to Pentagon City shopping and the Metro.  The hotel offers courtesy shuttle pickup to and from Reagan National Airport and the Metro station nearby.  Special rates of $94.00 per day plus tax can be obtained by indicating to the hotel reservations staff that you are attending the 101^st Airborne Division Association Memorial Day event.  A reduced rate of $4.00 per night is available for hotel parking.

 

Reservations can be made at:

     The Doubletree Hotel, Crystal City

     300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, 

     VA.  22202-2891     Tel: 703-416-4100  Fax: 703-416-4126 

 

The hospitality suite will open on Friday afternoon, May 24.  On Saturday, May 25,  beyond the tours offered last year, at 3:30 P.M., the Association will have the honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  On Sunday, May 26, the usual honors at the Vietnam Memorial Wall and 101^st Airborne Division Memorial at Arlington Cemetery will take place.  Buses will leave the hotel at 10:00 AM.  Lunch will follow the ceremonies..

 

Because the National Reunion and Week of the Eagles will follow so closely on these events, it is particularly important for the Chapter to get an accurate count of participants.  Without such information it will be difficult to determine bus and luncheon requirements.  The Chapter must order bus seats and luncheon meals well in advance of the event.  Each year, failure to inform the Chapter of planned attendance requires that planning be based on guesswork.   Inability to accurately know how many people will attend has the unfortunate effect of providing either insufficient seats on the bus and meals at the luncheon or forcing the Chapter to eat the cost of extra meals ordered but not consumed.  Please help out by notifying the Chapter if you plan to attend as soon as possible.  Cost at the door for the Sunday bus and Luncheon is $45.00 ($35.00 for the luncheon alone).  The cost is reduced for those registering in advance to $40.00 for the bus and luncheon, $30.00 for the luncheon alone.  Children under ten years of age will be charged $15.00 for the luncheon. 

 

Please make check payable to::

NATIONAL AREA CAPITAL CHAPTER

and send to:  Sylvia Schonberger

                    8804 Kenilworth Drive,                                          Springfield, VA 22151. 

 

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Pat O’Reilly is again going to host a St. Patrick’s Day party at his home.  This will take place on March 16^th at 6:00 PM.  Call Pat at 703-369-4607by March 8^th at which time he will give you directions to his home.

This has become an annual event and promises to be a great time.

 

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NEW MEMBERS:

We would like to welcome Albert Yanger (Al)

and David Harden to our Chapter and look forward to seeing them at our next function.

 

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DATES TO REMEMBER:

March 16^th - St. Patrick’s Day Party

 

May 24^th - 26^th Memorial Day Week

 

IT IS TIME TO PAY YOUR DUES AGAIN!

 

Please send a check for $20.00 made payable to: National Area Capital Chapter and addressed to:

 

SYLVIA SCHONBERGER

8804 KENILWORTH DRIVE

SPRINGFIELD, VA 22151