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November 9, 2004
Dear Spearheaders,
I consider it an honor to have been elected and to serve as
President of the Third Armored Division Association for the year
2004-2005, and, as such, I would like to share with you some
of my thoughts and opinions as to the future of our Association.
My association with the Third Armored Division started when,
after eight weeks of basic training at Fort Knox, I was assigned
to B Company, 33rd Armored Regiment, at the Camp Polk in March,
1942. My entire service thereafter, until the end of the war,
was with B Company. I developed a special relationship with my
B Co. men.
When I was discharged and returned to civilian life, I renewed
my ambition to become a lawyer. I was admitted to the Practice
of Law in Massachusetts and the United States District Court
of Massachusetts. I pursued a career in the Law until it came
time to go on "Vacation". However, I still maintain
my License to Practice Law.
When I first learned of the Third Armored Division Association
in 1949, I was eager to see my old friends from B Co. As a result,
I attended my first Reunion in New York City in 1949. Since then,
I've attended every Reunion, except two, and have enjoyed every
one of them.
My incentive to attend the early Reunions was to see and enjoy
the comradeship of my B Co. and Task Force Lovelady friends.
As time went on and I attended later Reunions, I became acquainted
with and enjoyed the comradeship of Spearheaders of other Third
Armored units and their families. As a result of having made
new friendships with Spearheaders and their families, the Reunions
have become even more enjoyable.
With the passage of time and the natural aging of our Spearheaders,
with its infirmities and even death, fewer Spearheaders are able
to come to our Reunions. I hope that the uncertainties which
we all face will create an incentive to attend "one more
Reunion", to see and enjoy the comradeship of our fellow
Spearheaders and their families.
Some of our Spearheaders have expressed a strong desire that
we continue our Reunions "until the last man". I like
that attitude.
As you all know, in July, 2004, we had our first "Limited
Joint Reunion" in Columbus, Ohio, with the Association of
3rd Armored Division Veterans. I believe that it was enjoyed
by everyone who was there. Our Reunion in Indianapolis (July,
2005) will be a similar "Limited Joint Reunion".
I believe that we should continue our Spearhead Tradition.
And a way to do so is to continue our two separate entities,
and to have Joint Reunions with some joint non-conflicting activities.
It is my opinion that our Association is governed by our Third
Armored constitution. In accordance with our Constitution, the
most serious decisions are made by the members. You, the members,
control the future of our Association. I hope that our Association
and our Reunions continue into the future.
I urge you all to come to our 2005 reunion in Indianapolis,
to enjoy the comradeship of fellow Spearheaders and their families.
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