DOGMAN
Page 6
June 2002
this is printed, the Navy mini-reunion will
Navy K-9
be less then four months away. It's time
TAPS
REPORTS FROM
to get serious about making your plans to
by DICK KING
attend. The mini-reunion will be held in
Unit Director
UNIT DIRECTORS
the same hotel, and immediately
Patches & Pins: Remember the patch
preceding the VDHA Reunion in October
Robert H. Steinmasel of Maple
we wore 30+ years ago? It was blue and
on Wednesday the 8th and Thursday the
Valley, Wash., died March 30, 2002, at his
yellow and was basically in the shape of
9th. The VDHA Reunion begins on Friday
35th SPS
home. He was 54. Born Sept. 3, 1947, in
a shield? Now those patches
the 10th.
Seattle, Mr. Steinmasel served in the Air
are available again.
Joan Elder with Miramar
Force in Vietnam and lived in the Maple
by VAUGHN R. HULL
Richard Prest has taken
Travel (1-800- 878-6991)
Unit Director
Valley and Renton area for 54 years. He
the initiative to have a
can handle your reservations
worked as a machinist at The Boeing Co.
number of them made up
for either, or both events.
We now have 83 members and four
for 30 years and was a member of the
and has also made the
pending.
Boeing Machinist Union, Generational
Certificate
of
generous offer of donating
Craig Lord has put together a
Hope Christian Center in Maple Valley
Appreciation: There's one
100 percent of the profits
newsletter called Loose Dog. This first
and the Vietnam Dog Handler Association.
more thing Richard Prest has
made in the sale of these
issue was sent last month. The next issue
He is survived by his wife, Janie L.
done for us recently. On May
patches, (over the cost of
will be coming out in June.
Steinmasel; daughters Andrea Narverud ,
17 he traveled to Fort Mill Middle School
purchase and mailing) toward installation
We making available to our members
Dawna Bibby and Kellie Steinmasel;
and presented on behalf of U.S. Navy K-
of a Naval Services pedestal at the War
a membership list of the members of the
parents Robert and Marie Steinmasel;
9 a Certificate of Appreciation to Mrs.
Dog Memorial at Ft. Benning, Ga. He has
35th SPS K9. Albert Floyd is collecting
brother Terry Steinmasel; and six
Cornwell and her students for the great
contributed almost $150 so far.
the requests and mailing out our 35th SPS
grandchildren.
work they did on their "Tribute To War
Richard has also made arrangements to
K9 membership roster to the members.
Dogs, America's Forgotten Heroes" web
have the same design created in a 1-inch
Craig and Al are doing these mailings with
✩ ✩ ✩
pages project.
tall, double posted pin with a cloisonné
their own monies.
finish, and will offer them under the same
I have a great staff working with me.
donation arrangement.
My assistant unit directors are Carl Adams
If you'd like one or the other, you need
(Andy 314F) 03/67-10/68; Albert
to get in touch with Richard fairly soon.
Floyd (Rooney 47M7) 03/71-03/72; and
They're going pretty fast, and they only
2002 Bi-Annual
Dennis Travis (Randy 276M /Rolfe
seem to be available only once every 30
M518) 69-70.
years, or so.
VDHA Reunion
The historian and editor of Loose Dog
Georgia State War Dogs Day:
newsletter duties are handled by Craig
Richard Prest, along with John Billoit
in ST. LOUIS
Lord (Winston A170) 04/68-04/69. My
(former SEAL dog handler) were also
special projects staff consists of Bob
among those in attendance in Atlanta on
Hubbard (Duke 759E) 05/70-07/71 and
April 8 when the Governor of Georgia,
Dale Terrell (Chinook 747M) 04/70-04/
Roy E. Barnes, signed a proclamation
October 11-13, 2002
71.
naming May 11th as a state day of
Through Bob we have a contact person
recognition for War Dogs. Richard Prest
Radisson Hotel
with the 35th Security Forces Squadron
and John Billoitt were also among those
at Misawa AB, Japan. He is SSgt Darrin
in attendance on May 11 at Ft. Benning
and Suites Downtown
Ulmer, head K9 trainer for the 35th SFS.
during the ceremonies dedicating five
As a unit, the 35th SFS is a member of
service pedestals.
the VDHA and receiving the DOGMAN.
Dixie and Jerry Whitmore and Atlanta's
My Reunion chair is Frank Casini (Niki
Contact Joan Elder
German Shepherd Club were instrumental
A017/Rex 845F) 01/68-07/69
in pulling this all together. As Navy dog
Miramar Travel
handlers, we not only owe a debt of
Trackers
appreciation to them for this, but for
1-800-878-6991
steering several donations by members of
by JOHN DUPLA
the AGSC toward the Naval pedestal.
Unit Director
New Member: U.S. Navy K-9 has a
I just returned from the 47th and 59th
new member. Former Officer-In-Charge
SPECIAL
scout dog reunion and dedication at Ft.
LTJG Nelson E. Spriggs has joined us,
Benning, Ga. I want to thank all those
although today he'd be referred to as
VDHA Reunion
involved and tell them they did an
Major Spriggs, USAFR Ret.
excellent job. They had help from the
Room Rates $115 plus tax
German Shepherd Club of Atlanta, with
Navy K-9 Mini-Reunion: By the time
several supporters making us feel
Single/Double
welcomed. Two names especially come
3rd SPS
to mind: Dixie Whitman and Ann
Wilkerson.
by GEORGE MILLER
As far as the trackers were concerned,
Unit Director
Energy Surcharge $2 per
we were represented by myself, Kenneth
Attention 3rd SPS members. The shirts
Goss, Georg Hessenius (both with the 65th
room per night
with the War Dog Memorial on them are
CTT), Roger Marnell, and Johnnie
ready to order. It's the same shirt I
Gollihugh.
(Regular rate is $159 so
mentioned in the in the history form I sent
I placed flowers at the base of the
you. The hats will be ready soon.
memorial to the trackers and dedicated
contact Joan early!)
With these shirts and hats, we will be
that day's ceremony in honor of Neil
all decked out for the Reunion. If you want
Couch and Larry Snitgen. Both men were
one, just send me your size. The price is
multi-tour trackers in Vietnam and have
$20 each. They are available to other
demonstrated their leadership by "taking
members of the VDHA as well..
the point" with dignity and honor.