| Bert Hubble'sTHE BOW-WOW
REPORTDecember 2002promoting Friendship - Communication - Understanding Distributed Quarterly: March - June -
September - December | 
|
47th Scout Dog Platoon
http://www.47ipsd.us59th Scout Dog Platoon
http://www.geocities.com/ipsd59th/main.htmVDHA Unit Director: Bertram Hubble, bhubble@attglobal.net Bertram Hubble, bhubble@attglobal.net Webmaster: Jonathan Wahl, 47ipsd@47ipsd.org - open - Historian: Bertram Hubble, bhubble@attglobal.net William Whitehouse, w.w.whitehouse@worldnet.att.n Fellow Platoon Members:
This is the first report where I am going to try and streamline the Bow-Wow process. Many of you will be notified by e-mail that the report is posted on our web site so you can log on and read it or print it. Those who have been contacted and want to receive the report but do not have access to e-mail will continue to receive the report via mail. Those who have not replied at all will be dropped from my mail list. Of course, anyone who comes forward and wants to be added to either the e-mail list or the mailing list will be added. This will have some benefits to free me up a bit and the process should get better as we get used to it.
Platoon Pins:
Herman Allen (Rusty) wanted each of you to have something from him that would serve as a symbol of your service with your unit. His inspiration and imagination has resulted in two pins being made up one for the 47th handlers and one for the 59th handlers. The pins show your division insignia and arm patch. Rusty designed the pins and paid for them himself. The 47th pins have already been mailed. The 59th pins are made and should be in the mail by the end of January at the latest. He also made up some 2nd Brigade pins with LZ Sally on them. This is a very generous and heartfelt gesture of friendship by Rusty. I hope that you all enjoy the pins and appreciate the effort that he has put into this project. If you do not receive a pin let us know and we will get one out to you. Pins are being mailed to those whom we know we have a good address. If you did not receive one, it may be that we are not sure we have a good address for you.
Rusty went to Atlanta on November 2nd and 3rd and had dinner with Dixie & Jerry Whitman and Stan Stockdale & his wife. He presented them with the pins and extra pins for the other members of the German Shepherd Club of Atlanta who helped us with the Columbus-Fort Benning Reunion. It was a fine get together – a memorable occasion for sure. The following weekend, Rusty and Tommy Prisoc went to Hearn Texas to visit the Worsham families and presented them with pins for Andy and Neil (now deceased). The families enjoyed meeting Rusty and Tommy and were overcome by this gesture of friendship to their sons and support that was being extended to them.
After that, Rusty and his fiancé visited the Hubbles in California and took in the two big games on the USC football schedule. USC vs UCLA and USC vs Notre Dame. I won't rub it in but USC did not lose. The rest is history.
In Memorium:
I am saddened to have to report that Dean Harrison of the 59th Scout Dog Platoon passed away on November 14th 2002 from cancer. Dean's services were well attended by many of his friends. An honor guard and flag ceremony were held at graveside. Dean is survived by his wife Judy, son Ryan and daughter Samantha. Robert Wilson, a former platoon member of the 59th Scout Dog Platoon who served with Dean, was present at the ceremony and reported that it was a very nice service.
Reunions and Miscellaneous:
Interest seems to be gathering that we should have a reunion in 2004. It is not too early to be thinking about what we would like to do. Some have said that Columbus-Fort Benning would be a logical place and a natural draw as a permanent site. Others have suggested that combining our reunion with the VDHA Reunion would be more efficient. Their next reunion is scheduled for Friday October 8, 9, and 10th 2004 in Phoenix AZ. If you have any suggestions or comments on this, we are interested in hearing from you. In the past several of us (myself, Jonathan Wahl, and Rusty mostly) have discussed it, made a decision and set the time and place. No real democratic process in action here. Last May's reunion was very complicated and structured. It doesn't have to be that formal. Maybe it should be a little longer and less structured with just a dinner event so we can just hang out more? The big issue is facilities such as capacity for rooms, eating facilities and a place to gather. If we need to accommodate over 100 people that can also be a major consideration. Let us know what you think or if you have some ideas.
The Vietnam Veterans of Brevard will be hosting Florida's 16th Annual Vietnam Veteran's Reunion from April 27-May 4, 2003 at Wickham Park in Melbourne, Florida. Last year, over 100,000 people attended the reunion. The Moving Wall will be on display beginning April 27th. The Space Coast War Dog Association, a private group of citizens who have come together to "preserve the memory of past, present, and future Military Working Dogs through public education and community relations", has plans to participate and invites all interested parties to attend. The SCWDA plans to dedicate two wreaths: one to recognize the dogs and handlers who protected and served, and one for those who gave their lives in defense of our freedom. The Military Working Dog Team wreath is scheduled to be carried to the wall by the family of Robert Hartsock, 44th IPSD, and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Both wreaths will have K-9 escorts by Vietnam Dog Handlers, Patrick AFB K-9 section, and local law enforcement K-9 units. There will also be a special Missing Dog Display . For more information see the SCWDA web site at http://www.scwda.org, view the Vietnam Veterans of Brevard website at http://members.aol.com/FLVietVets/reunion.html, or contact Sheri Wells at ip32120@aol.com, (321) 984-4394.
One of our major accomplishments this past quarter was finding James Bradshaw with the help of Randy Kimler. James Bradshaw was the third commanding Officer of the 47th Scout Dog Platoon after Roberto Miller. He is living in Alabama and was happy to be contacted. James reports that he may have some records packed away which may be of interest to us regarding his period with the unit. He also believes that he has the original guidon for the unit.
Mary Heins, a supporter of our unit, is in the process of making a War Dog Quilt using the 47th dogs' names in the squares. It sounds like it will be very impressive. Mary attended the Columbus Reunion and it was a pleasure to meet her.
Bill Sawyer now has an e-mail address through his local library and can be reached at b46saw@yahoo.com. He will check his mail weekly at the library. Bill had been sick and had some minor heart surgery but appears to be well now.
Bert's Commentary:
Jonathan and I both agree that this section of the report should be open to all former platoon members to voice their opinions and vent their feelings about any subject to include political commentary, current events and the like. We welcome your comments, which we shall call “Letters to the Editor” and will be happy to print your comments here but only ask that they be brief and in good taste.
I want to share a thought with you that goes something like this:
They controlled all the airways and the newspapers, but I was too busy so I did not speak up.
They curtailed civil liberties for increased security but I did not speak up.
They called you unpatriotic if you had a different idea but I was afraid so I did not speak up.
They came for the Iranians, but I was not an Iranian so I did not speak up.
They detained and deported immigrants & Muslims but I was neither so I did not speak up.
They came for the demonstrators, but I did not demonstrate so I did not speak up.
Then they came for me, but there was no one left to speak up, because I did not speak up.Take care of yourselves,
Bert
Author: Bertram M. Hubble Editor/Publisher: Jonathan D. Wahl © 2002 Bertram M. Hubble