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The E-Mail Newsletter of the Army Security Agency Alpiners Reunion Group
Serving veterans of the SIS, ASA and INSCOM who were stationed in Germany or Austria
Volume 6 – Number 9
October 1, 2010
Ralph R, Thadeus, Editor
(Scheyern 53-56)
E-Mail Us
DIVE IN HEAD FIRST – REUNION XIX
Jim Natividad (Scheyern 47-54), our President and current reunion coordinator, tells us that all systems are go for our reunion in Myrtle Beach, SC, October 14th-16th. Jim says that there are still rooms available at the hotel for any late comers who want to attend. See our web site (click on above) for reunion details and hotel contact information. If you do decided to be a late comer, and want to attend either the Bavarian Evening Dinner or the Banquet, please contact Jim at the hotel during the afternoons or evenings of the 13th or 14th. The number there is 1-800-845-0658.
The Hospitality Room will be open about noon on Thursday and should be well stocked except for a selection of wine. Since there are not many wine drinkers among us Jim suggests that those who partake of the fermented grape bring along a bottle of their favorite to share.
And, last but not least, Jim advises everyone to bring along their bathing suits and take advantage of all the water activities available.
ASMN
Proud To Say. The Army Corps of Engineers just awarded a $1.2 billion contract for the construction of the NSA’s cybersecurity facility in Utah. This is the project we wrote about last year when it was first announced. I am proud to say that my nephew, Thomas A. Thadeus, is the Project Manager for Architecture and Civil Engineering. Tom’s group developed the master plan, developed the site/earth work, cut the 200 acres out of the mountain side, brought in the utilities and developed the documentation to solicit the final award, all in 12 months. This first phase of construction is referred to as the horizontal construction, which is what he
managed. This latest contract award is the vertical construction phase where they put up the vertical construction: walls and ceilings. Tom says this is the biggest project he was ever worked and managed. (I wonder if wearing my old Lightning Fast Chicken Plucker pin helped get him the assignment)
Alan C. Batchelder (Scheyern 54-56) writes: “Thanks again for your newsletter, Nancy Lee and I always read it with pleasure. That my simple letter about hearing aids raised such a response is pleasing…
I have been thinking of writing a mini-essay on military friendships. Like Summer Camp, Army time generates new friendships that seem close and enduring, but which turn out to be lifeless or without meaningful connections once the circumstances revert to "home". I suppose we all know about that, but there are exceptions, such as the relationship between Jack Wood and me. We enjoyed each others company at Scheyern and spend much time and numerous adventures. One of my favorite photos was of the two of us in front of a deuce and a half at the Dachau firing range. All contact ended the day I left the post to return home in January 1956, in the company of Pete Batts, whom we have lost.
Fast forward to 1981, my younger daughter and her husband and son were planning their move from Portland, Oregon, to Berlin, New Hampshire. The Bekins representative who was giving them a quote asked for a local contact for the record and she gave him my name. When she started to spell the last name he said, "Oh, I know how to spell that. I had an army buddy by that name." A few pertinent comments and questions later, Woos had found Batch and the former relationship blossomed once again. It continues to this moment, even deeper and more valued that either of us had realized.
I would love to share more about Woos and Patty as they deserve an update, but would require first, their permission and second, your interest in having that kind of thing in The Interceptor. I know that we like reading personal military stories and learning more about the Life after Service that our fellow ASAers have enjoyed.”
Editor: I consider Woody a good friend too. We tried a couple of times to meet when Eda and I were on the West Coast but conflicts always arose. Woody – remember Christmas at Eda’s home? Still have the pictures.
And for those of you out there that have other memories they would like to share – send them along to me. They make great reading and bring back many many memories.
NEW CONTACTS
Reise House (Augsburg 85-88)
LOST CONTACTS
Patrick Grover (Augsburg) pgrover(at)gwi.net
Tom Lamp (Bad Aibling 63-66) trlamp(at)rpadrimmer.com
TAPS
Tom Collier (Schneeberg/Augsburg) passed away on July 21st as reported by Carl Zelich (Augsburg 60-62)
Colonel Leonard J. Fischer, founder of the Army Security Agency Alumni Association – National Capitol Region and who commanded Arlington Hall Station, Arlington, VA from 1972 until his retirement from the Service in 1974, died on 26 May 2010 at Potomac Hospital, Woodbridge, Virginia, at 91 years of age. He was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, who passed away in October 2009.
Having come up through the ranks, his Military Service spanned more than 35 years and three wars. He enlisted as a private in the 71st Infantry in 1939. During WWII, he spent 26 months in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater of Operations under General Stilwell. Later in his military career Colonel Fischer was assigned to The Army Security Agency and became a Charter Member of the MI Branch when it was organized. In addition to duty at Arlington Hall, Colonel Fischer commanded the 14th USASA Field Station in Hakata, Japan.