May 2008 : Volume 8 - Issue 8

Newsletter for the Alumni and Friends of
Hicksville High School Hicksville, New York

The Editors:
Buffalo Bob Casale '61	Linda (Piccerelli) Hayden '60
Pat (Koziuk) Driscoll '56	Bob (Gleason) Wesley '61

Contributing Editors: Bob Gillette & Walter Schmidt

Webmaster: Roger Whitaker

To contact the editors, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Dear Readers,

Please make sure that This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. are on your safe list. Announcements and welcome letters are being returned with "not accepting" as the explanation by several ISP's; most notably AOL.com.

Thank you,
Your Editors

THE MID-LIFE CRISIS BAND WILL BE @
SAT MAY 10TH- PORT JAZZ
SAT JUNE 7TH- CALLAHAN'S
VISIT US AT..... WWW.MYSPACE.COM/MIDLIFECRISISLONGISLAND

Dear Alumni...
I am on a campaign...not for election to the presidency... I'm on a campaign to find and get as many yearbooks as I can acquire. If you have an extra yearbook....if you have a yearbook that you want to give away....if you have a yearbook you'll sell to me...please let me know as time permits.

We love to be able to scan old pictures and the best vehicle is a Comet yearbook. Even if you are willing to scan some pictures that we can include on our picture page, that would be wonderful. Please let me know. Thanks.

Warm Regards,
"Buffalo" Bob Casale

The dedication of the John Bull Locomotive will be held at the John Kennedy Park in Hicksville on Saturday, May 17th. Everyone is encouraged to attend the ceremony that will begin at 10am. A great deal of time and effort went into the reconstruction of this famous engine. Bring the entire family. John Kennedy Park is located at the intersection of Broadway, West/East John Street and Jerusalem Avenue.

The Editors

PEOPLE LOOKIN' FOR PEOPLE

If there's someone you're looking for, just send your request and we'll be happy to add it to the list.

If anyone knows these folks, send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CLASS OF '58 REUNION IDEAS POURING IN, FORMAL INVITATIONS BEING READIED

What's in store for the Class of 1958's 50th reunion? Plenty. But you'll have to wait to find out. Long Island members of the reunion committee plan to meet for dinner later this month to review some of the many ideas and suggestions fellow classmates made when they returned a reunion questionnaire last month. Based on the response, the committee anticipates as many as 135 people will attend the event on Long Island on Friday and Saturday, September 19 & 20--and perhaps more--once the official invitations go out later this month or early June.

Members of the class have suggested numerous ideas for the main event on Saturday, from a sit-down dinner to a clam bake, barbecue or informal lunch or dinner reception at a Long Island winery. Members of the class were also polled on ticket costs, entertainment, even hotel arrangements for those coming from out-of-town. Among the other ideas: gathering for cocktails on Friday evening, plenty of 50s music, and an after-hours tour of Hicksville High School, capped by the presentation of a gift to the school from the Class of '58. The Committee also plans to issue a directory of the class, along with biographical material on each person, in CD format. Hard copies will also be available for those who do not use a computer.

The 36-member reunion committee was able to locate 227 of the 270 members of the Class of '58 and still hopes to find most if not all of others by the time final arrangements are made. If you did not receive a questionnaire, misplaced it, or think you may know of someone from the class who may not know about the reunion, go to the Class of '58 reunion site, hix58reunion.com. You'll be able to fill out the questionnaire on line and send it electronically.

Serving on the reunion committee are: Dr. Alex Althausen (SC), Matthew Callaghan (NY), Jim Cunningham (AR), John Cunningham (AR), Armand DeRose (NY), Kathleen Donovan Agiesta (NY), Steve Dunefsky (FL), Linda Frimmer Whitlock (FL), Henry Goodman (FL), Gail McClusky Abreau (CA), Patricia McGrath Melis (NY), Rita Mallett Papzian (CT), Patricia Meehan Welles (CT), Nancy Neglia Martirano (NY), Al Notaro (NY), Vicky Penner Whitaker (IL), Pat Rankel Losciale (NY), Carol Rocek Sigloch (NY), Marcia Rubinstein Pollack (NJ), Richard Sneckenberg (CA), Frank Parker (Canada), Carol Stillwaggon (NY), Jeff Vogel (NY), Anita Uhlich Basile (NH), Joy Watson Haller (FL), Pamela Weickmann Swanson (AZ), Janet Wilson Moeller (NY), James Wise (TX), Marilyn Zeiher Reinhardt (NY), Ed Zivica (OR), Phil Cotsonas (NY), Roger Downey (NM), Geraldine Visalli Ferri (CA), Al Magill(NY), Diane Schultz Bessel (NY) and Charles Glasser (NY)

Class of '68 40th Reunion

Looking for any alumni or should have been alumni, class of '68. Dianne Gunnigle Burkhardt and I, Barbara Hoosack Sarluco, are looking to get together a committee for a 40th reunion. We would like to know if anyone is interested in attending or being a part of organizing one for the summer or fall. Dianne's e-mail is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 631-744-2738 and mine is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 516-883-0405. Hope to hear from some classmates soon.

FREE HHS REUNION WEBSITE NOW AVAILABLE

Need a website for your HHS reunion? Roger and Vicky (Penner) Whitaker '58 will provide it to your committee free through a new website, http://hixreunion.com/ that they have created exclusively for Hicksville High School classes. Individual classes can have their own sub-site within the overall site such as hixreunion.com/58 in which they can post a class list, committee contacts, reunion details and more. For information, write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Newsletter

To the Editors

I enjoyed the piece on the Farmer's Market. The photos brought back memories of a slightly grungy interior and the amazing displays of everything (as the article says) of clothing, storm windows, food, furniture and hardware. I was particularly struck by the reminder that families often wandered past the booths together, enjoying the sights and sounds and smells, and perhaps buying nothing more significant than a hot dog or an ice cream cone. Think of it; parents and kids and simple pleasures. No cell phones beeping, no hermetically sealed spaces with stale air and piped in music. I remember that people actually strolled along, chatting with hard working vendors. No frenetic shopping for designer clothes, no rowdy groups of teens, no foul language wafting across the aisles; just a sense of community.

It was in that market that I first encountered the Levitens, a husband and wife, offering custom made picture frames. Their work was superb; Gilda's choice of mats and frames celebrating treasured photos or art. Bill could build whatever Gilda conceived and the result was more than a purchase, it was a gift. After the fire I followed the Levitens to their new gallery on West John Street and brought my photographs there for over twenty years until their retirement. There are over a dozen photos in my home, lovingly framed by that warm and talented couple. Thanks once again for the memories.

Frank Scarangella, '55

I just finished reading the latest newsletter. Excellent job by all. Where did you guys get all the pictures of the Farmers Market? They're great! I searched online for anything on the Farmers Market and forwarded you what I found. Now I have to finish my article for the newsletter. I haven't gotten back to it in a while.

I forwarded the newsletter address to Bud and Joan Taylor. They are the parents of Karen (Taylor) Keegan, Ken Philcox's HS girlfriend that I still keep in touch with. We visited them when we were upstate NY. Bud was a fireman for Hicksville. I thought he might be interested in the pictures of Bernard Ofenloch's funeral. He may have even been there. I don't know if they, or Karen, are on the mailing list. Bud said he doesn't know most of the people who write in. I don't remember how long they lived in Hicksville.

Frank Koziuk, '67

(The pictures of the farmers market came from Richard Evers, historian, by way of Chris Andersen. Ed.)

Hey thanks you guys- you're doing a great job...I've been out in California for 28 yrs and its always good to catch images of "home" on your ("our") website.

My name is John Polli,'75 and I'm looking for Bobby Becker and Mitch Dubner, both from '72....Thanks

To the editors:

First and foremost: Congratulations on a job well done! Your hard work has created, for me, a very special "blast from the past". As a member of the Class of 1942 it is a great pleasure to catch up with people from the past especially those who attended HHS in the late '30's and early and even late '40's. Your most recent edition mentioned people like Pat Naso, Bea Eiseman, Pete Zieher, and Raymond Rusch, who are among the many I remember from those days of a while back.

Okay, let me reintroduce myself ( I have been in contact with this web site before). My name is Sam Levitt, brother of Gene Levitt ('44) and, I am sad to report, the late Milt Levitt ('49) who passed away almost a year ago. Many of you might remember us as the sons of Eva and Ben Levitt who ran a harness shop for horses, which later developed into auto upholstery shop in order to keep up with the times. Milt took over the business and kept it going until the late '80s after which he moved to the Baltimore area, where his wife, Suzanne, presently resides. Gene and I remained on Long Island, albeit the North Shore, where we still reside. Gene, who practiced law in the Huntington area, has a home in Centerport, in which he resides with his wife Shirley. I, formerly a secondary school Social Studies teacher in Great Neck, am still a resident there. My wife, Geraldine, I am sad to say, passed away almost six years ago.

I am writing this to make contact with classmates, friends, and acquaintances from the years spanning the late 30's through the late 40's. I would certainly like to hear from anyone who recognizes the names described above. As I stated before, your web site creates a very interesting and very informative "blast from the past". Once again, congratulations and very best wishes that you keep up the great work. All very best wishes, too, to all of you who recognize the names you see above.

Sincerely,
Sam Levitt '42

Your blast from the past ....

What Places Used To Be On Long Island

I didn't see:

• Hicksville Movie Theater on East Marie - now is a church
• Thrift City - Office Max
• Williams Dept Store - CVS
• Morton Village Theater - Office Building
• Jahns - Steak House

Thomas Carman, '74

Recently I learned that Frank's Alibi is now an Oriental restaurant. Now I wonder what ever happened to Jay Poggiali, class of '55, the owner's son.

Pat Koziuk Driscoll

I like your web site, it makes me feel young. Are there any kids my age visiting the site?

I just wanted to check up on my favorite groupie and lab partner in Mr. Ryan's class, Mark "The Leap" Liepert. And of course Howie Stryker, are you still living in the middle class? Don't worry guys; I finally grew up to be cool.

I live in Maryland and I am seriously interested in heading back to Lawn Gyland for a thirty year reunion for the Class of 1978. Is it happening?

Chris Melluso Class of 1978

Hi "Bobby" Casale,

Have been enjoying your newsletter pictures very much. My sister e-mailed me a photo of you in front of your house. We are the "Peter girls" who lived at 21 Edgewood Drive. I was friends with your sister, Patty. My name is Jackie Peter ('72). My two older sisters are Mikki Peter ('70) and Margo Peter ('68). We have two younger sisters, but I don't think you know them; they are a lot younger than we are - Amanda Peter ('83) and Jessica Peter ('85).

Would love to know how Patty, Diane and Eileen are doing and where they are living now. Anyone still in Hawaii?

Thanks again for the pictures of Hicksville, haven't been there in a while.

Jackie Mahler

Old friends reunited after 52 years April 5th 2008

This is a tale of two guys who were friends back in the mid 50`s, Ray Babinski and John Hattenback.

Both, class of 56 and in 1956, Ray Babinski went into the army. After the completion of his military term, Ray returned to Hicksville for a short time and then moved away and by doing so, lost touch with all the friends he had known from school, including John. All that was left were memories and photos and instead of trying to renew old friendships, both Ray and John went down their own paths in life trying to carve out their own nitch. Many years went by and through those years, Ray would look through his collection of photos that held so many memories in his life and he would often wonder what happened to not only John, but other friends that he had come to know in his young life. Finally realizing that he had to make some sort of effort to find John, for starters, Ray, using people search came up with three locations where John might be living and to make a long story short, located him living in Florida. This all happened in Nov. of '07. The first phone call lasted about three hours and they have talked back and forth either on the computer or phone almost every day since. So now the circle has started and they are looking for others from the past and have found, Eddie Kasten living in North Carolina and Bobby Dunn living in Georgia and the search goes on. As this article is being written, John has traveled to South Carolina to visit with Ray and become reacquainted after 52 years. Check out the then and now photos of Ray and John. Hope this little article will give some inspiration and hope to anyone who might want to find an old friend from the past. If you have someone who was a true friend and you both lost touch with each other, there is always the chance you can reconnect. This is the proof that it can happen. I know this as fact, it can happen.

Good Luck in your search
Ray Babinski

John Hattenback & Ray Babinski - then John Hattenback & Ray Babinski - recent Ed Kasten & Ray Babinski 04/2008. Reunited after 52 years

(Ray and John are not in the 1956 yearbook. Ed.)

I just finished reading this month's edition and had to write to tell you just how much the articles about the American veterans moved me. They brought me to tears and I was not ashamed to cry them. I have been widowed twice, both Korean War vets and have a very deep appreciation for all the veterans of this country, no matter which conflict they served or are still serving, they made/make great sacrifices and need to be thanked and honored. I have been to Washington, D. C. and been to all the war memorials there. They are all inspiring in their own way, but the "Wall" is, I believe, the most emotional. Also they left off the last words of FDR where he referred to God on the WWII memorial. I'm not sure of the exact quote, but I know it didn't end the way they ended it there. Thank you all, again, for doing such a terrific job with the newsletter. Madeline (Bianco) De Louisa, '60

I recently came across your web site and was so surprised to see that my sister Annette D'Amato is having her 50th reunion. Since my class will have their 50th in two years, I thought I'd like to add my name to the list of alumni for the class of 1960.

Thank you for providing such an easy venue for keeping in touch.

Sincerely,
Mary D'Amato Fenton

Good Day,

If you know the whereabouts of Billy Tufts '65 please tell him that Al Frost & Bill Cashel would like to reconnect.
I am an Island Trees grad that spent many an evening at the Wayside Inn in Glen Head with Bill. Thanks for you help.

Bill Cashel

Hi,

A while ago (not too terribly long ago) you had a link on in your monthly newsletter for some pictures of Mid Island Mall (I think now Broadway Mall). These were older pics - and they were wonderful. I subscribe to your newsletter (and LOVE it) and was telling my younger brothers about this. I have gone back and can't seem to find the link. Could you tell me which newsletter it was in? I would like my brothers to sign up for the newsletter and they both would love to see these pictures.

Thanks so much, keep up the great work!! I graduated in 1979 and have yet to find anyone from my class, but I watch all the time!

Barbara Ruggles (nee Sprufera)

(There are some photos on classmates.com. We hope you can view them all. Classmates.com sometimes just lets you see 3 pix and then tells you to go gold! I think we did publish them but in one of the newsletters available only on disk from Bob Casale. His mailing address is on the archives page.)

What a wonderful find was this web site. Thanks to old friend, Steve Moddle. I'm Claudette Slavek Meier from the Great Class of '53! Like Ali, from the minds and hearts of this class we always felt like the greatest. Not necessarily as individuals or egotistically but as a group. What spirit we had. What fun we had. How fortunate we were to go through high school in Hicksville and in the '50's! Ray Rusch and Pat Naso were our hero's. Mabel Farley, Principal, our Rock of Gibraltar. She truly cared about all of us. What a leader and as a great leader our admiration often ran from fear to respect and sometimes back again! Five years ago this incredible Class of '53, drawn together by Patty Lenzner and Roberta Sipf, celebrated our 50^th Class Reunion, in large numbers and the spirit was still there. Those were the days when potato fields still dotted the outskirts of town and backed up the houses on Murray Road. Students from Plainview and Levittown attended HHS. Believe it or not! That's when we still attended the "Old" High School. What a great place to grow up. We never thought of "growing up" into our 70's! But here we are and still keeping in touch. Thumbnail of my life thus far: Adelphi graduate before it became a U. Graduate degree NYU in Camping and Outdoor Education. Taught Jr/Sr High seven years; purchased children's summer camp in NH 42 years; sold and reinvested in various commercial properties. Now semi retired. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Would love to hear from anyone who might remember. Many thanks to all the folks who have established and maintain this great web site. Obviously lots of time and effort and a job WELL DONE!

Fondly,
Claudette

Hi Everyone: Hope all are healthy and happy, especially the class of 1956. If you have time, catch me on the web at www.howcast.com in "How to Appear Younger Than You Really Are." It was a fun shoot and the webisode is hysterical!

http://www.howcast.com/videos/3020-How-To-Appear-Younger-Than-You-Really-Are

All best wishes to everyone,
Harri Molese, Class of 1956

Hello, I have been reading Hixnews and think it's great. It's good to catch up with a lot of people we knew and can somehow get back in touch with them.

My name is Linda ( Mastrosanti ) Aragoncillo, my husband is James I graduated in 1961, birthdate is May 10th, anniversary is May 25, we are living in New York.

I have connected with a lot of my friends from H.H.S. It's really a shame that too many years have gone by and we lost connect with friends.

You have done a great job, bringing back great memories of Hicksville. My husband and I have a lot of good memories growing up here.

Thank you.

Former Spanish teacher Libbie Kozma is still in Memorial Hospital S, 3600 Washington St., Hollywood FL 33021. Her daughter Margaret (Kozma) Ryan tells us that she has been moved out of critical care and awaits going to a nursing home.

Gloria HurleyDear Alumni:

We have a very active counter at Liberty Plumbing and Heating Supply in Hicksville. One of our major competitors doesn't supply replacement parts for faucets. We had two ladies come to the counter and they were asking for parts and they had samples of the parts they needed. Our competitor sent the people to us because, the competition said, "Liberty probably has the parts you need." So, after viewing the parts, we were able to satisfy their requirements. All the while, I'm staring at one of the ladies and finally said, "You look very familiar to me." She said, "what do you mean?" I said, "you look like someone I know. When did you graduate from high school?" She said, "1961!" "My question to her was what high school did you graduate from?" Her comment was, "Hicksville High School." So I went and got my yearbook (of course it's always handy) and I found this nice looking ladies' picture in the yearbook. I showed her the picture and her comment was something reminiscent of, "I was a lot younger then." "Well, let me tell you something, Gloria, you look great, and your yearbook picture and the way you look now are very close!!!"

I love to meet my friends from high school. Here's a picture of Gloria from years past...

Sal Barlotta was a Hicksville High School Graduate who was surrounded by friends who really enjoyed being part of his entourage. Sal had a well rounded personality and despite his size was a gentle man. A definitive statement about his size would end in huge or big. Sal loved body building and devoted hours of his time toning his muscles and making his body a shrine for others to enjoy. He could easily embarrass most of us who weren't as enthusiastic about our condition but would never berate anyone intentionally.

Sal worked hard and played hard. You wouldn't say he was fearless but Sal knew when he was operating beyond his normally secure surroundings. With one exception. When he had a dirt bike accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Sal was only 19 years old. If only he had been able to see down that road!!

Sal worked for many years as a draftsman, but there is a lot of empty space that needs to be filled in concerning his life from the time of his accident until his untimely death in 1996.

Sal had a sister, Lou Ann, who was very protective of her brother. Not much is known about her life with the exception of the joy of having a son, Kenneth. Lou Ann died from breast cancer in May of 1989.

The editors of the Hicksville Newsletter would like someone to fill in the gaps on the lives of these two individuals who were Hicksvillites to the end.

Below are some pictures.

Sal is on the right. Chris Andersen thinks the fellow on the left is Doug Berry. Sal is on the right. Chris Andersen thinks the fellow on the left is Doug Berry Sal after his accident

140 Gardiners Avenue

My name is Alice (Hertel) Florentine class of "58. My birthday is the 26th of September.

My husbands name is Dr. Gerard Florentine. Our anniversary is August 15, 1959.

We are living in Mechanicsburg, PA since 1974

I have a copy of the HHS 1963 yearbook that I would like to give away. I am not quite sure how I got it, due to the fact that I graduated in '64. If the editors or anyone else would like it I will be glad to mail it. Please feel free to publish my e-mail address. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Thank you, Mike Cucci

Hello. I have just seen your newsletter for the very first time. I graduated Hx HS in 1966 and my name is Judy Joel (Molinari). My brother is Billy Joel.

I would like to receive your newsletter regularly.

Thank you very much,
Judy

This is for Carol MacArthur. My name is Jane (Schaeffler) Dieterich. I graduated in 1960 and grew up next door to Maria Heilig. We were neighborhood childhood buddies. I have lost track of her and I don't know if you remember me. I married Bob Dieterich from the class of 1958, and have been married 47 years. We now reside in East Setauket and Vero Beach which is very close to Melbourne.

Hi,

Class of 1960. I live in northern Virginia, near D.C., with Caren, my wife of 40+ years. I reunited with Forest Dunbar at the only reunion I was able to make it to, about a year ago. He and I ran cross-country when Mr. Earl was the coach. I look forward to reading more newsletters and attending another reunion, hopefully with more members of the Class of '60 there. Keep up the good work!

Jack Gould

Hey Folks; I just received this for a new subscriber. I have had info on Classmates on The Newsletter for about 3 years. Didn't know it was still on there. I will let her know that you will add her name to the list.

Thanks.
Linda Piccerelli Hayden '60

Hi Linda,
I got your e-mail address from classmates. I am interested in the newsletter.

Susan (Donner) Merkler, class of 1968, married Gerard (Rod) Merkler class of 1964. Got married October 30th 1969.
My birthday is Sept. 25th. Rod's birthday is June 9th. We live in West Melbourne, FL. We have 2 sons and 3 granddaughters.

Looking forward to the newsletter,
Susan

Dear Editors,

Living in North Carolina, I'd love to catch up with Mr. Pat Naso, if at all possible; so learning from the picture and caption submitted by Stephen Moddle, Class of 1953, that Pat lives in North Carolina caught my attention. If you can get this note to Stephen so he might possibly forward me Mr. Naso's address, and any other contact information he has for him, I'd certainly appreciate it.

Also, the piece on the Farmer's Market held many memories for me. My family spent many a fun Friday night there and while it was shopping for Mom, my siblings and I usually had a great time and enjoyed some good food, be it a piece of pizza or something else, in the bargain! My wife and I recently visited a farmer's market in Raleigh, our state capital and near where we live. While she hails from Schenectady, New York, even she was drawing comparisons to the few times she went to the Farmer's Market with my family before we were married!

Keep up the great work. This newsletter has to be one of a kind and I'm certain it is really succeeding in bringing alumni together and reuniting many of us.

Best regards,
Joe Carfora '62

Photo Gallery

Birthdays & Anniversaries

New Readers & Returns

New Readers

A Note From The Editors: To all, a hearty welcome to HixNews.Com. We hope you will all feel free to participate with memories and thoughts that you may have about Hicksville High, and your times growing up on the Island.

If you are a new member (or know of one), please send the name, year of graduation, date of birth (month and day only), anniversary date, name of spouse, and the state where you live. Send it to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• Susan (Krex) Howard, 1959
• Alice (Hertel) Florentine, 1958 (PA)
• Jackie (Peter) Mahler, 1972
• Linda Link, 1963 (NY)
• Joan (Lebkuecher) D'Auria, 1948 (NY)
• Mary (D'Amato) Fenton, 1960
• Bill Cashel, friend of HHS (L.I.)
• Claydette (Slavek) Meier, 1953
• Frank Sprufera (TX) family relocated to TX before grad in 1983
• Leona (O'Hanley) Schilling, 1963 (GA)
• Linda (Mastrosanti) Aragoncillo, 1961 (NY)
• Margaret (Kozma) Ryan, 1967 (FL)
• Judy (Joel) Molinari, 1966
• Larry Knieter, 1957 (ID)
• Dan Knieter, 1961
• Jack Gould, 1960 (VA)
• Susan (Donner) Merkler, 1968 (FL)
• Michele Lauer-Bader, 1967 (L.I.)
• Richard Swain, 1951

Returns

Returned Newsletters: Remember the 3 strike rule: Three returns and your name will be removed from our mailing list. If you see your name listed below and still wish to be contacted by HixNews, please send a change of address to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Also, you may want to contact your ISP and advise them that HixNews is NOT SPAM.

• Nancy (Portoghese) Miller,'65
• Rita Felt,'62 (x2)
• Catherine Buckner,'62
• Ralph Powell,'57
• Evelyn (Ulmer) Schaaf,'38 (x2)
• Harvey Dunefsky,'56 (x2)
• Bill Kozma,63 (x2)
• Lillian (Ranzo) Ramirez,'61
• Ron Wilson,'62
• Elyse(Marlin) Soffer,'61

Honoring our Veterans

A Time To Remember, To Reflect, To Heal: The Weekend Of June 6, 2008, Part 2

 From my point of view, the "Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall," a traveling, three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, is as close to being in 'Washington, D.C. as you can get without actually going there.

 One of our alumn, Joe Ingino class of '65, is organizing a Hicksville Alumn Event during that weekend at the 'Wall.' If you might be interested in joining us, or volunteering to help during those three days, please contact me directly - 516.733.8414 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - for additional information.

 In Memory Day

 An April 21 ceremony recognized Veterans Not Eligible for Inscription on The Wall when seventy-five American heroes were honored posthumously during a ceremony to pay tribute to the men and women who died prematurely from noncombatant injuries and emotional suffering caused directly by the Vietnam War, but who are not eligible to have their names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial . The Tenth Annual In Memory Day Ceremony was held on Monday, April 21, 2008, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Nearly 1,000 family members, friends and fellow veterans visited the nation's capital to participate in this year's event, sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. In Memory Day allows The Wall to do what it does best: provide a healing environment for family members and friends. The Department of Defense developed very specific parameters that allow only the names of service members who died of injuries suffered in combat zones to be inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The In Memory program recognizes those men and women who have died prematurely as a result of the Vietnam War, but who do not meet the criteria. Many of their deaths are a result of Agent Orange exposure. During the ceremony, family members read aloud their loved ones' names in chronological order by date of death. Following the ceremony, participants lay tributes at the base of The Wall corresponding to the honorees' dates of service in Vietnam, so that these Vietnam veterans come to rest near those comrades with whom they served. With the addition of this year's honorees, more than 1,700 individuals have been honored in the In Memory Honor Roll. The annual In Memory ceremony is held on the third Monday of April. That date was chosen specifically to coincide with Patriots Day, which commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord at the start of the Revolutionary War -- the first time Americans fought for freedom and democracy.

 The Virtual Wall

 The Virtual Wall is a commemorative website created to extend the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It allows families, friends and veterans to post photo, text and audio remembrances to those who lost their lives in the war or remain missing in action .

 The Virtual Wall features more than 100,000 messages, anecdotes and photographs and provides visitors with the ability to print digital name rubbings  similar to those at The Wall in Washington, D.C. The Memorial Fund encourages you to post remembrances for friends and loved ones whose names are inscribed on the Memorial to remember and honor each and every one of those who served in the Vietnam War and to expand this digital legacy project.

 Agent Orange

 The following information is from the issue of the Medical Research Council dated March 24, 2008, "Environmental Factors Linked To Development Of Autoimmune Diseases," (http://www.mrc.ac.uk/NewsViewsAndEvents/News/MRC004475).

 "Scientists working at the MRC National Institute for Medical Research have shown that environmental factors can influence the development of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. A team led by Dr Brigitta Stockinger has identified a molecular mechanism that links a wide range of environmental factors to the autoimmune reactions in which immune system cells attack body tissue. The results are published online in Nature. The research focused on a protein called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Activation of the AhR causes enzymes to be produced that are involved in reducing the toxic effect of a wide range of chemicals on the human body. Many of these, such as DIOXIN [the 'active ingredient' in Agent Orange], are generated in industrial processes. The research found that stimulation of AhR by environmental factors could be involved in development of autoimmune disease."

 This is not the only study nor the only disease that is being suggested/found to be 'influenced' by Vietnam Veterans' exposure to Agent Orange.

 Only more time, a precious commodity not all of us have, will tell.

 This Month's Not Commented on Story

Part 1 - Shh! Like Heck We Will

 VA DELIBERATELY CONCEALED SUICIDE NUMBERS AND RISK, INTERNAL E-MAILS SHOW -- E-mails from Dr. Ira Katz, VA's mental health chief, show 18 vets a day commit suicide and four to five of them are in VA care. The Department of Veterans Affairs came under fire again Monday, this time in California federal court where its facing a national lawsuit by veterans rights groups accusing the agency of not doing enough to stem a looming mental health crisis among veterans. As part of the lawsuit, internal e-mails raise questions as to whether top officials deliberately deceived the American public about the number of veterans attempting and committing suicide. The charges were backed by internal emails written by Dr. Ira Katz, the VA's head of Mental Health. In the past, Katz has repeatedly insisted while the risk of suicide among veterans is serious, it's not outside the norm. "There is no epidemic in suicide in VA," Katz told Keteyian in November. But in his e-mail to his top media advisor, written two months ago, Katz appears to be saying something very different, stating: "Our suicide prevention coordinators are identifying about 1,000 suicide attempts per month among veterans we see in our metical facilities." Katz's email was written shortly after the VA provided CBS News data showing there were only 790 attempted suicides in all 2007 - a fraction of Katz's estimate. "This 12,000 attempted suicides per year shows clearly, without a doubt, that there is an epidemic of suicide among veterans," said Paul Sullivan of Veterans for Common Sense. And it appears that Katz went out of his way to conceal these numbers. First, he titled his e-mail: "Not for the CBS News Interview Request." He opened it with "Shh!" - as in keep it quiet - before ending with "Is this something we should (carefully) address ... before someone stumbles on it?"

 This Month's Not Commented on Story

Part 2 - Yea, Right

 SEN. MURRAY CALLS FOR VA OFFICIAL'S RESIGNATION AFTER SUICIDE COVER-UP -- Murray on Dr. Ira Katz: "Dr. Katz's irresponsible actions have been a disservice to our veterans and it is time for him to go." In the wake of a CBS News report that revealed the Department of Veterans Affairs deliberately withheld critical information about the true suicide risk among veterans, Sen. Patty Murray, Wash., today called for the resignation of Dr. Ira Katz, the VA's top official for mental health. Murray, a senior member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, says "Dr. Katz's irresponsible actions have been a disservice to our veterans and it is time for him to go." She continues, "The number one priority of the VA should be caring for our veterans, not covering up the truth." Yesterday, Katz told CBS News that the reason the numbers mentioned in his e-mails had not been made public was because the "results were available for only one or two months, and there were and still are questions about how consistent or reliable the findings would be."

 This Month's Not Commented on Story

Part 3 - I Agree

 SEN. AKAKA JOINS CALL TO OUST VA OFFICIAL -- U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, called for the resignation of Dr. Ira Katz, Mental Health Officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs, following reports that Dr. Katz was involved in efforts to cover up the number of veterans attempting suicide. Akaka sent his request by letter to Dr. Michael Kussman, VA's Under Secretary for Health. "Dr. Katz's personal conduct and professional judgment have been called into question. I believe veterans, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, would be best served by his immediate resignation," said Akaka.

 This Month's Not Commented on Story

Part 4 - Again, Yea, Right

 AT TRIAL, VA OFFICIAL DENIES SUICIDE NUMBERS COVER UP -- Also, Dr. Michael Kussman makes strange statement reinforcing stigma of mental illness. Despite E-mails, VA Boss Denies Cover Up. The head of health care at the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) denied any wrong doing by the agency on Thursday as more internal emails surfaced showing VA officials discussed withholding suicide information from the public. While on the stand in California federal court, where the VA is facing a lawsuit filed by veteran advocates who are demanding better health care, Dr. Michael Kussman, the VA's Under Secretary for Health, said, "I disagree with the premise that there was some effort to cover up something." Undersecretary of Health Reinforces Stigma of Mental Illness. You've got to scratch your head when one of the government's chief advocates for health care in the Veterans Administration just reinforces the old stigmas associated with mental health concerns. Testifying before a federal judge in San Francisco, Michael Kussman said: "The number of patients who have adjustment reactions to the experience that they have in Afghanistan or Iraq is very important, but we don't believe that's mental illness," Kussman said. "It would be unfair and inappropriate to stigmatize people with a mental health diagnosis when they are having what most people believe are normal reactions to abnormal situations." Well, golly gee Dr. Kussman, are you saying that traumatic reaction to wartime situations isn't a mental illness? Because posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) surely has existed in one form or another since all wars have ever been fought. Is PTSD simply an "adjustment reaction" (whatever that is)? Or are you saying that an adjustment disorder isn't a real, diagnosable mental disorder? Because, if you are, you'd be wrong on that account as well. Having a depressive, traumatic or anxious reaction to combat is actually not a normal reaction (even if some of us believe it should be). And sadly, war and combat fighting is not an "abnormal situation" for a soldier - it is exactly what is expected of them (and what they signed up for). In a perfect world, we wouldn't need soldiers. But in a perfect world, we would definitely take care of those who fought for us. That especially means not minimizing the effects of wartime, nor reinforcing the stigma of mental illness - a condition that returns with so many of our military men and women who have seen combat.

 Hicksville Trivia

 Circa 1957, the East border of Montana Street, running to Nevada Street and then all the way up to Burns Avenue, John - his mother Mary, brother William and sister Olga -Staryk. Of what is it I reminisce?

Lest We Forget

 Currently there are (at least) 4,932 (52 more since last month) Veterans of Modern Warfare who no longer will be "asking" our government for a dime . . .

 Till next month be well... and remember, "Let No Veteran Ever Stand Alone!"

--- --- Walt Schmidt Veteran Services Officer
- - --- TOBay's Veteran Services Division
- - - - "Let No Veteran Ever Stand Alone!"
--- --- WorkDayTime: 516.733.8414 & 24/7 Voice Mail
- - --- Anytime: 24/7 Voice Mail 516.799.8300
- - - - Website: http://www.waltsdorsai.net/
Ken Sun - Weekly Column: http://experts.longisland.com/veterans

"To know yet to think that one does not know is best;
Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty."
- Lao-Tzu 71:1 

Memory Lane

My thanks to the editors for creating a great newsletter, I look forward to reading it each month. This is a little before our time, but interesting Hicksville history...

Regards, Ann Grunewald , '59

1909 AMERICA'S PREMIER AUTOMOBILE RACE (Vanderbilt Cup), RUN ON THE LONG ISLAND COURSE.

In Memoria

I have been informed by Anne Nolan, wife of Bob Nolan '57, that Dave Stahl '57 passed away last December. Anne can be reached at the Cradle of Aviation if you need more details.
(http://www.cradleofaviation.org/ )

Pete Foster '57

Classmates, I just received a call from Elfriede (Kiks) Hinck('49) informing me her brother Harry Kiks passed away. I'm not sure what class he was in, but I think '46 or '47. He lived in Cape Charles, VA. If you'd like to send a card or note to Elfriede her address is below:

4244 Lanai Drive Sarasota, FL 34241-5608

Keep in touch,
Art Lembke